Travel items – essentials to pack for your next adventure
Not everything deserves space in your suitcase. These products absolutely do…
I recently travelled through South East Asia, spending time in Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It was one of the most exciting experiences I’ve ever had. From chaotic city streets and night markets to temples, beaches and cultural festivities, every stop felt completely different from the last. Whether you’re a first-time backpacker, someone who travels regularly, or someone looking for a new adventure and planning a great trip, there’s something incredibly energising about stepping into a part of the world that feels so alive and unfamiliar.
One thing that always makes a trip smoother is having the right kit with you
There are certain travel essentials that experienced travellers know about. I’m always drawn to anything that makes travelling simpler and more comfortable, so I was keen to put some products to the test on the road.
Every recommendation here has been properly tried and tested during my travels, (and believe me when I say they’ve been put through their paces). And each one earned its place in my suitcase forever now. Wherever you’re heading next, these are some of the items worth taking with you.
Recommendations:
Kipling Evening bag
It didn’t really seem like something I needed when I started packing. I had my rucksack, my big bag, and a small canvas cross-body bag. But I actually used it far more than expected. I liked that I could wear something fashionable in the evening and not feel like everything about me screamed backpacker. It was a little bulky but I’m a light packer, so it wasn’t an issue. I particularly liked the fact I could zip this bag up, and clip my purse to the inside clip, just made me feel a little safer in the evening when I was sampling the locals brews and maybe not caring enough about my items as much as I should.
Emma Shipley cosmetics bag
Was it extra? Yes. Did I like it? Yes. I actually got a number of compliments on my toiletry bag in the bathrooms. It was a really good shape, and I could fit lots in it. I ended up taking the tassel off because I was using it a lot, but I kept it and reattached it when I got home.
Silk Club eye mask
I mean there’s not a lot to say on this, a luxury eye mask that blocked the light and felt soft on my face? Yes please. There was a good amount of stretch on it too, didn’t give me a headache… and I’ve got a big head.
Pillar box
As a travelling vegan, I’ve got a fair few multivitamins I take with me. Nothing major, but random pills with no blister pack could very well say “I’m dodgy”. And you don’t want to bring all the individual bottles because that’ll be half of your personal bag gone. This box meant I could fill it each day; the box fits a good amount too; I put four of each kind in every day as I was out there for a month. It never got me stopped and searched in an airport, so that was great.
Matcha Me Time hydrogel eye patches
I’m not as much of a skincare girly as I should be, I have to say. But I thought I’d give these a go, and they were actually a life saver. After a six-hour-ish nap on a flight with an eye mask on, I really enjoyed re-moistening my under eyes. They’re not vital, but they’re small and light and they offered some real comfort, so I’d definitely recommend.
Carrying multiple pairs of glasses on a long trip is a hassle — and losing or breaking one abroad is a genuine headache. Multifocal contact lenses offer a simple alternative, giving you clear vision at all distances without the need to swap frames at a restaurant, on a tour, or mid-flight. Lenstore stocks a wide range with fast UK delivery, so you can get sorted well before your departure date.
Antler packing cubes
Now this one is important; a good set of packing cubes. When you’re country hopping and changing hotels or hostels every few days, you’ll want to be able to group items. One for tops, one for bottoms, one for washing… etc. The Antler ones were also compressing, which meant that you could fit a lot more into the space. Be warned though, that doesn’t make them lighter, so watch out when they weigh your bags for flights! My only advice would be to be a little careful with the zips, I’m a bit cack-handed and I got them caught in the fabric a couple of times. Just go gently.
Antler travel pouches
Similar to the cubes, and another high-quality Antler product, I enjoyed the pouches for keeping electronics and medication in. More useful than you’d expect.
Smart Strain probiotics
It’s no secret that many people go abroad and get an upset stomach. People often assume it’s the water or food poisoning, but sometimes it’s actually just because the bacteria are so vastly different that our gut biomes can’t hack it. Someone shared a really good tip: start taking probiotics a month before you go, and take them on your trip. And I have to say, this was some great advice.
Good Flyte electrolytes
I never really got the hype around electrolytes, but now I finally do. They’re needed in a place where the temperature is 40 degrees Celsius. I was sweating buckets, and drinking ludicrous amounts of water and just never felt hydrated, especially with all the activities you do while travelling. But it wasn’t just water I needed. I needed to get my body back in order, and electrolytes definitely sorted me out. Not only did they keep me hydrated, but they also include vitamins, so I was able to avoid the typical post-holiday flu.
Osprey Sojourn porter 46L
This bag can fit everything… so long as you’re not an overpack-er. I did well over a month with this bag, and it suited me well. You have to be clever with your packing (this is honestly why packing cubes are so important), and there were definitely a few laundry stops along the way. But when I looked at other people heaving their 85L sacks on their backs, I was thankful for this. A lot of travellers joke that the worst bit about backpacking is actually carrying the backpack. But I didn’t feel this. I didn’t even mind sightseeing when I had a late flight and had been booted out of my room, because it was really comfy. It’s got lots of compartments, some easy access so you can keep important things at the ready, and the many adjustable straps meant I could change up the position and keep my back happy. It would also make a really good two-week holiday bag, or even a long weekend if you wanted to change outfits three times a day.
Ultra-light drink flask
This flask does exactly what it says on the tin. Even when full, it was still light enough to easily carry around and not be a hassle. It was the perfect size to fit into one of my bags without being too big, like some of those huge and clunky flasks you see nowadays. It definitely does the job of keeping liquids cold (tried and tested in hot weather), and I hope to next be able to try what it’s like keeping drinks hot.
Caxton Travel Card
The Caxton Travel Card was an addition I didn’t think I’d use much, but it ended up being way more helpful than I had ever thought. You preload the card and then pay in local currency, meaning I wasn’t losing so much money on fees and hidden charges. You know the ones, 3% here, 5% there, it really adds up after a while. But Caxton has so many countries the card can be used in, it covered my whole trip. What really made it useful was that I could use it for everyday spending through Apple Pay or the physical card, but without linking it directly to my main bank account. That gave me peace of mind while travelling, as any fraudulent transaction would be limited to the money loaded onto the card. The exchange rates were better than those offered by my usual bank, and moving money across was quick and straightforward. I also found it a great way to budget, loading what I needed for the day and keeping an eye on my spending. Trust me, when you’re travelling, it’s remarkably easy to spend more than you expect.
Whilst travelling, make sure to wear your SPF! Here are our favourites.
Lili works across all the channels; writing articles, taking photographs, creating content, and designing eye-capturing imagery. She’s an animal-lover who cries just seeing a picture of a baby sloth.
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