Astronaut Ice Cream Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich
$3.99 each
With a three-year shelf life, these ready-to-eat freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches are a delicious treat no matter where I am in the blue planet. (I mean, if it’s good enough to be sent to astronauts that are literally out of this world, then it’s good enough for us terrans.)
Nomadix Southwest Fanny Pack
$34.95
This recycled nylon fanny pack frees both my hands while navigating the airport, while keeping the most important items (iPhone, passport, boarding passes, and wallet) within easy reach.
Along with the key clip and security pocket, it also has two hip pockets, one for the microfiber face towel, below, that I’m also traveling with.
Thule Subterra 2 Powershuttle
$24.95
With the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I no longer have a need for a separate Lightning cable. (Cue the hallelujah chorus.) This small electronics organizer is perfect for several USB-C cables, a power bank, SD cards, my Beats earbuds, country-specific adapters, and some emergency cash.
Tailwind Recovery Mix
$39.99 for 15 servings
As the name suggests, this drink mix is meant mainly for people to help them recover after an exercise. In my eyes, running to my connecting gate, or arriving at my Airbnb and finding out that the town’s only grocery store is closed for the day, is enough justification to empty a sachet and down a serving. It has three times more protein than whey protein isolate and twice that of chocolate milk.
Knog Scout Travel Smart Luggage Tag, Finder, and Alarm
$59.95 (free app download required, iOS only)
This tiny marvel does more than track the whereabouts of the luggage it’s attached to: My contact information—what I choose to disclose, that is—is immediately accessible just by scanning the QR code that’s on every Scout Travel tag.
Its best feature is the luggage alarm feature. Whenever it’s armed, it would sound an 85-decibel alarm should it end up being of a certain distance from your iPhone. It’s an excellent theft deterrent, or if you aren’t paying attention and at an inclined street.
LifeStraw Sip
$34.95
The world’s first reusable stainless steel filtering straw is capable of removing microplastics, bacteria, and parasites from drinking water. Its durability and reliability are guaranteed for up to 1000 liters of water—meaning it will give you safe hydration for your next couple of trips.
Urban Armor Gear Kevlar Core USB-C to USB-C Cable
$29.95
Because in my newly USB-C-reliant life, another cable is never a bad idea. Even better: This cable features multi-directional Hex Matrix strain relief that offers protection from repeated bends (it’s tested to withstand over 50,000 of them!), fatigue loading, and failure.
By the way, the cable supports fast charging up to 60 watts and 480 MBps data transfer.
Nomadix Tiny Towel
$23.95 for a pack of three
These super absorbent, quick-dry, and odor-resistant towels are meant to clean up small messes such as condensation, dirt, and food smears. Each towel packs small (tiny) and will fit one of the exterior pockets of the Nomadix fanny pack.
Antler Icon Stripe Biggest Carry-On
$285
I am not an overpacker; in fact, I have gotten to a point where I almost always will travel with only a half-full luggage. What I will admit to, however, is my love of bringing home meaningful souvenirs from every trip that I make. (Many of them are valued possessions.)
Antler’s latest offering is aptly called the Biggest Carry-On. It’s a collection of generously sized luggages made to fit the overhead bins of most major US airlines. It has a compact and spacious fully recycled interior lining and the Silent Glide 360 spinner for maneuverability without much effort (and minimal disturbance if I’m staying at a shared accommodation).
The thing that I like the most about the Biggest Carry-On is if I overdo the shopping (or if there’s a bottle of Chilean wine that I just have to add to my fledgling collection), the luggage’s compression strap, double-zip pockets, and durable recycled polycarbonate shell ensure that I can check it in without worries.
Superfeet Casual Men’s Easyfit
$34.99
It’s no surprise that I clock 10,000+ steps easily when I’m traveling, and for someone like me who is not used to this much walking because of my WFH setup, insoles are a must-have so that my poor feet won’t end up becoming a sore mess at the end of each day.
The Casual Men’s Easyfit has a patented orthotic design that hugs my arches and supports my heels to ease aches and combat fatigue. The half-shoe design means it fits in more types of footwear without any trimming.
Momax Travel Adapter
$29.99
I picked this travel adapter for two reasons: One: It plugs into South American outlets. Two: It can provide enough juice to charge my MacBook Air. Simple.
Muji Clear Care Moisturizing Milk
$5.90
This moisturizer is made from waters from Japan’s Iwate prefecture, which helps balance my complexion. It’s 50 ml., which should be enough for a month-long trip. It goes in light so I can layer it with sunscreen without ending up greasy.
Community Goods Fresh Mint Toothpaste Tablets
$29 for a four-month supply
One of the advantages of these SLS-free tablets is that I don’t have to guess how many tubes of toothpaste I have to bring with me: I just portion two per day, plus another four for safety.
These tablets contain Nano Hydroxyapatite, it’s a mineral that replaces fluoride to repair and strengthen enamel.
Vim&Vigr Lobster Love Compression Socks
$44
You should always opt to wear compression socks not just when you’re flying (it’s pretty much a no-brainer at this point) but also when you’re going on extended car, train, or even bus rides. Their tighter-than-normal fit helps keep your blood flowing and reduce the swelling of your legs.
Plus, lobsters.
Smartwool Everyday Dot Ankle Classic Socks
$17
Socks of the merino wool variety, much like their T-shirt brethren, are core of any travel ensemble for their odor-resisting and moisture-wicking properties—which are valuable once your feet perspire from being out and about.
These socks have an almost seamless toe and a secure fit for all-day comfort.
Glerups Slip-on with Leather Sole
$100
At the end of each day, nothing gives me more joy than slipping into these 100 percent wool slippers. They are thermoregulating, which means they feel cozy when it’s chilly and cold when it’s warm. Plus, the shape of the slippers follows the contours of the foot, it’s almost like a hug each time.
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