Essential Travel Gear: My Top 5 Travel Products of 2017
Choosing the right gear can significantly enhance your travel experiences. These 5 must-have travel products of 2017 made adventures smoother and more enjoyable!
Traveling is an incredible experience, offering invaluable life lessons and unforgettable memories. I cherish every opportunity to travel, especially when my family can join me. These adventures are truly priceless!
However, let’s be honest: not every aspect of traveling is glamorous or exciting. Sometimes, the gear we choose can either contribute to an enjoyable travel experience or create unnecessary hassles and frustrations.
As my food, wine, and travel blog approaches its 13th anniversary this fall, I can’t help but reflect on the graveyard of travel gear I’ve accumulated over the years. I’ve tried countless suitcases, laptop bags, and disappointing products that barely survived a single trip, let alone the multiple trips each season required for a travel blogger.
My 5 Favorite Travel Products of 2017
Today, I’m excited to share my top 5 travel products that have proven their worth through numerous journeys. I wholeheartedly endorse these products and give them my personal travel blogger seal of approval! If you’re in the market for new travel gear, these are my top recommendations.
1. Hard-Shell Spinner Carry-On Suitcase
Since I prefer to travel with carry-ons whenever possible, I always look for high-quality, hard-shell spinner suitcases that are lightweight yet spacious.
The Samsonite Omni PC 24″ Spinner in Caribbean Blue has been my constant companion lately. It has accompanied me on all my recent trips and has proven to be incredibly durable!
First, let’s talk about the color. I used to stick to black luggage, thinking it was more streamlined and sophisticated. However, I’ve learned that it’s much more enjoyable to have suitcases with designs that reflect your personality – and unique colors, patterns, and styles that make it easier to spot on the baggage claim belt, should you decide to check your luggage.
My only minor complaint is that the bottom back wheels occasionally don’t roll as smoothly as I’d like on thick carpet. Otherwise, this suitcase is perfect! It fits in all the overhead bins of the US airlines I’ve flown, and I plan to take it on my upcoming international flight as well. It features an expandable design, a TSA lock, and surprising spaciousness.
I recently managed to fit all my clothes, shoes, and toiletries, as well as my tween and teenager’s clothes, shoes, and toiletries, into this one suitcase for a 3-day trip. I absolutely love it!
2. Packing Cubes: The Ultimate Travel Organizer
I swear by packing cubes when I travel. They’re essential for keeping my suitcase organized and maximizing space.
I thrive on order and clear compartmentalization, and packing cubes in various sizes help me neatly organize all my belongings.
The photo above is from our recent trip to Salishan Spa & Golf Resort on the Oregon Coast (blog post coming soon!). The Lewis N Clark Electrolite Medium Expandable Packing Cube 2 Pack (shown on the left) is my go-to for trips. When traveling with family, each child packs all their clothes into one cube. The large packing cube (shown on the bottom right corner) holds all my clothes.
The middle green Eagle Creek packing cube holds all our toiletries. I love this one because it has a loop at the top for easy hanging in hotel bathrooms.
I use my Lewis N Clark Electrolite Small Expandable Packing Cube (pictured above, left) for all our (many) electronic chargers. Finally, the Lewis N Clark Electrolite Expandable Shoe Packing Cube holds extra shoes; it usually accommodates two pairs of my shoes.
3. Laptop Carry-On Bag: A Travel Essential for Professionals
Having traveled for work for the past 20 years, I’ve gone through numerous laptop bags in search of the perfect one.
For the past year, the Lewis N Clark WEA RFID-Blocking Tote has been my faithful companion. It has joined me on trips to Kauai, Hawaii, New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Oregon Coast, as well as a recent girls’ getaway to the Oregon Garden Resort.
This stunning Lewis N Clark WEA RFID-Blocking Tote in Teal complements the Samsonite spinner suitcase perfectly and is the ideal size for a weekend bag: not too big, not too small.
It fits comfortably under the seat in front of you on flights and has a detachable strap that transforms it into a crossbody/messenger bag for easy carrying through the airport. It features side pockets for water bottles, phones, and snacks; a front pocket for pens, a wristlet, and a wallet; an inside padded section for your laptop; interior pockets; a back zip pocket that can be used for additional storage or to slide over the suitcase handle for easy rolling; and a spacious open compartment in the middle.
4. Laundry Bag: Keeping Dirty Clothes Separate and Organized
Initially, I purchased this laundry bag on a whim. However, for the past three years, it has been an essential part of nearly every trip I’ve taken. The bag folds easily into a tiny matching pouch with a snap closure, slightly larger than a mini hand sanitizer container. It’s incredibly convenient to have a separate, easy-to-wash bag to hold all dirty clothes in one neat area while traveling.
I originally bought the bag at The Container Store, but similar Travel Laundry Bags are available on Amazon.
5. Global Adapter: A Must-Have for International Travel
While not a packing-related product, a global adapter is arguably one of the most crucial travel accessories for international trips. I’ve tried various adapters, and the Lewis N Clark model is my favorite so far. It includes a USB charger, a valuable addition compared to other global adapters, and the four most common plug configurations, allowing you to plug in your electronics in over 175 countries.
When traveling, the gear you choose is vital. It can significantly impact the enjoyment of a vacation or the efficiency of a work trip. I’ve learned through experience that you generally get what you pay for. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy the most expensive products. Mid-range travel gear often performs exceptionally well for regular, light adventure travel and family trips.
Do you use similar products when you travel? Do you have any travel gear that has withstood the test of time and the elements throughout your travels? I’d love to hear about your experiences!
More Travel Tips and Resources
Road Trip Travel Tips Plus a Free Travel Packing List Printable
Tips for Long Distance Flights With Kids
2019 Best Black Friday Deals for Foodies and Travel Lovers
Travel Photo Storage: Fast, Tiny Portable SSD Drive
Lewis N. Clark Travel Bags and Accessories
Travel Tech Gear
Tech Gear Review: Swagger Tags
Disclosure: Some of the items featured here were purchased with my own money, while others were sent as media samples. All items have been thoroughly tested by me on several trips and are my personal go-to travel products. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.