Being on the go is awesome. Seeing new places, eating new foods, meeting new people; the possibilities when you travel are seemingly endless. Unless you're on a journey of self-discovery backpacking through the mountains and living off the land, it's essential to travel with the comforts of home to make your time on the plane, in the car, or on the train bearable and pleasant.
It's understood that I'm relatively pretentious and I like the nicer things in life. Soft blankets, upgraded boarding, wine over $25 a bottle, and expensive shampoo. Travel is not always the most conducive to my lifestyle, and over the last few years of branching out and adventuring on my own, I have developed a list of products I won't leave home without. Whether it's going to Kansas City for the weekend or jetting across the country, these products (all but a few found on Amazon!) are essential to my travel enjoyment even in the worst travel conditions. Be sure to click the links to check out what I love most.
This is a Wal-Mart godsend. Lightweight and $2.50/each these blankets can be rolled or folded and take up very little space in your backpack or carry-on and are easily accessed in a chilly airplane cabin for ultimate comfort.
I can't emphasize this enough... GET DURABLE LUGGAGE TAGS. I know you want them to be cute (they can be), and I know you want them to be identifiable (they can be), but make sure they are going to be secured to your bag for the entirety of your trip. Steel loop tags are the most durable luggage tags I have ever found.
I'm new to the luggage strap game but I am so glad I joined! When you travel, you want to make sure that your bag stays secured. The airline handles hundreds, if not thousands, of bags a day, and while you think that your bag will be handled with total care, sometimes it's not as lucky. You want that bag to be held closed on all legs of your trip so you get back with your bag full and in tact. I use black straps because I have bright blue luggage. Spice up your straps on dark bags with a variety of colors.
Liquid limitations, no problem. Hand sanitizing wipes are a quick solution to eliminating airplane and airport germs without the mess of liquid hand sanitizer. I buy these in bulk, throw a handful in my backpack and head on my way. Keep one in your pocket or in an easily accessible area so you can wipe down your arm rests and tray!
Hotels are nasty. Hotel bathroom floors are nasty. Hotel hallways are nasty. TSA lines and floors are NASTY. If you find yourself traveling, no-slip socks (like hospital socks) are critical. You won't slip on the tile in the TSA line after taking off your shoes, and you won't be subjected to hotel carpet. The non-slip socks are great because no matter where you are, you have traction, they're warm, and they still fit comfortably under shoes. Mine are technically yoga socks, but they area a variety of styles to choose from.
Rain will impact your travel (see my trip to Washington, DC) and you can't be under prepared for weather. Guys, this rain jacket is SO COOL. It's not bulky, it fits over a sweatshirt if you size up, and IT FOLDS UP AND FITS IN ITS OWN ZIPPER POCKET. It's unisex, comes in four colors, and will save your ass if you need a quick cover up to venture out in the rain. AND DID I MENTION IT FOLDS INTO A TINY POUCH?!
This backpack rocks, fits a 17" laptop, has a million pockets, and fits nicely under your seat as a personal item. It's also a great hiking backpack, extra durable, and all around fantastic to carry (sometimes it's even an awesome backpack to take to and from the office!). I have nothing but good things to say about SwissGear and their backpacks. If you're willing to splurge, this is where I say go for it.
Summer vacations, the epitome of childhood memories. A lot has changed since our childhood, especially fabric technology. No more worrying about toting along a massive, extra bulky beach towel when you head to the tropics (0r anywhere with swimming) anymore! Grab a microfiber beach towel. The sand doesn't stick, they dry you and dry out 3 times faster than regular towels, are compact, and will cover an entire sunbed. And you aren't sacrificing softness when you change up your towel game. I have three, even one for the dog. They are amazing!
Your skin has beef with being on an airplane. The humidity is usually between 40-70% and your skin is not immune to the impact this has. Overcompensating for the dryness means one thing... greasy nasty skin. Traveling and stress from traveling create the perfect conditions for a skin storm. You'll be dry, puffy, and have angry skin. My solution? A nice facial mist. I use a cruelty free rose water and coconut spray to keep my skin hydrated without ruining my makeup (if I'm wearing any) to keep my skin hydrated. This one is my favorite, but branch out and find what you like best!
Stay charged, fam. You don't want to sacrifice that precious battery life and this is my favorite portable charger. It charges quickly, charges your device quickly, and is lightweight, comes in various colors, and small enough to fit in most pockets of purses, backpacks, and jackets.
Headphones, headphones, headphones. Whether you listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, these are quite possibly the most important thing you can pack. Blocking out noise, relaxing, and taking in all forms of media will help ease all of your traveling anxieties. Bluetooth headphones are the best way to go, but any will do.
This is a no-brainer. Stay hydrated! You don't want a pressurized water bottle on the plane, so go with something eco-friendly, BPA free, and with a screw top. Face it, the complimentary beverages just won't cut it. I prefer the CamelBak Chute. I have three.
Take my recommendations seriously, or develop your own list of travel products that provide comfort when you're on the go.
Ciao,
Courtney
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