The thing about traveling is that it’s a gadget oriented passion. Everywhere you look online or on television or on social media, you see all of these travel gadget suggestions. They always tell you that it’s a travel hack or travel has never been the same since using this item or how “fashionable” it is. Yes, indeed there are a lot of helpful gadgets out there, but most of them are one-offs that you will never use again or you will find they are space pigs, meaning that they take up too much room or add weight.
I have seen people walking through airports or boarding airplanes with 6 different items strapped to the outside of their carry-on or personal item or just on their bodies or heads. They look like a Sherpa going on expedition and it’s a domestic flight in most cases. There are items that are helpful and some that in my own opinionated opinion, are just a marketing ploy to get you to buy that one item you just know you won’t be able to live without because you saw it on Facebook or an Instagram reel. Understand that my opinion is not the be all and end all on these products. These are just my opinions keeping in mind that efficiency, comfort and space are all being considered. Okay, here we go……..
Useful Items:
Power adapters – Power adapters are great if you are traveling internationally and there are so many different options online for them. Some cost a lot and some are quite cheap. Look for an adapter that will have several options for types of connections, is lightweight and priced reasonably. Shopping sites have tons of these and once you buy one, you will never need to buy another unless you lose it. Domestically, these will serve you no purpose. Go for practicality, not for cute, fashionable or because some influencer told you. Do your own research and you will probably do okay.
Empty Water Bottle – So many styles to choose from. Listen, I think people blow this one way out of proportion. I think it’s pretty simple, actually when you think about your actual travel time. You can bring your favorite 32oz metal insulated water bottle, a collapsible water bottle or a simple 12-16 oz water bottle from your local store as long as all of those are empty. You will not get past TSA with one full of water. That’s why I said “empty”. Don’t buy bottled water in the airport unless you can’t help it. The prices are absolutely ridiculous. You will be paying for a bottle of water in an airport what you pay for a case at your local store. Airports usually have water filling stations in the airport in various places to fill your bottle before you get on the plane, but I usually don’t bother because water on the plane is free and you can keep the bottle for your next flight if you want. If you must, you should bring something fairly small unless you have to drink like you just ran a marathon. Most people I have travelled with, don’t drink two glasses of water all day, but as soon as they know they are flying, they have to bring a big old water bottle because somehow they will drastically dehydrate during the flight. If that is your concern, then load up on water the night before your flight not during the flight. They suck water down constantly and they end up in the bathroom or waiting in line for the bathroom on the plane, constantly with the other camels on the flight. The metal water bottles are fine if you simply have to have your favorite water bottle, but keep in mind that airlines are getting really picky on what you can bring on the plane as a personal item and those big water bottles will soon be on the list I think in the future. People walk down the aisles with them hanging from their backpacks and they are bonking people in the heads as they walk by. They don’t fit in the seat pocket in front of you, so you will be holding that sucker for your whole flight. You can put it in your carry-on, but then what’s the point? If you don’t mind, then go ahead. Otherwise, I would go for one of the other options.
Earbuds or Headphones – These are both priceless to me. The engine and cabin noise can be monotonous and so can some of the screaming kids or crying babies. I had one flight where the baby cried for 8 hours. Not her fault, but the earbuds or headphones make it more tolerable. Get the noise cancelling kind of good quality and you will hardly notice others around you. Even if you don’t stream music or watch a movie, the lower sound level makes it easier to read or sleep. For sleep, earplugs work as well.
Tablet or Laptop – If your flight is long, I recommend one of these to either watch movies, stream music, catch up on work or play games. You don’t always need an internet connection. You can download the movie to your device before your flight and watch it later. Use this in conjunction with your headphones or earbuds and your comfort level is golden. I don’t always recommend watching movies or playing games on your phone unless you have one that is so large it might qualify as a laptop. It is a strain on the eyes after a while, otherwise.
Book or Book Reader – Your favorite book whether it is in paper form or on a Kindle or other reader is a lightweight companion, as well. Flights and are airports are great places to catch up on reading and learning.
Useless or pretty much useless items:
Neck pillows – These can be a personal choice thing, but I have found these to be pretty useless unless you get the kind that inflate and are adjustable. You will see these for sale at every store in the airport in case you forgot to get one before your flight. You will see hundreds of people walking around with them wrapped around their necks, attached to their carry-on or falling on the ground and never seen again. Children love these things for some reason, but I have never seen a child wearing one on a plane in 50 years of flying. Honestly, the airport could make quite the profit if they resold all the neck pillows that are left at the gate seating areas or TSA or just laying in the terminal somewhere. They are just one other thing you have to keep track of and they really are not that comfortable. Most people use them incorrectly, anyway. They also make my neck hot. If you have day old beard stubble, it pulls on those facial hairs. If you want to stop wearing it during your flight it doesn’t exactly fit in the seat pocket and your seat-mates may get tired of holding it for you. Especially, when your drink, snacks or meal come. It’s hard to wear one of these and eat.
Compression socks – Compression socks are a good thing for some people that have circulation issues for a variety of reasons. However, you see influencers swearing up and down that they have never been more comfortable on a flight than when they wear their compression socks. Well, I have news for you. They are quite snug and can even be uncomfortable. Unless you have a medical reason like the aforementioned circulation problem, these are pretty much useless. Especially if you are young and if you do use them, KEEP YOUR SHOES ON!! The floors on airplanes are disgustingly dirty.
Suspended foot rests – These are pretty much useless and a gimmick. They attach to the seat in front of you and only elevate your feet a few inches. This does nothing to increase blood flow or circulation and if you are taller like me, you may even find it uncomfortable. There is little enough seat room that my knees are jacked up anyway. Raising them a few inches off of the floor, just puts my knees closer to my chin.
Passport Wallets – You will see these in the travel section of some drug stores and department stores and even the U.S. Post Office. Maybe you even got one as a gift for you trip? They look like a wallet or they have some that hang around your neck and you put your passport and/or boarding pass inside so they won’t get lost. Seriously, with all of the pockets you have in purses, personal items, your own clothes and you need one around your neck too? Listen, I can see where this might come in handy for people who easily forget things, but these things are magnets for thieves in and out of the airport. They also identify you as a traveler and an unwary traveler, as well. You have to take your passport out of these handy little wallets every time someone wants to see it or scan it, stamp it or admire it. So, you are constantly putting it in and out of the wallet, anyway. It is not a practical item at all. You could wear it around your neck and tuck it under your shirt, you say!! Yes, you could. And you will be reaching for that thing every time you turn around in an airport or check in to a foreign hotel. It becomes a pain.
Travel Towel – Though they are lighweight and dry quickly, they really are terrible at drying and entire body. It is just another item taking up precious space in your bag. Hotels, Airbnb’s, Bed and Breakfast all provide towels for use. Some even provide larger towels for the pool or beach.
Camera – Unless you are a professional photographer, you will find this to be a bit of a problem. Cameras come with all kinds of accessories, batteries, lenses, etc. You will need an extra bag to haul this plethora of equipment. So, you will either pay extra to check it or use that bag as your carry-on or personal item. Frankly, smartphones are so improved nowadays and cloud access to transfer images from the phone’s memory is so prevalent that they make traveling with stand alone cameras almost unnecessary.
Luggage Scale – Most airlines DO NOT have weight limits for carry-ons. In fact, I can’t think of a single one. If you must, try this. Use your bathroom scale if you have one. If it’s too hard to set the bag on the scale for some reason, you can weigh yourself and then weigh yourself again carrying your bag. The difference is the weight of your bag.
Compression Bags or Vacuum Bags – Yes, they will shrink your clothes down to nothing, but when you open them you will have the most wrinkled clothes you have ever seen. If you want to spend your trip ironing to try and get those creases and wrinkles out, then be my guest. Pack a travel iron then because often the ones in hotels don’t work properly or leak. Seriously, leave the compression or vacuum bags at home where they belong. Like for storing things long term.
Keep in mind that these are not exhaustive lists and all of this is my own opinion from personal experience. Take it as you will and with a grain of salt. My idea of comfort or idea of what is useful or useless may be different than yours.