Top 10 Travel Must-Haves

There are a few things that I take with me no matter where I travel. Whether I am going to another state or a whole different country, they are all things that make the journey a better experience. I have put together a list of ten items that are my must-haves for any trip, along with links to help you easily find them too. Happy Travels!

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Packing Cubes

I recently started using packing cubes and discovered that they make packing so much easier. My clothes stay organized and neat the whole trip! They have different sizes in each pack and a variety of colors to choose from. The compression packing cubes have an added bonus of taking up less space. We purchased this kind for our son and it made even more room in his suitcase than the regular packing cubes.

Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes (non-compression)

• Comes with extra large, large, medium, and small bags. Also includes a shoe bag and laundry bag.
• Variety of color options

iBeleby Compression Packing Cubes

• Comes with a large, medium, and small bag. Also includes a shoe bag.
• Compression zippers to help pack more items in your suitcase
• 4 color choices available

Reusable Steel Cup

A reusable steel cup can help you save money on drinks and is very convenient to have with you on trips. My favorite reusable cup is the Yeti 20 oz Rambler. It always amazes me how it keeps my drinks cold/hot for so many hours, and it comes in a variety of colors. Both the 20 oz and 10 oz sizes are great options to choose from. I like to take an empty Yeti in my carry-on bag and fill it up at bottle stations before flights at the airport.

YETI Rambler 20 oz Stainless Steel

• Double-wall vacuum insulation, durable 18/8 stainless steel, shatterproof lid
• Tight seal for minimal leaks
• No sweat design to keep your hands dry
• DuraCoat colors do not peel or crack
• Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
• Large variety of colors to choose from

YETI Rambler 10 oz Stackable Lowball 2.0

• Same features as the 20 oz Yeti Rambler
• Great for coffee or hot drinks

Waterproof Action Camera

If you’re looking for a camera that you can take with you in the water or out on your adventures to explore new destinations, the GoPro is one of the best options available. We spend a lot of time in the water on trips and need a waterproof camera to capture our experiences while snorkeling and diving. The GoPro has been the ultimate camera for all of our experiences. I currently have the GoPro Hero 8, it is an excellent model that captures incredible high res photos and videos to remember our travels.

GoPro Hero 8

• 12MP Camera with improved HDR – reduced blur and helps you see detail in low light areas
• Record in 4K, 2.7K 4:3, 1440P or 1080P and live stream in 1080P
• HyperSmooth 2.0 with 3 levels of stabilization
• TimeWarp 2.0 – super stabilized time lapse that adjusts speed based on motion
• LiveBurst – record moments 1.5 seconds before and after your shot
• Digital lenses – narrow, linear, wide, and SuperView
• Night Lapse Video

Drone

There is no footage quite like what you see from a drone. You have a panoramic view capturing miles of the terrain around you. We currently have the DJI Mavic Air 2, and have been amazed at the content we captured on our trips the past few years. This is a camera that is worth the steep price for its professional-grade photos and videos.

DJI Mavic Air 2 Fly More Combo & Auto-Activated DJI Care Refresh Bundle

• 48P Camera
• 4K Video
• 3-Axis gimbal
• 3x Intelligent Flight Batteries
• View live footage from your drone on the DJI Fly App

Headphones

There’s a reason Airpods are chosen again and again over other brands, they are an incredible product. I was amazed at their immersive sound, noise cancellation, and the convenience of using them. I like to bring my Airpods with me to watch movies on my phone or tablet on flights.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds 

• H2 chip for noise cancellation and immersive sound
• Airpods and MagSafe Charging Case are water resistant
• Manage playback functions with touch control
• Long battery life
• MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C)
• Conversation Awareness feature
• 4 pairs of silicone tips – XS, S, M, L

Mesh Backpack/Beach Bag

When we started diving we needed a bag to hold all our gear to take on our trips and discovered that the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack was exactly what we were looking for. It holds our two sets of dive gear (fins, masks, snorkels, and dive boots) and still has a little bit of room left. If you are not a diver, this backpack is perfect for several beach towels, floats, sand toys, and more.

Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack

• 103L size and measures 25 x 15 x 15 in
• Tough and durable with snag-resistant polyester mesh, reinforced PVC bottom
• Breathable mesh allows your items to dry
• 2 dry compartments

Waterproof Case

This is a great all-round protective case for anything you have that could get damaged by water while at the beach or on a boat trip. They come in a variety of sizes, but the 1060 was the best size for us to hold two phones and our keys.

Pelican 1060 Micro Case

• Interior measures 8.25″ x 4.25″ x 2.25″
• Water resistant – IP67 Certification for water resistance when submerged at 3.3 ft for 30 minutes
• Automatic pressure equalization valve
• Crush-proof
• Variety of colors to choose from

Solar Charger Power Bank

If you use your phone camera to take photos or use GPS for trips, it’s likely that at some point in the day you’ll notice your battery low. It’s great to have a power bank or car charger with you to get your phone charged back up when needed. The advantage of using a power bank is that you can charge and use it anywhere you go. We have been using the BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank any time were out and it has worked great!

BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank

• Measures 5.9 x 3.1 x 0.8 inches
• Wireless solar charging
• Li-ion polymer battery
• 10,000mAh/3.7 V
• 2 ports – USB-C & USB-A
• Built-in flashlight

Travel Backpack

My favorite backpack to travel with is my Light Flight backpack. The smooth, water-resistant fabric stays clean even after a full day of flights. The luggage strap fits securely and makes it easy to carry on my suitcase in the airport. I also love the gold zippers, giving it a classy look with the smooth black fabric.

Light Flight Laptop Backpack

• Measures 18.5″ x 12.5″ x 6″
• Holds up to a 17.3 inch laptop
• USB charging port in the side pocket
• Water-resistant fabric
• Anti-theft zippers
• 3 Color options – I chose black

Colored Luggage Tags

It can be frustrating waiting for your bag to come down the conveyor belt and as you go to pick it up, you realize it is someone else’s! When you are at the airport, you will quickly notice that a lot of luggage looks exactly like yours. Getting luggage tags in unique colors can help you identify your bag quickly in a busy airport. I ordered the Travelambo Luggage Tags for my family and have been very happy with the quality and variety of color options available.

Travelambo Luggage Tag

• Durable faux leather with 304 stainless steel buckles
• Variety of colors