Top 7 Travel Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed

Vacuum storage bags | Packing Cubes | Refillable Bottles | Travel Steamer | Tech Organizer | Foldable Hangers | Neck Pillow.

Do you think packing only clothes and shoes with accessories is enough for a trip? If yes, you are not packing smartly and far away from enjoying the trips in the best way. Those who are going for a quick weekend escape or for a long-haul adventure often experience chaotic packing with a lot of overthinking. 

TBH, we tend to focus so much on the "what" — what to wear, what to bring, what we might forget — that we often overlook the how. How to pack smartly. How to save space and how to stay organized.

With the urge to solve this 'How' issue, we decided to discuss seven travel essentials you probably didn't think you needed. All make you a better traveler as they solve the problem by offering easy packing and traveling. I already know that once you try them, you'll wonder how you ever traveled without them. So, can I test your knowledge? Let's discuss essentials one by one — and pay close attention to #1. That's where most travelers get it wrong.

Top 7 Travel Essentials You Didn't Know You Need

1. Vacuum Storage Bags

Squeeze the items to make them fit in your suitcase without breaking the zipper.

Space is the basic issue for travelers, even for most minimal packers. They want bulk items but without any additional weight or fee. That's quite impossible. The thick jackets and fluffy sweaters are big enough to take up a surprising amount of space in your luggage. The issue of packing towels and extra jeans makes things more troublesome for those who are trying to travel carry-on only.

Most people either overstuff their suitcases or leave things behind. But there's a better way: vacuum compression bags.

Vacuum storage bags let you flatten bulky clothing by removing the air. The compression reduces volume by as much as 80%. That's not an exaggeration, and if you've ever vacuum-packed food or blankets, you already know how powerful this concept is. They're also useful for:

• Separating dirty laundry
• Keeping items dry and dust-free
• Compressing soft items like pillows or travel blankets
• Offer more space to pack more in the same luggage
• Don't let moisture in and prevent mold growth

But people are sometimes fed up because what they use is a bad quality, bulky vacuum bag, which requires huge pumps and is prone to air leaks. Don't worry! This is not what you need to deal with when you get VacBird's Turbo X7 travel vacuum system. Let's see some of its specific features. 

VacBird Turbo X7 Special

VacBird is a famous name for providing vacuum storage solutions to homeowners and travelers. When we discuss Turbo X7 Special, we must understand that it's not a standard home-use vacuum bag set but a complete package that solves real-world problems. Instead of giving only transparent plastic bags, VacBird provides vacuum pumps that are easy to use and efficient enough to be usable in homes and during travel. Their main features include:

• Turbo X7 Special has a cordless pump with a battery that makes it suitable for short or long travels. 
• The pump is rechargeable and has a 1500mAh battery that compresses up to 90 bags per charge.
• It offers fast compression with 5KPa suction + 140L/min airflow. It takes only 10–15 seconds to compress each bag. 
• It's easy to charge due to its USB charging. You can use your laptop or a power bank to recharge anywhere.
• The vacuum pump has a slim design with a lightweight nature that makes it perfectly fit in your bag's side pocket. 
• The package includes three sizes of bags to pack all clothing from small to medium and large. 
• The plastic bags have high-quality PA+PE material, which is water and tear-resistant. The dual zip feature provides a perfect seal, which prevents air leaks. 

All those who don't want stress while packing must give a chance to Turbo X7. After the first time use, you'll never want to travel without it.

Compression Packing Cubes

Packing cubes, especially compression cubes, bring ease to your travel journey. They have two zippers, one for closing the cube and another for compressing the contents. They don't suck air out like vacuum bags but still flatten clothing enough to give you space for extra stuff. 

These are ideal for:

• Wrinkle-sensitive items like shirts or dresses
• Separating outfits by day or category
• Making unpacking easier at your hotel or Airbnb

As a pro tip, remember to use both vacuum storage and compression bags. The former is better for bulkier items like jackets and towels, while the latter works best for your daily wardrobe.

Refillable TSA-Approved Bottles

Travelers have to buy travel-size shampoo and lotion each time. Isn't it frustrating? Absolutely. The better option is to invest in refillable silicone bottles that meet the 100ml TSA limit. The market has labeled lids and leak-proof designs, saving you from spills. 

Remember to pack them in a clear zippered bag to avoid spills and accidental leakage. These bottles help you by

• by saving money, as you no longer need to rebuy mini toiletries
• preventing plastic waste, as these refillable bottles are more sustainable than single-use items
• Save space in your luggage as you take only the required amount of product. 
• In skipping the stress at airport security

Travel Steamer

Wrinkles are inevitable when you pack clothes in your suitcase, vacuum-sealed or not. It's not possible to wear wrinkled clothes, so what would you do? Finding an iron during travel? Lucky ones may get it, but not all. So it's better to carry a compact garment steamer with you. The travel-sized steamers:

• Heat up in under 60 seconds
• Handle a few shirts in 3–5 minutes
• Take up less space than travel irons
• They are safer and more fabric-friendly

This tool is ideal for work trips, destination weddings, or even casual vacations where you want to look neat in photos.

Tech Organizer

Tech gadgets are necessary for every traveler. Struggling with phone chargers, earbud cases, laptop cords, and power banks makes things more chaotic. But a tech pouch or organizer can save you every time. If you have no tech pouch or organizer, all gadgets will end up tangled at the bottom of your bag. 

Choose a slim organizer with:

• Elastic loops for cords
• Mesh pockets for USBs and adapters
• A dedicated slot for your power bank

The organizers save you from trouble by protecting your gadgets and making a dedicated space in your luggage for tech items. It also makes charging during travel easier, as you just think how helpful it is when you need to recharge your phone mid-flight or during a layover.

Foldable Travel Hangers

You often need to air-dry clothes or keep jackets from wrinkling. Unfortunately, hotel rooms don't always have enough hangers. What saves you in such a situation is foldable hangers. They are lightweight, so easy to carry, and serve multiple purposes.

Use them for:

• Hanging freshly steamed clothes
• Air-drying swimsuits or hand-washing socks
• Organizing your wardrobe if you're staying more than a few nights

They take up almost no space in your luggage, especially when folded flat.

Memory Foam Neck Pillow

Your ease during travels is the most important thing, and getting full sleep is a part of it. Cheap airport pillows often feel like pool floaties during air travel. A quality memory foam neck pillow molds to your shape and gives real neck support. It will make your long flights and road trips easy with the best experience.

Look for one that:

• Compresses into a carry bag
• Has a washable cover
• Comes with a clip that offers easy attachment to your backpack

Some Bonus Travel Habits That Help Everything Fit Better

Essentials can save money and space, and make your travel packing chaos-free. But only essentials will not help you in the right way if you don't adopt a few small habits to maximize space and keep things easy to access. Let's see what these are

• Don't stack your clothes. Line them up vertically, especially in cubes
• The best habit is to fill the dead space while packing luggage. You can use shoes to store socks or belts.
• Use the Tetris method to place items. Put heavy items first and fill gaps with smaller ones.
• Labeling your vacuum bags and bottles saves time during unpacking or security checks.

Conclusion 

Packing for travel trips is a great experience, but it can be chaotic if you don't have the right essentials. Having the right essentials helps you store the necessary items in the right way, which not only saves space but keeps items safe and secure. I have discussed the list of seven essentials here, and I hope that you won't go on your next trip without them.

Because it's time to think about a change, don't focus on what you pack, but keep practicing to learn how to pack.