Photograph: Courtesy Sunday Club, Amazon, Matador and REI View image in fullscreen Photograph: Courtesy Sunday Club, Amazon, Matador and REI The Filter US Life and style A ‘Mary Poppins bag’ and a travel tin of salt: 21 products our writers always pack on a trip Summer travel is upon us. Here are 21 things that make packing, flying and exploring easier – including an indestructible suitcase and great coffee to go
Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home
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S ummer is in full swing, which means your Instagram feed is probably filled with photos of strangers clinking Aperol spritzes. The reality of travel is usually less glamorous: overstuffed luggage, long security lines and the scramble for overhead bin space.
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To make your summer getaway a little smoother, we asked our contributors to share the travel items they swear by. Every recommendation on this list has been personally tested, loved and, in many cases, put through its paces.
Among these 21 picks, you’ll find a carry-on suitcase that survived miles of cobblestones, a waterproof rain and sun hat for all weather and a tin of sea salt that makes even campfire meals taste better. Happy travels, and may your flights be on time and your seatmate quiet.
Sunday Club Newspaper $12 $12 at Sunday Club Photograph: Courtesy of Sunday Club $12 at Sunday Club Once I’ve escaped airport chaos and settled into my seat, I like to spend my flight decompressing with screen-free entertainment. Typically I’ll pull out a book, but lately I’ve been enjoying the Sunday Club: a newspaper minus the news.
It’s all cleverly created puzzles and beautiful illustrations commissioned from independent artists. I brought an issue on my last trip and spent the entire two-hour flight engrossed in its pages. While I could have spent that time catching up on emails, it’s much more fun cracking cryptograms and crushing crosswords. Plus, I loved the sophisticated feeling that comes with flapping open a “newspaper” on a plane. Paige Triola
Sunday Club Newspaper $12 $12 at Sunday Club Thule Compression Packing Cube Set Thule Compression Packing Cube Set $53.95 $53.95 at REI Photograph: Courtesy of REI $53.95 at REI I often travel with just a carry-on roller bag , but I’m a chronic overpacker. To maximize the limited space in my luggage, I’ve invested in two sets of these compression packing cubes from Thule and have been using them for at least four years now. They’re made of water-repellent ripstop nylon that’s just sheer enough to let you see what’s inside without fully revealing their contents.
I use the medium size for shirts and pants and the small size for undergarments, socks and swimsuits. I’ll zip the packing cube closed, then use the second zipper to compress it – I’m always amazed at how compact you can get an entire stack of clothing. I’m actually packing for an international trip at this time of writing and have managed to fit four pairs of pants, four shirts, three dresses, pajamas, underthings, a bikini and sandals, and I still have a little room left over (just in case). Bernadette Machard...