My Three Travel Essentials

Travel has perked up for me again. I'm currently averaging one trip per month over the last few months and I don't see that slowing down any time soon. The trips are multi-modal, ranging from regional automobile travel to international long-haul flights. 

Along the way I have found that there are a few items that really up the comfort and convenience of my travels. These are beyond the usual collection of various chargers, sunglasses and enough socks and underwear for my trip (plus an extra pair). 

A Breast-pocket shirt

Oh hail ye, keeper of the pocket protector! While the time of fountain pens ending shirts is passed your need is still great! 

This may be a little "old dude" of me but having a breastpocket shirt, at least on the days where I am in transit, is extraordinarily convenient in terms of ease of access to stuff. The two main things I keep in them are my phone and passport. 

For the latter, when traveling internationally, it is good to just have a sound home for my "papers". They get asked for on planes and trains as well as when checking in and out of hotels and whatever conference or work event I'm typically attending. Adding a button to the pocket adds light security, too.

For the former, I really don't like having to "fish" for my phone. This is particularly true on flights. Putting my phone in one of the seat-back pockets feels like I've just dropped it into tartarus. On a bad day that might even result in my forgetting it on the plane. Placing the phone in my pants pocket can result in plain discomfort, weird contorting to get it out and what feels like reduced control (not that I can butt dial someone in "airplane mode").

Thus, the shirt provides a convenient solution. I must also admit that I'm being stubborn in taking the bluetooth headset plunge. My modest corded set helps provide quality sound watching seatback programming on Delta flights compared to the earbuds they hand out.

As for the type I usually prefer something button down with buttons on the pockets. Something along the lines of this outdoors shirt or this or this for the fairer genders. Breathable material and lightweight are important on the road. It's not pleasant to feel stiff and overwarm.

Reusable shopping bag 

This is another easy to carry, but super convenient item. I started toting one of these around due to work taking me to places where one needed to pay for disposable shopping bags. I felt it might be handy to just carry my own bag along and has proven its use several times over.

The first utility is the bag's original intent, for shopping. When I make regular trips for work or am just on the road a lot, eating at restaurants gets tired and expensive. I now try to make a habit of visiting a grocery store when I first get into town to buy lunches and healthy snacks. It's really something that helps me feel healthy over the course of my trips and really can save time, money and mileage. The bag makes this super convenient.

The next utility is on more exotic trips where souvenirs happen the bag again is convenient for shopping, but it also serves another purpose, an additional carry-on bag. My reusable bag has enough volume to handle a menagerie of trinkets, shirts, fine chocolates, etc. from wherever I was visiting. The bag is inexpensive, yet durable and can easily be tossed in the overhead bin on my return flight without too much worry of spillage. Carry straps can be tied shut, otherwise here's an interesting one with an elastic top 

The last use is simply as a laundry bag. On an extended trip it may be necessary to do some washing. Else it is simple to have a bag for laundry that you can simply unpack and throw in the wash when I get home. Again, the reuseable bag fits the need. 

This is truly one of those items that I now feel inconvenienced if I forget to bring one!   

A Raincoat

Lots of people bring umbrellas on trips. I find them clunky a lot more weight than I usually want to carry. They are also rarely used. Instead I prefer to bring a good raincoat. I'm not thinking the old heavy sheet vinyl variety but something lightweight with a hood, something like this. 

Yes, I'll wear this raincoat when it rains. I will also carry it with me on a windy day. It is an ideal windstop and, combined with a flannel or sweatshirt, provides excellent protection from the elements. When not in use, I can quickly shake it out and drape it over my arm or in my backpack shoulder straps.  In light sprinkles it can also cover and protect things I set down or carry and it can also help keep my rear end dry by placing it or using to wipe clear a wet bench or chair. 

I'm sure there are a multitude of other "essentials" one could carry during travel from universal adapters to industrial strength hair dryers. These three seem to have gotten me the most mileage for the least inconvenience to carry and would highly recommend adding them to your packing list!