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This post is the best guide on the internet to the travel essentials woman travelers will want to own and will actually use on every traveling adventure.

I am a traveler through and through, whether it’s domestic escapades out west to Yellowstone and driving the mountains of Montana, or balmy and energy-filled nights in Bangkok, Thailand. I love to travel and continue to do a lot of it.

So through all my adventures I’ve learned there are some things that just make a life of travel a lot easier, and darn right more enjoyable. Case in point…If you’ve ever been in another country and realized you forgot your international power converter, you know how little frustrating moments can throw off the good travel energy vibe.

I am breaking down the little potential “uh oh” or super frustrating moments, and showing you all of my most recommended products from pillows to luggage, even hair bonnets and beyond.

I thought about all of the things that would really have made some of my trips top-notch, so here’s what I could think of. Buckle up, this is a good size list, but for you to focus on enjoying the journey, having the right travel essentials is a critical start.

This post is all about travel essentials woman adventures should have in their possession to make traveling smooth, relaxing, and as hassle-free as possible.

Best Travel Essentials Woman Adventures Love

Travel Essentials Woman Adventurers Love: Luggage

1. Extra Clothes Storage Pillow

Have you ever run out of space on your carry-on? Or maybe you needed to drop a few pounds from your luggage? Or maybe just came back from the trip with more than when you left?

One thing I know for sure is that, if you’re like me, you’ll almost always need a little extra space when traveling, especially by airplane, and this luggage neck pillow is absolutely a genius way to get it.

Imagine being able to throw some extra belongings into this thing, then throw it around your neck. No one knows what’s inside. Unbeknownst to the flight attendants you just came on board with a whole extra bag. Score!

2. Travel Backpack

Sometimes having your carry-on luggage on your back and nothing in hand is super freeing. Kind of like walking through the airport feeling super organized and energized to make it to your your destination without a hitch. Having your hands free does a lot for the mental outlook 🙂

I love this bag because of all of it’s compartments. You can very distinctly carry with you the laptop, luggage, and smaller items, and have them all have their own space and breathing room.

If hands-free luggage is what you’re looking for, and you want something more than just a plain old backpack can provide….then this travel backpack is what you want.

3. Travel Luggage – Overhead Carry On

No travel collection is complete without the basics. Let’s face it, every woman should have a standard-size carry-on bag at their disposal.

But why? It’s a necessity that gives you the ultimate flexibility and space, while still keeping you from either waiting at a luggage carousel or being kicked off the girls’ trip because you overpacked and that giant suitcase won’t fit in the car.

But for me, the difference in carry-on basic comes down to durability and function. I’ve found that a hard-side carry-on with four wheels extends the life of your luggage and makes it just so much easier to whiz through the airport since you’re not dragging weight behind you. Grab this carry-on as your workhorse

4. Travel Luggage – Under Seat Carry On

What about those super quick plane trips where you’re just staying for a day maybe two? Or what about when you get stuck traveling on an airplane that charges you for a regular-size carry-on bag? (Eye roll. side eye.)

What I love about the under-seat carry-on is literally you get on the plane with confidence because you know you won’t be awkwardly standing up looking for an overhead space to plop your bag into.

Having an under-seat carry-on is a game changer, because you just go the seat, and slide it under. It’s worry-free. The only constraint is space. But if you don’t need to have much, this bag by Kroser is generous with its inner luggage compartments and expandable outside zips. A must-have!

Travel Essentials Woman Adventurers Love: Hygiene

5. Travel Toothbrush

Yes, disposables made the list. I think travel toothbrushes are a lot like socks. They always seem to come up missing.

If that’s an issue for you too, buying a set of travel toothbrushes like these with the toothpaste included and already in a handy carrying pouch is perfect. Just think, you don’t have to worry about did I pack toothpaste, it’s easy to grab and throw in the bag, and you’ll stay up to date with rotating in a new toothbrush.

Having disposable brushes like these from Dr. Fresh & Crest has simplified my travel in this area. IF you’re like me and in up making last-minute dollar store or Target runs before a trip for this stuff anyway. it’ll simplify yours too. So reasonably priced that it’s a no-brainer.

6. Travel Bottles for Toiletries

Travel bottles rule the world. How many times have you had your favorite smell-good lotion you wanted to bring with you, but the bottle was too big to get through TSA?

Being able to have smaller versions of your existing at-home beauty favorites is crucial. I love using bottles like these by RuiLa to keep things like rubbing alcohol in the spray bottles for quick freshening, and an oil and water mix in the spray bottles for quick hair moisturizing.

There’s so much these come in hand for, and once you’ve used travel bottles, you will swear by them. It’s the ultimate in organization and feeling prepared on the hygiene and beauty front.

Travel Essentials Woman Adventurers Love: Convenience

7. Travel Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is non-negotiable. But carrying around bulky water bottles, or trying to find a place to put them is optional. Feeling good sailing through TSA without dumping your beverage, and excitedly waiting to fill up on the other side of the line is a good feeling.

I used to use empty plastic water bottles because I appreciated that the bottle was slim enough to slip in my bag, and when I was really done with it I could toss it, not try to make it fit. But what a game change with a bottle like this.

Being hydrated and energized is no longer something to worry about with this travel water bottle from Take Today. And the large capacity makes it so easy to fill up on ice too!

8. International Plug adapter

Never underestimate the need for a power converter. All it takes is one time to be in a foreign country, whip out your phone charger, attempt to plug it up, and be extremely disappointed.

I bought this international power converter by Mingtong for a recent trip to Bangkok. I’ve had others in the past with complicated attachments to take on and off but love the fact that everything is contained in one piece, and it’s small.

Simplicity is everything for enjoyable travel so this power converter or international plug adapter as it’s often called is a must-have.

9. Travel Charger

For the longest time, I traveled without a backup travel charger…and then I stopped because that’s absolutely ridiculous and I didn’t realize how I was restricting my own communications and picture-taking just to preserve battery life!

When you’re traveling, you want to be able to maybe jump and video call a friend, show them what you see in real-time, and fill up your camera roll with countless shots of your delicious food, or gorgeous surroundings.

With a travel charger like this one from VRURC, you can do all of that. And the best part is, that you don’t have to bring the cord for your devices with you. That’s why I love this. Literally, the cord that you probably already need to let us say charge your phone is built right into the device.

Travel Essentials Woman Adventurers Love: Sleep Comfort

10. Travel Pillow

Getting good sleep whether in a car on a road trip or on an airplane always comes down to being equipped with a good place to lay your head.

I’ve used the “u” shaped pillows in the plane, or brought my own house pillow on a road trip, but it always feels like there’s still something missing. Like your neck isn’t fully supported in a way that you could drift off to dreamland for hours.

This travel pillow by Huzi is amazing. I love the fact that it can be manipulated for exactly the shape you need it to be. Best of all, it’s like a big comfy infinity scarf, so no walking around the airport with a pillow hanging off your luggage. It’s a pillow, it can keep you warm, and it’s super simple to keep in tow. This is hands down must have travel luxury.

11. Travel Hair Bonnet

Hair protection is not negotiable when traveling, at least it’s true for me, and I think I can safely speak for most Black women.

But here’s the kicker, on my trips, I’d prefer to have something a notch up in style from a traditional bonnet. I’ve got my bonnet collection at home, but when I’m in crowded places like airports, or a travel center if on the road, I’d like to still look “comfortable put together” and a traditional chef’s hat style bonnet doesn’t do it for me.

This travel bonnet by Yanibest I love, because it has really sleek lines. I can wear it and still feel put together. Plus it has great bands to help it actually stay on your head. If you need your bonnet but with some extra style, this is the choice.

Travel Essentials Woman Adventurers Love: Organization

12. Passport Holder

The most important items you can travel with need their own organized home.

I’ve been known to have passports in ziplock bag in a small bag inside another bag, then have my ID and debit cards in a whole other section. And cash, that was probably stashed in a pocket from the last snack I bought at an airport concession stand or roadway convenience store.

But these items, are essential to keep up with and more importantly KEEP SECURE. So this travel passport holder from ZeroGrid does the trick well. With this, I could keep these items around my neck and even under my shirt if necessary.

And as far as passport holders go, nothing beats a holder where you can slip the entire passport right inside. Anything else i.e. covers that you put on your passport, are nothing more than a hassle to actually use when going through immigration, and customs.

13. Travel Snack Container

This will absolutely remind you of childhood, but will also take you to a time when you seemed to have never been caught hungry, because momma, daddy, or somebody that loves you had a snack on hand.

Travel snacks are underrated and super duper necessary. What I’ve found difficult is carrying anything other than individually pre-packaged snacks. That usually doesn’t give me the variety I’m looking for because you have to buy a big box of the same thing typically.

But this travel snack container by BeneLabel gives you the absolute freedom to toss in whatever snack you want. And the best part is you can add in a drink as well if you’d like (make sure you get through airport security first:)). This is the container to have if you don’t want to be “hangry” while traveling.

Travel Essentials Woman Adventurers Love: Photography and Video

14. Travel Tripod

This might be one of the most underrated items to have in your travel arsenal. After all, you travel on these fabulous adventures, and you want to remember them right?

I’m sure you’ve got photos collecting in an album, on the gram, on Facebook, or you’re just itching to visually communicate the beauty you uncovered with your eyes on your trip somehow. Right? Just me?

So this travel tripod is a go-to item. I’ve had several and unfortunately, they’ve ended up broken… too hard to pack in luggage because of the length of the legs.

But that’s what I love about this travel tripod by AtumTek. The telescopic legs on this tripod make throwing it in your bag a breeze. With the Bluetooth remote, you can get photos and videos on your own terms, and with you beautifully displayed inside the shot. All around must own item!

15. Portable Selfie/Laptop Light

If you’re a digital nomad, like me, you cannot underestimate the good life on a conference call. Period. Or even if you’re trying to capture an amazing video of your travel adventure, you better believe that some good lighting comes in handy.

But in a world where you’re not packing up a production studio to take on the road with you. You need an alternative. I would try to cozy up to windows (as long as it wasn’t nighttime) to try to get the best light on me when in video meetings or capturing other videos. But that has its limits.

This portable selfie/laptop light by Newmowa solves the problem. Gone are the days of poor lighting as an excuse for showing up bold and confident in front of a camera. It’s super lightweight and easy to toss in your luggage.

Travel Essentials Woman Adventurers Love: All-Around Comfort

16. Travel Slippers

Comfortable feet are a must when you travel. Is that just my personal mantra? One of the most relaxing things is being settled into an airplane seat or a carried, slipping off your shoes, and easing your feet into cushy cotton goodness.

That’s exactly what these slippers are for. I kick myself if ever I’m traveling and don’t have a pair of something comfy for my feet. You’re using your feet to the fullest, so a little extra comfort goes a long way.

These Snoozies travel slippers are fantastic because they are easy to fold up and throw in your bag. Even better if you have a small purse once you get to your destination, having the ability to toss these in and use them at just the right moment is invaluable. Do not leave home without a pair!

17. Travel Blanket

When the air conditioning is blasting, you always wish you had a little something to toss over your shoulders and legs. At least I do. And if you’re on the airplane, who excitedly wants to use the suspect recycled complementary blanket? No one.

So this travel blanket by Litume completely removes that hesitation to bring a blanket when traveling. I know I never liked to travel with a blanket because of the obvious…where am I going to keep it? If it goes into a carry it takes up too much space. If it goes in the car, it clutters up the seat.

Now, because this blanket folds up to literally almost nothing, and yet packs a punch in warmth, it’s a no-brainer essential to have at your disposal. Never ever be cold, and angry about being cold again.

This post is all about travel essentials woman adventurers need to have at their disposal to simplify and better enjoy their travel life.

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