Going on a trip? I’ve assembled a few of my own non-negotiables as a frequent traveler, all perfect to help you upgrade your experience.
The thing about going to the airport that I find most stressful is that feeling of “what did I forget?” on the way out the door. If you’ve got your phone, wallet, keys, ID, and some clothes stuffed into one of our recommended suitcases, you might be covered. But a luggage cover is one of those items many forget, yet it’s incredibly useful to protect your luggage from wear and tear. I’ve also assembled a few things I’d bet you will go into the airport having forgotten, and come out on the other side wishing you had. My credentials: I travel between countries every few months, and this summer roughed it on a month-long backpacking trip. I know what’s worth having on your back, and these three things are what everyone doesn’t realise they’ll need:
Earplugs, Sleek and Simple
The last time I arrived at the airport for a flight, I thought I might overcome the fervor with my noise-cancelling headphones. Prepared to sink into tranquility, I pressed the button to turn on that noise-cancelling calm. Then I pressed it again. And again…to no avail. My headphones were out of battery. This is just one of the many headaches I’ve found trying to use too much tech when travelling; when you just want to relax, it’s too much work.
I’ve since gone old-school, now equipped with the Loop Switch 2 Earplugs. These are low-profile and comfortable earplugs, and what makes them super functional are their 3 modes. Switch between Engage (to hear only your travelling companion), Experience (the perfect volume for events) and Quiet (bye bye, crying baby!) without taking them out of your ear, and there’s nothing electronic to worry about charging or protecting.
Really I got the Loop Earplugs after seeing a friend who’s much cooler than me wearing them at a party. The polished design makes them quite stylish, and the silicone tips save you from the unpleasant experience of trying to shove a foam earplug down your ear canal. If you’re on the fence, having to shout stories at your grandparents this season might also remind you why it’s worth protecting your ears.
A Water Bottle That Just Works
Another common airport mistake is wasting $5+ on bottled water for each bored and thirsty member of the family. After a few years of pretty frequent travel, I have begun to see the airport as a game, and this is an easy level to beat. Bring a good water bottle empty, or pour out a full one before security (there is usually an area for this!). Then, spend a few minutes of your two hours bored at the gate finding a water fountain, bathroom, or nice barista and fill that thing up.
I have become a devotee of the Owala Freesip for this purpose, because it is simply a highly functional bottle that will survive not just a trip, but years of knocking around. It safely locks but easily opens its components, like the triple-insulated stainless steel body sturdy and simple (plus, it can keep a drink hot). The thing that had really allowed it to unseat my other bottles is that it’s so easy to clean, nixxing unnecessary rubbery gaskets that get gross or little pieces to lose. When on the go for a long time, this became a non-negotiable for me.
What makes the FreeSip stand out most, though, is its dual straw and chug functionality. It’s the kind of design that makes you wonder how no one has thought of it before. This is also the detail that makes this bottle suited both to the airport journey and the outdoors at your destination.
Investing in this kind of thing is so worth it because in the long term it’s better for the environment, the bank account, and the adventurer inside you who wants to show the airport who’s boss. Bask in the satisfaction of your money saved (or go spend it on a tourist tchotchke).
A Resilient Power Bank
A big power bank (AKA portable charger) saved me from quite a few sticky situations last time I went traveling and continues to do so every day in the city. Not just because my phone battery is inching toward incompetence, but also during such scenarios as an overnight power outage at my hotel, and a 12-hour train journey with no plug sockets.
The one I use is not dainty, but it is powerful. The Belkin 3-Port Compact Power Bank with 20K mAh can charge the newest iPhones about 6 times. It is hard to predict where you’re going to find the next charging station in any plane, train, or automobile, so I really can’t recommend this enough. I chose the Belkin because it supports 2 USB-A plugs and a USB-C all at the same time, so your mobile devices should all be compatible and, if we’re being realistic, your travelling companion can leech off your power bank with less strife. It’s also totally TSA-compliant, so despite its heft, you don’t need to worry about getting your bags pulled aside.
There’s no better feeling than freeing yourself of battery anxiety while going through the motions of travelling – even if you’re still classy enough to bring a paperback on the plane. With these three essentials in my bag, I feel prepared for anything my budget airline can throw at me this holiday travel season.
Belkin 3-Port Compact Power Bank with 20K mAh
If your travels include hiking as well as flying, you might also benefit from our round-up of outdoors essentials.
