40 travel accessories to buy in 2021 by Bulbulonthewing
They said, ‘collect memories, not things’. What they forgot to add is that to collect those precious memories in a comfortable manner, a traveler needs certain travel accessories, depending on the type of travel destination. These days, in order to live travel, the travelers should not have a painful and swollen feet (compression socks); the traveler should not fall sick and spoil the remaining days of the trip (filter bottle), the traveler knows that they need to look fresh and good throughout out the trip (konjac sponge); etc.
How do you know which travel accessories are worth buying for yourself? Well, it depends on the person and situation. Eg. A portable coffee maker is a necessity for a backpacker but it might not be a good option for a family trip. Lint roller is not necessary for a regular traveler but can be an asset for a business traveler.
Let’s have a look at these travel accessories that you should buy in 2020.
1) Stow N Go Hanging Travel Shelves
Hanging shelves by Grandfusion is a must-have to enjoy an efficient holiday. These are portable hanging shelves in which you can pack your stuff, zip it, put it in your suitcase and you are ready to go. Once reaching the destination, you can take out the shelves and simply hang them in your wardrobe. These shelves are undoubtedly good space savers and would keep your clothes wrinkle-free. This is one of my favorite travel accessories.
2)Smart Travel Lock
A smart travel padlock neither requires a key or a code to open. All it requires is one touch to unlock using your preferred method from any of these available convenient choices such as encrypted NFC-enabled and Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, smart wearable/devices including smartwatch/sport-bands, NFC Fobs/Tags/Sticker and others. eGeeTouch uses NFC technology and has proved to be a really useful travel accessory.
Anylocksafe offers travel locks that can be unlocked using your fingerprint. It takes only 1 second to unlock and can store 10 fingerprints. The built-in rechargeable lithium battery can be unlocked 3000 times after charging 1 time.
3)Smart Luggage Tags
Lost luggage is probably one of the most worrying things about air travel. Smart luggage tags are the perfect solution to combat that. There are quite a few of them in the market. Although each of them works in different ways using different technologies (RFID, NFC) all of them finally help you track your luggage. They are easy to use. All you need to do is install an application on your phone and give your contact details.
Another great accessory to protect your wallet/purse or even phone is AirBolt Shield Card. It is a credit-card-sized smart tracker. If you keep it in your wallet, it will send separation alerts to your phone when you go away (more than a certain distance) from your wallet. This way you are not likely to lose your belongings.
4)Foldable Bottle
A foldable bottle is one of the best accessories that you can have. I currently use the anti-bottle offered by Vapur. What makes it a good choice is the fact that it is a reusable water bottle making it environment-friendly. The bottle can be folded or flattened when empty making it extremely easy to carry. The bottle is also freezable, dishwasher safe and BPA-free.
5)Portable Wash Bag
This deserves to be an instant hit amongst the frequent camping goers. Even if camping isn’t your cup of tea, carrying a portable wash bag saves the environment (by using less water) and money (on overpriced hotel laundry services). Laundreez has been a great product to carry, especially for long holidays. It also serves as a dry bag. Put your valuables like phone and car keys in the bag while you are having fun in the pool.
6)Infinity Scarf
This is not a regular scarf. There is a reason why it is called an ‘Infinity Scarf’. It secures your valuables with a hidden zipper pocket. This is one of my favorite travel accessories. Halo2go offers beautiful prints in the cotton and pashmina scarves. The zipper pocket is big enough to accommodate passport, cash, shades, cards, etc. All these scarves are handmade by the women of Laos. So, you are helping to empower the women of Laos when you buy one of these scarves.
7)Anti-Nausea And Anti-Insomnia Band
This is a boon for people like me. The band, to a large extent, helps to alleviate motion sickness, dizziness, and vomiting. It does this via an acupressure point near the wrist – Pericardium (P6). So, you can be assured that there are no major side-effects. NBAN and NoMo have been a great help when it comes to motion sickness. Many travelers also suffer from sleep issues while traveling. Acupressure Bracelets offers an Anti-insomnia band to help ease sleeping.
A tip here: Ensure to order the bands after referring the size chart
8)Anti-Pollution Face Mask
Travel is not only about hills and beaches. We also roam in the urban set up where pollution is one of the major problems. Having said that, a face mask becomes a necessity. No, I am not talking about the routine dull-colored masks that you get at the pharmacy. There are stylish masks in the market too. Moreover, they are innovative by offering multiple layers of filters. Airinum offers masks with 5-layer filter technology and sleek design. It is an advanced product for people wanting to breathe better in degraded air quality. Vogmask is another popular brand providing protection from airborne contaminants. The masks are available in attractive prints. And if you are one of those who don’t like wearing masks at all, Clenare has the perfect solution for you. They have transparent wearable nasal air filters that are not visible to the naked eye.
9)Sun HatsWith UPF
You read that right. There are hats available with UPF i.e. ultraviolet protection factor. These hats protect your skin on the face and neck. Wallaroo Hat Company and Emthunzini Hats offer some great styles in hats (with UPF 50+), both for men and women. According to the Australian Radiation Protection Agency, UPF 50+ fabric blocks 97.5% of ultraviolet rays. So, you can enjoy your beach holiday in a stylish yet protected way.
10)Filter Bottle
Not every country has potable tap water. Water is one of the major factors that can make travelers sick. The perfect solution is a filter bottle. A filter bottle removes the micro-organic contaminants from water and improves the taste. Naked filter is a good one to reach out for a filter bottle. The brand is quite reasonably priced as compared to its competitors.
11)Eye-Mask (Anti-Ageing)
You must be thinking this is one of the most common accessories. Well, Sleepfountain offers anti-aging eye masks. It is a Copper Infused Sleep Mask that has Copper Ions woven through the soft inner fabric, which helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. So, get a facial while you sleep. This mask is like an eye pillow which makes it extremely comfortable to wear. Of course, you can wear them even while sleeping in your comfortable bed.
12)Neck Pillow And Earplugs
These are yet another set of common accessories to have. However, you need to make a compact and comfortable choice. Travel Blue has this amazing Tranquility Memory Foam Foldable Travel Pillow. It is extremely comfortable to the neck. It can be folded to one-fourth of its size. Buy your Ear Plugs as well so as to reduce the air pressure on ears. I mean ear pain while flying is something the majority of us suffer from. I have been using both of these travel accessories from Travel Blue and both have proved to be beneficial to me.
13)Compression Socks
I underestimated the use of these socks until I used them. No matter how fit we are, sitting on the plane for a long time causes a little swelling or pain in the legs due to poor blood flow. The feet and calf muscles are the most affected. Good quality compression socks come as a blessing here. I have been using socks from Sorgen. They are extremely effective in reducing pain and discomfort.
One tip here: Ensure to buy the socks of your shoe size for the best results
14)Airplane Window ShelfAnd Phone Holder
Don’t imagine it as a big accessory. spAIRtray is an extremely handy and useful window shelf. The tray fits perfectly into the window groove and creates an adequate space to put your glasses, phone, drinks, snacks, etc. The anti-slip pad is of immense help to put just about anything on the tray without worrying. I have found it quite essential for long flights. Bobino phone holder provides support for your phone while charging. It basically hangs between the charger and the outlet, perfect for train and bus journeys. The surface has an anti-slip pad and the folding hinge is handy for travel.
15) Air Purifying Bags
We all want to travel fresh and want to avoid the stinky shoes and rooms. MosoNatural air purifying bags for shoes are just amazing. Just place these bags in your shoes for them to eliminate the odor and absorb moisture. The Moso Bag for rooms eliminate odors, allergens, and harmful pollutants out of the air without giving off a scent. It also absorbs excess moisture to prevent bacteria from forming. Wait, the best part is still left. These air purifying bags are reusable for up to two years. Maintenance cost? It’s free. Just place the bags outside in the sun for at least one hour to rejuvenate.
16)Portable Toilet Seat Cover
This travel accessory is very crucial yet rarely thought about. Sanitary hygiene is often underestimated. Carrying toilet seat covers is not a luxury but a necessity. While traveling, you never know where you end up using the public restroom. I currently use toiler seat covers by Toletta. The cover acts as a sanitary barrier between you and those germs. Toletta covers are biodegradable and hence flushable.
17)Sand Free Towel
As the name suggests, it is literally a sand-free towel. Tesalate is one of the best brands that offer sand-free beach towels. The towels are compact, lightweight, quick-drying and are available in fabulous prints. You can use it either as a beach towel or beach mat. All you need to do is shake off the sand after use and fold it thereby saving your other clothes and car from getting messy with the sand. It is a stylish yet travel essential accessory for your next beach holiday.
18)Microfiber Towel
Microfiber Towel is worth buying if you are traveling from one place to another too quickly. It is a great water absorbent, quick-dry (3 times faster than cotton), lightweight and compact. Some hostels do not provide for towels and you might need one on the road or the beach as well. Softspun has been my travel accompaniment for quite a few months now.
19)Can Cooler
The idea of a relaxed beach holiday is usually sitting on the beach shacks for hours with a can of beer or Pepsi in hands. Thus, Carrying a travel-friendly cooler can be a great idea. Crafty Can Cooler is made of neoprene that keeps drinks colder, longer. The cooler fits regular and even large-sized cans. I even fit my small-sized bottles in it.
20)Konjac Sponge
Konjac Sponge is made from Konjac which is a perennial plant native to Asia. The plant is naturally alkaline, which leaves the skin perfectly balanced. Konjac Sponge is the perfect travel accessory to rejuvenate your tired skin. It is 100% natural and made from Korean plant roots. The sponge becomes soft when wet and helps to exfoliate the skin. It cleanses like nothing you have ever experienced, leaving the face glowing and smooth. Investing in a travel pack that consists of body and face sponges is totally worth it.
One tip here: The sponges can be used with or without cleanser
21)Ear Bags
It is a winter accessory and is literally an ‘ear bag’. It is easy to wear and gives warmth but what I like about Earbags the most is that it does not spoil your hairstyle. Yes, these are frameless ear warmers. You literally need to stick them on to your ears. At first, it might be a little tricky to wear them. But, you will soon realize that they are extremely comfortable.
22)Portable Coffee Maker
Now, this one is no less than an asset for the coffee lovers. It is a nice-to-have accessory for your camping and hiking holiday or even just for a road trip. AeroPress and Wacaco are the leading brands. Both the coffee makers are extremely easy to use and prepare your choice of coffee – Americano, Latte or an espresso. It’s gonna be ready in a few minutes.
23)Lint Remover
There exist carefree travelers, who just want to enjoy different experiences without worrying too much. Then there are sophisticated travelers and business travelers who want to be at their best while traveling. The lint roller Flint is a perfect gift for such tourists. All you need to do is open the roller, roll it on your suit to remove lints, roll back and close it, keep it back in your purse. The roller comes with 30 lint remover sheets inside. You can then keep buying the refills.
24)Backpack Raincover
If you are fond of the tropical destinations, you have to consider the regular and sudden rainfall that it receives. Carrying a rain cover for your day backpack is always a good idea. After all, the backpack usually has all the necessary items like passport, wallet, food items, important travel documents, camera, and sometimes even a laptop (if you work on the go). Unigear comes with its own compact mini carry pouch. Apart from being waterproof and rainproof, it has a distinct reflective logo for nighttime safety.
25)Camera Straps
The camera is an indispensable accessory to carry while traveling. But, to make it a pleasant accessory to handle, a good quality camera strap is a must too. CustomSLR‘s Air Strap is compatible with most of the cameras. The wider strap with neoprene padding gives the shoulders exceptional comfort. The fabric of the strap has breathable vents that will keep you cool by providing ventilation. The best part – it rotates for maximum flexibility and detaches for increased mobility. Glide One Strap is another excellent variant by Custom SLR which distributes weight evenly on your shoulder to reduce pain and fatigue.
26)Tripod For Smartphone
You are dependent on your smartphone for photos and videos if you do not have a DSLR camera. Smartphones, of course, is a great choice too. However, one of the major problems with them is that your hands tend to shake/move while clicking photos thereby increasing the chances of a blurred photo. Gekkopod is a flexible tripod for smartphones. You can click your photos and shoot the videos placing it almost everywhere and at every angle possible. Yes, it can be even hung on a nail to shoot a video.
27)Shoelace Locks And Stretchlaces
Isn’t that annoying to bend every time to tie your shoelaces? Well, not really. But, what if you have a lot of shopping bags in your hand (we all love shopping while traveling); what if you have a kid who wants to run and play by himself; what if your parents are old and want to take a walk around the streets of the travel destination? The solution is to invest in Shoelace locks. They securely grip the shoelace with a lock. Of course, it is flexible and can be adjusted either to compress or loosen.
Also featured in Forbes as one of the best travel gifts, The Original Stretchlace turns your shoes into a cozy slip-on. You can simply slip into your walking shoes with no difficulty. This is actually a useful and cool accessory for airport security checks.
28)Lens Cleaning Kit
This is another item worth adding to your Camera gear kit. Lenspen is a superb tool that is designed to remove fingerprints, dust, and grease. It is perfect for lenses on any camera and any optics including binocular lenses, viewfinders, scopes, telescopes, sensors, filters, screens, and eyepieces.
29) Travel Wallet And Passport Cover
A much needed yet ignored travel accessory is a passport wallet. We tend to carry a regular wallet during trips. However, travel accessories cannot be routine when travel itself is so special. A travel wallet helps to carry a passport, boarding pass, important documents, etc. You can even customize these wallets. Tisora designs and Nutcaseshop offer decent quality travel wallets.
The passport cover is another accessory to keep your passport safe from normal wear and tear. They can be fashionable too. The pipal offers passport covers with your name embroidered on it. Beawara also offers decent quality covers.
30)Yoga Mat
Personally, carrying a yoga mat for travel does not make any sense to me. I mean there are other workout options too. However, I would love to practice yoga and meditation on a quiet weekend getaway. Juru Yoga Mat is a good option for that. It is compact, foldable and light. It is anti-slippery as well.
31)Beeswax Wrap
I have started using Beeswax Wrap to make a sustainable choice for travel. The wrap is reusable, recyclable and lasts for around a year, a perfect replacement for plastic wrap. Beeswraps are made from Beeswax, Organic jojoba oil, tree resin, and organic cotton. The best part is they stick around anything very easily. So, reach for beeswrap when you want to pack a sandwich or a fruit next time for your day trip.
32) Laptop Stand
There are travelers who need to work on the go. They may be business travelers, freelancers or travel bloggers (like me). But, working on laptops from anywhere can be uncomfortable. And nobody wants a painful neck and back during travel. Nextand helps to work anywhere while maintaining a healthy body posture. It is compact, lightweight and has height adjustment options. This travel item is surely going with me for my next trip. How about you?
33)Self-Defense Keychains
Sounds uncanny right? Well, Munio is a designer self-defense keychain tool created by a self-defense expert. The tip point of the keychain is sharp enough to hurt an attacker. Its sleek body fits comfortably in the human hands making it easy to use to attack from front as well as from behind.
34)Scratch-Off World Map
An accessory that you do not have to carry along but can still be a very special travel collectible. Scratch-off world maps from Maps International are of very good quality and available in different sizes and finishes. You just need to scratch, using a coin, the countries you have traveled to. The scratched countries will be revealed/highlighted in different colors.
35) Waterproof Socks
One of the important accessories (not always thought of though) while traveling to a cold destination, an outdoor adventure activity, fishing, or hiking is a pair of waterproof socks. The most important feature of waterproof socks is their amazing waterproof ability. Wet feet can cause illness, initiate frostbite, and even lead to the loss of limbs. Waterflyshop offers to save you from such symptoms. They effectively keep the feet dry and fresh and let y0u easily cross through creeks, streams, rivers, rainstorms, mud.
36) Travel Hammock
The Tropilex travel hammock is the ideal companion for vacation. You can easily hang the travel hammock between two trees with the integrated Tree-Strap. The travel hammock is made of parachute fabric which is very strong yet light (making it easy to carry). The hammock comes with a 2×3 meters long Tree-Strap that helps to cover quite a good distance.
37) Smart Wallet
Gadgets are a necessity these days, especially while traveling. But the constant worry of seeing the “low battery” alert on the phone or tablet can spoil the feeling of leisure while traveling to that beautiful countryside. Leather Talks comes up with a solution to this fret in the form of a smart wallet. This LT smart travel wallet lets you travel with complete peace of mind as your smartphones, tablets, Bluetooth devices, etc. will never run out of battery. The 2000mah/ 5000mah Power Bank provided (is attached with the wallet) along with the Travel wallet will be your ultimate savior on the move and will keep all your devices fully charged up. The wallet has 8 Pockets for cards 1 Hidden pocket for a card, bills, and small docs 2 spacious compartments for bills.
38) Laundry Bag
Every trip, along with precious memories also accumulates dirty clothing. And by the time the trip ends, we struggle to find a “separate” space for the used clothes in the suitcase. Travel laundry by From Prague With love has been a classy addition to my collection of travel accessories. The bag has a partition thereby dividing it into two parts – Wear and Wash.
39) Travel Pillow
There is a reason why I have made a different category for this accessory. Trtl pillow truly deserves a separate head. It is a fully adjustable travel pillow. The internal support provides premium comfort, keeping your head and neck in an ergonomic position (extremely important requirement while traveling). The breathable mesh fabric of the pillow helps to regulate temperature. A complimentary water-resistant carry bag comes with every ‘pillow plus category‘.
40) Safety Float And Dry Bag
Imagine yourself standing on a gorgeous beach with ocean waves welcoming you to join them in the play. And you start walking towards them. But then you realize that you cannot leave your smartphone, car keys, watch back on the beach mat. 360swim have perfect safety float (it fully supports your weight) cum dry bag for the beach persons and swimmers like you. Wearing the bright orange/yellow safety float cum dry bag alerts the boat traffic that you are in the water. You can keep your valuables and clothes in the bag and swim with them. And of course, you could also pack your favorite GPS device with you. 360swim also offers bright colored floating waterproof mobile cases.
My another favorite is Gator dry bags. They are perfect for electronic devices with touch screens.
You can easily turn your existing camera or phone into an underwater camera. The high-quality bag material doesn’t interfere with those clear shots.
