✈️ The gear that got us through every trip
We’ve learned that the key to traveling light isn’t about what you leave behind — it’s about what you bring.
These three items made all the difference on our latest trip — they survived planes, trains, boats, and tuk-tuks, and made packing (and repacking) so much easier.
🧳 1. The hard-shell suitcase that refuses to quit
This suitcase has been crammed full, dragged across airport floors, and tossed into more taxis than we can count — and it’s still going strong. The hard shell hasn’t cracked once, and somehow the zippers always close, even when we swear it’s overpacked.
Bonus feature? The cup holder. Perfect for keeping your free lounge drink upright while you wait to board. It’s the small luxuries that matter.
🧩 2. Compression packing cubes
The unsung hero of every organized suitcase. These compression cubes not only keep everything neat — they actually save space.
We moved around a lot on this trip, and having our clothes grouped and compressed made unpacking (and repacking) ridiculously fast. Everything had a place. No more digging through piles of shirts to find one outfit.
🎒 3. The vacuum-sealed backpack Isaac swears by
This one’s Isaac’s pick. It’s a vacuum-sealed backpack that somehow fits twice as much as it should. Perfect for carry-on-only trips, long flights, and anyone who likes to keep tech gear, clothes, and essentials all in one spot.
He loved how streamlined it felt — minimalist on the outside, but secretly holding way more than it looks like it should.
💡 Why these made the cut
We’ve tested a lot of “travel essentials” over the years, but these are the ones we’ll actually keep packing. Durable, practical, and make traveling light so much easier — even when you’re on the move for weeks at a time.
🌍 Travel beautifully, for less
You don’t need to spend a fortune to pack like a pro — just the right gear that lasts.
We’ll link more of our favorite finds soon, but these three are the reason our bags survived (and looked good doing it).
Follow @thehabitoftravel for more ways to travel beautifully, for less.
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— The Habit of Travel