Best travel recs — luggage, clothing, general travel hacks!

Question

Sarah Schneider · Answer

Magnetic hat clips: This is the move if you’re traveling with a wide-brimmed hat! They don’t sell the ones I have anymore but these are actually much more visually appealing.

Ruby Claire Johnson · Answer

Tushy Travel Bidet: Oh my god I can’t go anywhere without this! I guess I’m soft and forever ruined but it saved my life in Mexico?!?!

JDJ · Answer

Travel Pill Pouch Set: Meds, supps, and such neatly organized into a compact little binder pouch! Much better than a hard pill case. It’s doing big things for my organizing brain chemicals.

JaperMoon · Answer

In-flight Instant Oatmeal: Bring a pack or two of instant oatmeal, a little pouch of nut butter, a baggy of seeds and nuts, and maybe pick up a starbucks banana. When the flight attendant comes around with tea and coffee ask for hot water and an extra empty cup.

Bring a spoon or find a single-use one at the airport.

Ive also done this during a layover, getting the hot water and cup from starbucks (free with purchase of banana).

You could also buy an oatmeal at starbucks without the water and go the flight attendant hot water option.

Useful for arriving at odd hours for a hotel room meal.

Many ways to make this work!

Jeanine Nault · Answer

Snooz travel white noise machine: Doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and night light!

Abby · Answer

Exter compression bags.: Best thing ever. I can get a week’s clothes in one of the large ones. Depending on the trip, a cheap, foldable duffel. Some people use IKEA bags for extra space (yes, you can check them). An air tag or tracker in every bag. I just got a Dream Traveler carryon luggage. I’ve been a Rimowa devotee but these bags are great. I might pick up the larger size before my next trip. Thin, cashmere/wool/silk shawl. If you don’t have it the plane will be insufferably cold, if you do have it you’ll find a way to use it on your trip.

Evan Buddle · Answer

AMEX Canada Gold Card: I like whacking the metal onto card readers. This is a very good card for travel, and the yearly fee is more than compensated by the earn rate on points (and by the travel voucher). Additionally, booking through the Hotel Collection often gives you some nice perks (85 euros of room service/bar credits for example). I think the USA version is probably better, but I’m not based there! Also gives some lounge access.

Dominiek Kampman · Answer

Hightide Gauze Handkerchief Emotion: Last week I bought this cute Japanese embroidered towl at my favorite store in Amsterdam. I think it is a perfect a stylish napkin for everyday use or while traveling.

Evan McAvenia · Answer

dr. stolberg's rest + digest tea: resting and digesting, baby. the stuff works.

Evan McAvenia · Answer

comrad tie dye knee high compression socks: i’ve become a full a full compression sock convert for travel and for life generally. i love when a functional item is cute and fun!

Maddy · Answer

Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray: This is the ONLY product that keeps my skin from getting crazy when I travel. It helps with both dryness and breakouts, and comes in a mini size that you can take on a plane.

Sophie Halma · Answer

Indyx app: Used this to make a packing capsule and preplan outfits. Gamechanger!

Sophie Halma · Answer

Space bags: Can’t believe what a rush it was to fit so much in a carry-on. Highly recommend!

Karen Fischer · Answer

Airfly Plug-In Converter: Ok so many planes have Bluetooth settings but a lot of the time  doesn't connect easily, etc. This lil' converter takes away all of that mess. Plug it in, connect your comfy headphones, and you can watch movies without issue. There is little worse than a long flight with the cheap little airline earbuds. This was like $25 on Poshmark, but A+++++++ worth it.

Meg · Answer

Clutch Pro USB-C: Slim cutie charger. Love my yellow one. Travel essential forever.

Liz Corkery · Answer

Trtl neck support: This little friend has a nifty little internal structure that actually gently holds up your head rather than offering a massive squishy donut around your neck. Takes up very little room and is generally an A+ addition to my travel kit.

Tori Kornick · Answer

Calpak Luka Duffel: PHENOMENAL bag for travel. Fits toiletries, makeup, hair tools, electronics, books, flats, extra purses, hair brush, first aid, souvenirs, snacks and then some. 9 storage components with a dedicate shoe compartment. Willing to go head to head against anyone who says another personal bag is better. I never was an organized packer, until I got this.

Vickie · Answer

Away carry on: I’ve had mine for over a decade and it’s still in perfect operating condition (apart from being very dirty, which is user error). I’m actually really hoping the zipper will break soon or something because they just give you a new one for free, but no luck yet… The hard shell is soft enough that this will squeeze into the overhead space of most tiny planes and it keeps a slim enough profile that I’ve escaped being gate checked a few times!!

Allison Doherty · Answer

Briggs and Riley Carry On Bag: The key is the mechanism that opens the bag deeper and then compresses your items when you close it. I have the checked bag with the same feature but if you fill that bag it gets too heavy, so I don’t think it’s worth it. But for a carry on, it’s absolutely perfect and key to fitting a lot with a little.

Ella McMahan · Answer

Women's Travel Compression Knee High Socks (15–20mmHg): Not only are they good for circulation but they also somehow make me feel more calm? I’m 29 and they make me feel old but I’ll also never fly without them again

JV · Answer

My Travel Agent: Fora is the rec. Basically, a company made up of “cool kids who learned they could hack influence and travel by becoming an agent.” I’m not opposed!—especially if you respect the other part of the job: responding to all of my husband’s excitable travel emails, which I’ve had less time for with a toddler.

If you’re a member of my page, you’ll get the exact name of my Fora travel agent—who I adore: I’ve realized over the past six or so trips booked successfully, I couldn’t live my life without him…he’s a true travel pro.

Shellie Gossling · Answer

Quilted star Vera Bradley Weekender: Classy and fun.  I bring this on all my trips and I can fit so much stuff in it.  Also great as a bag in your carryon to fill up with souvenirs and bring home!

Shellie Gossling · Answer

Packable backpack: Throw this in your carryon and while you are on your trip you can use it to carry things around without having to empty your other bags.

Shellie Gossling · Answer

Inflatable lumbar support: I love this thing.  I really struggle with my posture and my lower back just aches after hours in an airline seat.  This is easy to tote and roll up and I keep it in my travel bag.

Amu Killada · Answer

For long international flights: I sometimes have to take long-haul international flights with multiple layovers, where the total travel time can stretch beyond 36 hours. One thing I never travel without is a pack of these wipes.

When you don’t have access to a shower for that long, they’re such a simple way to freshen up and feel human again. They’ve become a non-negotiable in my travel bag.

Amu Killada · Answer

Muji Hard shell luggage: There are so many luggage brands out there, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, but Muji’s hard-shell suitcase is one of the most affordable options I’ve found that checks all the boxes for me.

It has 360° wheels, a braking system so your suitcase doesn’t roll away, and a TSA-approved lock. I also love that Muji makes travel accessories designed to fit the suitcase perfectly, like packing cubes and organizers.

It feels like you’re getting all the thoughtful features of a much more expensive suitcase without the price tag.

Geren · Answer

WAVY Sound Meditation App: Discovered this composer founded aesthetically pleasing free app yesterday and it’s immediately added to my rotation. Fell asleep to it last night and started the day today with it as well.

Instant regular rotation tool to help reset my nervous system or kick in my me as a toddler pattern recognition that sound bath time is sleepy time.

Self management is underrated sometimes.

Geren · Answer

Smooth operator! Soft Services Buffing Bar: I've tried it all from the who knows what's in it St. Ives Apricot scrub of our youth to sugar and salt scrubs, mitts and scrubbers and more. They're all great but this bar is a game changer.

Compact, WIDLY effective, and it has a dish you can get that actually works and keeps it from going soft in the shower. I travel with mine and use it at home. Fast, easy, functional and it totally works.

The best comparison I can think of is how you feel when you leave a Korean Spa, like you have new skin.

Geren · Answer

GOOD SH*T ON SALE - CMF Headphone Pro - $59 🤯: These are on an insane sale for the brands Fall Sale. Great gifts too.

My ride or dies (in black) when the world is too loud at home or on a plane these save me. Enough smoosh to not make your ears feel happy. Good sound quality and they’re not $400. Big + the Bluetooth has been faultless in the six months I’ve used them even swapping between many inputs.

Geren · Answer

BIG LOVE - Ekster TravelPack Vacuum Kit: These are my new favorite travel kit additions - I bought them last year and have been on the road for a month now - DEEPLY in love - they actually seal, the little pump completely works AND they do not lose compression.

I'm not a baller at the level of getting them for all the things I want to store compressed life wide - but I wish I was and I wish they made big ones for linens - for now my pro level travel game is WAY better for having these in it.

They fall into the GOOD SH*T ON SALE world until Labor Day and I am buying 4 more - a big win for traveling and space - they will allow you to stack weight though so if you're flying consider that.

Nitabel · Answer

HeySunday Laundry Detergent Sheets: These are PERFECT for handwashing your clothes in the sink. They dissolve instantly, get stains out effectively, rinse quickly, and smell amazing. Plus, they are made from eco-friendly ingredients and are plastic-free!

Nitabel · Answer

Flexo-Line Travel Clothesline: So convenient for sink-washed (or river-washed!) items — stretches wayyyy out and doesn’t require clothespins (you just tuck the fabric between the rubber tubes). Smooth enough for delicate fabrics. Bring a carabiner or two for maximum versatility.

Kelly Thorn · Answer

Corner app!: It's google maps, curated. I can't wait to use it next time I'm in a new city. Because I cannot type "shops" into the google map search one more time.

amy groome | mid-flight · Answer

Supersonic Travel Hair Dryer | Dyson: Whoa. Every travel hair dryer I've ever had until this moment has...blown. So weak as to be ineffectual. The ones in hotels fry my fragile hair, and so, to date, I've resorted to lugging a giant one along with me.

Those dark days are now over. This small but mighty machine (a ridiculously generous birthday present from a fellow travel junkie who has taken the thing around the globe once already) is about to revolutionize my packing and travel hair game, big time!

Sarah · Answer

Costco Travel Rental Cars (why is it so much cheaper??): If you need a rental car for your trip, book it through Costco's travel site. One booking will save you more than the cost of an annual membership. May I also recommend upgrading to the Chrysler Pacifica if you're traveling with kids, what a dream so much room and compartments -  that van is a vacation in and of itself.

Sarah · Answer

the end of vacation buffer day: I used to try to squeeze every minute out of vacation, flying back late the night before work. but now we have a mandatory buffer day. Come back on Saturday, give yourself the gift of Sunday (or whichever day) to get your life back in order before you start the work week. Get your groceries, do your laundry, relax your way back in. We are not stressing at the end of vacation!