Including a freezable snack box, a handheld mini fan, and a bottle of mattifying "sun milk" to help beat the heat, humidity, and general travel woes.View Entire Post ›
Travel Essentials
1. Practical Tray Table Cover
A practical tray table cover so that all the necessary knickknacks for your flight are within easy reach. Perfect to store your book, snacks, lip balm, and water bottle (because the only thing that dehydrates you more than travel is summer travel)! Now you can just place your bag overhead and kick your feet out while having everything right in front of you. www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I love this thing! I always hated putting things in the seat pocket on planes. It was easy for things to get lost in there or sometimes the pockets were pretty tight. This thing was amazing. I was able to get everything out of my bag that I might need during the flight and had easy access to it all. It was so much better than having to pull my bag out constantly to get stuff I needed. It also folds up nicely so it doesn’t take up much space in your bag." —Corey
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
2. Portable Luggage Scale
A super handy portable luggage scale — once you have it, you'll never travel without it. Especially if you're going on a longer trip, and you know your luggage will be much heavier on the way back! This lets you know how much it weighs so that you don't have to worry about awkwardly stopping in the middle of a busy airport to re-distribute weight. Plus, reviewers rave about how accurate it is! www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "I would absolutely recommend this for anyone who travels, especially internationally, because of all the extra costs for going over in weight. We were among the few people in line who didn’t need to rearrange our luggage at the airport to meet the weight requirements in Milan. So easy to pack and take with you." —Addison
"This little device was well worth the money spent. It saved us a lot of money on our flight home since we knew the weight was over and could pre-purchase the overage in the app instead of paying double at the airport. I’ll never travel without it!! Very easy to use." —Michael Ellis
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors and also as a two-pack).
3. Luggage Drink Caddy
A luggage drink caddy for anyone who considers their iced drink an airport essential on a hot, stressful day. This sticks right on top of your wheeled luggage and has two pockets so that you can place your phone, snacks, and most importantly your iced green tea to power you through until you're finally seated on the plane! www.amazon.com
Reviewers say it's ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels! If you have a suitcase that has to tilt while it rolls, just be careful if the drinks are open at the top. Check it out on TikTok here.
Promising review: "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too." —Philip
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 25 colors and patterns).
4. Lightweight Anti-Theft Backpack
A lightweight anti-theft backpack because it's waterproof and has a wet bag (perfect for those bathing suits!), shoe compartment, laptop compartment, luggage strap, and a built-in charging port. It's also spacious while still being able to fit under an airplane seat. So if you suddenly start to feel chilly when that airplane AC kicks on, you can just reach down and grab your jacket. www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I have sent the link for this bag to so many loved ones because it has changed the way I’ve traveled. I have always been the over packers having to pay excess weight fees on my luggage. Since using this bag I have been able to cut down to a carry-on and personal item most trips. Come the end of this year, my husband and I will have been on eight trips. This bag has been with us for half of them. I use it as my personal item and easily pack shoes, a large cosmetic bag, hair tools, clothes, a steamer, snacks, chargers, and other small items — it holds so much. The cream color is very stylish and it is easy to clean. I cannot explain enough how much I love it. I’ll be ordering my husband one in another color for our longer trips." —Mads
Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in four sizes and 44 colors/styles).
5. Freezable Snack Box
A freezable snack box — it's perfect if you're looking to store snacks for little ones, if you're someone with food allergies, or even if you're breastfeeding and need to store milk while away from home! It's designed with built-in cooling technology that'll keep everything in it cold all day long against the relentless summer heat. (It also gives you one less thing to stress about if your flight's delayed!) www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This will carry four frozen breastmilk bags and keep them frozen six to eight hours, which is perfect for domestic airport travel or small outings. I like to bring a few extra bags with me on trips for a night out or if it will be hard to nurse somewhere. Awesome product and less bulky that other cooler bags." —Joshua
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 15 colors, and look here for other colors and prints).
6. Lightweight Sun Milk
A lightweight sun milk approved by many reviewers with oily skin who rave about its ability to blend and not leave a greasy finish (because grease is the LAST thing we need on a stuffy, fully booked flight). It has SPF 50+ protection and resists water, sweat, and tears — hopefully, tears of joy! It also creates a silky smooth base, making it perfect for wearing under makeup, or just on its own. www.amazon.com
In the progression photos above, you can see a reviewer before applying the sun milk, after applying the sun milk, and then the sun milk under makeup. Although many reviewers say they don't experience a white cast with this, it is an untinted mineral sunscreen — so results in terms of white cast may vary!
Not to be dramatic, but OMG — this product leaves my skin looking and feeling SO soft. It gives your skin an ultra smooth texture, making it the perfect SPF to lay underneath your makeup! Plus, it has a subtle, clean scent. I've been using this product for four months now and will absolutely continue to use it!
Promising review: "I am on my 10th bottle of this sunscreen by now and it is perfect for the hot, humid summer months of Texas. This sunscreen is indeed like a liquid milk instead of the usual sunscreen cream I am used too. The smell is very light and did not bother me. I apply it liberally all over my face, neck, and chest area as sun protection a minute after applying my eye cream and serum every morning. I am not breaking out with acne and do not feel the burn when exposed to the sun while driving and walking outside. My BB cream or foundation goes smooth over this sunscreen. Great one from Missha!" —J Cummings
Get it from Amazon for $19.90.
7. Elta MD SPF 41 Tinted Sunscreen
Or a splurge-worthy Elta MD SPF 41 tinted sunscreen so that you can avoid overwhelming your sensitive skin with a ton of products on top of the changes in pressure and climate. This oil- and fragrance-free formula protects and defends your skin from harmful UV rays and gives you a light tint in case you want to throw on your comfy airport outfit, skip the rest of your makeup altogether, and dash out the door. www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I have been using this product for a few years and I will not use anything else now. I have very sensitive skin and this product is very gentle on my skin. I also have rosacea and this product helps to keep my skin from getting red. I love that it has a slight tint to it because it evens out my skin tone. The sunscreen is excellent and I am so happy to have found a product that works so well for me." —L. Williams
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
8. Portable Phone Charger
And last but not least, a portable phone charger — because nothing is more inconvenient than being stuck at the gate with a phone that’s about to die. A compact charger is just what you need to ensure that you'll never be in that position again, with a charger that provides all-day power without adding bulk to your bag. A must-have for every traveler! www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I love this power bank! I have used it for over a year now, and it still works perfectly. I love that it holds a charge for a long time. I’ve also used it to charge my iPad and laptop in a pinch. I would highly recommend it." —R. Johnson
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (various capacities and sizes available).
Reviewers say has a long-lasting battery for its size and power, and you can even use it as a stroller fan for your little one! www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I bought this fan for my toddler's stroller. We went to Disney at the beginning of November. The fan has three speeds. It also has a light that was amazing walking through crowds at night in Disney. It folds up, so it's easy to fit in the bag. The battery stayed all day. I strongly recommend this fan." —diane bourque Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in four colors).
A large Béis suitcase you'll soon consider the luggage piece of your dreams. This spacious 29-inch suitcase features lots of pockets and can be expanded to give you that extra space you'll need for all those gifts and souvenirs. And don't stress about its weight — it has a weight limit indicator that'll let you know if your baggage is too heavy! Béis
Reviewers also love this suitcase because it's easy to wheel around if you're walking through a terminal or hotel! Check it out on TikTok here. Béis is a woman-owned travel accessories brand founded by actress and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell. You'll find carry-on rollers, weekender bags, packing cubes, and more practical goods for your next trip!
Promising review: "Flawless! I am obsessed with this luggage. I ordered the three-piece set and the weekender bag! The zipper slot to slip the bag over the luggage handle makes loading and trekking through the airport so much easier. The interior of all pieces are great quality and I love the small touches (pockets, laundry bags, etc.) Zippers are all sturdy and the locks are very easy to use. A++!" —Lisa B. Get it from Béis for $328 (available in nine colors and in three smaller sizes).
Or a lightweight three-piece luggage set that comes with a 28-inch suitcase, a 24-inch suitcase, and a carry-on 20-inch suitcase. They each have a TSA-accepted lock and 360-degree spinner wheels that'll make it super easy to bob and weave through the crowd as you rush from security to your gate. www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
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 it from Amazon for $179.99+ (available in 21 colors and in two luggage set sizes).
A pair of breathable high-waisted leggings, aka the perfect travel leggings because they're comfy, versatile, moisture-wicking, *and* have a hidden waistband pocket. www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I bought this pair of leggings initially so I could have something warm and comfortable to wear while working at home that wasn't just a pair of sweatpants — they ended up becoming a staple of my workout wardrobe too! I ended up getting two more pairs in the no-pocket style so I can cycle through them during the week for my outdoor walks/runs. Fit-wise, if you're not looking for something super-snug, I'd suggest going a size up. The legs are a little long on me, but I'm short (5'1") and I'm used to things being a little long on me. My only gripe about these is that the side pocket isn't anywhere near big enough to hold my phone, but I've got a huge phone, so I'm used to it not fitting in pockets easily. Long story short: I love these, and if you're looking for warm leggings, either for working out or for lounging around the house, you should get a pair of these." —Beth Lynn Nolen Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–3XL, in 21 colors, and in three different pocket options).
Cult-fave Weleda Skin Food cream, because we all know your skin can use some extraaa lovin' after a long flight. This works as both a moisturizer *and* a makeup primer (to help that makeup stay *put* through the summer sweats), and is infused with chamomile, pansy, and rosemary. This'll have you prepped, primed, and moisturized in no time. Amazon
Promising review: "Being 75, I've probably used every sort of moisturizing cream out there. I don't even remember why I bought Weleda Skin Food but I did. I love the history of the product, I love what it goes into it, although it says it contains no fragrance I do smell a fragrance. It's like eating the richest dessert you can imagine. That's what it feels like when I put this on my skin. It's a bit expensive so I didn't want to buy the 2.5 fluid ounces not having tried it so I bought the travel tube and now I am on my second 2.5 fluid ounce tube. A little goes a long way. I will forever have a tube of Skin Food in my bathroom." —Charmylou Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in bundles and multipacks).
A thermally insulated Stanley tumbler carrier bag if you're determined to stay hydrated while out of town but don't want to be lugging around your water bottle *and* your personal bag — this lets you combine them! You can stash your phone, cash, keys, and cards, and it even comes with a straw cover and a locking carabiner if you want to attach it to your backpack. It also protects your beloved Stanley from getting scratched or dented when you drop it (and being heard from across the country). Reviewers enjoy using it for hiking, camping, or for a day at an amusement park! Amazon
Promising review: "Absolutely love this water bottle carrier bag for my Stanley tumbler! The added phone pocket is such a convenient bonus, allowing me to keep my essentials together while hiking, traveling, or camping. The adjustable strap ensures a comfortable fit, and the straw cover keeps my drink clean and accessible. It's sturdy, well-made, and exactly what I needed for outdoor adventures. Highly recommend." —GG Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three colors).
A travel-friendly blanket-slash-pillow if you're someone who's constantly chilly on airplanes no matter the season. This soft (and super cute, might I add) creation will let you stay warm and cozy without having to take up extra space — it turns into a portable pouch that you can clip to your backpack or carry-on! Amazon
Check it out on TikTok here.
Promising review: "I ordered two of these and my daughter and I both use them numerous times while flying recently. They compact nicely, have a loop that can go through the handle of a carry-on, and are the perfect size for snuggling up and sleeping on the airplane. It is lightweight and I will not fly again without it!" —SweetMama Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in six colors).
And a cooling, memory foam contoured sleep mask for when all you wanna do is catch some Zs on your flight, but your neighbor with a reading light or open window has other ideas. ? This puts no pressure on your eyes and completely blocks out light while still allowing you to freely blink, so you can dream on, even if your flight's less than ideal. Amazon
Promising review: "I have tried so many sleep masks but none of them have been comfortable or effective until this one. It is truly amazing how well it blocks out light and how comfortable it is to wear, even while sleeping on my side. It doesn't put pressure on my eyes and it stays in place. Highly recommend it for anyone who needs a great sleep mask." —Sarah Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in five colors).
A set of dual-layered compression socks for when your flight’s got you feeling like your legs are stuffed sausages. These help with circulation and swelling by offering just the right amount of compression — you won’t have to deal with the added discomfort of achy, swollen legs during your trip! Amazon
Promising review: "These compression socks are amazing! They offer just the right amount of pressure and have really helped with swelling during long flights. They are comfortable to wear and do not slide down, which is a huge plus. I would highly recommend them to anyone who travels frequently or has issues with leg swelling." —Marie Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in 11 colors and two different size options).
Or a luggage scale that’ll let you weigh your bags before you even get to the airport (it goes up to 110 lbs, so it’s perfect for those of us who like to overpack). This way, you’ll avoid the stress of last-minute scrambling at check-in and avoid any baggage fees. Amazon
Check it out on TikTok here.
Promising review: "This luggage scale is a game changer for frequent travelers. It’s easy to use and accurate, which helps avoid those unexpected baggage fees. It’s compact and fits easily into my carry-on. I’ve used it for several trips and it has been reliable every time. Highly recommend for anyone who travels often." —John Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors).
author Gabriela Manjarrez,https://www.buzzfeed.com/about