What to Pack This Summer: Must Have Travel Essentials
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Summer is just around the corner, which means vacation. But with so many products on the market these days, it’s often hard to know what to pack. And while everyone is different, from sunscreen that’s actually good for you and the environment to a palm-sized speaker that provides powerful sound, these are the must-have travel essentials we’re packing in our luggage this season.
Eagle Creek: Expanse Convertible 29 Pack ($249.00)
A large pack designed to be nimble and versatile, Eagle Creek’s Expanse™ Convertible 29 is created with versatility in mind. Whether rolling through the airports of Europe or strapped to your back in Southern Africa, this pack is ideal for anyone wanting to be organized and prepared for any situation as it can go from wheeled suitcase to proper backpack in just a few seconds. Built with heavy-duty treaded wheels and Bi-Tech™ Armor Lite, this is bag is designed to last a lifetime, and we love that the company backs it as such with a “No Matter What” warranty — so no need to worry about the airlines beating it up either. Other perks to this pack include compression strap focused design that lets you keep your gear in place and not shifting when the pack is on your back. It also features a large zippered pocket, external stash pocket and a side water bottle pocket for convenience.
Icebug Oribi ($149.95)
For guys, we love the Icebug Oribi RB9X, which keeps you light on your feet this summer. Named after an African antelope, known for its speed, grace, and agility, this brand new model is both feather-light and feature-packed. Expect a seamless, light, non-absorbing, polyester mesh upper, welded protective TPU mudgard and a thin tongue with sock-like construction among other features.
Cougar Boots (from $70)
Cougar Boots are another brand catering to the outdoor traveler, but many of their shoes have distinct style, too. Their rain boots don’t look like traditional rain boots!
For example, the Kensington Chelsea Rain Boot ($70) keeps your feet totally dry, but get extra style points thanks to a chunky rubber sole and high gloss finish. They come in classic colors, like black and grey, but also offer a pop of houndstooth and floral for those who like to make a statement as they splash puddles.
The Freddy Sport Bootie ($120) is another style that will keep you dry, yet looks like an everyday shoo. The mid-cut silhouette gives the slip-on sneaker a very modern spin.
Adidas Sport Eyewear: Baboa Vapour Grey Matt/LST ($199.00)
We love these sporty and versatile sunglasses from Adidas Sport Eyewear for outdoor activities this season. They deliver a customized perfect fit whether you’re riding single track on a mountain bike or playing an intense game of soccer. But they look equally good while hanging out with friends at a festival or backyard BBQ. And with their slender flowing shape, this frame specifically caters to women. The glasses come with trademarked Vision Advantage polycarbonate lenses, double-snap nose pads, SPX frame and traction grip. They are also compatible with prescription lenses.
Yala Designs DreamSacks (from $98.00)
Never worry about whether the sheets are really clean when traveling by packing your own DreamSack by Yala Designs. They come in a number of styles and thicknesses, but the Original Opening DreamSack is great for warm weather travel and can act as a layer of sheeting on a bed or a sleeping bag liner. Made from 100 percent silk it feels cool when it’s warm, but adds warmth when it is cool. There are built-in pocket covers for your pillow and it folds into a small bag that makes it super convenient to pack.
Hercules Wae Oceanproof Outdoor Rush Bluetooth Wireless Speaker ($99.99)
Another favorite travel speaker is Wae’s Outdoor Rush Bluetooth Wireless Speaker that is perfect for mounting on your surf or SUP board. What we love most about this speaker is that unlike most it features an FM radio built in. So if you’re riding a killer wave and you don’t want to worry about damaging your smartphone, you can simply turn on the radio to get sound. Portable and lightweight, it is also dust-resistant and waterproof, protected from immersion in up to three feet of water (IP67-certified). We also dig how it is corrosion resistant to ocean water and maintains buoyancy on the surface.
Ventev 3000c Chargestand ($49.99)
If your travel plans include a long flight or maybe camping without electricity and you want to stream video on your phone without killing the battery, then pack the Ventev 3000c Chargestand. It is a two-in-one portable battery and phone stand with an integrated charging cable that lets you prop your phone up in portrait or landscape orientation while it charges. It can even be used as a stand for your phone for quick video and photos where you need stability.
Contigo Water Bottles (from $17.99)
This company makes a number of must-have water bottles that are perfect for travel. We love the Autospout Ashland Glass Water Bottle for its trendy style and leak-proof design that lets you operate it with one hand. The stain- and odor-resistant straw is angled to get every last drop, while protecting the pure taste of your water. The Twistseal Eclipse Stainless Steel Travel Mug is another popular choice, especially for travelers interested in keeping drinks at a specific temperature — either hot or cold. These mugs come in a number of trendy patterns with catchy graphics. They are easy to operate and have a protective sprout cover that helps guard against dirt and germs. Best of all the vacuum insulation locks in your drink’s temperature.
