At the close of March, I treated myself to a
vacation
to Mexico City. It was an extremely spontaneous journey, leaving me with very little time to get ready, which made everything feel overwhelmingly chaotic as I tried to
pack
As I munched on slices of Kraft American Singles, I scrolled through countless pieces.
travel
Blogs offering packing suggestions along with safety guidance for individuals traveling alone abroad.
I discovered many packing lists focused solely on clothes, featuring numerous photos of bloggers’ neatly folded garments. Although I enjoy an impressive #OOTD post as much as anyone, I required assistance with organizing my toiletries and other essential travel necessities. Therefore, driven by a spirit of do-it-yourself creativity, I opted to create my own guide.
From foldable backpacks to a compact insect repellent, these portable items can be really useful when you’re traveling solo (or with friends) in an unfamiliar place.
A small backpack that you can pack inside your suitcase
If your carry-on backpack is somewhat large, you might prefer leaving it behind when you go out exploring.
collapsible backpack
packs super easy and lets you carry daily things you need when exploring a new place. This bag comes in three sizes and 10 colors; it weighs 4 ounces and can be folded down to the size of a wallet.
A super compact charging port that connects right to your phone
While other power banks use a cord to power up your phone,
this one
plugs right into your phone, letting you charge with ease. It’s about the size of a tube of lipstick and can handle one full phone charge and then some, depending on your phone type. The one pictured is for iPhones, but there’s a
similar one for Androids as well.
A foldable lightweight hat
My mom, who practically lives at the local running store in her town, turned me on to “running hats,” or super lightweight hats that are really bendable and don’t lose their shape. They’re great for sunny places or general bad hair days while traveling. They’re super packable and easy to throw in a purse or backpack. This is
Rnnr’s lightweight running hat pacer in Mist ($38),
However, there are numerous colors and styles to choose from.
A multi-purpose adaptor that also serves as a cellphone charger.
Avoid travel stress with this
universal power adapter
It operates in 160 countries and features four USB ports allowing you to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
A water bottle designed for purification to guarantee safe drinking.
Before heading overseas, ensure you investigate the local water conditions prior to your departure.
filtered 24-ounce water
The bottle eliminates 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, and chemicals from water, ensuring tap water is safe for consumption. Available in four color options.
A versatile recovery band that stretches the whole body
If your journey overseas involves substantial walking or physical exertion, this
ultra-packable strap
It could be worthwhile considering. This recovery device is designed to mimic numerous exercises typically done under a physical therapist’s guidance, aiding in alleviating discomfort and stiffness related to issues such as plantar fasciitis. Constructed from an inflexible material, the proprietary strap includes six hand grips tailored for ergonomic use. These allow for effective and proper stretching along with better management of the stretch’s strength or degree.
A versatile balm for faces, lips, and bodies
Simple packaging involves maximizing each item’s utility. Rather than carrying separate lip balm, facial moisturizer, and body lotion, consider
Glossier’s Balm Dot Com
For a comprehensive hydration experience, this product offers numerous colored variations as well as the original version (shown here), which is uncolored and free from fragrances.
A slim financial waistband to hold your credit card near at hand.
There are countless types of money belts available with various zippers, yet when exploring an unfamiliar location, I prefer something as basic as possible.
money belt
Designed specifically for runners, this lightweight and slim accessory features just one zipper, ensuring quick access without the hassle of searching for small items like your credit card. Available in two color options, the pouch measures 7.5 by 4.5 inches, with an adjustable strap that can extend from 24 to 46 inches.
A multi-use compact stick for your skin tone needs
The Minimalist
is Merit’s skin-perfecting complexion stick that’s a happy medium between a foundation and concealer and meant to replace both products in your makeup bag so you can keep your travel bag as light as possible. It can even moonlight as a contour stick or a bronzer if you grab others in a deeper shade, of which there are 30 to choose from. The never-cakey formula is meant to be seamless, incredibly easy to blend and natural-looking on the skin, meaning application can be done even when you’re short on time. It’s enriched with conditioning ingredients that help lock in moisture and temporarily reduce redness.
A six-pack of blister Band-Aids to keep you walking with ease
If you’re prone to heel blisters or know you’re going to be walking a lot,
these Band-Aids
are a must. They’re totally waterproof and really cushion your blisters, letting you wear (and comfortably walk) in actual shoes. And there’s a sterile hydrocolloid gel on the Band-Aid that helps your blister heal up quickly.
A set of 30 separately packaged flushable toilet wipes designed for your cleanliness
Certain locations might not provide toilet paper in their public restrooms. Occasionally, these bathrooms run out of toilet paper entirely. Perhaps you prefer maintaining an exceptionally high level of hygiene. Regardless of your reason, it’s wise to carry some.
pocket bathroom wipes
is a wise decision when traveling.
A lightweight wrap to drape over your shoulders when visiting sacred sites.
If you’re visiting regions that are somewhat more traditional regarding attire, it’s wise to pack something modest.
light shawl
In your bag, keep one handy. Certain religious sites or museums might ask visitors to cover their shoulders, and you’ll likely feel better adhering to local customs anyway. Moreover, this lightweight cotton blend scarf folds up compactly and serves as a useful layer when it’s chilly or windy outdoors. Available in 17 hues (the image shows denim blue).
A travel blanket for draping over rough-textured linens or seating.
Stay cozy during breezy flights and train rides, and create an extra barrier between you and potentially unsanitary hostel linens with this accessory.
super-packable travel blanket
The dimensions of this blanket are 55 by 70 inches when unfolded, yet it can be folded down to size of only 7.5 by 3.7 inches. The available color options total eleven different shades.
Cheap polarized sunglasses
A lot of us tend to misplace our most beloved sunglasses. It might be wise to keep a couple of inexpensive yet polarized pairs similar to these in stock.
Sojos small round classic glasses
will keep your eyes safe in the sun and won’t ruin your trip if you lose a pair along the way. These are unisex, polarized and come in seven styles.
A compact first aid kit designed for minor cuts and abrasions.
This
tiny first aid kit
has just what you need to feel safe on a trip and comes in a cute colorful tin. It includes 12 fabric bandages and a .5-ounce tube of triple antibiotic and pain-relieving ointment.
Mini bug spray
If you’re traveling somewhere with high transmission rates of malaria, you may need vaccines before you go. Regardless, keeping bug spray on you is a great way to protect yourself from bites and itches. This is a .5-ounce
mini bug spray
with 25% DEET to protect you from malaria-carrying mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and more.
Pedialyte pouches for maintaining hydration during hot weather
For portable electrolyte solutions, try these
Pedialyte packets
They are highly packable, readily dissolving when added to a bottle of water. All the flavors resemble those of juice. The set includes a mixed variety of eight packets in strawberry, fruit punch, grape, and apple tastes.
A set of 20 small portable cleansing wipes to maintain cleanliness around you.
Clean your airplane seat, tray table, hands, phone, and anything else during your travels using these travel wipes.
20 individually wrapped w
ipes have 70% alcohol.
Small spray-on hand sanitizers for cleaning your hands prior to and following the consumption of street food.
If you frequently eat with your hands or simply wish to stay squeaky-clean, carrying mini hand sanitizer sprays is essential. These tiny sprays are convenient enough for you to take along a few without feeling burdened by additional baggage.
set of four 2-ounce spray sanitizers
contain 62% ethyl alcohol and available in lavender and basil fragrances.
A set of two small sunscreen bottles
Enjoy the sunshine without becoming a red lobster.
two one-ounce sunscreens
In an SPF30 package that’s super convenient, you can toss them into whichever bag you’re carrying. This way, you’ll always be equipped with sun protection wherever you go.
A couple of single-use cameras as backup when your smartphone battery is running out.
Disposable cameras
They’re excellent for travel since they allow you to capture moments without having your phone out. Plus, should you accidentally leave one at a café table or have it snatched, the consequences would be less severe than losing your smartphone overseas. Every camera provides 27 photos.
Pocket Advil
It might be useful to have some pain-relief and fever-lowering medication readily available during travel. Rather than carrying the large bottle from your medicine cabinet, pack these instead.
little pocket containers
Of the total 10 pills, each contains 200 mg. These pills are approximately the size of a Chapstick tube, making them easy to carry in your bag for convenient access anytime.
Leave a Reply