Travel is one of the great privileges of modern life. But it can also be tiring, stressful and without the everyday things we’re used to having at home, inconvenient. The best remedy is to pack smart and cater specifically to the demands of each individual trip, business or pleasure, domestic or international. Here are my travel essentials for men.
Personal travel essentials for men
No two trips are the same. Maybe you’re flying to the far side of the world for a big business trip. Or perhaps you’re heading just a few hours up the road on a weekend getaway with the guys. No matter where you’re going, there’s a basic travel essentials list for men that should never change.
Travel luggage
I’m an avid light packer and believe if you pack the right things in the right quantities, you’ll almost never need more than a carry-on. The Rolls Royce of carry-on luggage is, for me, the classic Rimowa Cabin. Incredibly sleek and stylish dressed in aluminium, it works for business and pleasure.
I’ve wheeled mine to nods of approval everywhere from business meetings in Zürich to beaches in the Maldives. And while it is admittedly expensive, its lifetime guarantee means it’ll be the last case you’ll ever buy. I also love its TSA-approved locks, which means security can open it without damaging them.
If you’re heading somewhere that’s not so roller-case friendly, look instead to the iconic North Face Base Camp Duffel. Water and tear resistant, stylish in an unashamedly rugged way, this thing was built for Everest expeditions so can handle whatever you throw at it. Mine has kept my stuff safe and dry on motorbike trips through Vietnam and mountain hikes in Malaysia.
Luggage tracker tags
Gone are the days of a dog-eared luggage tag hanging from your handle, displaying your details to the world. Nowadays it’s much smarter to slip a tracker in your bag so you can see if it’s (hopefully) traveling to the same place as you.
This doesn’t just have to be for checked baggage. Slip one in every bag for your whole trip – I’ve left bags on trains and in taxis before and a tracker would have saved me time and effort in locating them both later.
I default to the Apple AirTag for convenience and iPhone compatibility. Plus it’s now being integrated directly into some airline apps to make tracking bags easier. For an Apple alternative, the Knog Smart Luggage Tag is also excellent, if a little pricier.
Noise-cancelling headphones
The noise-cancelling bit is the most important here. Planes and trains are loud enough to ruin music or a good movie, so you need something to block it out. Headphones are best and none is better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. But their size means they don’t meet my light packing criteria.
Instead, I prefer the tiny dimensions of earbuds, specifically Apple’s AirPods Pro II. The noise-cancellation and sound quality are brilliant and you can track them through the ‘Find My’ app. If you’re flying, it’s well worth investing in an AirFly too. It turns any audio jack into a transmitter for your wireless headphones – essential on planes.
Travel sleep kit
This sector of travel essentials is in my experience very subjective. There are hundreds of travel pillows and masks on the market, so you need to focus on how you’re going to use it and where.
As a dedicated aisle seat flier, I favor a u-shape pillow with added neck support. My preference is inflatable, for packing convenience. If you prefer a window seat, a small, square pillow is great for leaning against the fuselage. It’s also more comfy to use as a standard pillow, should you need one while traveling.
I have only one rule for eye masks – they must be silk. Breathable and naturally thermoregulating, it’s the only material that I find stays comfy on long journeys. Pair with your inflatable pillow and earbuds and you have the best travel essentials for men in one convenient package.
Water bottle
I always have one of two reusable bottles with me, depending on where I go. For domestic and well developed destinations with potable water on tap, I default to my trusty.
If potable water isn’t readily available, I take my Lifestraw Go filtration bottle. Particularly great in the wilderness on a hiking or camping trip, it turns any water source into a drinking source. There’s something deeply satisfying about filling your bottle from a river and drinking from it while deep in the clutches of nature! The filter lasts the equivalent of around 8,000 single use plastic bottles, so you’re also doing your part to preserve it.
Business travel essentials for men
Business travel brings its own set of demands. Meetings on the fly mean you may need battery backups and even Wi-Fi boosters. Suits need a little extra care when packed. Devices need protection from the risks of being on the road.
Packing cubes and garment sleeves
First impressions count. Joining a meeting looking like you’ve just stepped off the plane is never a good start, even from business class. Garment sleeves really help reduce the wrinkles in shirts and suits, which means no frantic pre-meeting hotel room ironing required.
For quick business trips, I often use my garment sleeve in place of luggage. You can often claim it as a personal item meaning you won’t need to pay carry-on fees if flying. Packing cubes also help with wrinkles and make it easy to compartmentalize business and leisure clothes and maximize space.
Washbag
Don’t just keep your clothes crisp and fresh. A decent sized, good quality washbag should be on every man’s travel essentials list. Make sure it’s roomy enough to fit your grooming kit and toothbrush, and has a handle to hang from. I’ve suffered enough exploding moisturizers on flights to know that it should always have a waterproof lining too. If you are taking liquids, consider the TSA-approved Sea to Summit clear zip pouch, which means no more disposable plastic bags going into landfill.
Power bank
Don’t get caught out with a flat battery. Despite the proliferation of charging ports on modern transport, experience has taught me they’re often broken or in high demand. A power bank is a travel essential for every businessman, then.
Again, I favor convenience. Never needing more than one or two charges while traveling, there’s no need to carry a giant battery brick. The Anker MagGo is my choice for two reasons. It charges fast, and has a very handy in-built stand so you can watch your phone as it charges. This is particularly handy on planes and trains where tables are slippery and space at a premium.
Laptop bag
Protecting your business lifeline is a serious business. I use a simple padded sleeve for day to day, but when traveling for work, I like to keep bags to a minimum so use a travel bag with incorporated laptop sleeve. From my experience, none is better than the Stubble & Co 20L laptop tote. Big enough for your tech kit, toiletries and a change of clothes, it’s the essential overnight business bag for men.
International travel essentials for men
Tech plays a big part in overseas travel nowadays. Ensuring you can use your devices and protecting you from ever-smarter thieves helps smooth the rough edges of international travel.
Travel adapter
A travel adapter is about more than a plug that fits. Modern adapters cover multiple countries, feature USB-A and -C ports, and in-built protection against power surges. Beware however, those claiming to be universal. There are many countries with higher voltages than the US or obscure power outlets that a standard adapter can’t handle. Switzerland, I’m looking at you. Always check your adapter is compatible with your destination before you travel.
Headphone adapter
Many international airlines still use dual stereo jacks to access their in-flight entertainment. I consider a dual adapter a ‘just-in-case’ international travel essential. If you’re using an AirFly to listen with your Bluetooth headphones, it’s worth investing in a compatible adapter.
RFID wallet
Wireless data theft is on the rise. An RFID wallet is a great way to protect personal and payment info like your passport and contactless credit cards from digital pickpockets. For even more security, I’ve taken to wearing an under clothes RFID fanny pack big enough to hold my phone. I’ve found it particularly useful in major cities where pickpocketing is rife.
Conclusion
Travel is all about preparation. Yes, focus on the objective of your trip, be it a business overnighter or two weeks of beach bliss. But take the time to plan and you’ll make the actual traveling bit feel smoother and shorter. The trick is to focus on your trip specifics – where you’re going, what you’re doing and what will make those experiences infinitely better.
