13 essential items the TPG team can't travel without

Having your favorite travel essentials is crucial during long flights or unexpected airport delays.

A quality sleep mask, comfy clothing, or noise-canceling headphones can greatly improve your rest during flights and help you stay cozy.

Whether you're on a solo journey or traveling with colleagues, family, or friends, various products can enhance your travel experience from beginning to end.

Every year, TPG team members cover thousands of miles to explore destinations worldwide. Here are some of the top items that simplify, relax, and add joy to your travels.

BYLT Drop-Cut Signature Tees

$28.99 at BYLT

Dinogo, also known as Brian Kelly, prioritizes comfort during his travels. From his Nike shoes to stretchy travel pants, staying relaxed and cool on long flights is essential.

His go-to shirts are the BYLT Drop-Cut Signature Tees, featuring the brand's unique moisture-wicking fabric, which feels soft and luxurious with a relaxed fit. These T-shirts are available in a range of colors and sizes.

For all the women seeking comfortable travel tops and other clothing, BYLT offers a selection of womenswear.

Bose QC45 Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Canceling Headphones

$329 on Amazon

Enjoy restful sleep on a plane (or block out a crying baby) with this favorite among TPG fans, the Bose QC45.

Ben Smithson, a senior writer at TPG, swears by these headphones, claiming they are the best he's ever had and he wouldn't consider traveling without them.

"The battery life is impressive, and they connect effortlessly with fantastic sound quality. The highlight is the noise-canceling feature, which effectively blocks out surrounding noise," he mentioned.

The soft ear cushions and padded headband provide comfort during long flights. With advanced acoustic technology and adjustable EQ, you can customize the sound to your liking.

You can easily switch these headphones between quiet mode and aware mode, depending on your environment and requirements.

Paravel Fold-Up Bag

$70 on Amazon

Having the perfect bag to hold all your essential travel items can truly make or break a trip. Eco-conscious travelers will appreciate the Paravel Fold-Up Bag, crafted from 22 recycled plastic water bottles. Melanie Lieberman, TPG's managing editor of global features, loves how compact, versatile, and eco-friendly it is.

It also includes several convenient features, such as a trolley sleeve for sliding over luggage handles and an interior zip pocket — plus, you can personalize it with a monogram.

The bag's standout feature is that it folds into a compact pouch the size of an e-book.

iPhone 14 Pro

$1,099+ at Best Buy

With iOS 16 and exciting new colors, the iPhone 14 Pro is a top choice for TPG senior reporter Zach Griff, who loves its 48MP camera. This model is powered by an A16 bionic chip, enhancing power efficiency.

This version features a durable ceramic shield, an always-on lock screen with low-display backlighting, a display that’s twice as bright in sunlight, and extended battery life. It's perfect for long flights, adventurous trips, or busy sightseeing days.

Snoozeshade for Pack n' Play

$89 at Amazon

You'll never need to binge-watch Netflix or enjoy a glass of wine while hiding in your hotel bathroom again, thanks to Snoozeshade's travel crib cover, which effectively blocks out 94% of hotel room light.

When traveling with my infant (now a toddler), I always packed this handy cover for travel cribs in hotel rooms and vacation rentals. It allowed me to keep the lights on while my little one slept soundly in total darkness.

It's a game-changer for families on the go. The shade is breathable, machine-washable, and suitable from the newborn stage until your child outgrows the crib.

Supergoop SPF Best Sellers Starter Kit

$25 at Supergoop

This trio includes Unseen Sunscreen — a lightweight, invisible SPF 40, the Play Everyday lotion with sunflower extract and SPF 50, and the Glowscreen SPF 40, perfect as a luminous, brightening sunblock or makeup primer.

TPG's senior vice president of Content, Jamie Page, always keeps this sunscreen/skincare in her bag because "all the products are reef-safe and provide excellent sun protection."

This set is perfect for travel, as each item complies with the 100ml carry-on liquid limit. Not convinced by these specific products? The brand offers a broad range of travel-sized items — from eye cream and lip shine to various sunscreens and more.

The Capsule by Cadence

$14 at Cadence

Becca Manheimer, TPG's senior director of marketing and communication, grew weary of purchasing travel-sized products. She sought a more sustainable way to bring smaller amounts of her regular items when on the go.

She found Cadence: refillable capsule containers crafted from recycled plastic. Each Capsule is magnetic and customizable, allowing you to choose the perfect color and size, and even personalize the label with icons or text to identify your products.

Shoppers can create their own system of Capsules that stick together magnetically for convenient access in your suitcase or toiletry bag.

ProMaster All-in-One Worldwide AC travel adapter

$19.95 at Amazon

Keeping your tech devices powered while traveling doesn't have to be a hassle. Grab this Promaster travel adapter, which works in over 150 countries.

Ryan Smith, TPG's credit cards writer, claims this is the best travel adapter he's ever used. You can plug in two different U.S. plugs and then flip up the appropriate prongs to connect to any outlet in your destination country.

Slip pillowcase

$89 at Slip

Travel can be draining — especially for your skin. Rachel Malone-Olson, TPG's vice president of marketing, says that the air on planes and the linens and towels in hotels can be very drying, which is why she always brings her Slip Pillowcase.

"It's my final line of defense for keeping my skin moisturized and hydrated," she shared.

These dermatologist-recommended pillowcases claim to boost skin hydration and radiance, helping to combat fine lines, dryness, and wrinkles. They come in classic white or a variety of vibrant colors.

Branché Belle de Nuit eyemask

$46 at Amazon

Getting quality sleep on airplanes can be challenging, but Maren Gimnes, TPG's UK social media manager, finds she can rest on any flight as long as she has her Branché eyemask.

This mask, made of regenerative silk, shields the sensitive eye area while completely blocking out light, enabling you to sleep anywhere while on the go. The hypoallergenic silk also promotes skin rejuvenation around the eyes, helping to prevent wrinkles and dark circles.

Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack

$200+ at Cotopaxi

For travelers, a reliable and comfy backpack is essential. Bill Fink, TPG senior writer, swears by Cotopaxi's Travel Packs for his off-road adventures, appreciating how the various compartments help him locate items quickly. He also values the padded laptop sleeve for extra protection.

These vibrant packs offer a playful twist on standard black luggage and bags. The interior mesh pockets create a blend of a backpack and packing cubes in one. Additionally, the four reinforced grab handles provide versatile carrying options for when you prefer not to wear it on your back.

Moment phone lens, case and case mount

Lens, starting at $99+, Case, starting at $39.99+, and Mount, starting at $4.99+, available at Moment

We've already highlighted how the new iPhone 14 Pro's camera has greatly improved. To elevate your travel photography even further, consider accessories from Moment designed for iPhone photography.

TPG senior photo editor Wyatt Smith relies on his Moment phone lens, which enhances the variety in his photos. While you might need to upgrade the case and mount with new phones, the lens is a long-lasting investment, providing extra sharpness, clarity, and range for your travel images.

Addalock Portable Door Lock

$17.95 at Amazon

Safety is crucial, especially for solo travelers. TPG content operations editor Madison Blancaflor never goes without this portable door lock.

"It provides an extra level of security and reassurance at night, particularly when I'm at an Airbnb and unsure of who else might have access to the keys," she noted.

This handy safety device is compact enough to fit in your suitcase and easy to attach to any door, whether you're in a luxury hotel, a budget rental, or anything in between.

SPOTLIGHT BY BILL HARKINS/Dinogo