Top 12 Amazon Travel Gear Picks for 2021

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#1 – Travelpro Crew Versapack-Softside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage (Best Carry-On)

This is the best carry-on luggage I’ve found on Amazon. It gives you the most room possible within the US carry-on dimension restrictions, and still has the spinner wheels to get you through the airport quick. It’s also lightweight and easy to heft into the overhead storage. Plus, it offers the convenience of multiple front pockets to stash the things you need easy access to. Love it!

#2 –  Backpack Purse Canvas (Best Travel Backpack)

I look for a few distinguishing features in a travel backpack. Tt needs to be comfortable, keep my things safe from potential pickpockets, be durable, easily cleanable, and look nice. This backpack hits each of those marks. I’ve filled this backpack to the brim and the straps have never felt uncomfortable under the weight. I also love that I don’t need to be paranoid in busy places if somebody can just quickly unzip and take my wallet without me taking notice, since the main compartment opens in the back and isn’t accessible when I’m wearing it. There are some front pocket for those conveniences you want easy access to, like a water bottle or chapstick, but aren’t your valuables. I also love the look of this bag, its the perfect size and can be wiped clean and is still in fantastic shape after many trips.

#3 –  Travelkin Cross Luggage Straps (Best Luggage Security)

These luggage straps offer a level of peace of mind at a low price point, and are just so convenient. First of all, I have to say that my love of these straps might have began after my luggage zipper decided to completely break at the beginning leg of a trip I was going on. Thankfully, these straps were able to keep the luggage together for the rest of the trip and no one even noticed I was dragging around a otherwise completely broken piece of luggage. The elasticity section makes these easy to secure your luggage, and the TSA-approved lock makes me feel better that it won’t accidentally unclip on the conveyor belt or when being handled. The fun colors also help me spot it easily in the airport since I tend to always have black luggage — like everybody else.

#4 –  Colombia Switchback III Adjustable Waterproof Rain Jacket (Best Travel Jacket)

This is my go-to jacket for every trip. It isn’t an obvious rain jacket, like those thick nylon ones we’re all used to. This jacket is so lightweight and is a great layer to add to your outfit to fight off a wind chill or give yourself a break from the sun — and it repels water like a champ. Plus, its so chic looking and well made that it can honestly work with most any outfit, and takes up next to no space in my luggage. It’s a no brainer for your next trip.

#5 – Elite Trend Microfiber Beach Towel for Travel (Best Beach Towel)

I cannot think of one trip I’ve taken where I have not wanted to just sit and enjoy my surroundings at one point. Whether its a spontaneous picnic in a park, or to layout and enjoy the sun at the beach, or at the view at the peak of a mountain. But the problem is that these stops are hardly ever planned, and nobody just totes around a picnic blanket for fun — especially when they’re traveling and space is limited. But guess what? Now that I’ve found this large, soft, easily cleanable, and very very compact blanket I do bring it with me just in case. It has a convenient carrying case too that it folds up so small into and can fit into any of my purses. Vacation is meant to be enjoyed to the fullest, so be prepared to stop and soak it all in now.

#6 –  Compression Bags for Travel No Vacuum (Best Packing Bags)

These bags are a huge travel hack for me. I will always pack for a trip and include a few of these compression bags in the pocket. Then on the return trip when I do not have the motivation to fold my clothes up nicely plus I have souvenirs I’m trying to fit into my luggage too — I use these bags and it all magically fits! These travel bags do not need a vacuum like most do – you just put your clothes in, roll it up to get all the air out, and then seal it up and pack it away. It’s also a great thing to have if you have any wet or dirty clothes that you don’t want hanging out with everything else in your luggage on the way home.

#7 –  Osprey Ultralight Stuff Duffel (Best Duffel Bag)

I love this Osprey duffel bag for weekend trips or shorter adventures. It is well-built and sturdy, but so incredibly light and expands to fit an impressive amount of stuff inside. You can wear it over your shoulder like a normal duffel, or cross-body. Either way you wear it, it carries the weight nicely and the padded strap makes it all the better. This duffel also packs away into a tiny handheld bag that can honestly get lost amongst my racks of luggage, but is such an amazing space saver. The versatility of this bag is endless.

#8 – Simptec Inflatable Neck Pillow (Best Travel Pillow)

I have the absolute hardest time sleeping on flights and have tried countless travel pillows in the process. Being over 6 feet tall, space is a very limited commodity on airplanes for me and having different positions to relax or sleep in such a huge luxury. I really do love the versatility of this pillow – I can lay it on its side, and can sit it upright, I can fold my hands inside or hug it. I even deflate it a bit adjust even more. And I can do this all without disturbing my neighbor, and when I’m done it fold up into the smallest bag that I just hang off my luggage and takes up no room.

#9 – Hanging Toiletry Bag Clear Travel (Best Toiletry Bag)

This toiletry bag is the best of both worlds – it’s functional and TSA-compliant. I had to look high and low for a toiletry bag that was the right size, could fold up when packed, could unfold and hang, could organize my toiletries and make them easy to see, could be easily cleaned, and also met the TSA requirements for housing your liquids in a small clear bag. This bag makes unpacking my toiletries a breeze. The clear sides make it easy to find what I’m looking for while it hangs up, and it has an extra detachable bag at the bottom that houses all of your liquids that need to go through the security screening, but then can just attach back when complete. Simplify your travel toiletries and get this bag!

#10 – Acrodo Floating Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack (Best Dry Bag)

If you plan on going near any water, look no further for the best backpack for your trip. This dry bag is perfect for keeping your things safe and dry while you enjoy a boat trip, beach day, poolside adventure or any other water adventures on your horizon. I’ve also used this bag while hiking in the rainforest when you’re unsure of the next torrential downpour. It can hold all of my family’s gear without a problem, and the backpack style makes it way more comfortable to carry than most bags. This useful bag also folds down if you have less to tote around, and the best part… it floats! If it goes overboard, you won’t need to go diving for it.

#11 – Bagsmart Electronic Organizer Cable Organizer (Best Travel Tech Organizer)

Its always pretty overwhelming when I think about rounding up all of my electronics, cords, chargers, batteries, etc. This organizer bag helps keep all of these in one place, organized, and not a tangled mess. I also love that it helps me realize if I’m missing a cord — some charger I plugged into the corner of the AirBnb and was so close to completely forgetting until I saw it’s empty spot in my organizer. The elastic straps make this versatile for holding most any electronic cables, or camera batteries, and the memory cards that are always hiding in the depths of my purse otherwise.

#12 – Kindle Paperwhite (Best Travel eReader)

Last, but certainly not least, no travel adventure is complete without bringing my Kindle. There is nothing better than enjoying a book in a beautiful new spot in the world, but there is nothing that quite takes up space and weight in your luggage like a good novel or two (or three). You also don’t need to worry about the normal blue light messing with your jet lag even more, like you would reading from your phone or tablet — and the battery life is long lasting too. Did I mention the newest version is also waterproof, making it even more vacation-ready. And a huge win for travelers, with a Kindle Unlimited subscription (which is a must, in my opinion) you also have access to every Lonely Planet Guide — which is a space and cost saver in itself. This purchase has definitely maximized my enjoyment on vacations and at home.