UPDATED - My 2026 Travel Must Have's
- Pat Jackson
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
I don't travel anywhere without my daily use backpack. It leaves my hands free.
LOVEVOOK 40L Travel Backpack for Men Women, Waterproof Carry On Backpack for Work & Travel, Flight Approved Personal Item with 3 Packing Cubes, TSA Bag Fits 17.3" Laptop
7 Pack Silicone Luggage Tag for Suitcases with Stainless Loop, TSA Approved, Privacy Protection Travel Essentials Bag Tags
I hate waiting at baggage carousels, trying to determine which out of 30 other look-alike suitcases are mine.
These luggage tags make spotting my luggage easy.
They come in assorted colors.
FYY Travel Cable Organizer Pouch Electronic Accessories Carry Case Portable Waterproof Double Layers All-in-One Storage Bag for Cord, Charger, Phone, Earphone
No more tangled cords or where did I put this or that charger? This organizer pouch keeps all of my electronic accessories neatly in one place so I always know where they are.
The pouch comes in assorted colors and sizes S, M, L, XL
HOTOR Travel Toiletry Bag - Hanging Toiletry Bag for Women & Men, Makeup Bag/Big Compartment, Waterproof for Travel Accessories, Travel Essentials
This keeps all of my toiletries in one place, easily hangable on a bathroom hook. No more liquid spills into my luggage either! Comes in assorted colors.
These cubes are the reason I can pack for long trips without checking a bag. They actually compress instead of pretending to and the zippers hold even when packed aggressively. I once fit twelve days’ worth of clothing into a carry on using these. You stuff them, then zip them, then zip up the second zipper, saving 40% more space than regular stuff sacks.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones - Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Active Over Ear Noise Cancelling and Mic, USB-C Charging, Deep Bass, Up to 24 Hours of Playtime
I wouldn't be without my noise cancelling headphones, especially if flying.
They're expensive but worth their weight in gold!
They’re comfortable to wear and really block out sounds like noisy jet engines and traffic.
trtl Pillow - Scientifically Proven, Super Soft Neck Support Travel Pillow for Airplanes - Lightweight and Machine Washable - Ergonomic Design for Traveling
A comfortable neck pillow is a must on long-haul flights. It may seem like an unimportant item since you only really need it in-flight, but trust me, it can make a huge difference in how you travel.
This trtl neck pillow has a different design than most. It provides customizable shoulder and neck support while also being light and easy to carry.
Towels are bulky to pack and many hostels charge fees to borrow one. So, a quick dry towel is ideal, especially for solo travel and backpacking trips. I use this REI towel and would recommend it to others.
It’s quick-drying, super easy to pack since it folds up small, and it still holds up after years of having it.
Scurtain Barefoot Water Shoes for Women Men Beach Swim Aqua Socks Summer Quick-Dry Sandals Slippers
I wear these even when not in water. They're comfy and allow the feet to breathe, especially on hot and humid days. And if I'm going on a water ride at an amusement park, if my feet get wet the shoes dry quickly.
Nori Press Travel Steam Iron - Handheld Iron With Optional Steam Feature - No Ironing Board Required - Easy to Use w/ 6 Fabric Settings - Removes Wrinkles - User Manual Included
I added this to my travel must have's more for Jay when he must dress up to do public speaking engagements, but it's a lifesaver when it comes to wrinkled clothing!
It not only heats up in three minutes, but can easily get wrinkles out of both sides of the fabric, getting the job twice as fast as usual.
This holder is so handy to have when going through TSA security BS!
Boarding pass, passport, ID...everything in easy reach!
Built to last, with high-quality materials and rigorous testing to ensure maximum durability. I've had the same holder for years now and it still looks brand new.
PFFY Quick Dry Waterproof Packable Bucket Hat for Women Men Outdoor Sun Hats with Detachable Chin Strap
Another must have. I love my bucket hat because it's waterproof and quick dry if it does get wet - and it has a detachable chin strap for windy days or riding roller coasters!
The carrying case makes it easy and compact to pack.
Fishoholic Polarized Fishing Sunglasses UV400 with Hard Case & Pouch
I like my travel gear to do double duty whenever possible so since I do a lot of fishing, my fishing sunglasses are also my travel sunglasses for daily wear. I add a neck lanyard so I can wear them around my neck if necessary.
Made lightweight to be worn all day and have wide sides to reduce side glare and the hard case protects them when packed in luggage.
Water Kit with Kleen Kanteen Filtered Water Bottle
It may sound ridiculous to carry a survivalist water kit...but I found it was just easier to throw the entire compact kit in my luggage rather than just the filtered water bottle. And it comes in handy when traveling to Mexico where the water is generally unsafe to drink.
Mini First Aid Kit - 150 Piece Small Waterproof Hard Shell Medical Kit for Home, Car, Travel, Camping, Truck, Hiking, Sports, Office, Vehicle & Outdoor Emergencies
An absolute must when traveling for those unseen emergencies. I also include a flat medical wallet that includes all of my medical/health information.
An absolute must for us when scuba diving and/or snorkeling. When choosing a sunscreen, look for an option that's reef-safe; not only are these sunscreens safer for the environment, but they're also better for you. The active ingredients in reef-safe sunscreens, also known as mineral sunscreens, are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or a combination of both. Top-rated mineral sunscreen brands include Think, Badger and Raw Elements, all of which also sell lip balm with sunscreen.
8GB Flash Drive 10 Pack Bulk USB Flash Drives, USB2.0 Thumb Drive USB Stick for Data Storage Backup, Jump Drive Pen Drive Zip Drive Memory Stick with Indicator, USB Storage Flash Drive Swivel Design
I always carry USB flash drives when traveling that contain copies of all important documents.
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