The must-have gear, gadgets, and accessories for safer summer travel

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Even though the pandemic is still ongoing—and will be for the foreseeable future—some travel restrictions are being lifted here and there. And after months inside, many people are antsy to get out and on the road (or in the air) for any kind of vacation.

If you’re planning to take a journey somewhere this summer, here’s a list of useful travel accessories and apparel that could improve and streamline your trip.

Accessories

Roomy construction leaves enough give to wear the Sentry face mask over an N95 respirator.

Rendall Co.: The must-have accessory of 2020—and maybe for 2021, too—for all passengers is a face mask. The Sentry from Rendall Co. Is made for all-day wear, with a built-in pocket so you can add your own filter and embedded copper nose-band bends for a custom fit while reducing eyewear fogging. The mask’s dual layers of high-density, 100% woven cotton also offer full-face coverage minimizing heat trapping—a relief for enduring summer weather. SRP: $19.

NiceSeats covers are designed for all standard economy and business-class seats on airplanes.

NiceSeats: These easy-to-use covers provide a barrier between the user and airline seat, and are designed to ensure the passenger avoids the top two dirtiest places on airplanes: the headrest and the seat pocket. They are 100% machine washable, and are also sized for buses, trains, and movie theater seating. SRP: $60.

Anker: New MacBook owners likely know the frustration of only having a trio of USB-C ports and nothing else. With the Anker PowerExpand+ 7-in-1 USB-C Hub turn your laptop’s USB-C port into USB, HDMI, and Ethernet ports as well as an SD/TF card reader—a must for photographers. SRP: $40.

Toptote: Hatboxes are a thing of the past, but chic tourists may still want to bring a favorite wide-brimmed or panama hat along for the summer. A brilliantly simple accessory, the Drop from Toptote is a sophisticated, woven Italian leather and embossed magnet closure that keeps your hat attached to your suitcase (rather than crushed inside). SRP: $48.

W&P: Not even Tupperware is allowed to be boring anymore. W&P’s Porter collection was designed to encourage buyers to ditch single-use plastics in favor of its simple but elegantly designed reusable containers. There are two versions of the portable Porter bowl—ceramic, and yes, plastic. But this plastic is durable with a protective nonslip exterior and snap-tight silicone strap. SRP: $25.

Owala: Not only is this water bottle leak-proof but it also keeps the reusable straw and mouthpiece entirely covered, clean, and locked down under a flip-top lid. The 25-ounce “Tritan” bottle has a wide opening for cleaning and adding ice, and a cup holder-friendly base. Made of BPA- and phthalate-free, stain and odor-resistant durable plastic, the Owala FreeSip is also dishwasher-safe. SRP: $15.

Silvr sports a portable design in which where the handle becomes the case, turning the fork into the size of a lipstick or pocket knife when you’re done using it.

Silvr: Even utensils can be fashionable now. Although many restaurants and cafés are switching back to one-time-use plastic (at least for the duration of the pandemic), there still might be instances where it would be more environmentally friendly and still safe to bring your own reusable silverware. Enter Silvr, a chic line of reusable forks that use anti-microbial 304 stainless steel with a light aluminum handle, and they’re dishwasher safe. Perfect for using on-the-go or during socially distanced picnics and day trips. SRP: $22.

The meatless 10-pack is available at Walmart, Target, and additional retailers nationwide.

Beyond Meat: The plant-based meat producer is launching a new limited-edition cookout kit, which could be ideal for packing in your car for a summer road trip—regardless of dietary preference. The limited-edition kit includes a mini charcoal grill, a Bluetooth speaker, a tabletop Cornhole game, a barbecue apron with a full BBQ tool set, and a voucher for Beyond Meat’s Cookout Classic 10-pack of Beyond Burgers. SRP: $50.

Outlier: This Brooklyn-based retailer reengineers discarded apparel for new clothing and accessories. The Grid Linen towel is made of 100% linen, sheds sand easily, and dries quickly, making it a lightweight choice ideal for summer hikes or trips to the beach. SRP: $75.

The Memory Foam Travel Pillow with Silk Pillowcase

Night: This might be the first neck pillow that actually looks stylish. But more important, the silk pillowcase and memory foam make for a smoother ride, providing more comfort to your neck while also protecting your skin, possibly nixing travel-induced breakouts. Based on the company’s cult favorite Night Pillow, the ergonomic design of the brand’s signature AirLight Memory Foam supports neck and spine alignment, and the midnight-black hue keeps any additional light from reflecting back into your eyes while you are trying to sleep. (The brand also recently started making a companion face mask, made from the same breathable fabric as the pillows.) SRP: $80.

Luggage

The Studio Bag Medium Vegan is identical to the brand’s bestselling style, but made with vegan leather.

Caraa: You might have seen this one all over Instagram, but its popularity is justified. Caraa’s Convertible Studio Bag—available in multiple shades and fabrics, including regular leather and vegan leather—is a versatile road warrior. It easily transitions from satchel to backpack to crossbody simply by changing straps. SRP: $395.

Wellness

Green Goo hand sanitizer is WHO and FDA compliant and kills over 99% of germs.

Green Goo: Moisturizing is important for your skin, but killing germs takes priority. Don’t leave home without hand sanitizer—and better yet, stock up in the meantime to avoid any rush on grocery stores and online retailers in the fall. Green Goo bundles a hand sanitizer mix, featuring one 16-ounce bottle with a flip-top cap and five two-ounce bottles with screw-top caps. You can mix and match the caps, making this sanitizer set ideal for situations in which you need a little flexibility. SRP: $36.

Cardon: Cofounded by Korean skin care experts Narae Chung and Jacqueline Oak, Cardon targets male-specific skin care needs (such as skin irritation and redness from shaving), providing a simple daily routine to follow with three products: a broad-spectrum SPF moisturizer, a clay-based cleanser, and a 3-in-1 gel moisturizer. The cofounders say they were inspired to launch the brand after attending an informative focus group in college in which men opened up and expressed a desire to learn more about skin care. SRP: $18 for the Purifying Clay Cleanser; $20 for the SPF + Moisturizer.

The bkr x Wander Beauty Jet Setting Essentials Duo set

Wander Beauty: Having an all-in-one routine is ideal for travelers of all types. The bkr x Wander Beauty Jet Setting Essentials Duo is next level with five mini Wander Beauty essentials (including the Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks Packette with hyaluronic acid, a favorite among beauty bloggers), a travel case, and a TSA-friendly, refillable glass water bottle. SRP: $75.

The Serum Stick Treatment and Touch-Up Balm

Tatcha: Every skin care routine needs at least one active step, whether it be serum or oil. A concentrated solid serum of 80% squalane and Japanese lemon balm, the Tatcha Serum Stick is especially portable and mess-free, targeting signs of aging and dryness while keeping your face fresh throughout the day. (And no hands required when applying—a bonus in an age when you’re not supposed to touch your face.) SRP: $48.

Supergoop: Glowscreen is an SPF doubling as a primer. The sheer liquid texture gives skin a healthy dose of pearlescence, adding instant, glowing protection with no visible glitz or glitter. It also delivers a boost of hydration with a cocktail of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 that leaves skin feeling supple and dewy. SRP: $36.

The Nue Co.: Studies are still mixed about just how effective ingestible beauty is, but not all supplements are about improving your hair or your skin from the inside. The Nue Co.’s Prebiotic + Probiotic supplement targets your gut, delivers 15 billion spores per dose, and was formulated specifically to help combat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and long-term digestive issues. And when you’re traveling and your internal clock is upside down, this could help get you back on schedule. SRP: $75.

Footwear

The TechLoom Wave is APL’s bestselling model of running shoe.

Athletic Propulsion Labs: The TechLoom Wave, APL’s top-tier running shoe, features a unique convertible design in which the wearer can remove the laces completely, transforming the shoes into a slip-on while still providing the same fit and support. The shoes also sport strategically placed ventilation zones, allowing enhanced airflow to keep feet cool and dry. And all APL shoes are unisex. SRP: $225.

The Reef Ortho Coast flip-flips are made with vegan leather and PVC-free materials.

Reef: When temperatures soar to record highs, even sneakers can feel too heavy on your feet. Fortunately, many shoemakers are getting better about making more durable sandals for all-day wear with extra cushioned support. The Ortho-Coast, with styles available for men and women, are outfitted anatomical arch support to keep the wearer comfortable. The shock absorbent cushion footbed is designed to reduce impact under every step. SRP: Starts at $60.

Apparel

The Zenith Dress Shirt is versatile, ideal for pairing with a blazer for more formal occasions, layered under a vest for cooler weather, or worn over a T-shirt for a casual look.

Bluffworks: A classic button-down shirt should be in your suitcase for any trip. Bluffworks makes versions for men and women that are designed to be odor- and wrinkle-resistant. Made from 86% polyester and 14% spandex, the touted “better-than-silk material” was constructed from a lightweight weave with a healthy amount of stretch. SRP: $98 for Women’s Azores Blouse; $98 for Men’s Zenith Performance Dress Shirt.

Tory Sport: Made from lightweight tech nylon, the Nylon Packable Jacket lives up to its name as it easily folds into a pouch. It’s an ideal choice for travelers who plan to exercise outside because it’s breathable but also water-repellent and wind-resistant. It also features a functional media pocket with headphone channel. SRP: $150.

Spanx: Snug pants might not seem like the ideal choice for travelwear on paper, but in practice, they’re actually more flexible for movement, making them a more comfortable option for longer days. The Perfect Black Pant provides that extra stretch with its smoothing ponte fabric and a comfortable, pull-on design. SRP: $110.