When I first started traveling, most of the things I owned really weren’t designed for travel. I had a bulky 15 year old suitcase with a broken wheel. Yet, it’s all I had so I’d pack my bulky sweaters, full sized toiletries, and several books into that suitcase and hop on a plane. 

With a little more financial stability, I started to acquire a few travel products that made travel easier, more convenient, and definitely more comfortable. Travel gear can be expensive, but expensive doesn’t necessarily indicate good quality or usefulness. It’s important to have a good idea of what we legitimately need, what we will actually use, and, if we have a budget, how we can spend wisely.

Here you’ll find some of the best travel products I’ve picked up (including a suitcase with working wheels!). I own each of these items and feel comfortable recommending them based on my own experience. I won’t ever recommend or endorse a product unless I’ve tried it myself. Feel free to check out this section for some of the best travel gear around.