Travel Gear
Travel gear can either make a trip easier…
or make you wonder why you packed half of it in the first place.
I’ve bought things I loved, things I regretted and things I swore I’d never travel without again.
That’s why I wanted one place on That Traveling Chick where I could keep all of my favorite travel gear, packing essentials, luggage ideas, RV gear and travel gift guides together.
No matter whether you’re packing for a weekend getaway, flying somewhere warm, heading into cold weather or loading up the RV, you’ll find practical ideas here to make travel a little easier.
And hopefully avoid a few of those “Why did I bring this?” moments along the way.
Disclosure – This post contains affiliate links that generate a commission at no additional cost to you.
Start With the Travel Essentials
There are a few things that seem to come on almost every trip.
Some make travel more comfortable.
Others help keep everything organized.
And some simply save you from buying something overpriced at the airport because you forgot it at home.
If you aren’t sure where to start, begin here:
Best Travel Accessories for Women →
Top Travel Accessories From Amazon →
And if sleep is part of the struggle:
Best Travel Pillows for Travel Comfort →
Browse All Packing Essentials →
Luggage & Bags
A good bag matters more than people think.
Too big and you overpack.
Too small and you’re trying to sit on it just to close the zipper.
And then there’s the whole question of carry-on versus checked luggage.
Personally, I want something that holds what I actually need without making me feel like I’m dragging my entire house through the airport.
If you’re shopping for a new travel bag, start here:
Best Travel Backpack for Women →
Best Carry On Luggage for Women →
Packing Essentials
Packing doesn’t have to be complicated.
Although I’ll admit I’ve made it complicated plenty of times.
I’ve packed for sunshine and gotten rain.
Packed for “mild” weather and froze.
Brought five outfits and somehow worn the same two.
It happens.
A little planning helps.
Warm Weather Packing
Heading somewhere sunny?
Start here:
Carry On Packing List for Warm Weather Travels →
Cold Weather Packing
If you’re heading somewhere that requires layers instead of flip-flops:
Packing List for Cold Weather Travel →
TSA-Friendly Travel Products
Flying means you also have to think about what you can actually bring through security.
Best TSA Approved Travel Size Products →
And if you’re still wondering what little things are worth adding to your bag:
Explore More Packing Essentials →
Travel Clothing & Accessories
There’s a big difference between clothes that look cute at home and clothes that are actually comfortable after a full day of walking.
Comfort wins.
Every time.
Especially if you’re hiking, exploring a National Park or walking several miles around a city.
For cooler-weather adventures:
What to Wear Hiking in the Fall →
And if you’ve ever had a blister ruin a hike:
Top 7 Hiking Sock Liners to Keep Your Feet Dry & Blister-Free →
Browse Travel Clothing & Accessories →
RV Gear
RV travel requires its own category of stuff.
You’re basically traveling with a small house.
Which means you’ll eventually buy things you never imagined having an opinion about.
Dehumidifiers.
Special toilet paper.
Mattress toppers.
Storage gadgets.
Welcome to RV life.
RV Comfort
Start with making the inside of the RV feel a little more like home:
Must-Have Bedding and Accessories for Your RV →
Humidity can also be a problem depending on where you’re traveling:
Which 12V RV Dehumidifier Should You Buy? →
RV Bathroom Essentials
Yes, RV toilet paper is a thing.
And yes, you actually need to think about it.
Best RV Safe Toilet Paper to Buy →
RV Packing
If you’re loading up for an RV trip:
And for even more RV-specific advice:
Explore My Complete RV Travel Guide →
Travel Gifts
Shopping for someone who loves travel should be easy.
In theory.
Then you start looking and realize half the travel gifts out there are either cheesy, impractical or something the person already owns.
So I’ve put together several travel gift guides to help narrow things down.
Start with:
20 Best Travel Gifts for Travel Lovers →
Looking for something under a certain budget?
You can also browse:
15 Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers Under $20 →
15 Gifts for People Who Love to Travel →
Shop Smarter for Travel
I’m not interested in telling you to buy something just because it says “travel” on the label.
Travel gear should solve a problem.
It should make packing easier.
Help you stay organized.
Keep you more comfortable.
Save space.
Or make the trip itself a little smoother.
If it doesn’t do one of those things, you probably don’t need it.
And I definitely don’t want you buying a bunch of stuff that ends up sitting in a closet after one trip.
Before You Buy
A quick reminder when you’re shopping for travel gear:
Check size and weight.
This matters especially for carry-ons, backpacks and luggage.
Airline size limits can vary, so always check your airline before assuming a bag will qualify.
For clothing and shoes, think about what you’ll actually be doing on the trip—not just what will look cute in pictures.
And for RV gear, make sure anything electrical, oversized or storage-related actually works for YOUR RV.
Space disappears very quickly in there.
Ready to Pack?
Whether you’re planning a flight, road trip, RV vacation or weekend getaway, the right gear can make everything easier.
But you don’t need every travel gadget on the internet.
Start with what solves an actual problem for you.
Then build from there.
And if you’re still planning the trip itself:
Or if you’re trying to decide where to go:
Happy packing!