Whether you’re a seasoned pro or still earning your wings, air travel is stressful. As someone who is somewhere in the middle, I’ve put together my top travel essentials that have made flying a breeze. I’ve reached the point in my life where I’m willing to pay a little more for quality and functionality, so these favorites may not all be the most budget friendly, but I think they’re worth the splurge.
BAGSMART Compression Packing Cubes
You may have heard of them, you might already own them, these popular packing cubes are popular for a reason! These packing cubes come with two sets of zippers. Simply put your clothes in the packing cube like you normally would. Then, utilize the second zipper to remove any extra air or space in the cube. It’s that easy!
Pro tip: Try not to overstuff your cube to maximize the compression! I like to stop packing a cube when it’s at about 90-95% capacity.
Why You’ll Love It
- Space Saving: These cubes can help free up to 30% of space in your luggage!
- Organization: Keep your clothes organized by type, day, or activity.
- Highly Rated: People love these cubes! They average a 4.6 out of 5 from customer reviews.
- Something for Everyone: These come in multiple colors. Traveling with friends or family? Grab a different colored set for everyone, nobody’s stuff will get mixed up!
- Thoughtfully Curated: These come in a handy set with all of the sizes you need to pack efficiently.
- Affordable: Everyone can afford to pack like a pro with a set of these cubes only running you about $30. Not picky on color? You may be able to snag a deal for less!
Coop Home Goods AirJustable Travel Neck Pillow
Coop Sleep Goods is known for their adjustable bed pillows. I have several and love them, so I was not surprised to find that their travel pillow was just as innovative and luxurious. This pillow is completely adjustable using the built-in “pump bump” where you can inflate the pillow to your desired firmness. Plus, it’s supported by Coop’s well-known memory foam fill. The pillow comes in a soft, cooling jersey knit fabric that is removable and washable. The shape of this pillow is unique in that it has two notches in the back that offer extra support. Because of the design, you can wear this pillow in many different ways!
They sell this pillow on Amazon, but you can also buy it through Coop’s site directly if you prefer to take advantage of their rewards program. You can click here for 20% off your purchase on Coop’s website. This isn’t an affiliate link where I will earn any commission, but I will get a few rewards points if you choose to use my 20% off link. Use it if you want, or don’t. It’s up to you! I won’t be offended either way.
Why You’ll Love It
- Versatile: Wear this pillow in 6+ ways to find your perfect fit!
- Supportive: This pillow includes an adjustable cord to make it as tight or as loose as you prefer. My gripe with other travel pillows is that they don’t get tight enough around my neck to keep it stable. I don’t have that issue with this one!
- Adjustable: Self-controlled inflation allows you to decide how firm or plush you want your pillow.
- Travel-Friendly: Deflate the pillow and it fits easily in your bag unlike other travel pillows that are a bit more bulky.
- Washable: The outer cover is completely washable which is great if you’re a clean-freak like me.
Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack
You may know of Cotopaxi as an outdoor brand with great items for hiking or camping. However, the 28L Allpa is a great travel backpack for anyone regardless of what you’re doing. Its clam shell design feels like a suitcase, while the built-in organization helps you keep things neat. It comes equipped with a laptop sleeve, water bottle holder, a multitude of handles for carrying, and a luggage pass-through strap. The best part? It fits under the seat as a personal item. I love this because with the packing cubes above, I can fit a ton of stuff in my personal item and still have a ton of room left in my actual carry-on. This bag is pricey, there’s no sugar coating it. But it’s high-quality and durable, and if you’re serious about your travel then I recommend it.
If you’re not married to a certain color, you can opt for their Del Dia version which runs cheaper by $10. This is a random color offering using leftover fabric. The result is a true one-of-one bag that is cool, colorful, and sustainable.
Why You’ll Love It
- Keep Your Carry-On: This 28L size counts as a personal item on most airlines. Store it comfortably under your seat and you’ll still have an entire carry-on!
- Colorful Design: Cotopaxi is known for vibrant designs, and this bag offers options for everyone whether you’re looking for a neutral color or to stand out with their Del Dia offering.
- Organization: Clam shell design includes mesh separation, giving the bag stability and built-in organization.
- High-Quality: Cotopaxi’s top-notch quality is sure to last and impress for years. This bag has a weather-resistant outer coating that will be able to handle the wear and tear that travel brings.
Loop Switch 2 Adjustable Ear Plugs
I was an early fan of Loop, a fashion-forward ear plug designed for all-day comfort and protection. I have several pairs all geared toward different purposes: sleep, concerts, focusing, etc. You are lucky in that they have now done what I wish they had done all along—combine them.
Airplanes and airports are noisy and overwhelming and a good pair of ear plugs can make all the difference. These ear plugs feature three different settings allowing you to control just how much sound dampening you’ll experience. You’ll have a setting designed for absolute quiet or sleep, a setting designed to keep you focused while still being in tune with your surroundings or conversations, and a setting designed for entertainment or live music. All of these are accessible through a manual dial directly on the ear plug. These ear plugs come with multiple sizes of tips ensuring a perfect and custom fit for your ears.
The Switch 2 may not be worth it for you if you already have a pair of Loop Quiet, Experience, or Engage separately. If I were a first-time Loop customer, I would just go straight to the Switch 2 to have all of the options.
Why You’ll Love It
- Adaptable: Three settings allow you to customize your ear plugs for any situation.
- Easy to Use: The manual dial is simple to use and requires no electronic or battery component.
- Great for Sleeping: Sound dampening allows you to relax, and maybe even get some sleep, on noisy flights!
- Comfortable: Multiple tip options ensure a perfect fit for all-day comfort.
Disclaimer: I have bought or tried all of the products mentioned in this post. I bought any products mentioned in this post with my own money and receive nothing by any brands mentioned for including them in this post. Any Amazon links included in this post are affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you choose to purchase. You can support by blog directly by purchasing through my links, or purchase outside of my blog.
