Summer travel is in full swing, but the reality of getting away often involves overstuffed luggage, long security lines and the scramble for overhead bin space. To make your getaway smoother, our contributors have shared the travel items they personally swear by. Every recommendation on this list has been tested, loved and put through its paces. Among these 21 picks, you will find a carry-on suitcase that survived miles of cobblestones, a waterproof rain and sun hat for all weather, and a tin of sea salt that makes even campfire meals taste better.
Screen-Free Entertainment and Packing Solutions
Paige Triola recommends the Sunday Club newspaper, which is packed with puzzles and illustrations from independent artists. “I brought an issue on my last trip and spent the entire two-hour flight engrossed in its pages,” she says. “I loved the sophisticated feeling that comes with flapping open a ‘newspaper’ on a plane.” The Sunday Club is available for $12.
Bernadette Machard de Gramont swears by Thule Compression Packing Cube Set, priced at $53.95. “I use the medium size for shirts and pants and the small size for undergarments, socks and swimsuits,” she explains. “I’m always amazed at how compact you can get an entire stack of clothing.” She managed to fit four pairs of pants, four shirts, three dresses, pajamas, underthings, a bikini and sandals in a carry-on with room to spare.
Culinary and Coffee Enhancements on the Go
Juno DeMelo never travels without the Jacobsen Salt Co. Pure Sea Salt Slide Tin ($6). “One small source of solace is that my food is always well-seasoned thanks to this tiny tin,” she says. “I keep one in our camping bin and another in my purse so I can dial in the salt level of whatever I’m eating.” She even adds a pinch to her coffee to make it taste smoother.
Sal Vaglica relies on Cometeer Coffee Capsules ($16) for barista-quality coffee anywhere. “I use them on flights regularly – just ask the flight attendant for a cup of hot water and skip the airline coffee,” he advises. The frozen capsules work hot or iced and keep for several days in a hotel refrigerator.
Durable Luggage and Travel Adapters
Elizabeth Brownfield loves the Away Aluminum Edge Bigger Carry-On, now $378 (originally $445). “I swear there’s some magic to Away’s Bigger Carry-On suitcases,” she says. “They just seem to fit more clothes, toiletries, gear and souvenirs than other options I’ve tried.” The 360-degree spinner wheels never gave out, even on cobblestone streets.
Les Shu recommends the Matador Global Travel Adapter ($39) for its bright orange color and versatility. “With two USB-C ports, three USB-A ports and one AC outlet, you can charge six devices at once,” he notes. However, he warns that it does not convert voltage, so hair tools should not be plugged in.
Hydration and Hygiene Essentials
Tobey Grumet Segal trusts the Lifestraw Go Series Tumbler 24 Oz ($87) to block bacteria and microplastics. “I hate second-guessing whether I can drink the water when I travel,” she says. “This larger stainless-steel water bottle is easier to tote than glass counterparts.”
Les Shu also recommends Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Pocket Toilet Spray ($4.97) for small hotel rooms or cruise cabins. “It does wonders – as long as you remember to spray it onto the toilet water before you go,” he says. He prefers the lemon bergamot scent.
Family-Friendly and Tech Travel Gear
Marissa Miller endorses the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Travel Stroller ($599) for parents. “Instead of having to schlep and check my truck of an UppaBaby Vista, I can neatly store this guy in a plane’s overhead bin,” she says. “My daughter stays calm and quiet in it, and that’s saying a lot for a toddler who requires constant entertainment and snacks.”
Sal Vaglica highlights the Insta360 Snap Selfie Screen ($75.99) for better selfies using the rear camera. “This wired display attaches to your smartphone and mirrors the screen in real time,” he explains. “Setup is virtually instant, with none of the pairing headaches or lag that can come with wireless monitors.”
Security and Organization
Les Shu uses the Pacsafe Retractasafe 250 Cable Lock ($21.95) to secure his bag. “When I’m traveling solo or even just working from a coffee shop, I use this retractable lock to secure my bag to something more permanent,” he says. While not foolproof, it serves as a deterrent during short breaks.
Adam Doud recommends the Baseus One-World Universal Travel Adapter ($36.07), a 6-in-1 adapter with 70 watts of power. “I take this adapter with me whenever I travel,” he says. “It can output up to 70 watts of power, which is more than enough for most laptops.”
