Pack Like A Pro With This Handy 46 Item List

Apr 26, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Other than the obvious toothpaste, soaps, and outfits, you'll want to remember these handy items.

BuzzFeed Staff

Unless otherwise specified, all sizes in this post are listed in women's.

This kit includes: a mirror, contact lens case, a mini solution bottle for your contact solution, a contact tweezer tool for pulling out your contacts from the lens case, and a contact remover tool used to remove and put on your contacts.

Promising review: "Great product! Love it. Been using every day for the past month and it's worked perfectly. Good quality. It's beautiful." —Adriana Rodriguez

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three styles).

And you'll get a lil' heat-resistant pouch to carry it wherever you go!

Promising review: "I got this nice little and compact hair straightener for my trip to the beach. It is small and lightweight. Perfect for a trip. It heats up really fast, with in seconds it is very hot. It comes with a pouch to tuck it away in. You do need to move slowly through your hair because the heated part is small but it does a good job. I made a little video to show how nice it is. Also I like the comfort of the design to hold it. Fits nicely in my hand. Not heavy like the bigger bulkier ones are. I took my time and shopped around for a travel one. I think this will be good to use every day. It doesn't take up much space either." —Connie Cunningham

Get it from Amazon for $14.97.

Promising review: "This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops to places with different types of weather. With these laundry soap sheets I was able to wash my clothes in the sink — letting me pack just the right amount of clothes for all the different places I went." —Katie Fujarski

Get a 50-count pack from Amazon for $5.76 (also available in hand washing sheets).

And it comes with a handy, clear zipper pouch!

Promising review: "Just took a trip to the Dominican Republic and used carry-on luggage only throughout the entire trip, never once was questioned about the size. The bag they are in seems thin but it worked great to put bottles back in as well as some smaller items fit in the bag too, like lip gloss, mascara and such. The holes are big enough to get your product in to the bottles without any complications. My fiancé and myself had plenty of shampoo, conditioner, sunblock and lotion for seven days. Highly recommend these bottles, they are perfect for carry-ons!!" —Stephanie Miller

Get a set of four 3 oz. bottles from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in a variety of sizes and colors).

BuzzFeed writer Jasmin Sandal raves, "I love my little containers that allow me to downsize but still carry my necessities while I'm traveling. They're not only cute to look at but they're pretty practical. I have used mine to store my vitamins, earrings, and face cream and have not run into any issues. They have tight, screw-on tops so you know everything is secure *and* you can customize their labels so you know exactly what's in what. Oh, and the fact that they're magnetic? Genius. This way, they stay tightly together in your case or can be conveniently stored in a makeup bag".

Cadence is a woman-owned small biz that helps people from many different walks of life stay on top of their personal care routines no matter where they go. The capsules are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic in an effort to clean existing plastic off of beaches. One Cadence capsule = one travel-sized bottle worth of plastic removed from shores.

Promising review: "My day job keeps me on the go constantly, traveling locally and nationwide. Whether I'm in my car, on a flight or in a hotel room, Cadence has simplified my life in ways I never thought possible. I used to have to compromise certain products over others due to lack of space, which would often lead to feeling a little less confident throughout the day. I used to worry about my products leaking during travel. All of these worries are gone. Whether it's mints, lotion, vitamins, jewelry, etc. I'm covered with Cadence, and I refuse to go back to the way it was. The fact that they use recyclable material is the cherry on top. I recommend them to everyone!" —Cadence Customer

Get it from Cadence for $76 (available in individual capsules, bundles of six or 12, and eight colors).

Promising review: "This luggage scale is so handy and is great for weighing your luggage. I was a little concerned before I got it because I wasn't sure how accurate it would be. When I used it when I went on vacation, it was dead on to what the airport said, so I highly recommend this. Plus, it's easy to pack in your bags." —Teresa Daniels

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in packs of one or two and six colors).

This pack contains: 12 Mighty Patch Original patches, 12 Mighty Patch Invisible+ patches, and two Mighty Patch Surface patches.

BuzzFeed writer Jasmin Sandal has this to say about Pimple Patches, "I personally love this little zit kit. There are two different types of patches for single zits and a longgg one to take down a cluster of them. Their effectiveness definitely varies depending on the stage of the whitehead, but I like to think of them as my security blanket when I'm traveling or when I know I'm going to be wearing my mask for a long period of time. The most effective method I've found is to use the Original Patch at night and then the Invisible+ one on the same spot during the day. You barely feel or see the patch, for that matter, and I know it's getting to work on sucking the gunk out and healing the area without me even having to lift a finger. After a couple of uses, my spots appear less inflamed and intrusive — and I don't have to do any picking or popping...I mean what more could a girl ask for?".

Promising review: "These strips actually work very well. You can see the yuck they pull up when you take them off. Doesn't irritate your skin. Keep buying these to use on zits!" —Ashley

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

Promising review: "This bag held surprisingly more than expected. I put tiny travel jars for my skincare creams and other small toiletries in it with room to spare. I definitely feel like it was easier to pack and was also easy to grab out of my bag for security. It feels sturdy with nice, thick vinyl. The double zipper moved easily, and I was pleased that it opened completely for ease of getting the items I needed out of it." —Mrs M Tate

Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).

Mister Crafter is a small business based in the U.S. that specializes in custom-made leather products.

Promising review: "A perfect companion taking cords and a 65w charger between the office and home office. Bought one for my son-in-law who travels for work. He loves it as well." —Phillip M.

Get it from Mister Crafter on Etsy for $39.80+ (available in four sizes and three personalization options).

Promising review: "I got this for traveling, as I don't really like carrying bags around much when I'm out and about. I was able to put my phone, passport, credit cards, cash, and mask in the bag along with a thicker pad and some lip balm. I don't recommend putting bulkier items in it, since it will sit weird against your body. It has a buckle closure, so it's more secure than the snap closures on typical fanny packs. If you wear a cardigan or coat over the top of your outfit, it will be virtually impossible to steal from." —Kiko

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in seven colors and four patterns).

Not only does the backpack open from the inside, but it also has a phone pocket, document pocket, front-zippered pocket, and an exterior side pocket. It's also made of nylon, so it's waterproof, and has a strap to change it into a shoulder bag.

Promising review: "There's just nothing to dislike about this bag. It's very stylish, and as a frequent traveler, the little side (hidden) pockets are perfect for my boarding passes, passport, etc. to give quick access! Love it, love it, love it!! It's exactly what I wanted!!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two sizes and in 14 colors).

BuzzFeed editor Abby Kass has this and says: "I've been an avid Kindle user for the past four years, but when I saw the new version, I knew it was time to upgrade. The main selling point is the fact that this one is waterproof. So waterproof, in fact, that it can be in up to two meters of fresh water for more than 60 minutes. Plus, it's lighter, has more storage, and the battery lasts for WEEKS. I took this on vacation with me and was so impressed. I was able to sit on the ledge in the pool and read without worrying about getting the device wet. And I even put it in the water to test, and it still works perfectly. I used it every day and didn't have to charge it the whole time I was on the trip. Plus, I was able to load more than five books on it for the trip, and it was so light to slip into my carry-on. That gets a big gold star in my book."

Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in 8GB and 16GB and in three colors).

Promising review: "These are perfect for packing shoes when traveling. They are reasonably priced. Exactly what I was looking for." —PB from Pennsylvania

Get a set of five from Amazon for $7.88+ (available in medium or large and in five colors).

Promising review: "I recently purchased this bag to be able to accommodate a couple of suits for business trips without having to check a large garment bag. This worked perfectly! It was easy to pack, I had no issues placing it in the overhead bins, and my suits were in great condition when I unpacked at the hotel. Overall, it's a great value." —PSTEENSON

Get it from Amazon for $59.75+ (available in black and gray).

Promising review: "I would give this more stars if I could. It's exactly what I've been looking for forever!!! It has plenty of room for my clunky jewelry, and enough separate pouches that things don't get tangled. I LOVE it." —Carrie Minturn

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "Fits my double brush electronic toothbrush perfectly. Cleans easily. A perfect accessory for health and cleanliness of the toothbrush. Great idea; and I like the way they look." —a l brock

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in four color combinations and three pack quantities).

Promising review: "These are great! I travel around a lot for work, and also have Invisalign, so I like to keep one in my work bag as well as my travel bag. The best part is the convenience. I used to carry a tooth brush in a case that took up a lot of room in my work bag as well as my travel bag. Now I just use these. They are small, durable, easy to use, and the brush is full covered when it is fully closed, which is what I was a little worried about at first. It was exactly what I was looking for in a travel toothbrush. I highly recommend, and I will be purchasing again." —Demetri

Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in two styles).

Promising review: "I love this bag for travel. It's the perfect size. Unlike so many travel laundry bags, this one is the perfect size for clothes and undies. So many are too small like a lingerie bag or too big like a bag to take to the laundromat. This is cute and folds up into itself." —N. Newman

Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "I bought it for a trip that had two long haul flights as well as various shorter flights. It is almost impossible for me to sleep on a plane, unless I get the full row to lay down. This thing helped me fall asleep almost immediately without waking up every time my head bobbed. I also used it as a nap pillow: your face can fit the hole perfectly as well as the back or side of your head, so it really works well for that too. I highly recommend this pillow!" —MSC7

Get it from Amazon for $60 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "I've used these bags before and they are so helpful. Even use the medium one for travel and I have tons of extra suitcase room. The clothes don't come out wrinkled at all as long as you fold them nicely before placing in the bag, then the air sucks out keeping them safe and sound and very compact." —Susie Kochsmeier

Get a 3-pack from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in five sizes and four pack quantities).

Promising reviews: "I have been using this product for many years to treat my allergies and I’m very satisfied with it. It relieves my symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itching and watery eyes within an hour and lasts for the whole day (24 hours). It's also much cheaper than other brands and comes in a large bottle that lasts me a long time, almost the entire year. I highly recommend this product to anyone who suffers from allergies." —Albert A.

Get a bottle of 365 pills for $10.72 (available in four different quantities).

Promising reviews: "I have wide feet with high arches, so finding shoes can be a nightmare. These are great! Classic look with lots of comfort." —ActBusy

"I purchased these to travel recently and they are awesome! Very comfortable and great to walk around. They fit perfectly and true to size." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in sizes 6–13W, two widths, and 21 colors).

Promising review: "I was happy to get the quality for reasonable price during sale. I love how this product feels on my skin and able to keep the mosquitos off me efficiently. I’m definitely a magnet so anything that is light weight and durable is great being an active mother. Skin-to-skin safety is important when little ones are wiping their noses on your forearm." —Amanda C.

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $10.98.

Promising review: "I ordered this jacket in a size large (as recommended by the size chart) and it fits perfectly. The fabric is a soft cotton blend with a slight stretch. The hem of the jacket sits mid hip and the sleeves are at my wrist. The collar lays flat with a slight V neckline. The pockets are lined and hold a set of car keys easily. This is gonna be my go-to jacket this Spring and probably through Summer/Fall as well. It's my new favorite!" —Amazon Customer

Get the denim jacket from Amazon for $34.82+ (available in seven colors and in sizes XS–XL). Or you can check out this similar jacket that goes up to a size 6X.

Promising review: "Compact, sturdy, plenty of coverage overhead when opened. Feels well built and doesn't feel like it will break at the first strong gust of wind like some collapsible umbrellas do. Good buy for the money. I have had one for several years and it is still going strong, got another to keep in the car just in case!" —Nathan S.

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in seven colors and three multipack options).

I used this sunscreen before I went on a six-mile walk on one of my favorite trails. Applying it does require a bit of work, especially if you have a darker or deeper skin tone. However, once it was completely blended into my skin, it felt moisturized! It didn't feel heavy, sticky, or greasy and It lasted me the whole time I was at the park. 10/10 would def recommend!

Promising review: "This is an amazingly creamy formula! It adds such a glow to my skin! I feel moisturized all day!!" —Michelle M.

Get it from Dr. Loretta for $60.

The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, key holder, and pen holder.

Promising review: "I absolutely love this wallet. I needed a new travel wallet, and this holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! I can fit my boarding pass, passport, ID, credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, and more in it, yet it doesn't bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess. It's just amazing. The description says it only holds US money, but I just used the boarding pass flap to hold all my Japanese Yen, which are larger. I didn't use the zippered pocket for coins as I much prefer a separate coin purse for that sort of thing. I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!" —Anthony Luu

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in 36 colors).

You can also get a single AirTag for only $29.

Promising review: "While on a delayed flight from Newark to Dublin I could see one of my bags was not on the plane. This was great information because when we arrived in Dublin I was able to be the first one in line to file a missing bag claim." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $89.99.

Promising review: "I took my first solo trip & ordered this for extra security. Was super easy to install & didn't require to leave my hotel door ajar for an extended amount of time for installation. My hotel door didn't even move when I tested out the lock. 10/10 recommend for a peace of mind." —Haley Gribble

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two pack sizes).

Portawipes is a small company based in Wyoming that sells compressed toilet paper tablets.

Promising reviews: "I am impressed with the quality of these wipes. They are durable and cheap! They are a must for everyday carry (EDC), first aid, and bug out bags. There are a couple things to keep in mind. You will need a sharp knife to open the hard plastic packaging. Water is required to make the towel expand. Thus, you cannot use the wipe to dry a wet surface, unless you let it dry first." —Justin B.

"I originally bought these for a backpacking trip into the Wyoming Wilderness. A weight saving move as regular wipes are heavy. Everyone loved these. They weigh nothing and use almost no room in my pack. Easy to use. Add a few drops of water and they expand. Very soft but did not tear. Gave some to my wife for her trip to Spain. She liked them also. Easy to put a tube in her purse, saved a lot of room in her luggage." —KAL In GilbertAZ

Get a 100-pack from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in packs of 40, 50, and 500).

Promising review: "Perfect size for traveling on airplanes, its compact, lightweight and easy to stow away in a carry-on bag. holds perfect amount of water, and the flip top keeps it neat and dry with no drips or leaking." —Bicyclebradley

Get it from Amazon for $13.60+ (available in six colors and two sizes).

Promising review: "I took this fan with me on my two weeklong vacation to Italy in the middle of August, and it literally saved my vacation. We had to stand in long lines outside in the heat and inside cathedrals with no air conditioning or cooling. We took tours riding on buses and trains, you name, and the battery life lasted most of the day. It was easy to charge with my little rechargeable battery pack in my backpack. It's not heavy at all, and I love the way it tilts so that I can put it on the table in front of me on the train or at a cafe. It didn't tip over easily like my friends’ fan did (not this one). I just love it!" —Tracy L. W.

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "Went on a cruise with three other people for seven days and this made life sooo much more fun and relaxing to not have a bad smell ever day. Highly recommend even just for the house you need this!" —Sagirah M. P.

Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in six sizes).

Promising review: "I jumped at the opportunity to purchase these because they come in handy going out to eat, to put in diaper bags, gym bags, totes on road trips, carry on bags for airplanes, and extras in your checked luggage. I found it really helpful to whip out 2 cans to spray hotel room sheets and bathrooms. The only complaint I had was that 2 of my bottles leaked as I was attempting to spray them. In the attempt to spray the sheets before exploring the rest of the room, they leaked everywhere before getting to disinfect other common touched places in the room. They are a bargain and I placed 1 can in each of my pieces of luggage to help me keep germs down." —TJ

Get them from Amazon for $10.50+ (available in six sizes).

Promising review: "I took these on a recent trip. Stayed at a hotel. Wasn't sure how they would be. They were GREAT. The drape is puddling smooth. Really comfortable and warm. No crinkling "noise" at all. Planning to order more to keep on hand. Love that pillow case covers are included. Then disposable makes them absolutely perfect. I feel so much better sleeping on sheets I know are clean and impermeable than questionable ones." —Cary K.

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two quantities and two sizes).

Promising review: "These panties are very comfortable. They also roll up compactly for travel. I’m going to order another set, but I think I’ll order a size larger next time. The instructions say to lay them flat to dry but I washed them in the washing machine and dried them in the dryer on low. They’ve came out fine after several washings. They’re lightweight enough that I think they’ll dry quickly if I have to wash them in the sink while traveling." —World Traveler

Get it from Amazon for $8.75+ (available in sizes XXS–6X, in 39 styles, and in a pack of six or a pack of 10.)

Promising review: "I’ve been using Aveeno lotion for years. It's light enough to put on the face without that greasy feeling. With the cold dry winters and hot dry summer heat I find using Aveeno really helps keep my skin from drying out. I’ve never had it cause any breakouts. It works well all over the body to keep skin well hydrated without causing skin irritation. It's a lot less expensive than so many of the designer lotions and it works just as well, if not better. There's no scent to this lotion and I appreciate that. I’m not a fan of strong smelling lotions. My 95 year old mother in law as been using Aveeno lotion forever and her skin looks amazing! I’m hoping I’ll end up looking as great as she does in the years to come.I highly recommend this product.( and a big thank you to my mother in law for telling me about it)! ❤️" —TMLR

Get it from Amazon for $9.64.

Check out our full review of Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Toner.

Promising review: "I swear by this stuff! I’ve purchased maybe 6 bottles of this to date but I much prefer amazons prices over target. First off, the packaging is so well designed and gorgeous but even better, it has A TON of uses. I use Thayers 2x daily as my toner because it doesn't have any alcohol and does a great job of evening out texture. My boyfriend uses this as his ONLY moisturizer on a daily basis and still has baby soft skin. It makes a wonderful skin refreshing spray when put into a spray bottle. We use this a lot in the summer on sunburns. Works even better than aloe in my opinion and will take the burn away in less than a day with consistent application. I use it as a one of the bases in my homemade bug spray...the list really could go on! It's one of my holy grail all-purpose products that I will surely continue to purchase time and time again." —Shelby G.

Get it from Amazon for $10.32+ (available in six formulas and a two piece set).

Promising review: "I travel frequently internationally for work and often spend upward of 20 hours on a plane as I fly to various locations. A few colleagues have told me that compression socks greatly improve travel, and I finally bought a pair to try them out. I finished a series of flights to get from Washington, DC, to Abuja, Nigeria, and after over 12 hours in the air and 24 hours in transit with my compression socks on the whole time, I feel great! It made a huge difference and definitely increased my comfort while on the plane. I plan to buy a second pair when I get back to the US." —Alexandra

Get them from Amazon for $17.12+ (available in sizes S–XXL and in 13 colors).

And check out our full review of the Physix Gear compression socks here.

The snap-and-go feature of this charger is made for all versions of the iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 and AirPod cases. It also comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable. If you have a different model iPhone, you can just grab the matching lightning cable so it works for them!

Promising review: "Seriously — All of their products lately have been exceptionally great. The quality of this device feel premium, great battery life, holds onto my 12 Pro Max like a champ, even through the case! Bravo!" —Dev

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising reviews: "This is my holy grail for preventing blisters. It has gotten me through all-day backpacking trips, hikes, trail runs, etc. It is also great for days when I wear heels/uncomfortable shoes. I will buy this body glide for the rest of my life — no question." —Ally

"This is an amazing product! I used to have to wear band aids on my heels to prevent rubbing from shoes. Now I put this product on and I don't need the band aids! It forms a coating on your skin so your shoes simply run smoothly against your heel instead of chafing it. So great." —Twinkies

Get it from Amazon for $9 (also available in a pack of two).

Promising review: "I am not one for noise but I started using my phone to play YouTube videos of it raining. This device is so light and small, and has so many options. I have now created a habit of listening to the rainfall throughout my sleep. I track my sleep on my Apple Watch and this has increased my quality of sleep. It's so easy to travel with because it is so light and compact with the perfect volume adjustment." —Patricia L.

Get it from Amazon for $24+ (available in three colors).

Not talking from experience...not at all. 😬

Promising review: "I travel frequently both for work and pleasure and always find myself laughing around a bag full of power cords and converter depending on the country I am visiting. This useful tool has saved me at least 5 lbs worth of excess luggage (a multitude of extension cords, power connectors and external plugs) by consolidating the my connection needs into one tool. This power bank comes with 2 plugs (you can choose configuration based on the country specific outlets) and 4 usb plugs. The travel bag makes it convenient and keeps it organized. This is a great investment and value for the price." —LocalistGal

Get it from Amazon for $39.98.

EverSnug is a small business that sells travel sleeping care kits.

Promising review: "This product in my opinion it is worth it if you are traveling anywhere in the world. I just traveled to five different countries with it and I traveled by airplane by bus by train, and in every single one of my travels. This was a godsend. It is so good so fluffy and it's good quality because it has been through a lot and it's still in very good shape so I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a blanket which can potentially turn into a pillow now a lot of people were talking about it not being able to be a pillow if you made it into a blanket but if you have a jacket with you or anything else with your scarf, anything you can put it inside the pillow case and voilà, you have a pillow and a blanket at the same time, so I highly recommend it if you’re traveling, it is a beautiful blanket and you will not be disappointed." —Kenlbel

Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in six colors).

Perilogics is a small business based in New York that sells creative, functional and practical everyday products.

Promising review: "I purchased the drink holder for my suitcase. This was something that I didn't realize I needed. It held my coffee without leaning over. The quality is good for the cost." —sustaitajennifer1

Get it from Perilogics on Etsy for $14.97 (available in two colors).

It also comes with a lifetime warranty, a 100-day trial, *and* free returns! You can also get it personalized for additional $50.

July is an Australian-based luggage startup that was founded in 2018 and is now the official luggage supplier of the Australian Winter Olympic team.

Promising review: "I bought the checked monochrome and I love it. It looks great and the quality is top notch. I really like that the TSA lock is on the top. The material of the interior is great. The leather trims look and feel fantastic. The compression strap is also extremely durable. I did not realize the zippered flap had a pouch so that was an added bonus. The wheels are silky smooth as well. The personalization also looks amazing with the black on white." —July Customer

Get it from July for $325 (available in 15 colors).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.