It's funny to think about , the I met one of my first (and most useful) travel accessories.
To understand this story, you need to know that One of the coolest things about my work exchange at Disney was that company employees had discounts on products. Not only that, there was a merchandise defective, where the items were extremely cheap. It's easy to see that, at the end of the program, I had lots of something to take home.
At the time, I distributed the clothes and stuffed animals into two large suitcases, trying to keep both of them the same weight, and I arrived at the airport confident that everything was ok. As I placed each of them on the scale, I realized that my calculations were wrong. bem wrong: one of the suitcases was almost 40 kg, while another was just over 20 kg.
I was left a little desperate because I thought I wouldn't be able to organize my things in both suitcases. There was little time left before the flight, and I would need to pay a huge fine for excess baggage…
Until a boy passed by, who was also in the program with us, offering me the bag balance from him. This was one of my first international trips, and I didn't even know that such a thing existed! I was enchanted by such genius from whoever invented this accessory, and I managed to quickly arrange everything in the airport lounge.
After that day, every time someone talks about new travel accessories, I'm already putting it on my list to test. Most of them are not needed, but they make things easier at different times, such as packing your suitcase, going on trips and even everyday life in another city.
In this post I selected the travel accessories that I consider most useful, and I recommend that you invest in them if you are going to venture around the world frequently. Almost all of them are cheap and can be found in several stores.
All the products mentioned in this post have links to Amazon, so you can buy them quickly without leaving home. Some of them, unfortunately, still don't sell in Brazil or don't have an equivalent here, that's why I put links to the American store.
11 Travel Accessories You Need to Know
1 – Water bottle with built-in filter
An invention that helps you save money and reduce plastic consumption at the same time.
A bottle with a built-in filter makes it possible to safely drink water directly from the tap, eliminating the need to buy small bottles throughout the day, or larger ones to leave in the hotel room. It is also a great option for those who go camping or hiking, as it can filter the water found along the way.
The most modern models include two-stage filters, which act both to remove bacteria and protozoa, and to reduce the amount of chlorine. The number of uses depends on the manufacturer, but most brands allow you to purchase additional filters separately.
The most famous company in this field is LifeStraw, which also sells filters for personal use (like a straw) and lids with filters attached to use with other bottles. For travel, the ideal is LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle, BPA free and with straw attached. In this model, a single bacteria filter is enough for up to 1000 liters.
2 – Tripod with remote control
Even those who don't travel alone can benefit from purchasing a lightweight and portable tripod, along with a remote control for the cell phoner. This duo allows you to take photos without having to ask for help from strangers (who usually cut out the landscape you wanted to portray, lol), and can make your clicks even more fun.
The ideal is to opt for tripods that weigh little, as the aim is to carry it with you throughout the day. The coolest thing is that, nowadays, most models have a flexible rod, which can “hold on” to places like branches and benches.
If you are going to use a traditional tripod, it is a good idea to purchase one. cell phone adapter, especially if it's going to be your only gadget while traveling. O remote control bluetooth It's also cool for controlling clicks from a distance, but you can get by with the function timer (although it is more work).
3 – Packaging Cubes
Among all the travel accessories, the one I use most are the packing cubes. They are small bags that help organize your suitcase, and are made of different colors, sizes and materials.
I usually use a large one for blouses and dresses, another for coats, a medium one for pants and shorts, and a small one for workout clothes or other activities. When putting everything inside the luggage it's like a puzzle, it takes up a little more space than rolls but it's more organized.
I gave other tips on how to use the packing cubes and I showed the best brands in this post.
4 – Electronic suitcase scale
I couldn't help but include the star of my story! A suitcase scale It's useful both at home, when you're packing your things, and at the end of the trip to organize your return luggage.
Most of them have a hook or strap to attach to the suitcase handle, and then you just have to lift it to find out how heavy it is. There are models with pointers and electronics, and I consider the latter to be more reliable. I don’t know why, but my most “simple” tend to deregulate after a while.
Be careful to choose a scale that reaches 32kg, not just 23kg. If you buy in the United States, check if it is possible to change the values to kilos, as they use pounds there to calculate weight.
5 – Waterproof cell phone case
One of the cheapest travel accessories on this list, a waterproof case It is not just ideal for those going to the beach, but for any outdoor trip, as it also protects against snow and sand.
The most popular models look like a small bag and are transparent so you can take photos while your phone is inside the bag. CASE. Depending on the phone the touch screen It may or may not work inside the case, but it's not much of a problem since in general the volume button can also be used to make clicks.
Before using, make sure you understand how the opening and closing mechanism works by testing it with a paper towel to see if water is entering. You can also leave some air inside the case so that it floats if it falls into the water.
6 – Waterproof jacket
No matter the season of the year, a raincoat It's always useful and should always go in your bag! The best ones protect against both rain and wind, and have pockets that will keep your belongings dry even during storms.
There are several models, from the basic ones that serve more as a rain cover to the more advanced ones that also offer thermal protection. It is important to choose one that is waterproof, and not just waterproof, as this last category cannot withstand heavy rain.
7 – Anti-theft bag
Another really cool invention are bags with anti-theft technology, perfect for those who fear being stolen while traveling.
The most famous brand in this segment is pacsafe, which sells everything from women's and men's bags for everyday use to laptop backpacks. The Citysafe model, for example, has technology RFIDsafe, to make it impossible for your credit card information to be stolen through scanners, and is made with a resistant material that makes it difficult to cut the bottom or handles of the bag. Zippers fit into hooks, making them more difficult to open.
Another cool Pacsafe accessory is the portable safe, which features a steel handle and TSA-approved three-digit padlock. If you feel that your hotel is not safe, just place the safe somewhere fixed, and technology will make it almost impossible to steal your belongings. The 12-liter model holds up to a 13-inch laptop!
8 – Portable charger
No more running out of battery in the middle of the day. With an portable charger you can charge electronics, such as your cell phone or camera, without having to return to your accommodation.
Most of them only have USB inputs, while some more modern ones also offer USB-C and other types. The number of charges depends on the number of milliamps, but in general 5000mAh is enough to charge an iPhone almost twice.
In general, the higher the number of milliamps, the more expensive the charger. If you're just going to use it for your cell phone during the day, 10.000 is more than enough. For those who need something more “forte“, there are also portable batteries that are suitable for notebooks and larger devices.
9 – Universal plug adapter
Among all the travel accessories on this list, this is the only one that is really necessary and that there is no way to travel without. You can even manage without the others, but without one Plug adapter It will be impossible to charge your electronic devices.
Unfortunately, the sockets do not have a global standard, and it is possible that you will need different adapters for different countries. The United States is different from England, which is different from Australia and so on…
The solution, instead of buying several adapters, is to opt for a universal one. It has input for all types of sockets, and different outputs to place on the wall. It's great for use both when traveling and at home, with devices you bought abroad.
Those that also have USB inputs are a little more expensive, but in my opinion they are worth the extra investment.
10 – Towel that dries quickly
Like any good Hitchhiker of the Galaxy You know, a towel is an essential item for venturing out into the world. For those traveling light, Ideally, it should be light, compact and dry quickly. Suitable for use in the bath, for example hostels that do not offer towels, either on trails or at the beach.
There are two materials widely used for this type of product: microfiber and PVA, the latter of which tends to be even easier to fold and takes up less space, while the former is usually treated with antibacterial agents.
11 – Travel Dryer and Straightener
Although it may seem like a waste of money, there are two big advantages to buying this utensil specifically for travel. The first is that they are smaller and lighter, a feature sought after by all travelers who pack light. The second is voltage, as these accessories are usually dual volt.
If you use one of these items regularly, I suggest investing in a model that is specifically for travel. I've been in several situations where I needed to buy a new dryer because mine wasn't suitable for that voltage (in Floripa it's 220V!), and then I had to leave it behind because it weighed too much in the suitcase. If I had one travel dryer I would have saved a lot of money over the last five years, hehe.
In the United States they have a great price, and you can find travel size from Revlon with power of up to 1875W! If you're going to take advantage of your trip to buy makeup, I recommend reading the post about 7 cheap makeup brands to buy in the USA!
Do you like any of the travel accessories on this list? Do you think something was missing? Tell me in the comments! 🙂
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I loved the tips…