1. Self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for using after a day of clocking in 20,000 steps while exploring a new city. After all, your travel bud REFUSED to rub your feet last time.
Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. Promising review: "Wow! These are awesome! They feel warm and tingly while they are on. My feet were so soft afterward.
I’d buy again!" — Patrick Leary Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 2.
Lumify Eye Drops beloved by the masses who've tried other redness-reducing eye drops before. Yes, these are a bit pricier than other versions. But reviewers say it's totally worth it! Oh, and don't forget that it's also made to help relieve dry eyes.
(Just because you TOOK a red eye doesn't mean that you have to put up with literal red eyes.) Promising review: "I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it .
No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." — Angela Leonard "To drops in your eyes and all day, they look perfectly white and healthy.
I would definitely buy these again." — Kelley Get it from Amazon for $11.97.
3. Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm , a TikTok-famous Korean beauty product combines several products into one skincare step. Reviewers use it on their face, lips, eyes, and neck to help reduce fine lines and make you look all ~glowy~ thanks to ingredients salmon complex and collagen.
Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action. Promising review: "Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly this stick is life-changing!! ! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated.
No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!" — Kristy "This stuff makes my face feel so soft and has a nice scent. I use it every day and will buy it again when I run out!" — Cyndy1 Get it from Amazon for $22.
99+ (available in six styles). 4. Plus, The SAEM Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick is a cooling eye stick made with *actual* Icelandic glacial water to depuff your tired under eyes.
Oh, and it just feels really, really refreshing. Promising review: "Love, love this product. I place it in the fridge.
I travel a lot and I get jet lagged with under eye bags. As soon as I place this product on, my bags are gone. It’s a little miracle.
Just ordered two more." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $9.99 .
5. A compact eight-compartment pill organizer so you'll have space for all the stuff you take from all the delicious food that sometimes makes you feel bad on your travels. Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs.
It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day.
" — Jacqueline Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.97 . 6.
A memory foam seat cushion with an ergonomic design and gel layer for cradling your behind while you're in your car or plane seat off to your next adventure. After all, you don't want a sore behind once you get to your destination. Lots of reviewers who drive for a living rave about it.
Promising review: "I got this for a return flight because I was sitting on a metal bar in the seat for five hours. I had it shipped to my hotel. It made a huge difference in sitting in my seat on the way home.
I was comfortable and not grumpy." — Kindle Customer Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in three color combos).
7. An Apple AirTag for each bag to give you peace of mind even if you're driving to your destination and are just leaving your luggage at the hotel before check-in time! Storytime: After traveling summer 2022 carry-on only, and being a person who tries to carry on whenever possible, I finally bought a couple of Apple AirTags during 2022 Black Friday sales. And I am SO grateful I did.
My normal carry-on bag was too big to fit the Lufthansa luggage requirements (and BOY, do they check that!) so I had to check my bags for a December 2022 trip to Vienna and back from Prague (with a layover in Frankfurt). My bag didn't make it onto the plane in Frankfurt, and once I landed in Newark, New Jersey, I pulled up the app on my phone and saw that yes, my backpack AirTag was indeed with me, but my suitcase AirTag was still in Germany . (The screen grab is from an Amazon review, but you get the gist.
) The AirTag also helped me track FedEx's delivery of the suitcase to my parents' house, where I was spending the holidays immediately after my Europe trip ended. I was even able to see it on a highway less than an hour's drive from my parents' house. TL;DR: I think AirTags are very much a worthwhile investment if you travel a few times a year.
And I'm not the only one who thinks so. Promising review: "This was my very first AirTag, but it will not be my last. I travel quite a bit, and it's comforting to be able to watch your luggage as it travels with you through the airport, into baggage claim, and back out.
I've heard of a few success stories with lost luggage in which these things saved the day. Worth the price, and the setup is super easy with an iPhone. I appreciate that you can name them and assign your favorite emoji to the display.
Will be purchasing more for myself and as gifts." — Malissa Get it from Amazon for $24 . 8.
An Arden Cove anti-theft *and* waterproof vegan-leather purse that won't *look* like an anti-theft bag — in case that's the reason you don't already own one. Gotta love a bag that'll get you through sudden rain. Arden Cove is a woman-owned brand founded by sisters Carmen and Karin Yuen after carrying disappointing bags and gear while globetrotting.
It has a waterproof body and zipper, slash-proof lining all around, locking zippers, RFID blocking material, a chain shoulder that strap attaches to a post or chair, built-in wallet, shoulder pad on strap for added comfort, bottom studs to protect it from wear and tear when setting the bag down, and an interior D-ring to attach a keychain. Promising review: "I bought this bag before going on a trip to Barcelona. The anti-theft feature was a comfort, and very easy to use.
It was larger than I expected and fit everything I needed for the day! Would highly recommend." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $149 (available in six colors and three chain drop lengths). 9.
A portable handheld fan for those moments when the breeze takes a break. Oh, and it's also a power bank *and* flashlight. So you'll be sure to find all sorts of other uses for it.
Check out a TikTok of the portable fan in action. I own this and use it ALL the time. It comes in handy in a variety of situations at home *and* while traveling — especially when you're sitting in a stuffy plane in Miami in July with the doors open, waiting for the pilot to board and take off.
I def got some jealous side-eyes from other passengers as I kept myself cool with this. Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors).
10. Plus, a stroller fan with bendable foam legs for wrapping around a stroller, car seat, or pretty much anything to keep your lil' munchkin cool as a cucumber, even when it's a gazillion degrees outside. Promising review: "We bought this for a road trip with our little one, who is still rear facing — it was perfect! We knew the seat was warm from just driving around town and wanted to make sure it was comfortable for a long drive.
It kept it cool, isn’t loud, and love that we could plug it in vs. only the battery. We use it regularly in town now, too.
" — K Maddock Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three colors). 11.
A luggage-mounted cup caddy with a pocket for your bagel or croissant (look at you being fancy so early in the morning!) so you can steer your way to your airport gate with your caffeine in tow. Promising review : "It’s perfect to stay in the outer suitcase pocket. Pull it out for mealtime and slide it back in.
It made the speedy airport meal at the gate so much more comfortable." — Christen Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in various and patterns).
12. A travel scarf with hidden storage in it to keep your hands free for toting back ALL the gas station snacks to the car without having to stick your phone, wallet, and keys in your back pocket. Or just get even more stuff onto the plane without checking a bag.
Waypoint Goods is a small biz that specializes in travel accessories. Promising review: "Traveled around India and Nepal and found this scarf to be indispensable. It did 'double-duty' as a warm and attractive wardrobe addition as well as a handy, hidden place to carry my passport and money.
Wear it with the zipper low, keeping the weight of the contents at the bottom, and adjust the 'drape' to conceal the fact that anything is in there. It was comfortable and very handy to get into. Good looking and high quality.
I was surprised at the level of quality, and the zipper and stitching stayed completely intact." — avm Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in 14 styles).
13. A set of storage scrunchies for helping you stash your lip balm, cash, keys, and more while you're out and about. After all, you don't want to spend precious vacation time on making your hair look like you got a $$$ blowout.
LOKI STASHED is a small biz specializing in these scrunchies. See them in action on TikTok here ! Promising review: "I use these every time I travel. Perfect for holding a key or some rolled-up bills for emergencies.
Comfortable and reliable." — Poke-me-in-the-coconut Get a pack of three from Amazon for $12.99 (available in seven color combinations).
14. A Bandolier phone case with a wallet and a strap that'll keep your phone RIGHT where you want it and know it is. Also, it just looks cool.
My former colleague Abby Kass used these on a trip: "My mom and I both used these when we went to Paris in January 2020 and loved them. They're super convenient to use and since we visited in the winter, we actually kept them under our coats, so nobody (especially pickpockets) could see them. I like how nice the case and strap looked and that I could hold my phone out over the ledge of the Eiffel Tower ledge for an epic sunset shot, and not worry about it falling to its death.
Plus, the attached wallet is perfect to stash a credit card, ID, and even a subway ticket. Can you see it chilling at my side in the right photo? Yep, that's where it was the entire trip and will be every other trip I take." Promising review: "The Bandolier is just slightly bigger than my iPhone 14 pro.
...
.compact, lightweight, and comfortable to wear all day! My only displeasure is that the envelope-snapped pocket on the back is very tiny..
.it will only hold three thin items like credit cards, driver's license, OR cash. But I love the crossbody!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $98+ (available in five iPhone sizes and three color combinations).
15. An anti-theft messenger bag (that even comes with a spot for your water bottle) so you'll have plenty of room to tote around all the stuff you could possibly need while you're out and about sightseeing — think SPF, a light rain jacket, an extra pair of socks, all kinds of stuff! The bag has hidden, slash-proof, chain link construction and an adjustable, cable-reinforced, cut-proof shoulder strap. Plus, a locking zipper.
Promising review: "Bought this bag last minute before my 1-month trip to Spain. It was such a lifesaver! There is so much pickpocketing in the cities, and there was no way anyone could do this. I held both of my teenagers' wallets, and I could even go to Hydro Flasks on the expandable sides.
Love this, and we’ll take it with me every time I travel now." — JLar "Used this travel bag while on vacation in Europe. I wore it as a cross-body bag and felt secure.
The zippers have locks, and passports, credit cards, and money are protected in the pouch that rests against the body instead of in front. Felt more secure than a passport/ money belt around my waist and way more comfortable. Both sides open up enough for a water bottle and small travel umbrella, leaving hands free.
" — diane schoenhoft Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in four colors). 16.
An Airfly wireless transmitter that'll let you connect your AirPods or any wireless headphones to your airplane seat...
even without Bluetooth! That way you won't have to deal with uncomfy airline-supplied ear buds that'll work with the seat TV. It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. Twelve South is a small business that has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009.
Promising review: "The earbuds supplied by airlines are uncomfortable, especially on long flights. These make listening to anything on the airplane super comfortable because you can use whatever headphone/earbud of choice that you are used to. In my case, my airpod pros.
So glad I found this product!" — Lingo Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three styles). 17.
A bendy travel pillow can help you catch up on some sleep you sacrificed for that budget-friendly morning flight. Buy that window seat, bring this versatile pillow. Promising review: "I always disliked the neck pillows that I used to use while flying as didn’t help.
The flexibility and ease of use is amazing and this not only helps my neck, but also lower back! I used it for an international flight and it made it much more comfortable. You can even use it alongside your back and the cover comes off to clean!" — Fred Paisley Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six colors).
18. Or an alternate Trtl travel pillow that, thanks to its scarf-like construction, you can easily to adjust to your perfect comfort level and tilt angle to get some Zzzzzs while someone else gets you to where you're going. Ciera Velarde , a former editor here at BuzzFeed, also loves this! She says: "I've used this for the past few years and swear by it! Before this, I always found traditional neck pillows uncomfortable and would end up ditching them halfway through the flight and getting frustrated.
The Trtl pillow is adjustable — you wrap the pillow around your neck and secure it with Velcro, and if you find it's too loose, just make it a bit tighter! I've truly never slept better on a plane than with this pillow. " Promising review: "I love this TRTL!! I first used it on a trip from Seattle to Buenos Aires and will now always use it. It made it possible for me to be comfortable on that long flight.
I found it to be the best neck support in how it holds up my neck in a comfortable natural way. I love how I can use it on either side of my neck, and even in the front and back of my neck. I love how I can cover my face to just below my eyes if I want privacy.
It is cozy, lightweight, durable and packs easily, or I can wrap it around my carry bag handle for quick transport. I bought one for a friend who took it on a Seattle to New York flight and she said it was a game changer for her as she was able to sleep for the first time while flying. Now I know that with my TRTL and Bose noise cancelling head phones, I can be cramped in a middle seat on a long flight and survive in relative comfort.
Thank your TRTL!!! I just bought another one for a gift for my daughter. It is a well-designed product!" — Amis Balcomb Get it from Amazon for $60.99 + (available in six colors).
19. And because you deserve another option: A memory-foam neck pillow that comes high enough on the sides so your neck isn't lolling about and thus waking you up from your mid-flight slumber. Promising review: "Plush thick pillow that holds your head comfortably during a flight.
It fit great around my next and there’s a mechanism to adjust the fit to how you prefer. Super portable since it comes in a nice small bag you can fold it and store in. Highly recommend.
" — L Caldwell Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five styles). 20.
A set of affordable, highly popular wireless Bluetooth earbuds some reviewers compare to AirPods for significantly cheaper. They'll be perfect for listening to a podcast while you take a train ride to that cute little town you've been meaning to visit. These come with a wireless charging case that provides up to 14 hours of charge (with the earbuds able to play for four-plus hours with each full charge).
Promising review: "The ear buds fit perfectly. I use them when I ride my motorcycle, workout, phone calls and when I travel. They have never fallen out of my ear.
They are comfortable; I prefer them over my headset when I fly. The battery life is good for working out or a short ride. However, I take a spare headset for longer flights .
I highly recommend these ear buds, especially if you've had issues finding comfortable a comfortable, affordable set." — vdubzis Get it from Amazon $25.99+ (available in five colors).
21. A pair of Mack's Earplugs that'll seal out noise on a plane, in a hotel room, or wherever else you need to get some sleep. Check them out on TikTok here .
BuzzFeed editor Emma Lord swears by these and raves: "The moldable silicone of Mack's Earplugs contours easily to the shape of your ear to block out noise much more effectively than other foam or plastic varieties, and the noise reduction is so good that if I pair them with a white noise machine (or just like a white noise loop on Spotify) I genuinely don't hear noises from outside my room. I've also *loved* these for traveling — if you put these babies in on a plane not only does it help reduce some of the YIKES factor when the plane takes off (it's loud!!), but it cancels out the murmuring noises of passengers on the flight and makes it easier to get some shuteye. " Promising review: "I've been purchasing Mack's earplugs for about eight years now as they help me sleep so much better at night (and are also super helpful on long plane trips).
They're the best ones on the market and much larger with more comfort and coverage than ones in my local stores and pharmacies. Mack's are getting harder to find so I'm writing this in the hope that they stay in business." — Amazon Customer Get 12 pairs from Amazon for $12.
99 . 22. A travel belt can help you easily secure your personal item (aka, a large purse or backpack) to the top of your rolling bag.
See, getting through airport security *can* be a cinch. (Sorry.) The travel belt is adjustable to 38 inches to fit most bags.
The belt itself is vegan leather with elastic accents and a quick-release buckle. Cincha Travel is a small business in California that develops adjustable travel belts made out of vegan leather. The brand donates 100 airline miles for each purchase, which are used to reconnect separated migrant families.
Promising review: "Rather than carry my bag on my arm or shoulder, this CINCHA offers a much more comfortable option. I move faster with this item! Highly recommended!" — allegria8 Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in 18 colors).
23. An *very popular* off-the-shoulder jumpsuit suited for just about any sightseeing needs. FYI, if you have Amazon Prime , you can give this a spin before you buy it! Promising reviews: "This jumpsuit is cute and comfortable.
I love it. It is very comfortable to wear on a road trip or for flying." — B-More Mom & Luvin' It Get it from Amazon for $28.
78+ (available in sizes S–3X and 31 colors/patterns). 24. An inflatable foot rest you might have to buy several of so everyone in the family has one of their own.
You can inflate it to three different heights! Promising review: " Lifesaver! Made a huge difference in my comfort level. Hard to blow up and use while cramped in a middle seat. Was well worth the effort and intrusion on aisle and window passengers.
" — peace Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors and also in a two-pack). 25.
An inflatable wedge pillow if you prefer to lean on something as you sleep. This easily fits on your tray table and reviewers even say they used it upon arrival and their destination! Promising review: "We bought this for a flight from Atlanta to Paris. It worked great.
One of the best things about it was that it can open up and be flat so if you have a window seat, you can lean it against the wall and over the arm rest to make it super comfortable to lean against the wall. On the other hand, if you have an aisle or dreaded middle seat, you can inflate and put it together for the support when leaning forward. Well worth it to get some good sleep on a longer plane flight!" — Darth Wookiee Get it from Amazon for $24.
99. 26. A travel-friendly blanket-slash-pillow because those tiny plane pillows never do the trick and we can say the same about the blankets.
With this, you'll have options. Oh! And it clips onto your backpack or carry-on. Check it out on TikTok .
Promising review: "I have never missed taking this blanket on a trip and it has saved me from cold planes to hotels. It's soft, comfortable, and convenient. Easy to clean.
Buying more!" — Hayley Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in six colors). 27.
An airplane seat back organizer because those seat back pockets are NEVER as big as you need them to be. With this you can actually store your snacks, water bottle, and so much more without having to get up and get stuff out of the overhead throughout your flight. Check out a TikTok of the Airplane Pockets tray table cover in action.
Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products. My colleague Emma Lord owns and loves this: "I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks.
The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!" Promising review: " Out of all the travel accessories and/or items I have purchased to make traveling more comfortable this ranks up there as one of the best. The material is soft and not too thin or too thick for that matter.
It stretched perfectly over the table without a lot of extra material hanging off the table yet it wasn't so tight that it looked like it would rip. When the table was up there was plenty of room in each of the pockets for my cell phone, gum, ear buds holder, and two tablets. I am so happy with this purchase and recommended it to all my family members.
" — Mking110 Get it from Amazon for $29.99 . 28.
A pair of compression socks because since you saw Karl and Frank from Succession snap on their own, you've thought "Hmm, maybe I should get some of those." Read more about compression socks for travel at Johns Hopkins and The Huffington Post . Promising review: "These compression socks really helped me.
No swelling of feet and legs on a flight from New York to Munich and onto Palermo. Amazing fit and not too thick. Really comfortable.
" — L. M. Morabito Get them from Amazon for $14.
32+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and in 13 colors). And check out our full Physix Gear compression socks review here. 29.
A set of homeopathic jet lag pills made to help you fight off time zone changes and disrupted sleep schedules. Plus, you can actually sleep while taking these. I've taken them on a couple of red eyes and I think they help! According to the instructions, you should take them at take-off and then every two hours and then again once you arrive to help with relaxation and combat sleepiness.
Promising review: "I heard about this product from my cousin who used it for a trip Japan and it was very effective. I used it for a trip to Washington DC that had several stops and delays — total of 15 hours to get to my destination. I was comfortable upon arrival.
The next morning I was ready for a work day." — ELEANORE Get a pack of 32 pills from Amazon for $14.90 .
30. Some no-tie elastic shoelaces you can add to your go-to sneakers so you can easily slip them on and off at security. And then when you're on the plane if you're a no-shoe person.
But the laces won't look any different! Promising review: "These things are great! Made taking my trainers off at airport security and during a long flight so much easier. Very comfortable too. Thinking about getting another pair for running!" — B.
Borkent Get them from Amazon for $11.99 (available in 38 colors). 31.
A set of Sea Bands with a little nub that targets the acupuncture point on your wrists meant to help reduce nausea. This'll be great in case you get motion sick. Promising review: "These are snug enough to do the job; but comfortable enough that on a 5.
5- hour flight I forgot I even had them on. I left them on 'til I got unpacked in the hotel, which totaled seven hours. They kept their shape and didn’t stretch out so I’ll get many uses out of them.
I highly recommend them." — T. Schneider Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.
52 (available in adult and children's sizes). 32. A weighted sleep mask to help block out the reading light and/or sunlight from your neighbor's open airplane window shade while you catch up on some of that sleep you sacrificed to get the early flight.
Oh, and it's weighted! Promising review: "Very comfortable, is not too tight on your head. I mostly use it when I have headaches and it helps to relieve the pressure. I now wear it to sleep and on long flights.
" — Amazon Customer Get one from Amazon for $14.99 . 33.
A portable blackout curtain can suction onto where your stay's window to give you some deep DEEP darkness you need for sleeping. Promising review: "My kids need the room to be pretty dark to sleep. I didn’t have much faith in this, but needed to try something.
These are AMAZING!! Absolutely worth every penny. Instantly darker and help keep the room at a comfortable temperature." — Julie T Get it from Amazon for $31.
76 (available in nine designs). 34. A fanny pack with a ton of storage room inside that has a long enough strap to wear crossbody *or* comfortably fit over outerwear for some hands-free adventures.
And in case it looks familiar, TikTokers compare it to the Lulu waist bag. Plus, it's cute enough to wear for fashion and you can pack one fewer bag as a result. I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me.
With this one, I can confirm that it fit around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers during a wintry trip to Iceland. The pockets inside are so handy and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. This was the only purse I brought for the whole trip and it performed its job flawlessly.
Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents. Having my hands free was wildly convenient for a number of reasons, including crawling around inside of an ice cave and putting out my hands for some extra balance while walking on sheets of ice along cliffs. Oh, and it comes in so so SO many colors.
Promising review : "I got this for our honeymoon for traveling overseas. It is the perfect size and fits a lot of the essentials! This fanny pack is sleek and very comfortable. It matches anything, and I can wear it for any occasion! Highly recommend!" — Alison H.
Get it from Amazon for $18.98 (available in 31 styles). 35.
Anti–motion sickness earplugs made for both adults and kids that reviewers say are more comfortable to sleep in than other motion-sickness blockers. Promising review: "I get motion sickness very easily. I wear an electric pulse band, which is great but at night it makes it hard to sleep.
I decided to use the earplugs at night and it seemed to really help. They were comfortable and I could sleep with them in without issue. I still had some motion issues, but our cabin was right at the front of the ship.
Don't do that!" — S. Beck Get them from Amazon for $17.99 .
36. A pair of quick-dry water shoes to help you traverse nearly every kind of ground you may come upon — whether it's while zip lining, walking along a rocky beach, or just walking around the cruise ship deck. Promising review : "This is my second pair of water socks.
I had to order another because they are comfortable and easy to pack while traveling. I learned from the first pair — order a size larger to get a better fit." — Amy Get it from Amazon for $8.
68+ (available in seven sizes and 44 colors). 37. Plus, a pair of Adidas Cloudfoam sneakers made to keep your old dogs from yelling as you make your way on charming cobblestone streets, hot amusement park pavement, or just about any other surface aside from hot lava.
(Yes, shoes like these ARE cool. I saw a bunch of super stylish ppl wearing similar ones in Milan just a week ago!) Prime members: You can try before you buy ! Promising review: "I purchased these for a vacation and am so glad I did. I walked 12 miles in them on day one of our trip and my feet were tired but also comfortable! I did get a tiny blister on the top of my ankle where the tongue rubbed above my sock, but considering the amount of walking we did this is pretty darn good! They are stylish and cute and not too bubbly (I hate the new style where the sole of the shoe bubbles out around your foot).
They are classic and so comfortable, easy to slip on and off at the airport, and super stylish! " — Alicia Get them from Amazon for $28.97+ (available in women's sizes 5–9 and in 10 colors). 38.
A set of DEET-free handy mosquito-repelling bracelets in case the thought of putting something else on your skin besides SPF (like smelly bug repellent) sounds like a total nightmare. Cliganic is a small biz specializing in health and wellness products. Check out a TikTok of the mosquito-repelling bracelets in action.
Promising review: "Kept the mosquitos away! Used for a two-day camping trip by a river in Oregon and did not get bit once! I have large wrists and ankles, but it fit well and was secure, but still very soft and comfortable. I could barely smell them." — Erin Schumacher Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $8.
49 . 39. A chic tank and wide-leg pants set that'll make you look like a fancy jet setter while you're on a personal mission to try every single kind of cocktail on your all-inclusive cruise.
Promising review: "Bought this outfit for my Caribbean cruise. Loved it! Cute and comfy. Received several compliments.
" — Karen Get it from Amazon for $45.99 (available in sizes S–XXL and 26 colors). 40.
A wide-mouth water bottle can pack flat *or* roll up super small when empty. Let's stay hydrated, shall we? Promising review: "These bottles work excellently when traveling internationally. Airline stewardesses were happy to fill them on the planes.
While in Africa, we had an excellent way of carrying water. They are much more comfortable to carry than a bottle of water. They are cheaper to fill than buying bottled water.
Zero complaints." — Ski Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 20 colors).
41. And while we're on the subject of hydration, a set of Liquid I.V.
Hydration Multiplier packets , an electrolyte drink mix infused with potassium and vitamin C you can mix into a bottle of water to help speed up your hydration. After all, guzzling water on a flight and then having to spend half the flight in the bathroom line is never fun. Psst — it's also gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free! I always ALWAYS pack this stuff for trips.
I recently visited Vegas for ~48 hours for an outdoor music festival. I drank one in the morning before boarding my flight, then once I got checked into my hotel, then the next morning before the music festival where I was outside and guzzling tall boys of beer. And I felt great when I woke up the next day! Drinking Liquid IV also meant I didn't have to guzzle plain water (and then stand in line for the bathroom a ton) to stay hydrated for the 12+-hour festival.
Promising review: "This stuff seriously works. Took on a five-day cruise when we had the unlimited drink package, and these Liquid I.V.
s saved my life several times. Wouldn’t have made it to dinner/gotten off the ship the next morning without them." — Laura Bales Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $23.
45 (also available in sugar-free flavors ). I'm also quite partial to the newer grapefruit flavor. 42.
A stick of Gold Bond Friction Defense will stop chafing caused by sweat before it even starts. It's sooo good and better than any other competitor in the thigh-saving category. Toss this in your bag and apply before you go on that long, lovely beach stroll.
My former colleague Ciera Velarde is a huge fan! (As am I!) Here's what she has to say: "I've used it for about 12 years now and it's the only thing that I can trust to prevent that dreaded chafing after a sweaty day of walking around. It glides on perfectly, it's unscented, and it doesn't melt away when you start to sweat. If it's a particularly hot day out, it can start to fade after a few hours, so just make sure to bring it with you to reapply.
In addition to preventing chafing between my thighs, I've also applied it on my arms where my sports bra rubs against them when I run and it works like a charm!" Promising review: "Used this on our cruise, for all the walking in hot, humid places. Literally saved my thighs from 'chub rub.'" — Traci Carpenter Get it from Amazon for $6 .
43. A pair of Thigh Society cooling shorts to save your inner thighs while you trek up those picturesque Lisbon hills. Plus, they're super thin so they won't make you overheat.
Promising review: "I bought these to wear under dresses for a trip to Europe because it was supposed to be really hot, and they worked great. They were light, stretchy, and there was no chafing. Maybe not the most moisture wicking, but they were very comfortable, and I wore them several times.
" — Meghan O'Leary Get it from Thigh Society for $39+ (available in women's sizes XS–2XL, four lengths, and in nine colors). 44. A CurlCap backless adjustable cap with plenty of room for your natural hair or updos while giving your face some extra shade while you chill by the pool or hit the pavement to try and get to the chilly embrace of AC in The Haunted Mansion.
CurlCap is a Black-owned apparel company founded by Britney Sade that specializes in caps designed for natural hair with an open back and flexible scrunchie design. Promising review : "The hat is a great value and color. It runs a little large.
I wish it were adjustable. I remedied that issue by using bobby pins in the back. This prevented the hat from flying away or moving.
My hair hid the bobby pins. I used the hat at the beach and on a cruise without it flying away or slipping off. I will order other colors.
It is great for natural hairstyles." — S Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 11 styles).
45. A set of cooling patches can work some soothing magic for a variety of uses including (perhaps most importantly), sunburn. But it'll also help with itchiness from bug bites and poison ivy.
And! They're TSA-friendly. So you can probably leave your aloe vera gel at home. Promising review: "Used these on a sunburn on my back, and they were very soothing.
Also provided padding when leaning back in my seat. I stuck one on my shoulder also to keep my seatbelt from rubbing the sunburn there. I bought them to use on the back of my kids' necks to help prevent heat exhaustion on a very hot day outside but ended up just using them for burn relief.
" — Joanna "These saved us on our vacation with our little that is sensitive to sun!" — felicia faith Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $14.99 . 46.
A simple luggage strap will hold your essentials like a travel pillow, jacket, personal item, and more as you scoot along through the airport and once you land. Here's to quickly gathering all your stuff post-screen and freeing up those hands! Promising review: "Definitely what I needed for my luggage as a flight attendant. Very heavy duty and perfect for me.
Works great with my extra luggage and lunch bag to hang on my suitcase. Thank you so much. Will definitely buy again.
" — Mary Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in five colors and in multipacks). 47.
Satin pillowcases that I own and love! I'm a hot sleeper at home and tend to blow out my hair, then wash only twice a week. So these make a big difference in keeping my skin and hair moisturized over cotton pillowcases. I'm SO in love with them, that I pack one when I travel to keep my hair situation in check.
One of these will take up the tiniest amount of room in your suitcase and help you get around scratchy hotel pillowcases. Promising review: "I travel for work and having this case has helped so much with my hair and it’s great quality, I have washed it so many times and yet it’s durable and comfy." — Maritza Cruz Get two from Amazon for $8.
99+ (available in four sizes and 22 colors). 48. Patchology depuffing eye matches as a cool treat for your tired eyes.
You should always ALWAYS have some eye patches in your suitcase. I was so grateful to have packed some of these for a 48-hour Vegas trip when I woke up to VERY puffy eyes the morning of an outdoor heavy-metal music festival. The individual packaging for these patches also makes them super easy to slip into your bag or a random little pocket.
I wore some when indulging in a bubble bath (yay, waking up at the crack of dawn in Vegas because you're still on East Coast time) before housing an obscene amount of casino buffet food and going to see some bands perform in the desert heat. This brand is consistently my fave eye-patch brand because I do notice a depuffing difference, and the thick gel makes the patches stick! Promising review: "Cooling, restful, and easy to use. The sealed packet keeps the product moist until you're ready to apply it.
Great for travel — refresh your eyes after a flight or before a big event, without worrying about TSA regulations or spills in your luggage." — Shaner Get five pairs from Amazon for $15 . 49.
A portable white-noise machine because you booked a spot in THE best neighborhood for nightlife — which was all well and good until the night you went to bed early to catch the (cheap) first flight out. (Ahem, Trastevere.) Promising review: "I purchased this for my trip to Europe as I sleep with white noise every night.
The rohm scores extra points for volume control, and it can get quite loud. It’s also lightweight and chargers easily with a USB." — Jessie W.
Get it from Amazon for $25.35 (also available in two- and three-packs). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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