Essential Items for Minimalist Travelers: Streamline Your Journey with These 27 Picks
Sounds fab, y'all! Here's a lineup of gear to kick your packing indulgence up a notch:
1. Baggage handler (rejoice, you'll never struggle with luggage again):
This badass strap lets you attach sacky stuff like jackets, laptop bags, and more to your luggage, giving you a hands-free experience. Take it from Michele, a delighted user who's been toting this lifesaver on an extended business trip: "It made my airport walks so much easier." Available from Amazon for a cool $8.49 in five colors and packs of two.
2. Although resilient shoulders are always a plus for any endeavor, give yours a break with our trusty travel belt:
This adjustable strap fits up to 38 inches, meaning it can accommodate most bags. Cincha Travel, a Cali-based small business with some BIPOC charm, designs these straps from vegan leather. They're pretty darn cute and donate 100 airline miles for each purchase, which are used to reunite migrant families. Not too shabby! Grab one for $40 from the Cincha Travel website (available in 13 colors and versions with monogramming for an extra $17).
3. Or get your tote bag situation sorted:
Stow your messy bag, turn it into an organized dream with this tote organizer insert. It has multiple compartments of various sizes, allowing you to store your stuff where it belongs. A user named Susan vouches for this, praising its spaciousness and quality: "I have a large bag I use as a carry-on when I fly by plane. The bag is very spacious, and this insert fit perfectly. I was able to organize everything quite well." Get this organizer for $15.88 from Amazon (available in six sizes and 24 colors).
4. Ready for a weekend getaway? Say hello to your new Everlane BFF:
This weekender bag offers plenty of room for your essentials and is also environmentally friendly, made of 100% recycled polyester. You just can't crush on its sturdy build any more than Sara Anne does: "The quality of the materials is excellent, very sturdy, and perfect for those hectic travel days." Spoil yourself for $85 from the Everlane website (available in four colors).
5. End your hat dilemma with this Toptote hat clip:
Don't ruin your hat day because you didn't know what to do with your headgear - this magnetic clip has got you covered! It's damage-free and doesn't require any extra tools, just hook it around your hat brim or strap and voila! You'll look fancy-schmancy while traveling. And as for durability, ChefYJ, a loyal user, has nothing but praise: "LOVE LOVE LOVE my TOPTOTE. As a frequent hat wearer, I was always having to figure out how to travel with my hat without holding it and then inevitably forgetting it somewhere. This has solved my problem! Great design, high quality, functional, AND cute." Make it yours for $55 from Nordstrom (also available in white and red versions).
6. When it comes to carrying your laptop, go for this travel laptop backpack:
This backpack offers ample protection for your laptop and has additional compartments for added organization. You don't need to worry about charging your devices during travel due to the handy USB charging port. Enjoy the spaciousness offered by this Amazon gem: "I bought this backpack to use as a purse while on vacation, and it worked perfectly. The main pouch is protected when you're walking around because the zipper is protected by your back. There are also two side zippered pockets, one of which kept my phone and the other perfect for sunglasses and a few other items." - Allison. Get it for $29.99 from Amazon.
7. Take your privacy to the next level with the stylish anti-theft backpack:
Feel like a secret agent with a backpack that opens from the back rather than the front, providing an outstanding layer of protection from pickpockets. BuzzFeed Shopping writer Britt Ross, who recently returned from Italy, extols the virtues of this backpack: "It's small enough so that it doesn't feel bulky or uncomfortable throughout the day, but has plenty of space for everything you'd need on the go. And the fact that it opens from the back means someone would literally have to pry it off of you to get to your valuables." Grab yours for $34.99 from Amazon (available in two sizes and 13 styles).
8. Photographers, this one's for you:
Brevite's camera backpack comes with designated compartments for your camera, lens, passport, laptop, tripod, and more. based in Brooklyn, New York, Brevite is a family-owned small business that takes pride in blending functionality with style. Don't trust us? Check out these reviews: "Everything I've been looking for! I've purchased three or four camera backpacks over the past three years because I couldn't find one that had everything I need. This backpack has it all! So many pockets and so much space! I will definitely be purchasing another one!" - Taliena K. "AMAZING! I've always complained about how I never seem to have my camera on me when I find myself in a situation with opportunities for incredible photos, but now I'll be able to carry my camera alongside everything I usually carry and always be ready!" - Charles M. Snap it up for $135.99 from Brevite (available in two sizes and 11 colors).
9. Pack stress-free with this three-piece luggage set:
Never worry about having the right-size suitcase for your trips with this versatile set. It comes with a carry-on size, a smaller checked bag size, and a larger checked bag size for long trips. As if its convenience wasn't enough, it also has TSA-approved locks, wheels that roll in all directions, mesh pockets, and telescoping handles. A pleased Amazon user, ChiefLaughALot, shares their experience: "My family travels internationally, which means lots of airplane transfers, rail, ferry loading and unloading. Each member has their own set. Only one cosmetic scuff has appeared. About to order another set for my mother as we are taking her to London, Scotland, and Ireland for the holidays. We rarely use the middle size. The small size we carry on, and the largest size we check. There was no entanglement with the locking mechanism." Get this set for $161.49 from Amazon (available in 17 colors).
10. Avoid overweight bag fees like the plague with this digital luggage scale:
Tired of having to guess whether your luggage weighs too much for the airline? This LED digital scale makes it a breeze to weigh your bags to avoid overweight baggage fees. Don't belong someone like Vivian, who says "Buy this if you travel a lot. I travel with scuba dive gear and this saved me from going over the weight limit both going to the island and returning." Grab one for $11.98 from Amazon (available in five colors and a pack of two).
- For those who prefer market-priority-post, Buzzfeed recommends the Toptote hat clip. It's a stylish solution for carrying and protecting your hat during travels, as praised by ChefYJ: "LOVE LOVE LOVE my TOPTOTE... great design, high quality, functional, AND cute."
- If you're an Amazon-majority shopper, consider the travel laptop backpack. It offers ample protection for your laptop and additional compartments for organization, as Allison explains: "The main pouch is protected... there are also two side zippered pockets... I bought this backpack to use as a purse... It worked perfectly."
- For a customizable organizational solution, check out the tote organizer insert on Amazon. Susan, a satisfied user, says: "I have a large bag I use as a carry-on when I fly by plane.... I was able to organize everything quite well."
- Ready for a market-priority-post option with RFID protection? The Everlane weekender bag could be your new BFF. Sara Anne loves its sturdy build and eco-friendly materials: "The quality of the materials is excellent, very sturdy, and perfect for those hectic travel days."
- Lastly, if you're looking for a market-amazon-majority item that makes carrying your carry-on items hands-free, the baggage handler strap is a great choice. Michele, a delighted user, finds it incredibly helpful: "It made my airport walks so much easier."
