Every trip starts with the same promise: this time we’re going to pull ourselves together—cute outfit, just-right look, ready for whatever Sleepless in Seattle moment the universe throws at us. And every trip…we end up choosing comfort and packing for every unknown possibility.
But somewhere along the way, we’ve finally figured out how to be cozy enough for long travel days and still put-together enough for the unexpected meet-cute (or at least a decent airport selfie).
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Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. Whether you’re sprinting to make a tight connection or taking a “quick little stroll” to your gate just to confirm it actually exists (because… what if it doesn’t? If you know, you know), comfy shoes are your best friend. Airport steps add up fast, and nothing ruins main-character energy like sore feet and blisters.
And then there’s the plane temperature….which is apparently decided by a random number generator. Could be Antarctica. Could be the surface of the sun. Who knows!
That’s why layers are survival gear!
Shacket – This flannel shacket is a great choice for travel. Cozy? Yes. Stylish? Yes. Doubles as a blanket when the cabin suddenly drops to 48°F? Also yes.
A stash of basic tees and tanks keeps you ready for anything including early-morning chilly boarding zones, surprise warm cabins, or landing in a place with completely different weather than where you started. Basically, pack like you’re preparing for all four seasons in three hours.
Technically packed for “lounging,” but realistically worn for everything. Perfect for long drive days, early morning caffeine runs, chilly evenings, and those moments when jeans feel like a personal attack. They’ve been on hikes they weren’t meant for, in photos they weren’t planned for, and through at least one “we’re just stopping for a minute” situation that turned into three hours.
Are they the most fashionable item in the bag? Debatable.
Are they the most worn? Absolutely.
If there’s one thing that never gets left behind, it’s joggers because no matter where we’re going, comfort is always part of the plan.
Which bag we grab totally depends on the mission of the trip. Are we planning a photo marathon? A camping escape? Or one of those adventure-heavy trips where we only use our phone for pictures? Each one requires a different setup, and yes…somehow they all need completely different bags.
The foundation of every trip and the reason we believe we can bring everything.
It starts out neatly packed with carefully planned outfits and somehow turns into chaos by day two. Always slightly overstuffed, always doing its best.
Also doubles as a seat, a table, and a reminder that we definitely packed things we didn’t need.…but packed anyway. We both prefer suitcases that come in unique colors that are easy to identify when we are at baggage claim.
For photo-focused trips, the Besnfoto Camera Bag is amazing. This bag has put in the work on international flights, cross-country hops, and at least one questionable layover. The interior dividers are basically adult Lego: rearrangeable, satisfying, and shockingly useful. And the hip strap? Bless it. It means I can cram in even more gear while pretending I’m still “packing light.”
On our PNW camping trips, this weekender bag has proven it can hold a mummy sleeping bag and still have room for everything else we swear we’ll “pack light” with. It even has space underneath for shoes (because soggy campsite sneakers deserve their own compartment) and enough room for one camera, a change of clothes, and an emergency snack stash…or three.
We rotate between two backpacks depending entirely on the aesthetic we’re trying to commit to that day.
Outlander Daypack This little champ packs down tiny, weighs basically nothing, and somehow fits everything. It came to Europe with us, has joined every trip since, and we’re honestly not sure what we did before it. It’s the perfect size for an extra layer, a camera, and all the must have souvenirs we pick up along the way because why should both of us carry bags when one of us has this magical Mary Poppins backpack?
Items that are non-negotiable when we travel. Regardless of where we are headed or the type of trip, you will be sure to find these items in either of our bags!
A non-negotiable travel essential that comes everywhere with us whether we actually remember to refill it or not. Ours have names and they are never far out of reach. They are also a great place to put travel stickers.
A bad night’s sleep can sabotage an entire day of exploring faster than a delayed flight. And since we never truly know what nighttime soundtrack we’re about to get Emily always bring the trusty portable white noise machine.
It’s the tiny hero that drowns out the chaos and keeps us from starting the day with unhinged energy. An absolute must.
We’ve learned the hard way that not every country stocks the same over-the-counter meds we rely on at home. (Let’s just say… some lessons were learned very quickly.) So now we don’t take any chances.
These pill organizers keep everything we might need neatly packed and ready to go. They come in a pack of three, in colors cute enough that we don’t mind carrying them, and they make it ridiculously easy to stay prepared so nothing slows us down.
When you’re traveling internationally, being prepared with the right adapter is basically a survival skill. We’ve both learned that nothing humbles you faster than arriving in a new country and realizing your charger is now just an expensive rectangle.
That’s why we both carry this adapter. It has multiple charging ports, works in a ton of countries, honestly the backbone of our travel electronics situation.
These organizers exist to keep us organized….and to prevent complete chaos when we need a charger right now. They hold camera batteries, charging cables, and all the random cords we insist on bringing “just in case.” Instead of digging through bags like it’s a scavenger hunt, everything is (mostly) in one place.
** Written by Emily and Kira after MANY learning opportunities **
