Unique Travel Gear You Didn't Know You Needed

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Updated: 9/26/2023 | Unique Travel Gear You Did Not Know You Needed

After our trip to Greece and Turkey, we learned a lot about preparing for hot weather travel. Hot weather can be exhausting both physically and mentally.

The same can go for destinations that are unpredictably rainy, such as Ireland and Colombia.

When you’re prepared for whatever weather comes your way, you’ll end up having a better time traveling to places that may not be as comfortable as you’re used to.

Our team here at Schimiggy has tested and tried all these products and we bring them everywhere we go. Trust us when we say here are the travel products you did not know you needed.

We also included cold-weather travel gear recommendations.

Unique Travel Gear You Didn’t Know You Needed

#1 Handheld Rechargeable Fan

We depended on our handheld rechargeable fan to keep cool in hot countries like Greece and Thailand. It recharges via USB, runs for up to 20 hours, has a wrist strap, and a flashlight, and can even be propped up against a flat surface!

You’ll also get a lot of people asking you where you got your cool fan! Trust me, if there is one thing you need to combat hot weather, this is it.

We also included it in our what to bring to festivals guide because you’ll need it here too!

#2 Turkish Towel

A Turkish towel is great because it dries quickly and is lightweight. We also used it as a shawl to prevent our legs and shoulders from burning under the hot sun.

You can also use it as a beach blanket, or folded up as a seat pad or pillow, which was great for watching the sunset over the Greek islands.

Wet Cat sells Turkish towels on Amazon and they have tons of colors to choose from.

We love Turkish towels by Sandcloud, a sustainable lifestyle company that gives back to marine causes. Use this link to save money on your first order.

#3 Carabiners

Heroclip Mini

We cannot live without our carabiners! They are so handy when traveling. We used our carabiner to hang our speakers and water bottles from our bags and fanny pack.

Carabiners we highly recommend are made by Heroclip (doubles as a purse/bag clip) and S-shaped carabiners by Nite Ize.

#4 Rainraps Poncho

We always pack a packable rain jacket or poncho in our suitcase because you never know.

We are obsessed with our Rainraps poncho. It’s packable, comes in different colors and patterns, is fully waterproof, and is reversible.

I can’t imagine traveling without my Rainraps. It’s replaced bulky umbrellas for me and works as a travel pillow when I pack it with other items such as a scarf or socks.

#5 Small Bluetooth Speaker

We love the JBL Go 3 speaker. It’s small, waterproof, and has a hook that you can connect to your (wait for it…) carabiner! We hung it from our ATV, backpack, and fanny pack when we traveled. We were able to play our tunes while hiking and hanging out on the beach.

#6 Waterproof Bags

If you’re water a lover like us, you need a waterproof bag. It can be any style, but you will have peace of mind knowing that your belongings remain safe while you explore the ocean and lakes.

We like waterproof backpacks and bags by Cor Surf, Sea to Summit, BOTE, and Booe.

#7 Fanny Packs

lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

Fanny packs are the ultimate travel accessory. We hang everything from our fanny back. We also store everything we need in our waist bag. It’s super convenient when you want to be hands-free. And if they’re waterproof too? Even better!

We like the Everywhere Belt Bag by lululemon.

#8 Rechargeable Power Bank

We never travel without a power bank. This thing has saved us from getting lost so many times! Combine it with the perfect charging cables, and you’re set for the entirety of your trip.

The slim Clutch battery pack fully charges our iPhones in less than 2 hours and is super lightweight, thin, and compact. We take it everywhere with us even when grounded at home. It has enough power to fully charge our phones twice.

Need more power, we highly recommend the InfinaCore power bank that charges directly in any power socket.

#9 PowerDrive PD 2 Car Charger

Another Anker item we cannot live without is this Powerdrive car charger. It has ports for both USB and USB-C cables.

It also allowed us to stay charged while on road trips in Greece and Turkey.

#10 Portable Water Flosser

MIGA Portable Waterpik

L&L Skin makes a super portable waterpik that comes in a case and is very easy to use while on the road. It recharges via USB cable and gets any food that is stuck in your teeth anywhere you go.

When traveling, food is always getting stuck in our teeth. Use this waterpik after every meal to dislodge food and gunk stuck in your mouth. In the long run, this helps keeps gums healthy and allows you to maintain healthy dental habits while on the road.

#11 Rydir Band

The Rydir band allows you to keep your handbags and backpacks tucked away safely on top of your luggage while traveling. It’s a seamless band that keeps your bag protected while you travel.

#12 Use a Jewelry Organizer

One of the most inconvenient things that can happen while traveling is your jewelry getting tangled.

We love using this jewelry organizer by Onyx. It has compartments for rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more. It also comes in fun designs that you can easily spot in your luggage.

Pillboxes are also a great way to store jewelry and other small belongings that might get lost in your luggage and bags.

Amazon has pillboxes in many styles and shapes to choose from.

#13 Vlirka BNDRS

We found out about Vlirka when we were searching for the best way to carry shoes with us when we travel. Shoes can take up a lot of space in your luggage and at times can get really stinky if you’re doing a lot of walking. That can stink up the rest of your luggage!

The BNDRs clip onto the outer part of your bag or luggage and you slide your shoes into the harness. It frees up so much room in our luggage and gives our shoes (and the rest of our belongings) breathing space.

#14 Cincha Travel Belt

Cincha Travel Belt

The Cincha travel belt allows you to strap ANY bag to your suitcase while traveling. The belt has a loop that goes over your luggage handle and a clasp to keep your belongings attached to your suitcase.

It also transforms into a fashion belt when not being used as a travel accessory. The Cincha travel belt also some in various colors and patterns.

#15 Sunglasses

Wearing Quay Raina Sunglasses

We recommend bringing at least 2-3 pairs of sunglasses when you travel. You can mix and match them with outfits and if you lose a pair, you don’t have to scramble to find another one.

Our favorite sunglass brands are Quay and Ray Ban.

Check this article for a list of the best sunglass brands for Asian faces and low-nose bridges.

#16 Handheld Massage Gun

We love bringing our Bob and Brad handheld massage gun with us when we travel.

It’s rechargeable and comes with multiple heads that you can change to get the massage you need after a long day of activities or walking.

#17 Period Menstrual Cup

We never leave home without our menstrual cup. We’ve been using ours for over 10 years! It’s easy to use and prevents us from having to deal with finding tampons and pads wherever we travel.

We like menstrual cups by MeLuna and Diva Cup.

#18 Sunblock and Sunscreen

colorscience sunforgettable tinted face suncreen

Sunforgettable Tinted Suncreen

Sunblock is a must for sunny weather. You will need to re-apply it often to keep your skin from getting damaged. We use separate sun protection for our face and neck.

Sunblock brands that we like include FRE Skincare and Colorscience‘s Sunforgettable pigmented sunscreen. They both have pigmented sunscreen that is great for the face. It’s lightweight formula absorbs into the face and lasts all day long.

For the body, we use Sun Bum, a reef-safe sunblock. Sun Bum is the only brand I use that is natural and doesn’t leave a weird film on my darker complexion.

#19 Mini Portable Speakers + Camera Button

Lexon Mino Speaker

This Lexon Mino speaker is a lifesaver. When we can’t find someone to take photos for us, it doubles as a camera Bluetooth clicker! It’s inexpensive and comes in many colors too.

#20 Parasol or Umbrella

A parasol is an umbrella that is great at providing shade. It can be a little cumbersome to carry around though.

We recommend finding one that is compact and has a string that you can dangle from your carabiner when not in use.

#21 Manta Sleep Mask

We love the Manta Sleep Mask because it is super plush and as someone who wears lash extensions, it keeps our lashes protected while we sleep. The eye pads are adjustable so that you can find the perfect fit for your face shape and size.

#22 Travel Lock

If you stay at hostels, a travel lock is a necessity. Hostels have lockers that you can use if you have a travel lock. Some hostels have locks available, and may even charge a fee to use their locks. It’s always a good idea to have your own lock in case you need it.

We love the lock by RYOT. It’s easy to use and comes in super handy. It’s great for both small and larger lockers.

#23 Collapsible Gear

Collapsible gear is a LIFESAVER when traveling. Heavy gear can weigh you down, and that sucks when you’re already dealing with extreme weather.

We like to use collapsible gear like water bottles, drinking cups, and plate ware by Stojo. They compact into little discs that you can stow away in your backpack or fanny pack when not in use. They also come in a ton of colors so that you can find a hue that resonates with you!

#24 Stasher Bags

These reusable Stasher bags are THE BEST invention ever. We use them to hold our snacks and toiletries so that they don’t explode all over the place.

They’re see-through, reusable, can be washed easily, and come in so many colors, shapes, and sizes!

#25 Hats

temple of Apollo in Naxos Greece after sunset

Wearing a Furtalk Straw Hat

We like to bring hats when we travel because they provide shade and keep our heads from burning up under the sun. Hats that we typically bring with us are sun hats, baseball caps, and straw hats. And it’s a huge bonus if your hats are packable.

Our favorite brands for hats are Furtalk and Wallaroo.

Read all our hat topics here.

#26 Multi-Plug USB AdapTer by Tessan

This international power adapter by Tessan is exactly what you need. It has multiple USB ports and is super affordable.

#27 Luggage with A Lifetime Warranty

Monos Larger Carry-On Luggage

We LOVE our Monos and Away carry-on suitcases that have LIFETIME WARRANTIES! They’re both great quality luggage brands.

Use this link to save $25 off Monos and this link to save $20 off Away.

#28 Joby Gorillapod

Our Gorillapod tripod has been super handy during pandemic travel. We are able to take photos without bothering people around us.

It’s able to wrap around all sorts of objects, pillars, furniture, and more with its flexible legs. We also bought a cell phone attachment so that we could take group photos.

#29 Power Bank by Crave

Crave makes travel tech and we love their portable power banks. We use their 13400 power bank and it holds up to 3 charges and has both USB and USB-C ports.

You can buy Crave products directly from their website and use code SCHIMIGGY for 10% off. You can also find crave products on Amazon.

#30 International Driving Permit (IDP)

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is often required by many countries in order to rent a car or motorized vehicle. It depends on the rental agency and requirements in that country whether they require an IDP or not. You do not want to risk getting heavily fined for not having an IDP when renting a car.

You can get an IPD through AAA. It’s free for members or $20 to process through AAA.

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