18 Everyday Essentials That You Should Pack for Travel

If you’ve been saving these waterproof phone bags for summer beach days only, consider them as all-year superstars. Pop one around your neck on rainy day walks while sightseeing, use it as protection from too much fun during the water-flinging extravaganza that is Thai New Year, or even just for additional security when you’re carrying your phone in the same backpack as an untrustworthy waterbottle. These lightweight, floatable pouches will keep any important tech (or passports, for that matter) dry as a bone, no matter the weather.

You might be surprised by just how useful a binder clip can be when travelling. Use it to close packets of unfinished snacks, protect razors in your toiletry bag, close pesky Airbnb bedroom curtains that can’t do the job on their own or just to keep your headphone cords from becoming prohibitively knotty. This is one very useful – and tiny – travel companion.

If your coffee cup is as crucial to your day-to-day as your keys, you’ll be thrilled to know this little wonder has plenty of purpose while travelling. In cities where rubbish bins are scarce, you won’t have to worry about ditching your single-use cup while on sightseeing mornings. You can take your hotel-room tea or coffee to go on sightseeing days and say yes to coffee when the cart’s coming past, even if you’re not quite ready to start caffeinating. Keeping liquids hot or cold for hours, this is a great travel companion for both you and the environment.

It may seem like something to leave-and-forget in your car but when travelling, a comfy, waterproof (and very packable-sized) picnic blanket is something you’ll use more than you know. A summer shower or lack of park benches won’t stop you from enjoying a lunch in a picturesque place or from taking a quick break from standing if you’re awaiting entry to an iconic museum in one of those lines.

Infinitely comfortable and supportive and easily washable: those who work on their feet or in environments where mess is part of the everyday know the value of the humble Croc. But could it also be the ultimate travel shoe? Being waterproof and no match for pesky sand (yes, it falls right straight through those holes) does signal its elite status for beach-centric travel. But their secret weapon is just how lightweight and squishable they are, making them easy to shove into any suitcase without adding bulk. Need more convincing? Let’s just say you won’t have any trouble traversing those cobbled European beaches with a pair of these on your tootsies.

The revolutionary Find My iPhone feature was a godsend for the absent-minded. But did you know that your phone isn’t the only item you can locate with this handy tracker? Satechi’s new FindAII collection harnesses the power of this tech for other crucial accessories – without the need for a separate AirTag – including a trackable collapsible case for your glasses and a thin locator card for your wallet. Crafted from durable vegan leather or aluminium, these clever pieces recharge wirelessly and, in the case of the wallet tracker case, have a battery life of up to 16 months.

Why can’t you take your trusty magnesium body cream on a getaway? Not only can long flights make muscle movement and stretching less accessible, changes in time zones mess with your natural circadian rhythms, resulting in less restorative sleep when you need it most. A peppermint-fragranced, magnesium-infused cream can work wonders for achy limbs and also for tired bodies by soothing stiff muscles, helping to boost energy levels and also aiding deeper rest.

Your favourite suede looks from the ’70s are back and Australian travel accessories brand July is embracing the revival with the Juliette Suede Work Tote: a stylish and soft-to-the-touch carryall. There’s plenty of room to fit your laptop, lunchbox and an extra layer for later plus a set of handy internal pockets for your keys (or small items, such as the all-important passport). But the real selling point is the travel-friendly features woven into its DNA. The structured base comes with protective studs, meaning you can comfortably place it on the ground without worrying about scuffs – whether on your morning commute or the cobblestones of Paris. And when it’s not in use, the soft design tucks neatly into your suitcase.

For a tiny but mighty beauty essential, a smaller hairbrush makes quite the convincing case. This GHD mini all-rounder is sturdy enough to detangle even the trickiest post-shower locks, while its fewer bristles allow for precise taming of wispy flyaways. At half the size and weight of a regular brush, investing in one means a separate travel comb is one less thing on your packing list.

A good laptop case will get your device to and from the office in one piece. A great one makes globetrotting a breeze. This water-resistant sleeve is padded for extra protection to keep your laptop safe on the move. Even better, the built-in trolley sleeve slides over your suitcase handle for easy access as you move through airport custom checks.

A pair of Salomons might be the ultimate street-style staple but these shoes are actually more than just aesthetics – they’re built for performance. The XT-6 is a true all-rounder – designed for rugged trails and long-distance runs yet sleek enough to pair with your everyday wardrobe. That means your feet stay comfortable and supported through accidental high-step-count travel days and you’re always ready to say ‘yes’ to a spontaneous hike through the Swiss Alps.

Sunscreen isn’t just for beach days – it deserves a permanent spot in your daily routine. Merit’s tinted mineral sunscreen has a lightweight, glowy formula that makes it easy to incorporate. And, being tinted, it can be swapped in for your favourite serum foundation or CC cream. There are 15 shades to choose from and it boasts a SPF 45 rating, so it’s built to handle high sun exposure, ideal for flop-and-drop poolside days from Fremantle to France.

There’s no getting around the fact that shoes are often one of the bulkiest items to pack when travelling – particularly if you like to bring multiple pairs for versatility. Enter Mukishoes, sustainably-made comfortable footwear handcrafted in Portugal, lightweight enough to roll and sturdy enough to do the hard yards with you. The suede Lyra Cygnus is a sleek sneaker ideal for nature trails, while the Chelsea Cork boot can be easily dressed up and down whether you’re ambling down Prague’s streets or catching a show at the Sydney Opera House.

While the Dyson Corrale is an excellent hair styling tool for the everyday, it shines even brighter when you're on the go, making pin-straight locks and bouncy waves a breeze. For short trips, take advantage of its 30-minute battery and leave the cable at home – the Corrale can be used cord-free and be completely charged in 70 minutes. Even better, its Universal Voltage means you can recharge it no matter which country you’re travelling through – just be sure to make use of the Flight-ready feature, which manually disconnects the battery from the device and ensures you’ll be in line with aviation regulations.

Rather than toting along a bulky pack of makeup wipes or a bottle of oil cleanser, Conserving Beauty has combined the two skincare essentials and distilled them into one clever cloth housed in a tiny sachet that’s smaller than a credit card. Soaked in skin-nourishing jojoba, squalene and hemp seed oil, the eco-friendly wipes quickly remove makeup, sunscreen and the day’s grime from your face. Once you’re done, they’re completely dissolvable in water and the packets are 100 per cent compostable.

Self-grooming doesn’t have to take a backseat while travelling: some items pack the same punch as their full-sized counterparts and take up significantly less space. Panasonic’s Compact Electric Shaver delivers a close shave courtesy of its five motor-powered stainless steel blades and at 57 millimetres tall and 72 millimetres wide is smaller than the palm of your hand. The rechargeable battery lasts 50 minutes and can be fully charged via USB-C cable in just two hours. In addition to a waterproof design that makes it easy to clean, it comes with a convenient case for stashing in your suitcase.

Whether you're heading into the office or flying overseas, AeroPress has created the ultimate portable coffee maker for those who like the convenience of being able to drink quality espresso-style brews wherever they are. The design is straightforward: just add boiling water, your favourite grounds and a little bit of muscle and the air pressure will push your drink through a single-use microfilter (guaranteeing a smooth, grit-free brew) straight into the included microwaveable mug. Each press can create up to three shots of coffee and the entire kit packs down into one compact travel-friendly case, which doubles as your drinking vessel and weighs just 323 grams.

You’ll never face the dilemma of wondering “which device to charge first?” again while travelling with the sleek ButterFly Charger, which opens to reveal two wireless charging pads that are powered via one removable 30W USB-C cable. When closed – strong magnets ensure it stays shut during your adventures – the device is only a little bit larger than an AirPod case, weighing just 119 grams. Available in five different colourways from blush pink to iridescent white and a deep plum, you’ll be able to recharge your watch and AirPods, or a pair of mobile phones, simultaneously while leaving the excess cords at home.