My definitive list of travel essentials
My top luggage, organization, tech, and wellness product recs to get you through all your travels (just in time for Prime Day)
If you’re a casual traveler just looking for a neck pillow, this list might disappoint you. But if you’re serious in your search for luggage that will last you a decade, products that will actually help you sleep in the sky, or the best organizers for everything from your sunglasses to jewelry, I definitely have recommendations here that you’ll love.
Look, no one needs more stuff. But traveling requires a significant investment, and having the right products can make it stretch much farther. You can end up saving more time and money—and stress, too!—in the long run. So while I’m not a fan of buying things just to buy them, I do support buying the right things to facilitate a more seamless (and enjoyable!) travel experience. My hope is that by sharing my personal tried-and-true, beloved, would-purchase-again travel essentials (which I’ve spent the past nine years perfecting, by the way), I’ll help you do this, too.
I’ve broken out my recs into luggage, organization, tech, and wellness categories, and as a bonus, most of what’s linked below is on major sale for Prime Day! Some highlights include two brands putting a welcome end to loathsome drugstore travel bottles, my favorite Tumi pouch that you can buy secondhand for under $20, and a useful tripod that fits on the back of your phone.
Luggage
Delsey Large Expandable Spinner, $130: I started traveling frequently nine years ago, and I’ve used this as my checked luggage ever since. How this thing has held on for so long is beyond me, but it’s definitely a testament to its durability. I bought it just because A) it was under $200, B) it was one of the biggest options I could find (overpacker, remember?), and C) I wanted a silver hard-shell suitcase. (I couldn't escape the RIMOWA envy even back then!)
Calpak Ambeur Carry-On, $195: My Delsey has been more than enough to get me through most trips for many years, but when I started traveling internationally, I got this carry-on to keep valuables and essentials on hand just in case. I did NOT know what I’d been missing—Calpak makes incredible products. When it comes time to replace my Delsey (probably sooner rather than later at this point), I’ll get Calpak’s Ambeur Large Luggage to match.
Away Everywhere Tote, $155: And then there’s my beloved travel tote which comes with me on every trip. It was my top purchase of 2023 and had everything I’d been looking for (perfect size, shape, material, etc). If you're curious, I recently posted a TikTok showing off the bag in more detail.
Organization
The thing about being an overpacker is that it can quickly get out of control if you’re not super organized, but this is where I really get to shine. Every inch of every piece of luggage I bring is accounted for. You know how chefs have that principle of mise en place, or, “everything in its place?” That’s how I approach packing for a trip. You'll never catch me just aimlessly throwing things into a suitcase; everything has to have a home before it goes into my luggage, whether it’s a packing cube, a carrying case, or an organizer of some kind.