A look at the tools I carry for creative work, travel, and keeping things moving

I feel very fortunate that I’ve spent a good part of my career as a creative professional traveling for work. As a result, I am often carrying camera gear, hard drives, batteries, chargers, and all the small essentials that come with working on the road. After enough flights, long drives, hotel check-ins, and workdays out of a backpack, I’ve become a little more selective about what earns a place in my bag, especially when it comes to personal items.

I’m not especially interested in collecting gear for the sake of it, and this isn’t meant to be a roundup of trendy travel products or a definitive list of “must-haves.” I wanted to share items I actually use that have made travel easier, more comfortable, or a little more organized over time.

Some of these are practical tools, others are small comforts. A few solve annoyingly specific travel problems better, and one of them is an utter disappointment. None of them is life-changing, but all of them (except one) have been useful enough that I keep packing them.

Here are a few recent favorite pieces of travel gear that continue to earn their spot.

Vapur Folding Water Bottle

The Vapur folding water bottle is BPA-free, easy to pack when empty, and far less bulky than a rigid bottle. I like that it gives me a water bottle when I need one, without permanently taking up space when I don’t. It’s especially handy for hikes, workouts, or filling up after clearing airport security.

It seems like the kind of bottle that would be annoying to clean, but in practice, it’s been pretty manageable. The flip-open spout makes it easy enough to hand-wash, and it’s dishwasher safe if you want the easier route.

Because it isn’t rigid, it can tip over if left unattended, and the attached carabiner isn’t the most secure—I’ve already lost the one that came with mine. Still, it gets a lot of use and has repeatedly earned its place in my bag.

One feature I’ve found especially useful is that it can be frozen, which makes it surprisingly handy on longer trips. If I fill it and freeze it the night before, it works as an ice pack in a cooler and then turns into cold drinking water once it melts.

STNKY Bag

A musty bag sucks. The STNKY Bag is a simple but genuinely useful way to keep dirty clothes separate from everything else in my bag. It helps contain worn clothing, keeps the rest of my gear more organized, and is especially handy on longer trips. What makes it stand out is that it’s designed to trap moisture and odors, which makes a real difference when laundry has to sit for a while.

My favorite feature is that the bag itself can go straight into the wash with the clothes inside—just unzip it, empty it, and wash. I’ve used it at the gym, on weekend trips, and on longer road trips. It’s also handy as a shoe bag for sandy footwear or for stashing wet swimwear and towels after a day at the beach.

I went with the XL version, and that’s the size I’d recommend since it takes up very little extra space when empty.

Heroclip

I don’t really know who I was before I started carrying a Heroclip. It’s one of those small travel items that proves useful far more often than expected. I use it to hang a bag or jacket from a table, bathroom door, dshelf, or anywhere I’d rather not set my gear on the ground.

The price can feel a little high at first, but the combination of strength, size, and usefulness makes it easy to justify. The first time it saves you from putting your bag on a wet floor, a dirty bathroom surface, or some otherwise questionable spot, it starts to make sense.

It’s simple, sturdy, and one of those things that quietly proves its value over and over again.
It’s one of those pieces of gear that doesn’t seem essential until you’ve used it for a while, then you stop wanting to travel without it.

Olight O Pen Mini

The Olight O Pen Mini is a compact pen that travels well and disappears easily into a pouch or pocket. It’s the kind of thing that seems minor until you suddenly need to sign something, fill out a form, or make a quick note. I especially like the bolt-action design, which helps prevent it from accidentally opening in a pocket or bag—something anyone who’s dealt with an ink leak will appreciate.

I originally intended to just recommend this pen. To my surprise, the model I am still using is no longer made. The newer version adds a pencil, which makes it an even more practical travel tool. I haven’t used that model myself, so I can’t speak to it directly, but based on my experience with the original, I’d still consider it a worthwhile option.

The only possible downside is that the pencil tips appear to be proprietary, which may affect how convenient they are to replace.

Mighty Bar Pry Bar & Gerber Shard

The Mighty Bar is a small tool that earns both its name and its place in my bag by handling all kinds of little tasks without sacrificing keys, fingernails, or more delicate gear. I don’t use it constantly, but whenever I do need it, I’m glad I packed it. It’s come in handy for everything from opening stubborn packaging and Amazon boxes to scraping off labels and tightening screws.

I used to keep the Mighty Bar on my keychain, but these days I leave it attached as a zipper pull on my bag, which has somehow made it even more useful. It’s one of those small tools that takes up almost no space but regularly proves its worth. Since it isn’t always the best option for air travel, I also keep a Gerber Shard in the mix.

Much like the Mighty Bar, the Gerber Shard is a compact tool that handles a surprising number of small tasks. It adds a few extra functions as well, including a Phillips screwdriver, wire stripper, and bottle opener. It’s stainless steel, durable enough to leave hanging from a zipper pull, and marketed as air travel safe, which makes it an easy addition to a travel bag. And while I hopefully never need to test it, it’s also backed by Gerber’s lifetime warranty.

Ulanzi Maglock Phone Stand

The Ulanzi MA38 Maglock Phone Stand is one of those travel tools I keep reaching for because it’s small, adaptable, and quick to use. When I’m on the road, I appreciate anything that helps me set up fast without adding much bulk, and this does exactly that. It makes it easy to grab a stabilizer from a lanyard on my bag and quickly shoot timelapses, cinematic clips, or slow-motion 4K footage without digging through a pack or carrying a larger setup.

The MagSafe design means I usually don’t need much mounting hardware, though it also has a threaded base if I want to attach it to a tripod or stabilizer. The magnetic hold is fairly strong, but I have had a few issues with the phone slipping from the mount. I’m using a Pro model iPhone with an OtterBox case, so that likely contributes, but I’ve also had the magnet in the base come loose. It hasn’t been enough of a problem for me to replace it, but it is worth mentioning since the magnetic mount is one of its main features.

I also end up using it as a phone stand when I’m multitasking on the road, which adds to its usefulness. The clip makes it easy to keep attached to my bag during hikes and photo walks, so it’s always within reach when I want to capture something quickly. There’s a lot to like about it, and the wear on mine mostly reflects how often I actually use it.

Worth mentioning, I’ve also tried the smaller MA60, and while the more compact size is nice, I haven’t found it as practical as the MA38. The magnet feels weaker, and the scaled-down design loses some of the functionality that makes the MA38 so useful.

Utility Spork

I’m not sure when the spork was invented, but I’m pretty sure I was one of its earliest haters. Still, there’s nothing worse than being hungry on the road and realizing you don’t have the right utensil for whatever meal is in front of you. It’s not exactly practical to travel with regular flatware and expect it to make it through security, which is how I eventually came around to the utility spork—with utility being the key word.

Whether I’m at an extended work conference, stuck on a layover, or eating somewhere in between, it’s nice to be able to sit down and enjoy a meal without improvising with flimsy disposable utensils. They rinse off easily, dry quickly, and have a hole that makes them easy to clip or hang from a zipper while drying.

They also come with different color options, and the two-piece nesting sets are especially nice since they feel sturdy and don’t jab at your hand when you’re digging through a bag. If there’s a proper fork available, I’m still reaching for that first. But if there isn’t, I know I can still eat well without much fuss.

Pelican Outdoor Multi-Use Towel

The Pelican Outdoor Multi-Use Towel is one of those easy-to-overlook items that turns out to be genuinely practical. I’ve used it for drying gear, wiping things down, cleaning up spills, and handling all kinds of small messes that come up while traveling. Whether it’s wet camera gear or a dirty dog, it’s one of those things I’m always glad to have nearby.

It comes with a ventilated silicone case and hanging carabiner, which is useful in theory, especially for drying, but it also adds a bit more bulk than I usually want. Most of the time, I just hang the towel by its loop and let it air dry that way. I like it enough that I actually keep two—one in my bag and one in the glove box of my car—because it’s proven useful often enough to justify having a backup close at hand.

Ikigai Pill Case

The Ikigai pill case is definitely one of the more bougie items I own, but I use it every day, which makes it easy to justify. I take a fair number of supplements, and after getting tired of carrying them around in zip-top bags and cycling through a handful of other organizers—each with their own pros and cons—I eventually landed on this one. If you’ve ever had supplements spill out and explode all over the inside of your bag, you already understand the appeal of a pill case that actually feels secure.

The Ikigai is a high-end pill case, and that comes through immediately in the design and form factor. It feels well made, durable, and clearly built to last. I have the largest version they make that I’m still comfortable carrying every day, and even then I sometimes wish it had just a little more room inside. Still, that’s been my only real complaint. I’ve had mine for about three years now, and it still works as well as it did when I first got it.

One added bonus is that, if you use an HSA or FSA account, this may qualify as an eligible purchase, which makes it a slightly easier way to justify doing something nice for yourself without feeling quite as indulgent.

Rumpl Stuffable Fleece Pillowcase

For extended travel, a pillow is a must. For whatever reason, most modern travel pillows seem to be inflatable, which has never really worked for me. The Rumpl Stuffable Fleece Pillowcase is a much better alternative to sleeping on what feels like a balloon.

Being able to stuff it with a jacket, sweatshirt, travel towel, or extra clothes and turn that into a usable pillow is a simple idea, but it works surprisingly well. It’s an easy way to make transit days, overnight travel, or unfamiliar sleeping arrangements a little more comfortable without committing space to a full pillow.

AirTag / Tracking Card

This one is a no-brainer for me. I like having a simple way to keep tabs on the things most likely to get misplaced while traveling. Between AirTags and tracking cards, I keep them on my keys, in my car, in my bag, and even on my dog. They add a bit of peace of mind, especially when bags get checked, gear gets separated, or something important gets shuffled around in transit.

They’re one of those small tools that don’t seem especially exciting until you need them. When that moment comes, having a quick way to locate something—or at least narrow down where it was last seen—can make a stressful situation a lot easier to manage.

Nite IZE Clip Case Hardshell XL Optics Case

The Nite IZE Clip Case Hardshell XL Optics Case is one of those simple pieces of gear that turned out to be a real game changer for me. It’s a sturdy protective case for sunglasses or other crushable small items, and I like anything that keeps fragile essentials safe without forcing me to think too hard about where I packed them.

What I especially like is that it clips to the outside of my bag and is large enough to hold both my sunglasses and reading glasses when I’m not wearing them. The construction feels solid enough that, even if it ends up at the bottom of my bag, I’m not worried about my glasses getting crushed in the process. I still see them available online from time to time, but it looks like they may no longer be in production, which is a shame because it has been one of the more useful things I’ve added to my bag.

Olight Oclip Pro

The Olight Oclip Pro is a small light that’s easy to clip where needed and useful in more situations than you might expect. Whether I’m digging through a dark bag, dealing with poor lighting in a hotel room, or just need a quick hands-free light source, it earns its place. It’s one of those items that doesn’t seem essential until you start carrying it regularly.

What makes it especially useful is its flexibility. It has multiple light modes, including a broad flood beam, a more focused spot, and a red light option, which makes it adaptable to a wider range of situations than a basic keychain light. The clip, lanyard hole, and magnetic base also make it easy to attach just about anywhere, whether that’s on a bag, a strap, or a nearby metal surface. It’s compact, rechargeable via USB-C, and small enough to leave in a bag without thinking too much about it until the moment you need it.

Chicago Comb Model 2

The Chicago Comb Model No. 2 is small enough to disappear into a pocket, but substantial enough to do the job well. It started out as a travel item for me, but it’s really just as useful day to day, after the gym, before a meeting, or anytime I need to clean things up a bit while I’m out.

What I like most is that it feels far better made than the average pocket comb without becoming precious or overcomplicated. It’s light, strong, easy to carry, and has held up well to regular use. It’s the kind of everyday item that works well enough to stop you from thinking about replacing it.

Flare Calmer

Sometimes the noise of travel just gets to be too much. Maybe you’re waiting for a gate announcement, shooting an event, or trying to function in a crowded space where everything seems loud at once. That’s where the Flare Calmer plugs have been especially useful for me. Unlike traditional earplugs, they’re not really about reducing volume so much as taking the edge off certain frequencies that can make noisy environments feel more stressful and fatiguing.

What I like most is that they don’t cut me off from what’s going on around me. I can still hear nearby conversation and important announcements clearly, but the overall sound feels less harsh and easier to process. They sit in a useful middle ground between doing nothing and fully blocking out the world with earbuds or earplugs, and that makes them especially handy for travel. They’ve become one of those small items I almost never leave home without.

Unpacking it all

A lot of travel gear is overbuilt, overhyped, or easy to leave behind after one trip. The items I come back to are usually the ones that solve a specific problem, pack easily, and quietly make life better on the road. That’s really the only standard here: if something consistently proves useful, it stays in the bag.

I am always looking for new ways to travel faster, further, and lighter, albeit on a budget. If you have any travel tips or gear that’s earned a spot in your bag, I’d love to hear from you!