I've Lived in 5 Countries in 8 Years, and These Are the 16 Travel Essentials I Relied On — From $8 (2024)

Over the past eight years, I’ve had the privilege of calling a handful of countries home. I’ve worked as a housekeeper in a small mountain town on New Zealand’s South Island, I’ve paid taxes and had a bank account in Australia, and I’ve experienced snowy spring days and long summer nights in the Canadian Rockies. I’ve paid rent in U.K. cities and, of course, split up the years-long journey with extended stopovers in the U.S., my home country, where I am now firmly planted.

Along the way, I’ve developed attachments to certain things in my suitcase that I now never go anywhere without. Some of these products have been integral to keeping me safe and sane in new-to-me territory, while other things I have used just for extra comfort and fun. From my favorite travel hack of all time — hear me out: powder shampoo — to a swimsuit top that doubles as a sports bra and the sandals that I wear absolutely everywhere, here are the 16 products that I take wherever I travel.

Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack

I’ve walked the souks of Marrakech, ridden roller coasters at a British theme park, and kayaked swamps in Everglades National Park while sporting this Fjallraven fanny pack. It’s cute enough to wear to dinner yet practical for active days of sightseeing and exploring. It’s made with ultra-light, water-resistant nylon (that's 100 percent recycled, I might add) and has a concealed pocket on the back where I like to hide my bank cards, ID, and passport. Choose between six nature-inspired colors like sunset orange and dawn blue.

EcoSox Women's Bamboo Running Socks

You know that traveler in your group who wants to walk everywhere, even when the bus is only one block away and free to take? Yeah, that’s me. I spend every waking minute of a trip on my feet, mainly in part to these bamboo socks that keep me incredibly comfy. They wick away moisture — the key to avoiding blisters — and fit snugly so you don’t have to worry about them slipping into your shoes. They come in all different heights, so you can wear them with sneakers or tall boots, and they're durability and neutral colors ensure that you can sport them long after your trip.

Millennial Essentials Waterproof Clear Passport Covers Set

Take it from someone who’s had to replace a passport because of a mid-trip spill. Spend the $8 to keep your most important travel document protected from water damage, rips, and general wear and tear. What I like about these no-frills vinyl passport covers is that they weigh practically nothing and don’t feel bulky in my bag. Plus, I can still keep my passport in my wallet and remove the cover quickly when needed.

Teva Women's Original Universal Sandals

A pair of classic hook-and-loop strap travel sandals are non-negotiable on warm-weather active trips. Every traveler wears them because they’re comfortable, last forever, and can be styled coolly. Dad sandals are in. I’ve been through multiple pairs of Tevas — not because they wear out quickly but because I rarely took them off over my years of full-time travel. I swam in rocky bottom lakes, hiked on dirt trails, and wandered around European cities in them. They’re also great to have on hand for walking around hotels like slippers.

Beats Studio Buds Noise-Canceling Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones are lifesavers on public transportation and when you get stuck on the side of the hotel that faces a busy street. These Beats earbuds also have a transparency mode for when I want to hear in-flight announcements and for staying vigilant while walking around cities by myself. As a travel writer, I’m always working from loud coffee shops and cracking open my laptop on the bus, so it’s important that I can block out the noise. What's more, I can go hours without charging the earbuds and days without charging the case.

Patagonia Women's Baggies Shorts

These shorts are a godsend for hot destinations. Made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled nylon, they feel totally weightless and are designed to offer a baggy fit — hence the name — so you get no uncomfortable hugging or tightness. They feature a waterproof finish that helps them dry within minutes of getting wet and prevents them from losing their shape. They also come in a range of bold (and neutral) colors that I love, and if you're fast enough, you can grab a pair starting at $29.

Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Lowball Mug

Moving from country to country means making frequent changes to the daily routine, but my morning cuppa is a constant no matter where I am. I hate the idea of throwing away a paper cup every day, so I travel with my own stainless steel coffee mug. The Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Lowball is small enough to squeeze into my carry-on, and it keeps beverages hot for hours. I’ll pack it in my day bag and hand it to the local barista when I order my small oat latte. There’s also a style that has a handle, but I find it less cumbersome to pack around without.

Left on Friday Women's Double Scoop Bikini Top

Left on Friday is a swimwear brand founded by former Lululemon designers. The two-pieces are so fun — I like to mix and match for a color-block aesthetic — and they’re made to move in, so you can wear them swimming or to do beach yoga and not worry about any wardrobe malfunctions. My personal favorite from the brand is this double scoop bikini top, which is so supportive for any activity. I love the active look and have even been known to use it as a sports bra on multiple occasions. For a lower price tag, you can get this Amazon-favorite scoop bikini top on sale for $31, and it comes with matching bottoms.

Eddie Bauer Women's Trail Tight Leggings

I’ve been wearing the same pair of Eddie Bauer’s Trail Tight Leggings since 2016, and they’re only just now beginning to show signs of wear. They’re thicker than most pairs and have excellent moisture-wicking properties without the glossy look and swishy feel of most synthetic leggings. These feel more like cotton than polyester, and that means that they're also breathable and soft. When I'm not being active, they also make great wear-everywhere pants for long travel days, casual outings, and lounging around.

Susteau Moondust Hair Wash

This powder shampoo is my favorite travel hack of all time. I can pack it in my carry-on and not have to worry about including it in my liquids bag, and it conveniently comes in a travel-sized 1.76-ounce bottle that I can reuse to hold other cosmetics. The formula is so concentrated that even this small amount lasts me for months. I have unruly curls that suffered for years from hotel-provided hair products, and Moondust makes it soft and easy to manage. I use it religiously — even at home.

Columbia Women's Powder Lite Hooded Jacket

This jacket is surprisingly effective for how lightweight it is. The synthetic down filling helps hold in body heat, and it doesn’t stop working when it gets wet like real goose down does. It packs down to almost nothing, so you can stick it in your day bag and pull it out whenever you need it. It’s durable enough for lots of activity and great for layering; I have several that I’ll wear at the same time instead of packing around a bulky coat, which is a great tip to remember as we head into transitional weather season.

Reebok Women's Club C Walking Shoes

These vegan leather Reeboks are equally comfy and cool. The two-toned stripe gives them a retro, 80s-esque look that’s fun to style, but they’re also just as (if not more) versatile as any pair of classic white sneakers. They come with enough cushioning to do lots of sightseeing on foot, and they don’t wear out easily. I’ve been sporting mine nonstop for two years and they're still kicking.

Anker Portable Charger

A portable charger is a must-have, especially for solo trips. Your phone is your GPS, your distraction on bus rides, and your lifeline in an emergency, so it’s important that you have a reliable external battery handy to keep the juices topped up. This Amazon-favorite Anker charger is one of the thinnest and lightest with its mighty 10,000mAh-powered battery. Clip the on-site coupon to get it for $17.

Molerani Women's T-Shirt Dress

Loose and flowy T-shirt dresses are great to throw on in the summer with a pair of chunky sneakers for a ridiculously easy outfit. I’ll also wear these on flights or use them as swimsuit cover-ups at the beach. Heck, they can even be a nightgown in a pinch. They go with anything and can adapt to most activities and occasions. As for which one you should pack, this versatile option from Amazon is currently 50 percent off.

Steamline Luggage The Olive Bird Packing Cube Set

The pretty botanical prints of packing cubes by Steamline Luggage motivate me to be more organized in my suitcase folding pursuits. A case can be made for packing cubes that you can see through, but these are great for things that you want to keep concealed (undergarments) and also for doubling as a personal item on the plane. I can pack what I want to keep within reach into one of the smaller cubes and pull it out of my carry-on before putting it in the overhead bin. If you're not keen on spending $85 on a set, check out the Bagail Packing Cubes at Amazon, where they're $17.

Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8x25 Waterproof Binoculars

Being a big-time bird and nature nerd, I don’t go anywhere without binoculars. Even if you’re not the type to geek out over warblers, you’ll find that binoculars are useful for seeing the fleeting sites on a cruise, getting a closer look at a concert or festival, or stargazing. Nocs binos are practically indestructible. They have a grippy, shock-absorbing outer and are fully waterproof, so you can take them out on the water.

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