Travel Essentials: Favorite Lifestyle Products from Frequent Travelers
Discover the must-have travel essentials that frequent travelers swear by. This curated list features insights from seasoned globetrotters on products that enhance every journey. From packing light to staying comfortable and protecting the environment, these expert-recommended items promise to transform your travel experience.
- Pack Light for Enhanced Travel Experiences
- Reusable Water Bottle Promotes Mindful Travel
- Travel Pillow Ensures Restful Journey
- Noise-Canceling Headphones Create Personal Oasis
- Portable Speaker Brings Comfort to Unfamiliar Places
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen Protects Skin and Environment
- Supplements Boost Well-Being During Adventures
Pack Light for Enhanced Travel Experiences
In my continuing effort to teach the world about packing less and traveling more, I have come to this conclusion: either everything a minimalist packs is a ‘lifestyle product’, or nothing is. I tend to say nothing is.
Travel itself is a lifestyle that not all of us are able to do as much as we’d like. Having great travel gear, good clothes that work across cultures, weather conditions, and styles, and having the perfect modular backpack system, like Idea Mountain’s Journey System, are all part of this lifestyle. Being able to travel to a foreign land and spend time there is a luxury lifestyle.
My advice would be to try and cut down on the entirety of your gear when you travel – look to take less. By packing light, your experience of flexibility, less stress, and ease of movement will enhance your travel. You’ll experience more of the new culture and less of the ‘travel drag’ that extra stuff brings with it.
Travel light. Go far.
Tys Sniffen
Founder, Idea Mountain
Reusable Water Bottle Promotes Mindful Travel
One lifestyle product I always make sure to pack when I travel is a reusable water bottle. It might seem like a small item, but it genuinely makes a big difference to my overall experience. Whether I’m navigating airports, heading out on long day trips, or exploring new cities on foot, having water with me keeps me feeling energised and focused throughout the day.
Beyond convenience, it’s also about being mindful. Carrying a reusable bottle helps me reduce single-use plastic, which feels like a small but meaningful way to travel more responsibly. Especially on active or outdoor trips, where access to shops can be limited or expensive, it’s reassuring to know I’m prepared and staying hydrated.
It’s become an essential part of my routine and not just because it’s practical, but because it supports the kind of travel I enjoy: thoughtful, prepared, and low-impact. Packing it is a small habit that enhances both comfort and peace of mind, no matter the destination.
Robert McIntosh
Managing Director, Interschool Travel
Travel Pillow Ensures Restful Journey
One lifestyle product I always ensure finds a place in my luggage is a comfortable, high-quality travel pillow. For me, it’s more than just a cushion; it’s a key to arriving at my destination feeling refreshed and ready to explore.
Long flights or even extended car rides can take a real toll on your neck and shoulders. A supportive travel pillow makes all the difference in preventing stiffness and discomfort, allowing me to actually rest en route. This means I can hit the ground running, whether I’m eager to hike a new trail or simply want to enjoy my first evening without feeling completely drained.
Ultimately, this simple item enhances my entire travel experience by prioritizing my well-being. Being able to sleep comfortably during transit is invaluable, ensuring I can fully embrace every moment of my adventure.
Bruce Fisher
Owner, Hawaii Aloha Travel
Noise-Canceling Headphones Create Personal Oasis
One lifestyle product I never leave home without when I travel is my compact noise-canceling headphones. Whether I’m on a long flight, a busy train, or in a noisy hotel, they create a quiet bubble that helps me relax and focus. I use them to listen to music, podcasts, or even guided meditation, which makes a huge difference in managing travel stress and jet lag. What makes them essential for me is their portability and battery life—they fold up small and last through multiple flights without needing a recharge. They also help me concentrate when working remotely, allowing me to tune out distractions and be more productive. Having this small, reliable tool enhances my overall travel experience by improving my comfort, mental clarity, and ability to unwind no matter where I am.
Nikita Sherbina
Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen
Portable Speaker Brings Comfort to Unfamiliar Places
A favorite lifestyle product I always pack when traveling is a high-quality, portable Bluetooth speaker. It enhances my travel experience by allowing me to create a familiar and relaxing atmosphere wherever I am—whether in a hotel room, a rental apartment, or even outdoors (respectfully, of course). Listening to my own music or podcasts helps me unwind after a long day of exploring or working. It’s essential for me because it brings a sense of comfort and normalcy to unfamiliar environments, making any space feel a bit more like home.
Amir Husen
Content Writer, SEO Specialist & Associate, ICS Legal
Reef-Safe Sunscreen Protects Skin and Environment
A favorite lifestyle product I always make sure to pack when I travel is my Suntribe sunscreen. It’s completely natural, reef-safe, and free from harmful chemicals, which gives me great peace of mind as I layer it on my skin each day, especially if it’s a hot destination! I love that it’s made with just a handful of ingredients, so it’s gentle on my skin and safe for marine life.
It’s essential for me because I prefer to travel to sunny locations, and I want something that protects my skin without harming the places I explore. Plus, it comes in plastic-free packaging, which fits in perfectly with my goal of reducing waste while traveling. It’s one of those small things that makes me feel good about how I travel, knowing that I am doing my part to protect my health while not harming the environment!
Caitriona McTiernan
Owner, The Facts Institute
Supplements Boost Well-Being During Adventures
For me, it’s my supplements! Traveling is already tough on the body. Usually, I want to be outdoors and having fun, not exhausted recovering from jet lag.
The bare essentials are melatonin (to help adjust your sleep schedule quickly) and probiotics (to help restore your gut flora, especially if you’re drinking alcohol).
Christine Kaczmar
Digestion Doctor, Laser Slim
