From a million-mile++ traveler

by beattherush, Chicago, Thursday, April 02, 2026, 11:16 (57 days ago) @ Jay
edited by beattherush, Thursday, April 02, 2026, 14:54

Luggage: depends on frequency and location.

If you are a frequent traveler, Briggs and Riley is the best-made equipment available by a fair margin, and well worth the expense. It's tough as nails, lifetime guaranteed, and extremely practical with its packing compression setup. High-frequency travelers tend to prefer the two-wheel setup because it's more durable and a bit roomier, but 90% of luggage sold is 4-wheel spinner these days.

In the high-end bracket, Tumi used to be in this spot until they got bought out by PE and turned into a fashion brand. Hartmann's OK, I just don't like the look. Rimowa is worth considering if you want hard-sided, but you probably shouldn't.

For more affordable pieces, Travelpro is what most flight attendants use and it holds up well.

If you are a less frequent traveler (<25k a year), then honestly, save a buck and head to Costco. A reputable brand (Samsonsite, American Tourister) will hold up OK for casual use and be 70% cheaper.

For "location," be aware that US and international carry-on standards are different and the gate attendants do tend to check luggage in the actual sizer these days. Buy stuff that fits your use-case. For most Americans that will be a carry-on 23" conforming bag. For international, look for the "European carry-on". Europe also has weight restrictions for carry-on that are enforced (America technically does as well but they don't enforce carry-on weight in my experience).

Also, don't buy "smart luggage" with embedded batteries. They will cause you screening problems. Also don't pack batteries in checked luggage. There have been problems with fires.

Other stuff:

Adapters: All travel magazine recommendations suck. You want the Road Warrior two-piece adapter system. Has not let me down across fifty countries. https://www.amazon.com/Road-Warrior-Travel-Adapter-Designed/dp/B014IP1VIW?th=1

Converters: they don't work. Don't bring equipment that can't handle 220V.

On plane: An inflatable neck pillow is helpful, Wirecutter rates those. Also, consider your headphone setup and what you will need to connect to the plane - a plug adapter from plane to either a wired headset or a Bluetooth transmitter helps.

On the ground: Having a good one-to-many power brick is helpful. The new ones with Gallium Nitride (GA-N) are more expensive but charge much faster. Anker makes good kit here.

Things to have in your bag:
- Tide pen
- collar stays
- nail clipper, can be scissors in a pinch, will clear security
- your preferred drugs; international can be odd in what is available for pain relief, colds, diarrhea, malaria, etc..
- a few bandaids
- a compact battery to rescue your phone in a pinch. Zendure makes good ones.
- if you are going well off-grid, a camping battery that will recharge a laptop. Jackery or Anker. (EDIT: Jackery got out of the small battery business, Anker makes a good, relatively light battery that will charge a 16" MacBook Pro to close to full)
- sunscreen
- bug repellent
- a laser pointer
- a few paperclips and safety pins, come in handy when you need them.
- a bottle opener. Nothing worse than having a beer but trying to open it the macho way and failing.

If budget permits, bring an iPad and portable keyboard - much easier for long plane rides than lugging out a full laptop, and it's something you can easily read books on in subpar hotel lighting.