Gear Gear Up!

BY KIRSTEN CLUTHE

On a recent trip to Austin, my hotel room was located on the busiest corner of the block. It was also during South by Southwest, which made an active intersection even more raucous. Luckily, the hotel had placed a white noise machine beside the bed. Its soothing whirl kept me sleeping well during the entire stay. As soon as I got home, I searched for a portable white noise machine that I could purchase for my personal travel kit.

It’s no secret that having the right gear can make all the difference when traveling—whether you’re taking a weekend road trip or a romantic vacation to a far-flung destination. Below are 20 essential products that will not only make any journey smoother, but the stylish designs and cool features will also elevate your travel game.

$699

If you do carry-on, look no further than the Briggs & Riley Expandable Spinner. The one-touch expansion feature gives you the option of packing that extra pair of shoes, and the built-in tri-fold garment folder lets you pack your suit without worrying that it will be a wrinkled mess when you arrive. The shock-absorbing spinner wheels and ergonomic handle grip provide smooth maneuverability when rolling through the airport, and the speed-through pocket enables access to stored items at security— thoughtfully designed with an orange lining to inform you when the pocket is open so you don’t lose any essential items.

$675

Let’s face it, there are a lot of directions you can go in with a weekender, from a backpack to a full-on roller bag. The Hook & Albert Weekender Pro has a little bit of all of it. This bag “stores like a duffel and performs like a garment bag,” but we really like the way it organizes your stuff. An exterior padded laptop pocket, cord organizing straps, key holder, and shoe pockets keep everything under control, and the garment section will keep your suit (or dress) crisply packed.

$1,125

Not everyone wants to carry-on, especially if you have a long flight or multiple stops. Sometimes it’s just easier to drop your bag and forget about it. Rimowa’s Check-In L is strong and lightweight and is the world’s first suitcase made of polycarbonate. Its multi-wheel system makes it a breeze to roll through the airport, and with enough room for a 10-day trip, it’s stylish enough to accompany you on, say, a trip to Paris Fashion Week.

$95

We’ve long been fans of Everlane for its ethical approach to business and commitment to sustainability, but we also love their style. So it’s no surprise that our favorite backpack is an Everlane. The ReNew Transit Backpack is functional and modern. With an exterior laptop pocket for easy TSA access plus catch-all pockets for passports, tickets, and travel documents, it’s got the traveler in mind. Interior slip pockets hold notebooks, magazines, and other necessities, and the two water bottle holders, plus a strap to attach the backpack to rolling luggage, keep things accessible while you’re navigating the globe.

$770

There are several things to consider when choosing a cosmetic kit that will serve you well: it has to hold all of your items at the proper angle, and it needs to be able to sit on a bathroom shelf or sink counter no matter the size of the space. Even if you stay at the Ritz Carlton, bathroom shelf space can be limited, so you need a case that works in all scenarios. The upright shape of the Gucci Ophidia case allows you to store your bottles vertically or horizontally. The sturdy construction means the case won’t fold or fall over into the sink. Bonus: it’s glamorous enough to work as a small handbag.

$279

Gone are the days when you must choose between your everyday watch and your dress-to-impress timepiece. The Wolf British Racing Watch Roll is a personal accessory that can go wherever you do, with space for up to 3 watches, plus a hidden jewelry capsule inside of the watch roll with three compartments for cufflinks, rings, and other small valuables. Available in the elegantly chic shade of British Racing Green, it also looks good on your nightstand.

$150

Every time I see a fellow traveler with a neck pillow around his or her neck, I immediately feel the discomfort that happens in an airplane seat. Enter Slip’s Black Frequent Flyer Travel Set, a chic travel pillow, eye mask, and face cover designed in black silk. Slip uses long fiber mulberry silk and non-toxic dyes, and the quality is comparable to cotton pillowcases with a 220-360 thread count.

$78

There is nothing worse than unpacking your jewelry only to discover that all your necklaces have become entangled. A situation that then requires you (or a patient partner) to spend an inordinate amount of time trying to pull tiny, circular pieces apart so you can wear your favorite pieces to dinner. The Mejuri travel case is the stylish, packable solution to this travel problem. File under things that will undoubtedly make your life better.

$62

The sheer number of Dopp kits available is utterly overwhelming. This Dopp Kit from DSPTCH has all the desired features housed in a modest but stylish design. It has two compartments, both with elastic organizers and pockets to keep your items in place, but the thing that pushes it over the top is the removable valet tray that you can set on your hotel dresser or nightstand, just like at home.

$99

We all carry bottles of water around, so why not use one that cleans itself? The LARQ PurVis water bottle eliminates up to 99% of bio-contaminants such as E.coli and keeps your liquids hot or cold for up to 12 hours. Grab water from the tap or water fountain, press on the cap, give the bottle a shake, and voila! Clean water. The bottle also intelligently turns on every 2 hours to clean the water you put inside as well as the inside of the bottle. A low-maintenance way to stay hydrated and healthy on the go.

$90

If you buy one thing away from this travel gear list, it should be packing cubes. Until recently, I had no idea how much they could improve the life of a traveler. Using a set of packing cubes in your luggage is almost like having a set of dresser drawers to help organize clothes and other items that go into your suitcase. This set from Monos is made with tear-resistant nylon twill and breathable mesh top panels that let you quickly see what’s inside without even unpacking. You might even find a way to pack more than you realize with these cubes. Seriously— life-changing.

$450

Upgrade your time on the plane or road with this 4-piece cashmere travel set, which includes a silk travel pillowcase, eye mask, a pair of cashmere socks, and a lightweight cashmere throw. Beautifully designed by Naked Cashmere, a luxury brand that uses fair trade, cruelty-free cashmere and works directly with herders and factories in Mongolia, eliminating the middleman to keep prices down. And their products are packaged in unique biodegradable bags meant to be repurposed for storage. Feeling good and doing good at the same time.