Travelers often have a set of items that they bring along on any trip. These are things that have a specific yet practical use, and can be applicable to any location in the world or any kind of trip. Most of these are personal items, and are small enough to fit into any bag.
Here is a list of our top ten essential travel accessories (in no particular order) that will make your travel life easier.
1. Microfiber Towel
Not all the places you’ll be sleeping in will provide guests with a towel, so bringing your own is ideal. Microfiber is a synthetic fiber that is highly absorbent, durable and lightweight, making it ideal for traveling. It also dries easily, so there’s no need for you to worry that you’ll be lugging around a damp piece of heavy cloth. This kind of towel is also useful to wipe your sweat when you’re hiking in a particularly warm climate. Bring a big sized on for bathing, and smaller hand-towel sized one.
2. Swiss Army Knife
This little tool is an industry standard and a must-have for nearly everyone. It’s got a knife, scissors, nail file, toothpick tweezers… and that’s just the basic model. The Swiss Army knife has it all and can be useful in the most unexpected places.
3. Journal and Pen
While not everyone feels the need to chronicle their travels, having a journal on hand can be helpful. It can hold receipts, maps, guides and other documents that won’t fit your wallet. It can be handy if you want to jot down directions, or take down a phone number… anything. Sure you can use your mobile phone to do that, but what if the battery is empty?
4. Eco-Bag
These lightweight bags fold or roll up into tiny packages and can be stowed in the smallest spaces. It’s great for carrying items that you buy while shopping during your vacation, particularly for establishments that practice the “bring your own bag” policy. It can also act as a day pack, or something to stash your dirty clothes in.
5. LED Torch
An LED torch is brighter than your regular flashlight. The batteries also last longer, and it is relatively inexpensive. This is useful for those unexpected power outages (some countries still experience it), or to help you navigate through the dark if you don’t want to wake your roommates up.
6. Portable battery pack
When packing your gadget, you always make sure to have its corresponding chargers and cables. Consider packing a portable battery pack that will allow you to charge your devices at times when there’s no available wall socket. Want to be even more prepared? Get a solar-powered battery pack. So long as it’s sunny, you can charge your gadgets.
7. Reusable water bottle
Carrying a reusable water bottle is dually beneficial: You help lessen the world’s garbage by not buying bottled water, and you save yourself a couple of dollars by getting drinking water from other sources, like a drinking fountain or restaurant (ask a waiter, the water is usually given for free).
8. Sun protection trio: Sunglasses, sunblock and hat
No matter where you go, you’ll need something to keep you safe from the sun’s harmful rays. You don’t have to be on the beach to use sunblock. Even if you’re just talking a walk around town, it’s advisable to wear one. Sunglasses will also keep your eyes protected from the sun’s glare. And yes, even in winter. Hats provide you with a portable shade, and keeps you less prone to heatstroke. It is also decent protection against very light rain and snow.
9. Portable luggage scale
Excess baggage is the bane of existence for many travelers, and costs you a pretty penny. Having your own luggage scale allows you to weigh your bag as you pack, which then gives you an idea what items can you remove to lessen the load. There are several brands that offer digital scales, but simple, non-electric ones work just as great too.
10. Duct tape
Sometime during the course of your trip, you will need to either repair something or seal something or hold something up. If a safety pin is a must for clothing emergencies, duct tape will provide the much needed patch up for plenty of things.Trust me. I’ve used it to keep a falling apart luggage intact and I’m ever so grateful.
Most of these items can be had for an affordable amount, but even if some cost a little more, its quality and usefulness will certainly match its price. Shop around for good brands and prices, or slowly build it up before your next trip. You’ll never know when it will come in handy.
