35 PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU BECOME THE CARRY-ON-ONLY TRAVELER YOU’VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF BEING THIS FALL
1. A helpful "Pack this!" checklist because sometimes the biggest travel headache is figuring out what to bring. This should help you figure out exactly what you need ahead of time so you can avoid spur-of-the-moment overpacking.
Promising review: "This is perfect. Whenever we travel, my kids always say, 'Make me a list of what I have to pack.' I always worry I will forget to tell them something random like underwear or pajamas...so now, I just check the boxes, they pack, and can review the list if they want to add anything." —AmyH
Get it from Amazon for $7+ (available in two colors and a road trip edition).
2. Slip-on quick-dry water shoes with sock-like flexibility to get that barefoot feel in the water without that barefoot vulnerability. Plus, the low profile makes them easy to pack since we know shoe space is limited, to say the least.
Promising review: "Love these water socks. They are comfy and cute. I have never owned a pair before, but I wanted to try them on an upcoming vacation in Belize. I have tried them out a couple of times in a swimming pool, and they are great. I love that they are so lightweight that I forget I am wearing anything on my feet at all. They give me the confidence to stand in the pool without worry of stepping on something or scratching my feet." —AJS
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in women's sizes 4–13.5, men's sizes 3–12, and 43 styles).
3. Some Tide sink packets each loaded with the perfect amount of detergent for washing those salty bathing suits and dirty undies so you can avoid overstuffing your suitcase even on multi-week excursions.
Each pack comes with three packets, and they're tiny enough to easily slide into the side of any toiletry bag,
Promising review: "I have taken these packets on travels worldwide. They are small and fit in my bag. They are good for a wash in a sink or wash bag... Glad to have them. They don't leak either." —Barbara Jefferson
Get nine packs from Amazon for $8.49.
4. Plus, a 6-foot travel clothesline that'll make drying your freshly cleaned laundry right in the hotel room a straightforward affair that doesn't involve draping wet clothes over every square inch of available space. You don't even need clothespins — just hang the clothes between the braided cords.
Promising review: "Love this clothesline! We take this with us on resort vacations. It's nice to be able to wash out swimsuits, etc., and hang them to dry every day so they don't smell after days of nonstop ocean fun. This one is nice because you don't need clothespins, and it stretches pretty far. I could hang up two kid's swimsuits, two kid's rash guards, two adult swimsuits, and two adult rash guards, and I still had room for more. This is a must if you take any tropical vacation where it's humid and hard for clothes to dry out." —Haley G
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
5. The 4-in-1 Alleyoop Pen Pal so you can pack an eyeliner, lip liner, brow pencil, and highlighter with a fraction of the usually required bag space.
Promising review: "I love that this product is an all-in-one! It saves me so much space when I travel, and the products are high-quality too. The lightest brow pencil is still a little dark for blondes like me, but the other shades complement me perfectly. I like the lip liner the best; it easily elevates a simple lip look!" —Sam
Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in three shades).
6. A foldable water bottle if you love proper hydration (and not paying for overpriced disposables), but hate having a clunky empty bottle eat up valuable bag space.
Plus, it's lead-, latex-, and BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and can be used for hot or cold drinks.
Promising review: "Bought this water bottle for a trip to Disney World. At home, I always have my 40-ounce water bottle nearby. I was worried about walking around the park and not having quick access to water on those hot park days. We only brought a fanny pack in and didn't have room for something big. This was perfect! It wasn't too overbearing to hold and was super easy to fold up and throw in the bag when not in use. My only regret is I didn't buy two!" —E. Alarcón
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 3 sizes/styles and 14 colors).
7. A set of waterproof packing cubes because it's time to start working with your tendency to overpack instead of against it. Simply follow the packing directions, and each cube will pleasantly surprise you with how much it can hold. Not to mention the sheer joy of being able to find the right outfit without tearing apart your entire pack job.
This set comes with an extra-large cube, a large cube, a medium cube, a small cube, a roomy shoe bag, an accessories pouch, a hanging toiletry bag, and a laundry bag for dirty clothes!
Promising review: "The sheer amount of clothes I jammed into my carry-on with the help of these cubes was obscene. Four floor-length gowns, four pairs of shoes, business attire for four days, enough underwear for a zombie apocalypse, and toiletries/blazers. The laundry bag was super helpful for the trip home. I also left the largest cube at home because it was totally big for my carry-on size trip. Fantastic value. 10/10 recommend." —akstevie
Get an eight-piece set from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 14 colors).
8. And a vacuum-free space-saving compression bag to significantly compress your clothes by sucking out all the air — no vacuum required! These are designed for travel, so all you have to do is fill up a bag and roll it out to release air through the built-in valves.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma Lord has had major success with these:
"HELLO, I AM OBSESSED WITH THESE. Despite all the rave reviews, I was definitely skeptical of space-saving bags that didn't require a vacuum, and even as they were actively squishing my clothes into oblivion, I still couldn't quite believe it. I had easily two suitcases worth of clothes I wanted to pack for a three-week trip to London, and I managed to neatly pack the entirety of my wardrobe in one roller carry-on bag. Truly, all I had to do was put my clothes in the bag, push them to the bottom, and then sit on it to get the air out before sealing it up. I had tons of extra bags and made a habit of taking them with me in case other people joining me on trips needed them to be able to pack souvenirs on the way home. I'm never taking a long trip without these again — these are worth every damn penny."
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $15.88.
9. A refillable travel perfume atomizer for a quick and easy way to transport your favorite scents so you don't have to spend your whole vacay not smelling like your best self.
Using the atomizer is easy: Simply unscrew the cap to your perfume bottle, place the perfume nozzle into the hole at the bottom of the atomizer, and pump the perfume inside.
Promising review: "These things are perfect! Easy to use. Great size for traveling! And didn’t change the smell of my perfumes!"—BMF722
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $7.99.
10. A heavy-duty laundry bag with a built-in travel pouch that makes it easy to deal with stinky socks and other not-so-fresh linens without any inner carry-on cross-contamination.
Just stuff them in and squeeze to release the extra air!
Promising review: "As a frequent traveler, this bag has been great for packing dirty laundry on the return trip home. It will hold much more than I usually put in it and compresses nicely in the suitcase. I toss it in the washer along with the clothes, and it has held up for well over a year now." —C C.
Get it from Amazon for $12.19.
11. An all-in-one universal wall adapter so you don't show up in a new country with no way to charge your phone — no matter where you go — since several chargers for that multi-country expedition is valuable space we can't afford to lose.
Promising review: "Probably the best $13 I've spent on anything. If you travel a lot, especially internationally, this is a must-have because you have every kind of adapter on one plug and don’t have to worry about constantly buying a certain adapter every time you travel to a different country. This has it all." —Abby Graumann
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four colors).
12. Plus, a braided 4-in-1 fast charging cord because why pack four chargers when you can pack one super long and sturdy cable that can handle all your destination charging needs?
Promising review: "My husband and I have different phones with different charging ports. This was great for our international travel and limiting the number of cords we needed to carry. Was useful during travel for charging both devices and for charging other family members' devices as well. Quick charging as well." —veronicawhite
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
13. A travel-sized wrinkle release spray that makes it easy to revive crumpled, fresh-out-of-the-suitcase clothing even when you don't have easy access to an iron or don't want to waste space packing a steamer.
Promising review: "Hate dragging out the old hotel iron and board, so I just spray my wrinkled clothes with this, and viola! Takes the wrinkles out, and off I go — no wrestling while putting the iron and board away. I even have a small travel iron or use my hair styling irons if I want a better finish, but this usually does the job nicely." —Audie
Get it from Amazon for $6.05.
14. A waterproof toiletry bag with enough space to pack up your entire 14-step self-care routine in the most space-efficient way possible. Plus, it's equipped with a rotating hook so you can hang it on the back of a door or in the shower for convenient access.
Promising review: "We are a family of seven, and this held all of our bathroom supplies for a weekend trip. This is a must-have for traveling. The best feature is it being able to hang up on a robe hook or the back of a door. It frees up hotel sinks and keeps you well organized." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in 2 sizes and 13 colors/styles).
15. A roll-up straw sun visor if your destination calls for chic sun protection that can fold down small enough to toss in a tote without fear of it bending out of shape.
Promising review: "I get a lot of compliments when I wear this hat. I actually saw it on a friend, and it looked amazing, so I had to go and buy it. I also love how easily it rolls up for travel. In the past, I've had hats that were much more delicate. This hat seems to be resistant to bending out of shape, which is exactly what I needed." —Schiccatano
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 13 colors).
16. Or a genius magnetic luggage tag that doubles as a hat clip so you can finally bring your favorite wide-brimmed beauty on vacay without a) packing it and crushing it, or b) committing to wearing it/holding it.
The Fileist is a Los Angeles-based, woman-owned small biz founded by celebrity stylist Lindsay Albanese. The marketplace feature's a curated selection of hyper-functional style goods from a collection of woman entrepreneurs.
Promising review: "After losing two hats on airplanes, I found TopTote! I loved it so much, and it’s so helpful when traveling; I’ve purchased at least six more to give to friends. If you wear a hat and travel with one, TopTote is a MUST-HAVE!" —Deanne Hume
Get it from Nordstrom or The Fileist for $55 (available in additional styles).
17. A Trtl neck pillow for actually supporting your neck while you try to catch some mid-flight z's. It's way less bulky than traditional travel pillows and will keep you from head bobbing onto your neighbor's shoulder.
Promising review: "I am a terrible flyer who recently took the red-eye from Dubai to Chicago (15 hours). The Trtl Pillow was a mini lifesaver! I was able to comfortably rest my head on the support and felt warm enough to actually doze off....a rare accomplishment for this skittish flyer. The Velcro works wonderfully with regard to adjustment, and I liked wrapping the fabric around my mouth and nose. Sort of felt cozy...even if I did look like a ninja in a neck brace! Overall, this product has changed the way that I fly, and I am so thankful for this invention and the opportunity to support a small company with big ideas." —S.Viruly
Get it from Amazon for $64.99 (available in four colors).
18. A spacious travel backpack that pushes the spatial limits of what you thought a personal item could carry, making it the perfect companion for all the outfits you couldn't cram in the carry-on.
Reviewers say it meets even Spirit and JetBlue's personal item rules and fits under airplane seats!
Promising review: "This is a perfect size backpack for traveling on a plane as your personal item, especially to international destinations. You could fit rolled-up clothes in here for another week, and it has a very handy shoe bag and tons of places for your electronics. This will be an excellent addition to my carry-on suitcase. Best purchase all year. I consider myself an expert on travel bags. I have way too many. It’s smaller than it looks but so roomy." —AP
Get it from Amazon for $33.29+ (available in three sizes and 17 colors).
19. Or a nylon anti-theft rucksack so you can avoid wasting precious space in your suitcase with extra bags. This ultra-versatile style can be worn like a backpack or shoulder bag, so when it's done being your airport personal item it can be a stylish purse for dinner.
Promising review: "A must-have for traveling! This backpack is lightweight, has a number of pockets on the inside and outside for small items, and was so awesome for an eight-day vacation to Hawaii! Felt safe with my items in it and it was a great small personal item on the plane. Highly recommend!" —Marianne :]
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in two sizes and in eight colors/styles).
20. A foldable 3-in-1 wireless charger for forgetful packers who always seem to leave behind at least one vital charging cord. With this all-in-one dock, you'll always have what you need to power your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.
Promising review: "I have been using this charger at home and when I travel. I mainly purchased it for traveling. It works well, folds up into a neat compact square, and charges my iPhone, watches, and earbuds all together without having to bring three separate chargers with me. You will love the convenience, trust me!!" —BobC
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in five colors).
21. A set of refillable TSA-friendly toiletry containers if you're sick of spending a small fortune on name-brand travel-sized products and just want to make your own. You won't have to worry about leaking, and the entire set fits in the provided clear zip pouch.
Promising review: "I purchased one for myself and had a really good experience traveling with them. Nothing leaked, not even the witch hazel. I was really impressed and bought two more for my daughters and took them on our family vacation. We love these travel kits." —M
Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in six styles).
22. Or a set of Cadence containers with custom removable labels and wide openings to make traveling with TSA-compliant versions of your entire self-care routine a breeze. And, yes, they're totally leakproof and airtight.
This "daily routine" set includes four flex medium and three flex small Capsules.
BTW, you can also get sets with labeled tiles for haircare and skincare!
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon with the goal of eliminating single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
Promising review: "I recently got a set of four of these, and, wow, I love them so much. I used them on a six-day trip recently, and they were perfect. I customized the label so I knew which one was my shampoo vs. conditioner and did a general label for any other things I wanted to bring along. They do hold a surprising amount. According to the brand, they hold approximately one to two weeks of skincare products, more than two weeks' worth of serum, two to three days' worth of haircare, and more than 15 tablets (for medicine and such). And while two to three days's worth of haircare might not seem like enough, I found it held more than that for me, but I also don't wash my hair every single day. They were small enough to slip right into my toiletries bag and go through TSA with no problem. The container was easy to open in the shower (even with wet hands), and I had no leakage from them. These are an incredibly useful tool anyone who travels will want in their luggage." —Abby Kass
Get the set of seven from Amazon for $117 (available in four colors).
23. A pack of moisture-proof travel pill organizers because it'll make packing the ever-growing collection of prescriptions and vitamins now required to maintain your body MUCH more space efficient than the alternative — a plastic bag of stray pill bottles.
Promising review: "These were the perfect size to hold all our medicine. We didn’t need a Monday through Friday organizer. We just needed something to help consolidate medicine for travel. It held way more than I was expecting and came with labels so no confusion of medicine." —Momof3
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.97 (available in two color combos).
24. A beloved Kindle Paperwhite with 16GB of storage to bring your entire TBR list with you on the road without bogging you down. So when your flight is delayed and you fly through your vacation book in one sitting, a backup is just a few taps away.
HuffPost Shopping writer Haley Zovickian adores her Kindle:
"It has, no exaggeration, revolutionized my life. I love mine for so many reasons — it's truly helped me incorporate my love of reading into my often hectic life, and all my titles literally live inside of this half-pound wonder gadget, so I can switch between books super easily. For traveling, this is a literal dream. I don't have to pick between titles and then regret the entire trip that I didn't bring the one I left at home — and, as any book lover knows, traveling with books is heavy as hell, and the Kindle literally completely eliminates that weight. Traveling will never be the same for me. BTW, I am also obsessed with the Libby app, which allows you to check out e-books from your local library on your Kindle!! My inner child is *screaming* with joy."
Get it from Amazon for $149.99+ (available in three colors and with or without lockscreen ads).
25. A fast-drying microfiber travel towel that'll lighten the load next time the family loads up for a wet 'n' wild adventure at the beach or water park. It comes in sizes suitable for your whole crew and is shockingly absorbent.
Promising review: "Great travel size. Used while taking dips while out on long hikes. The case makes this better. Dries great and stores easily. Wiped off the sand and then flicked the sand off easily. Perfect lightweight towel for hiking. Clipped onto the pack to dry as I walked. I liked the button to hang dry the towel. Washed in the machine with no problem. Beats my old shammy from my swimming days. I hope I can keep the interior case clean." —ImBeingLazy
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 7 sizes and 13 colors).
26. A dual-voltage 2-in-1 straightener and curling iron so you don't have to decide between packing light and styling versatility on your trip.
It has a swiveling, tangle-free cord, too.
Promising review: "I bought this for a trip to Italy, as I didn't have a dual-voltage iron (and you can't just use a converter-adapter combination with things that heat up). I liked that it was a flat iron and curling iron combo, so I could change things up as I desired. It worked beautifully on our trip — I look nice in all my selfies ;) — and continues to work beautifully at home. In fact, I've replaced my old flat iron with this because of its versatility, and now I use this one every day. BTW, in case you are wondering, it automatically switches to the appropriate voltage, no looking for a switch or anything. You don't need to do anything but plug it in! Great product!" —Diane Field
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in black and white).
27. Or just opt for a lightweight mini flat iron for smoothing out your wavy locks when the blowout you banked on lasting the whole trip doesn't cooperate.
It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!
Promising review: "This fits perfectly in my toiletries travel bag that I take with me as a flight attendant. Anything that comes in small size and still works well is perfect for me." —Kathy S
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three colors).
28. Plus, an adaptable hair diffuser if you're tired of lugging your blow dryer halfway across the world just so you won't have to be without your diffuser. This attachment adjusts in size to fit most any blow dryer, so using the Airbnb dryer doesn't feel like a sacrifice.
Promising review: "Purchased for a recent trip to the UK, Croatia, and Montenegro. Doesn’t disappoint. Great for curly hair. It is lightweight, small enough, and doesn’t take up lots of room. Highly recommend for international hotel travel!" —Karen and Liz
Get it from Amazon for $25 (available in seven colors).
29. A heavy-duty bag strap because no one wants to be stuck wearing (or holding) their puffy jacket while navigating the airport. This simple little add-on attaches to luggage, purses, or backpacks to free your hands of those travel essentials that are just too bulky for your bags.
Promising review: "I bought two straps to use for my trip. It was so worth it! It held my family's light jackets and kids travel neck pillow. We also used it to hold our water bottles on our hikes. I wish I knew about these sooner!" —Lisa H
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in six colors and in multipacks).
30. A makeup-erasing cloth to gently — but effectively — remove your makeup with just a little bit of water, so you can finally downsize your toiletry bag. Plus, it's endlessly reusable! Once it gets dirty, just toss it in the wash.
I bought one of these cloths after including it in previous posts, subsequently selling myself on it (hazard of the job). It honestly works better than I could've imagined! You really do just need to dampen it with water to have your makeup melting off in seconds. I think this is a great zero-waste option for people (like me) who don't wear a ton of makeup on the day-to-day because you can get a lot of uses from this cloth without needing to wash it constantly. I've found it especially handy for traveling, as I don't need to pack any liquid/cream removers or drop money on single-use wipes. It also washes up shockingly well. I've had it for close to three years, and every time it comes out of the washing machine almost entirely stain-free, I'm equally shocked.
Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in 16 colors).
31. A pair of reusable waterproof shoe covers for smart weather prep that doesn't involve packing your absurdly heavy galoshes. These easily fold down tiny enough to stash in a purse, so you can keep your tootsies dry even when a storm rolls in out of nowhere.
Check the handy sizing chart on the product listing so you can find your ideal fit!
Promising reviews: "Exactly as described. The size was exactly right for my shoe size. Perfect for a trip, as they take up very little space in a suitcase and work quite well to keep the rain out and puddles away from shoes." —Caroljean
Get a pair from Amazon for $12.89 (available in unisex sizes S–4XL and five styles).
32. A plush velvet travel jewelry case so you can cram your extensive jewelry collection in your carry-on without also committing to a half-hour untangling sesh while rushing to make your 8 p.m. reservation.
Promising review: "I purchased this box for a weekend getaway. In the past I have just thrown all of my jewelry into little makeup bags, but then everything gets tangled and disorganized. I love that this box keeps everything organized and leaves all my necklaces tangle-free!" —Dogmom206
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in nine colors).
33. A 3-in-1 travel razor equipped with a refillable spray bottle to wet skin, a shea butter moisturizing bar, and two triple-blade razor cartridges to cram all your on-the-go shaving needs in one packable little package.
Promising review: "I recently traveled and had no problem with TSA. I like the moisturizer; you can just rub it in. If you have coarse hair, the blades may dull sooner than later. I preferred just to wet my leg and then spray the water. It seemed to get more of a lather for me. Super convenient!!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in pink and blue).
34. Or a teeny on-the-go Gillette razor because it takes up basically no space at all, and plenty of reviewers like it enough to keep using it once they get home.
It comes with one handle and one blade refill!
Promising review: "Perfect for traveling or throwing in your gym bag! The container has holes in it to allow for the razor blades to dry, which I really like. I also love that I can use the refill razor heads from my regular razor with this! Even though the handle is small, it's really easy to hold and has a nice grip." —thisisausername
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available in a two-pack).
35. A versatile everything top that can be worn not one, not two, but FIVE different ways. Packing light, meet your perfect match.
Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business. Their sustainable designs are made to order and sewn in their Minnesota studio. Their sizes run from XS–4X. And if you like one-of-a-kind finds, check their site on Mondays when they also release limited-edition designs so you can be one of only 25 people to own a piece!
BuzzFeed editor Chelsea Stuart will be packing this versatile top from now on:
"I have this shirt, and I *love* it. All credit for its discovery goes to TikToker @jennifer.bianca, who I happened to stumble across on my FYP. It checks all my boxes: black, comfortable, versatile, and durable. My initial worry was that I wouldn't feel secure in it (I have a 38DDD chest, and most wrap tops/dresses I've tried haven't stayed where they're supposed to), but I haven't had an issue with this! I've worn it tied in the front, giving me a square neck (like the middle picture), and tied in the back, giving me a V-neck up front (just like the photo on the right) — both were super comfortable, and I didn't have to adjust myself at all. As someone whose weight fluctuates, I also appreciate that this piece can handle pounds gained and lost. The fabric is medium weight, so I'll be wearing it season to season, and there's just enough elasticity in the arms that if you roll up your sleeves, they won't fall back down. All that is to say, trust that I will be buying additional colors as it's an absolute travel must-have!"
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in three colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.