Carry-on luggage is a place to really invest because this bag is your constant companion. Choose one that’s sturdy, sleek and smart, like the Australian-made July Carry-On. It has an unbreakable polycarbonate shell, the handle adjusts to exactly the height you require, the wheels are especially designed to glide – and it can charge your devices to boot.
RRP $325

When is a water bottle more than a water bottle? When it electronically purifies your H20 in addition to just holding it. Such is the genius of the Kiyo UVC Water Bottle, a double-walled, stainless steel vessel that harnesses UVC technology to neutralise up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria. A small electronic chip in the lid holds the secret to purification (there’s a 60-second ‘Quick Clean’ cycle and a longer, three-minute ‘Deep Clean’) – it’s responsible for releasing ultraviolet light, which is said to remove the cellular function of harmful microorganisms. Fully chargeable with a month-long battery life, this clever piece of tech will help keep you both hydrated and healthy while on holiday.

RRP $120

You’ll travel approximately nowhere (international) without your most essential item: your passport. Popping it in your bag without protection is a big no-no, especially as damage to its pages can, at worst, create some hefty hold-ups at immigration. Keep your passport — all your travel essentials from boarding passes to credit cards — flat, safe and protected from damage in this sturdy leather document wallet from July. RRP $145
 

You brought your headphones… but they won’t connect to the plane’s entertainment system. That’s where the Twelve South AirFly Pro comes in. Plug this tiny piece of tech into any headphone jack – whether it be in your seat’s entertainment system or the screen that you can never use on the treadmill at the gym – and it’ll allow you (and one other traveller) to wirelessly connect headphones of your choice. Game changer.

RRP $54.95

There’s a travel neck pillow for every kind of sleeper (and every travel situation). If you’ve been around the block a few times already, you’ll know whether you’re a u-shaped user or someone who can only sink into sleep with a silk pillow. The Trtl Travel Neck Pillow offers travellers epic support while on the move, but whichever neck cushion you favour, just be sure to remember to pack it.

RRP $73

If sleek flats aren’t your bag then a supremely comfy trainer is a suitcase necessity. Enter Allbirds Wool Runners, an ideal shoe for travel thanks to the lightweight sole and stylish minimalist design. The superfine New Zealand merino wool upper. It’s temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking – you don’t even need to wear socks, which makes slipping them on and off at the airport a breeze.
RRP $190

The sun becomes even more intense the higher you go, meaning damaging UV rays are streaming in the plane window while you’re at altitude. The cult favourite Mecca To-Save-Face Sunscreen is lightweight and super-moisturising so slather it on before you raise that plane window.
RRP $46

Reduce the likelihood of losing the important stuff by employing a troupe of AirTags. These tiny GPS trackers attach to anything and everything – from your Airbnb house key to your passport, case or wallet – and will point you in the right direction if you misplace them. You can also turn on Lost Mode, which will ping you if it detects that you’re a little too far from your tagged item. 

RRP $49

You’d never mix your colours or your fabrics: why should you mix your clean and dirty clothes on holiday? A travel laundry bag keeps your to-wash threads separate from your clean clothes, ensuring you won’t have to increase your necessity to wash. It’s also a great way to shield delicate fabrics from being damaged, too. If you have any items that are prone to pilling, including wool, lace or silk, pop them in a Evol Generation Earth laundry bag to keep them friction-free.

RRP $22.95

Weleda’s Skin Food comes in a 30ml tube, making it perfect for travel. This ultra-moisturising balm is made to be used anywhere dryness strikes, whether it’s your forehead or your elbows. Carry a tube on-board to keep skin moist and keep it with you throughout your journey to use as a hand-cream.

RRP $17.50

These Arc’teryx Essent High Rise Leggings have a cult following because they’re ultra-thick and durable. They’re tough enough for rock-climbing but comfy enough for a long-haul flight. The narrow stitching and strategically placed seams eliminate chafing and the Powernet Stretch mesh keeps them from slipping and wicks moisture. 
RRP $130

A quality pair of socks can instantly transform a cold plane or train journey into a cosy one. When choosing fibres, opt for those that are breathable, natural and light. Cashmere is the gold standard of tootsie-warming materials for this reason and, impressively, it also has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Try the Johnstons of Elgin to keep your tootsies warm on your next plane journey.

RRP $130

Wet rubbish. Pre-packed snacks. Burst cosmetics or laundry powder. There are a million reasons you should take empty, leak-proof storage such as the Lock and Lock Classic Short Square Container on a trip. But the number one reason is this: you just never know when you’ll have to store something that only leak-proof plastic can contain.  

RRP $9.95

Never get caught out without an umbrella again. This diminutive Uniqlo brolly is small enough to fit into a day bag or a clutch but tough enough to withstand whatever the weather throws at you.

RRP $29.90

A pair of breathable, airy slip ons will save you from so many situations where being barefoot (or the effort of pulling your shoes back on) just won’t do. Late-night visits to the camp ground toilet, mid-flight trips to the bathroom or even just wandering around your Airbnb without dragging the day’s dirt in are all avoidable with a simple pair of MUJI Slippers.

RRP $12.95

At the end of most trips, your suitcase has become a glorified dirty-laundry basket. However, with this kit from The Laundress, you can keep clothes clean, fresh and wrinkle-free for longer. Remove a red-wine stain with Stain Solution, watch wrinkles fall out with Crease Release, give that handy silk shirt a sink wash with Delicates Wash and remove the scent of last night’s barbecue with Fabric Fresh. 

RRP $60

The clever Keys-to-Go is so small you can fit it in your pocket. If you’re travelling lightweight, leave the laptop and tablet at home and make your smartphone handle all your needs. With this keyboard attached via Bluetooth, you can respond to emails, write reports or post witty quips on Twitter.
RRP $109.95

Don’t waste time searching for a public bathroom for a refresh. A tiny bottle of hand sanitiser, like the Thankyou Hand Sanitiser Botanical Grapefruit, can do more than just wash your hands – it’s also a great little disinfectant for scraps and cuts, as well as a quick-fix stop-gap zit blaster when your skin goes rogue unexpectedly. 

RRP $3.95

Campers rise with the sun. Is that because they’re in tune with nature… or because they struggle to keep the light out of their tent? You won’t have to test the theory if you pack a squashable, breathable Slip sleeping mask. It’s the ultimate antidote to bedroom blinds that won’t fully shut, or holiday house setups where the short-straw looks like sleeping on the sofa bed.

RRP $55

Packing a handy roll-up Nomader water bottle means you don’t have to buy single-use plastic at the airport. Fill it up on the other side so you can sip at your leisure in the terminal and on the plane, then take it on the road to refill while you’re exploring.
RRP $36.95

A good-quality scarf stands travellers in good stead for many situations, especially when flying. Find one in merino or cashmere, like COS' cashmere and wool blend offering – it's super-warm and breathable.
RRP $150

Turn your plane seat into a day-spa with a classic skincare kit from Kiehls. This set  covers the classics, in mini-form: cleanser, toner, mask, moisturiser and de-puffing eye cream, helping to combat dry cabin air, where the humidity is 10 to 20 per cent. 
RRP $117

This gorgeous Flamingo Estate scent, Euphoria, with notes of Ioanian bergamot and  and pink peppercorn, smells like an Italian summer. The bonus? It's lightweight, easily packable and small enough to squeeze in a carry on.
RRP $60

Pressurised aerosol cans, like most dry shampoos, have restrictions for plane travellers. Swap your standard for Bumble & Bumble’s version, which is a liquid, not a sprayable powder, and you’ll never have to worry about whether it will make it through security.

RRP $26

Not all accommodations are made equal (especially not if you're camping). Nécessaire's Body Essentials Set is a box-ticker for body care – including body wash and lotion  – but it’s so much more, thanks to the sinfully rich Body Serum, enriched with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, each in a handy >100ml size. 

RRP $58

Few things are more frustrating than watching the little battery symbol depleting on your devices when charging capabilities are limited. Avoid this modern horror with Anker 10K 22.5W Power Bank, which can charge up to three devices via its two-way USB ports.

RRP $64.95

You never know when you might be caught without washing capability. The Scrubba Portable Wash Bag is fully waterproof and features a set of micro ‘nobules’ on the inside lining that help massage dirt, grime and stench from your clothes when you scrub from the outside. Billed as the world’s smallest washing machine, it might just save you in a pinch.

RRP $64.90

This Lite Daypack by Bellroy is lightweight, durable and collapses in on itself and rolls up to a surprisingly tiny package. It’s an excellent daypack, carry-on bag or stand-by for when you’ve made some unexpected purchases and your suitcase refuses to cooperate.
RRP $149

The Go Travel Carry Clip allows you to attach extras to your bag – a jacket or a hat, for example – that you can’t fit inside. It’s ideal for wandering around cities that experience four seasons in one day.

RRP $19.95

Sometimes it’s  imperative to get a little shut-eye – and you’ve inadvertently got a room next-door to the city’s busiest late-night club. Whatever’s creating the noise, block it out with some high-quality earplugs. The Z Zone earplugs from Go Travel come with four size adjusters and they’re made from silicone so you can get the right size to block out as much noise as possible.
RRP $99.95

Gone are the days when it was customary to travel with a hatbox and collection of millinery. Fortunately, with foldable, packable hats like Barmah’s Squashy Kangaroo, you can flatten a hat into your suitcase and it’ll spring out at the other end, good as new.
RRP $72.68

Don’t get caught without the all-important SPF, especially on holidays when you’re spending extended hours in the sunshine. AB LAB’s nourishing but super light Dewy-C offers the best of both worlds: in addition to hyperpigmentation-blasting vitamin C, it’s enriched with SPF 50+ to protect you from the sun’s harsh rays.

RRP $44

A backpack is handy but slinging your stuff behind you means your valuables and essentials aren’t easily and quickly reachable. For shorter trips around town, rely on a zipped crossbody bag like this Maison de Sabre The Sling Bag that’ll keep the important things within reach (and, hopefully out of someone else’s).

RRP $239

soundcore's Sleep A20 take the earplug concept a step further. Instead of simply blocking sound, they come preloaded with a libray of soothing sleep sounds that work to neutralise any annoying noises (as well as the capability to stream your own content, too). These little babies can even track sleeping positions and movement cycles, giving you crucial insight into your sleeping habits, all with a helpful 14-hour battery life.
RRP $259.95

If you struggle with overpacking, suitcase organisation or keeping track of all your belongings, consider adding a set of packing cubes to your holiday prep regime. These zippable mini-cases are designed to segment clothing types to help streamline packing, unpacking and repacking, resulting in a more organised travel bag before, during and after your holiday. Invest in a sturdy set with various sizes, strong zips and mesh panels so you can see what’s inside at a quick glance. This compressible bundle from Monos is made of antimicrobial, tear-resistant nylon and each is finished with snag-free zippers to keep clothing of all fabrics protected.

RRP $160

Different mattresses, pillows, noises and lighting can all make sleeping in a new room tricky when travelling. Ensure a good night’s shut eye with the rechargeable Glow Travel Sleep Easy. It boasts an impressive list of sleep-boosting features, from pink noise capability to melatonin-boosting LED red light projection, and a scent nebuliser for harnessing aromatherapy techniques. Short of a neck massage, there’s little this machine can’t tackle when it comes to sleeping. 

RRP $139

You won’t have to keep track of multiple charging cords and cables if you encase your phone in a self-charging case like this Mophie. It’ll also save you in a pinch when chargers (and charging ports) are in short supply — just don’t forget to charge the case, of course.

RRP $129.95

If you’re planning some time in the great outdoors, a solar light is a very handy investment. The Luci Outdoor 2.0 Pro from MPOWERD not only provides 50 hours of light on a single solar charge, it also has a USB port so you can charge your devices, too.
RRP $69.99

Whether you’re on the go for work or play, staying connected is crucial when travelling. Swap tightly wound tangles of cords for the helpful Bellroy Tech Kit, where all the most important chargers can easily be reached. 

RRP $89

If you’re planning to push on with binge-watching your own program in-flight (or, in-bus, in-ferry or in-car, for that matter), the Cotton On Phone Mount will keep you hooked, episode after episode, without you having to hold it in place.

RRP $9.99

Light sleepers, binge watchers and regular travellers will tell you – noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute travel must. Research is crucial (our guide is a great explainer to the most popular styles) and, once you’ve found your perfect pair, like these Dyson Zone Air Purifying Headphones, you’ll elevate these babies to the same level of importance as your passport.

RRP $999

Travel can take it out of your skin. Replenish a dry visage with a super-charged facial oil where a little goes a long way. Bonus points if you pack a travel size, like Go-To’s adorable little 10ml wonder, Face Hero.

RRP $18

Long flights, early mornings, late nights… jetsetters know that coffee is a travel essential. Streamline the passport, phone and coffee juggle with the riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder, which fits neatly onto the handle of any wheeled carry-on suitcase. 

RRP $49

The Mino X speaker is seriously tiny – but never tinny. Surprisingly big sounds come out of this small package (which can even float in water, which is perfect for summer pool parties). It boasts a three-hour battery time and a built-in mic.

RRP $74.95

Nothing will make you smugger than a high-tech temperature-controlled travel mug. The Ember Temperature Control Travel Mug 2 will maintain your chosen temperature for a staggering three hours – or warm all day on its accompanying charging coaster – while also being helpfully leakproof. Hikers, surfers, campers and all hot beverage enthusiasts, this is your ultimate travel tech accessory. 

RRP $300

Suitcases and clothes that need to stay crinkle-free aren’t friends. A portable steamer can play peacemaker, especially one that’s as compact and easily transportable as the Phillips 3000 Series Hand Steamer. It weighs an easy 870 grams and is ready to steam in just 30 seconds.

RRP $49

Take a pair of slides on the plane to shuffle down the aisle to the bathroom in so you don’t have to lace up your shoes. They'll also double as poolside slides, shoes to wear in the shower if you’re at a gym and they’re ideal for the beach. Birkenstock Arizona is a classic and this version, made from EVA, a lightweight, flexible synthetic, is water-resistant.
RRP $72

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