I’m so proud of my carry-on packing skills that I don’t mind when TSA agents randomly screen my bag. On the contrary, I look forward to showing off my bag’s contents and how organized I am. Of course, I didn’t come out of the womb knowing what I would need to have on me at all times while in transit. I’ve accrued that knowledge over the last 10 years as a travel writer. 

I’ve already flown 30,000 miles this year, while my Subaru has sat in my garage collecting dust. In March I’ll spend 76 hours flying from Montana to the Maldives and back. It’s going to be a taxing experience — pun intended — but I know I’ll survive thanks to my proverbial bag of tricks (a.k.a. my carry-on). Everything I pack has been meticulously vetted to ensure I’m as calm and comfortable as possible whether I’m crammed in coach or killing time on a long layover. Here are 15 items that make the cut, including comfy slides and a memory foam travel pillow — starting at just $4.

Osprey Transporter 40L Duffel Bag

If I’m traveling on international/discount airlines with smaller overhead compartments or on safaris where hard-sided luggage is shunned, I bring a duffel bag as my carry-on. I love Osprey’s Transporter line because it’s made from a proprietary abrasion-resistant fabric that repels water. With stowaway straps, this dual-purpose duffel doubles as a backpack, and the main compartment is lockable to prevent in-flight theft. One five-star reviewer, who traveled with it around Scotland on planes, trains, and automobiles, called it the “best duffel ever.”

Lululemon Women’s Restfeel Slide

After a disastrous trip to Italy where I flew in wedges and my only other shoes were in my checked luggage (that got lost for days), I now always keep these super lightweight slides in my carry-on. I wear them on long-haul flights when I want to take my shoes off but don’t want to walk around in my socks. They’re designed for casual use, but they also have pretty good traction, and thanks to the foam layers, they’re comfortable enough to log 10,000 steps running from terminal to terminal. Are they cheap? No. Are they worth it? Let’s just say they have nearly 2,400 five-star ratings at Lululemon. One shopper, who bought them to make going through airport security “a breeze,” loves them so much they now wear them to run errands. “If you have plantar fasciitis, these slides are for you,” they wrote.

Charmking Compression Socks 8-pack

It doesn’t matter if I’m on a puddle jumper for 20 minutes or a jumbo jet for 20 hours, I always travel with compression socks. I’ve read enough horror stories about deep vein thrombosis, a.k.a. “economy class syndrome.” With 15-20 mmHg targeted compression zones, these socks ensure I don’t suffer from uncomfortable swelling at best and deadly blood clots at worst. They were recently deemed the best budget-friendly option on Travel + Leisure’s list of the best compression socks. Meanwhile, at Amazon, they have nearly 61,000 perfect ratings.

Prana Shea Hoodie 

Even if I’m flying somewhere tropical, I always have something cozy to wear in my carry-on. Lately, my favorite warm layer has been this buttery-soft hoodie from Prana. The Tencel Modal fabric is so soft that it needs a warning label: You’ll never want to go back to cotton. I love the relaxed fit, and the spacious kangaroo pocket fits my phone, passport, and other valuables I always keep on my person during flights — even when I go to the lavatory.

Hydro Flask Wide-mouth Stainless Steel Water Bottle

I’m like a camel: I can go a long time without drinking water. Still, I know it’s not good for me, which is why this best-selling bottle always has a place in my bag. How do I justify the cost? For starters, it has double-wall vacuum insulation which keeps contents cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours. It’s also leakproof, and because it’s stainless steel, it’s the most indestructible item on my packing list. “My Hydro Flask water bottle has traveled many thousands of miles with me and still looks just as good as the day I got it,” wrote one five-star reviewer. Choose from dozens of colors, including new monochromatic hues like Reef, Aloe, and Surf.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds

I think Apple AirPods get their name from the fact that they’re wireless, but I call them AirPods because if I’m in the air, there’s a 100 percent chance they’re in my ears. Travelers say the AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds — which have more than 16,800 five-star ratings — are worth it for the noise cancellation feature alone. With the conversation awareness setting turned on, my music or movie automatically stops playing if my seatmate or flight attendant says something. Plus, each pair comes with different silicone tips, so you can find the perfect fit depending on your ear shape.

Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow

I love that most modern airplane seat headrests bend to cradle your head. Still, they can’t compete with this dual-density memory foam pillow from Cabeau, the brand behind the “most comfortable” mention on T+L’s list of the best travel pillows. I’ve had mine for years, and it’s my secret to getting serious shut-eye without waking up sore. Unlike most travel pillows, it features a chin strap and attaches to your headrest, offering maximum support and preventing any sliding around. The pillow has over 1,500 five-star ratings at Amazon, with one shopper referring to it as “the ultimate travel companion.” They’re not wrong.

Nidra Contoured Sleep Mask

According to a 2022 sleep study by Northwestern University, exposure to even moderate lighting can mess with our sleep and glucose and cardiovascular regulation. Unfortunately, our eyes don’t come with built-in blackout curtains. Fortunately, this 3-D contoured mask doesn’t mess up my makeup or put pressure on my sensitive peepers. I use it on flights, especially when the window seat person in my row insists on keeping the shade up. I also wear it at home because it’s so comfortable. It has nearly 5,500 five-star ratings at Amazon, with many shoppers praising its breathability.

Rumpl The NanoLoft Puffy Blanket

Like Linus from Charlie Brown, I don’t go anywhere without my beloved travel blanket. Unlike thick fleece blankets you can buy at Hudson News and the threadbare throws airlines hand out, this down-alternative style from Rumpl boasts an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio. Another noticeable difference? It has a DWR coating that repels water, odors, stains, and hair. It also comes with an attached “cape clip” for hands-free wearing. While it unfolds to be 38 inches by 52 inches, it compresses in its stuff sack to be about the size of a water bottle. One shopper, who lived out of a carry-on for three weeks in Europe, called it a “travel must-have” and said it was their “favorite item” they packed.

Nearockle Silicone Cable Straps 24-pack

I like my flights like I like my whiskey — neat. Naturally, I treasure these silicone cable straps that keep my cords and cables organized and compact. Unlike traditional cable ties, these reusable straps have an opening in one end so you can slide a cable through before wrapping it up. This ensures the strap doesn’t get separated from the cable. “These little wonders are like the fairy godmothers of organization, turning my tangled mess into a thing of beauty,” wrote a traveling hair stylist who called them a “game changer” at Amazon.

Bag Balm Lip Moisturizer 4-pack

If I had to choose between a dozen Chapsticks and one .33-ounce tube of Bag Balm, I’d choose Bag Balm every time. Although TikTok “skinfluencers” have only recently discovered it, the brand has been around for nearly 130 years — not because of brilliant marketing, but because the formula actually works. All five ingredients are simple, safe (even for pets), and soothing. I always have it on me, but it comes in extra handy on planes where the air seems to have negative humidity. I use it on my lips, my cuticles, and even my dry elbows and heels. 

The word “miracle” appears in many reviews at Amazon where more than 2,000 were purchased in the last month alone.

Nurture Valley Body Wipes With Aloe 120-pack

If I had to choose between a post-flight 60-minute massage or a 60-second shower, I’d probably choose the shower. That’s why I consider these body wipes up there with sliced bread in the hall of fame of life-altering inventions. At Amazon — where they have a 4.8-star average rating and more than 9,000 five-star ratings — they’re ranked No. 2 on the list of best-selling body wipes. One shopper claimed they’re even “better than soap and water.” They’re also infused with aloe and vitamin E, so in addition to cleansing your skin, they moisturize it, too.

Emergen-C 1000mg Vitamin C Powder

Planes have been called flying petri dishes for years. Because I have an autoimmune disease, I love these “immune support” powders packed with vitamins and electrolytes. I swear they keep me from getting sick. And if I do get a cold, it doesn’t last as long. All of my evidence is anecdotal, but based on the numbers, thousands of shoppers seem to agree. Emergen-C has an impressive 4.8-star average rating from nearly 35,000 ratings — and more than 20,000 boxes were purchased in the last month alone.

Advil Liqui-Gel Minis

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are more than 150 types of headaches. While “airplane headaches” aren’t one of them (yet), they have been mentioned in medical literature since at least 2004, and scientists acknowledge that cabin air pressure can wreak havoc on the sinuses. That’s why my carry-on always has some sort of painkiller. Lately, I have liked Advil Liqui-Gel Minis, which has an impressive 4.9-star average rating at Amazon. Because they’re 33 percent smaller than normal Advil, they’re easier to fit in pill cases, and because they’re filled with liquid, they’re quickly absorbed.

Ziploc Quart Storage Bags 24-pack

I’m all about recycling and using cloth bags at the grocery store. That said, I still keep at least one empty Ziploc bag stashed in my carry-on. I use the quart size, so I can use it for my TSA-approved toiletries if I have to. I also use Ziploc bags to make emergency cold packs, save food for later, keep my devices dry, and store wipes I buy in bulk. These bags have nearly 24,000 five-star ratings and feature a patented “stand-up” bottom that makes them easy to fill without tipping over.

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