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Fancy and expensive travel gear is fun and exciting, but it's hard to beat these cheap must-haves.
Chris McGrawSenior Deals Writer
Updated
Wed, September 10, 2025 at 9:40 PM UTC
Travel has shaped a lot of who I am — not in a "find yourself" kind of way, but in a "this is how I stay sane" kind of way. I've flown all over the world: short weekend hops across the country, 29-hour multi-flight marathons to New Zealand, even a takeoff from a surprisingly short runway in Antarctica that had me wondering, "How the heck did I end up here?" I love heading out solo, sharing new places with my wife and seeing my favorite spots through my daughter's eyes.
Fall is one of the best times of year to travel — especially for retirees and empty nesters. Flights are often cheaper, crowds are thinner and the weather can be ideal depending on where you go, but travel comes with its own set of… constraints. Delays, getting stuck in the middle seat, the ongoing overhead bin showdown — I've been through 'em all more times than I can count. But after enough miles (and mistakes), I've learned it's usually the boring, inexpensive gear — not the expensive, flashy gadget — that saves the day.
Here are some surprisingly dull but under-$20 products that have saved my trips more times than I'd like to admit.
I put this one at the top of the list because it is — by far — the most-used item here. I keep one of these in each car, my camera bag, hiking backpack, and ski backpack. It's basically a tiny pharmacy, filled with all the over-the-counter medicines I (or anyone in my family) might ever need. The best part about it is the stickers that come with it, not because I like to play with stickers (I absolutely do), but because they make it so easy to see what I have at a glance and to refill it with the right meds.
This is one of those areas where I refuse to cheap out — and I recommend you don’t either (unless you want an explosion in your carry-on). Ziploc bags are far superior to knock-off brands: they hold up better and, depending on what I’m packing, I can usually get more than one use out of them. They're lifesavers for stashing wet clothes, creating a sanitary barrier between snacks or toiletries and a seat-back pocket, keeping electronics safe from spills and adding transparent, grab-and-go organization.
I like the sandwich size for smaller items, but I always bring a few gallon bags too.
I rarely take the red-eye anymore, but when I do, as soon as I get on the plane, I try and get some sleep. Maybe it's the Dramamine hitting, but there's no better way to spend a flight than catching up on some zzzs, no matter the time of day. That said, it's not easy, even for me, a guy who once slept 12 out of 13 hours on a flight from Detroit to Japan. Noise-cancelling headphones can help, but silicone earplugs are much cheaper. Couple them with the sleep mask below and before you know it you'll reach your destination, awake and energized.
Overnight flights to Europe used to wreck me — most of my trips were for work, and arriving bleary-eyed wasn't an option. I'd tried sleep masks before, but the flimsy airline freebie I once picked up in London over a decade ago gave me little faith in them. Then I found this blackout mask, and it was a game-changer.
Unlike those paper-thin versions that barely dim the cabin lights, this one is comfortable, stays put through the night, and even comes with earplugs and a carrying case (though I still prefer the earplugs I mentioned above).
Forget the bulky, memory foam neck pillow you picked up at the airport. As if you need another thing taking up precious space in your personal item. Inflatable is where it's at. I use mine for flights, road trips, even camping. It packs down to basically nothing, which also happens to be how much it weighs, so there's no downside to bringing it.
Say it with me now: "There can never be enough outlets and chargers." I'm about to embark on a weeklong trip with my entire family and you can bet one of us will forget a charging brick. Also, with my camera equipment, you need at least four USB chargers to keep things running and capture all of those family memories. Just be careful using it overseas; even with an adapter, a surge protector like this one can trip a breaker. Ask me how I know.
Forget the rat's nest of cables and pile of chargers at the bottom of your carry-on. This pouch keeps everything organized, so you know exactly where it is when you need it. I keep mine packed and ready to go at all times, so I can throw it in my backpack and know I have everything I need with me.
I've sung the praises of packing cubes more times than I can count. If you haven't tried them, you really should. They do a great job of keeping things organized and allow you to pack way more than you thought could fit in your bag. When it comes to packing for my kiddo, I pack individual outfits together in each cube, so getting dressed comes easy (or as easy as it can be with a stubborn toddler).
I'm not a huge fan of doing laundry on trips. I'm not usually gone long enough that I find it necessary. That said, accidents and spills happen. Which is why I keep a few laundry detergent sheets in my luggage (usually in one of the aforementioned ziploc bags). If you're staying in a hotel that has accessible laundry, great; if not, use them in the bathroom sink or bathtub. Not ideal, but they can save the day.
A trusted Nalgene or Yeti may last forever (mine have), but they take up a lot of space. This one holds an impressive 20 ounces, collapses down to about the size of a bulky wallet, and has a lid that converts from a sip top to a chug top. Plus, the top screws off for easy cleaning.
S-hooks won’t change your life, but they will change your hotel bathroom — they’re small, simple and let me hang up and dry basically anything.
I grew up a competitive swimmer and I have yet to find a (clean) pool I haven't liked. Getting a few laps in right before breakfast or after a long day of work is a great way to clear your mind. That said, a wet bathing suit in my luggage, not so great. Usually, I just shoved it in a gallon-sized Ziploc, which worked well enough. But once I started using a dry bag, I realized it's useful for so much more — from damp workout gear to the occasional spill — and it keeps odors from spreading to the rest of my clothes.
Stash these essentials in your carry-on and you'll be ready for travel anywhere.
(Getty)
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