35 Essential Travel Items You'll Never Leave Behind
A luggage strap to hold extra essentials — like that jacket you really only needed for the first couple hours of the day. Just clip on the heavy-duty carabiner and suddenly gain an extra hand while traveling. So simple, so reliable, so genius!
A pair of spill-proof Munchkin snack catchers so food can actually make it into your toddler's mouth instead of, say, the car floor. The BPA-free, dishwasher-safe cups have handles and soft flaps that allow for easy grabbing.
A set of Tide sink packs if you're adamant about only bringing a carry-on but also adamant about not wearing dirty socks. Now you can wash your clothes in the hotel sink and avoid wasting valuable vacation time at the laundromat.
A *foldable* wide-brim hat because aren't you sick of having to buy a new one on every vacation? This paper straw fedora rolls up neatly, so you can bring it on all your future warm-weather adventures.
A hair tie keychain that fits up to three elastics and takes up exactly zero bag space because you can clip it anywhere. Bon voyage, annoying indents on your wrists!
A set of bendy small containers perfect for face creams, pills, or any other small items. They're easy to clean at the end of your trip, so you can use them over and over.
Or some splurge-worthy Cadence Capsules, which stick together magnetically to create tidy, easy-to-pack honeycombs or towers. They're leakproof, sturdy, and come with labels, so you can pack your various skincare goos or tiny items like vitamins and jewelry.
Orrr travel bottles with built-in pumps for an elevated showering experience. They come in a grippy travel case to keep them secure. Your fancy shampoo and conditioner deserve nothing less.
OR! If you're packing full-sized toiletries (fancy), LeakLocks Toiletry Skins you can pull over the tops of your bottles just like a— never mind. Like that thing we're not thinking about, these will protect your luggage from unwanted spills.
A convertible duffel bag with a garment bag lining so you can carefully pack your nice dress or suit without *shudder* having to fold it. You don't have to lug around a separate garment bag *or* arrive at your next wedding in wrinkly finery — you're welcome!
A children's camera that beats taking pics on your phone: It's lightweight, adorable, has 15 photo frames, and boasts filters that put Instagram to shame. Amazon didn't have good review pictures, so I beg you to watch the TikTok.
A viral "Soft" perfume in a convenient rollerball style so you can still smell good, even if your carry-on bag doesn't have room for an entire fragrance bottle. Reviewers compare this $10 scent to caramel, lemon cupcakes, warm vanilla scones, and cotton candy.
A pack of Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes sooo much easier to pack than a giant bottle of cleanser. They're compact and won't leak all over your stuff, so you might as well throw a bunch in every bag.
A crossbody bag designed to keep your water bottle upright and in arm's reach while you're out exploring. And don't worry about having to bring another bag: There's also a front zippered pocket to hold all your nonhydrating stuff.
A teeny-tiny razor for travelers who like to shave on the move. The kit comes with an extra five-blade razor and a travel case.
Anti-pickpocketing clips to keep your zippers in place and immune to sticky fingers. You'll still have to be alert, but maybe you can now stop hugging your backpack like a baby while you waddle through town.
A pair of quick-dry water shoes that pack flat in case there's a body of water near your next walking trail. These are also great for when the beach has more rocks than sand.
A travel-sized Bounce wrinkle release spray to freshen up clothing after it spent a few hours jammed in your suitcase. The 3-in-1 formula straightens out wrinkles, deodorizes, and removes static with just a few spritzes. More than a hotel iron could do, thank you.
A Cincha travel belt so you can take a load off your tired shoulders. The Shark Tank-famous strap attaches your tote, backpack, or weekender to the top of your wheeled suitcase. Unlike a run-of-the-mill belt, this one has an elastic slip that fits securely around most trolley handles, so it won't slip as you run to catch your flight.
A satin-lined Hairbrella that'll keep your hair protected from rain, humidity, and anything else that's out to ruin your perfect hairdo. When the sun reemerges, the Hairbrella folds up neatly into a pouch small enough to throw in your bag.
A 2-in-1 hair tool capable of both curling *and* straightening so you only have to bring one device on your next trip. AND it's dual-voltage so you can bring it abroad. Great hair knows no borders.
Or a foldable hair dryer so you can have your most essential hair tool nearby without sacrificing your entire carry-on. Reviewers say this dual-voltage gadget works just as well as the full-sized version.
A set of packing cubes that will bring peace and order to your messy luggage. They provide space for enough clothing to last a 14-day vacation!
A gel lint roller designed to fit in the palm of your hand, making it easy to throw in a bag for quick refreshes. It's reusable (just wash the lint and fur off), making it way more convenient than a paper roller, too.
A bendy pillow capable of contorting itself to meet your ever-changing needs. Neck rest? No prob. Pillow to keep your face off the gross bus window glass? Of course!!! Round pillow to make sleeping on your cousin's floor more bearable? Almost!
A cocktail tin with everything you need (syrup, bitters, mixing tools, etc.) to make an amazing drink — just add an airplane bottle, and you're basically an in-flight bartender.
An LED neck reading light to illuminate your current vacation read without bothering the sleeping people around you, whether it's on a plane or in a small hotel room.
A roll of aloe wrap infused with aloe vera, green tea, and vitamin E to help soothe and moisturize sunburnt skin and prevent excessive peeling. Just slap these forbidden Fruit Rollups wherever needed and marinate for 20-40 minutes for best results.
A school-inspired 4-in-1 makeup pen with everything you need — eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, and eyebrow filler — so you can free up some space in your bag.
A bunch of Sriracha packets to help make the bland airplane food taste sliiiiightly more edible.
A digital luggage scale so there are no surprises when it's time to check your bag. Nothing more annoying than having to wear three sweaters and two hats while carrying an extra pair of shoes onto your flight.
A wireless transmitter that'll connect your AirPods (or any other wireless headphones) to the headphone jack on the flight so you can get access to the free entertainment without having to use those tinny-sounding earbuds they offer during flights.
A set of Sea Bands for anyone still working on getting their sea legs. They apply pressure to a specific acupoint on your wrist, which many reviewers say is the key to a successful, barf-free boat trip.
An anti-blister balm to protect your feet while walking on your trip. Sure, new shoes for vacation seem like a good idea, but beware the breaking-in period.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
44 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Tiny Dog Can't Contain Excitement at Realizing Where She's Going—'Grandma'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hearts have melted at a dog's sheer joy at realizing she was going on vacation—to grandma's house. Dani and her fiancée, Tyler, own 7-year-old toy Australian shepherd, Chloe, who Dani proudly described as her "soul dog." As a young couple, Dani and Tyler enjoy traveling when they get the chance. For some dog owners, this can cause guilt or stress when it comes to figuring out what their pet is going to do when they're gone. But luckily for Dani, Tyler and Chloe, it's Dani's mom, Cindy, to the rescue. Chloe "loves going to grandma's house in Idaho, especially because she lives on a big farm with horses, cows, cats, and other dogs," Cindy told Newsweek. As a miniature Australian shepherd, it's no wonder Chloe loves the farm: Aussies were bred to be herding dogs, and toy versions are still bright, motivated workers, with a particular affinity for horses, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). "She is very spoiled when she's there," Dani admitted, but said the biggest part of her joy is that Chloe "loves being on the farm." A recent video posted to Dani's TikTok account, @danilyndesign, on August 13, showed just how excited Chloe is to go to grandma's "massive farm," as she realized what was happening when they drove to their designated "drop off spot." Chloe gets excited when she realizes they're at their usual drop-off spot. Chloe gets excited when she realizes they're at their usual drop-off spot. TikTok @danilyndesign "I live in Salt Lake and my mom lives in southern Idaho, so we meet about halfway," Dani explained to Newsweek. "My dog knows exactly what is happening as soon as we get off the exit." And sure enough, the video shows Chloe whimpering, jumping and licking her lips in excitement as they pull in to their usual drop-off spot, the tiny dog walking back and forth across her owner's laps to get a better view of grandma's car. When they park right next to Cindy's car and Chloe gets a full view of her face, the tiny dog loses it completely, the whimpering becoming full-on whines and barks, her entire body moving from the force of her wagging tail. Cindy gets out of the car, and her daughter doesn't even waste time opening her own door—she simply winds the window down, and Chloe jumps out of the window and right into grandma's arms. Chloe jumps right into grandma Cindy's arms. Chloe jumps right into grandma Cindy's arms. TikTok @danilyndesign "As soon as I ask if she wants to go to the farm with grandma she starts spinning in a circle and barking," Dani told Newsweek. "It makes me feel better about being away, knowing it's a vacation for both of us!" TikTok users adored the video, awarding it more than 23,000 views, as one commenter pointed out "the lil jump with no hesitation," and another loved "the full body wag." "Grandma knows the drill," another laughed, adding that it "melted my heart." "I love this so much! And she jumped in her arms! So much trust," another wrote. And one joked Chloe was saying: "Thanks for bringing me, you can leave now." Dani told Newsweek: "I'm glad Chloe brought as much joy to people as she brings to me every day." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Gizmodo
2 hours ago
- Gizmodo
This Jackery Portable Power Station Is Back at Black Friday Pricing, Even Cheaper Than Prime Day
We're nearing the end of the Summer season, and to be honest, we're kind of happy about it. It's too darn hot! If you like the Summer though, then you might still have some camping trips left, or maybe you're just looking for a bit of a backup if power goes out in your home or city. Either way, a good portable power station can really help. The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300 is normally $259, which is already pretty reasonable, but thanks to a limited-time deal on Amazon right now, you can get it for just $169 at the moment. We don't know how long the deal will last though, so make sure you're quick if you want it. See at Amazon A portable power station like this can be used for loads of different things. The most obvious uses tend to be the ones outdoors. You can take it with you when you're going camping to let you keep your phone charged or cook with, and you can take it with you to the beach to power a fan or something. Even if all it's doing is sitting in your car, it can be handy if you get a flat tire and need to kill some time, or just need it at home. This particular one has a 293Wh capacity, which is a decent amount for most people. It'll allow you to charge your phone, power an appliance or too for a bit, or just keep those creature comforts going when you're out in the wilderness for a couple of days. You can actually attach it to a compatibly solar panel too, if you have one or pick one up, and then you've basically got infinite power while you're outdoors. The battery itself only takes about three hours to fully charge, and it has two AC outlets, a USB-C port, a fast-charge 3.0 port, a USB-A port, and a DC car port as well. It means that you've plenty of options, and it also means it can handle more or less anything you throw at it, which is exactly what you should be aiming for with a portable power station. It's easy to see why this thing is worth the usual price of $259, which means the deal is all the sweeter. So, if you do want to get it while it's on sale, we recommend moving quickly to snap it up while it's down to just $169. See at Amazon
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
Taliban marks four years in power by luring young female influencers to boost tourism
Four years after Afghanistan fell to Taliban control, the Islamic country is not only welcoming tourists, it's seeing a recent travel boost. Taliban forces captured the capital city of Kabul on Aug. 15, 2021, following the chaotic withdrawal of American troops under the Biden administration. Deputy Minister of Tourism Qudratullah Jamal told The Associated Press (AP) recently that Afghanistan had nearly 9,000 foreign visitors last year — with 3,000 tourists in the first three months of this year. "Tourism brings many benefits to a country," he said. "We have considered those benefits and aim for our nation to take full advantage of them." United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organization director-general Audrey Azoulay told Fox News Digital in a statement that the Taliban has wiped out any gains for Afghan women. "This exclusion of women from public life in Afghanistan has disastrous consequences for the country's long-term development," she said. "At a time when some are seeking to normalize relations with the Taliban, I call on the international community to remain more mobilized than ever to fully and unconditionally restore Afghan women's right to education." "I expected to feel rather fearful." One of the first Afghan female tour guides recently led a group through the National Museum of Afghanistan – and the group consisted of all women. Suzanne Sandral, an Australian in the group, told AP she was surprised. "It's not what I expected at all. I expected to feel rather fearful. I expected to be given a lot of ... accusatory looks. Not at all." She said, "Wherever you go in the streets, if you smile at someone and give them a little nod or say hello, you get a terrific response. So it's very different." Another woman in the group posted videos of her recent trip in June on TikTok. She captioned a video, "Exploring the nuanced and complex lives of Afghan women in context, and exploring all this beautiful land has to offer." The U.S. Department of State, however, is very clear. It lists travel to Afghanistan as "Travel Advisory Level 4: Do Not Travel" — warning of civil unrest, crime, terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and limited health facilities. "U.S. citizen travelers to Afghanistan have been wrongfully detained for months or even years," said a spokesperson. "We remind all U.S. citizen travelers that no adventure or vacation is worth the price of your freedom." Other traveler influencers and regular tourists have shared their experiences on social media – with most showing the Taliban-run country in a positive light. A travel photographer posted a recap of her trip, saying she was "one of the first tourists to visit the country after the Taliban takeover." She added in a TikTok video that has been viewed over 56,000 times, "I was completely blown away by the incredible hospitality of the locals, amazing food and beautiful scenery." "No adventure or vacation is worth the price of your freedom." A popular solo traveler and social media creator posted a video of his trip to Afghanistan, writing, "I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about Afghanistan travel, but honestly, I had an amazing time there as a solo traveler." Another TikTok video that amassed nearly half a million likes shows an Australian traveler shopping at a food market. "Some of the best food I have had in all my travels was in Afghanistan," said the video's caption in part. Manizha Bakhari, ambassador of Afghanistan to Austria, told Fox News Digital the Taliban's promotion of tourism is an attempt at "image management." "As someone who has lived and worked in Afghanistan, I can say this: What these female influencers experience is not representative of women's lives in Afghanistan," said Bakhtari. She added, "The Taliban treat foreign women differently, and often with exaggerated politeness, because they serve a purpose in the regime's public relations strategy." The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released its human rights report in May, pointing out that Afghan women are being denied the opportunity to join the workforce and are unable to access services without a male relative — while girls are still deprived of their right to education. The State Department wrote in its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices document that treatment of woman has become progressively worse. The new report stated that there has been "further restricted access to education, employment, and freedom of movement for women and girls – effectively removing them from public spaces." "By showcasing scenic landscapes and hospitality toward foreign visitors, especially influencers, they aim to create a narrative of stability and openness," said Bakhtari. Bakhtari noted she's seen a growing disconnect in global travel culture when it comes to adventure tourism. "The thrill of visiting the 'forbidden' or 'untouched' often outweighs concern for human rights … [It] becomes a form of voyeurism, one that prioritizes personal experience over the realities of those who live under oppression." Kelley Currie, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, discussed the danger of visiting Afghanistan, saying Americans should "buy travel insurance." The United States is "unable to provide consular services if something happens, especially if they are kidnapped and sold or given to other extremist groups," Currie told Fox News Digital. Adam Duckworth, Travelmation's president and founder, told Fox News Digital that travel companies take State Department advisories "very seriously." "If you are considering travel to a location in the higher levels, then do your research to understand why those places are on those lists," said Duckworth. Bakhtari said while Afghanistan is breathtakingly beautiful, "beauty should not blind us to injustice." "Travel should open hearts, not close eyes." The Associated Press contributed reporting.
