30 Best Travel Products Reviewed by Experts

Travel and technology are inextricably linked now, whether app-based flight information or capturing every moment on your phone. But what are the true must-have pieces of kit that the world’s best luxury travelers shouldn’t leave home without? Here are the top six.

Not one but two of the Travel Masters rely on Bose for their audio essentials on the road. Alex Wix of Wix Squared opts for the classic noise-canceling over-the-ear cans—always in white. She uses them for more than just movies. “They are so comfortable that I barely know I am wearing them which is often a blessing to escape screaming children or rowdy passengers so as to get a good sleep.” Roar Africa’s Deb Calmeyer, though, opts for a set you can slip into your pocket. “They’re comfortable, with amazing sound quality, and discreet.”

It’s no contest. The most recommended item among our experts was Apple’s coin-sized solution for lost luggage. “If you have one of these with your bag, expect if it’s lost to get it back much sooner—airlines have started accepting AirTag locations to help with lost luggage reports,” says Jonathan Alder of Jonathan’s Travels. Scott Dunn Private’s Jules Maury agrees (she has hers personalized), and often sends her luggage from London to Klosters on the train service on SBB. “It’s such fun tracking their little journey on my iPhone and making sure they arrived.”

Out on safari? Julian Harrison from Premier Tours has an unexpected recommendation beyond that telephoto DSLR. “In any professional film production, they use boom mics called ‘dead cats’ that look like furry microphones. If you’re capturing video of your safari, we recommend a wireless microphone that can serve the same purpose. They eliminate background noise, like wind or car engines, when you record with your own phone.”

Forget roaming plans and fiddling with devices, says Jennifer Schwartz of Authentic Explorations. She recommends her clients invest in the Skyroam Solis Lite WiFi Hotspot in a fetching bright orange, so you’ll never lose it at the bottom of a dark bag. “It’s reliable, pocket-sized and offers global connectivity without the hassle of swapping SIM cards,” she says.

Henry Cookson is known for his far-flung adventures (and, literal, record-breaking trips). And ff you’re prone to adventuresome roaming like him, always pack a high-powered laser pointer in your gear pack. “It’s great for the stars,” he says, “But it’s also a party trick that causes wonderment and breaks the ice when you’re with remote communities.” Just make sure to use it responsibly, and keep it away from anyone’s stargazing eyes.

The eternal quest for power is one modern voyage every traveler is familiar with. But Jonathan Alder has the ultimate solution to save time on that next trip—a power bank with 10,000mAh capacity (around two full iPhone charges) and adapter plugs for every country. “Not only does it have a huge power capacity, but also has built-in wires so you don’t have to worry about carrying them with you,” he says, “It even does wireless charging plus has USB-C and USB-A ports.”

Whether pampering in a spa, or just trying to stay hydrated on a 15-hour flight, there’s always time for a little self-car—even on a whistlestop business trip. But what’s really worth the weight in your carry-on, and will keep you looking as fresh on the road as you’d expect to be at home? Here’s the top six picks.

Don’t think of using anything other than Coola sunscreens if you’re traveling at the top level, say our experts. The firm was founded by a SoCal entrepreneur seeking high-end, organic alternatives to what he found at the drugstore. “They’re transparent, eco-friendly, easy to reapply and great for sensitive skin, too,” says Calmeyer, who notes they’re offered in cabin-friendly sizes too (for safaris, she cautions, stick with SPF 50 or higher). “It’s not greasy, or oily,” agrees EXP Journey’s Kevin Jackson. “And it has all the natural ingredients for safe application.”

If there’s one beauty brand that these high-flying experts endorse, it’s Augustinus Bader. Always pack some of the eye-patches, says Alex Wix. “If you have to go straight into a meeting? No puffy eyes there,” she promises. Stacy Fischer of Fischer Travel is also a fan, recommending the On The Go Moisturizer set by the same brand. “They’re lightweight, travel friendly, and the rich formulas are ideal for flights—they deeply hydrate and replenish skin in that dry cabin air.”

Rather than opting for prescription sleep aids as he crisscrosses the world, Henry Cookson prefers a natural alternative: CBD Oil (he likes UK-based Dreem Distillery’s drops the best). “It knocks me out, every single time, on long haul flights or when jet lag is a reality,” he says. Just make sure to check the current legal status of CBD anywhere you’ll be toting a bottle.

Perhaps Stuarts Rigg is a little biased. The Sydney-based director of Southern Crossings advocates for Melbourne-born, globally known Aesop—specifically this travel-focused balm. “The ginger, lavender and geranium based pulse point roll on helps with travel weariness and stress as well as any nausea or motion sickness,” he raves. “And it’s great to combat any off-putting travel smells with a refreshing sensory lift.”

Prep for a longer trip the way Catherine Heald of Remote Lands always does. ”I usually get a gel manicure before I travel, which would normally start chipping after a week, and peeling off after two weeks,” she says. “But if I apply a coat of this from Nailtiques every day or two, my manicure lasts much longer, for up to four or five weeks.” The tiny bottle is carry-on friendly, too.

Esthetician Joanna Czech has earned a star studded roster of clients—think Aniston, Blanchett and Winslett—for her skincare know-how with everything from LED to ultrasound. She recently expanded into a small line of branded products, and Jaclyn Sienna India from Sienna Charles made them an instant packing essential, especially this product. “This is my go-to balm when I need long-lasting hydration, especially on long-haul flights and in regions with dry climate,” she says.

Among regular fliers, everyone has a ritual, whether they’re perched on a leather armchair in a Gulfstream or hidden away in a pod-like seat at the pointy end of an A350 commercial plane. But what are the rituals of the world’s savviest luxury travel experts? They spill the six smart products to bring on board here.

Everyone’s heard doctors recommend compression socks for long-haul flights, but doubtless most travelers dismiss them as inconvenient and unsightly. Not Kevin Jackson, though, who always slips these high-performance compression socks on when he’s on a plane for more than a short hop. They’re pro-level protection, and designed by a physical therapist, so are maximized to stop fluid accumulation. “They’ve really helped reduce my swelling and support recovery,” he promises.

Carry on vs checked bag. Two-wheels vs four-wheels. Hard-sided vs soft-sided. The arguments around luggage have been never-ending – until now. We’ve settled it once and for all with six must-buys from the world’s smartest luxury travelers.

Even in a premium seat, warns John Clifford of International Travel Management, you can crick your neck—and that’s what made him seek out this travel pillow for the first time. “It’s well made, compact and chic,” he says, and always uses it on redeyes, like his last trip from San Diego to Tokyo on JAL. Ask the flight attendants to warm it up in the oven—they’ll usually oblige, he adds. “Heat is the best medicine for achy muscles, or a cold cabin.”

“It’s like a hug for your eyes,” says Black Tomato’s Sunil Metcalfe, of his go-to cashmere eye-mask by Lingua Franca. “I’ve never slept better than with this mask—ditch what they give you in any toiletries bag. It’s worth it.”  The NYC-based brand started out offering cashmere sweaters hand stitched by local seamstresses, and you can ask them to embroider a custom phrase on this mask, if you wish. Metcalfe’s says, “Do Not Disturb.”

If you want to prevent jet lag, says Sanz Bernay, follow her lead and slap one of these hydra patches on before you board, which she dubs a “game changer”. The nutrient and electrolyte-packed patches are aimed at outdoorsy types, but they easily repurpose as an in-flight aid. “You stay hydrated throughout your entire flight, without fumbling with powder packets,” she says, “And it lasts for at least nine hours.”

Yes, we all need earplugs on a plane (see: snoring seatmate, screaming baby). And no, they never seem to fit properly. Well, unless you opt for the flared pair recommended by Jeannine Sanz Bernay of JSB Journeys. “These are designed to fit snugly in your ear without sticking out, so they’re perfect for side sleepers, or anyone who moves around during a flight,” she says. “They’ll stay put without causing discomfort.”

“Light as a feather, and folds into a small ball you can put in a handbag,” says Jules Maury of the Falconieri reversible cashmere down gilet, an omnipresent item in her travel wardrobe, which she’s carried around the world, wherever her destination. “It’s elegant, and reversible, but super light, and easy to sleep in as planes are always cold. You can travel from cold to hot countries, and not feel the bulkiness when it’s under a linen blazer.”

If you’re a proud never-check-bag type, who can pack for two weeks in a tiny duffel, swap it out for this chic alternative from Momodesign, says Jennifer Schwartz, who calls these underseat trolleys “the ultimate in comfort and functionality.” It measures 17.3” x 13” x 7.8”—but is small yet mighty, with a zip closed internal pocket, telescopic handle and a pair of wheels.

RIMOWA LARGE TRUNK

Don’t let the carry-on-only crowd shame you if you like to bring a fresh outfit for every moment—that’s exactly how Sienna Charles founder Jaclyn Sienna India travels, and she has the perfect suitcase to cater to unabashed overpackers like herself. “I use a Rimowa Large Trunk because I love bringing a lot of stuff with me,” she says. “I’m a maximalist and I enjoy having my belongings within hand’s reach. It’s so spacious that I can just throw my stuff there without folding, and the dividers keep things organized.”

Safari camp regulations are often even more stringent than airlines’ overhead bins—puddle-jumping between remote camps always requires soft-sided bags, for example. The problem with duffles, of course, is their weight when dragged through an airport. Uncharted’s Sandy Cunningham has found the Goldilocks bag that offers a just-right compromise. “It fits the strict air carrier weight allowances, cargo compartment restrictions in bush planes, plus it has four wheels for ease of mobility in airports.”

All seasoned travelers know that you’ll typically need one more bag than you think—whether for wet clothes or a few souvenirs. Catherine Heald swears by a rugged, nylon satchel from TUMI that weighs barely half a pound. “It is large and lightweight, yet folds up into a tiny little ball for when it’s not needed,” she explains. “It has a sleeve to go over the wheelie handles so it doesn’t fall off which is very convenient.”

C LITE CARRY ON SPINNER BY SAMSONITE

Jonathan Alder always carries a brightly colored suitcase—a red one, typically—which will stand out in the sea of black luggage around it. His go-to choice: this high-end collection from Samsonite that’s made in Europe. “The durability is incredible and can be thrown around flight after flight and still come out perfect,” he says. “They are the best and hardest working luggage I’ve ever had the opportunity to own.”

Packing cubes aren’t just to compress too many clothes into too small a space, per Kevin Jackson. If you’re moving around on a multi-day trip, staying in different locations, they create a bag-within-a-bag that keeps clean from dirty clothes at each new pitstop. “I do a lot of one and two night stays in locations when I am scouting or guiding,” he says, “The cubes help me stay organized and not have to unpack at each location, and they  also keep my clean clothes separated when heading to the next destination.” This brand stands out, too, for its design panache.

Go on, treat yourself (or someone else). There’s no better excuse to indulge than on a trip, even if packing space is always at a premium. So what’s more than worth finding room for in your bag, wherever you go, and is guaranteed to upgrade the experience? Here are six smart ideas from our experts.

Never travel with the same fragrance that’s your staple at-home, says Five Star Greece’s Ileana von Hirsch. Instead, pick a scent that’s evocative of your travels or your destination—in her case, the Mediterranean. “I leave my usual perfume at home and change into this one when I go to Greece,” she says of Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom scent. “It’s a small bottle, so it fits in hand baggage, and it instantly evokes an escape to southern climes.”

Forget in-room candles for a touch of home—opt instead, as Ashley Isaacs Ganz does, for something else on your bedside table. She’ll always bring her own spot to keep jewelry, both as a reminder and a gesture of comfort. “I put a lightweight leather valet tray on the bedside each night, to be used for my jewelry.” Yes, it’s a chic touch, but mostly, it’s a way to make sure you never misplace anything precious on the road.

“I am not a fly and flop traveler,” Kevin Jackson admits—and he relies on this carry-on sized device to help him hit the ground running. “After a long flight, it enables me to get out and explore an area immediately without soreness. And after a long hike, it helps with recovery,” he adds. “Which. of course, combines perfectly with a 90-minute massage.”

Check your luggage allowance, and make the most of it in an unexpected way, says Uncharted’s Sandy Cunningham, who’s a supporter of this non-profit. She’ll typically bring two 50-pound bags with school, medical or sporting supplies along in the hold while she restricts her safari gear to carry-on. “There is a huge amount of luggage allowance that goes to waste and being able to fill these bags with fun and necessary items for kids in developing countries is my greatest joy,” she says. Just check the charity’s website for what’s needed in your destination and pack accordingly.

SMYTHSON SOHO NOTEBOOK

Even pros like to keep a travel journal—just ask Sunil Metcalfe. He totes a monogrammed Smythson agenda with him on every trip, a far better place to note memories than on a smartphone. “No need to write full-on diary entries but favorite guides, favorite meals, weird experiences, fun experiences, the minutiae that I later will want to reference—it’s all the small details, done in my chicken scratch handwriting,” he says. “It’s attractive and bold enough it’s hard to forget when packing.”