If you have spent any time at all researching travel gear, you know that there are a million and one different products out there promising to improve your travel experience. And if you are a interested in (or devoted to) one-bag or minimalist travel, it can be hard to know which travel products are worth their weight (literally) and which are just a waste. Here are the top five travel products that, in our experience, you will not regret investing in.
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1. Universal Power Adapter
If you are a seasoned traveler you are probably already well aware of the value and importance of a travel adapter on your packing list. But for newbies to traveling internationally we have included this most important tech item. The universal travel adapter.
Since outlets vary from country to country, outside of the US you may not be able to plug your devices directly into an electrical outlet. Even when a device might plug in, it may not be safe due to voltage differences and could ruin your device or worse. While more than 50 countries around the world use plug type A or B like the US, many other countries do not. Check out this awesome website from the International Electrotchnical Commission (IEC) to see all fifteen plug types and which countries they are used in.
The simple solution for the minimalist travel is the universal travel adapter. This adapter plugs into the foreign outlet and then you can safely plug your device directly into it. We like this adapter because it works for 150+ countries, including those in Europe and Asia, plus UK and countries with UK style plugs like Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. It also has four USB ports, meaning you can safely charge multiple devices at the same time with just one adapter.
2. Merino Wool Socks
Is there anything grosser than putting on smelly socks for a second day? Ok, maybe a few things, but honestly – good socks are a surprisingly important addition to a minimalist travel wardrobe.
Socks take up space more quickly than you think. They also get smelly faster than other clothing items. They are essential to walking comfort and can make a big difference in being cold and miserable or cozy and warm.
In our opinion, merino wool socks are the essential travel sock. We wear them for everyday too! They are highly odor-resistant, comfortable and quick-drying. They stay warm when wet and breathable in the heat. Essentially, they are the perfect sock! By packing merino wool socks in your minimalist bag, you can halve or even third how many socks you need to pack.
Jeremy trialed several different sock brands and his ultimate favorite is Darn Tough. The quality is truly unbeatable and they come with a lifetime guarantee. They are also available in a wide variety of weights, styles, colors and sizes. So, whether you need slightly higher socks for booties, no show socks for running, or everyday crew socks for extra extra large feet – Darn Tough has you covered.
3. Compression Bags/Packing Cubes
Staying organized in a backpack style bag can be a real challenge. The last thing you want to do after a long day of traveling is spend ten minutes digging through your bag just to find clean underwear. Another great friend to the minimalist travel, or really all travelers, is the compression bag/packing cube.
Packing cubes create “compartments” in your bag that help you stay organized in a very customizable way. You can go more traditional and pack tops in one cube, bottoms in another, etc. Or you can also choose to pack all of the things you need to get ready for bed in one cube that can be pulled out and ready to go. You might even start putting clean clothes in one cube and dirty in another a few days in to your trip. Packing cubes really make a difference in your packing and unpacking experience.
The compression feature of the bags is simple but also brilliant. The front of the cube is partially mesh allowing air to be squeezed out. This allows you to pack significantly more into your bag in a compact way. I like to roll items as I pack them into the cubes, but laying things flat can also work. Experiment with what is best for you!
4. Solid Shampoo/Conditioner
I was a huge skeptic when Jeremy first mentioned bar shampoo and conditioner to me. All I could think of was rubbing a bar of Ivory soap in my hair! I thought, sure, a guy could get away with that, but I have longer, curly hair that requires a little more TLC. Not to mention, I’ve always been cautious when it comes to trying things on my hair. I never even tried dying it until I was in my thirties, have never cut it super short, etc. Ok, yes, I’m a hair coward!
Yet, the more I dove into researching minimalist and one bag packing the more I realized my liquid toiletry products were going to be a problem. A one quart baggie just can’t hold very much (thanks TSA). And while you can certainly buy products abroad, it can be hard to find the brands you know you like. Plus, what do you do with the bottles you bought when your next flight is only a few days away?
I decided to take the plunge and try out the Ethique brand of bar shampoo and conditioner. I liked their plastic-free message and especially the idea of not essentially wasting money on water for shampoo and conditioner in a bottle. I started with a hair sampler pack for curly hair. It took me a bit to get used to soaping up my hair with a slippery bar (you can buy a net soap bag for your bar if this continues to be a problem). But I was impressed right away by a few things.
For starters, it smelled great – natural scents, not chemically or perfumy! It also felt good in my hair. It felt clean when I was done (both my hair and the residue on the shower floor). And, biggest shocker, it didn’t take any significant amount of conditioner to properly moisturize and detangle my curly locks. After a few weeks I couldn’t notice any negative difference on my hair at all. I was sold!
I highly recommend giving bar shampoo and conditioner a try. One bar lasts far far longer than a bottle of shampoo, takes up less space and weight, and doesn’t have to go in a liquids bag at all. Perfect for the minimalist traveler! I also use this plastic free in-shower holder for my bars, to keep them from getting run down by shower water and to let them drain after using.
5. External Battery
One incredibly frustrating thing that happened multiple times on our five week trip to Europe was running out of battery on my phone toward the end of the day.
I tend to shoot a lot of videos and photo while traveling, besides constantly running Google Maps and using electronic ticketing apps, etc. We had some long days where we didn’t get back to our lodgings until after sunset. Unfortunately, my phone battery was not quite up to the challenge. Most frustrating was when it would die right as I was trying to get that perfect sunset shot … But it was also always a fear that we would run out of battery before we could figure out how to get ourselves back to our hotel or Airbnb.
While charging stations and ports in public spaces and in transit are becoming increasingly common, you unfortunately cannot count on them being there. Or on them working when they are there. What’s a traveler to do?
Fortunately, we had packed our portable charger for just these occasions and, the days we remembered to bring it, it was a real life-saver. Though it is a little on the heavy side for ultimate minimalist travel, it is still small enough to fit in a pocket. More importantly, it can get you 2-3 full charges (depending on your device) so we definitely think it is worth the weight! There is also a “slim” option of this portable charger available that may fit your travel bag or pockets better.
In A Nutshell
If you are new to minimalist and one-bag travel, you may be lured in by a gamut of shiny travel products, but you probably need less than you think. These are products we have tested ourselves and truly find valuable and practical. None of them are super expensive but they enhanced our travel experiences exponentially. They are essentials on our packing list and we think they will be on yours too – give them a try and see for yourself!
Check out our post Minimalist Packing for One Week to A Season in Europe for more tips on how to pack light.
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