When I first started packing for extended travel, I was an extreme over-packer. When I’d pack for a week-long trip, the contents of my giant suitcase would suggest I was traveling across multiple climates for a month. When I’d fly home from college for the holidays, I’d have bags so heavy that I’d consistently have to rearrange the contents so that my checked bag didn’t exceed the 50-pound limit. And for the two summers I spent working in Europe, I don’t know how I didn’t cause permanent damage to my spine with the appalling amount of things I brought.
I think there’s a stereotype that chronic over-packers are people who care about fashion and doesn’t want to repeat an outfit. I am not this person. For me, the overpacking stemmed more from a need to feel prepared for anything (and probably from anxiety, if I’m honest). What if there were record-breaking temperatures and I needed my show boots while visiting Mississippi for the holidays? What if I decided I wanted to take both film AND digital photos in the same trip? What if I finished 6 books in a week and couldn’t find a 7th one to read? What if the pillow in the hotel was the wrong size and I needed to bring my own across the continent to be safe? Plus a blanket. And slippers.
And eventually, after dozens of trips where I proved to myself that I only touched a quarter of the things in my suitcase, I simply got tired of it. I think the real turning point for me was when I decided that I would only bring a backpack and a day bag on my solo trip to Portugal and Morrocco in 2019. I did hours and hours of research about supplies to bring and how to pack. No person ever needs to watch as many packing videos as I did during the months leading up to my trip. It was the first time I intentionally left things at home that I know I’d need on my trip. (What a revelation to acknowledge that I could simply go to a store and buy soap once I arrived!) I bought several things to prepare for that trip, and I’m still using nearly all of the same items today.
Today I feel like an expert packer. I wouldn’t say I’m a packing minimalist, but I’ve learned what to prioritize and consolidate while still feeling prepared for everything. (For example, I still carry a small pharmacy and first-aid kit with me, but I have stopped feeling the need to carry enough shampoo and deodorant for the whole trip.) I haven’t checked a bag when traveling in nearly 10 years. Basically, I’ve learned that packing well is not about special folding techniques or compression cubes that swear they’ll offer more space or forcing yourself to leave your favorite outfit at home. It’s just about packing smarter.
Since I’ve had a lot of people reach out to me for recommendations and tips for their upcoming summer travels, I thought this would be a good time to share some of my must-have items for summer travel. Some of these are subjective, but most of these would be helpful to everyone. I didn’t have any of these items when I was a chronic over-packer, and these are some of the things that changed the way I packed.
This list will focus on summer travel items, and I’m planning to make a winter list in the fall. (A disclaimer: I do get a small commission if you purchase any of these items using my links at no extra cost to you!)
This brand is pricey, but it’s one of the occasions where the price feels merited because of the quality. I think this thing is truly indestructible. I’ve been very hard on this bag for 4 years now, and it’s still in perfect condition. The one I have is a Porter 46L, and it held everything I needed for 5 months of travel. It’s a littler large for my frame since it’s considered a men’s or unisex bag, and I’ve heard that the women’s Fairview 40L is a better fit for petite women without giving up much space. But mine has been perfectly fine since I’m never carrying it super long distances. I’ve never had any trouble bringing it as a carry-on for international flights. Osprey also has a clause that they will repair any of their bags that have been damaged for any reason, free of charge. I haven’t tried this personally, but I like that the company feels this level of confidence in their product. They also have great sales—I got mine for about $100 on a Black Friday sale.
Now listen. There is no one on Earth who loves to hold a physical book more than I do. I will forever be a real-book loyalist. BUT my spine is forever grateful that I gave in and got a kindle before my first back-packing trip. It’s truly life-changing. And you can use the Libby app to continue getting whatever books you want from your home library while you travel rather than hoping you come across good free options in hostel libraries or purchasing books you don’t have room to carry. I’ve started bringing one physical book with me on trips that I donate to a hostel when I finish. Everything else I read is on the Kindle. (I also use it to read on machines at the gym and at night, and I’m able to read so much more frequently because of it.) Mine is now over 4 years old and still works perfectly.
3. A good day-pack/computer bag
I use this as my personal item on flights, and all my most important things go in this bag (my computer, kindle, journal, and any necessary items I need within easy reach). I needed a bag that was sturdy, could carry a lot of weight, and had good shoulder padding. I ended up getting a Patagonia bag for about $80 that I carry as an everyday backpack at home, but I’ve also used it as a weekend bag. I can’t find my exact bag, but here’s a similar one that I considered getting that can also be carried as a tote.
I’ll be honest. I’m not picky with my packing cubes. I don’t see much point in compression cubes, so for me, the big differentiator in packing cubes is just durability and the size of them. I got these recently, and I like them because of the multiples sizes you get in the set. I got this set a long time ago, and after YEARS of use, one of the bags is finally tearing at the corners. But I still use the laundry bags when I travel. When I pack my clothes, I only pack enough for 7-10 days. That’s all you need. No matter how many weeks you travel, you can just wash your clothes.
5. Toiletry kit
I tried several sizes of toiletry kits, but this one is my favorite. It holds EVERYTHING I need, plus it’s waterproof in case liquids spill inside it. It has lots of little pockets for organization. (One tip I have if you’re bringing makeup, moisturizer, or other small liquids—I pour some in contact lens containers to save space. That way I don’t have to bring a whole moisturizer/makeup bottle. And I use so little of each that the contents of a contact lens container last weeks.)
I 100% recommend this if you think you’ll do a lot of shopping while on vacation and might need to bring home an extra bag. I’ve been with pals who did more shopping than they anticipated while traveling, and shopping for a suitcase in a tourist destinations can be a nightmare. Everything is overpriced and the lowest quality imaginable, and often people end up purchasing the least-worst option and crossing their fingers that it won’t fall apart before they get home. A duffle like this is the perfect solution. It folds into itself so that it’s the size of a small chip bag. It’s quite large when it unfolds though, and it’s surprisingly durable. I wouldn’t trust anything delicate or valuable in it because things move around a lot in it and there’s no padding, but I throw all my packing cubes and clothes into this duffle and put my breakable items in my backpack.
7. A foldable, lightweight day pack
If you’ve seen me in person in the past 4 years, you’ve seen my day pack because I use it daily as my purse. (Yes, I’m very glamorous.) It weighs nothing, is virtually indestructible, adjusts so it fits me well, and holds more than you can imagine. It folds into itself so it’s the size of a small ice-pack. I bring it with me every day when I’m traveling, and it fits my wallet, a rain jacket, my water bottle, my kindle, a snack, sunscreen, and even a change of clothes. It’s probably my single most-recommended item. The link isn’t for my exact bag (I don’t think they’re making it anymore), but it’s for the one I gifted Michael, and he loves it.
8. My Allbirds
Before I went to Europe in 2022, I was in desperate need of some everyday walking shoes. I ordered like 4 pairs of shoes to try on and had almost given up hope on finding ones I liked, then I found the Allbirds Tree Runners. I knew immediately that they were the right ones. I got them just a few days before I left home, and I didn’t break them in AT ALL before I left. I never once had a blister. I’ve worn them nearly every day and for literally thousands of miles, and I’m no less obsessed with them. They’re basically indestructible (though I’ve bought a couple pairs of replacements inserts for $15 once I wore out the soles.) I also convinced my mom to get some before she joined me in Europe, and they are one of very few closed-toed shoes she’d been able to wear comfortably with her neuropathy. These are one of only two pairs of shoes I bring with me when I’m traveling.
9. Tevas
I needed a pair of go-to summer shoes that were durable, waterproof, and provided more support than the flat and flimsy sandals I owned. These were the answer. I tried on a million pairs from different brands, but the Tevas were the most comfortable to me. I have a very small foot, but it’s deceptively wide, so sometimes I have trouble finding the perfect shoe. The Velcro makes them entirely adjustable for any foot size or shape.
10. Wool socks
This seems like one of those suggestions that feels excessive and unnecessary, and it’s true that the socks you have are perfectly sufficient for any travel you do. BUT wool does a remarkable job of a) never feeling sweaty, b) never getting stinky, and c) being durable. I wear wool socks as often as I can when I travel, and I never get blisters when I wear them. I can also wear them for days in a row before they need a wash. They keep my feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter. (I also have a couple pairs of wool underwear, and this is a worthwhile investment, too.) It eliminates the need to bring a different pair of socks for each day of your trip.
11. An affordable, but good, rain jacket
What a novel idea to travel without an umbrella! I got my rain jacket at REI’s outlet for quite cheap, but it still works well. It fits over my day-pack so neither my belongings nor I get wet, and though this might make me look absurd, it also works well as an anti-theft mechanism when I’m rushing around distracted in the rain. You can find a lot of fancy-brand rain jackets for a shocking amount of money, but don’t waste your time. No one cares what you look like in the rain! Something affordable and waterproof will work perfectly. (I can’t find the exact one I have, but these are similar.) It also doubles as a wind-breaker, so if you’re going somewhere that gets chilly at night, you can wear this instead of packing an extra jacket or bulky sweater.
12. Croc flip-flips (Or any shower shoes, but these have my vote.)
I bet you never knew you needed Croc flip-flops, but I’m here to tell you that you do. I won’t stay in hostels without shower shoes, and I needed an option that was virtually weightless but sturdy enough they wouldn’t fall apart. I didn’t trust those little $3 ones from Walmart to stay intact with daily use for months. So I found these Crocs for less than $20. They weigh NOTHING, and they’re so comfortable. I wear them as shower shoes, at the beach, and as regular summer shoes. They are the perfect travel shoe. (Also be warned that they shrink if left in direct sunlight, BUT if you plop them in some boiling water and wear them while they’re still hot, they mold right back to your feet. Magic.)
13. My FitBit
I’m not really a watch-wearer, but I wanted a way to tell the time when traveling that didn’t necessitate pulling out my phone. I liked this FitBit because it acts as a watch but also tracks my steps, and it’s durable and waterproof and doesn’t feel flashy or like jewelry (which I avoid when traveling).
I wanted a sturdy way to organize my travel documents in one place, and I struggled so hard to find the right thing. I ordered 3 or 4 passport wallets from Amazon, and most of them were flimsy and felt like they might fall apart or were huge and inconvenient. Except for this one! It’s the perfect size—like a slightly longer paperback book—and it’s very durable. It’s the right size to hold my passport (with passport cover on it), plane tickets, my Covid vaccine card, my kindle, multiple currencies (bills and change) in separate pockets, copies of my passport and travel insurance, and multiple credit/debit cards. (I’d like to note that you should NOT carry all of these important documents in the same spot when you travel in case of theft. But the point is, you COULD.) It makes navigating airports and train stations where you’re juggling multiples documents at once so much easier, and you could easily fit two passports in it if you travel with a partner.
15. Microfiber towel
I didn’t see the need for this for a while even though a lot of travelers swear by them. But I’m glad I brought one with me to Europe. It folds up super small and dries overnight, and more than once I used it as a beach towel or an extra blanket in a cold room. Plus, some hostels charge you for towels, and this is a nice alternative.
16. N-95 masks
No matter how you feel about Covid caution, I felt immensely glad to have several masks with me in Europe both before and after I got sick. While I was sick, I wore my mask to prevent others from getting sick. I also wore it because my immune system was very weak, and this helped me from catching things I might typically be able to fight off. I also recommend carrying a thermometer with you and some basic first-aid supplies and medicine. This isn’t because you can’t find medicine in another country, but the medication might be different than what you’re used to back home, and throwing in a tiny bag of Tylenol is something you might be very thankful for.
17. Electrical adapters (this one for the UK and this one for the rest of Europe)
If you’re planning a trip abroad, you already know you need adapters/converters. Adapters simply change the shape of your electronic device. Converters change the voltage. I have largely stopped traveling with anything that requires a converter so these adapters work perfectly for me. They’re reliable, affordable, and pretty small.
18. A water bottle
It’s so much easier (and better for the environment) to travel with a water bottle rather than buying several plastic ones per day. And in countries where you can’t drink the tap water, accommodations nearly always supply filtered water you can fill your bottle with. I usually use the metal one because it keeps water cold for hours. But the collapsible one is really nice if I need to save space.
Most travel pillows take up so much space, but not the inflatable ones! I had an inflatable one that lasted me years before it finally got a leak, then I ordered a new one that works perfectly so far. I use it not only on flights and buses but also sometimes in hostels and hotels where the available pillows were a terrible size for my neck. (There’s nothing that makes me more miserable than sleeping on a too-tall pillow.) They’re also super affordable.
More and more parts of the world are requiring travelers to wear only reef-safe sunscreen so the chemicals in standard sunscreen don’t harm the environment. This is the best sunscreen I’ve found that’s affordable, actually absorbs instead of sitting on skin like a white mask, and fits the requirements for most cenotes and sites requiring reef-safe sunscreens. Plus it smells lovely.
21. Luggage locks
These locks are so convenient. When I’m traveling, I have to leave my bags in a lot of different places and trust them to be okay. I always use these locks to lock my backpacks, and they haven’t failed me yet. I also lock my backpacks when I’m traveling through crowds. And when I stay in hostels, I use these locks to lock the storage locker that most hostels provide. They are certainly not the sturdiest locks to ever exist, but they definitely makes you less of an easy target.
22. Travel Insurance
This is the most important thing on this list, and I DON’T get any compensation for sharing it. I just feel passionately that people need to know. Please don’t travel abroad without travel insurance. You never know when you might need it, and it’s so affordable considering all that it covers. I’ve used World Nomads for every international trip I’ve taken, and I highly recommend them for their coverage and prices.
