Over the years—and across countless flights, road trips, and early airport mornings—we’ve slowly curated a list of travel gear we never leave home without. These are the tried-and-true essentials that make our travels smoother, more comfortable, and a lot more organized. Whether you’re gearing up for your first international adventure or looking to upgrade your go-to travel items, here’s a peek into what’s in our bags.

 Suitcase – Away Carry-On

This has been our go-to suitcase for most trips, especially when we want to pack light but smart. The Away carry-on is sleek, durable, and perfectly fits in the overhead bin. We love the built-in compression system, and the removable laundry bag is a small touch that makes a big difference. It even fit all of our clothes—including bulky snowboarding gear—for a 1.5 week trip to Whistler.

Day Backpack – North Face Vault or Recon

We switch between the North Face Vault and Recon backpacks depending on the trip. Both are comfortable to wear all day and have plenty of space for everything we need without being too bulky. From hikes to city days, this is our everyday bag when we’re on the move.

Crossbody Bag – Lululemon

This Lululemon crossbody bag is great for exploring cities or crowded tourist spots. It’s compact, sleek, and holds just the essentials like a phone, wallet, and a few small extras. It’s especially useful in places where pickpocketing can be an issue, since it stays close to your body and zips securely.

Nite Ize S-Biner MicroLock

This small but mighty gear addition has come in handy time and time again. We use these stainless steel MicroLocks to secure the zippers on our backpacks or crossbody bags—especially in places where pickpocketing is a concern. The locking dual gates make it harder for someone to quietly unzip your bag. They’re also great for clipping keys, securing luggage compartments, or attaching small accessories. Lightweight and easy to pack, but they add an extra layer of peace of mind.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

These are a game-changer for long flights. I prefer Bluetooth headphones for the wireless freedom, but I’ve learned the hard way that Bluetooth can act up mid-flight—so I always bring a wired backup, just in case. Blocking out engine noise and crying babies makes a world of difference.

Passport Holder

We mainly use our passport holder when we’re cruising or flying internationally. It keeps our passports, boarding passes, and travel documents all in one place, which makes airport days and embarkation smoother.

Insulated Water Bottle

Hydration on the go is non-negotiable. We bring an insulated water bottle that keeps water cold for hours—especially important in hot climates or long travel days. Plus, it helps us cut down on plastic waste while we travel.

Portable Charger

We never travel without these. We have two portable chargers that we rotate between—they’re affordable, have held up for over two years, and can charge our phones from 0 to 100% two to three times. Perfect for long travel days when outlets are hard to come by.

International Power Adapter

An absolute must for international travel. One good universal adapter can charge all your devices in pretty much any country. Ours has USB and USB-C ports too, so we can charge multiple devices at once. It’s compact, reliable, and saves us from carrying a bunch of different plugs.