I’ve been solo traveling for 8 years, and for the last 2 of those I’ve been a digital nomad. I travel light but prioritize taking these items. I’m all about quality over quantity. I look for long-lasting versatile items to pack my travel bag.
All The Travel Essentials: My Top Picks
Traveling shapes our lives in unique ways, teaching us about the world and ourselves. As a seasoned traveler, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of travel essentials and necessities in my journeys. As someone who has embraced the nomadic lifestyle, I understand the value of having practical, reliable, and enjoyable travel essentials. Whether you’re shopping for a fellow wanderer or enhancing your travel gear, this guide is filled with personal recommendations for all of my favorite travel essentials. Just a heads-up, this includes some affiliate links.
Black Friday Deals Section
I’ve added in what black Friday deals there are for these products. I’ll do my best to keep this up to date, but for the most accurate information, check out my Instagram @ohletsbevagabonds I’ll be sharing all my black Friday sale finds for my favorite travel essentials!
About Affilate Links
Here’s how it works: if you click on these links and make a purchase, I get a little thank you commission from the seller, and it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Transparency is key! So, know that I’m only recommending things I personally adore and believe in. Each of these items is often traveling with me. I hope this guide helps!
Travel Essentials
Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press
Black Friday Deals
There don’t seem to be deals for the AeroPress Go right now, but they are offering discounts on other AeroPresses!
Magnetic Hat Clip
This ingenious device has revolutionized how I travel with hats. It uses magnets to secure your hat to your bag, ensuring it’s always within reach and safe. Perfect for sunny destinations or stylish city explorations, it’s a simple solution that adds convenience and style to your travels.
A Stylish Travel Hack
I especially love magnetic hat clips for long travel days. I love buying hats on my travels, but I don’t particularly want to wear them on a flight or long bus ride. With this, I can clip my hat right into my bag to secure it during travel. This has quickly become one of my favorite travel essentials!
Black Friday Deals
Looks like there’s 20% off this item right now!
Vessi Waterproof Shoes
Vessi’s shoes have been a revelation. Completely waterproof and incredibly comfortable, they are perfect for all-day exploration. From city streets to nature trails, these shoes have been my go-to for reliable and stylish footwear. Using this link is a cool way to support my blog at no extra cost to you – and I super appreciate it
Exploring in Comfort
It’s the season for rain, snow, slush, and mud, all of those things usually leave my feet wet. Vessi’s have been the perfect shoe for this stretch of late fall in winter. These shoes have provided comfort and protection, keeping my feet dry and happy.
Finally a White Sneaker Person
I have the Weekend Chelsea in Concrete Gray and they have been love at first wear! I also got the Soho Sneaker in White, I never thought I would be a white sneaker person, not until now! These shoes repel any water, and combined with all-day comfort, these might just be my new favorite shoe for travel!
Black Friday Deals
It’s Vessi’s biggest sale of the year! Check out their site to see what is on sale! I love my Weekend Chelsea shoes, and right now they are $30 off!! If you’ve been on the fence about buying these waterproof shoes, it might be the time to take the plunge! They make sure a great gift this holiday season!
Zero Waste Toiletries from BeeJoyful
Where I’ll Be Shopping Small Business Saturday
How lucky I am to share a hometown with this cool company! Support a small business and gift the peace of mind of no liquid toiletries! Skipping the liquids streamlined my packing, and best of all the products I use now are all natural!
Baggu Bag: Sustainable and Cute
Black Friday Deals
Baggu is offering 20% off their site right now!!
Apple Airtags
Gifting Peace of Mind
Knowing the location of my luggage during multi-leg trips has transformed how I travel, bringing a sense of security and ease to my journeys.
Black Friday Deals
Target has a 4-pack of Apple Airtags on sale for $80! This deal won’t last long… and usually, these are $100 for a 4-pack!
Bombas Socks
A good pair of socks is crucial for travel comfort. Bombas wool socks have been my choice for their durability and moisture-wicking properties. Whether walking city streets or hiking, they keep my feet dry and comfortable. Fancy a look? Here’s my affiliate link to check out more!
Comfort for Miles
On a day-long city tour, these socks proved their worth, providing comfort and support, and making the experience more enjoyable. Plus Bombas donates essential clothing items to someone in need for each purchase. How cool right!?
Beyond Socks
Bombas also sells underwear, long johns, t-shirts, and more! This year I’ve put their wool base layer on my Christmas list.
Black Friday Deals
Right now use HOLIDAY25 for 25% off EVERYTHING!! I’ve found over the years this is truly one of Bombas’ best sales!
Beis Weekender Bag
Why I’m Such a Fan Beis
I bought my first Weekender after my house fire, this was my bag for the next months of bouncing around that followed. Right after I got the bag, the zipper zipped right off… I contacted the company and they immediately shipped me a new bag! I love a company that puts this much care into their customer service!
Black Friday Deals
Right now the Weekender is on sale for $81 USD, it’s 25% off from it’s usual price of $108 USD! Buy this NOW! It won’t last long! Currently obessed with the colors Maple and Olive!
Beis is offering 25% off SITEWIDE! They also have flash sales from Friday to Monday that start at 9 am PST the items change each day. The first 1000 units are 50% off on top of whatever site-wide deals they have going. I’ll be following this sale closely and sharing lots on my Instagram stories!
Stojo Collapsible Water Bottle/Coffee Cup
Black Friday Deals
Stojo is currently offering up to 65% off items on their site. They have their collapsible water bottle and coffee cup 50% making them just $20 USD each! This is a steal!!
Stasher Bag
Full-time travel has been an endless cycle of needing a plastic baggy. That was until I started carrying some stasher bags on me! These are lightweight and durable, and they wash up so easily for endless reuse! The sandwich and pocket size are my absolute favorite!
The Sustainable Switch
I love how these bags eliminate my need for plastic bags. Stasher bags are also so versatile, I’m constantly impressed with their many uses, from makeup bags to snack bags, this does it all!
Black Friday Deals
Stasher is currently offering 40% off their site right now for Black Friday! Their sandwich size are just $10 USD and the pocket sizes are $6 USD!
Luminary Podcast Subscription
Podcasts are a great way to stay entertained and informed while traveling. Luminary, with its exclusive shows and downloadable episodes, has been my constant source of entertainment on long flights and road trips.
Love Their Exclusive Podcasts
Luminary offers several exclusive podcasts you’ll only find on their platform. That’s what first drew me to this platform. Highly recommend checking this out for the podcast lover in your life!
Audible Subscription
Audible puts so many audio books right at my fingertips! I love how easy it is to download different books and all the exclusive content that Audible offers its members.
So Many Books So Little Time
I’ve found that I prefer listening to books rather than reading them. I love that with Audible I can listen to my heart’s content! This makes the perfect gift for the traveler who wants to read more.
Black Friday Deals
Audible is currently offering a 3 months membership with 3 credits, meaning you’ll get 3 books for $45 USD. Check out more of their deals and options here!
Airport Finds
TRTL Travel Pillow
For those who can fall asleep anywhere, the TRTL Travel Pillow is a game-changer. Its support makes sleeping in transit comfortable and restful, turning flights and bus rides into opportunities to catch some sleep
No More Neck Pain
On a long-haul flight, this pillow allowed me to rest comfortably, arriving at my destination refreshed and ready to explore. This makes the perfect gift for the jet setter in your life!
Black Friday Deals
Currently, TRTL is offering up to 40% off their site. I have their original pillow and it’s currently 10% off! Can’t go wrong with a gift like this!
Manta Sleep Mask
Darkness for Deep Rest
Using this mask on various journeys has greatly improved my ability to sleep in unfamiliar environments, enhancing my overall travel experience. I love that Manta also offers other styles and types of masks based on what you’re looking for. The relaxation and tranquility this sleep mask brings me have made it my newest travel essential!
Priority Pass Membership
Access to airport lounges worldwide makes layovers more enjoyable. Priority Pass offers a range of memberships, making it a great gift for anyone who values comfort and convenience during their travels.
What I love most about Priority Pass is that you don’t have to spend a bunch of money with an airline or pay for a fancy credit card to get their pass. Anyone can buy their pass and access their lounges around the world. I’ve visited a few over the years and have been super impressed. This is another item that’s going on my Christmas list this year!
A Touch of Luxury in Transit
Relaxing in a lounge, away from the hustle and bustle of the airport, has transformed my travel routine, providing a peaceful haven during layovers.
For the Digital Nomads
Nomad Lane Origami Tote
Tailored for the digital nomad, this bag keeps everything organized, with so many pockets, including some hidden ones, and even one for your water bottle. I love that it accommodates up to a 16-inch laptop in the padded laptop sleeve!
Work and Travel in Harmony
This bag has streamlined my remote work setup, keeping my devices and documents neatly organized, making work on the go a seamless experience.
Ultimate Personal Item Flying
I’ve found the Origami Tote is the standard size for a personal item on most airlines in the U.S. When I’m flying away for the weekend, I can use just this bag as a personal item when needed. It’s truly the best option for work and travel, especially when you’re constantly on the go.
Day Trip Companion
The Origami Tote also converts to a backpack for day trips. This bag honestly does it all! I’ve been impressed since I stumbled upon their Indiegogo back in 2021. This bag does it all, from the multitude of pockets for all essentials, including a laptop. Its smart design makes it the perfect companion for work-related travel.
Black Friday Deals
Nomad Lane is offering big deals this black Friday! They currently are offering $50 off the Origami Tote, my work bag true love! They are also offering $50 off their Ikigai Slim Backpack and $100 off the V4 Bento Bag. These deals won’t last for long!
Apple Airpod Pros 2nd Generation
The noise cancellation of AirPods Pros is a lifesaver for work calls and focus during long travel days. They provide a bubble of concentration, whether working in a bustling café or on a noisy bus, or plane. They charge fast and last during some of my longest work sessions. I can’t recommend these enough for digital nomads, it’s an essential for any traveler!
Noise Cancelation in Any Setting
Their ability to block out ambient sounds has been invaluable in maintaining productivity in various environments. I have especially enjoyed using these on flights or camping to help with sleep. I like to use these with my Manta Sleep Mask Pro and TRTL Travel Pillow for the best sleep possible.
Black Friday Deals
Walmart has these Apple Airpod Pros 2nd Generation for a steal at $170 USD when they usually retail for $250! These are the ones I have with the lightning charging port. I can’t recommend these enough!
Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse
Comfort in Control
The ergonomic design of this mouse has been crucial in preventing strain during long work sessions, making remote work more comfortable. I also rarely have to charge it, which I love, and makes this an effortless addition to any remote work setup!
Black Friday Deals
Amazon has this mouse on sale for $85 USD, when it typically retails for $100 USD. Note that you want the older model or what’s sometimes called Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse Advanced. The older model is bigger and a bit more expensive, but worth it!
For the Outdoorsy
National Park Interagency or The America the Beautiful Pass
Give the Gift of Exploring Our National Parks
Owning this pass has led to countless unforgettable experiences in some of the most stunning natural landscapes. During my trip last year to Las Vegas this pass was invaluable, I used it to visit Red Rock Canyon, The Hoover Damn, and Lake Mead. Not only does this pass give unlimited access to all of the U.S. National Parks, but to all federal recreation lands, and so much more!
Kula Cloth
An innovative and sustainable solution for outdoor adventures, the Kula Cloth replaces toilet paper and can be reused. It’s a small step towards more eco-friendly travel practices. It’s the perfect companion from the backcountry to travel abroad. After 8 years of solo traveling, I’ve learned that you never know when you’ll be without toilet paper. The Kula Cloth is my solution to that!
Sustainable Choices in the Wild
Using this product has been part of my commitment to environmentally responsible travel, reducing waste on my outdoor excursions. I love how easy it is to wash it and reuse it.
Rumpl Blanket
Ideal for any outdoor setting, the Rumpl Blanket is versatile and durable, perfect for camping, picnics, or as a cozy wrap on chilly evenings. The Rumpl Blanket’s origin story comes from the idea of having a blanket made of a sleeping bag. Nowadays they offer so many different options! This makes a great gift for the outdoor adventurer in your life, it’s such a perfect travel essential for those spending time outside!
Love The Cape Clip
This blanket has a cape clip that allows you to wear it while you’re walking around on a cold morning or maybe while you’re cooking some dinner and watching the sunset. My Rumpl Blanket has been a constant in my outdoor gear, providing warmth and comfort in various settings.
Black Friday Deals
Rumpl Blanket is offering 25% off everything RIGHT NOW! Don’t miss this great deal!
AllTrails Membership
For the hiker in your life! I don’t have to tell you how handy AllTrails can be. Currently, you can gift a year-long membership for $36 USD. What a great gift for the loved one who spends all their time outside!
Yeti Mug
Black Friday Deals
Yeti offers a ton of deals from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, each day it usually changes. I’ll be following along as I’m gifting some Yeti’s this year. Stay tuned to my Insta stories for more sale updates!
The Takeaway
Traveling with the right gear can transform your experiences, making them more enjoyable and hassle-free. These travel essentials have been carefully chosen based on my personal experiences and have proven their worth on numerous journeys. Your support is amazing! Using my affiliate links is a huge help and keeps me sharing my travel tales and tips.
I specifically recommend these items because I have found that they last the test of time. I also have tried to recommend some amazing smaller brands that you don’t always see. Please buy what you need this holiday season, your holiday doesn’t have to be extravagant to be memorable and special.
Keep in mind black friday into Travel Tuesday will provide some of the best savings this year! I highly recommend checking your credit card offers and using a tool like Rakuten to maximize your savings this holiday season.
Do you have any favorite travel items that have made your adventures more enjoyable? Share them in the comments below!
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