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The Best Travel Gear for Any Trip
By Katie Price MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Whether you’re taking a quick business trip or flying around the world for pleasure, packing for your trip and getting through the airport can be the worst parts of traveling. The travel gear you take — including your suitcases and electronics — can make or break the experience.
From the best suitcases and duffel bags to which streaming devices to use, we researched and came up with the best travel gear options. Once you’ve picked the best places to travel, it’s time to assemble your things and get ready to go.
Table of contents
- Packing and luggage
- Electronics to bring on a flight
- Essentials for long flights
- Travel tips for your next vacation
Packing and luggage
When it comes to bags, most people choose from one of three options: a carry-on roller bag, a carry-on backpack or duffel, or a larger suitcase to check luggage. For longer trips, you may need a combination of these options. Here are a few types of products to consider whenever you travel.
Suitcases
A high-quality suitcase can make traveling easier. When shopping for a suitcase, make sure the outside parts — zippers, wheels, handles — are durable. You’ll be able to choose between two or four wheels. The latter option is preferable because it allows 360-degree movement. On the inside of the suitcase, it helps if there are different sections and pockets to keep your belongings organized.
The Medium suitcase from the brand Away is a hard-shell suitcase that offers interior compression, a laundry bag, 360-degree wheels and a TSA combination lock. If you purchase a suitcase without a built-in lock, you can buy a separate lock that attaches to the zippers to keep your items safe.
Instead of a hard-shell suitcase, you can purchase a soft-sided one, like the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Luggage. A hard-sided one might be better for protecting your belongings, but a soft-sided one is more flexible and often lighter.
Carry-on bag
Your carry-on suitcase is the bag you can take on the plane to put in the overhead storage compartment during your flight. All airlines have different carry-on restrictions — some allow each rider to bring one, while others charge extra.
When shopping for a carry-on, choose one that is durable but not too heavy because you’ll have to carry it around the airport. The easiest option may be a suitcase with wheels, but you may also be able to use a duffle bag or large backpack. The dimension requirements may vary by airline, but typically carry-on bags need to be no larger than 22 inches by 14 inches by nine inches. If your bag is larger, the airline may require you to check it.
Here are some examples of ones we like:
- Cotopaxi Allpa 35L: A carry-on backpack designed to get you through a short week or weekend
- Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L: A larger carry-on backpack with compartments for clothes, personal items or camera equipment
- Travelpro Platinum Elite 21” Expandable Spinner: A carry-on suitcase with wheels and a lifetime warranty
Personal item bags
Most airlines allow one carry-on suitcase along with one personal item bag. The dimension requirements for these bags vary by airline, so check before you start packing. A personal item bag is also known as under-seat luggage and holds things you may need to get to during your flight without disturbing anyone around you.
A personal item bag should be durable and have good organization pockets with multiple carrying options. Most airlines will allow you to use a backpack or a small bag with wheels, such as the Travelpro Crew VersaPack Rolling Tote.
Passport holder
If you travel internationally, nothing is more disastrous than losing or damaging your passport. Rather than just carrying it in your pocket or your carry-on bag, you can purchase a passport holder that is easily accessible and safe.
You can buy a passport sleeve that only fits your passport or a larger holder with more pockets for things like vaccination cards and other documents you may need. If you’re traveling with your family, you can purchase a passport holder that can fit the passports of all your family members, like the Valante Premium Family Travel Document Organizer that you can find on Amazon.
Electronics to bring on a flight
Once you have your luggage and your documents squared away, the next thing is to consider what type of travel tech gear you need. Whether you are entertaining kids for a short trip or on a long international flight, it’s a good idea to prep before your devices go into airplane mode.
Headphones
From train rides to road trips to long flights, headphones are one of the best travel products to keep you sane. A good pair of noise-canceling or noise-reducing wireless headphones can help on a flight.
If you want something small that’s easy to pack, consider earbuds such as Apple Airpod Pros, Google Pixel Buds Pro or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. If you prefer traditional over-the-ear headphones, consider the Sony WH1000MX5, though they have a high price tag. A more affordable option is the Soundcore by Anker Space Q45.
Portable charger
Many airports and planes have charging ports for your phone, but it’s not guaranteed. We recommend packing a portable charging bank so you can charge your phone or other device if the battery is running low.
Streaming device
You can bring a streaming device when traveling to watch your favorite shows on Netflix, Hulu or other streaming service. You can plug in or connect the device to the TV in your hotel.
Some of the best streaming devices include Roku Streaming Stick+, Roku Express, NVIDIA SHIELD Streaming Media Player, Roku Ultra and Chromecast with Google TV. These options range from around $30 to $150. You can also try an Amazon Fire Stick.
Essentials for long flights
Short flights are one thing, but round-the-world flights require everything shared above combined with simple, real-life comforts. Consider bringing the following items to make your long flight more comfortable.
Travel pillow
Resting on a plane is extremely difficult — unless you’re in first class. If you have a long flight, it might be necessary to try to get some sleep so you’re ready for your travels the next day. A travel pillow can make a difference in your comfort and help you get more rest than you would without it.
There are many styles to choose from, but the key is finding one that supports your neck and is easy to travel with. We like the Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow, which you can find on Amazon, because it provides 360-degree support for your neck and head anytime you move while sleeping. However, other styles are easier to pack, like the Trtl Pillow.
Blankets
The temperature can shift on an airplane depending on where you sit, how crowded the plane is and how long you travel. Having a good blanket can mean the difference between a decent rest and an uncomfortable tossing and turning through your flight.
Luckily, there are packable travel blankets — they aren’t bulky and fold up nicely for easy packing. One example is the Away Travel Blanket, but it’s pricey at just under $100.
Eye mask
There can be a lot of distractions on a flight that can make it hard to fall asleep. Consider bringing an eye mask to block out the sunlight and other distractions. Our top pick is the Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask, which you can find on Amazon for under $20.
Travel tips for your next vacation
Preparing for everything helps you relax and enjoy your trip. First, check the refund and cancellation policies when booking your flights and accommodations. Sometimes things come up that require you to cancel your booking, but not all places offer full refunds. For added peace of mind, you can consider travel insurance. Decide if the extra cost is worth it for you. If so, you’ll want to shop for the best travel insurance companies a few months before your trip.
If you really want to enjoy air travel and expect to be at the airport for a while, you can get lounge access through your airline at the airport. They offer a quiet space with complimentary food and drinks. You can purchase a Priority Pass or book your trip with a travel credit card that offers perks like lounge access.
To get the best deals on flights, track the prices on Google Flights and set alerts for price decreases. Traveling in the off-season can give you the cheapest flights. Another way to save is to be flexible with the travel days as well as the airline and flight options. You can likely save money if you book a red-eye flight or one with a layover.
Finally, if you plan to check your suitcase, keep at least one outfit in your carry-on or personal bag. If your checked bag gets delayed or lost, you can get by with the items in your carry-on for a day or two.
As you plan for any trip, consider which travel gear products are most important and fit within your budget.
Katie Price lives just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, and has over a decade of experience in ghostwriting and copywriting. A former high school GED teacher turned freelance writer, she focuses on legal, finance, medical, and educational content. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a focus on psychology and ELL from Weber State University.