Essential Carry-On Items: 9 Must-Haves for Every Traveler

Preparing for your next getaway? Or perhaps envisioning your next European backpacking adventure? If that’s the case, packing light is the key to having a perfect trip.  

And when you don’t have the right essentials, your trip can easily take a detour. But fear not! We're here to help. Our curated selection of travel essentials below are designed to make your next adventure effortless.

Bon voyage and safe travels!

Here’s how we pick and choose products:

• We do our research! We carefully sift through customer reviews to make sure what we’re recommending is top notch quality outside of the screen and consumers like you agree too.
• Hands-on testing: we evaluate each product’s performance, durability, ease of use, and other critical factors that are also evaluated in the long-term.
• Each brand has a mission dedicated to human-beings like all of us and an environmental impact that will change the world in the long run. 
• We mostly tend to lean towards brands that you probably haven’t heard of - the underdogs that are doing the most and not getting all the recognition they deserve.

FOTOFOTO - Aspen ($32.99)

Made with 100% recycled materials, FOTOFOTO’s cinema-grade film cameras are the perfect  cameras for travelers who don’t want to carry their expensive film cameras. You get the same film quality without having to stress about pickpockets and/or potentially losing your cameras. Plus, you can feel good about it knowing this brand refurbishes and re-uses all their cameras!

Guru Nanda - Foldable Travel Toothbrush ($6)

Guru Nanda is well known for their wellness products using ethically sourced, natural ingredients. The founder wanted to bring his Ayurveda roots to the U.S. with a holistic approach to wellness. Guru Nanda’s dentist-recommended travel-sized toothbrush is an absolute must-have when you’re traveling, making room in your carry-on with the easy, foldable function.   

Samuel Hubbard - Women’s Sunset ($185)

Lightweight, quality sneakers MUST! Samuel Hubbard is a family-run, eco-friendly shoe company dedicated to challenging fast fashion and the issue of overproduction, which leads to excess inventory. Their motto, 'the fewer, the better,' encourages buying only shoes that you love, designed for comfort, and that remain stylish beyond the current season. This approach results in less waste and extremely satisfied customers. Plus, the brand is proud to handcraft shoes meant to stay on feet and out of landfills. 

Sud Scrub - Body Scrubber ($29.99)

These TikTok-famous and Amazon-approved antimicrobial scrubbers are great at keeping gunk off and easy to travel with, unlike regular plastic loofahs. They’re great for exfoliating and cleansing all skin types without having to be a struggle to travel with. Plus, they’re plastic-free, 100% recyclable, and last over a year. The best part? Every Sud Scrub you buy helps remove a pound of plastic from the environment!

Lemyn Organics - Medical Grade Hand Sanitizer Gel ($20/3-pack)

Traveling with hand sanitizer is a no-brainer. This hand sanitizer from Lemyn Organics is a vegan, cruelty-free formula that keeps hands silky and hydrated, with 97% organic ingredients. Made in a certified facility in California, each batch is independently tested to make sure it's non-toxic and impurity-free.

Cincha - Travel Belt ($40)

No more struggling: neatly secure your personal bag to your carry-on! This Travel Belt from Cincha is going to be your next travel BFF. Personalization options are available, with hand-painted monograms in 18 colors by a local San Francisco artist. Not only has the small business grown tremendously since its premiere on Shark Tank, but they even donate 100 airline miles per travel belt purchased to Miles4Migrants!

STATE Bags - Bensen Toiletry Kit  ($65)

Need a new toiletry bag? This Bensen Toiletry Kit from STATE Bags is made of 90% recycled materials and perfectly fits all your travel-size essentials. It’s created to keep your toiletries perfectly organized in its mesh slots and zippered compartments - so you can also fit as many toiletries as you need. There’s even a collapsible hanger top that you can utilize in your hotel room closet, a snap-off pouch, and a sturdy top handle that makes it easy to carry around. 

Cosywell - Travel Shampoo + Conditioner Bottles ($9.99)

These reusable, TSA-approved bottles are an excellent eco-conscious choice, especially for consistent jetsetters. The set includes four bottles in a clear travel bag that you can fill with your choice of liquids. The flip caps are designed with a tight seal to prevent any leakage, so you don’t have to worry about a thing!

Allégorie - Cactus Hobo Fanny Bag ($325)

Don’t forget your favorite crossbody bag! This adorable fanny bag from Allégorie was crafted from sustainably farmed cactus and recycled materials. The brand is known for their vegan, plant-based bags made using fruit and plant fibers, along with upcycled and recycled materials. The natural material makes every bag unique in its own way, so you’ll never get the same handbag twice! You can also add your own personal touch with personalization options. 

Thoughtfully curated with your travel goals in mind 

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