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Because people who have put in the miles have some seriously good recs.

I am a former editor and contributor to the BuzzFeed shopping team with over seven years of experience testing and recommending products that help make life a little easier, whether that’s ultralight gear, holy grail serum, jeans that fit just right, or anything in between.

You can also switch between pounds and kilograms. 

Promising review: "We used this on a six-flight trip across Europe, and it made it easy to know that we repacked our bags according to the various weight limits. Some bags had a 10-kilogram limit, and some had a 50-pound limit, so it was convenient to switch back and forth between units (even though dividing by 2.2 isn't exactly rocket science)." —Zac

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three colors and a two-pack).

These are my first pair of Hokas, and they totally made me a convert! I knew everyone loved them, but it wasn't until trying some for myself that I was like, "Ohhhh, they're THAT comfortable. Got it." I spent the last few years in film school, and these are always what I wear for days on set when I know I'm going to be on my feet, climbing ladders, and running around all over the place for about 12 hours straight. I've also worn them to hike in Colorado and North Carolina and adore them for travel. They're light, have never given me a blister even though I'm super prone to them, and yeah, they just rule. I have the previous model, and these seem to fall in line with them!

Promising review: "I bought these recently and wore them for a four-day trip to Washington, DC, where we were walking 20,000+ steps a day. My feet did not hurt throughout the whole trip. The grip was great, especially for hills. I'm usually between a medium and a wide, and I ordered the wide in these and did not have an issue." —Tired T

Price: $155 (available in women's sizes 5–11 in eight colors and men's sizes 7–15 in nine colors)

Promising reviews: "Adorable, and way more useful than you'd think. I've been using it for water; it fits perfectly in my purse or pants pocket, and it holds more than you think. I bought a second one for my daughter, and it was great at Disney the other day, not too heavy or cumbersome. It fit perfectly in the side outer pocket of her Loungefly mini backpack and kept her drink cold, and she just refilled it as needed." —erinm51 

"This mini bottle fits in my purse. I don't have to lug around a water bottle, and 6.7 ounces is enough to quench my thirst until the next refill. I travel a lot and was looking for a water bottle just like this one! Highly recommend!" —VickiT

Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in 29 colors).

Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and, like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers." —Earendil

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in seven colors and in two-packs).

Promising reviews: "I used this pouch on a recent trip, and it made a huge difference in keeping my things organized. I was able to store my cords, power bank, and other small items all in one place, which made it so much easier to find what I needed quickly. The material feels sturdy and durable, and it looks like it will last me a long time. For the price, this was a great buy and very practical for travel." —J Hernandez

"Perfect. I travel a lot, and it is nice to have all of my charging cords together. It is a perfect size. Spacious yet compact. Getting it in pink helps me see it in my bag quickly." —Shelley Grandjean

Get it from Amazon for $9.85+ (available in four sizes and 23 colors).

Promising review: "Great purchase. My ankles always swell a little on long flights, but this little foot hammock made all the difference on my flight to and from the UK last month. The gentle rocking nature of the sling kept my feet gently moving, increasing my circulation. This is a must-have for long coach or economy-plus flights! It would work great on a long train or bus ride, too. Worth it!" —AR

Plus, it has a bottom zipper compartment for all your dirty clothes.

Promising review: "I used these while traveling around Europe with four children and then later on a cruise. They were super helpful in both cases." —Tucker Sw

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).

Promising review: "So handy. We travel all the time, and this is perfect for holding drinks at the airport. Love it." —Bruce V. Hartley

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 14 colors). 

Promising review: "I bought this pillow for a very long airplane ride and wound up using it during the entire three-week trip. Seriously, it goes in and out of the little cover easily, and it made a real difference in my ability to rest on the trip. My husband is getting one now for our next trip. Get it! You won’t be disappointed." —Hattybrd

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in camping, standard, queen, and king sizes, and in packs of two).

Promising review: "Perfect for international travel! Easy to use and protect against theft/pickpockets. Used it on my recent trip to Europe!" —Rachel Bristol

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four color combos).

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says about it: 

"I used this on a round-trip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my little odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff, and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!"

When I decided to tag some time onto a trip to France to travel around Europe and do the hostel thing, I knew I needed to pack super light so I could book cheap commuter flights and overall avoid the whole endeavor feeling like a slog. I had some doubts as to whether such a — I'll say it — trendy bag could handle that kind of weight, and wear and tear, but to my utter delight it did. And it looked damn good while doing so.

The laptop sleeve is slightly padded and fits my MacBook Air, which I depend on for work, nicely and safely. Its water bottle sleeve is handy not just for bottles but also for keeping essentials like sunglasses and headphones at your fingertips. It has many interior pockets to keep things like electronics, notebooks, cash, etc., safe and separate, and it even has a separate shoe compartment if you bring more than one pair and want to keep the rest of your goods from getting dirty. Wheeled bags have their place, but as someone traveling alone and doing a lot of walking, I appreciated that I could sling this over my shoulder and head to a café or just stroll without looking out of place while waiting to check in at a hostel or to board a train. You don't need to put this bag through the ultimate test, like I did, to enjoy it. Even just as an overnight bag, it's an amazing addition to any travel setup. It may be pricey, but not needing to pay an arm and a leg to add a carry-on on cheap flights makes the bag pay for itself.

Get it from Calpak for $138 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "I have a travel backpack that I really like, but it has no easy way to attach to the top of a roller bag for travel. I tried a carabiner, but it lets the backpack move too much, making it unstable on the roller bag. These straps are adjustable, so you get a much better, more secure fit. Of course, a backpack with an elastic strap on the front to fit over the rollerbag's handles would be perfect, but this is the next best thing for a fraction of the cost of a new backpack." —S. McCallister

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in five colors and in two-packs).

Promising review: "I have tried all kinds of travel bags. I bought the hanging kind, divided ones, etc. I love this bag. It has gone with me on several trips. It fits my product bottles, hairbrush, meds, and more. I liked it so much that I purchased one for a Christmas gift." —TXgirl4life

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two sizes and dozens of colors).

This contraption provides 360-degree support thanks to a wraparound design and clips that connect it to your seat's headrest. 

Promising review: "Just took a 15-hour flight with this travel pillow, and this was the best travel pillow by far. I've used inflatable and memory foam neck pillows before; the major problem is that they don't secure your head and torso, so either your muscles have to hold up your body, or your head and torso will end up swinging around, and both are disruptive to sleep. With this travel pillow, my muscles can relax, and the padded eye mask will hold up my head and torso. One minor downside is that the pillow needs to be mounted on your seat's headrest; if someone bumps your seat, it can be disruptive, but this rarely happens. Its size and weight are also much less than memory foam neck pillows, and I don't have to bring an extra eye mask, so it is very travel friendly." —Sky

Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in 10 colors).

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuart says about it: 

"A couple of years ago, I splurged on some AirPod Maxes, and for the amount of money I threw down on them, I was determined to get as much use out of them as possible, and that included on plane rides. With the AirFly Pro, I can connect my headphones via Bluetooth and use the seat-back screen without having to fiddle with the free wired headphones they hand out that 1.) have horrible sound quality and 2.) don't fit my ears in the slightest (I swear my ear canals are tiny or something??)."

Promising review: "This is the second version of this product that I have purchased, and I’m very happy with it. I bought the first one so my hard-of-hearing mother could watch TV using her wireless headphones instead of blasting the volume. It worked so well for her that I decided to buy another one for myself when I fly. It is super easy to set up and pair, and it worked perfectly on my flight a few days ago." —VMB

Get it from Amazon for $34.97+ (available in four models and up to 10 colors in certain models).

Promising review: "I absolutely love my travel napper. I have to travel a lot for work and was missing the weighted blankets that I had to leave behind at home — this blanket is the perfect solution. As someone who gets hot when they sleep, I love how breathable it is. Packs easily, and love the dark blue color. It's just enough weight to soothe while not being too heavy to travel with. Highly recommend!" —Amanda C.

Get it from Bearaby for $209 (available in three weights, two materials, and six colors). 

Promising review: "I got this wallet because I’ve spent a lot of the last year traveling and wanted something a bit more compact with the ability to hold all I need and still kinda stylish. I absolutely love this wallet!! I use it every time I travel, especially in the airport, because I can fit both my boarding pass and passport, if needed, in this wallet, which I can’t do in my everyday wallet. This wallet is super handy and not nearly as bulky as my regular wallet. I would recommend it to anyone who travels often or when they do travel great distances." —Jordan Couch

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 11 colors). 

Promising review: "This cushion is wonderful! I ordered two of these, one for me and one for my husband, before taking a long trip in our motorhome. I've been using mine almost daily for a month now, and it truly takes away my lower back pain while sitting on it. My main purpose was to use it while traveling, now I take it to any place that I'll be sitting on hard surfaces or for extended periods. Some said it didn't fit them properly or raised them up too high. I have no complaints, only praise! My husband likes his as well. Says it gives him more support and comfort while driving." —Pat F

Get it from Amazon for $37.45 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "This is the best pill container I have found. It holds a month’s worth of pills in each compartment and is compact and easy to store and travel with. It is very sturdy, and I don’t have to worry about the cap opening accidentally. The enclosed labels are a bonus, and the see-through exterior makes it easy to see how many pills are left. I keep it on my nightstand, and it doesn’t take a lot of space." —TA

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors). 

Psst — Loop makes a variety of "hidden" earplugs for concerts, focus, and even for kids. Check them all out on Loop's Amazon storefront! 

Promising reviews: "This is my third pair of Loop earplugs. I like using them in the car, on planes, at concerts, in class, and while sleeping. This is my first pair of the silicone ones, which are much more comfortable to sleep in. If you are more sensitive to noise, I definitely recommend keeping these on you." —Cash Tieman

"I really love these! I mainly use them when I travel! I use it on flights because my ears have a really hard time adjusting to the air pressure. I have tried a lot of things to make it easier for me, but these did an amazing job to help with that! I didn’t expect them to work as they did. They didn’t block out sound completely, but personally, I like to hear voices and such when using earplugs. Definitely worth it!" —Rachael

Get them from Amazon for $24.95 (available in four colors). 

Promising review: "This product has changed my life. I travel fairly frequently and always have issues with ear pressure on the plane. My ears will be clogged up, and it is painful to swallow for a day or two after short-distance flights. But now, I use these and fly incident-free. You are supposed to insert them before the plane takes off and then before landing. I have found that it works best if I leave them in the entire flight from before takeoff until landing, but they work almost as well if you take them out once you reach cruising altitude." —Thomasina

Get them from Amazon for $8.49 (also available in multipacks). 

Promising reviews: "This stuff works amazingly. I didn’t want to like it because of the price tag, but I knew I’d fall in love. It’s rich and thick and absorbs well. My skin absolutely looooooves this. It’s a staple now. I have sensitive skin, and I had zero irritation with using this product." —Courtney Rae

"Best travel face cream thus far. Easy to apply without leaving a build-up. The scent is clean and non existent. I love the lightweight feel. Upon arrival to my destination my face is hydrated as well as refreshed." —T A.

Get it from Amazon for $26+ (available in two sizes and sets).

This really is just the nicest luggage I've ever had. The price tag is high, but considering how much having the right equipment can make or break a trip, I really think it's worth it. In the past, I've always struggled with sticky wheels, wobbly handles, and zippers I was afraid to really push. Monos' carry-on has a durable exterior (it moved with me across the country via a moving company and survived an experience on a banged-up pallet), interior straps to keep everything tightly in place, and is really just a good-looking bag. Three-plus years in and I highly rec.

Promising review: "I bought one for my husband and one for me. We used them to travel through four countries in 10 days. We carried it on the plane, several trains, a rental car, and rolled it over miles of cobblestone streets through snow and ice! We were able to pack everything we needed for 10 days in the luggage and a backpack. I can’t express how pleased I am with this purchase! If you’re on the fence, buy it! You won’t be sorry!" —Jennifer S.

Get it from Monos for $234+ (originally $275; available in 14 colors).  

While this power bank is designed for iPhones, some Android-owning reviewers note that it works for them if they have a MagSafe-compatible case. The included USB-C braided cable is also compatible with most Android phones for wired charging.

Check out a TikTok of the Baseus power bank in action.

Promising reviews: "One of my favorite portable MagSafe chargers. Nice and slim, light, and the capacity is better than some others I have claiming the same capacity. Might be buying another one just to have a couple around." —Beau Steward

"Soooooo slim! It snapped onto my iPhone without a problem. Had it charged for 40 mins and it was full and ready to be used. Perfect for my little handbag when I travel. Good price." —Sivimol

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in seven colors). 

Physix Gear Sport is a family-owned small business that specializes in gear for sports, travel, comfort, and business. 

Read more about compression socks and long flights at Cleveland Clinic. 

Promising review: "I have been traveling almost every week for business for the past six years, and about five years in, I realized my legs would often hurt after some longer flights. My physician told me to try wearing compression socks while flying. After using these for many months and wearing them on a few international flights, I have to say this is definitely worth the money! They are very comfortable and do not feel too suffocating while on longer flights." —Lopa Desai 

Get them from Amazon for $18.82+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 11 colors). 

Promising review: "I have never, and I mean NEVER, been able to sleep on planes. Traditional neck pillows always left me with a dropped head, a super sore neck, or both. Bought this for a trip to Sicily from NYC (9-hour flights) and it was the best! Comfortable, easy to get on and set up, and most importantly, I slept! Now, did I sleep the whole flight? No, but I slept for two three-hour chunks, which is six hours of sleep I would not have gotten otherwise. I read a bunch of reviews about it not being for people with short necks, and I did not find that to be the case. I have a pretty short neck, and it worked perfectly. Once it's on, you can 'turn it' so your head doesn't droop forward. Absolute game changer and worth every penny!" —Elizabeth J. Cusick

Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in four colors). 

Promising review: "Best hand sanitizer by far. I found this brand a few years ago, and it's now all I ever buy. The mist is so fine that it doesn't make a mess and comes in great scents (or unscented, if you prefer). I always have one clipped to my work bag or backpack, and it is great for travel. Never makes a mess — it won't leak or break. Also, I've never had an issue going through TSA at any airport with it clipped to the outside of my travel/carry-on bag. Lavender is still my favorite, but I have others that I like similarly." —Dawn C.

Get it from Amazon for $30+ (available in 18 multipacks).

Promising review: "These headphones are a game changer. As an avid music enthusiast, frequent traveler, and lover of movies in a loud and busy household, these headphones have improved my audio experience in ways I never knew were possible. First and foremost, the noise cancellation is unparalleled. The moment you put these on, the outside world fades away. However, it still lets you stay aware of your surroundings when needed without stopping your audio. If you are traveling, you don't need to worry about the headphones going out on you because the battery life is incredible. As with all Bose products, the craftsmanship and quality are top-notch. I have been hesitant to purchase Bose headphones in the past because I just didn't think that I would be able to tell enough of a difference. I was wrong. I am beyond excited to have these headphones, and it has added so much to my entertainment enjoyment." —P.O.

Get them from Amazon for $327.99+ (available in six colors).

Heads up that this may get flagged by TSA, so try to check it in your luggage if you're flying. 

Promising review: "This simple gadget makes a big difference for safety. Highly recommended. I travel to many places for work, and this is ideal." —Harvey

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a two- or four-pack). 

Promising review: "LOVE this adapter! I travel internationally from time to time and have always used only the 'standard' adapters found in airports. Could not pass up the opportunity to purchase this one after reading the reviews. Exceeded my expectations of what it was capable of. Used on a recent trip to Germany, and it handled everything needed — laptop, cell phone (USB ports are so very welcome), alarm clock, dryer, etc. Did not miss a beat on the power provided. And it is also attractive-looking. ;-) Thank you for making such a great, dependable product!" —Monkey 

Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in four models). 

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* Products Parents Consider *Lifesavers* For Traveling With Kids

* Things You Can Wear Multiple Ways On Vacation If You’re Tight On Suitcase Space

* Things That Are More Exciting To Do On A Plane Than Stare At The Flight Tracker

* Planning To Travel More This Year? Check Out These 30 Products

Plus, finds from Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.