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The Best Travel Gear and Accessories for Any Trip

You’ve got your suitcase full of socks and underwear, you’ve got your ticket ready. Here’s what else you need.

collage of travel bag, sleep mask and compact camera Gear Patrol

By Will Porter

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There is a handful of must-have travel gear for every trip: you need a suitcase, you need your passport, you need a toothbrush. Otherwise, it is all up to the individual. Depending on where the trip is taking you, a number of accessories will need to be added to your packing list in order to keep you and your stuff organized and ready for anything that comes your way.

It can be incredibly difficult to decide what to bring — we under and overpack all the time. With this in mind, we decided to make a list of the best travel accessories you can bring to ensure you get the most out of your adventures. We’ve broken them down into sections: gear for traveling to your destination, gear for exploring your destination, and luggage bits that aren’t a suitcase.

At Gear Patrol, we are experts in all things gear-related, but in case you don’t believe us, we tapped Monica Mendal, a New York-based travel, fashion and lifestyle writer and editor, to get some picks that she relies on while she travels the world. Not only did she write our guide to the best backpacks for college students, but she has contributed to and written numerous stories, not only at Gear Patrol, but also for The New York Times, Vogue and more. Those stories don’t write themselves and just a bit of experience with Monica’s work lets you know that she’s an expert worth trusting. You’ll find her picks strewn throughout the story alongside all of our favorites.

I keep a box of Hilma’s Immune Support packets in every suitcase I own and take them the minute I start feeling like I could be getting sick. They’re my secret to staying healthy while traveling.

Saks Potts India Leather AirPods Pro Case in Black at NordstromNordstrom

Monica's Pick

Saks Potts India Leather AirPods Pro Case in Black at Nordstrom

Never lose your AirPods with the stylish Saks Potts AirPods case. Easy to clip onto your bag or belt loop and it even doubles as a keychain so you can safely attach the keys to your Airbnb.

I never understand the people that can travel without a portable charger. Taking photos, using the internet to scope out a lunch spot and just generally using my GPS to navigate around a new place, I’m lucky if my iPhone battery makes it to noon. This one by INIU is lightweight, quick to charge and has dual USB-A ports so you can charge two phones at once. (Your travel partner will thank you later!)

Keep an eye on all of your bags, or whatever you want to keep the location of, all from your phone. The built-in speaker chimes to help you find things when you get close and the Find My network helps find things that may have gotten lost a bit further away.

Crying babies, typing professionals, growling dogs. No matter which way you’re traveling, blocking out the noise is a must for maintaining sanity. Pair it with the next item on the list for in-flight movies and shows.

You don’t want to keep a set of wired headphones on hand just for the plane ride. Use the Twelve South AirFly to connect your Bluetooth headphones to the headphone jack on the plane. This will make enjoying the in-flight entertainment much more enjoyable.

A travel pillow makes all the difference when flying (or riding in a car). This one packs down so small you’ll forget it is there once you arrive.

Between screens and overhead lights and the sun, it is hard to catch many peaceful z’s on an airplane. Drown out the light with this padded eye mask from Tempur-Pedic, which uses the brand’s signature TEMPUR foam.

Never show up to the airport with an overweight bag again. Keep a scale on hand to be sure everything is distributed as efficiently as possible.

If you’re headed abroad, you will definitely find yourself searching for a way to power your gear. This adaptor will make it so that you don’t have to worry about mismatching plugs. It also protects against surges.

Compression socks are great for keeping the blood flow going during long trips on a plane or in a car. Plus they double as dress socks once you arrive at your destination.

Don’t be the guy who holds up the airport security line untying your shoelaces. Get some slip-ons, like these Sabahs, that are easy on and off, dressed up or dressed down.

You carried hand sanitizer before the pandemic, so you should probably continue to do so. This is an elevated take on hand sanitizer that won’t break the bank — or your skin.

You don’t want your multi-tool getting confiscated at security. The Shard from Gerber has a handful of tools that you’ll use every day but is still travel-friendly because it lacks a blade.

For travel, you need a watch that can do a lot more than just tell you the time. This Seiko ticks the boxes.

Part of Article One’s stellar Active line, this collaboration between the sunglasses brand and SF-based brand Mission Workshop, these shades are a play on the classic navigator silhouette. They’re undeniably stylish and have adjustable nose pads, rubber temple tips, and spring hinges thath bring just enough sportiness to make them ready for whatever you can throw their way.

Normally we love a simple mug, but when headed on a trip we love the versatility of the Camelbak MultiBev. This insulated bottle keeps drinks warm or cold and has a detachable cup for easy drinking.

iPhones are great and all, but it is more fun to capture photos on a device that is actually made for it. This Ricoh is one of our picks for the best compact cameras you can get.

Having a COVID-19 test kit (or two) on hand will help you travel with peace of mind and ensure you’re able to keep yourself and those around you safe. For now, keeping this close by is a wise choice.

I’ve been using the Paravel weekender for years now (I have both colors, no monogram) and it’s one of my absolute favorite travel items. It’s roomy enough for everything I need, including my laptop, cosmetic bag, sweater or scarf for the plane, etc. The design is really sleek and the trolley straps make it super easy to tote around airports and cities, making me feel super organized and pulled-together.

Moment’s Fanny Sling is the ideal crossbody bag. It’s the right size; it has compartmentalized pockets for a phone, your keys, your wallet and a camera within. It’s contoured to wrap nicely around your chest or shoulder blades, depending on how you wear it and there’s even a 4-inch expander for a packable jacket or some paperwork you’re carrying.

This handsome dopp kit from the leather experts at Nokona looks fantastic, has a waterproof nylon liner to protect the leather (and your stuff), and will patina like your childhood baseball mitt.

Don’t get stuck breaking TSA rules with big bottles of soap and lotion. These pack down infinitesimally small once you’ve used them up.

You don’t wear your watch all the time, so you’ll need something to keep it protected when you take it off.

A hanging toiletry bag makes for a nice complement to your usual dopp kit if you’re packing extra or want to keep things separated. Plus, it’ll double as a shower caddy.

Stylish and functional, the Peak Design packing cubes are our pick for the best packing cubes you can buy. Stay organized.

If you don’t need a big leather dopp kit, this one from Topo Designs fits the bill. It is big enough for your things, can take a beating and will

Once your suitcase is full, you’ll need a bag to keep your travel accessories close, plus, it is a great option for packing for side adventures.

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