Adra Writes

There are so many travel products, gadgets, and accessories available that it is overwhelming. I have made a list of 21 products and essentials for travel this year!

Be sure to leave a like and comment what products you also use or aren’t on the list!

COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative COVID Test

Ladies and gentlemen, this summer we take back our love of travel! But first, we need to get vaccinated and/make sure that we have proper testing done before and after travel. Research the restrictions, rules, regulations, and policies for any place you plan to travel to. Keep yourself and others safe and healthy.

If you are elligible to get vaccinated in your city or country, please do. Let’s all do our best to end the pizza party.

An In-Flight Go Bag

This is something that I have made for myself after years of miserable long-haul flights. I keep a small makeup sized bag filled with the basics to survive a 6+ hour flight. It’s small enough to put in the seat compartment in front of me and fits in any sized bag. My bag includes:

A Water Bottle / Thermos

I have a wide mouth thermos I bought from Walmart more than 4 years ago. I have traveled around the world multiple times with it. It keeps my water cold all day and my coffee hot all morning. It’s the best 15$ I have ever spent and takes up little space in my bags or can be clipped. Plus, we should all take a water bottle on a plane to stay hydrated since they never give out enough water.

An E-reader

This may be controversial, but if you travel, you cannot physically carry all the books you want in a suitcase. Unless you are willing to give them away as you go, then an E-reader is the best option for full-time, long-time, short-time, or part-time travelers. It takes time to get used to, but it is worth having the freedom to read what you want without the excess weight.

A Notebook / Journal

Not only is it amazing to be able to reread your travels and adventures, but it is also so handy to have a piece of paper when you need it. I guess we could all use our phones for such purposes, but some things are best written on paper.

I keep a notebook with travel information, confirmation numbers, hotel addresses, passwords to important websites, addresses of my friends and family to send postcards, etc. A simple, small notebook that fits in any size bag is indispensable, especially if your phone is dead. Which brings me to my next product…

A Portable Charger / Charging Bank / Power Bank

Whichever name you use for it you know how useful it is when you can’t find a wall plug. Do your research and find one with a true long-lasting battery. It’s also nice to get them with multiple USB plug ins so you can charge two things at once.

A Fanny Pack / Any Small Bag that Doesn’t Require Hands

I am a long-standing fan of fanny packs and hip bags. I take them hiking, to music festivals, parties, airports, sightseeing excursions, and the beach. They are the perfect. Make sure you get one that is secure and comfortable for you. It’s also good to make sure it is big enough to accommodate our ever-growing phones and the other few things you want to fit inside. I’ve carried the same purple fanny pack since for 4 years, and it has never failed me.

Comfortable Shoes

Comfort is subjective and depends on what you are doing and where you are going. If you plan to do a lot of city walking, perhaps a pair of slip-on shoes with a thicker sole is needed. Sandals are great for most beach vacays.

The point is this: make sure you have comfortable and appropriate footwear. If you are buying new shoes for a trip, make sure you wear them around (outside your house) several times to make sure they are in fact comfortable. I have bought shoes for trips that turned out to be painful because I didn’t wear them prior. Let’s take care of our feet.

Google Translate – Offline Download

This maybe a given if you are traveling to another country that doesn’t speak your language. But be sure to download the language offline, especially if you are not planning to get a sim card or plan to do a lot of activities away from internet access or wi-fi.

An International Travel Adaptor

Be sure you research the type of adaptor that is used in the country you are going to. It would be a tragedy if you fried your electronics. If you do forget, don’t fret! I forget to pack one every time I go on vacation. You can typically ask your hotel for one or even buy one in a local market. They shouldn’t be expensive or inconvenient to find.

A Padlock

This one is a little more specific to hostels or if you need to get a luggage locker to stash your belongings for a short time. Keep in mind that most hostels do have cubbies with a lock and key. Just check with your hostel before arriving, as this maybe a more difficult item to find in another country.

A Towel and Hair Towel/Turban/Wrap 

If you are planning to do a hostel backpacking trip or travel around Asia, keep in mind that things such as towels are not considered necessary, and you will have to pay for them. If you don’t want to pay for them, I suggest buying a quick drying microfiber towel that takes up little space. If you have long hair, I recommend buy a hair wrap towel/turban. I have traveled with one for almost 3 years now, and I love it.

A Beach Style Blanket

What am I talking about you ask? Why would I bring a blanket on vacation? Well, I don’t mean a blanket per say. They have many different names depending on where you are in the world. I’ve heard conga (or kanga), sarongs, wraps. Typically, women use them as multifunctioning clothing, but they are great to have if you are going to the beach, are out and want to sit down somewhere, forgot a towel, want to have a picnic, bathing suit cover up, etc. There are thousands of ways to use them, and they use little space in luggage or a backpack. You can find them at markets in destinations across the world if you can’t find one before leaving.

An Umbrella

After living in China for a while, I picked up the habit of always carrying an umbrella with me. Of course is it great for rain, but it is also great shade from the sunny days at the beach or walking around a concrete jungle. An umbrella is a great product to have, and they are compact and light weight to fit in any backpack.

Shoe Bags

I don’t know about you guys, but I have smelly feet (TMI?). I like to always have a least one shoe bag to keep my smelly and dirty shoes separated from my clean clothes.

A Wine Opener

This is something I find myself packing when I’m going on vacation. I always want to have a nice evening in my hotel room or take a bottle down to the beach late one evening. Maybe I’m crazy, but I use one almost every trip.

Sunscreen / Daily Moisturizer with SPF 

Most people go on vacation to catch some sun and enjoy nicer weather and climates. It’s so important to protect your skin from harmful rays. It’s also important to remember that the sun is stronger the closer you are to the equator, so a higher SPF maybe required for your skin type.

Luggage Straps

If you must check luggage, and you have black bags like a billion other people, put some bright colored luggage straps around your bag. It makes finding your bag easier when it comes off the conveyor belt of black abyss. It also should keep your bag more secure. And if you have multiple bags to carry, you can strap them together for easier transport.

A Small Day Backpack

I have a big pet peeve with other travelers or backpackers who walk in crowded places with a massive 50L pack or even just a large backpack that is completely full. They have no awareness of the space they occupy. More than that, why make yourself stick out so much? For basic, day to day walking around, try to blend in with a small bag, or backpack that fits the necessities.

Snacks and Powdered Drinks

You don’t need to pack a lot of snacks, but it may be nice to have some on hand for travel days. Instant coffee or flavored water packets are super handy in case you want to fix up your water or don’t have access to coffee for an early morning sightseeing excursion.

A Hat & Sunglasses

Coming back to protecting our skin and eyes from the sun, be sure you pack a small cap/hat and sunglasses. This is especially important if you are going to a sunny destination. Of course if you forget to bring these items, they are easy to find wherever you go.

Keep in mind that most items you can find anywhere on this earth and it is not a big deal if you forget somethings! Don’t let packing be overwhelming and try to resist overpacking for the hypothetical scenarios that will never happen. It’s better to pack light.