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    33 Things That'll Help You Make Smart Packing Choices For Your Next Trip

    It's true — the key to a successful trip is packing smarter, not harder 🧳.

    1. A wheeled carry-on bag if you have no intention of paying for a checked bag but still need to make the most of the space you have available. It's small enough to fit under the seat, so it can even qualify as a personal item on extra strict airlines (you know the ones). 

    reviewer's pic of suitcase open so you can see a large mesh pocket and large compartment
    the backpack in a Spirit Airlines personal item sizing station showing that it fits the requirements

    Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!

    Promising review: "If you are a consultant and struggle carrying big carry-ons. This is a perfect one for you. I love this purchase!!! Lightweight. Enough space for 1–3 days of travel. Thank you!" —SS

    Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in colors purple, ocean, and black).

    2. Or a durable travel backpack that is, quite possibly, *the* perfect personal item thanks to its waterproof design, anti-theft pocket, USB charging port, and a dedicated shoe compartment. There's room for everything!

    reviewer photo of three people walking through the airport all wearing the travel backpack
    reviewer's light blue backpack placed in the airport personal item bin showing it fits
    same bag under the airplane seat with plenty of leg room left

    This is super roomy, zips completely open (like a suitcase — so it's easy to find what you need), has plenty of pockets (including one for shoes and a separate wet bag!), and a strap that slides down over your luggage handle for easy transport.

    Promising reviews: "I bought this backpack for work. It's the BEST backpack I've ever used. I needed one with several pockets and not too big or heavy. I found that with this backpack, I can fill it and still have room! There's even a shoe and clothing compartment for traveling! The straps are just wide enough to stay on your shoulders, especially with the snap straps in front. I also love the color, and it's true to the picture color. If you're looking for lightweight with tons of pockets, this is what you need!" —Kelly Miller

    "This is a perfect size backpack for traveling on a plane as your personal item, especially to international destinations. You could fit rolled-up clothes in here for another week, and it has a very handy shoe bag and tons of places for your electronics. This will be an excellent addition to my carry-on suitcase. Best purchase all year. I consider myself an expert on travel bags. I have way too many. It’s smaller than it looks but so roomy." —AP

    Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in four sizes and 26 colors/styles).

    3. digital luggage scale to help you pack the essentials without incurring any overweight bag fees. You won't be filled with dread when you head to the airport because you already know your bag is under the weight limit!

    hand held luggage scale
    Reviewer photo of green digital luggage scale being used to weight red suitcase

    Promising review: "Buy this if you travel a lot. I travel with scuba dive gear and this saved me from going over the weight limit both going to the island and returning. I was a hero with my friends. They had no idea how much their bags weighed. I helped them too from going over their weight limit. It's easy to use and worth the money." —Tinadiver

    Get it from Amazon for $11.98+ (available in six colors and as a pack of two).

    4. A travel wallet for a sensible *and* stylish way to carry all your important documents so they don't take up valuable space in your carry-on bag. Boarding pass? Check. Passport? Check. Credit cards? Check. 

    reviewer's orange travel wallet holding passport and other items
    reviewer showing how thin the wallet is when closed

    This RFID-blocking wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, a slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a zippered coin pocket, a key holder, and a pen holder.

    Promising review: "This wallet is durable, chic, and spacious. The lining is very soft and feels expensive. From the design to the material to the zippers and snaps, it's well made. I ordered it in rose gold, and it's a beautiful color. I travel frequently and love the boarding pass pocket. I recommended it to my sister and mom, who also love theirs! They ordered in yellow and bronze and were also happy with the color." —Brianna Graham

    Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 31 colors).

    5. set of packing cubes you'll soon wonder how you ever traveled without. Your clothes will stay nicely folded (or rolled!) and you'll save room in your suitcase. Expert packing level 🔓unlocked.

    reviewer's clothes neatly organized in green packing cubes
    the closed green packing cubes inside reviewer's suitcase

    Promising review: "I travel frequently and travel light. My luggage is usually limited to a backpack that slides under the airline seat. For a two-week European cruise, I added a carry-on rolling suitcase. I've used these packing cubes twice so far, and I am hooked. One cube holds everything (including clothing) I take on a three-night trip. The cube slides into my pack, saving massive amounts of room, and everything is easy to find during travel and at the hotel. Taking out one cube and unzipping is much better than digging through a pack! I will never leave home without these!" —Gura

    Get a set of five from Amazon for $21.99 (available in 13 colors and as a set of eight).

    6. Or some vacuum storage bags when you're a serial over-packer...or if you simply need to maximize luggage space. Place your items in the bag and suck out the air with the included travel pump. Who says you can't bring multiple outfit options on vacation?

    A BuzzFeeder's bulky clothes in a sealed bag with text:
    The BuzzFeeder's same clothes now vacuum-sealed with text:
    Jasmin Sandal / BuzzFeed

    Former BuzzFeed Shopping writer Jasmin Sandal says: "I swear by these bad boys not only for general storage purposes, but also if I know I'm going to be traveling for an extended period of time. As someone who tends to pack for every eventuality (who doesn't like to be prepared?!) I have learned that it's better to travel with them than without — especially since it's more or less a guarantee that my clothes are gonna take up a ~substantial~ amount of room in my suitcase. And if I can use something that's gonna shrink the size of my bulky hoodies and/or big tees in order for me to create more space, I'm sure as heck gonna do it. Plus, the satisfaction is indeed guaranteed because when you see those chunky layers flatten into a pancake...it's just *chef's kiss*."

    Promising review: "These are the best packing bags. We used them traveling across the country and... to save space in the suitcase! It's really easy to have the pump right inside the suitcase to flatten the bags when traveling for pleasure. I definitely recommend this for home or travel." —kit

    Get a six-pack from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six sizes and in packs of three, four, or 20).

    7. A Kindle because bookworms should be able to keep up with their reading habit while on vacation. Packing a huge stack of *actual* books isn't exactly realistic but this compact and lightweight Kindle is a great alternative.

    model outside using Kindle to read a book
    Amazon

    It has a 300-ppi high-resolution display, an adjustable front light, and dark mode. The battery can last up to six weeks on a single charge and it offers 16 GB for storing thousands of books.

    BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer says: "I never thought I'd be an e-reader person, but living in a New York apartment with limited bookshelves changed my ways. I love love (love love love) my Kindle — especially for easily borrowing library books, squeezing in a few chapters on a subway ride, and of course traveling. I lit'rally read 10 times as much with a Kindle in my life."

    Promising review: "I was so skeptical about switching from actual books to the Kindle but I have loved it!!! It’s so much more convenient to read and travels well. I’ve only had it like two weeks and have only charged it once (have read three books)!! Its battery life is amazing." —Haley

    Get the newest 2022 version of the basic Kindle from Amazon for $99.99 (available in black and blue). 

    8. A slim and packable Trtl neck pillow that'll take up way less space than the round ones. You don't have to sacrifice your comfort just so there's one less annoying item to pack. Goodbye, sore necks and bulky pillows!

    reviewer wearing black Trtl neck pillow on flight
    a different reviewer wearing black Trtl neck pillow on flight

    Unlike the regular U-shaped pillows, Trtl Pillows are machine-washable and fast-drying.

    Check it out on TikTok here

    Promising review: "Used it for a 14-hour flight to Japan last week, and it helped tremendously. This was the first time I was able to sleep on the plane so this helped tremendously. Definitely a must-have for travel. It is very light so I was able to easily pack it in my under-the-seat wheeled trolley. I want to emphasize how much the light warmth of the fleece (and I don't like being hot) was just right to help me nod off to sleep. Since this is primarily for sitting upright in the seat or someone in the middle or the aisle seat, this was ideal for me. I just got back yesterday. Again I used it — this time for a 12-hour flight." —Ambience

    Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in five colors).

    9. An amazingly compact travel stroller if one of your major anxieties when packing revolves around your essential parenting items. This stroller is SO dang portable *and* it can count as a carry-on item.

    Reviewer's photo showing the folded stroller fitting the carryon size requirement for Southwest Airlines
    Reviewer's photo showing the stroller in black at Disney

    The stroller is supposed to accommodate kids from 6 months up to 55 pounds (approx. 4 years old).

    Promising review: "This stroller is great! So cool looking, too. I constantly have moms coming up to me asking where I got this! So easy to fold, so light, and barely takes any space in my trunk. We took it on a flight, and the flight attendants recognized the stroller and told me that I can just wheel the baby on and put the stroller in the overhead bin. I wish I had gotten this stroller with my oldest, but I was being cheap. This stroller is so worth the money. I regret not getting it sooner! But at least my youngest can enjoy it." —Nai Len

    Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in seven styles and four colors).

    10. A set of TSA-approved silicone travel bottles so your toiletries are ready for flight in no time. This set also includes spray bottles and jars for storing other products, like lotions and perfumes.

    These BPA-free bottles feature a leakproof design so you won't have to worry about messy spills. Each silicone bottle also has the capacity printed on it for TSA purposes! You get four bottles, four jars, and two spray bottles. It also comes with two scoopers to use with the jars, a funnel for transferring liquids, a clear travel bag, a set of labels, and a cleaning brush.

    Promising review: "This little set is perfect for your travel toiletries. Instead of paying $3 for those little travel bottles, you can fill your favorite products in these. The taller tubes are silicone and easy to fill. For the circular containers, I used the little scooper to fill them. I didn't use the spray bottles this trip, but I did use everything else, and I'm happy to say nothing leaked. Easy to clean after use as well." —Nicole

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors).

    11. Or this waterproof toiletry bag designed to hold tons of stuff — it has four compartments so you can pack all your travel-size items. There's also a handy hanging hook so you won't lose track of it!

    the pink toiletry bag opened showing all compartments filled with items
    the same bag zipped up into a compact purse

    Promising review: "I. Love. This. Bag. Seriously, I had a cheap toiletry bag from Target that essentially did the same thing, only way worse. It was too small; the hook didn't rotate so you could only hang it at an angle, if anything ever leaked; it would seep right through the bag, etc. But THIS bag has NONE of those issues! It fits everything I need and then some, meaning I don't have to skimp on my 10-step Korean skincare routine when I travel anymore. It never leaks. And I love that the hook swivels so you can hang it anywhere, and your stuff hangs perfectly. I also love the handle and the overall flatter shape. It makes it so easy to travel with! Cannot recommend this bag enough." —KaiEli

    Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and 11 colors).

    12. OR! A set of three Cadence containers for storing toiletries and other odds and ends. These compact leakproof containers can be used for bath products, pills, small jewelry items, etc., and they'll always stick together.

    Three skincare product containers labeled Cleanser and Moisturizer, one open showing product
    Amazon

    Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon as a way to eliminate single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic. 

    My coworker Abby Kass loves them! Here's what she has to say: "I recently got a set of four of these, and, wow, I love them so much. I used them on a six-day trip recently, and they were perfect. I customized the label so I knew which one was my shampoo vs. conditioner and did a general label for any other things I wanted to bring along. They do hold a surprising amount. According to the brand, they hold approximately one to two weeks of skincare products, more than two weeks' worth of serum, two to three days' worth of haircare, and more than 15 tablets (for medicine and such). And while two to three days' worth of haircare might not seem like enough, I found it held more than that for me, but I also don't wash my hair every single day. They were small enough to slip right into my toiletries bag and go through TSA with no problem. The container was easy to open in the shower (even with wet hands), and I had no leakage from them (like I did from my face wash bottle that will not be making the trip with me next time, SMH). These are an incredibly useful tool anyone who travels will want in their luggage."

    Promising review: "I absolutely love these! I ended up buying more of the labels and extra containers on the website. These are perfect for a first-time set and the perfect size for flying. 100% makes my packing lighter and more contained overall." —Sara

    Get a set of three from Amazon for $42 (available in four colors and in a haircare and daily routine set). 

    13. A mighty convenient collapsible leakproof water bottle because you need to stay hydrated while traveling without giving up a big chunk of space in your bag. Bonus: you'll save money on those expensive airport water bottles.

    Reviewer holding dark green water bottle with geometric indents
    same bottle collapsed in the reviewer's hand showing how small it is

    Promising review: "I just bought this bottle and I’m already obsessed. I even ordered four more to bring with me on vacation and share with my family. I love how easily it folds back up and it doesn’t leak at all. I just wish it came in more colors and can’t wait to show everyone my cool new bottle!" —Brittany

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in multiple styles, colors, and sets). 

    14. And if you can't survive without caffeine, a collapsible coffee cup so you can get your fix without bringing your enormous reusable coffee cup from home. This is much easier to pack in your bag!

    reviewer in a hammock holding teal collapsible coffee cup
    another reviewer holding sage cup in collapsed position

    It's also microwave-safe! Note that the 12-ounce size does not include a straw, but both the 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes do.

    Stojo is a small biz founded by three New York dads who wanted a better way to get their convenient coffee fix without all the waste. Now they make stylish collapsible essentials in a variety of sizes and colors, including bottles and food storage containers.

    BuzzFeed Shopping editor Danielle Healy has this and loves it. She says: "This is of the first zero-waste swaps I made and I've never looked back. If you buy to-go coffee – whether you're jet-setting or just grabbing a mid-day pick-me-up — this cup is a must-have. So long as you remember to bring it, it's all the convenience of to-go coffee with none of the waste. It's leakproof and, when you're all done, it collapses down teeny tiny and can be tossed back in your bag. Oh! And it comes with a straw, so all you iced coffee lovers can get in on the action, too."

    Promising review: "I've been using it now for almost three weeks and I love the durability and how compact it really is. I tested out if it leaks by adding water almost to filling point and then turned it upside down and no leaks. I even shook it a couple of times and nothing. If you travel a lot or are considering it, this is your go to. Lightweight, compact, durable. This brand is definitely on my top five." —Sunny

    Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in four sizes and in 24 colors).

    15. space-saving laundry bag that'll keep your dirty laundry separate from your clean clothes. The brilliant design lets you release excess air from the bag to save room in your luggage, which is always needed when returning from a trip with a *few* more purchases than you planned.

    The laundry bag
    Amazon

    Just stuff them in and squeeze to release the extra air!

    Promising review: "As a frequent traveler, this bag has been great for packing dirty laundry on the return trip home. It will hold much more than I usually put in it and compresses nicely in the suitcase. I toss it in the washer along with the clothes, and it has held up for well over a year now." —CC

    Get it from Amazon for $12.16 (also available in an airplane print).

    16. A pack of moisture-proof travel pill organizers to ensure you stay on your daily supplement and medication schedule without having to pack a bunch of big bottles in your toiletry bag. It has EIGHT compartments and comes with labels so you know what's what.

    a reviewer holding a small green pill case
    a reviewer photo of the pill case open with multiple compartments filled with pills

    Promising review: "These were the perfect size to hold all our medicine. We didn’t need a Monday through Friday organizer. We just needed something to help consolidate medicine for travel. It held way more than I was expecting and came with labels so no confusion of medicine." —Momof3

    Get a three-pack from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in two color combos). 

    17. A mini wallet emergency kit — it contains pretty much every *tiny* essential you'll need so you don't have to worry about packing the full-size version. It includes hand sanitizer, pain relief medicine, a hair tie, and more. You can choose the skyline of your fave city for the kit, too!

    A small white faux leather pouch with a black skyline print surrounded by a mix of travel-sized toiletries and on-the-go essentials
    Anne Cate

    Here's what it comes with: Inside your mini wallet, you'll find a lip balm, hair tie, two floss pics, a bandage, emery board, two safety pins, a sewing kit, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, deodorant wipe, another cleaning wipe, tampon, hand sanitizer, and pain relief medicine.

    Anne Cate is a small Ohio-based business that sells city-skyline-themed accessories and journaling supplies. Their product lineup features 100 hand-designed skylines from various cities and colleges worldwide!

    BuzzFeed Shopping writer Danielle Healy swears by this kit and said: "I, your resident forgetful person, bought the NYC skyline version of this at the start of COVID-19 to keep in my work tote. Unfortunately, I haven't touched my work tote in months because...*gestures at the world around*...but it's a really handy kit I know will save me a ton whenever I regularly leave the house again. Everything from Anne Cate is super high quality. The wallet on its own is adorable and could be used for a million different things." 

    Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in dozens of styles).

    18. A refillable travel perfume atomizer so you never have to travel without your signature scent. It's easy to use and will take up hardly any space. Pump it on your full-size perfume bottle to fill up the atomizer!

    BuzzFeed editor holding a perfume bottle while using the atomizer on it
    Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed

    Using the atomizer is easy: Simply unscrew the cap to your perfume bottle, place the perfume nozzle into the hole at the bottom of the atomizer, and pump the perfume inside.

    Promising review: "These things are perfect! Easy to use. Great size for traveling! And didn’t change the smell of my perfumes!"—BMF722

    Get a four-pack from Amazon for $7.99.

    19. small jewelry case with enough space for your daily wear items, like necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings. It's very compact so you can even carry it in your purse.

    model opening purse to show compact light blue jewelry box
    reviewer holding green box open to show their organized jewelry
    reviewer showing top compartment with a pocket that has more space for jewelry

    Promising review: "I travel a lot for work, and this jewelry box has everything I was looking for! It’s a nice small size and has plenty of storage for necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and even a watch! Very good quality, and I love the color. Highly recommend!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" —Morgan

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 11 colors).

    20. Some laundry soap sheets if you just KNOW there's an outfit you'll want to wear multiple times during your trip. This also allows you to pack lighter since you'll be able to wash a few things, which leaves plenty of room for souvenirs!

    collection of shaving sheets, body wash sheets, and shampoo sheets
    Amazon

    Promising review: "This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops at places with different types of weather. With these laundry soap sheets I was able to wash my clothes in the sink — letting me pack just the right amount of clothes for all the different places I went." —Katie

    Get a 50-pack from Amazon for $13.21 (also available as hand soap sheets!).

    21. A convenient Alleyoop Pen Pal because it's time to be a lot wiser when packing your makeup bag! This 4-in-1 lip liner, eyeliner, brow pencil, and highlighter ensures you'll have everything you need in one sleek pen.

    GIF of Jasmin pushing down the lip liner function of the  pen
    model holding the blue makeup pen near their eye
    Jasmin Sandal / BuzzFeed, Alleyoop

    It's cruelty- and paraben-free and it's vegan. Plus, the packaging is recyclable!

    Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz that is focused on redefining beauty efficiency. Many of their products are compact and have multiple uses! 

    Former BuzzFeed Shopping writer Jasmin Sandal loves this thing: "I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my twenties that had the ability to transport me back to something I used in sixth grade, but here we are; and here I am using a multitool pen...for my face. I gotta say, I love the concept of the Pen Pal from Alleyoop! After using all of the functions (eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, eyebrow pencil) and as someone who LOVES makeup but was applying as little as humanly possible during lockdown, I think it’s a great tool for anyone looking to streamline their routine. It's ideal to use for touch-ups come the end of the work day, or a subtle, minimalist way to apply makeup in the a.m. The brow pencil is particularly soft and pigmented, and filled in my eyebrows quickly. I just adore the ease of application of each product, and appreciate the universal, does-it-all-for-you concept. Plus, it saves me so much room in my already overflowing makeup bag!"

    Promising review: "This is genius. I’ve been doing a lot of traveling and I like to keep my packing to a minimum. Not only is this convenient and travel friendly, but the color payoff is fantastic!" —Stefanie S.

    Get it from Alleyoop for $20 (available in three shades).

    22. A lightweight three-piece luggage set — now you'll always have *just* the right size suitcase for your next trip, which makes for an easier packing experience. It comes with a carry-on size, a small checked bag size, and a large checked bag size.

    pic of reviewer with the three-piece luggage set in a yellow color
    pic of same luggage set in a dark blue color in reviewer's home

    Check it out on TikTok here

    Promising review: "I bought this a few months ago when I knew I'd be flying across the country (more or less) twice this past spring/summer; it was the first new luggage I had bought in about 25 years. I've taken the set on several trips now — two round-trip flights with plane changes, a couple of two-night road-trip hotel stays, a six-day 1,800-mile road trip, and a mandatory wildfire evacuation, and I really, really like it. It rolls like a dream on hard floors, sidewalks, and parking lots — makes it easy for two people to manage three suitcases, each with a laptop bag or duffel attached. The bright red color (my favorite shade of red) really pops and makes it easy to pick out of a luggage carousel. It's lightweight and goes in and out of a hatchback with ease. This set truly makes travel even more fun. Well worth the money." —Rachel

    Get a set of three from Amazon for $179.99 (available in 22 colors and as a set of four).

    23. A genius hanging packing cube to neatly store your outfits without having to play a game of Tetris when you pack. This has dedicated compartments for various ensembles! When you arrive at your destination, simply take it out of your suitcase and hang it up.

    reviewer's pink cube full of clothes sitting on the bed
    same pink cube hanging in a closet and fully expanded to show the four compartments full of clothes

    It also has a zipper compartment at the bottom for your dirty clothes so they don't get mixed together and you end up just washing everything when you get home (bc that's usually what happens to me).

    Promising review: "I just love it. I travel a lot. Now I don’t have to hang anything up but my organizer. I can see what I pack and where everything is. Just love it. I can fit easily seven days' worth of outfits and three pairs of shoes in a carry-on suitcase. Just great." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in two sizes and six colors).

    24. Or this carry-on garment duffle bag that'll keep your fancy 'fits free of wrinkles while saving room in your luggage for other stuff! If you're attending a formal event and can't bear the thought of ironing or steaming, this'll do the trick.

    reviewer's black garment duffle bag hanging on a door handle
    another reviewer showing inside of garment bag holding a suit

    It's made of vegan leather and includes a 15" padded laptop sleeve, two additional pockets, an external zipped pocket, and a separate shoe compartment!

    Promising review: "This garment bag is an exceptional value for the money. Well built, top quality materials, including 'beefy' zippers, should hold up well for airline travel. Minimal wrinkles if any in garments, and a cavernous bag for storing shoes and other items for a trip. Added bonus, it fits easily in the plane overhead storage, similar in size to a standard roller bag. I highly recommend this product." —Kindle Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $49.89+ (available in three colors).

    25. A clever Toptote hat clip so you don't have to stuff your precious hat in a suitcase where it'll get all deformed and take up way too much space. This magnetic clip keeps your hat free of damage *and* prevents you from losing it.

    A gif of the clip being hooked on a bag strap, and the magnet attaching to a hat brim
    model holding a tote bag with a wide-brimmed hat attached to it with the clip
    The Fileist

    The magnetic clip securely attaches to your hat brim (damage-free) — just hook the gold hexagonal clip around the strap/holder of your choosing!

    The Fileist is a woman-owned small biz, formerly known as Lindsay Albanese.

    Promising review: "So happy I discovered TOPTOTE! As a hat lover, this product is seriously a lifesaver! I never have to carry my hats now when traveling and its’ magnets are SO strong. I’ve used it to carry multiple hats on my travels with no problem! Definitely a purchase well worth it!" —Adrianna

    Get it from The Fileist for $55 (also available in black/gold). 

    26. A travel umbrella you can quickly open to protect yourself from the rain *and* it'll easily fit in your bag. The inside-out design keeps the wet part inside when you close it, which prevents water from dripping everywhere. It's also windproof, so it won't turn inside out on blustery days.

    reviewer holding closed black travel umbrella
    another reviewer's open black umbrella

    Promising review: "This is the best travel umbrella I’ve ever owned! It’s very easy to open and close one-handed with the push button. It’s very sturdy and fits nicely in a carry-on or backpack." —C.J.

    Get it from Amazon for $23.95+ (available in four sizes and 36 colors).

    27. An adjustable UPF 50+ roll-up straw hat for maximum sun protection that will only occupy a minimal amount of space in your bag! You'll keep harmful UV rays at bay *and* look stylish while you do it.

    reviewer wearing a light tan hat with a black band
    another reviewer lying on the beach with hat next to them

    Promising review: "Let me start off by saying I've never been a beach hat type person...until now! I love this hat!!! When I bought it I wasn't sure if I could pull it off. (You know, it looks good on others but not so good on me.) Well, I just got back from Belize and this hat was amazing. I love how adjustable it is. I was able to comfortably wear it while riding a golf cart, all day at the beach, and even out on a kayak without it blowing off or being too tight. And it was just the right coverage for me. Enough to protect my sensitive eyes and fair skin from the sun yet not so large that it was in the way. I wore it much more than I thought I would because it was so useful, cute, and comfortable! Great buy." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two sizes and 22 colors).

    28. A shoe bag that'll hold a few pairs if you're always questioning how to fit 'em all. You can store it inside your suitcase OR use the slide-on strap and secure it on top of your luggage. Bonus: your shoes won't dirty your clean clothes in your suitcase! 

    model with shoe pouch on top of luggage
    shoe pouch inside luggage
    Amazon

    Promising review: "You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this! (Size 6.5 female shoe, fit heels, wedges, and sandals.) I bought two and will absolutely be buying more for my husband. 10/10 would recommend! I travel frequently, and I always overpack; this helped cut down space and stress immensely!" —Taylor

    Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in nine colors/patterns). 

    29. packing checklist to replace that feeling of panic with calm as you prepare for your next adventure. This will ensure you don't forget anything and it'll help you pack more strategically. You'll have a clear idea of what needs to fit in the suitcase as you go down the list.

    model with pen using the
    Amazon

    Promising review: "So helpful! I travel a lot, and so does my husband, and this pad makes packing so much easier and stress-free. The list is quite extensive; while I probably will never need to pack all of it for one trip, it covers everything for a business trip or a pleasure trip. I don't worry about what I forgot to pack anymore. Use a pencil, erase it when done, and one sheet will last 3–4 trips." —Cktine

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

    30. A mini lightweight flat iron, which is truly the perfect size for traveling. Your hair will stay ~flawless~ and you won't lose a lot of luggage space.

    reviewer showing their naturally curly hair and then pin straight hair achieved using the straightener
    reviewer hand holding straightener

    It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!

    Promising review: "This fits perfectly in my toiletries travel bag that I take with me as a flight attendant. Anything that comes in small size and still works well is perfect for me." —Kathy S

    Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three colors).

    31. retractable lint roller because being a world traveler doesn't mean you have to live with pet hair and fuzzies on your clothes. This is small and easy to pack but also amazingly efficient at removing lint and hair!

    the pink lint roller next to keys and a black purse
    model using the pink lint roller to get sand off their jeans

    Promising review: "Favorite lint roller ever! Nice and easy to use, compact so you can take it anywhere, and does a great job removing all the lint and fur!" —Megan

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in six colors and with 30 or 90 sheets). 

    32. flying USB port to help you cut down on how many bulky charging blocks you need to pack. This ~super fly~ hub will charge four devices at once!

    white usb-port with four slots that looks like a plane
    Multitasky

    Multitasky is a small business founded by Julia Xu in 2020. They're known for their adorable and functional tech products, including power banks, laptop accessories, and more!

    Promising review: "It does as it says it does, allowing my Dell XPS15 to operate a pair of USB devices from my lightning port! The laptop has two USB ports, one of which is always occupied by my USB mouse dongle and the other by my protected USB drive. If I wanted to plug in my phone to switch data or add another thumb drive to transfer a device, everything might have to be disconnected, but not anymore. It was really worth it." —Liberty

    Get it from Multitasky for $25 (available in three colors). 

    33. A fold-up duffel when you know for a fact you'll be coming home with more than you originally packed. Pack your purse in your luggage on the way home and use this as your personal item instead!

    model placing passport on top of blue duffel, which is under the airplane seat in front of them
    The duffel in blue
    A reviewer's duffel in pink folded up small, about the size of their hand
    Amazon, Amazon, www.amazon.com

    It folds into a tiny pouch when not in use, is tear and water resistant, and even has a separate side pocket for shoes. There's also a side strap that slides easily over your roller luggage handle.

    Promising review: "We bought this to take with us when we visited our daughter who is studying abroad for four months. We figured she would not have enough room in her luggage when it was time to come home. Folded up, this bag was so compact and lightweight, it took up almost no room in our own luggage for the trip over. Then, sure enough, she had a ton of clothes and shoes to send home with us and packed this bag full. We checked the bag and it made it through two international flights without a scratch. The BEST feature is the side strap that allows you to slide it over the handle of a rolling suitcase so you don't have to carry it. This is probably the most practical and the best-value item I have purchased in years." —Tosa Mom

    Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in 16 colors/patterns).

    Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.