5 Summer Travel Essentials for Your Next Weekend Getaway

Summer travel season is already in full swing, and if your schedule looks anything like mine then the next few months are jam-packed with weddings, family trips, and weekend visits with friends.

While packing this time of year can be so refreshing given that warm weather clothing takes up way less space in a suitcase, there’s still the issue of chilly buses and train cars, stuffy planes, and more. If you’re hitting the road—or taking flight—anytime soon, keep this list of go-to products in mind as you prep for your journey.

When it comes to travel bags, I’ve been loving the O.M.G. tote from Lo & Sons, which is a cult favorite that’s popping up all over social media (just read all of the extremely positive reviews and you’ll understand why). This roomy tote easily holds my laptop and charger, the travel blanket I mentioned above, a sweatshirt, and two books, in addition to smaller items like my wallet, glasses case, and makeup bag. Plus, the nylon exterior is easy to wipe off and clean—always a win with a travel bag. I generally use this tote as a personal item in addition to my suitcase, but light packers will find that it can most certainly serve as a small weekender. While these totes are pricey, Lo & Sons is currently running a 30 percent off sale, which means you can score one for $192.50.

I recently took a four-hour-long bus ride to attend a friend’s wedding a few states away, and in addition to throwing on comfy clothes (workout leggings and a well-worn T-shirt are my casual travel uniform of choice), I brought along this amazing Ably blanket. It was the perfect travel companion for my chilly but not-too-chilly bus—plus it’s especially handy because of its ability to repel liquids, stains, and odors, which is key when traveling (who isn’t bound to spill on themselves at some point mid-journey?).

These shoes are a favorite among commuters for a reason. Comfortable, easy to slip on and off, and totally stylish, this sneaker is the ideal travel shoe. Since trying to stuff multiple pairs of shoes into a suitcase is every overpacker’s nightmare, having a pair of versatile shoes that’ll go with everything is the goal—and these Allbirds are just right.

It may seem a little excessive to carry around a bottle of facial mist in your carry-on bag, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I get pretty bad seasonal allergies and therefore always feel extra dry this time of year. Dealing with that and then tacking on a few hours of traveling means that my skin is bound to feel especially dehydrated while I’m on the go. Laugh if you want, but I swear that spritzing on a few drops of this refreshing mist (it comes in a travel-sized jar) totally helps me feel refreshed once I get to my destination.

As someone who’s glued to their phone (hey, those travel pictures aren’t going to take themselves), I’m all too familiar with the struggle involved in trying to locate an available outlet on a train, at a café, or in far less opportune place like a bar or bus station. I tested my dad’s portable charger while traveling last month, and it was a total lifesaver—plus, it’s compatible with both iPhones and Samsung Galaxies.