The packing article
No, I’m not going to tell you to bring socks
“Did I bring my laptop charger?” — Me, 30% of the time an hour into any flight
Thanks for opening this and trusting that it’s not going to be one of those packing lists that tells you to bring underwear or your phone charger… I can assure you it’s not.
As my brother says, “everything is an experience.” This post is about the stuff I didn’t know I needed until I was three weeks in and wishing I’d thought of it sooner, the things that have changed how I travel, the little hacks that keep my bags organized and efficiently packed, and the things that keep my sanity intact when I’m living out of a suitcase.
Full transparency: I’m including some affiliate links because if I’m going to rave about something I use constantly, I might as well make it easy for you to grab it too. But this isn’t a “buy all this stuff” listicle. Every recommendation doesn’t come with a link, but every link you see (unless otherwise noted) I have used and would actually vouch for . These are things I genuinely pack or use, trip after trip, because they work.
Also worth mentioning: I’ve been dealing with long COVID for almost four years now. It’s affected me in a lot of ways, but a few of the more prominent symptoms have been fatigue and rapid dehydration. Some of the stuff on this list exists because of that reality. Travel looks different when your body is working against you sometimes, but we’ve all got things we have to deal with when traveling!
You can skim this over and see what catches your eye, but obviously I would suggest reading it all 😜
What you rarely hear
I’m not the lightest packer, so you’ll be able to see how many of these have made a difference. This is a long one, so I’ve split it into 5 parts:
Pack in your carry-on/checked bag
Pack in your backpack (use during travel)
Pack for longer trips
How I actually pack (AKA hacks)
First: my actual luggage situation
I use, and love, my Away “Bigger Carry-On”. I’m going to be honest, this was an example of a brand doing a collaboration with someone famous - in this case, one of my favorite athletes. Is it the absolute best? I don’t know. But it’s sleek and has held up through a lot of miles. Plus, there’s a lifetime warranty so if the wheels or handle break, they fix or replace it forever. This isn’t just marketing - I know people who have gotten replacements, no questions asked.
Get $40 off with this link!
Pack in your carry-on/checked bag
Shoe bags
For years I just put my shoes in plastic grocery bags. That seemed sufficient. But obviously that’s not as great for the environment, and they sometimes rip and you don’t notice it, and then the bottom of your hiking shoes are touching your white shirt. My dad got me these simple ones a couple of years ago, and they’re great (thin, sturdy, and have a loop/handle which comes in handy).
Or, a free hack: grab plastic shower caps from hotels and put the bottoms of the shoes in there
The perfect (affordable) travel jewelry case
Okay so I was going to suggest (more relevant for women) threading earrings through the holes of a spare button so they don’t get tangled, or sliding necklaces into plastic straws, because I heard those work well. But my girlfriend said it’s so time-consuming and only moderately effective, and instead said she loves this travel jewelry case and that it’s a “life changer”.
Refillable toiletries
I love these Ries bottles for shampoo, sunscreen, etc. - I met the founder, Megan Graham, at a conference a couple of years ago and love what she’s building. Yes, it’s more geared towards women, but her brand and products are sustainability-driven and they take up way less space than lugging full-size products. Plus you’re not constantly rebuying travel-size everything.
And then I use these for pills/vitamins (a gift from a friend). Some are meant for shampoo but I actually think they’re too small if you’re going for more than an overnight. They’re perfectly sized for pills!
Electrolytes (for actual hydration)
One of the more annoying symptoms of long COVID is rapid dehydration and the headaches that come from that. Electrolytes really come in handy. I carry two brands, for different purposes:
LMNT is fantastic for prolonged hydration throughout the day (think: long walking tour in the heat, a round of golf); if you use the previous hyperlink, you get a free sample pack too.
Liquid IV sugar-free is what I use for rapid rehydration (think: went for a run, during/after alcohol consumption)
Essentially, LMNT has double the sodium and added magnesium, making it better for sustained, all-day endurance
This isn’t just a long COVID thing - staying hydrated while traveling is underrated. Planes dry you out, walking around cities all day drains you, and most people don’t drink enough water anyway. And that’s even more of a problem when people travel (especially to places where the tap water isn’t drinkable)
Snacks (like protein bars)
Telling you to bring snacks when you travel probably isn’t blowing your mind, but something more filling than chips comes in handy. Think about the flight delay when you don’t want to pay $10 for a crappy slice of pizza at the airport. Or the morning where you’re running late for the walking tour but need something.
My favorites are ONE Bars. I’ve been a fan of these since before the pandemic. They’re high in protein, only have one gram of sugar, and have double the fiber of most bars (keeping you fuller and your digestion regular).
(Caveat: I have severe tree nut and sesame allergies so can’t eat probably 95% of protein/granola bars.)
To-go stain remover
You will spill something on yourself at some point. And if you wait until you’re home to try stain remover, it might be too late. Tide’s is easy, household brand name but cheap, and a small addition to your bag.
Allergy translations (if applicable)
If you have serious food allergies like I do, traveling where English isn’t the first language can be stressful. I print out a couple of sentences in the local language that I can bring to restaurants. It serves 3 purposes: 1) No matter how good someone’s English is, if your life is at stake you want someone reading in their native language; 2) They can bring the paper to the kitchen so it doesn’t become a game of [translated] telephone; 3) Handing them a piece of paper shows that you’re not messing around, and that if they mess up this isn’t just going to result in a little tummy ache.
Exercise bands
If I’m traveling somewhere without a gym (or not a good environment to go for a run), I’ll bring exercise/resistance bands. Such a cheap and easy way to exercise, even if just for 15 minutes. You can buy these at any of the typical retailers, or Amazon of course!
Portable fan
My girlfriend loves this one, and I get to benefit from it, too. As she said, “everyone will be looking at you - but it’s 100% out of jealousy (hot crowded bus, waiting in long lines in 90 degrees, etc.)”
Travel compression bags
Generally speaking, you’re going to pack more efficiently to begin your trip vs throwing everything in your bag at the end. If your bag is pretty full at the beginning of the trip, travel compression bags like these are a lifesaver. They really do save a bunch of space. I only use it at the end and put my dirty laundry, since I know it’s okay for it all to be wrinkled. Extra important if you’re close to full but know you’re going to buy some things from your trip.
Pack in your backpack (use during travel)
Airplane foot rest
Especially helpful for overnight flights for comfort, helping with circulation and lower back support. This is a more affordable one with good reviews that I bought, but there are obviously others that are similar. However, Delta just announced they’re banning some “comfort items” like this one. If/how they’ll enforce it is another question.
Sleep mask
For when the hotel blinds aren’t doing their job, or when the person in the window seat on the 6 am flight doesn’t close the window. This one is cheap, comfy, and effective.
Inflatable neck pillow
I think the big ones people are wearing while standing at the airport is kind of silly and very bulky, but an inflatable neck pillow solves those issues. Is it as comfortable? Probably not, but it’s still comfortable and worth the trade off for something compact and easy. Every time I might sleep on a plane, this affordable one is in my backpack.
1MORE headphones
These are my go-to recommendation for the “I don’t want to spend $300 on headphones but also don’t want garbage sound quality” crowd. They’re affordable, sound way better than they should for the price, and are comfortable enough to wear for an entire long-haul flight.
Ear plugs
Ear buds don’t always work as well as you think. These are for when you don’t realize your Airbnb is above a night club or the hallway has creaky stairs. Or, if you don’t have noise-canceling headphones and the crying baby behind you hasn’t realized everything will be okay yet.
AirTags
AirTags are definitely for the checked bag. The peace of mind is worth every penny, especially when the airline inevitably loses your luggage. (To be honest, I use Chipolo right now instead of AirTags but don’t recommend it). I’ve also heard good things about Tile, for Android users.
Travel blanket
If you’re cold on planes like my girlfriend, this is small but meaningful (in her words, ”for people who are always cold, this thing is so light and SO WORTH IT”). **This one** clips onto your backpack so it doesn’t even take up any internal storage space.
LifeStraw Filtered Water Bottle
If you’re going somewhere tap water isn’t drinkable, this one is a game-changer. Convenient, better for the environment, and pays for itself quickly. You can fill it up from basically any water source and the filter does its thing, like a river in the Amazon.
Pack for longer trips
Collapsible tupperware
You don’t realize how helpful this is until you’ve had it. If you’re staying somewhere for more than a week or two, these are clutch. They collapse flat when you’re not using them, are great for snacks, and again good for the environment as you don’t contribute to the pile of single-use containers that accumulate when you’re living out of an Airbnb. There are a ton of options out there, such as these.
Portable monitor
I know people who don’t travel for more than a weekend only because they need their second screen. I like this one - it’s a lightweight monitor and USB-powered (no need for an outlet). Besides the obvious benefits, it allows you to be more productive…which means more time to enjoy and explore the place you’re staying in!
Portable Ring light
This one’s specific, but if you’re taking a lot of video calls, creating content while traveling, or not trying to blow your cover that you’re in Vietnam instead of your Manhattan apartment, you know that hotel lighting is usually terrible. This ring light is small enough to pack, clips onto your laptop, is USB-powered, and has adjustable brightness shades/intensities.
Travel steamer
If you don’t like ironing, or even worse are unsure if you’ll have an iron in your accommodations (both me, most times), this one is great. It works much better than I expected, to the point that when there’s an ironing board in my hotel I’ll still use this steamer instead. It heats up quickly, is portable, doesn’t require an ironing board…really everything you need. I put this in the “longer trips” section but it’s just as valuable for a wedding weekend.
Laundry detergent sheets
No need to worry about whether your Airbnb will have detergent (most don’t), and it takes up basically no space and no weight in your bag. And then you don’t have to buy an unnecessary amount of detergent to leave or throw out. Here’s an affordable option. Easy.
How I actually pack (AKA hacks)
Learned over the course of 29 countries, 37 states, and 91 airports 😬
Create a template packing list
I have a comprehensive “General packing list” note on my iPhone (including a section for international trips, and a section with tips on how to sleep better on overnight). Every time I begin to pack, I duplicate that note and delete the irrelevant parts. You probably won’t forget underwear every time, but why not save yourself from the repetitive work, thinking, and room for error? Why reinvent the wheel if it’s your 5th trip in 3 months?
Pack vertically
This makes finding things SO much easier, versus packing the horizontal way and then you’re lifting and sorting through only 4 or so piles of clothes that go across the whole bag. Think like you’re storing files in a drawer instead of flat layers. It helps with maximizing space, too.
Wear your heaviest stuff on the plane
Most people know this but don’t do it (I’m guilty). No shame wearing the jacket, boots, bulky sweater, etc. - your bag will thank you later, and airplanes are cold most of the time anyway.
Put things in your shoes
Socks, granola bars, medicines, a razor - yes it’s efficient but also the shoe becomes cushioning if it’s something fragile. You’ll be less efficient packing at the end of the trip, but in theory you’ll have consumed some things.
Check if your credit card gives you free international data
Some credit cards give you free data - if you have a higher end Visa or Mastercard, for example. Here’s how you can do it for certain Visa cards, and here’s how for certain Mastercards. Or if not and you need to buy, Airalo is solid - with this link and the code “BRAD6705” you’ll get €3 off your purchase.
Snag the hotel toiletries (seriously)
A lot of hotels have switched to those big pump dispensers screwed into the shower wall (for sustainability and financial reasons), but plenty of places still give out individual bottles. When they do, take extras. They’re free, they’re TSA-approved sizes, and you’re going to need shampoo on your next trip anyway. No shame in stocking up.
How I fold button-downs
Like this (but then roll instead of fold at the end). Lay it face-down, fold the sleeves back, fold in half lengthwise, then roll from the bottom up. It makes the clothes less wrinkled (nothing is perfect, obviously) and you can stand them up in your bag with the rest of your vertically-packed clothes.
Your turn
That’s the list - everything I’ve learned from plenty of trial and error, some helpful people along the way, and figuring out how to make travel work for me even when things get complicated. Not everything here will fit your style, but if even one thing makes your next trip easier, I’ll call that a win.
If there’s anything you’d add, let me know - you can never be too efficient 😉
There are a few affiliate links in here, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them - at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I actually use and like.