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27 Things Here To Prove That, Yes, You Can Pack Light For Your Next Trip
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. As an over-packer I couldn’t believe it, but it’s true... light packing does exist. Promising review: "I've used these bags before and they are so helpful. Even use the medium one for travel and I have tons of extra suitcase room. The clothes don't come out wrinkled at all as long as you fold them nicely before placing in the bag, then the air sucks out keeping them safe and sound and very compact." —Susie Kochsmeier Get a 3-pack from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in different sizes or a variety pack). Promising review: "These packing cubes helped to keep my clothing organized in my suitcase. They compressed my items and gave me a little more room in suitcase. They are mesh construction so you can see what is inside. Easy zippers. Expandable. Sturdy." —Mary Get a set of six from Amazon for $27.99 (available in four colors). Promising review: "I am beyond impressed with this portable steam iron! The design is sleek and elegant, and it feels very high-quality. It heats up quickly and produces powerful steam that removes wrinkles in seconds. I’ve used it on shirts, dresses, and even thicker fabrics, and it works perfectly every time. The compact size makes it ideal for travel, and it doesn’t take up much space in my suitcase. The water tank is easy to fill, and the buttons are simple to use. I also love that it can be used both as a steamer and a traditional iron. This is a must-have for anyone who wants wrinkle-free clothes at home or on the go. Highly recommend — worth every penny!" —Hany Get it from Amazon for $25.54 (available in seven colors). Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. Also, if you might not have access to sinks that are deep enough or have pluggable drains, check out this waterproof laundry bag to help you out. Promising review: "Game changer for travel! We were gone for two weeks, and I was able to wash all the clothes I had packed! Helped with using only a carry-on for the trip and kept my clothes fresh and clean! So easy to use and smelled nice! Will never travel without them again!" —Kristy Get nine packs from Amazon for $6 (also available in packs of three and six). This has so many compartments to keep everything nice and neat without fear of losing anything. It also has an anti-theft zipper (not today, pickpockets), a waterproof pocket, and a shoe bag. My sister and I trade off using this backpack on our trips, and it's literally the best thing ever. We are both major over-packers, so this is great to fit a couple of extra clothing pieces when our luggage is already super packed. When I went to Spain, I was able to fit extra clothes (with help from some packing cubes), sandals, toiletries, all my hair tools, and still had space to do some shopping. If you are a light packer, you can probably survive with just this bag. Promising review: "One bag handled a week of travel! This bag is like magic! I fit four pairs of shorts, four shirts, underwear, socks, and a couple of workout outfits with sports bras, two pairs of sandals, four bathing suits, a coverup, a sun hat, toiletries, cosmetics, a laptop, a notebook, three device chargers (computer, phone, and Fitbit) and an electric toothbrush. Even when packed to the max, the weight is comfortably distributed so it doesn’t break your back. It fits under the seat perfectly, too. I bought it when it was 50% off, but I’d pay full price knowing how awesome this bag is for travel." —AlexanderK Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in four sizes and 26 colors/styles) *Pssst*, this is waaayyy more affordable than the $98 Bandolier version. Promising review: "Bought with hesitation for traveling! Didn’t think I’d like it that much but cannot believe how much I loved this thing! It looks like real leather and it’s well made. Held my phone very snuggly. Lots of room in the wallet part. I got this for travel because I didn’t want to have to carry a purse all day. This was amazing to have! It held my cash and cards and left me hand free which was sooo nice. The strap is long enough so you can talk on the phone comfortably with it still connected." —Dee Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in iPhone four sizes and four colors). Hustle and Sew is a small Etsy shop based in Saint Helens, Oregon. Promising review: "I bought this as a Christmas gift for my sister. She is loving using this to stash a key and cash in a safe place while she walks her dog." —Tamara H. Get it from Hustle and Sew on Etsy for $8 (available in 14 scrunchie colors and three zipper colors). It's perfect for those hot days too, as it is made of UPF50 fabric that absorbs UV rays. Promising review: "Perfect for travel. I got this to stick in my backpack or suitcase when I travel. I did not want a bulky umbrella. This fit the bill. Compact but provides enough coverage for rainy days." —Deb Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in 29 colors). Promising review: "I found out about this razor on TikTok, and I’m officially obsessed! I’ve been using it for the last week, so here’s my honest opinion. It’s perfect for missed spots or touch-ups, your gym bag, and vacations, and I can see this being great for camping trips. The razor is not meant for full shaves or to replace your regular shower shaving routine, it’s very obviously for when you just need a quick touch-up here or there. I love that it has everything you need for a close shave — the refillable water spray bottle, a shea butter moisturizing bar that doubles as a pre-shave lotion and an after-shave moisturizer, and two 3-blade razors. The product is super compact for everything that it holds. If you’re considering buying this to replace your regular shower razor — don’t. But if you’re looking for a smart, convenient solution for a quick shave or touch-up or something more convenient to travel with, then this is your new go-to travel razor!! I think everyone should have one of these in their car, purse, gym bag, travel bag, etc. Honestly, can’t go wrong with it. It’s a 10/10 for me!!" —Helen Mantilla Get it from Amazon for $17 (available in two colors). Promising review: "I love how it kept all my toiletries organized and in plain sight when hanging. It's very sturdy and great quality. I ordered this before I went on a two-week trip to Europe and was so happy that I did. This travel bag exceeded my expectations!" —Jackie Cooney Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in six colors). Promising reviews: "Don't be fooled by the tiny price or size; this little baby is serious. If you are looking for a small travel option rather than lugging your big straightener and giant curling iron around the world, then I think you'll love this. It performs really well, turning my frizzy, wavy hair into a smooth and sleek style. The curling iron option also creates shiny, silky lasting curls! It's easy to transition between both. I also like the grippy handle and the fact that the curling iron clip is a different color than the straightening bars because that helps me see how I should be maneuvering it around. The voltage goes up to 240m, so you are good using it internationally without a converter (but you will need an adapter just to fit it into various foreign outlets). At this price, definitely give it a try and flaunt your tresses abroad." —Christine "Took this to Europe. It worked great. The barrel is a bit short, but I have short hair, so it worked. My hair is extremely curly and it worked great. There is only one setting of heat, which is hot." —Barbara Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines. This is what Buzzfeed writer, Emma Lord had to say: "I've been using the regular-size version of this for over a year now and I LOVE it! I used to use an electric toothbrush, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these — especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively. My teeth feel genuinely ~squeaky clean~ after I use this, too." Promising review: "This toothbrush is a new staple item for my on the go Invisalign bag. When I need to brush my teeth and don't have time to floss before putting my aligners back in, this brush makes sure my teeth and mouth feel clean and removes debris in-between my teeth. The bristles are soft, this toothbrush is sturdy and the different lengths of bristles help remove debris or help floss your teeth on the go. This brush also dries very fast in-between uses as well." —V. Brown Bridge Designed is a Pennsylvania-based Etsy shop established in 2024 that specializes in unique personal care accessories. Promising review: "These inserts are so handy!! I decorated a small Altoid tin out of boredom and have been using it as a pill tin ever since. I just had pills rolling around until I found these little inserts! Colors are fun and now my handbag doesn’t rattle." —Janet Park Get it from Bridge Designed on Etsy for $2.99 (available in eight styles and seven colors). Promising review: "I purchased this because I saw them all over TikTok. As someone with chronic illness, I honestly carry around like 10 different pill bottles for 'just in case' situations. This little pill box is a great size. I love that it’s magnetic, and each little compartment fits a good amount of pills. It won’t fit a ton of Tums if that’s what you’re looking for, but the amount of space this has saved in my bag is amazing!" —Jasmin Salas It's also water-proof in case of any spills or accidents. Promising review: "I am obsessed with this pouch. I take it everywhere with me. It holds all cords and portable chargers, headphones, and all those electronic needs when out and about. Great size to hold everything. Zippers preform well and are holding up with the pouch fully packed. Great quality material." —allise pierce Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 14 colors) Promising reviews: "This is one of my best travel buys. I like the sturdy feel but really like the conversion to different brushes. No searching, no extra space. Pricey, but worth it if you travel, have small space, or misplace items." —Diana Hefter "I absolutely love this travel makeup brush and sponge combo! It's so convenient for when I'm on the go and need to touch up my makeup. The bristles are soft and the sponge is great for blending. Plus, it's compact and fits perfectly in my purse. I highly recommend it!" —Mary G. Murphy Get it from Amazon for $25 (available in two styles). Promising review: "I am LOVING this 'ONE AND DONE' product. I'd watched a few videos about how wonderful having this dual-ended item was; blush on one side, bronzer on the other. I needed something easy for travel, and I love creamy textures, so I thought I'd try them. WOW; I'm in love. They glide across the skin, blend out, and look very natural. The value is fantastic compared to other dual-ended makeup sticks. The smell is light and a touch tropical." —Vanessa Sykes Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in four shade combos). The set comes with four bottles, four jars, two spray bottles, two spatulas, one funnel, one cleaning brush, a page of labels, and a bag that everything fits in. Promising review: "I’ve purchased a lot of different travel sets for my toiletries over the years. Inevitably, they are hard to fill and tend to leak. This set was magic! The wide mouth made it easy to fill from a larger bottle, and the little scoops made transferring creams to the jar containers very easy and with much less mess. The only con (hardly worth mentioning) is that once you squeeze the bottle, it takes a few minutes to expand with air again, so the sides are a bit sunken. I solved that by unscrewing the top just a bit for a quick release of the vacuum pressure. I had no leaks, and plenty of containers for every toiletry." —MDC Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven colorways). Check out a TikTok of the Portawipes in action. Portawipes is a small business that specializes in personal care products for travel. Promising review: "I kept some of these in my fanny pack and backpack while traveling. I used them when bathrooms didn't have any toilet paper and also for cleaning spills or washing my hands when out and about. Really nice peace of mind to have them around. Easy to use with just a few drops of water to make them expand, or add more for cleaning." —Camille Get a 100-pack (!!) from Amazon for $13.77. Eco Roots is a small business that specializes in sustainable personal care products. Promising review: "Exceeds expectations, will buy again. I bought this to reduce liquids on a long overseas trip (where I only used a carryon for two weeks of travel). It was absolutely perfect for my legs and feet. Moisture and scent was lovely. Just what my skin needed and just what I needed to reduce the liquid ounces!" —MeR Promising review: "I've been using Olay Melts for about six months since receiving a sample. The melts are so easy to use and rinse off very well. It has a very pleasant, faint fragrance. My skin doesn't feel tight like with other products. Since using Olay Melts, my skin feels hydrated and looks smoother and clearer. I find it to be effective for me and a great value for the money. I am a 70-year-old Black woman with combination skin and I would recommend Olay Melts to anyone." —Gladys Davis Andeson Get it from Amazon for $19.76 (also available in versions with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C). Promising review: "Fits perfectly in my purse or desk drawer. I have three dogs and wear black slacks almost every day; this lint roller is a lifesaver for me! No more showing up to work covered in dog hair!" —Texas Mommy of 2 Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in three colors). Promising review: "These are a travel hack! Literally a lifesaver I had perfume I wanted to take abroad for a few days and this pack of four was more than enough for me! Very functional. No leakage at all!" —Essi Promising review: "Like so many, I found this scent on TikTok. I was a bit skeptical at first but finally got around to trying it. First off, this scent smells amazing! Almost every time I've worn it, I receive compliments. It has a sweet smell, almost like warm cake or sugar cookies with a hint of lemon. With such an affordable price, I would definitely recommend this to anyone curious about trying it." —Chrissy Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." —Teresa Promising review: “I bought this water bottle for traveling because when I go through TSA I can't have water until I'm through the baggage check and I feel like my metal and plastic waterbottles take up so much space when there's no water in them. The water bottle is made of a thick silicone type material and the mouth is plastic with a plastic/aluminum lid. It is very sturdy and stays in the shape you want it." —Kit Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in four colors). This does require hot water as it cannot heat the water for you. On the other hand it doesn't need batteries or chargers so you can truly brew anywhere. Promising review: "The best thing for traveling ever!! I have to have espresso every morning, and most small hotels and gas stations don't have espresso coffee, so this is perfect! Easy to use. The cleaning takes 30 seconds; just rinse with water and let it dry." —Joanna Verdeja * Ultra-Handy Things That You’ll Want To Pack For Every Trip From Here On Out * Travel Products That’ll Have Your Trip Companions Saying, “Woah, They’re A Pro” * Maturing Is Realizing You Really Only Need A Carry-On, And These 28 Travel Products Prove It * Toys And Travel Activities That’ll Help Mute The Incessant “Are We There Yet?” * Flight Attendants Swear By These 27 Travel Products (So You Know They're Worth The Money) * Versatile Travel Pieces That Are Perfect For When You’ve Committed To Packing Light * Travel Essentials That'll Make Your Economy Seat Feel Like First Class * Must-Have Items For Your Next Universal Studios Trip * Pairs Of Shoes That’ll Help You Say Goodbye To Super Achy Feet At The End Of A Day Of Sightseeing Plus, compression socks, pet carriers, travel wallets, portable chargers, things to pack if you're headed to Hawaii, and finds from Amazon. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Mariel Guzman is a resident writer on the Buzzfeed Shopping team whose love for shopping (and doomscrolling on TikTok) helps her curate lists of the most trending lifestyle, home, beauty, and fashion products.