We are two former full-time travelers who spent our 30s living out of backpacks and carry-ons, so we have strong opinions about bag space. Every item has to earn its spot or it stays home. These are the 19 that made the cut, and every one of them lives on our Amazon list. Our packing video shows the whole system in action.
Heading out on a long walk instead of a flight? Our Camino packing list covers what we actually carried for 500 miles.
Our Essentials at a Glance
These 19 items cover luggage, wallets, packing, toiletries, sleep, water, and power. Here is the lineup by category:
- Luggage and backpacks (Coolife set, BAGSMART duffle, BAGSMART backpack)
- Wallets and waist bags (Jonon, Kiyrnie, Travelambo)
- Packing and organization (Surblue organizer, Lumintrail locks, South Bend box)
- Toiletries and personal care (AMMAX bottles, Palladio tint, DrySnugs towels)
- Sleep gear (Hikenture pillow, Friendly Swede liner)
- Water and coffee (SurviMate bottle, Zhuohai dripper)
- Tech, power, and planning (Jarvania adapter, Seagate drive, Rick Steves guides)
Luggage and Backpacks
We will be honest, we do not buy expensive luggage. Our bags get dragged across cobblestones, run across the beach, thrown, kicked, and sat on, and the pricey ones never held up much better than the cheap ones. They also weigh more, and gadgets like plug-ins and cup holders only eat the space we need for clothes. So we wear a bag out, replace it, and never get stuck with one we do not like.
Coolife Hardshell Luggage Set
Every black suitcase in the airport looks like yours until you check the tag. The brown bands on the Coolife set settle that argument from across the room. Ryan likes a rolling hard bag with a matching backpack, so a set was an easy pick. The listing sells several set sizes, so choose the 3-piece option with the backpack before you check out.
- 20-inch polycarbonate hardshell with spinner wheels
- Built-in TSA lock
- Backpack with multiple pockets for organized packing
- Matching toiletry bag
- Vintage look with vegan leather accents
BAGSMART Rolling Duffle Bag
The BAGSMART duffle rolls when you want it to, but I almost never ask it to. It tilts if you pack it wrong, and it does fall over too. I carry mine like a regular duffle bag 99% of the time, and that is exactly why I like it. If you need a solid rolling bag, this one is not for you.
- 42L capacity, about 21.9 x 9.1 x 13.4 inches
- Telescopic handle and thick wheels
- Lockable two-way zippers
- Large wet pocket for swimsuits and sneakers
BAGSMART Travel Backpack
The BAGSMART backpack is the personal item that lets me sneak in one more pair of shoes. I bought my first BAGSMART in 2020 as a camera pack, and it slid under the airplane seat, just barely. The back strap on this one slides over a suitcase handle, so it rides on top of your rolling bag through the airport. Your shoulders will thank you after a long travel day.
- 17.3 x 12.6 x 7.9 inches
- Padded compartment for a 15.6 inch laptop
- Separate side compartment for shoes
- PVC wet pocket for toiletries and damp items
- Padded straps with a breathable mesh back
Wallets and Waist Bags
Passports and cash deserve better than a back pocket. I once had my passport checked 16 times for a single flight in India, so I like mine where I can reach it without digging. We even packed our entire Camino into one bag and two fanny packs.
Jonon Leather Waist Bag
I do not care if they are not cool, a fanny pack is the easiest, safest, and most versatile place for passports and money when traveling. It counts as clothing instead of a bag when you fly, so it gives you extra storage for free. I am also pretty good at losing stuff, and it is hard to lose something tied around your waist. The Jonon bag is the one I have had the longest, and the expansion belt is a bit of a pain in the butt, but I like the Boho look and it is so handy.
- Genuine cow leather
- About 9.4 x 1.6 x 5.5 inches
- 4 compartments
- Adjustable strap fits waists from 25 to 50 inches
- Unisex design
Kiyrnie Belt Bag
The Kiyrnie bag is another fanny pack, and I stand by it. This one is sporty and washable, so it takes the sweaty days that the leather one should skip. Yes, you will look like a dork. Your passport will not mind.
- Water-resistant Oxford cloth
- Three pockets, including a back mesh pocket
- Wears crossbody or around the waist
- Key hook inside the main pocket
- Removable zipper pulls for hanging charms
Travelambo Slim Wallet
A slim wallet that slides into your front pocket is the safest way to not get pickpocketed. The Travelambo wallet is thin enough that you will forget it is there. It holds six cards, so pick your favorites and leave the rest at home.
- 3.1 x 4.4 x 0.12 inches
- 6 card slots
- RFID blocking tested for the 13.56 MHz frequency used by credit cards and licenses
- Does not block hotel key cards or access badges that use 142 kHz
- Handmade leather
Packing and Organization
Our packing system is simple. Cheap packing cubes work fine, and the compression bags we tried broke after about two trips. A hanging organizer, a set of locks, and a small box fill in the rest.
Surblue Hanging Closet Bag
I can pack a whole wardrobe in my carry-on thanks to this little genius. The Surblue organizer folds flat for the trip, then hangs from a hook in the closet or on the bathroom door. Unpacking takes about as long as finding the hook.
- Collapsible 3-shelf design
- XL size hangs at 17.71 x 11.81 x 20 inches
- Water-resistant Oxford cloth with mesh panels
- Stainless steel hook
- Double-sided zipper
Lumintrail TSA Locks
We use the Lumintrail locks to lock up our bags in hostels or at the beach. The TSA symbol means agents can open and inspect your bag without cutting the lock, and they have to re-lock it before they put their key away. Pick a code you will remember (and skip 1234).
- 2-pack with 4-digit combinations
- 4-foot steel cable
- High contrast dials that are easy to read
- Also fits backpack zippers, gym lockers, and toolboxes
South Bend Utility Box
Yes, we carry our vitamins in a fishing tackle box, and yes, it looks ridiculous. The South Bend box replaces a whole row of bottles in my toiletry bag. I peel the labels off the bottles and stick them on the box so TSA does not blink an eye, and nobody has ever stopped us. I cannot promise the same for you.
- 6 fixed compartments
- 5.75 x 3.7 x 1 inches
- Explorer Series utility box
- Low price point
Toiletries and Personal Care
Toiletries cause plenty of drama at airport security. We skip aerosols, carry a bar of soap, and buy shampoo when we land. Silicone bottles, a multi-use makeup stick, and a quick-dry towel handle the rest.
AMMAX Travel Bottles
A toiletry bag full of leaked shampoo is a rough way to start a trip, so I chose the AMMAX bottles. They are silicone and they do not leak, and they hold up trip after trip.
- 4-pack of 3 fl oz bottles
- Refillable
- Squeezable tube design
- Hand wash only
- 5.6 ounces for the whole set
Palladio Cheek and Lip Tint
Powder makeup in a suitcase ends with eyeshadow everywhere and blush crumbled into a mist. The Palladio tint is a cream stick that works as blush, lip gloss, and eye shadow, and you apply it with your fingertip. That is three products and one tool you get to leave at home.
- Sheer, buildable cream stick with a shimmery finish
- Comes in 6 shades
- Cruelty-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free
- Made with aloe, camellia, and chamomile
DrySnugs Travel Towels
You will get wet. Showers, rainy days, and the occasional picnic blanket situation all call for a towel, and a regular bath towel eats up too much bag space. The DrySnugs towels let one hang off your bag to dry while the other one gets to work.
- 2-pack with one large and one medium towel
- Quick-dry microfiber
- Sold for travel, camping, gym, and beach use
Sleep Gear
Your bed changes almost every night when you travel. A pillow and a sleep sheet give you the same setup everywhere, even in the pilgrim hostels our Camino preparation guide covers.
Hikenture Inflatable Pillow
The Hikenture pillow is one of the better cheap travel pillows we have found so far, and it beats a rolled-up jacket after a long day. It holds its air all night, so you do not wake up with your head on the mattress. The cover goes in the wash, which matters for anything your face touches for weeks.
- Ultralight and packable
- Ergonomic neck and lumbar support
- Removable, washable cover with a cotton outer layer
- Separate thickened TPU air bladder
Friendly Swede Sleeping Bag Liner
Not every bunk comes with clean linens, and some mattresses have clearly lived a full life. The Friendly Swede liner puts a fresh layer between you and all of that. It also protects your sleeping bag, so it earns its spot even when the bed looks fine. The pillow pocket lets you use the pillow the bed gives you and still lie on a clean surface, even when the pillow is not clean.
- 41 x 86 inches inside
- 9.17 ounces
- Packs down to 6 x 8 inches
- Full-length side zipper
- Machine washable
- Ultralight polyester, with a microfiber option for cold weather
Water and Coffee
Hiking days and hotel mornings come down to two things, water and coffee. Both of these pack small, and both make us far more pleasant to travel with.
SurviMate Filter Bottle
You can drink out of a river if you need to. The SurviMate bottle even has a compass on the cap, which seems fitting for a blog called Lost Among Locals. Read the filtration details on the product page before you drink from any wild water, because water rules change from place to place.
- 5-stage filter with a 0.01 micron hollow fiber membrane
- Activated carbon and purification beads to reduce chlorine and odor
- BPA free
Zhuohai Collapsible Coffee Dripper
Coffee is a must, and hotel room coffee is a gamble. The Zhuohai dripper opens over your mug as soon as you find hot water. It needs paper filters, which do not come in the box, so pack a few.
- Food-grade silicone, BPA free
- Heat resistant from minus 40 to 446 degrees Fahrenheit
- Collapses flat
- Washable
Tech, Power, and Planning
Phones, cameras, and hair dryers each need power, and every country has its own idea about plugs. These three items cover power, storage, and planning.
Jarvania Adapter and Converter
I want to safely plug in all my devices, no matter where I am. We have carried a multi-nation converter since we hit the road in 2020, and the Jarvania adapter is our current one. Check the label on each device first, since a 120V only device needs the converter mode, while a 120-240V device needs only a plug adapter.
Italy runs on 230V power with Type C, F, and L sockets, so a 120V hair dryer needs a converter or a dual-voltage replacement. The UK uses Type G sockets and Australia uses Type I.
- 4 retractable plugs for the EU, UK, US, and Australia
- Converter mode steps 220V down to 120V
- 880W maximum for hair dryers and similar devices
- Works as a plug adapter alone for dual-voltage devices
Seagate 5TB Portable Drive
You will fill up your phone quick with all those photos, so keep a backup. A Seagate 5TB has traveled with us since 2020, when video footage and RAW photos from our camera started eating all our storage. It is a big boy and a little heavy, but it is necessary.
- 5TB with USB 3.0, for Mac and Windows
- Brushed metal case
- 1 year of Mylio Create and 2 months of Adobe Creative Cloud Photography
- 2-year limited warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services
- Mac Time Machine may need reformatting
Rick Steves Travel Guides
I recommend only Rick Steves travel books, whatever country you are visiting. Pick the guide that matches your destination, and the Italy guide is the one on our list. It covers multi-week trips, so it works for a long loop through the country.
- 28th edition, published June 3, 2025
- 1,232 pages
- 4.6 x 8 inches and 1.45 pounds
- #1 in Vatican travel guides at the time we checked
Packing Day Game Plan
What you pack is important, but how you pack it is the difference between a smooth trip, looking like a pro, and a fumbling mess of embarrassment with all of TSA watching. Start with what needs to stay reachable at security and on the plane, then fill the rest of the bag around it. Pack your carry-on in this order:
- Put the AMMAX bottles in one clear quart-size bag and keep it on top.
- Slide your laptop into the padded sleeve of the BAGSMART backpack and your shoes into the side compartment.
- Keep the Jarvania adapter in a pocket you can reach right after landing.
- Pack the pillow and the Rick Steves guide in your personal item for the flight.
Trip Type Shortcuts
- Hostel stays call for the sleeping bag liner, the locks, and the quick-dry towels.
- Europe city trips call for the adapter, the Rick Steves guide, the slim wallet, and the backpack.
- Hiking and camping trips call for the filter bottle, the coffee dripper, and the inflatable pillow.
- Photo-heavy trips call for the Seagate drive, so you can back up as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Packing lists raise the same questions again and again. These four come up the most.
What Are the Most Essential Travel Items to Pack?
The most essential travel items are a bag you trust, a safe place for passports and money, a way to organize your clothes, and a plan for toiletries, power, and sleep. Our list covers each of those with 19 specific picks, from a hardshell luggage set and a leather fanny pack to a power adapter and an inflatable pillow. Start with the items that solve your biggest annoyance, then add the rest as your trips get longer.
What Size Liquids Can I Bring in a Carry-On?
Each liquid, gel, or aerosol in a carry-on must hold 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, and all of them must fit in one clear quart-size bag. Medically necessary liquids and baby items are exceptions, and travelers should declare them to a TSA officer. Check the TSA website before you fly, since rules can change.
Do I Need an Adapter or a Converter for Europe?
You need a plug adapter for every device, and you need a converter only for devices that cannot handle European voltage. Check each device label. Anything marked 120-240V works with just an adapter, while a device marked 120V only needs a converter too.
What Is a Sleeping Bag Liner Used for in Hostels?
A sleeping bag liner is a thin sleep sack that adds your own layer between you and the bedding in hostels and hotels. It also keeps your sleeping bag clean on hiking trips. The Friendly Swede liner measures 41 x 86 inches inside, weighs 9.17 ounces, and machine washes.
Time to Pack
That is our full list, and yes, we own all of it. Pick the pieces that fit your next trip, or shop everything on our complete Amazon list. Then tell us in the comments what we missed.
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