A Frequent Flier’s 15 Top Travel Essentials for 2025

I get jetlag just from watching my 2024 highlight reel. In typical travel writer fashion, I spent the last 12 months getting my passport stamped in 22 countries on five continents. It wasn’t a record-breaking year, but I’m pleased to report I’m using the same gear this December that I started with back in January. In fact, many of my go-to travel essentials have been to all seven continents, and most earn me compliments from other travelers. So, what do I pack? An amateur’s answer would be: “It depends on the trip.” But after spending a decade as a full-time travel writer, I’ve curated quite the collection of versatile products I use daily, whether my travels bring me to Paris or Peru.

Okay, so my first trip next year isn’t that glamorous; I’ll be traveling to Colorado for a colonoscopy. But right after that, I’ll fly Air Tahiti Nui to Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea, an overwater resort in French Polynesia where you can get your breakfast delivered by canoe. Despite how different the two trips are, I’ll be packing many of the same items — that’s just what travel professionals do. The good news? You can pack like a pro, too. See below for 15 travel accessories and gear I used in 2024 that I look forward to traveling with in 2025. 

Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow

“Pillow, passport, wallet, keys.” You know you’re obsessed with your travel pillow when it’s the first thing you double-check before you leave for the airport. Unlike the flimsy overpriced pillows most airport shops sell, this best-seller with nearly 4,700 five-star ratings is made of dual-density memory foam that actually supports my head. The chin strap and headrest attachments both ensure the pillow stays in place and are game changers, too. Not only is this neck pillow a no-brainer for flights, but I also used it last spring while exploring New Zealand via KiwiRail’s scenic railroad. 

Tweezerman Mini Slant Travel Tweezers

While spending a few nights in August at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, I spent far too much time in front of the fancy magnifying mirror in the bathroom. The problem wasn’t the mirror: it was dull dollar store tweezers. The first thing I ordered when I got home were these popular (more than 3,000 were sold in the last month alone) Tweezerman tweezers. The slanted tips mean even the most stubborn hairs come out, and I love that they’re travel-size. They even come with a case. Nearly 80 percent of their ratings on Amazon have perfect five-stars, with “small but mighty” seeming to be the general consensus among shoppers. 

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

Until two years ago, I used to buy an adapter at each destination I visited or borrow one from properties I stayed at. Investing in this universal adapter — which works in more than 200 countries — has saved me heaps of money and made me a more independent traveler. With three USB-C and two USB-A ports, it supports simultaneous high-speed charging for up to six devices. It’s so convenient that I even use it at home when I’m not traveling. It doesn’t convert voltage, but it has built-in safety features to keep it from overheating. And although it’s a new product, it’s already so popular that more than 9,000 were purchased last month on Amazon. One reviewer said they would “rate it six stars” if they could, adding, “After taking a worldwide trip with this, I am sure that this is the best adapter on the market.”

Anker Prime Power Bank

​​Last January, my 20,000 wAh Anker charger was a lifesaver when I was on an island in the Philippines with frequent power outages. This summer, I upgraded to Anker’s newer model which is 60 percent smaller than most 65wAh portable chargers and doubles as a wall charger, too. I love being able to plug it into an outlet in the airport where it can charge itself at the same time it’s charging up to two devices. Unlike previous models, it has an LCD display that shows battery level and power output. “This gets my vote for best compact travel power bank in the world,” one shopper said, describing it as “cutting edge tech.” Despite being a new model, it’s already flying off Amazon warehouse shelves: more than 5,000 were purchased in the last month.   

Baleaf Women’s Fleece-lined Leggings

As I’m writing this, I’m on a Hurtigruten Arctic expedition. Most leggings are no match for Norway’s winter weather. But these best-selling bottoms — they have nearly 24,000 five-star ratings and more than 20,000 were purchased in the last month alone — are passing every test. Thanks to the soft fleece lining, these water-resistant leggings are warm enough that I can wear them without feeling the wind. They’re also breathable and lightweight, so I can layer them under my favorite four-season hiking pants, and they have two side pockets deep enough to hold an iPhone and even a pair of gloves. “They were our go-to pants for our Christmas vacation in the UK and Ireland,” wrote one shopper who found them to be warm and comfortable.

Venture Pal 35L Ultralight Lightweight Packable Foldable Travel Pack

My water-resistant Venture Pal made its maiden voyage over two years ago on a traditional dhow boat in Mozambique. Last May, it was my excursion bag while cruising around Croatia. It packs down into its own front pocket, so if I don’t end up shopping or needing to shed a layer, I can just keep it stowed in my purse. The padded shoulder straps and chest strap are nice touches that most packable backpacks lack. I also appreciate the two-way zippers and easy-access side pockets (perfect for a water bottle or umbrella). It’s available in nine colors and has nearly 13,000 five-star ratings. One rave review titled “Best thing since ever!” reads: “I originally bought this a year and a half ago for my trip to Israel, it is so lightweight, it weighs like nothing, and it holds everything, everything. I use this now as my carry-on.”

Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack

I’m not breaking up with my beloved Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag. But I have cheated on it with my new Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack. For starters, I’m a huge fan of the vibrant color options. I reach for this 1.5-liter bag when I need something super compact for sightseeing. It’s cleverly designed to pack down into one of its pockets, so it’s easy to pack in your carry-on. It includes a main compartment with double zippers, a mesh organizer complete with a clip for keys, and a secret zippered back pocket. Made of 100 percent recycled nylon, it’s also waterproof. “Super cute and very durable,” summed up one satisfied shopper on Amazon. “I take it with me everywhere!”

Nemo Double Haul 55 L Convertible Duffel and Tote

I got this versatile bag — it’s a water-resistant duffle bag, tote bag, and backpack all in one — for a recent trip to Tanzania. Singita Explore, the remote safari camp I was staying at, is only accessible via small plane. I needed a soft-sided bag that could mold to fit in the plane’s hold. Despite being so spacious (it holds 55 liters), I was able to fly with it as a carry-on on both domestic and international airlines. When not in use, it packs down into a convenient carrying case which can also double as a packing cube. But the best part about this bag is that, like all Nemo products, it comes with a lifetime warranty. “This bag has so many uses,” wrote one REI shopper who uses it as their weekender bag, among other things. “I don’t know how I lived without it.” 

Hibag 12 Compression Bags for Travel

These best-selling compression bags were literal space savers (and figurative lifesavers) this past summer when I packed one bag for a huge European trip: I visited Portugal’s new WOW museums, went to the Olympics in France, took Riverside Luxury Cruises’ 10-day Rhine River voyage, and spent a week in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Currently, I’m using one in Norway to pack my bulky Fjallraven Expedition Down Jacket and my Canada Goose puffer vest. Without this bag, those two items alone would take up my entire suitcase. I love the double-zipper design and the variety of sizes. One fellow fan, an Amazon shopper who lived out of a carry-on during a week-long Europe trip, wrote, “I was able to bring 3 pants, 1 skirt, 6 tops, 1 sweater, 2 bras, 7 underpants, 7 socks, and 2 belts all in my suitcase thanks to these bags.” 

Furtalk Sun Hat

When I’m Nicole Kidman’s age and someone asks me what my secret to my flawless skin is, I’m going to show them a montage of me wearing this hat all around the world. Most recently, I wore it on an MSC Mediterranean Cruise where I needed the UPF 80+ sun protection it provides. The built-in sweatband kept me cool while touring around Santorini, and the detachable chin strap ensured this hat stayed on even during our choppy boat ride around Capri. Did I mention it’s also stylish and easy to pack in a carry-on? One shopper at Amazon — where this hat has more than 4,600 five-star ratings — said that “the hat kept its shape and looked great,” after taking it on two vacations where it also spent some time in the pool (and dried quickly). 

GoPro Hero13 Black Waterproof Action Camera 

Last spring I had the privilege of swimming with wild dolphins in Kaikoura, New Zealand. While I used the GoPro Hero 12 that day, I recently upgraded to the new Hero 13. Also waterproof, it’s GoPro’s first camera with “Burst Slo-Mo,” and its next-generation enduro battery allows for up to 2.5 hours of continuous recording. It’s already ranked fourth on Amazon’s list of Best Sellers in Sports & Action Video Cameras and is so popular that more than 3,000 were purchased in the last month alone. “It’s worth the extra money to get an official action camera,” declared one shopper. “I’ve bought some off-brand and cheaper action cameras in the past and always run into issues.” 

Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler

My 2024 road trips and camping adventures looked like Yeti commercials. I’m obsessed with Yeti gear, especially this highly-rated cooler with wheels. Prior to owning this Yeti cooler, I had to find a friend to help me carry/lift my cooler or risk throwing out my back trying to do it myself. The Yeti Roadie 48 holds up to 54 pounds of ice, and 76 cans or 15 bottles of wine (don’t ask me how I know). Yes, it’s pricey, but it features a practical periscope handle, puncture-resistant wheels, and non-slip feet which came in handy when we used it on a boat at Flathead Lake. Plus, it offers the industry’s best ice retention. One shopper said it goes above and beyond travel — they also used it when their home fridge broke. The ice they had inside lasted an entire week. 

Women’s Vuori Performance Joggers

My boyfriend was tired of seeing me in these joggers (I wear them every day), until I got him a pair of the men’s version. Now, he loves twinning with me, especially when we get to our hotel room after a long travel day. These joggers are made of Vuori’s aptly named DreamKnit fabric, that is so soft and comfy, you can easily sleep in these bottoms. They’re also moisture-wicking, slightly stretchy, and overall, made for movement, hence the “performance” in the name. Plus, they have pockets and last for multiple seasons (which is great given their price). “I’ve had them for two years and they barely look used,” wrote one shopper at REI where they have an impressive 4.7-star average rating from more than 500 reviews. 

Cotopaxi Allpa 35 Travel Pack

Out of everything I travel with, I probably get the most compliments on my Cotopaxi Allpa. This best-in-class backpack (Travel + Leisure editors deemed it the best overall carry-on backpack after evaluating 90 styles) has been my trusty companion on all seven continents. Unlike other backpacks, it opens like a suitcase, so I don’t have to dig to find what I’m looking for. It also features built-in organization, so I can get away without using packing cubes. The durable outer zippers feature anti-theft loops, and even though this bag is water-resistant, it comes with a rain cover. While I have an older version (I got my first one in 2021, and I’m still using it), this new model has a removable waist belt. “The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack has completely revolutionized the way I travel,” wrote one Amazon shopper who praised the reinforced handles that allow it to be carried like a duffel bag, too. 

Lucky Brand Women’s Basel Ankle Bootie

I’ve also had these best-selling (they’ve racked up over 8,100 five-star ratings) Lucky ankle booties for at least three years. Despite the 1.5-inch heel, I’ve never had problems walking in them without twisting my ankles, even when worn on cobblestone streets in Amsterdam or while wine tasting in South Africa. I’m a big fan of the side zipper — for both function and fashion purposes — and the cushioned footbed does not go unnoticed. “Wore this boot while on vacation and did LOTS of walking (like 7 to 10 miles a day),” recalled one shopper at Amazon. “They were so comfortable that I ended up wearing them every single day of my 14-day vacation.” 

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