#TRAVEL HACK- 9 Must-Have Items to Pack

Updated April 2022

I’ve been traveling full-time now since December of 2017, and I’ve learned some great lessons along the way.  What to bring/what to leave at home, how to track cheap flights and then book them, which apps are indispensable while traveling, how to find amazing work exchanges to get free accommodations, and so much more.

I am often asked what are my favorite things to travel with? Are there certain things  I insist on bringing in my backpack?  Hey – inquiring minds wanna know!  So, I’ve put together a list of 9 “must-have” items for travel.  Take a look:

1.  Packing cubes.  Whether you’re toting a carry-on size backpack like I am or rolling a suitcase across cobblestone streets, you’ll appreciate using packing cubes.  These zippered containers are perfect for keeping your bag organized.  I use the large one for shorts and pants, the medium-sized one for shirts and bathing suits, and the smallest one for undergarments.
   

   

   Everything stays neat and tidy, and you can pull out the cube you need without digging through everything.  Sea to Summit and REI have awesome sets of cubes but they’re somewhat pricey 😬so I went to TJMaxx and bought a set for about $16 a few years ago and haven’t been disappointed.  I haven’t used the compression bags or the ones you squeeze the air out of – I’d rather not be able to bring too much!

2. External battery.   You definitely don’t want your phone to die when you’re using maps.me to find that great paella restaurant you read about or you need to get an Uber. You’ve got to have an extra battery on hand!  My INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger has dual USB-A ports, which means you can charge your phone (iPhone or Android) while charging your Bose headphones using just one outlet (a real plus in a hostel where wall outlets can be at a premium!)  Weighing only 6.4 ounces/181 grams, it’s lightweight and powerful.

3. A scarf. Its a pillow on the bus! It’s a blanket on the plane! (and so much easier to put on/take off than a jacket when you’re squashed into your economy seat)  It’s a snazzy item to dress up black pants and a black tee! It’s a beach towel!  It’s something warm around your neck as you start your early morning trek! It makes a great privacy curtain if you’re in the bottom bunk at the hostel!  And it weighs nothing – pick up a pretty one at a market while you’re traveling and you’ll be all set.

4. Makeup remover towel. I’ve been buying disposable makeup removal wipes for the past year, and they’re a) expensive; b) wasteful c) not good for the environment and d) bulky to pack.                                                                                                              I found this handy dandy set at Target for less than $10 – it has a small travel size towel and a larger floral towel for home.  The microfiber cloth removes waterproof mascara, foundation and even lip stain.  Simply toss in the washing machine once a week or so to keep it clean (or if you’re traveling, wash in the sink!)

5. And speaking of laundry – this, my friends, is revolutionary!  🥳 Somehow, I stumbled upon these laundry soap sheets on Amazon – they’re super thin and ultra-lightweight sheets of laundry detergent (kind of like foamboard?) and won’t spill in your bag and make a huge mess – or take up precious room in your one-quart Ziploc bag of liquids when you go through security! I cut them into four quarters and use just one square to wash a tee shirt and two pairs of travel undies (more about that in a sec!)  Just fill up the sink (a lot of travelers carry their own sink stopper – I bought one and have used it quite a few times) and drop one of those squares in.  It foams up instantly and smells awesome! You can use these in a conventional washing machine as well; use the entire sheet for that. I’ve seen other eco-friendly brands as well, especially TruEarth.

6. Bar shampoo.  Like the liquid laundry soap mentioned above, this shampoo won’t spill in your bag, doesn’t take up quart Ziploc space with your liquids, and is really long-lasting (different online sources say from 80-100 uses from a single bar!)  I’ve used the shampoo bars from Lush (thank you for gifting me, Cara and Kim Krebs!) and they smell yummy and do the job.  There’s even a shampoo/conditioner combination bar! Just don’t leave it in the hostel shower like I did.
There are plenty of other brands offering shampoo bars beside Lush, so find one you like. You’re welcome.

7. Travel undies.  Yep.  I have the Ex-Officio brand and they’re awwwwwwsome.  Moisture-wicking for hiking, kayaking and biking, they’re quick-drying as well after being laundered.  I wash them either in the shower 🚿 when I’m in there, or in the sink using those laundry sheets mentioned in Item 5 above. Hang them from your hostel bed or a clothesline and they’ll be dry in a few hours.  They’re quite expensive ($26 or so per pair) so I shop the sale rack at REI or watch for sales on Sierra Trading Post or other online sport retailers.  I found them once at a Coleman Camping Outlet store for half-price. Woot woot!  🙂

8. Coffee .  This is a 2-part answer. If you’re a coffeeholic like me, you’ll want to have these Starbucks instant coffee packets ICOCE (In case of coffee 🆘 emergency). They weigh next to nothing and make a damn good cuppa joe.  ☕️ I grab them when they’re on sale for $5-6 a pack and toss them in my backpack.  You’ll thank me the first time you need this!

But if you’re looking for a long-term solution – whether you’re out on a multi-day through-hike or traveling somewhere for weeks at a time like India or Colombia where the coffee sucks (IKR?? Colombia serves instant coffee – they grown the most amazing beans but export them all and drink crap coffee themselves) may I suggest the AeroPress. As long as you can boil water somewhere you are guaranteed an absolutely perfect cup of java.  This thing weighs nothing, is compact and brews the best coffee ☕️!! It’s simply amazing.

9. Flip flops 🩴 Just cheap flips (or thongs as they call them Down Under) from Target or the dollar store work fine.  You’ll want to wear these in the shower at most hostels, swimming pool locker rooms and such.  Also they are perfect to slip on in the middle of the night when you need to head to the bathroom whether you’re in a tent, hotel or Airbnb.

These are the items I’ve found to be indispensable when traveling.  Yes, you’ll want to bring your Kindle, and a padlock if you’re staying in hostels, a quick-dry towel, a power adapter and noise-canceling headphones, but you’ll get this info from every other travel blog out there.  Hopefully, this list offers some new and fresh info for you, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a newbie.

And hey – if you’ve got a secret must-have item up your sleeve, comment below and share with us – it’s always good to know travel hacks!

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                           See you there! 😉

He who would travel happily must travel light.                                                                                                       ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince