When you travel as much as I do, it’s important to have your gear dialed in. There’s nothing worse than trying to save money by buying the cheaper option, only to have it break a year later and end up spending more than if you’d just bought the better thing in the first place.
These are the buy-it-for-life travel gear pieces I’ve tested over the years and that have earned a permanent spot on my go-to packing list. They hold up, function beautifully, and will likely still be with me for many more flights to come.
Patagonia Terravia Pack
Patagonia’s Terravia Pack does double-duty for me on hiking trips. It’s my personal item on the plane, carrying everything I want close at hand during the flight, and it stashes snugly under the seat in front of me. Once I arrive, it’s the perfect hiking daypack. I have the 22L, which is the ideal size for me, but it’s also available in options ranging from 14L to 36L. The 22L fits a light jacket, layers, an emergency kit, snacks, and two water bottles.
At just over 1.5 lbs empty, the Terravia is pretty lightweight, and the airmesh on the back panel and shoulder straps helps prevent that dreaded sweaty spot other backpacks can cause. The adjustable hip belt can be used to take weight off your shoulders, and I love the small zippered pockets on the hip belt for tissues or anything I want to grab without taking the bag off.
There’s a surprising amount of organization for a backpack, including a small top zippered pocket with a key clip, a larger front pocket, and a bungee lattice on the front for stashing a jacket or anything else you don’t want to stuff inside. There’s also a hidden rain cover tucked into a bottom exterior pocket, which I like, because otherwise I’d forget to pack one.
Made from recycled nylon ripstop, this backpack has held up on some pretty tough terrain, including squeezing through narrow rock canyons, without damage. If anything does happen, it’s covered for life by Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee.
Samsonite Proxis Carry-On Spinner Suitcase
The Samsonite Proxis has been with me on more flights than I can count, and it’s my go-to for short trips or airlines with stingy luggage allowances. I’m honestly shocked at how durable the Proxis is, given how lightweight it is. The suitcase weighs just over 4.5 lbs, so it’s never too heavy to lift into the overhead bin even when fully packed.
It’s one of the only hardshell suitcases I own that still looks clean after heavy use, with barely a scuff or scratch to show for it. The interior is well-organized with compression straps and zippered pockets, and every part of it, from the spinner wheels to the extending handle, feels solid and smooth.
Eagle Creek Compression Packing Cubes
Eagle Creek’s Compression Packing Cubes have been keeping my suitcase from becoming a black hole of disorganization for over 10 years. I used them on Kilimanjaro and beyond, and they’ve held up flawlessly even though I’ve absolutely abused the zippers by overstuffing them.
The compression zipper actually does what it promises—you really can fit more in your bag. I like that the set comes in different sizes, so you can dedicate one to bulkier items and another to smaller stuff. My only complaint about my current set is that they’re not see-through, so it’s easy to forget what’s in which cube (I get around it by sticking masking tape labels on each one.) If you’re investing in a new set, go for the Specter option, which is made from a mesh fabric that lets you see inside.
YETI Tundra Hard Cooler
On camping trips, tailgating, and trips where I want to bring home a lot of local food, the YETI Tundra Hard Cooler has never let me down. I have no idea how it keeps ice frozen for up to five days (I mean, I do—the technology is on their website—but I prefer to think of it as magic). It really does keep things significantly colder for longer than cheaper coolers, is extremely durable (I’ve dropped it a few times and it’s fine), and has smart design details like rope handles and flexible latches that are built to outlast hard plastic. It really does feel like having a portable refrigerator on the road with me.
Cadence Capsules
My biggest packing time-saver is keeping my toiletries bag permanently stocked, and Cadence Capsules make that easy. I like to take my full skincare and beauty routine on the road, and the wide-mouth capsules are perfect for decanting everything from creams to serums.
The magnetic lids are what set these apart from cheaper travel-size toiletry containers—they snap securely to the bottoms so you’re not dropping caps all over the hotel bathroom floor—and they’re truly leakproof. They also just look really nice, which is a bonus.
Away The Medium Checked Bag
I lived out of Away’s The Medium Checked Bag for a month-long trip, and it held up to budget airline baggage handlers, rough road trips, and being rolled many blocks across city streets without complaint. It’s the perfect size: big enough to hold everything you need for an extended trip, but not so massive that it takes over your hotel room. The compression boards on both sides have zippered pockets that keep everything organized and in place (an important feature when you’re hauling a month’s worth of possessions).
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
Sorry purses, Lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag has become my go-to bag for travel days. It holds everything I need, keeps it secure, and still looks good after years of use. It works as a belt bag or a crossbody, which I appreciate, and the size is just right without being bulky.
