Blog

Jul 18, 2023

28 Problem

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Because you can roam just about anywhere with some comfortable walking shoes, an external battery, and some anti-blister balm.

BuzzFeed Contributor

Promising review: "The holy grail of portable chargers!!! I was traveling to Disney for vacation and knowing me, I would drain my battery with just taking pictures alone. I wanted a portable battery but didn’t want a carry a cord either, so I was excited when I found this little baby! It does exactly as described, has a pretty pink color, and I get one full charge of battery for my iPhone 11. Get it. You will not be disappointed!" —Meghan Doble

Price: $29.99+ (available in six colors)

Promising review: "I love everything about this product. It smells amazing, is easy to use, fits in my purse or diaper bag, and it’s at a decent price." —catherine shoemaker

Get the pack of three from Amazon for $16.99.

Promising review: "I purchased three packs of these, and they are awesome, and yes, they really do get colder once wet. It also has a bag and clip to carry it which is super convenient. I just got back from the beach, and I used it while laying in the hot sun. All I did is wet it and put it around my neck and over my shoulders, and it instantly cooled me down. And it stayed cool for 30 minutes because it dried. Once wet, it was instantly cold again. Great purchase!" —Donna C.

Price: $19.99 (available in 13 color combos)

CurlCap is a Black-owned apparel company founded by Britney Sadé that specializes in caps designed for natural hair with an open back and flexible scrunchie design.

Promising review: "This hat is comfortable, well-made, and cute! It is now my go-to hat for casual days when I put my hair in a ponytail. I have also worn it playing tennis and found that it's more comfortable than wearing a visor. The back elastic really keeps the hat secure without feeling too tight. I have the black twill, and would love to see it in other colors in this fabric for walking, running, and tennis. Love." —Me

Price: $14.99+ (available in 25 styles)

Reviewers note to buy these in a size up from your usual shoe size!

Promising review: "Love these shoes! I saw them in store at UO but they didn't have my size. Obviously I turned to Amazon because what doesn’t this site sell, and lo and behold, y’all had it. I try to pair these with almost every outfit because they’re so comfy and stylish! Recently went to Philly, where I had to walk everywhere because we didn't rent a car and these were the only pair of shoes I brought (I travel light). These didn’t cramp up my feet at all as I walked over seven hours daily over the course of five days. Definitely recommend!" —Alli J

Price: $49.30+ (available in sizes 5–11 and tons of styles)

Promising review: "I am a digital nomad so I travel full-time around the world. I have a lot of devices to charge (laptop, Kindle, phone, backup battery, portable Wi-Fi device, camera, the list goes on). A lot of times hostel bunks or hotel rooms only have one outlet and with the previous adapter I was using, I had to charge one device at a time. I used to literally set my alarm to wake up in the middle of the night and switch devices so that I could get more than one device fully charged overnight. I did my research finally and settled on this one because it is universal and has four USB ports. What a GAME-CHANGER. On my latest trip I was able to charge all my devices at once and it made traveling so much smoother. It seems well made and good quality, too. Definitely recommend for my digital nomad and traveling peers. Happy travels! :)" —Maggie A

Price: $19.95 (available in two colors)

Promising review: "I bought these since I was going on a long vacation by myself. I rolled my money and was able to fit it inside the scrunchie. It’s soft, very stretchy, and fits my wrist! I didn’t have any issues with the zipper. I wore it on my wrist all the time and put money/lip balm inside it. It worked great during my vacation. This would be perfect to stash some things inside!" —Jessica Sandoval

Price: $12.99 (available in seven colors)

The set comes with four packing cubes of various sizes, as well as a laundry bag.

Promising review: "I like these. I've already used them on one trip and will be using again next week. Very easy to use and made a huge difference in how much I could get in a small area. I also noticed that they kept my clothes from getting as wrinkled. I use the large to pack my shirts. I folded the shirts in half then roll them up. I got over twice as much packed in the same area." —J

Price: $21.99 (available in 10 colors)

Promising review: "I wanted to wait to post my review until after I returned home from Europe. Because of the pickpockets I decided to get this backpack since it zips in the back. I am VERY pleased to say not one thing was stolen from me. Granted I’m very aware of my surroundings but I firmly believe this backpack made a huge difference. Plus it is so cute and matches everything. This is 100% worth the price and you can’t go wrong!!" —Sarah Crosley

Price: $26.99 (available in two sizes and 14 colors)

Promising review: "I was a little skeptical of this contraption but it had such great reviews by other users that I decided to try it. For me it worked fabulously! I traveled to Asia, so I had two six hour flights and a 12 hour flight each direction. I don't usually sleep well on planes, and while this didn't magically turn my seat into first-class accommodations it did make a huge difference. Once I tried it a few times and figured out the best wrapping technique for me it was wonderful. As some others have mentioned it can get warm, but I generally get cold on airplanes after sitting still for a while so it was actually a good thing. With my earplugs in I could gently rest my head against the Trtl and imagine it resting against a pillow (I'm a side sleeper so this was sooooooooooo much more comfortable for me than the regular travel pillows that have the most support with your head resting back) and I fell asleep really quickly. I never had any resulting neck pain or kinks. I would highly recommend it, especially for side sleepers." —Jac-O

Price: $59.99 (available in four colors)

Promising review: "One of my favorite shoes I’ve owned! Took them on a hiking trip without breaking them in first — NO problems. So comfortable. Hiked 10 miles through dry and wet and they were a godsend! Awesome!" —Morgan

Price: $33.25+ (available in sizes 5–14 and 24 colors and patterns)

Promising review: "Hotel rooms and cruise ships never have enough hangers. Taking these along made a huge difference in closets and fold up to practically nothing. Lightweight. Love them!" —sb44

Price: $13.99 for a pack of 12

I use this stuff on my heels when backpacking and can confirm: it prevents blisters on my extremely blister-prone feet!

Promising review: "This works great! I have trouble finding sandals that don't in some way rub me wrong, and this stuff has come to the rescue. I apply it liberally to my ankles and toes — anywhere that tends to rub and get irritated, and it makes a huge difference! I'm able to wear a pair of sandals all day and well into the night that I normally wouldn't be able to wear past lunchtime. Great product, and much more versatile than moleskin or bandaids, since this is invisible! I must say, when I misplaced this tiny little stick one day, I used my regular, large-sized body stick instead, and that also worked great on my feet, so I'm not sure if this foot formula is really that special, but it's not expensive so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt!" —MEG327

Price: $9

Promising review: "This little fan is awesome, runs for hours, makes a huge difference when you’re stuck outside in the heat. Perfect for Disney!!" —diane alt

Price: $18.59+ (available in five colors)

Promising review: "These are the very best earplugs. Would not be without them. Because they are silicone, they fit well over the ear canal, stay in place, and make a huge difference in noise reduction. I take them everywhere as I'm a light sleeper. Tried MANY brands and these are by far the best. Excellent product." —Mareo

Price: $12.99 for a pack of 12

Check out our full review of Mack's earplugs for more details.

It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.

Promising review: "I recently purchased the Twelve South AirFly Pro, which is a wireless transmitter/receiver that allows you to share audio with up to two AirPods. This has been a game changer for me, particularly when it comes to traveling. I recently took a Delta flight and was able to watch a show with my AirPods while my partner listened as well. It was such a great experience to be able to enjoy media together without having to deal with tangled cords or trying to share one set of earbuds. The AirFly Pro is really easy to use and has made a big difference in my entertainment options while on the go. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to share audio with their partner or friends." —T.E. Collard Jr.

Price: $54.99+ (available in three styles and two colors)

Promising review: "I've so often gone through airports where the screeners are super-fussy about the weight of checked luggage and carry-ons. This is a small item, easy to pack, and makes all the difference when returning from a trip with more than I started with!" —Amazon Customer

Price: $9.19+ (available in two colors and as a two-pack)

Promising review: "Wow, what a difference this made while traveling. Kept my hands free, and I didn't have to keep going in my purse/backpack for phone, travel documents, or passport. I will not travel without it. I bought it on a whim but didn't realize how much I really needed it. I kept it on my carry-on, and it was no issue at all when boarding the plane to remove it (with a line of people behind me waiting for me to put my carry-on in overhead container). I just took out my drink and slipped it up and off the handle. There is a Velcro strip in between the cup folders, but I found it very easy to slip it on and off. I also was concerned about items falling out... nope. No issue whatsoever. My passport, papers, phone were all secured." —LisalouRN

Price: $15.99 (available in 33 colors and styles)

All it requires to work is a 9-volt battery.

Promising review: "Is user-friendly and reliable. Alarm is loud enough to make a difference. Is a straight-forward design that functions well without a lot of fuss. Also battery life seems fine." —Terry G

Price: $13.25

Promising review: "Relief from the sea. Went back and bought a second pair for visitors going out of the boat with us. We have a 27-foot boat and when we leave the intercoastal for the sea, the bands make a huge difference. Slapped a pair on my mom and even she had to agree!" —Marie Billings

Price: $8.53 for a set of two

Promising review: "Made a huge difference on our Europe trip. It helped us get to sleep better while aiding in helping us get over our jet lag. I would highly recommend this for anyone who uses/needs noise or a noise machine. The sounds are very organic (just like the larger Ohm device). Love it!" —Shawn Peters

Price: $25.26+ (available with or without a case, in packs of two and three, and in a deluxe version)

Promising review: "This stuff is an absolute lifesaver!! I've been struggling with oily hair for many years, and no matter how many different shampoos I've tried, they've all been useless. In fact many of the 'oil control' shampoos I tried just made my hair even worse. I don't even know how much money I've spent on different shampoos at this point. I got this one because I'm vegan and also trying to lean more towards a zero waste lifestyle. I was a little skeptical at first because I've never used anything but liquid shampoo before now, but I'm glad I took the risk. Even after the first use of this product I noticed a huge difference. And the second time I used it, the softness of my hair was already coming back too. This product saved my hair and my confidence, and I very highly recommend it." —Gibson

Price: $15.90+ (available in 10 formulas)

Promising review: "These are a lifesaver when traveling for long periods of time where mobility is restricted due to confined space. I used them and it made a huge difference in comfort for my 72-year-old body, would definitely recommend." —Amazon Customer

Price: $19.27+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and 13 colors)

And check out our full Physix Gear compression socks review here.

Promising review: "As a solo woman traveler this is by far the best. Whether you are running through congested markets or enjoying a night at the club, it's a great way to hide your money and cards without worrying about carrying a shoulder bag and leaving it here and there to dance or wondering if it will be snatched. Loooove it." —Melia

Price: $18.30+ (available in two colors)

Promising review: "These are GREAT! My kids’ masks were iffy on sizes and these made a huge difference. My husband can wear it also so it works for all sizes. Very happy." —Jeanine

Price: $6.99 for a set of four (available in five different color combos)

Promising review: "I’d been looking to purchase this carry-on liquids bag for a while, but kept delaying the purchase because I figured that the traditional clear bag I had been using for years was fine, even though it was always a pain to search for what I was looking for. Finally I decided enough was enough and that I would buy this thing already. I can honestly say, it’s one of the best purchases I’ve ever made off of Amazon. I didn’t realize how big of a difference it would make with traveling, but trust me, it did. First of all, bottles of makeup/toiletries just fit so much better in this bag. Second, because of the fact that it unzips all the way around you can easily find what you’re looking for without messing anything else up. And third, I was able to fit so many more items than I ever have before! This is way better than the Ziploc-type of bag I was using previously. Buy this bag if you’re flying anywhere. It’s great!" —Sarah W

Price: $13.99 (available in 11 colors)

Promising review: "I have been using it for about two months and still holds up and it hasn't fallen apart. The material is very nice and soft. At times I forget that I'm wearing it. The elastic band is quite nice. It feels like clouds in my eyes. I have a high light sensitivity, this eye mask has really made a huge difference on how much rest I get. I have taken it with me on every trip I have made in order to rest well. Highly recommend it." —Cynthia Carbajal

Price: $21.99+ (available in seven colors)

You know them, you love them. To me, there is no greater invention than the classic Apple headphones, which have delivered music, podcasts, and audiobooks comfortably and reliably into my little ears for the last billion years. There's a time and a place for fancy headphones, but in my opinion, solo travel isn't one of them. These are about as cheap as it gets, which is essential when you're moving around so much and the threat of losing a tiny earbud is ever-present. And as someone who loooooves to listen to stuff when I'm walking around and traveling, having headphones that run out of battery after a few hours simply isn't an option for me.

Price: $16.99