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If You’re Planning A Trip This Fall, You Need These Seriously Helpful 34 Things
I can’t predict the future, but I have a strong feeling the drink caddy will have lotssss of pumpkin spice lattes in it this season.
1. A bendy pillow because your current U-shaped one can’t bend into any shape you want. The cover is super soft and can even be washed if it gets gross — which is very possible after eating the included meals.
Amazon
Promising review: “I have a lot of neck pain and neck issues. This pillow is absolutely amazing!! I can adjust it to practically any size, and it stays put. The cover is soft, and it’s removable for washing. It supports my neck and is soooo comfortable.” —Andy/Denise
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors, two sizes, two styles, and two-packs).
2. A LifeStraw if your fall travel plans involve hiking, camping, or just being far away from your Hydro Flask. This lightweight little gadget (it’s only 2 ounces!) can filter up to 1,000 gallons of water — removing bacteria, parasites, and even microplastics — so you can sip from a stream, tap, or questionable hotel sink. Reviewers swear it’s a total game-changer for trips because it doesn’t need batteries or fancy setups, and it fits right into your backpack or carry-on.
Amazon
Note: If you’re immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you.
The microfiltration membrane removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella. Check out our closer look at the LifeStraw for more.
Promising review: “I frequently hike and camp in the backcountry all over the United States. Carrying the amount of water that I need to survive during these trips is just not feasible due to the weight. I recently took a LifeStraw out for a test on a backcountry hike in the Rocky Mountains. Every stream, lake, and every other water source that I came across, I stopped for a drink. The one drawback to the LifeStraw is that it does take a bit of suction to start and keep the water flowing. When you’re at high altitudes in the mountains, this leads to longer ‘drink breaks’ since you can get winded pretty easily while trying to suck up water through the LifeStraw. However, its size and weight advantages when hiking in mountainous terrain vastly outweigh this minor drawback.” —Charlie
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in three colors and various pack sizes).
Psst — if you’d rather be able to sip out of a normal water bottle, check out this option.
3. A pair of compression socks that’ll not only warm your legs on chilly fall mornings, *but* they’ll also help blood circulation and reduce swelling. Reviewers say they’re not too tight, feel comfortable, and can help legs feel more energized — which is *just* what you want when you step off that plane!
This particular pair has a staggering number of 5-star reviews — over 59,000! They offer 20–30 mmHg of pressure, come in a variety of fun-yet-subtle designs, and help travelers stay comfortable. Read more about compression socks and long flights at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: “My ankles got really swollen after a 14-hour plane ride last year, so I thought I would give these a try. I recently completed another 14-hour plane ride, and these socks really did their job! I had them on for a good 24 hours straight, and they remained comfortable the whole time. My ankles were not swollen after the long plane ride. My legs and feet felt really good after the plane ride and the day after. The sock can be stretched over the knee but I did not stretch it that much and left the socks right below the knee. The socks stayed in place the whole time.” —MYamo
Get them from Amazon for$9.19+ (available in unisex sizes S–2XL and 13 colors).
4. An oh-so-comfy infinity pillow so you can have total neck support thanks to its wrap-around design. It’ll feel like a hug from a comforter as you doze off on the plane, car, or hotel room with not-so-great pillows.
This thing is basically a plush infinity scarf made with breathable, soft bamboo viscose fabric. It’s machine-washable so you can keep it fresh between trips.
Promising review: “We got a few different types of travel pillows for a red-eye to Europe and this was overall our favorite due to its versatility. The loop actually allows you to have various self-supporting positions, and this will contort all sorts of ways to be a pillow, neck rest, armrest… anything. It’s actually just good for any type of travel in general and got a lot of use on the whole trip. The material is soft and comfortable.” —Tom Shaw
Get it from Amazon for $54.50 (available in 10 colors).
5. Or, a Trtl neck pillow with an ergonomic design so you can sleep upright and not have to deal with your head falling forward every 10 minutes. It’s slimmer and more compact than typical neck pillows, so it’s much easier to pack!
Trtl
Promising review: “I travel on international and domestic flights quite a bit and have tried different kinds of travel ‘pillows.’ This is by far my favorite. I’ve read lots of reviews about an inferior brand. The first time I ordered the Trtl Pillow, I received the style most people prefer: the three-finger style. Anyway, it’s an amazing product, and it really helps me actually sleep on long flights! I won’t use anything else now. It fits in my backpack fine, but I can also strap it to the outside if I’m packed full. I bought it on the recommendation of a friend who also uses one for long-distance air travel. I’ll also be taking this on car trips as well!” —M. Summers
Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in six colors).
And check out our full Trtl Pillow review here.
6. A drink caddy if your morning Starbies is a must as you travel, but you want your hands free as you walk to your gate. It can hold your cold brew with pumpkin spice cold foam, cake pop, water bottle, phone, or anything else that’s keeping your hand occupied.
Reviewers say it’s ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels so you don’t tip over your drink. It’ll still work for a suitcase that has to tilt while it rolls; just be careful if the drinks are open at the top.
Promising review: “This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to do me a favor! I don’t have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too.” —Philip
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 27 colors and patterns).
7. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so your Bluetooth headphones can connect to the airplane TV when you’re sky-high. Well, fear no more, this can easily connect your comfy, noise-canceling headphones so you can make the most of the free movies and TV shows. Fingers-crossed your airline has the Thanksgiving episode of Gossip Girl — IYKYK.
AirFly SE: Pairs with one set of headphones and has 20+ hours of battery life.
AirFly Pro: Paris with two headphones, has 25+ hours of battery life, and receives audio so you can connect non-Bluetooth devices to it.
AirFly Pro V2: Has the same features as AirFly Pro but has a sleeker design.
AirFly Pro Deluxe: Has the same features as AirFly Pro but also has an adapter for certain international airline headphone plug-ins.
See one TikTok user using it with their AirPod Pros here.
Promising review: “Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, has very clear and reliable audio, and takes the stress away from having to carry more than one headset! Thank you!!!” —Soccer Boy
Get it from Amazon for $34.97+ (available in three colors and four editions).
8. Or a hands-free rotating phone mount if your plane is ~old-school~ and you assumed all planes in 2025 had TVs these days… Newsflash: they don’t. 🥲 You can *still* enjoy the comfort of looking up-right at a screen by mounting this onto the tray table. You’ll have a comfortable viewing experience without having to prop your phone up yourself (and straining your neck in the process)!
Promising review: “I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multileg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel, too! Work-wise, I’ve clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer. At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards, and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I’ve been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It’s extremely well-built, and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far, it still feels solid, and I don’t anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I’ll be happy to buy another one or two of it!” —Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in seven colors and multi-packs).
9. Olly’s Restful Sleep gummies so you might be able to actually sleep on that red-eye, noisy Airbnb, or when jet lag is playing games with your body clock. Each gummy has three mg of melatonin, and some reviewers love that they don’t leave them groggy the next morning. And since they’re gummies (in a blackberry-zen flavor), you don’t even need water to take them.
BuzzFeed
Read more about short-term use of melatonin and jet lag at Mayo Clinic.
Promising review: “I’ve tried other sleep products like the sleep drinks and other gummies but I keep coming back for these! They’ve worked the best out of any of the others I’ve tried! I fall asleep fast and stay asleep for the whole night. I also wake up feeling great! No hangover feeling at all!” —Jaime Arnold
Get them from Amazon for $11.37+ (available in three sizes).
10. A set of Sea Bands for the easily nauseous or occasional barfer on planes, trains, and automobiles who needs a helping hand. This is designed to hit an acupressure point that can help reduce nausea and even motion sickness the next time your journey gets a little ~bumpy~.
Reviewers swear by these nonmedicated bands for nausea relief; they’ve used them while traveling on airplanes, boats, and cars and for morning sickness during pregnancies. Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising review: “I flew on a four-hour plane ride using Dramamine and then a 30+ minute car ride to my hotel. I was so nauseous and wiped out, I spent the next day feeling like I had a hangover. Yesterday I took the same car ride and flight home (but using the Sea Bands), and I was unaffected by any of it! Any time in the stop-and-go traffic that I thought I was feeling motion sick, I rubbed the button against my wrist and immediately felt better. These bands are going with me anytime I travel from now on!” —Kindle Customer
Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in six colors, a set of one, and a two-pack).
11. Or ginger pastilles to keep tucked in your carry-on for whenever travel throws you off. These little hard candies are infused with real ginger root for a warming kick that can help settle your stomach, freshen your breath, or just make a long layover a little more bearable.
Amazon
Read more about ginger and nausea at John Hopkins Medicine.
Promising review: “Occasionally I get a little motion sickness as a passenger in a car. These help me feel better in minutes. I always make sure I’m stocked up for long trips.” —iJean
Get 12 tins from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in five flavors and a variety pack).
12. A contoured sleep mask if the person at the window *insists* on keeping their shade open, you won’t really care because these are like black-out shades for your eyes. They’re comfortable, adjustable, and better than your average sleep mask because you can actually blink in them. Can someone say game changer!?
Promising review: “The BEST BEST BEST and most comfortable sleep mask I’ve found. Night shifter for years and have tried everything. Many other sleep masks have some qualities, but not all. This one is AMAZINGLY SOFT, VERY THICK, plush, high-quality material, quality stitching that won’t come apart like so many others that are cheaply made, and it’s EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE even though it’s a good price. Very impressed and pleasantly surprised.” —Amazon Customer
Promising review: “Got this for an overseas flight. With this and headphones, I slept 90% of the way. I was afraid it would feel heavy, but it felt light and fantastic while not putting any pressure on my eyes or smudging makeup. I just got back online to order one for home use. Thanks for a great product!” —Maryland Girl
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in eight colors).
13. An in-flight foot hammock so you feel like you’re in business class when you’re sitting in the back of the plane. Just hang it around the arms of your tray table to elevate your feet a little. Reviewers absolutely *love* this for international flights because it helps them feel like they’re lying down when they’re upright, reduces soreness, *and* makes long travel days more bearable.
Promising review: “I will never fly again without this. I’ve recommended it to everyone. East coast USA to South East Asia, 24 hours in long haul flights each way with serious low back pain condition to start. But being able to hang my legs, even in a sideways position, saved me from hours of pain that I have endured previously flying with economy leg room. So easy to loop over tray table brackets in both the stowed and open positions. This is a must-have for any flight.” —DL Flin
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in multi-packs).
14. Or an inflatable footrest reviewers love for their children because it helps them sleep better on long flights. It can be inflated to three heights, so it’s good for adults too! Plus, it comes with an eye mask and earplugs, so say hello to snoozeville, because their population just went by up one.
Promising review: “I didn’t buy this for the longest time, thinking inflation would be annoying or it’d be too bulky — I finally ordered it and love it. It’s very easy to inflate since it has the two inflation methods. Folds up smaller than our travel pillows. It’s great for travel in car and planes, and our kid likes sitting on it at home too. Recommended.” —D
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors and a two-pack).
15. The all-new Amazon Kindle Colorsoft that’s the ultimate travel buddy because it’s glare-free so you can read on a plane, in the car, or poolside without squinting. It’s waterproof so a splash (or full-on dunk) won’t ruin your book mid-chapter and it’s light enough to toss in your backpack without weighing you down. The color display makes comics, cookbooks, and magazines come to life, while the warm light keeps those late-night hotel or red-eye reads easy on your eyes. Plus, the battery lasts for weeks (yes, weeks), so this will last you through any weekend trips that involve apple picking, carving pumpkins, or drinking warm cider.
It even has USB-C fast charging, color-coded highlighting, and page color inversion
Promising review: “I absolutely love this e-reader! The Kindle Colorsoft is exactly what it claims to be. It has a filter that makes backlight easier on your eyes and a soft color palette similar to water colors or colored pencils. Most e-readers are too hard on my eyes due to eye fatigue and having a condition (CSC) that makes receiving visual detail more difficult. The filter used for the color on this device helps calm the backlight, which makes reading easier on the eyes. You still have the ability to adjust the font size and style too. I wasn’t crazy about the price, but I’m glad I purchased this item anyway.” —Customer
Get it from Amazon for $249.99.
16. A pair of Munchkin snack catchers so your little one can munch away on their goldfish. The spill-proof flaps let toddlers grab snacks on their own without showering the backseat or airplane row in Cheerios.
Promising review: “The perfect companion for traveling with a toddler who loves to snack and prefers being independent. I can fit about 12 average-size grapes in it, about 5–6 regular-sized cookies, about 8–10 mini cookies, a big handful or small cereal such as Cheerios, and about 10–12 standard Ritz crackers. These estimations are all things that I regularly place in there for him to snack on. Nothing spills out, and whatever does come out is whatever he grabs with his hands to get, which is amazing. The only thing I would suggest is placing foil or plastic wrap around the mouth of the cup to prevent any of the snacks from getting stale from being exposed. The lid doesn’t fully cover the snack from air exposure. It simply protects the snack from spilling over and promotes child independence.” —Antoinette
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.42 (available in two color combos).
17. A pair of high-waisted leggings aka your go-to for long flights, road trips, or sightseeing when the crisp fall air hits. The soft fleece lining keeps you warm without feeling bulky, the high waistband stays put even after hours of sitting, and the stretchy polyester-spandex blend makes them comfy enough for all-day wear. Plus, they come with real pockets that actually fit your phone or passport, making them a practical *and* cozy must-pack.
Promising review: “I bought this pair of leggings initially so I could have something warm and comfortable to wear while working at home that wasn’t just a pair of sweatpants — they ended up becoming a staple of my workout wardrobe too! I ended up getting two more pairs in the no-pocket style, so I can cycle through them during the week for my outdoor walks/runs. Fit-wise, if you’re not looking for something super-snug, I’d suggest going a size up. The legs are a little long on me, but I’m short (5’1″), and I’m used to things being a little long on me. My only gripe about these is that the side pocket isn’t anywhere near big enough to hold my phone, but I’ve got a huge phone, so I’m used to it not fitting in pockets easily. Long story short: I love these, and if you’re looking for warm leggings, either for working out or for lounging around the house, you should get a pair of these.” —Beth Lynn Nolen
Promising review: “Love the pockets: two deep ones on each side, with another credit card-sized pocket inside the deep one. Very comfortable and slightly loose but still very fitted. I wear these more than my other leggings because the pockets are so useful. They are now my choice for traveling and long flights.” —Hillshores
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in women’s sizes XS–3XL, in 25 colors, and in three different pocket options).
18. Bose noise-canceling headphones if you want to survive flights without the constant drone of engines or the chatter of your seatmates. They’re known for having some of the best noise cancellation out there, with cushy earcups that stay comfortable even on all-day travel days. The battery lasts up to 24 hours, so you won’t be stressing about charging mid-layover, and you can still plug them in if the in-flight system only has an aux jack.
These connect to devices via Bluetooth up to 30 feet away. A 15-minute charge offers 2.5 hours of playtime. There are touch controls on the earcups that let you answer calls and change the music.
Promising review: “These headphones are a game-changer. As an avid music enthusiast, frequent traveler, and love of movies in a loud and busy household, these headphones have improved my audio experiences in ways I never knew were possible. First and foremost, the noise cancellation is unparalleled. The moment you put these on, the outside world fades away. However, it still offers the ability to be aware of your surroundings when needed without stopping your audio. If you are traveling, you don’t need to worry about the headphones going out on you because the battery life is incredible. As with all Bose products, the craftsmanship and quality are top-notch. I have been hesitant to purchase Bose headphones in the past because I just didn’t think that I would be able to tell enough of a difference. I was wrong. I am beyond excited to have these headphones, and it has added so much to my entertainment enjoyment.” —P.O.
Get them from Amazon for $429 (available in six colors).
If you’d rather *not* spend 400 bucks on headphones (so fair), check out this pair from Anker that are super popular (and only cost $45).
19. Or if you want something a bit more affordable, some wax earplugs that create a custom seal over your ear that helps block out up 22 decibels of noise (aka enough to dull loud planes, hotels, or annoying seatmates). They’re tiny, lightweight, and take up basically no space in your carry-on, plus they’re reusable and even water-safe if you’re hitting a pool or spa on your trip.
Emma Lord/BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma Lord swears by these: “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. Not only that but once they’re in place, they stay locked there until you decide to pull them out.
Granted, I can still hear my alarm, and like, if the fire alarm went off or something, I’d definitely wake right up. But noises that are distant and loud are pretty easily canceled out by these.
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 shut-eye.”
Get 12 pairs from Amazon for $12.99.
20. A collapsible silicone water bottle so you can avoid purchasing the ridiculously priced water bottles at the airport Hudson News. Just pack this into your personal item (empty, of course) and fill it up once you’re through security!
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly loves this bottle and has this to say: “I bought this water bottle before a 2.5-week trip to Vietnam (where you don’t drink tap water) and Malaysia (where you do). I didn’t want to bring one of my ride-or-die S’well bottles because it would take up extra room in my bag when I wouldn’t be able to use it during the majority of the trip. This handy silicone bottle did just the trick! It’s very easy to roll up and *stays* rolled up thanks to the just-stretchy-enough loop. Said loop was also very handy while walking through airports and just around sightseeing. The bottle is easy to clean and doesn’t make my water taste weird. I’m now using it as my daily water bottle and feel confident it’ll serve me well for a long time. Plus! With a collapsible water bottle, it’s easier to remember if you left water in it before you go through security.”
Promising review: “Overall, I really like this bottle! The color is nice, and you can see through it. The lid is secure, with no leaking. I like the compact size that it folds up into. The material seems durable and thick. This is perfect for camping or hiking. It’s annoying to take a big stainless steel cup when being active. The clip seems to work great.” —Andrea
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.89+ (available in three sizes and 14 colors/styles).
21. A tray table cover that can hold your snacks, drinks, magazines, headphones, and tablet into a convenient spot. (Yes, it can fit all of that!) Switching from streaming to reading has never been easier because digging around your filled-to-the-brim carry-on is simply a hassle. You’ll stay entertained your entire flight *and* super organized.
Promising review: “I love this thing! I always hated putting things in the seat pocket on planes. It was easy for things to get lost in there, or sometimes the pockets were pretty tight. This thing was amazing. I was able to get everything out of my bag that I might need during the flight and had easy access to it all. It was so much better than having to pull my bag out constantly to get stuff I needed. It also folds up nicely, so it doesn’t take up much space in your bag.” —Corey
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
22. Tower 28’s Daily Rescue facial spray so when you’re bundled up in a beanie on a chilly morning and your skin starts to feel a little sweaty underneath, you can instantly refresh without a full face wash. It’ll help keep red, irritated skin at bay thanks to its star ingredient hypochlorous acid. Plus, the air mid-flight is dry so spritzing this on can help keep your skin more soothed and hydrated.
Tower 28
This renewing toner is alcohol-, oil-, and fragrance-free, making it ideal for all skin types. The hypochlorous acid helps reduce redness and irritation.
Tower 28 is an LA-based, Asian woman-owned small business that creates nontoxic, vegan, and cruelty-free beauty products for all skin types.
Promising review: “I’ve struggled with adult cystic acne for a while now! I decided to stop using all my actives and just use the SOS spray and the barrier recovery cream to just see what would happen. I cannot believe what this has done for my skin. I highly recommend! It’s truly been life-changing!” —Julie
Promising review: “This product is magic in a bottle; I’m obsessed. I travel a lot, and this is truly amazing at saving my skin from the recycled air and new climates that I’m constantly adjusting to. For reference, I have extremely sensitive, blackhead- and acne-prone skin.” —Ellie
Get it from Sephora, Tower 28, or Amazon for $12+ (available in three sizes and a value pack on Tower 28’s website).
23. A seat extender if you’re tired of watching your kiddo squirm their way through every long flight. This soft, hammock-style extender clips onto the seatback tray to give them a comfy spot to stretch out, nap, or play instead of kicking the seat in front of them the whole time. It folds down into a little drawstring bag that slips right into your carry-on, holds up to 55 pounds, and reviewers love how it turns an economy seat into something way more manageable with a toddler in tow.
Promising review: “This product was lightweight, super soft, easy to use, and made my flight so much easier! My toddler was comfortable and loved being able to stretch out his little legs and lie down. He even napped on the flight! The install was quick and easy — very user-friendly. It fit the space in the airplane seat perfectly. The side pocket was useful to store extra toys and a pacifier. I would definitely recommend this product to families traveling with small children.” —Bruna
Get it from Amazon for $23.39+ (available in five colors).
24. An airplane window tray to create some extra space around you while you’re cramped in economy and have barely any room for your *crisp* ginger ale. This will be a window seat’s BFF because this can hold your bevvie, phone, glasses, headphones, and more.
Note: This only works if you have full access to the window (rather than those seats where you get the weird halves of two windows between the rows in front and behind you).
Promising review: “A friend recommended this to me as a vital travel companion now that I’ve returned to frequent flying. I initially thought of it as a novelty, but now that I’ve used it, it’s a necessity. It keeps the workspace clear for my laptop, but it also organizes all the little pieces that can become so annoying to keep up with — glasses, earphones, etc. It got my seatmate’s immediate attention, as well as a few other folks nearby. I suspect they’ll have one soon. Watch for one soon in a window near you!” —Timothy G. Wolfe
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
25. A hands-free portable phone charger so you can easily add some percentage to your phone when you find yourself at an overcrowded gate with no open outlets. Oh, the horror!! This compact charger works fast — it juices up an iPhone 14 a full 50% in just 30 minutes. Now you can dramatically listen to music as you stare out the plane window during takeoff.
This works for iPhone’s with the old (lightning) charger but here’s a version that works with the new (USB-C) plug-in.
Promising review: “This is so handy to have! This is going to be a necessity when I travel and can’t find an outlet to plug in my phone charger. It seems powerful enough to get my phone fully charged in about an hour. It’s light enough and small enough to keep in my purse with no issues. It feels like a high-quality product, very well made. It took some time to charge, about as long as it takes my phone to charge. But it seems to hold a charge until I plug it in, which is great. The price on this was great compared to some others I was looking at. So glad I went for this one.” —Alysia Gonzales
Get it from Amazon for $13.46+ (available in 10 colors).
26. A school-inspired 4-in-1 makeup pen to do your lip liner, brows, eyeliner, *and* highlighter. If your toiletries bag is already overflowing, this can still give you all of your beauty needs while traveling (without taking up precious room). Idk about you, but it’s making me nostalgic for my 5-in-1 pen from elementary school.
Alleyoop
This thing has all the benefits of four makeup items and all the fun of those four-color clicky pens. Click to your heart’s content and travel with a lighter load. Alleyoop is a woman-owned small business that specializes in functional makeup products.
Promising review: “I bought this to help make my travel makeup bag not so bulky. I really like how smooth every product is. The colors were nice and pigmented. I probably wouldn’t use this on a daily basis but when I travel, it’ll be really nice and compact in my suitcase!” —Kara E.
Get it from Amazon for $17 or Alleyoop for $20 (available in three colorways).
27. A bunch of Sriracha packets perfect for flavor emergencies like airport food, bland hotel breakfast, and sad airplane meals. It’ll give you a slight kick of spiciness and a flavor you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with. You’ll be living Beyoncé’s lyric, “I’ve got hot sauce in my bag, swag.”
Amazon
Promising review: “I travel extensively and often desire to spice up the food along the way. Carrying a bottle of hot sauce is precarious, so I welcomed these individual packets, which are TSA-compliant and easily packed.” —Randy Becker
Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $13.07.
28. A mini trash can that fits right into your cup holder so snack wrappers, receipts, and random travel junk don’t end up all over your seats. It’s waterproof, easy to rinse out, and clutch for road trips — it’ll help your car stay tidy!
Amazon
Promising review: “It’s ridiculous how much I love these! The push part is on a spring, so it stays closed when you aren’t pushing it, and of course, it perfectly fits in the cup holder of our vehicles. Pro tip: a quart-sized Ziploc is the perfect size to add as a liner and fold over the top to keep the inside clean!” —Chaos Coordinator
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four colors).
29. A portable espresso maker for travelers who refuse to settle for sad hotel coffee or weak airport brews. This handheld gadget is completely manual — just add your favorite ground beans and hot water, then give it a few pumps to pull a legit shot of espresso (yes, with crema). It’s compact, lightweight, and works anywhere you can get hot water (think anywhere from plane galleys to campsites)!
Amazon
The manually operated device is lightweight and doesn’t require batteries to function. Just add hot water and ground coffee, then pump to extract the perfect cup of espresso.
Promising review: “This works so well for camping for a quick coffee craving! Took this camping over the weekend and used it a few times at the office. Depending on the grinds you use, it’s good for a light single espresso shot, or if you reuse the same grinds and purge three capfuls of water through the filter, you’ll get a full cup of coffee. Works great without lugging a glass press around in your backpacking or camp gear! Easy to clean and store away with the retractable priming handle.” —SocKeTPupPet 🤖
Get it from Amazon for $54.90.
30. An anti-blister balm to protect your feet while walking or hiking around in those new fall boots that claim to have no break-in period (your blistery-heel says otherwise). This balm creates a nongreasy barrier between your skin and your shoes to help you avoid any painful walking experiences.
Promising review: “I purchased two of these for our one-week Disney World trip. I knew I’d be walking around A LOT, and my feet aren’t used to the many miles of walking a day in the hot and humid environment, so I didn’t want to be uncomfortable. I’m happy to say I put it on once in the morning, slipped on some socks and comfy shoes, and I didn’t get one blister or issue with my feet! I wish I knew about this a long time ago!” —Michelle
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
31. A cocktail tin so when you land in a new city and want to unwind in your Airbnb, you can enjoy a drink without having to visit a bar. The kit includes pre-measured ingredients so you can drop in a cube, mix, and enjoy your cocktail. Pro-tip: It’ll go ~dashingly~ with the little liquor bottles they sell on planes!
Amazon
The kit makes three drinks.
Promising review: “A neat kit to have on hand, take to a hotel, or give as a gift. All of the tools and ingredients you need to make the drink are in the kit (except the alcohol and ice). I found the kit to be cheaper than purchasing the individual ingredients for an old fashioned. I would definitely buy this again.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in more flavors here).
32. A digital luggage scale that’ll squash *any* anxiety that your bag is too heavy (especially since it’ll be filled with jeans and jackets!). Now you don’t have to worry about forking over more money (for that big overweight bag fee) or ripping open your suitcase in front of everyone — with this, you can avoid both!
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising review: “I cannot imagine how we would have managed a big international trip without this. It saved us so much stress and, I’m sure, surprise charges at the airport.” —Potter Freak
Promising review: “This scale works and was accurate on four flights. First flight was a test at 46 pounds, and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds, and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the fourth flight weighed 49, but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low-cost, must-have item for air travel.” —Robert
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors and also a two-pack).
33. An LED neck reading light because at least one person on your flight will let out a frustrated sigh if you turn on the overhead light above your seat. This will make sure you can still read your fantasy romance novel without disrupting people’s shut-eye. A true win-win!
It has three color settings and six brightness levels and can last on a single charge for up to 80 hours — almost enough time to read all of Stephen King’s It!
Promising review: “I couldn’t be happier with this light. I use it for reading in bed and when I travel. It’s comfortable, has many different settings, is easy to use, and the battery stays charged for a long time. You can turn on either one or both sides of the light, and its flexibility allows the light to be adjusted easily. I highly recommend this light for reading in bed, for outdoor walking at night, and for doing close work that requires good lighting.” —Jean G
Get it from Amazon for $17.58+ (available in two widths and seven colors).
34. A Wantdo puffer jacket that’s made for travelers who want warmth without lugging heavy gear. It’s feather-light (but still has insulation), folds up super small, and comes with a hood and pockets so you’re covered when bad weather hits as you’re sightseeing. And with a new season already here, you can bet on colder, chillier weather joining you.
Promising review: “I bought this coat to bring with me on a road trip in Iceland. It worked great! It’s warm without being bulky. The hood stayed up despite the wind. Best part: It packs down so well in the little bag that it comes with! I was able to stuff the bag inside one of my hiking boots, which meant it took up virtually no space when I packed for our flight.” —Laura Grace
Get it from Amazon for $58.98 (available in sizes XS–3XL and 18 colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.