8 travel essentials you should get for your next trip
Make travel even better!
Travelling is fun, but it is also at times nerve-wracking, whether it is due to navigating unfamiliar streets, trying to adhere to your busy itinerary, or making sure you’ve packed all the essentials.
If you’re gearing up for your next travel escapade, consider getting these useful travel essentials (if you haven’t already) that will help make your journey smoother and more comfortable.
1. Wireless audio transmitter
We all know how poor the audio quality is for airline-supplied wired headphones. If you use a wireless headphone or earbud and would very much love to use it for your in-flight entertainment, you should invest in a wireless audio transmitter like Twelve South AirFly.
When I first used it during my flight with my AirPods Pro, I was amazed at how clearly I could hear the captain/first officer/air stewardess speak. I could even catch some background sounds that I otherwise couldn’t with the airline-supplied wired headphones or over the PA system.
Even if you forgot to charge your AirFly, it can still be used while charging—very functional if your airline provides a USB port for charging. AirFly also comes with a handy pouch for easy storage and carrying.
Twelve South AirFly (2nd Gen)
Twelve South AirFly Duo/Pro
2. Wireless charging station
In this technology-intensive society, our lives have become inseparable from a variety of electronic devices with different functions: smartphones, wireless earbuds, smartwatches, etc. But these devices need to be charged for continuous use and having many devices means you’ll need all the different charging cables.
A wireless charging station lets you charge multiple devices minus the cable mess. The compactness of a wireless charging station also makes it easy to carry around. Imagine how hassle-free it is to bring just one wireless charging station instead of multiple charging cables and power adaptors.
15W Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger
3-in-1 Wireless Charger For Apple & Android Devices
3. Expandable portable carry-on bag
I’d always bring a portable carry-on bag to store all the extra haul from my travel that can’t fit into my check-in luggage. The portable carry-on bag can be folded and stored in your luggage when you’re travelling to your destination—one less thing to lug around! And when you’re ready to head home, simply unfold it to stash all your barang-barang.
Recently, portable carry-on bags have been upgraded to become expandable, allowing you to store even more things if needed. One thing to note though, is to make sure the expanded bag can still fit the requirements of the airline’s carry-on bag size.
Pro tip: store clothes in your portable carry-on bag and the rest in your check-in luggage to avoid getting into trouble with having prohibited or restricted items in your carry-on bag.
Foldable Expandable Travel Bag
Foldable Expandable Travel Bag / Backpack / Shoulder Sling
4. Portable thermos-kettle
Does the thought of people cooking instant noodles in the hotel’s kettle irk you? Or do you need some hot water on the go, such as to keep you warm in cold destinations or to prepare your baby’s milk? A portable thermos-kettle has got you covered!
The portable kettle can quickly boil water with a simple charge, while the thermos function helps keep your water warm for a long period of time. Its lightweight and bottle-like characteristics (as compared to a bulky kettle) make the portable thermos-kettle easy to carry around during your travels.
IONA 400ml Mini Travel Kettle
Portable Electric Kettle with LCD 4 Pre-Set Temperature
5. Portable aroma diffuser
With a portable aroma diffuser, you can indulge in aromatherapy no matter where you go. Case in point, Muji’s portable aroma diffuser comes with a pouch for you to store not just the diffuser and its charging cable, but also a 10-millilitre bottle of Muji’s essential oil.
Unlike most aroma diffusers, Muji’s portable aroma diffuser does not require water at all. All you need is a few drops of essential oil to enjoy some aromatherapy in your personal space. You can also use it while charging.
MUJI Portable Aroma Diffuser
6. Moisturising face mask
A Japanese creation, no less, the “wet mask” or moisturising face mask helps to keep your air passageway moist by adding damp pads in the face mask. This is especially comforting to use when you’re feeling under the weather or when the air is dry, such as in aeroplane cabins, air-conditioned rooms or cold countries.
If you have a sensitive nose, you can go for its unscented variant. Otherwise, you can try soothing scents like eucalyptus or yuzu. Some masks also make use of steam to create the moisturising effect and also come with scented and unscented variants.
Nodonu ~ Rudure Mask, Unscented
Kao MEGURISM Steam Warm Mask, Lavender Mint
7. Waterproof shoes
Having a good pair of walking shoes is essential when travelling. But it is disgusting to walk in them when they are soaked, either because of a heavy downpour or because you accidentally stepped into a puddle of water. Investing in waterproof shoes—or at least, water-repellent shoes—can flick away all the water droplets and your worries of damp socks and feet. It’s a triple win: happy feet, happy travel, happy you.
Adidas LTG54 Terex AX4 Men's Trekking Shoes, GORE-TEX Hiking
Salomon Women's X Ultra 4 GTX W Hiking Shoe
8. RFID-blocking travel wallet
Not every place in the world is as safe as Singapore. Having a wallet or passport holder that can block radio-frequency identification (RFID) can deter digital pickpocketing. As contactless payments become more common, there is also an increasing worry over RFID theft.
RFID theft happens when someone uses an RFID reader to trigger the chip in your credit card. You may end up completing unknown transactions or your credit card information may get stolen. An RFID-blocking wallet or passport holder can prevent such stressful situations from happening, giving you peace of mind while travelling.
Bellroy Travel Wallet
Pacsafe RFID Blocking Compact Travel Organiser
Check airfare here: Skyscanner | Trip.com | Expedia
Book accommodations and activities here: Agoda | Booking.com | Klook | KKday | HotelsCombined | LuxuryEscapes
Save big, get the all-inclusive pass & explore your destination in-depth: GoCity
General info here: Tripadvisor
Affordable data plans here
And while you are at it, get your travel insurance with Alliance Assistance | Income | Prudential!
