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I come from several generations of traveling women, including my mother, who has been globe-trotting for 50 years now. Whether taking cross-country train trips as a child, living in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer in her 20s, or traveling for work nearly every month as she does now, my mom has perfected her packing routine over the years.
As a member of the carry-on-only club, she has spent years testing and narrowing down her list of travel accessories to bring on each trip. Some of her favorites include a 16-piece travel bottle set, a rain jacket that packs down to the size of a phone, and a portable light-up makeup mirror. She’s used some of these items as long as I can remember—and she’s even influenced me to buy a few of them myself. Keep reading to find the best travel accessories that have my frequent flier mom’s stamp of approval, starting at $8.
My Favorite Mom-approved Travel Essentials
Gonex Compression Packing Cubes
Amazon
My mom has mastered the art of fitting as much as possible into a carry-on bag. Her secret weapon? This set of compression packing cubes. We tested this set at Travel + Leisure a few years ago, and I remember being impressed with the effectiveness in saving space, especially for bulky items like sweaters and jeans. So, when my mom asked which ones to get, I recommended these, and she’s been using them ever since. They come in a pack of six, with different-sized zippered pouches and a handy shoe bag. You can often find these on sale, but I recommend nabbing them now while they are less than $4 a piece.
Funtouch Rechargeable Travel Makeup Mirror
Amazon
Hotel lighting is always hit or miss, so my mom got this travel light-up makeup mirror with three light settings for peace of mind while traveling. Whether traveling for work or leisure, she can pop this into her makeup case since it’s only 7.5 x 5 inches. My mom has an incredible five-minute makeup routine she does on the go, so I’ve seen her use this travel makeup mirror on a week-long trip without having to charge it (it offers up to three hours of battery life!). Considering it’s marked down to $16 right now, I’m going to nab one for myself.
Travel Inspira Luggage Scale
Amazon
One thing my mom will not pay for at the airport: overweight luggage fees. She travels with a heavier Tumi carry-on, so using this $10 luggage scale has saved her money on multiple accounts. I’ve also owned this compact scale for several years, and I tell everyone how worthwhile it is. It measures weight in both pounds and kilograms, which is helpful for traveling abroad where weight limits aren’t often listed in pounds. My mom and I have owned our scales for more than five years, and they’ve held up perfectly over time.
Coolibar Women’s Beach Shawl
Amazon
Growing up watching my mom always pack a travel wrap in her personal item instilled the habit in me as an adult. A shawl like this cotton-blend one from Coolibar is a travel MVP, thanks to its multi-use design. During the day, it can serve as sun protective clothing with its UPF 50-plus protection built into the fabric. For the evening, it’s the perfect shawl to drape over the shoulders while wearing a dress. My mom has also used it as a travel blanket when the cabin temperature drops. There are so many uses for this shawl—and I highly recommend investing in one while it’s on sale for $30.
Gritin LED Neck Reading Light
Amazon
An avid reader before bed, my mom can almost always be found with a book in hand before the lights go out. While she usually uses a headlamp, I recently got her this unique neck reading light that is specifically designed for reading in bed. The arms of the device are adjustable, and the LED light bulbs at each end point directly to a book page, so it won’t bother her seatmates. I love the three different light shades, which include white, warm white, and amber, and they can be dimmed for coziness. I’m going to grab a few of these devices for stocking stuffers while they’re nearly half off.
Portland Leather Goods Mini Crossbody Tote Bag
Amazon
My mom has an affinity for leather bags—any other type of bag simply won’t suffice. She treated herself to this mini tote bag from Portland Leather Goods, and already has plans to get another color because she loves it that much. It’s the perfect size for storing her “mom essentials,” as I like to say, which include countless items from Altoids to a passport wallet. While she usually carries it as a handbag with the tote straps, it comes with a detachable crossbody strap, too. Considering the bag is made with full-grain leather, the price tag is more than reasonable in her opinion. Plus, you can get an extra 15 percent when you click the on-site coupon.
More styles to shop:
Asics Women’s Gel-Contend 9 Running Shoes
Amazon
Although my mom likes to dress up when she travels, she won’t compromise on comfortable footwear, even if it’s sportier-looking. She loves Asics and has bought the same pair of sneakers multiple times since she knows they are comfortable. These Gel-Contend 9 Running Shoes have gel technology in the heel and foam cushioning throughout the sole for shock absorption with every step, which means more support for your feet. The mesh upper ensures that the foot never overheats, which is a plus while traveling to warm destinations. Finding affordable, comfortable travel shoes is hard, so these $65 ones are more than worth it.
Morfone 16 Pack Silicone Travel Bottles
Amazon
At 60 years old, my mom does not mess around with her robust skincare routine to keep her looking young and fun (her words, not mine). She puts her full-size skincare into these travel bottles, since drugstore minis will simply not cut. With 16 containers included in the set, there’s a spot to put everything she needs, no matter the length of the trip. All of the lids on the bottles are wide, which makes it easy to add and remove product, and the set comes with a funnel and little scoopers. Best of all, the entire set is on sale for just $9 (that’s roughly 50 cents per bottle!).
Columbia Women’s Switchback Iii Jacket
Amazon
My family is from the Pacific Northwest, so we’re always prepared for the weather to change in a second. This means always packing a packable jacket, like this waterproof one from Columbia Sportswear. A brand that hails from our home state, my mom has owned the same jacket for as long as I can remember. It’s made with a waterproof nylon shell and packs down into its pocket, which makes it easy to toss in a bag while on the go. Plus, it has a stowaway hood for when it’s not necessary, and it comes in tons of different colors. For $59, you’d be hard-pressed to find a packable jacket with a higher value, according to my mother.
More styles to shop:
Lands’ End Women’s Relaxed Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt
Amazon
A stylish yet practical traveler, my mom always packs a plethora of T-shirts. She swears by 100 percent cotton tees, like this Supima crew neck style from Lands’ End. Cotton is breathable, durable, and soft, which makes it a versatile fabric for a T-shirt that my mom typically layers under a sweater or jacket. The loose fit of this style makes it easy to wear with leggings or do the French tuck with jeans for a dressier daytime look. Under $30 is a great price for a cotton tee, so I wouldn’t hesitate to put it in your cart and check out while it’s marked down.
More styles to shop:
Biolage All-In-One Multi-Benefit Spray
Amazon
My sister and I both have thick, curly hair that comes from my mom, so we all travel with anti-frizz spray, like this travel-size one from Biolage. This multi-use spray is perfect for traveling since it acts as a frizz tamer, heat protectant, and leave-in conditioner to keep hair smooth and shiny throughout the trip. My mom blow-dries her hair, often using harsh hotel dryers, so a protective spray like this one works hard to keep her hair healthy. Best of all, it’s just 1 ounce, so it’s TSA-friendly, and it’s just $8.
Topbag Passport Holder Family
Amazon
Losing ID, credit cards, and even passports runs in my family, so my mom likes to keep all of our travel documents in one place when we’re all together. This passport wallet can fit up to six passports, which is more than our four-person family needs, and it has a plethora of slots for IDs, credit cards, boarding passes, and cash, plus a little zippered pocket for loose change. The best part is that the wallet zips up entirely, which means nothing can fall out accidentally. It’s marked down to $10, which is a lot cheaper than replacing a passport or other misplaced documents while traveling (trust us, we know!).
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