Spring Break Travel Essentials

posted in: Shopping Tips

Bravo – You’ve booked your next trip!  Now you need all the gear to make your travels as comfortable and efficient as possible. From easy-to-store carry-on suitcases to triple-duty grooming products, I’ve found 19 items to level up your travel experience.

GROOMING & WELLNESS

18.21 Carry-On-4-in-1 Travel Foam

18.21 Carry-On-4-in-1 Travel Foam ($20)

If you’re a guy who likes to keep it simple, this multi-tasking foam will take care of the lion’s share of your grooming needs.  This nourishing formula functions as a shampoo, conditioner, face & body wash, and shave cream, and keeps skin and hair soft. Available in Sweet Tobacco and Spiced Vanilla. I had a chance to try Sweet Tobacco and it’s divine.

AVYA Weekend Set with cosmetics bag

AVYA Weekend Set with Cosmetic Bag ($55)

I don’t always like the product mix in skincare travel sets, but AVYA gets it right with a cleanser, serum, eye cream, and night cream. The cruelty-free products are elegantly packaged and are free from phthalates, sulfates, GMOs, and other undesirables, and they are nestled in a cute, portable, reusable zippered bag.

PlaneAire Travel Essentials

PlaneAire Travel Essentials ($28.00)

These plant-based products make quick work of cleaning your surrounding surfaces as you travel. The set comes in a reusable zip-top bag and includes a Clean Surface & Air Mist, six individually wrapped Clean Surface Wipes, and one moisturizing hand sanitizer scent of your choice – I tried and enjoyed the soothing Cardamom Lavender scent.

Life Elements Travel Shower Bar

Life Elements Travel Shower Bar ($12 for one. 3 for $30)

Travel light with this multipurpose, bar, which gently cleanses the hair and skin.  This gender-neutral product smells lightly of orange and grapefruit and is packed with nourishing ingredients, like honey, Koku butter, and lavender.  The bar is travel-ready, packaged in a resealable bag that is 100% plant-based and compostable.

Travel Sana Nutraceuticals

TravelSana ($24 and up)

This line of nutraceuticals is designed to tackle some of our common difficulties when we are on the go, including disrupted sleep, nausea, stress, and circulation. The pleasantly-flavored, single-serve powders are deposited directly onto the tongue, with no water required. I had a chance to try the Sleep formula, which contains Passionflower, Vitamins B6 & B12, and melatonin. The goal is to help you fall asleep faster, improve the quality of your sleep, and avoid jet lag.  I haven’t tested it for travel, but I do struggle with periodic sleep issues and found it to be helpful when I tried it at home.

TRAVEL GADGETS & GEAR

Tire Inflator

Car & Driver AIRX 300 Tire Inflator ($129.99 on Amazon

Road tripping? This rechargeable tire inflator is a must! It’s lightweight, portable, and easy to use, automatically shutting off once the tire has reached its ideal PSI. It has five modes designed for use with cars, motorcycles, sporting goods, and more.

slice safety cutter

Slice Safety Cutter ($5.99. Save 10% with code TRAE10)

Inevitably, you’ll need to open clamshell packaging (for that charging cord you had to buy at the airport) or cut off clothing tags. Scissors aren’t allowed in a carry-on, but you CAN travel with this handy tool! The TSA-approved Safety Cutter from Slice features a kid-safe finger-friendly micro-blade that is deceivingly effective. It also has a convenient keyring hole so you can carry it anywhere (it also has a built-in magnet, which is handy for the fridge at home).  

luggage labels

​​Mabel’s Labels Travel Label Pack ($27)

Spot your luggage quickly at baggage check and easily differentiate between identical bags, laptops, and water bottles among your travel mates.  This label combo pack contains 19 labels that are designed for use on suitcases, electronics, water bottles, toiletries…you name it! The labels are customizable, durable, and waterproof.

LeMel Jewelry travel Case

LeMel Jewelry Travel Case ($56)

Keep your jewelry organized and free of tangles with this sweet vegan leather Travel Case. It’s compact enough to fit in your carry-on bag or luggage, but the brand recommends keeping it in your carry-on just in case there is a mishap with your checked luggage en route. 

lug trolley medium cosmetic case

Lug Trolley Medium Cosmetic Case ($59)

Lug has a ton of well-designed dopp kits, but I selected this one because it fits plenty of toiletries but isn’t too bulky. The bag has a very roomy central pocket as well as pockets on the front, back, and sides. It also has sturdy, rubber feet, so it stays put on slippery surfaces.  Available in over 15 colors for men, women, or kids! The brand also has really nice packing cubes ($39) that have a handle and a space-saving double zip compression feature. They, too, come in lots of fun colors and patterns. 

packing organizers

Ricardo Beverly Hills Essentials 5.0 ($9.99 and up)

Let’s face it, germs are everywhere! Why not travel with accessories that tackle them?  This stylish collection of sturdy travel organizers feature SteriTouch, a silver-based anti-microbial treatment that helps to keep items germ-free. The collection includes packing cubes for clothing and shoes, as well as laundry bags

carry-on spinner suitcase

Rollink Inc. Flex 360° Carry-On Spinner Suitcase ($219)

Luggage can be a big space hogger at home and the hotel! Once emptied, this innovative suitcase collapses so it’s 75% thinner than an average suitcase. When not in use, it can be easily tucked into a closet or under a bed. When it’s expanded, the side panels and polycarbonate hard shell are durable and resistant to moisture and impact. The luggage is available in a wide range of stylish colors, has 360-degree spinner wheels, and comes with a 3-year warranty.  The brand also has a very comfortable and easy-to-carry neck pillow that’s worth checking out ($45).

filtered water bottle

Astrea One Premium Filtering Water Bottle ($29.99 on Amazon)  

These leak-free water bottles are refillable and will thoroughly filter water, allowing you to fill up just about anywhere.  According to the brand, they have the highest NSF certification to reduce toxins, pharmaceuticals, lead, and contaminants, like mercury and cadmium. One filter lasts 3 months with regular use, and the filter has a handy date feature, so it’s easy to tell when it needs to be replaced. 

luggage scale

Etekcity EL11 Luggage Scale ($10.99 on Amazon)

One airport “don’t”? Realizing that your suitcase exceeds the checked baggage weight limit! This portable luggage scale should be used before departing and it’s small enough to take with you in case you do some shopping at your destination. It can weigh bags up to 110 pounds and has features like tare, auto-off, and a temperature sensor.

tech pouch organizer

Peak Design Tech Pouch ($59.99)

With all the gadgets we travel with, it’s essential to have a good tech organizer. This chic 200D recycled nylon canvas pouch features origami-style dividers and lots of pockets, allowing you to stow away all those cords, chargers, SD cards, earbuds, and more. The clamshell style opening and exterior hand loops allow for easy one-hand opening, and the external zip pocket has a cable pass-through for device charging. I had a chance to try other items from the brand as well, including a backpack and packing cubes, and everything is so well designed. Available in a variety of colors. 

stackable vitamin organizer

S’well x New Chapter Vitamin Organizer ($20)

This sturdy pill organizer is roomy enough for longer trips or for lots of meds, vitamins & supplements. The case includes a 3-section divider with a silicone lid that is secure, but easy to open. Plus, it doesn’t look like a typical medication box, so it’s discreet.  Available in two colors. 

APPAREL

rain defender water repellant anorak

Carhartt Rain Defender Loose Fit Lightweight Packable Anorak ($79.99 and up)

Don’t let rain dampen your travel plans! These packable anoraks, which are available in men’s and women’s sizes, feature Rain Defender® durable water repellent, a breathable mesh-lined body, adjustable cuffs, and a drop tail hem and hood. When not in use, it packs into its handy kangaroo pocket!

lounge set

This is J Lounge Sets (prices vary – kids $47 and up, adults $100 and up)

When I travel, comfort is priority #1. These sets are available in sizes for the whole family, in basic solid colors and fun patterns for the more colorful members of the fam. The blend of bamboo viscose with a touch of spandex guarantees ultimate comfort for long flights or road trips (I pair mine with a hoodie), or to protect the skin from scratchy hotel sheets. Save 25 percent with code TIJTRUE25!

lightweight slip on shoes

Kane Footwear Revive Slip-On ($75 and up)

Shoes that are easy on/off are essential for air travel! These lightweight shoes are made with washable, waterproof foam and designed in collaboration with a sports podiatrist to offer an incredible amount of structural support, cushioning, airflow, and give. And these might look like Crocs at first glance, but they are much more stylish (sorry, Crocs!). Unisex and available in a variety of colors. 

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Trae Bodge is an accomplished lifestyle journalist and TV commentator who has specialized in smart shopping, personal finance, and retail for more than a decade. She has appeared on TV over 1,000 times; including Today Show, GMA3, NBC Nightly News, Inside Edition, and network affiliates nationwide. She has been named a Top Voice in Retail by LinkedIn, and her expert commentary has appeared in Forbes, USNews.com, Kiplinger, Yahoo Finance, and numerous others.