Tried, Tested, & Totally Essential for Every Trip
Over the years, I’ve learned that the right travel gear can make all the difference—turning a chaotic travel day into a smooth, stress-free experience. Whether it’s a carry-on bag that fits like a dream in an overhead bin, noise-canceling headphones that save your sanity, or the perfect travel pillow that finally lets you sleep on a plane… I’m always on the hunt for gear that earns its spot in my suitcase.
In this post, I’m sharing my personal go-to travel items—the ones I never leave home without. These favorites have been road-tested across airports, train stations, bumpy tuk-tuk rides, and overnight flights. If you’re looking to upgrade your travel setup, this list is a great place to start.
These product reviews are in no way sponsored. I am not trying to make a quick buck off of my recommendations.
These are products that I am truly passionate about and want to share with you!
None of the images on this page belong to me. Images are borrowed from links provided.
Carry On Friendly Backpacks
I am absolutely in love with this bag… Not only does it come in so many fun color combos, but it is SO functional. Many of the fellow travelers that I have bumped into still travel with a typical backpacking pack, something you would see on an alpine trail. While those bags are typically optimized for comfortable weight distribution, I don’t think that is as necessary for a trip where you may just be traveling one or two days a week, or less.
I have the 42L version of this pack so I can use it for my longest trips, however, there is also a 35L version that may be better suited for many travelers. The 42L, when fully packed, can be too big for carry on sizes for many of the smaller airlines, but I remedy this by not completely filling my pack and moving items to my personal carry on pack.
Comfort and Carry:
The Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack carries really well.
The padded shoulder straps are super comfortable, even when the pack is fully loaded, and the hip belt actually helps distribute the weight (and it’s removable if you don’t want it). I also love that you can tuck the straps away and carry it like a duffel—it’s perfect for hopping on a train or navigating tight spaces.
This pack does also come with a rain cover, however, it material is super durable and water resistant and I found that I really didn’t need to use the rain cover unless I was stuck in extreme rain for extended periods.
Organization and Ease:
The suitcase-style opening is a game-changer.
I can open the whole thing up and see exactly where everything is—no more digging around for that one pair of socks at the bottom of my bag. The internal compartments keep things nicely organized, and the compression helps me pack way more than I probably should.
There is a large, a medium, and a small internal pocket, a small exterior zipper pocket on the front, and a laptop pocket in the back. There is also a nice little secret pocket on the inside of the large interior pocket which is great for hiding those important items like passports and extra cash.
All of these easy organization features really make a HUGE difference when you are living out of your bag for extended trips and don’t want get overwhelmed by your luggage.
Check out my recommended compression bags to help you stay ever more organized.
Security:
The first thing I always look for in a travel pack is if it has double zippers or lock straps.
Most of the time when traveling, there is somewhere you’ll be able to secure your bag, but not always. If I know I am going to have to leave my bag out in a shared room, or leave it in a distant luggage rack on a train or bus, I want to make sure I can lock my bag up. All of the exterior zippers on this pack have double zippers and lock straps which gives me so much peace of mind.
Cons:
I really don’t have too much bad to to say about this bag.
Depending on where you are traveling, the fun, bright colors may be too much when it comes to trying to keep a low profile, but my solution to this is to get a fully black rain cover and just keep that on when traveling through less secure areas.
With my older version of this pack, the hip straps could be a little better at distributing weight, especially for my short torso, but the latest version of this pack is said to have made improvements with this feature.
My one other, very minor, gripe is that the exterior water bottle pocket is quite tight, so you can really only fit a small bottle there, but with the newer versions of this pack, sounds like they’ve remedied this issue with a larger pocket.
Shop this pack now.
I bought this backpack in a hurry just before a spur of the moment three month trip through Europe, and while it was a rush purchase with little research, it turned out to be EXACTLY what I was looking for, truly the perfect personal item.
The main features I look for in my bags is a clamshell opening to help with organized packing and easy item retrieval, and double zippers that can be locked together for security. This pack has both, and more.
In addition to the clamshell main pocket, there is a laptop/water bladder pocket in the back that can also be locked, two large water bottle pockets, an easy access front pocket, a hidden back pocket great for hiding passports or cash, additional carry straps, and a polyurethane leather lashing patch which is great for clipping a wet towel or shoes to on travel days.
This pack holds 22 liters and almost perfectly maxes out the typical airline personal item dimensions of 8 x 12 x 17 inches.
Alternative Packs
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I haven’t personally used this backpack yet, but it’s really caught my eye—especially as someone who travels often and swears by my Cotopaxi Allpa 42L. From what I can tell, this expandable travel backpack checks a lot of the same boxes I look for in a solid carry-on bag.
First off, I love that it opens like a suitcase. That style of packing has completely changed how I travel—being able to lay everything out and get to what I need without digging through a top-loading mess is so much more efficient. This one seems to offer that same clamshell design, with multiple compartments to keep things organized. Huge plus.
Honestly, the price point on this one is hard to ignore—it’s way more budget-friendly than some of the more well-known travel packs, while still looking sleek and functional. If it carries half as comfortably as the Allpa and holds up to a few international trips, it could be a total hidden gem. Definitely one I’m bookmarking for future travels or recommending to friends who want a Cotopaxi-style travel pack without spending quite as much.
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I haven’t tried this pack myself yet, but as someone who’s a big fan of the Cotopaxi Allpa, this bag has definitely piqued my interest. From the design and layout to the travel-friendly size, it seems to have many of my favorite features from the Allpa.
The clamshell, suitcase-style opening is a huge plus. I’ve learned how much easier that makes packing and unpacking—especially if you’re hopping between cities or doing a carry-on-only kind of trip. It looks like the Island Hopper offers that same flat lay design, with internal compartments to help keep things tidy and accessible.
Overall, while I can’t speak from personal use (yet), this looks like a solid, more budget-friendly alternative to the Cotopaxi Allpa. If you’re looking for a sleek, organized, travel-ready backpack without spending over $200, the COR Surf Island Hopper seems like it could be a really solid pick. Definitely one I’m keeping in mind for my next trip—or as a recommendation for friends who want Allpa features without the Allpa price tag.
