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Nov 01, 2024

The 16 Best Travel Accessories for Men of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. From top-tier travel tech to garment bags for suits, these are the accessories that

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

From top-tier travel tech to garment bags for suits, these are the accessories that will complete your packing list.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski

Whether you’re a pro at packing or still haven’t found your footing, gathering the right set of travel accessories is something you can’t gloss over. It’s understandable you want to be prepared for the inevitable and the unknown. But first, you should decide what stays versus what goes based on your travel destination, the duration of your stay, and the run of the itinerary. And, of course, some of it boils down to the individual—travel accessories for women may be completely different necessities. Some guys may opt for a carry-on garment bag, for instance, whereas other men are content with making their clothes and grooming products fit into compression packing cubes.

While the process of gathering the right travel accessories might feel like a fool’s errand, we are here to make things easier. We’ve combed through our travel tests to find the quintessential items that every guy can find useful, from travel adapters to keep your electronics charged up to luggage trackers to help you locate your belongings after touching down in another country. We sorted through over 350 items tested by our Travel + Leisure team to find the best travel accessories that will support you for many adventures to come.

This backpack is beyond spacious with several compartments to carry all of your travel necessities.

The straps are placed a bit close together at the top of the backpack, where it would hit the back of your neck.

The Solo Re:Define Backpack nailed the highest scores for all of our testing categories, but it really beats out the competition for its functionality and level of comfort. Despite how small the backpack looks, it has the capacity to do more than meets the eye. When it came time to pack for a trip, we could fit our laptop, a tablet, clothes, a pair of shoes, a toiletry bag, and still had room to store more. Even with all of those items inside, the backpack never felt cumbersome or heavy because it redistributes its weight so that it comfortably rests more on the back of your hips than on your shoulders. Plus, the bag is made from PET recycled bottles, which means even when it's fully packed, it remains light enough to lift and fit in the overhead bin on the plane.

The fabric is water-repellent and anti-microbial, and you can clean it with wipes. After using this backpack for months, there were no marks of wear and tear. We love that straps are nicely padded and adjustable for a customizable fit, and the zippers run as smooth as butter — requiring zero effort to open and close them. Other convenient elements include a RFID protection pocket for security measures, two water bottle pockets on each side, and a battery pack pocket inside the main cavity that connects to a USB port for on-the-go charging. Hands down, it’s one of the most comfortable and well-fitting backpacks we've ever tested.

These cubes provide lots of room and safeguard clothes from dust and spills.

They are not as waterproof as we imagined.

Ideal for business trips, outdoor camping, and daily storage, this four-piece set of compression packing cubes is superior in durability and quality. We tested the no-frills packing cubes during some intense traveling over the course of six months and were very impressed with how each of them held up. After being totally stuffed with clothes and skincare essentials, the tough zippers easily closed around the packed items without any signs of stress. Once everything was secured, we squeezed the air out and compressed the bag, which helped dramatically reduce the space. And even though we packed the cubes to the brim, the seams remained intact.

While the nylon material has proven to be sturdy, it is not as water-resistant as it looks, but the strength far outweighs that issue. This set of compression bags arrive in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes, so you can compress a host of different types of clothing from pants to jackets. But if you’re aiming to pack light for a weekend, you can opt for the three-piece set that fits into a backpack. Plus, the quick grab handle allows convenient access when pulling out packed cubes from your baggage.

It fits into your back pocket and is great for smaller backpacks.

The wallet will bulk up when overstuffed.

After testing 15 travel wallets, we can conclude that the simplicity of Bellroy's RFID Travel Wallet is every minimalist’s dream. It has a pocket-friendly design that offers scaled-down storage and a pull-tab insert for quick and easy access. We love that there are designated sections for a standard size passport, plane tickets, cash, and up to 10 credit cards — just enough pockets to stay organized. Thanks to its durable leather, you won’t have to fret over any scuffs or damage during your travel stint. Plus, the wallet is embedded with RFID blocking features to prevent you from the dangers of skimming and electronic pickpocketing as you are on the move.

These wireless headphones produce life-like sound that’s full and balanced at every volume level.

The headphones are not as stable during physical activity.

Out of the 27 earbuds and headphones we examined, the Bose Noise-canceling Headphones 700 reign supreme for their exceptional performance across all of our testing categories. Above all else, these bad boys cancel all outside sound when their active noise-canceling feature is set to its highest setting. We couldn’t hear a single thing, even our own voices. In fact, the sound quality is so great that every instrument is so crisp as if we were in front of a live show. Even after using them for months now, this still rings true for their noise-cancellation capabilities. With 11 levels of active noise canceling, you can enjoy everything from music and videos to podcasts and phone calls without any distractions, which is great for traveling.

In addition, the ear cups are extremely comfortable and can be adjusted to stay in place. Although these headphones weren’t as stable during a workout, we’ve found that they're best to wear when commuting to the office or traveling on a long-hour flight. Using the touch sensors on the right ear cup, you can adjust the volume level and noise-canceling presets, as well as power the headphones on and off. As a nice touch, the Bose headphones are compatible with Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa to allow hands-free assistance for answering texts or changing music selections, such as from a smartwatch. The headphones are simple and easy to set up, but users must download the Bose app in order to experience the headphones’ full functionality.

You can easily throw this compact tracker in your handbag, backpack, or suitcase without taking up any space.

The sound alarm could be louder in case of an emergency.

You never want to run the risk of losing luggage after checking it at the airport. And that’s why we use hassle-free trackers in the event that this may occur. Enter the Eufy SmartTrack Link. It works easily and efficiently with the pre-installed Find My app on your iPhone. We never once had to look at the instructions because it was super intuitive due to the no-frills settings and subscriptions. In fact, setting up the whole process took less than 15 seconds. Using the eufy Security App, friends and family are able to track your items, too.

When waiting for our suitcase at baggage claim, we were able to accurately live track it, which was reassuring, especially when traveling with pricey luggage or valuable items. The tracker comes with a QR code for anyone to identify the luggage owner and a sound alarm to hear if it’s in your vicinity. However, the sound is a wee bit too quiet for our liking. The link is safe — even if it gets caught in the rain — with its water-resistant coating. Plus, it comes with a replaceable battery that lasts up to a year.

It’s super durable and remained unscathed after dropping it a couple times.

It won’t fit in a typical vehicle cup holder.

Built with chill-lock technology, the Takeya Actives Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle locks in the cold for all-day hydration. We tested over 26 water bottles and were thoroughly impressed with the double-wall vacuum insulation of this one. During our testing, we found that our H2O became five degrees colder than its original temperature, even six hours later (and it can stay cold for 24 hours). And if that’s not your jam, the bottle can keep your drink hot for up to 12 hours. The cap is the ideal size to get a perfect flow of water from it or however much water you want without spilling. If you’re constantly on the go or an active gym-goer, the loop handle makes it easy to carry around to stay refreshed. The base is a bit too large to fit comfortably into a vehicle cup holder, but fits effortlessly into a backpack holder.

It’s easy and intuitive to use for resting your chin and head.

It could offer more support when you’re leaning against a window.

The J-Pillow has a unique three-way support system for your head, neck, and chin as you catch some Z’s while traveling. While it is one of the best travel pillows to use on an airplane, we also tested it during a 19-hour long road trip to New Hampshire, and found that our heads remained elevated in the perfect position and didn’t move forward whenever we hit the brakes to stop. The machine-washable pillow is super plush, ultra-soft, and packaged in a pouch that can be attached to a backpack strap or a piece of luggage. After we tucked it away in the trunk underneath our luggage, we pulled it out to see that the pillow didn’t lose its J-shape design. Any type of traveler, including young kids, could use it for their next travel journey.

It has multiple interior pockets to carry everything from suits to shoes.

It may not be able to hold any bottled essentials or toiletries for your trip.

The Zegur Suit Garment Bag is a hybrid accessory that can act as a briefcase or a clothing carrier. During testing, we were able to fit a suit jacket, pants, a button-down shirt, a belt, and dress shoes with plenty of room to spare. To be honest, we think it had the ability to transport double the amount of clothes packed in the bag. Whether you’re traveling for business events or weddings, this bag has numerous pockets to stash any cufflinks, ties, suspenders, and other accessories.

Our favorite part of the bag was the organization of the internal space. The way the clothing sat along with the shoe pockets and the additional space for the belt was impeccable. Although the bag had room for more clothes, it folded up to be flat and carried like a messenger bag. So, this may not be the best travel bag to use for your other carry-on essentials such as water bottles and toiletries. However, the quality of the bag is remarkably sturdy: it was able to withstand our durability test without getting ripped or scratched.

The sunglasses are high-quality, super durable, and stylish.

They run a bit on the smaller side.

These modern, classic frames are the perfect finishing touch to pair with nearly any outfit in your wardrobe. We’ve worn them on many occasions — from biking and hiking in the snow to driving in the sun and traveling on the weekends. As much as we moved around for different activities, we never felt like they were sliding but rather managed to stay put on our face. Two things can be true: they’re lightweight yet sturdy in ways you know that they won’t break easily. For example, the fold isn’t too smooth, which gives us confidence in the hinges. The nose bridge rested comfortably for long periods and didn't pinch, so when we took our glasses off, there wasn’t a mark left on our face. Not to mention, the tint is dark enough to sufficiently block sunlight and glare while wearing them outside.

The versatility of the adapter allows you to charge six devices all at once.

It’s a tad bulky, so you’ll need a big enough pocket to carry it.

Whether you're on a city-hopping odyssey or traveling abroad, you’re going to want to charge all of your devices before heading out for the day. We love the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter because it can charge up to six devices simultaneously at high speed. It’s capable of charging iPhones, laptops, tablets, power banks, cameras, headsets, and more. It also features four different plugs that work in over 150 different countries. As a bonus, this travel adapter is equipped with built-in 8A fuse and safety shutters — practically making it child-proof. However, the bulk and shape of the adapter makes it difficult to fit in certain spaces and in older ports and outlets.

In terms of space, the bag is vast for all of your travel products.

This budget-friendly option is pretty basic if you’re looking for something with more bells and whistles.

The dopp kit is versatile enough for travelers who are going away on longer excursions or easily want it to fit in a weekender bag. Its packability and structure will keep you organized no matter what you decide to bring. We were impressed that we could practically stuff our entire cabinet of skincare essentials and still squeeze in our electric razor-trimmer. There’s one large main compartment that we utilized for our necessities and two separate zippered compartments with mesh material for any other small items. We appreciated the different pockets, especially the waterproof one that is convenient in the event of a leak or spillage.

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

It’s a piece of cake to empty and refill these travel bottles.

You may need to buy two sets if you want more volume because the set consists of two 89-milliliter and two 60-milliliter bottles.

We tried to fill plenty of drugstore travel bottles and they pale in comparison to the LiquiSnugs Premium Silicone Travel Bottles. Because these TSA-approved bottles come in two different sizes, they are equipped to hold a lot of products. Sometimes you just need more of one product than another when traveling and these give you that option. Each individual silicon bottle held up well during testing and had the volume to secure our shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and face wash. The mouth of each one is fairly big, so it’s not hard at all to empty and refill it as needed. We were surprised there wasn’t any spillage or damage after we tossed, turned, and dropped them during our tests. In fact, the bottles were small and durable enough to fill a quart-size Ziplock without having to worry about leakage.

These earplugs offer optimal comfort and reduce most noise during travel.

They aren’t ideal for situations when you’ll need to take them in and out frequently.

Compared to the dainty earplugs that come in some hotel or airline amenity kits, the Loop Quiet Noise Reduction Ear Plugs feel downright luxe. On a redeye flight during our testing period, we were able to sleep comfortably with no problem as the plugs snugly fit inside our ears. Although they’re marketed as noise-reduction and not noise-canceling, they still do the trick. For instance, if someone is speaking in a regular voice, these block them out, along with general loud environmental clamor on our daily commute.

Whether we’re working, reading, or studying, we found these ear plugs are versatile in offering protection from loud noises and background noise in many cases. The exterior loop makes it accessible to take them out and twist them to properly fit, especially during HIIT workouts or running through the airport. Thanks to their design, they feel snug and not like they’re going to fall out. They also come with a small plastic carrying case that we hooked onto our keychain, making it easy when you need to locate the earplugs whenever and wherever you may need them. As if there weren't enough qualities to love, here’s one more: they’re usable for up to five years.

This sunscreen features a silky-sheer, fast-absorbing texture.

Some of the sunscreen ran off in the water during testing.

The Pipette Mineral Sunscreen is a true gem, regardless of some critical reviews from users online. For starters, finding a sunscreen that doesn't give a white cast can be a huge challenge, but this one is the exception. The sunscreen has a creamy texture, but it’s so fast-absorbing and lightweight that we barely noticed it on our skin during our tests. It actually goes on smoothly and blends well with a variety of skin tones (and vacation tans). The 30 SPF product is housed in a triangular-shaped squeeze tube container, which we found dispenses effortlessly. Thanks to the non-nano zinc formula that provides broad-spectrum protection, we could spend hours swimming or laying out by the beach. Also, we were stunned that there was barely any transfer of the sunscreen onto our black shirt. But, we did see it ran a little bit from both pool water and sweat.

This is one of the most durable, high-quality, and well-designed weekenders we've tested.

With a 35-liter capacity, this is more of a personal item than a carry-on and may not be large enough for heavy packers.

This spacious weekender bag features plenty of pockets to help keep all of your items organized. The outside of the bag even features extra pockets for essentials such as keys, wallets, phones, and more. The weekender is segmented into three parts: the front pocket, the main compartments, and a laptop compartment that fits up to 16-inch laptops. The outside also features a handy luggage sleeve, so you can pair this bag with larger luggage for long trips.

Just looking at the bag, you can tell that it's a strong and durable bag. All of the zippers run smoothly and some of them even have water-resistant linings. While the bag is a bit heavy to carry, we like that the shoulder strap is adjustable and features soft padding. After all of our durability tests, including shoving the bag off a counter multiple times, it shows no signs of wear and tear and we're sure it will last for years to come.

We love the built-in pockets that come in a variety of sizes.

We wish the strap was leather as well.

This is more than just an average messenger bag — the Samsonite Colombian Leather Flap-over Messenger Bag is a spacious commuter or business trip essential that can carry everything you need. While the leather bag is heavier than some, it's also more sturdy and more durable. It's also extremely comfortable to carry thanks to a wide shoulder strap that equally distributes weight.

This messenger also has thick padding inside, so nothing pokes out into your back or side and it gives extra protection for your laptop and other devices. The front flap has two push clasps that make it super easy to open (with two mock buckles on top that add an upscale look without the pain of actually having to unbuckle them) and covers pockets that are perfect for storing pens, cards, and other quick-access items. There's a large back pocket with velcro that you can just slip your hand into as well. This leather bag feels high-end and sturdy, and it didn't show any scratches after we threw it off a table four times. As a bonus, it has a really nice leather smell to it that adds to the overall luxurious design.

To select these particular products, we sorted through results from 17 different tests that T+L editors took part in, testing well over 350 products in total. We stuffed packing cubes into carry-on luggage, tested neck pillows to see how comfortable they were, analyzed earplugs and headphones for noise-canceling abilities, and more. We chose the products that scored well and stood up to our long-term testing as we continued to use them on our travels.

Nine times out of 10, you’ve overpacked for your trip before and not used everything in your luggage. The art of packing, after all, is all about learning not what you need to bring, but what can stay at home. A big part of those deciding factors should rest upon the duration of your trip. Are you going away for a week or a weekend? You should be packing those numbers of days — nothing more, nothing less. The last thing you want upon arriving at the airport is an overweight bag with unnecessary items (and an additional charge).

When curating your packing list, it’s best to consider what’s on the agenda for the trip. What activities will take place? Are you going to be out in the sun for hours, in need of sunscreen? Do you have electronics to accommodate you from point A to Z? Do your watches need a travel case or are you setting out on an ultralight backpacking trip? Certain trips call for very specific items. Once the itinerary is laid out, you’ll have a better understanding of what to bring and what to leave behind.

Comfort is not something you can sacrifice when going on a trip. You have to think about what accessories will help make your travel experience more enjoyable and free-flowing. Are the zips on your dopp kit smooth and easy to use, or do they get stuck easily? Will this pillow hold your head in place on the plane and prevent you from slouching? In the end, you’ll want to collect travel accessories that make your journey easier, not more complicated.

For this article, T+L contributor Joseph Cheatham used his experience as a seasoned traveler and thoroughly researched products to find the very best travel accessories for men. These picks received high scores on our T+L tests when we used the products in our lab and out in the real world.

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