As a full-time digital nomad, my life is balanced between work, traveling, and exploring new places. I’ve taken hundreds of flights over the past eight years, and I’ve learned the hard way that checked baggage drama is unpredictable. That’s why I like to pack essentials in my carry-on to make each trip smoother, more enjoyable, and more productive.
According to AAA, more than 115 million Americans traveled more than 50 miles from home during Christmas last year. Holiday travel can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful and potentially crowded at airports. That’s if everything goes according to plan, which I know doesn’t always happen. Having a few gadgets in your carry-on baggage can be very helpful in the event of an unexpected flight cancellation or delay. I was once stuck at a Tokyo airport for 14 hours, but I no longer underestimate the power of a good distraction.
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Here are some items I recently purchased that will make traveling easier.
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Travel gear to consider while on vacation
While traveling, shorts and a comfortable shirt are usually fine, but there are times when a collared shirt and slacks are appropriate. I’m self-employed, so I often speak at conferences, do corporate consulting, and attend business networking events, but I travel with just a carry-on and a backpack, so my clothes get compressed. .
For this reason, I travel with this portable travel steamer. It’s a fraction of the size of most steamers and always looks sharp and fearless.
All my gadgets come with cords, chargers, and plug-ins. I use this CAOODKDK organizer bag. Although it’s small, it has enough pockets to keep all your cords separate, not just your AirPods. It’s waterproof, has three compact areas, and can’t be beat for the price.
After eight years of traveling full time, I’ve learned the importance of packing light. By using packing cubes to compress your clothes, you can now travel more efficiently through airports, train stations, Ubers, accommodations, and more.
I love this packing cube set from Veken because it’s incredibly affordable and comes in 8 pieces (more than enough for any trip) and also includes bags for laundry, underwear, bathroom, and makeup. This is an all-in-one set of packing cubes to organize all your travel gear, and we’ve also found that this set lasts a long time.
I travel domestically when visiting family and friends, but much of my travel is overseas. Other countries use different types of power outlets, so you’ll need an international adapter for your trip. I like the EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter because it has 4 USB ports and is compatible with any cord or charger. Additionally, the device is lightweight, affordable, and can be connected almost anywhere.
The places I travel have an interesting mix of weather. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, so I prefer the cooler climate. I use a portable fan to cool down not only in hot weather, but also when it’s stuffy on my device or on a plane. I love the Nezylaf Handheld Mini Fan because it’s rechargeable, lightweight, and charges via USB. Although the mini fan is small, it blows powerful air, making it quiet and cool.
I never travel without my iPhone 16 Pro Max. I use it for business, FaceTime calls with my kids, and watching entertainment. Cell phone cases and mounts allow you to use your phone hands-free while traveling. I use CASEKOO’s iPhone case. It has a retractable stand on the back and can also be used for MagSafe charging. The case is lightweight but sturdy. I dropped my phone several times and this case did a good job of absorbing the drops.
I like the CushZone airplane foot hammock as a footrest that can be used under a desk. Easy to use and portable, just adjusting the position of your feet can make an amazing difference when you’re on a plane for hours at a time. This hammock has a long top strap so you can hook it to a tray table or another part of your seatback, depending on the type of airplane you’re flying.
I pack strategically so I’m not like one of those vacationers who brings their bedroom pillow on the plane as a second carry-on. This microplush blanket attaches to your pillow with a zipper and has a fuzzy feel that’s a little more comfortable than wearing a jacket on a drafty plane.
Although this portable massage gun is quite small, it does a great job of massaging your muscles and fits nicely in your carry-on. Massage guns are a great way to prevent pressure from sitting for hours at a time. If you’re traveling for more than a few hours, combine this with some stretching so you don’t feel exhausted and feel energized by the time you reach your destination.
I love this new world of smart sunglasses. Because it offers new ways to incorporate your love of technology into your daily life. Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses balance functionality, usefulness, and productivity. Thanks to the installed AI assistant, you can take photos, record videos, see information about what you’re watching, create captions, and more. You can also live stream, make calls, and use voice control hands-free. These glasses also work as regular sunglasses, making them a great gift.
Smartphones have come a long way these days and can take great photos, but digital cameras still come out on top when it comes to quality. I’m a business owner who uses lifestyle marketing from time to time, so I need good photos and videos from my travels. I use an iPhone 16 Pro Max, but I also use a digital camera.
I love my Sony ZV-1 digital camera and have used it for years. This is my best travel camera and the LCD screen flips up so you can see what you’re recording, perfect for vlogging.
Staying hydrated while out and about is important. So why not make it a bit of a game along the way to make sure you hit your recommended daily water intake? WATER.IO Smart Water Bottle tracks your daily hydration using a free app I like it because I can do it. The bottle is insulated, stainless steel, BPA-free, and small at 17 ounces, making it an easy carry-on or backpack option.
Make your holiday travel more enjoyable
A full-time traveling life is busy, but it also means I’ve learned how to travel more comfortably while pursuing my dreams. Set yourself up for a successful vacation trip so you can focus on what matters most.
Opinions expressed by CNET Voices contributors are their own.
