Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag

We are often asked about safety and pickpocketing when we travel, and the Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body bag has brought a lot of peace of mind when walking through busy places. With RFID blocking compartments, slash proof straps, and zippers that lock to prevent accidental opening, this bag is better than most at keeping your belongings safe. The bucket bag is a great size and can easily hold a wallet, phone, sunglasses, and a water bottle.

 
 

Travel-Size Laundry Bag (World Map)

After years of using plastic grocery store bags to transport dirty laundry around the globe, we finally invested in a larger, reusable laundry bag—and it’s one of the best purchases we’ve made! This bag won’t rip or tear like plastic bags, and it provides enough space for quite a bit of laundry. When we return home, we toss it into the washing machine along with its contents to clean it for the next trip. Additionally, it packs into itself and has a hook that will attach to the interior of your luggage or your toiletry bag so you don’t forget it before your next trip.

 
 

Osprey Day Pack Backpack

For day trips and shorter excursions, we love this Osprey backpack. It’s spacious and comfortable thanks to its padded straps, and while it doesn’t claim to be water resistant it regularly keeps our things dry if we get caught in the rain. We can usually carry our DSLR camera, a few water bottles, and some snacks, and we still have room for souvenirs or other items we pick up along the way. It’s lightweight and it fits easily in our luggage.

 
 

Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover

Even if you have a water-resistant backpack, it’s still a good idea to have a waterproof rain cover to keep your things from getting soaked when you travel. This waterproof cover has a strap that attaches to your backpack and it folds up into a small carrying pouch that makes it easy to tuck away into your luggage. The rain cover will fit backpacks as small as 15L and as big as 80L, so you will be sure to find the perfect fit. Sometimes you need a little extra weather protection for your backpack!

 
 

AirFly Wireless Adapter for Headphones on Airplanes

Watching movies or in-flight entertainment is essential to pass the time on long flights, but audio cables can be a pain when eating or when they get tangled in your blanket. We use the AirFly adapter, which connects your screen to AirPods and other noise-canceling wireless headphones via Bluetooth. It plugs directly into the audio jack in the in-flight entertainment system, and with more than 20 hours of battery life, you won’t need to worry about losing your connection!

 
 

Travel Savings Fund Suitcase Bank

Every adventure starts with small steps, and a great way to save for that big trip is to start small with a travel bank! We really like this wooden “adventure fund,” which can be a fun way to remember to save for the big trip. Kids will like saving their own spending money for an upcoming trip, and it’s a great place to watch your own small change and bills add up. The vintage luggage look also gives it a nice decorative style that will make it a conversation starter around the house!

 
 

National Geographic Earth Explorer Camera Bag

We bought this bag to store our camera while we’re on the road and we love it! It’s the perfect size to fit in your backpack if you want to remain discreet but still have protection for your camera gear. We really liked the traditional classic look of the earth explorer bag and it has plenty of room for our Fujifilm X100F and a second add-on lens or charger. If you’re looking for something a little bigger, they have a slightly larger camera bag to fit a DSLR camera with some additional accessories. Need something even bigger? National Geographic has an earth explorer Messenger bag that could be the perfect option for more space—you could even use it as your main carry-on bag for flights!

 
 

Patagonia Atom Sling Backpack

If you’re looking for a good backpack to use on daily excursions consider this sling from Patagonia. The simple yet roomy design has two compartments that are perfect for a camera, phone, books, and a few other small items. Lightweight and water repellent, the Patagonia sling daypack is perfect for those times you need to bring a backpack but you don’t want (or need) the full size of one. We love the black and gray color combination, but you can find a few additional color options on Amazon. It’s a great addition to your packing list.

 
 

Portable Hanging Luggage Scale

When we travel, we often have checked luggage that can get a little bit heavy after visiting a few countries and buying some souvenirs (and the occasional bottle of wine). Avoid nasty surprises at the check in counter by knowing how much your luggage weighs in advance with this handy luggage scale. It attaches to the handle of your suitcase or carry on bag, and it reports both pounds and kilograms; it even gives the temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius! Best of all, at just 8 ounces it won’t add weight to your bag, but it will ensure your bag stays within the weight limit.

 
 

Waterproof Roll Top Dry Compression Bag with Waterproof Phone Case

We bought this dry bag for our trip to Antarctica to ensure our camera and phones weren’t destroyed getting in and out of zodiacs. Just about everyone on our trip had one, and they really get the job done. A nice bonus is that this dry pack comes with a waterproof cell phone bag, and you can easily use the phone while it’s in the bag to ensure you have maximum protection.

 
 

Samsonite Hardside Luggage Spinner

We’ve gone through a lot of luggage over the years, but this hardside spinner has been our favorite. It’s made of super lightweight polycarbonate that is also tough and durable to protect your things. The Winfield 2 Fashion HS Spinner comes in a variety of sizes and colors, and it even features a built-in TSA approved security lock right on the zipper, which is perfect for adding an extra layer of security when you leave luggage at your hotel.

 
 

Hanging Toiletry Bag

Space around the sink can be limited in many hotels, so we use a hanging toiletry bag instead! It has multiple pockets for storing your toiletries and it’s durable and compact enough to easily fit in your luggage or backpack. Hang it on wall hangers, behind the bathroom door, or shower rods to free up space!

Sleepy Ride Airplane Footrest

For shorter travelers or anyone who prefers to elevate their feet, the Sleepy Ride Airplane Footrest is an incredible invention. It slips over the tray table to provide a cradle for your feet or legs, which is as close to a recliner as you might get if you are flying in economy class.

 
 

Pocket-size Travel Fan with Carabiner

A handheld battery-operated fan is an essential item for us. This O2Cool fan is inexpensive and runs on just two AA batteries. It has a carabiner that makes it easy to clip onto your backpack or belt. The pocket fan is a lifesaver when you’re outside walking in the heat all day or stuck somewhere without air conditioning. It’s quiet and the soft foam blades can push enough air to cool you down anywhere.

 
 

Phone Neck Holder for Flights

Stuck on a plane that doesn’t have seat back video? Tired of hurting your neck looking down at your phone on flights? This phone mount easily fits around your neck and holds the phone within normal eye level. The gooseneck form can be adjusted to any height you prefer and it’s compatible with pretty much all the major smartphones- even with cases! Free your hands and enjoy watching video on your next long flight!

 
 

USB Powered Fan Flexible Gooseneck

One of the challenges we encounter when we travel is heat, especially on stuffy planes or in hotels without air conditioning. This little fan runs on a USB connection and is just powerful enough to keep you cool when it’s in close proximity. In a pinch, it’s an inexpensive way to get a little more comfortable! As a bonus, more and more planes are adding USB ports into seat backs, so this fan is perfect for longer flights!

 
 

Autospout Water Bottle

After field testing many water bottles, this one is our reigning favorite. It’s virtually leakproof because it has a drinking spout controlled by a press-to-release button as well as a locking mechanism that prevents accidentally pushing the button. Stephanie bought the 24-oz bottle, which fits snug in her backpack and her travel purse. Hydration is a huge part of how we stay healthy on the road, and we never travel without a refillable bottle, so this one has been a terrific purchase! Fill it up at the hotel before you head out for the day and you’re good to go.

 
 

Reusable Wine Bottle Protector Sleeves (4 Pack)

If you’ve been reading Road Unraveled for a while, you know we’re wine enthusiasts- and we do a lot of travel to wine regions. We usually come back with one or two bottles from every wine tour we take, so it’s important for us to have a plan on how to pack them. This 4-pack of wine bottle sleeves from Wine Wings makes the perfect addition to your luggage. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and you’ll never have to worry about bottles breaking in your luggage. Cheers!

 
 

Car Steering Wheel Tray

Let’s face it, sometimes you have to eat in your car when you’re on road trips. This tray is easy to stow in your trunk and it attaches perfectly to your steering wheel, giving you a clean area to enjoy fast food or a snack without making a mess. You can also use it to hold your laptop if you want to do some work on the road- as long as the car is safely parked, of course.

 
 

Portable Mini Fridge for Road Trips

Here’s another fun idea for your next road trip—add a mini fridge to the back seat! We love this mini fridge, and it comes in multiple colors and has the option to cool or even warm whatever you put inside. It has just enough room for a couple of cans or bottles, and best of all, it’s powered through USB or your car lighter outlet!

 
 

Road Unraveled Coffee Mug

Enjoy your favorite coffee, tea, or hot chocolate in this 15-ounce Road Unraveled mug! Our logo is on one side and our motto is proudly displayed on the other.

 
 

Grid-It Organizer

Between phone cords, eReader cords, tablet cords, laptop cords, and all the other cords that power your technology, the inside of your carry on bag can get a little tangled. That’s why we’re big fans of the Grid-It organizer, which weaves a series of rubberized bands together to ensure your cords stay organized during your travels. We love that cords don’t easily get loose and that it packs flat, so you can quickly get to the cables you need without having to detangle them.

 

Adjustable, Reusable, Washable Face Mask

Face coverings in public will probably be around for the foreseeable future, so you’ll want to have a comfortable option available—especially on flights. This mask was specifically designed for travel, and it’s both breathable, reusable, and comfortable enough to sleep in on long flights. Available in both adult and child sizes.

 
 

Cooling Scarf Face Mask

A neck gaiter scarf can be useful in multiple situations and we love this one from Mission. Whether you’re wearing it as a scarf, a headband, a face mask or a hat, the lightweight material is perfect for travel. The best part is you can wet the towel with cold water and activate the cooling elements within seconds! We were grateful to have one of these during our 2019 trip to Disney Epcot—Florida gets hot in late July, but this scarf kept us nice and cool.

 
 

PackTowl Personal Towel

According to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have… Any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the Galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through and still knows where his towel is, is clearly a man to be reckoned with.” We always travel with a towel for that reason, and the PackTowl Personal Towel is a great choice. It comes in multiple sizes and colors, dries really fast, and the smallest one is perfect for dabbing away sweat after a hike or in humid spots. Don’t use your sleeve to wipe sweat, use this! Best of all, it has a hang loop that can attach to your carry on bag, which means you’ll always know where yours is.

 
 

Memory Foam Neck Pillow Airplane Travel Kit With Sleep Mask and Earplugs

It is so hard to get comfortable on flights, especially if you are on the aisle or the dreaded middle seat and worry about accidentally leaning on a stranger next to you. This memory foam pillow provides excellent neck support, and it’s wonderfully soft to make relaxing just a bit easier. It comes with a nice sleep mask and some bonus earplugs to ensure you can block out the lights and sounds that might otherwise wake you up.

 
 

Toe Relaxers

When you walk as much as we do, your feet can get pretty sore. Put these rubber relaxers on your toes at the end of the day to relieve stress and tension in both your feet and legs. They’re great for increasing circulation on flights as well; just ten minutes a day will breathe new life into your feet and ensure you are ready for another full day of walking when you are on the road.

 
 

Gel Eye Mask and Sleep Mask Duo

We often joke that we need vacations from our vacations—we wake early, fit as much as possible into busy days, and return to our hotel rooms sleepy and ready to relax. One of the best ways to do that is by slipping on this gel eye mask, which can be chilled if you prefer for an extra spa-like experience. This mask has eye holes so you can watch TV or read (or write an article or two), and it comes with a complimentary sleep mask that can be worn over the gel mask or alone.

Airborne Chewables

We’re not doctors, but we know it certainly helps to give your system a boost of Vitamin C and Zinc when you travel. Getting sick is no fun, but it’s especially frustrating when you get sick on vacation. We always pack a bottle of these chewable Airborne vitamins to give our immune system a nice boost before and after long flights. There are multiple flavors, and they even come in gummies and liquid options.

 
 

Lifestraw Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, and Travel

This is a great addition to your backpack if you enjoy camping, hiking, or if you’re traveling to places where you don’t know if you’ll be able to find reliable bottled water. Lifestraw uses microfiltration to remove bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water, giving you safe water to drink anywhere you travel.

 
 

Road Unraveled Bumper Sticker Magnet

Help us spread the word and encourage others to use their vacation time with this Road Unraveled magnet! It’s the size of a bumper sticker (11″ x 3″) and because it’s a magnet it’s easy to apply, remove, and re-apply. Add it to your car, refrigerator, or anywhere that you put magnets!

 
 

Mini Flat Iron Travel Hair Straightener

If you miss your bulky hair straightener when you travel, this travel straightener is a great alternative. Small but powerful, the straightener heats nicely and won’t take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Best of all, the straightener operates on dual voltage, which means you can use it during international vacations without tripping you hotel’s circuit breaker.

 

Portable Phone Sanitizer

Our smartphones are essential when we travel. Whether we’re using them to take photos, record videos, navigate maps, or talk with friends and family, a phone is the one thing we all bring with us on vacation. With all that usage it makes sense that they can get dirty, but they can also carry bacteria and germs. This HoMedics portable phone sanitizer uses UV-C germicidal LED rays to clean your device in just 30 seconds—it kills up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses! The built-in battery holds a charge for up to 70 cycles and the device comes with a convenient carrying case. A portable phone sanitizer would be a great addition to your luggage.

 
 

Multi-USB Wall Charger

We travel with more electronics than ever before, and hotel rooms rarely have enough outlets to accommodate them all. USB wall chargers are a great solution to our problem. We can charge multiple devices at once, which saves us time and keeps us from the dreaded situation where we have to decide between a full phone battery, camera battery, laptop battery, or Fitbit battery. Best of all, this charger comes with interchangeable UK, USA, EU, and AUS plugs and international voltage compatibility, so you’re covered anywhere your travels take you!

 
 

Wireless Noise Cancellation Earbuds

We believe a good pair of headphones and/or earbuds is one of the best things you can purchase for your vacation. If you’re looking for high quality noise cancelling earbuds (without the cords and wires) consider the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2. Multiple tech websites and online merchants have rated these among the best noise cancelling earbuds you can buy and it’s easy to see why! The battery life is perfect for watching a couple movies on long flights and the noise cancellation helps drown out the airplane cabin noise.

 
 

Canon EOS 77D Camera with Lens (EF-S 18-135 IS USM Kit)

If you’re looking for a high quality, professional camera to use on your trips we recommend this Canon EOS 77D with the 18-135 IS USM lens. The 24.2 megapixel sensor lets you capture vibrant colors and fine details and it’s compatible with a wide range of Canon EF lenses. It also has built-in Wi-Fi2, NFC3 and Bluetooth4 technology that lets you easily transfer your photos and videos to your iPhone or nearby laptop.

 
 

Fujifilm X100F Camera

In addition to the Canon 77D, we also use the Fujifilm X100F when we travel. If you like compact cameras that can fit into your jacket pocket, then the X100F is for you! The high quality 24.3 megapixel camera gives you plenty of features to capture incredible photos when you’re on the road. You also have the option to expand the camera with the add-on WCL-X100 II Wide Conversion Lens for a larger field of view and/or the TCL-X100 II Teleconversion Lens to improve the zoom when you’re at a distance. With the X100F, you’ll have plenty of options when you’re looking to capture the perfect photo!

 

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive for iPhone and iPad

Travel often means taking lots of pictures on your phone- and if your WiFi connection isn’t reliable it might not be possible to back them up to the cloud. If you are an iPhone fan, this great gadget will backup all of your photos to a tiny thumb drive. When you want to transfer them to a computer, the USB connector makes it simple to do. No need for iTunes!

 
 

Slim, Lightweight Power Bank External Battery Pack for iPhone, iPad, Galaxy and More

We can’t begin to count how many times the Power Bank has saved our vacations! On long day trips when access to power outlets is nonexistent, this battery pack has the capacity to quickly recharge both of our phones. We typically get 4-5 full phone charges before the Power Bank needs to be recharged, which can be done via USB or a wall outlet. It’s thin, lightweight, and it fits easily in your backpack so you can charge your devices on the go!

 
 

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones

Travel can be noisy, but our favorite noise-cancelling headphones will help you drown out distractions when you’re on the road. We love our Bose QuietComfort headphones because they run on a single AAA battery and include an audio connector for planes that still have two-prong headphone jacks. They are comfortable to wear, won’t give you a headache, and provide crystal-clear audio for all of the in-flight movies you will watch.

 
 

iPad

We consider our iPads to be travel essentials. With enough power and sophistication to replace our computers when we’re on the road, iPads are versatile enough to help us run the Road Unraveled website, connect with our work obligations, and watch a couple of movies on long flights. With great battery life and portability, an iPad is a great investment—and it’s worthwhile to look at older, refurbished models to save some money.

 
 

Kindle E-reader

If you are an avid reader, packing enough books to keep you occupied during a trip can take a lot of valuable real estate in your carryon bag. Although they don’t replace the feeling of turning pages in a book, Kindles are the perfect travel accessory because they provide instant access to your favorite reading material without adding bulk to your luggage. Select one with built-in backlighting for dark planes, and stock up on your favorite books using free airport WiFi when you are waiting to board!

 

Non-metal Travel Belt – TSA safe!

Tired of having to take off your belt when you pass through security? We’ve been looking for a great travel-friendly non-metal belt for a long time and we can finally say we’ve found one we love. The Arcade Ranger Slim Belt has a strong plastic buckle and it uses lightweight elastic webbing for maximum comfort. It comes in one size but it says it works great for anyone up to a 40″ (101.6cm) waist. Get rid of those metal belt buckles and enjoy an easier passage through airport security on your next flight!

 
 

Scratch Off Map of USA, National Parks, and USA Landmarks

Looking for a fun way to keep track of your travels and build in some inspiration for future trips? This scratch off map of the USA gives you a fun way to display which states you’ve visited! As an added bonus, there is also an option for National Parks and famous landmarks.

 
 

Cashmere Wool Scarf

Traveling with a scarf is one of our favorite tips to share with our readers. They can double as shawls on cold nights, blankets on planes or trains, and add some flair to an outfit. Consider taking a cozy scarf with you on your next trip; this cashmere wool scarf is a great size and will look good whether you are wearing it or cuddling beneath it.

 
 

Compression Socks for Air Travel

Flying can take a real toll on your body, especially your legs. Cramping, swelling, and even blood clots can be of great concern to many passengers. Ward off those challenges with a pair of compression socks, which will increase circulation, help you to stay more comfortable, and reduce your risk of developing cramps or clotting when you fly.

 

Maui Jim Sunglasses

A quality pair of sunglasses is an important item to bring on any trip you take. We love Maui Jim sunglasses and they have a huge selection for both Men and Women. Stylish and vibrant, Maui Jim’s polarized lenses combat intense glare and harmful UV and allow you to see the world with truer colors and crisper details. Check out the link below to find the sunglasses that fit your style.

 
 

Adidas Terrex Waterproof Lightweight Hiking Shoes

We do a ton of walking when we travel, so it’s essential to have a comfortable and reliable pair of shoes. Adam loves adidas Terrex Swift R GTX shoes. They’re technically hiking shoes, but they are surprisingly comfortable, lightweight, and work great as everyday shoes. They have excellent support and traction, an easy speed lacing setup, and (best of all!) they have GORE-TEX waterproofing to keep you dry. They’re perfect for anything from light outdoor hikes to urban walking tours, and they come in multiple colors for both men and women.

 
 

The North Face Thermoball Jacket

Traveling to cold climates requires a great coat, and the North Face Thermoball Jacket is lightweight, warm, and super easy to pack. It comes in both Men’s and Women’s sizes and we’ve tested it from Iceland to Antarctica and been thrilled with the results. If your travels take you to chilly climates, invest in a great jacket to keep you warm—and to keep your focus on the fun you are having instead of the weather!

 
 

Wide Brim Beach Hat

If you are a regular Road Unraveled reader, you know how much we love to promote sun safety—and that includes a great hat. This wide-brim beach hat is a perfect compliment to any vacation where sun is a factor, and the added SPF 50 protection will keep you both shaded and protected from the sun’s rays. Strings built into the hat are adjustable so you can find just the right width for your head.