Now that things are mostly back to normal (in regard to traveling at least), we’re all eager to get on the road and explore this summer. So if your suitcase has been gathering dust and you don’t even know where your passport is, it’s time to get everything out and assess whether you need a refresh or upgrade. It’s also the perfect time to update your luggage and other gear, with plenty of brands introducing new options and styles. Accordingly, here’s some of our favorite travel gear along with helpful packing tips to help you save time, money, and stress. So before you hit the road, considering picking up some of these items…
Best Travel Gear for An Adventure
The Ideal Weekender Bag
A sturdy but chic weekender duffel or tote is perfect for long weekends, and throwing one in your larger suitcase gives you options in case you need the extra room on your return (all that souvenir shopping)! For a sporty look (you can use this as a gym bag too) we love this Adidas by Stella McCartney duffel, or you could go more glam with this Dagne Dover weekender.
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A Wraparound Backpack
Think of these as the more elegant version of a fanny pack. If you’re going on a trip to the great outdoors and doing any kind of hiking, these are perfect for packing your phone, some snacks, sunscreen, and lip balm.
A bag like this would also be likely also be great for an amusement park or similar activity as well. The Mosiso sling is popular with travelers and for a good reason – it’s sleek, comfortable to wear, comes in dozens of colors, and holds a surprising amount of stuff.
A Set of Air Tags
Keep the lost luggage anxiety to a minimum by throwing an Apple Air Tag in each of your bags. You can track your stuff right from your iphone, ipad, or laptop!
Lots of Portable Chargers
You can never have too many, and this one by Calpak attaches to your luggage, handbag, or keychain so it’s super handy.
Travel Gear: A Tech Pouch or Two
Keep track of all your cords in order and untangled with a tech pouch designed to organize them, like this option from Calpak. Perfect for business travel as well as family travel since it can hold everyone’s charging cables.
A Makeup Bag
If you are trying to keep makeup and toiletries light, something like this Kusshi Vacationer Makeup Bag will really come in handy. It not only stores and protects your makeup but has pockets and compartments to keep everything in place. It opens wide so you can see everything (no more digging) and has a flat bottom so it stay upright on the bathroom counter. Most of all, it takes up very little room in your carry-on. Oh and it’s machine washable.
A Light-up Compact
The lighting in hotel bathrooms might be less than ideal, to say nothing for the challenge of touching up your makeup in planes, trains, or airports. Hence the need for a light-up compact so you can perfect your look wherever you are located.
This battery powered LED travel mirror is affordable, lightweight, large enough to see your whole face, and can be propped at whatever angle you need no matter how awkward, making it a good choice for all your trips (and a great simple gift for literally anyone who wears makeup).
Several Pairs of Compression Socks
These are essential if you’re flying anywhere and want to avoid swelling in your feet, ankles and calves (these tight socks improve circulation and help prevent conditions like varicose veins and reduce the risk of blood clots). You can find pairs of compression socks in pretty much any color and pattern nowadays, so no need to look like you’re wearing old school pantyhose. Instead, go for something bright and fun (since you’re likely just wearing them on the plane) like these colorful compression socks from Amazon.
A Travel File Folder
Once you’ve got all your stuff together, you need to keep things organized, which is where a portfolio style folder (ideally with a zipper, like this one from Jackago via Amazon) comes in handy. Keep copies of all your documents tucked in this folder and have everything handy when you need it at the airport, train station, border crossing or checking in to a property. Store anything else you need including IDs, tickets, vaccination cards, etc.
Shop Travel Gear Here
Pictured above from left to right:
Adidas by Stella McCartney Duffel Bag, now $102
Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag, $230
MOSISO Sling Backpack, Multipurpose Crossbody Shoulder Bag, $18.99
Apple Air Tag, $27.50
LED Travel Makeup Mirror, 3.5 inch Lighted Compact Mirror, $9.99
Compression Socks for Women & Men Circulation (6 pairs), $17.99
Jackago Multi-Functional Portfolio Travel File Organizer, $17.09
Are you planning any trips this summer? What are your favorite luggage brands and styles? Are you a carry-on only person, or do you bring everything and the kitchen sink? Do you have any life-changing packing tips? Let us know in the comments or in our Growing Younger Facebook group!
-Jacqueline Zenn
You may also like to read more of Jacqueline’s travel guides like Travel: Escaping To Pura Vida In Costa Rica and Fountain Of 30 Travel Guide: What’s New, Buenos Aires!
Are you following Fountain Of 30 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest? We’ve got lots going on, so join in on the fun! Subscribe to our newsletter here. You don’t want to miss a post and promise not to bug you to death. We also started a Facebook Group called Growing Younger for women to discuss everything good and bad about being over 40. Additionally Lauren now hosts a podcast called Beauty is a Bitch! and a weekly Instagram Live series called “Growing Younger Gabfest with Lauren.”
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I love that Stella McCartney bag! Love the socks too but not for traveling haha.
Isn’t that bag great? I’m with you on the socks!
I do need a new bag…I wonder…my favorite bag I still use, purchase on the island of
Corfu while on a cruise. In some ways the bag and the memories go together.
If it still works for you….continue to use it!