Travel Smart: Ingenious Travel Tools You Didn’t Know You Needed

RTIC Everyday Insulated Slim Tote $39.99 at RTIC.com)

Insulated bags are handy for picnics, visits to the beach, and road trips, and every time I travel with my family, we regret not having one with us.

I plan to pack this one in my suitcase. It’s collapsible when empty, but its roomy, zippered interior can hold up to 4 Wine Bottles, 24 Cans, or a family picnic! There’s also an external pocket and waterproof base. Available in six colors. RTIC also has fantastic insulated water bottles. The leak-free bottles come in a variety of sizes, but I like the Little Journey Bottle, a 12oz. ceramic-lined bottle with a straw. It’s a great size for kids or for adults who want to tuck a smaller bottle into their sling bag for sightseeing.

melii Puzzle Bento Box Food Storage Container ($9.99, Amazon)

Speaking of kids, having just the right container for their snacks is crucial. The colorful set comes with two smaller boxes and one larger box that snap together. Fun and functional!

The storage containers are airtight, leakproof, and free of BPA, Lead, PVC, and Cadmium-free and are safe for use in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher.

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow ($69, Ostrichpillow.com)

Even if you are the best sleeper in the world, sleeping on a plane is tough! This travel pillow has a 360° ergonomic design that offers more neck and head support than the average pillow, helping you sleep while maintaining a healthy posture. It also has an adjustable Velcro closure.

The Go Neck Pillow’s supportive memory foam core compresses to 60 percent of its size when tucked into its travel bag. The bag also has a carabiner for clipping onto your carry-on. It is available in Midnight Grey, Blue Reef, Deep Blue, and Dark Night.

Gorilla Grip Luggage Straps ($8.99, Amazon)

Do you tend to overpack? These highly-rated straps wrap around your suitcase to prevent it from popping open en route. The straps come in several bright colors, making your suitcase easy to spot on the baggage carousel. I chose hot pink. 🙂

Criss Cross Vegan Leather Strap ($89, Crisscrosscompany.com)

It’s nice to travel light and hands-free when you’re sightseeing. This long, adjustable strap keeps your phone close, and it comes with a 3.5 x 2.5 x 1” pouch to hold a few small items, like lip balm, keys, or earbuds.

The straps are available in several shimmery colors, and the set includes a universal phone adapter that works with any phone case.

Wacaco Pipamoka Portable Coffee Maker ($49.90, Amazon)

I often find myself having to settle for blah coffee when I’m traveling, but no more!

With the Pipamoka, you can brew and drink coffee from the same device. You just need hot water and your favorite coffee grounds! The brewing process is manual, so no charging is required. Once the grounds and hot water are in the vessel, you twist until it stops, and ouila! One personal serving of delicious coffee that stays hot for hours.

No Normal Coffee ($17 and up, No-normal.com)

Another coffee solution is No Normal Coffee, which is a rich, water-soluble, gently sweetened, dark roast coffee paste made from 100 percent Fairtrade Arabica beans and organic Swiss beet sugar. You squeeze it directly into your mug from the tube, add hot water, and stir! The tubes are lightweight and highly portable, so it’s ideal for hiking, camping, skiing, or just staying with a family member who has crappy coffee. 🙂

Attaché Purse Hook ($59.99, Buyattache.com)

There is not always a place for your purse at a restaurant or bar, so I carry one of these with me.

The Attaché Purse Hook keeps your bag off the ground and close at hand. It can hold up to 35 pounds and is stylish enough to be used as a bag charm or even a bracelet. The hook is available in two styles and three colors: gold, silver, and rose gold.