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Travel is one of the great privileges of modern life. But it can also be tiring, stressful, and inconvenient to go without the everyday items we rely on at home. The best remedy is to pack smart and cater specifically to the demands of each individual trip, whether business or pleasure, domestic or international. Here are my travel essentials for men.
Personal travel essentials for men
No two trips are the same. Maybe you’re flying to the other side of the world for a big business trip. Or perhaps you’re just off for a weekend getaway with the guys. No matter where you’re going, there’s a basic travel essentials list for men that should never change.
Travel luggage
I’m a light packer and believe if you pack the right things in the right quantities, you’ll almost never need more than hand luggage. The Rolls Royce of hand luggage is, for me, the classic Rimowa Cabin. Incredibly sleek and stylish and dressed in aluminium, it works for both business and pleasure.
I’ve wheeled mine to nods of approval everywhere from business meetings in Zürich to beaches i the Maldives. And while it is admittedly expensive, its lifetime guarantee means it’ll be the last case you’ll ever buy. I also love its airport security-friendly locks, which means airport staff can open the suitcase without damaging the locks.
If you’re heading somewhere that’s not so suitcase-friendly, look instead to the iconic North Face Base Camp Duffel. Water- and tear-resistant and stylish in an unashamedly rugged way, this thing was built for Everest expeditions so can handle whatever you throw at it. Mine has kept my stuff safe and dry on motorbike trips through Vietnam and mountain hikes in Malaysia.
Luggage tracker tags
Gone are the days of a dog-eared luggage tag hanging from your handle, displaying your details to the world. Nowadays, it’s much smarter to slip a tracker into your bag so you can see that it’s (hopefully) travelling to the same place as you.
This doesn’t just have to be for checked baggage. Place one in every bag for your whole trip – I’ve left bags on trains and in taxis before, and a tracker would have saved me time and effort in locating them both later.
I default to the Apple AirTag for convenience and iPhone compatibility. Plus, it’s now being integrated directly into some airline apps to make tracking bags easier. For an alternative to Apple, the Knog Smart Luggage Tag is also excellent, if a little pricier.
Noise-cancelling headphones
The noise-cancelling aspect is the most important here. Planes and trains are loud enough to ruin music or a good film, so you need something to block it out. Headphones are the best option, and there are none better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. However, their size means they don’t quite meet my light packing criteria.
Instead, I prefer the tiny dimensions of earbuds, specifically Apple’s AirPods Pro II. The noise-cancellation and sound quality are brilliant and you can track them through the ‘Find My’ app. If you’re flying, it’s well worth investing in an AirFly too. It turns any audio jack into a transmitter for your wireless headphones – essential on planes.
Travel sleep kit
This sector of travel essentials is very subjective in my experience. There are hundreds of travel pillows and masks on the market, so you need to focus on how you’re going to use it and where.
As a dedicated aisle seat flier, I favour a u-shaped pillow with added neck support. My preference is inflatable, for packing convenience. If you prefer a window seat, a small, square pillow is great for leaning against the side . It’s also more comfy to use as a standard pillow, should you need one while travelling.
I have only one rule for eye masks – they must be silk. Breathable and naturally thermo-regulating, it’s the only material that I find stays comfy on long journeys. Pair with your inflatable pillow and earbuds and you have the best travel essentials for men in one convenient package.
Water bottle
I always have one of two reusable bottles with me, depending on where I go. For domestic and well-developed destinations with drinkable tap water, I default to my trusty.
If drinkable tap water isn’t readily available, I take my Lifestraw Go filtration bottle. Particularly great in the wilderness on a hiking or camping trip, it turns any water source into a drinking source. There’s something very satisfying about filling your bottle from a river and drinking from it while deep in the clutches of nature! The filter lasts the equivalent of around 8,000 single-use plastic bottles, so you’re also doing your part to preserve it.
Business travel essentials for men
Business travel brings its own set of demands. Meetings on the fly mean you may need back-up batteries and even Wi-Fi boosters. Suits also need a little extra care when packed. Devices need protection from the risks of being on the road.
Packing cubes and suit carriers
First impressions count. Joining a meeting looking like you’ve just stepped off the plane is never a good start, even from Business Class. Suit carriers (or garment bags, as they’re often called) really help reduce the wrinkles in shirts and suits, which means no frantic pre-meeting hotel room ironing required.
For quick business trips, I often use my garment bag in place of luggage. You can often claim it as a personal item, meaning you won’t need to pay extra hand luggage fees if flying. Packing cubes also help with wrinkles and make it easy to compartmentalise business and leisure clothes and maximise space.
Washbag
Don’t just keep your clothes crisp and fresh. A decent-sized, good-quality washbag should be on every man’s travel essentials list. Make sure it’s roomy enough to fit your grooming kit and toothbrush, and has a handle to hang from. I’ve suffered enough exploding moisturisers on flights to know that it should always have a waterproof lining too. If you are taking liquids, consider the airport security-approved Sea to Summit clear zip pouch, which means no more disposable plastic bags going into landfill.
Power bank
Don’t get caught out with a flat battery. Despite the proliferation of plugs or charging ports on modern transport, experience has taught me they’re often broken or in high demand. A power bank is a travel essential for every businessman, then.
Again, I favour convenience. Never needing more than one or two charges while travelling, there’s no need to carry a giant battery brick. The Anker MagGo is my choice for two reasons. It charges quickly and has a handy in-built stand so that you can see your phone charging. This is particularly useful on planes and trains where tables are slippery and space at a premium.
Laptop bag
Protecting your business lifeline is a serious business in itself. I use a simple padded sleeve for day-to-day purposes, but when travelling for work, I like to keep bags to a minimum – so I use a travel bag with incorporated laptop sleeve. From my experience, none is better than the Stubble & Co 20L laptop tote. Big enough for your tech kit, toiletries, and a change of clothes, it’s the essential overnight business bag for men.
International travel essentials for men
Tech plays a big part in overseas travel nowadays. Ensuring you can use your devices and protecting you from ever-smarter thieves helps smooth the rough edges of international travel.
Travel adaptor
A travel adaptor is about more than a plug that fits. Modern adaptors cover multiple countries, feature USB-A and -C ports, and in-built protection against power surges. However, beware of adaptors claiming to be universal. There are many countries with lower voltages than the UK or obscure power outlets that a standard adaptor can’t handle. Switzerland, I’m looking at you! Always check your adaptor is compatible with your destination before you travel.
Headphone adaptor
Many international airlines still use dual stereo jacks to access their in-flight entertainment. I consider a dual adaptor a ‘just-in-case’ international travel essential. If you’re using an AirFly to listen with your Bluetooth headphones, it’s worth investing in a compatible adaptor.
RFID wallet
Wireless data theft is on the rise. An RFID wallet is a great way to protect personal and payment info, like your passport and contactless credit cards, from digital pickpockets. For even more security, I’ve taken to wearing an RFID waist bag big enough to hold my phone. I’ve found it particularly useful in major cities where pickpocketing is rife.
Conclusion
Travel is all about preparation. Yes, focus on the objective of your trip, be it a business overnighter or two weeks of beach bliss. But take the time to plan, and you’ll make the actual travelling feel smoother and shorter. The trick is to focus on your trip specifics – where you’re going, what you’re doing, and what will make those experiences infinitely better.
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