All travelers remember about documents, tickets, bank cards or cash, as well as the necessary clothes and shoes. But there are a few more useful things that can make your trip more comfortable.
1. Raincoat
Tourists often take an umbrella with them, but a raincoat has several advantages over it. Firstly, it weighs less and will fit even in a small handbag. Secondly, there are situations when an umbrella is not the best protection. For example, it is unlikely to be useful in squally winds.
In strong gusts it is very difficult to hold an umbrella in your hands. A raincoat is much more convenient in such conditions: the wind will definitely not blow it away, and it will be able to cover most of the body.
If you’re traveling with your family, it’s worth taking raincoats for everyone. Or maybe one more spare.
What to buy
2. Electric shoe dryer
For all its advantages, a raincoat cannot protect sneakers or boots. Therefore, if you are caught in a downpour and you are not wearing sandals or rubber slippers, a compact dryer will be very useful.
At home, you could replace your wet shoes or sneakers with others. But when traveling, you don’t always have an equally comfortable spare pair. And in damp climates, shoes may not dry overnight. An electric dryer will put it in order in 2–3 hours.
But you should take only a proven device with you and do not leave it unattended.
What to buy
3. Crossbody bag
It may be more convenient than a city backpack or shoulder bag.
Such accessories come in a wide variety and differ in both size and number of pockets. It is worth choosing a bag where you can easily put all the necessary things: documents, a purse or wallet, a small cosmetic bag, a pill box, a tablet or a book. It will be convenient to put all the little things in different pockets to quickly and easily find the necessary thing. Therefore, pay attention to options of medium size and with a large number of compartments.
A crossbody bag can also protect you from street robbers. A backpack can sometimes be opened unnoticed by the owner, because he does not see what is happening behind his back. The purse can be pulled off the shoulder – this is sometimes used by robbers on bicycles and motorcycles. The crossbody, which is located in the front, will protect your valuables much more reliably in crowded places.
What to buy
4. Garbage bags
You can pack a variety of things in them. For example, put linen, woolen wardrobe items, an evening dress, and a spare pair of shoes separately. When going home, it is convenient to wrap souvenirs in plastic bags. Moreover, such bags are indispensable when you need to put dirty things somewhere.
You can take a roll of packaging with you – it is compact and weighs little. It is better to choose medium-sized bags with ties.
What to buy
5. Zip bags
They are useful for important little things, so as not to damage them and protect them from moisture. So, it’s convenient to put your passport and tickets in a small bag. If you use paper maps and guidebooks, you can store them in larger containers.
Zippers will help you keep your beach bag organized. Try packing cosmetics into one bag, such as lip balm, compact and sunscreen. In the other, put disinfectant, band-aid and cotton pads. The third contains several sanitary pads. The fourth one will be useful for a swimsuit.
This way, all things will be neat and you can quickly find what you need. And on the way back to the hotel, the wet swimsuit will be securely isolated from everything else.
What to buy
6. Food containers
They can be of different sizes. You can put chopped vegetables and fruits, berries, and sandwiches in such plastic containers. They are also easy to pack food that you want to buy in a street cafe, or nuts, crackers, dried fruits.
Containers will help keep snacks safe and not get other things in your bag dirty. These devices can be especially convenient for families with children.
And when returning home, you can carry small souvenirs in hard plastic that require careful handling. For example, fragile ones or those that can wrinkle.
What to buy
7. Thermos
You can take a reusable bottle and collect water from drinking fountains. A thermos is also perfect for this purpose. In addition, the water in it remains cold for a long time.
You may want to make some herbal tea at your hotel and take the hot drink with you. Or buy a takeaway latte from your local coffee shop. In such cases, a thermos can be an indispensable item.
What to buy
8. Allergy remedy
If you regularly take any medications, you are unlikely to forget to take them on a trip. But it happens that a person has never had allergic reactions. However, in a new area this can happen suddenly. The body sometimes reacts painfully to unusual foods or unfamiliar spices. Or pollen from plants that are not found in your region.
So even if you’re healthy, it’s worth taking an over-the-counter allergy medication. Just in case.
9. Multitool
This small accessory contains several tools at once. If you travel regularly, you should choose and purchase a high-quality multitool with the set you need. After all, it is much easier to take one compact accessory than a knife, corkscrew, can opener, nail file, awl, ruler, pliers and other devices.
You can find options suitable for a hike or a beach holiday. And choose a travel multi-tool or a folding knife with a small number of additional tools, which is convenient to use in the city.
What to buy
10. Powerbank
Even if you don’t use this device at home, it’s worth taking it on a trip. A smartphone can discharge quickly, and most importantly, unexpectedly. And if you have a translator, maps, guidebook, taxi service and other important applications in it, it will be very uncomfortable. A power bank, even with a small capacity, will help you get out of a difficult situation. Just make sure it is always charged.
What to buy
11. Disposable slippers
A lightweight and inexpensive accessory that can be useful in a hotel, camping or guest house. There are also slippers with rubber soles on marketplaces. You can take a shower or go to the sauna in them.
Sometimes it is more profitable to purchase a set of two or three pairs. And use slippers when you want to take off your outer shoes, but it seems unhygienic to stay in socks. For example, on an airplane or in a train carriage.
What to buy
What less obvious things help you when traveling? Write in the comments.
Let’s go on a trip together 🛤
