Packing the right travel accessories can be the difference between a disastrous and a successful trip. However, some are so niche and unusual that you may never even hear of them…
Here are 12 weird and wonderful accessories most travelers don’t know they need.
1. Inflatable Wine Bags
Imagine going to Italy and buying a beautiful bottle of wine for a friend back home. Or visiting Greece and getting some locally grown olive oil.
Now imagine opening your suitcase and seeing that it’s exploded in transit. One way to avoid these messy situations is to invest in inflatable wine bags before you go. Just slide your bottles and breakables inside, inflate the bag with a few breaths, and away you go.
2. Suitcase Cup Holder
Most people have their hands full (literally) when they’re rushing to catch a plane. With your boarding pass, suitcase, mobile phone, and possibly even kids to hold on to, it begs the question: where do you put your coffee?
These suitcase cup holders solve the problem. They slip right over the telescopic handle, providing a convenient place to put your drinks while moving from place to place.
3. In-Flight Plane Mounts
These clever accessories are phone holders that clip onto the fold-down food tray on planes. They’re great for short-haul flights, which don’t have in-flight entertainment.
Hook it over the tray when it’s upright, pop your phone in, and voila – you can watch your favorite shows without holding anything or craning your neck.
4. Banana Guards
These purpose-built cases protect your bananas from getting squished in your bag. It sounds strange, and it is! But it saves the hassle of cleaning a sloppy banana mess from inside your bag. It also ensures your snack stays in an appetizing condition throughout the day.
5. Luggage Scooters
No more running to the gate when you’re late for a flight. With these luggage scooters, you can race there on two wheels quickly. Whenever you’re in a hurry, fold down the rear wheels to transform your suitcase into a scooter. It’ll make getting around twice as fast – and fun.
Don’t worry if it sounds like too much physical activity. You can even find motorized ones nowadays.
6. Air-Conditioned Shirts
They might not win you any fashion awards, but on hot travel days, these air-conditioned shirts can make life far more comfortable. Most work via a battery-powered fan fitted inside. Turn it on, and you’ll get a refreshing burst of cool air blasted around your torso. Imagine going sightseeing in blistering heat. You could walk around and enjoy the attractions without worrying about overheating or getting too sweaty.
7. Bluetooth Transmitters with Headphone Jack
In-flight entertainment systems don’t usually accommodate wireless headphones. Instead, the airlines provide those poor-quality, uncomfortable wired ones to plug into the jack.
This product solves the problem. You plug the transmitter into the in-flight entertainment system’s jack and then connect your wireless headphones to it. Google “Twelve South Airfly Pro” for a popular example.
8. Trtl Travel Pillow
Traditional travel pillows are better than nothing when you’re desperate for sleep on a long journey. Unfortunately, they don’t provide enough support to stop your head from lolling around.
That’s where the Trtl pillow comes in. It acts like a neck brace. Wrap it around your neck, and thanks to its nifty design, it keeps your head supported and in place. You end up with a fantastic headrest that makes it easier to drift off.
9. Hat Clips
If you travel with brimmed hats or snapbacks, you know how a) easy it is to leave them somewhere, b) frustrating they are to carry when you’re not wearing them, and c) susceptible they are to being crushed in your luggage.
Hat clips provide a simple and convenient solution to all three problems. You connect one end to your bag and the other to your hat. That way, you can easily transport hats and always know where they are.
10. Water Bottle Pouches
This travel product is exactly what it sounds like. A convenient way to carry essentials when you’re out and about, it’s a handy zippered pouch designed to fit on your water bottle. It also means your valuables aren’t in your pocket, which may make you less of a target for pick-pocketers.
Of course, if you put your wallet or phone in there, you can’t afford to leave your bottle somewhere! Nevertheless, it’s a clever way to stay organized (and hydrated) on your travels.
11. Travel Cord Rolls
The downside of traveling with electronics is the sheer number of cables you end up ferrying around, too. Travel cord rolls offer an aesthetically pleasing and practical way to store them. Your suitcase will be more organized, and your cables are less likely to get lost or damaged.
12. Portable Wash Bag
When you don’t want to pack too many clothes, can’t bear the thought of smelling bad, don’t want to buy new clothes when you’re traveling, or won’t have access to a laundromat, packing a portable wash bag makes total sense.
Imagine a waterproof bag designed to clean your clothes. Simply put your dirty laundry inside, fill it with water and detergent, deflate it, and then rub the clothes on an internal washboard to clean them. Sound good? Scrubba is a best-selling brand in this niche.