7 Backpack Must-Haves for the Frequent Traveler

Are you “that guy” who brings a backpack to a theme park, so you’re properly prepared? Do you regularly answer “yes” when someone asks “does anyone happen to have a bandaid?” If so, this post is for you and your inner traveler! These tried-and-true products have no less than 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon. (N.B. None of these products include affiliate links.)

1. Miquelrius Colored-Edge Notebook

If you’re like me, you can’t travel without a decent notebook, so it’s important to find one that’s compact, lightweight, and multi-purpose.

7 Backpack Must-Haves for the Frequent Traveler

I adore the colored edges on noteooks by Miquelrius!

2. 6-Pack of Staedtler Pens

I picked these up on an impulse buy, and they’re one of my favorite pens now! I don’t mind Sharpie pens, but these seem to last longer and write crisper.

Don’t love the neon? They have standard color packs, too.

3. Pen Case(s)

I’m not going to lie… I have a Grid-It in my backpack, two pen cases, a pill case (see below), AND a small make-up bag. Are you organization obsessed, like me? I use my Grid-It to keep one of my open compartments organized, then I sort pretty much anything that would otherwise get lost at the bottom of my bag into my other two pen cases.

Grid-It Cocoons come in many sizes, and they’re perfect for organization as they keep all your supplies in one place whether you store it in your bag or pull it out to work with.

I use two Vera Bradley pouches I got on Black Friday, but this one seemed like a good Amazon-alternative. :)

4. Vera Bradley Travel Case

This pill case, without the plastic pill container, doubles as an excellent first-aid kit. Bandaids, Neosporin, nail clippers, chapstick, bobby pins, and even some pills (although I put them into one of those mini Altoids tins) fit with plenty of room to spare.

This travel case replaced my beat up scrapbook Altoid tin, and it’s already incredibly more functional and spacious.

5. Hydro Flask

Keeps drinks hot or cold for hours on end, all without sweating.

And available in so many colors!!

6. Bamboo Charcoal

OK, maybe this one isn’t a day-to-day go-to… but these guys can eliminate all odors! They’ve have gotten me through some pretty smelly situations on weekend trips, most notably reviving my pillow after an overnight stint in a smoking room at the Budget Inn.

Thank you, Moso, for your complete lack of scent. Sometimes people who travel also happen to smell awful…

7. Bluetooth Headphones

This is one I don’t own yet! I’m not a Beats girl, but I sure do love Bose. I usually stick with my lightweight Apple-issued earbuds, but if you’re bound for a lot of public transit, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones will serve multiple purposes.