Tara Povey shares her travel non-negotiables that she always makes sure to pack for trips, honed over almost 10 years of travel blogging.
I started my travel blog nearly 10 years ago and I've been lucky enough to travel regularly ever since. Over the years I’ve honed my packing skills to the point where I barely think about it anymore. I always have a bag half-packed with the essentials ready to go for my next adventure.
But what are the essentials? For me, simplicity, functionality and comfort are what I prioritise when packing for a trip. I want to glide effortlessly through the airport, leaving the security staff and flight attendants agasp at my efficiency.
Here are the travel non-negotiables I always make sure to pack for trips.
Shampoo bars
They’re small, smell great and they don’t eat into your liquid allowance. Even if you’re checking in a bag and aren’t worried about liquid restrictions, they are a massive space saver when compared to a shampoo bottle. Plus, they’re better for the environment due to the lack of plastic packaging.
My favourites are the Lush "Honey I Washed My Hair" shampoo bar and the Garnier "CoCo" Ultimate Blends Shampoo Bar.
Universal travel adapter
How many times have you landed somewhere and realised that you’ve brought the wrong adapter? A universal travel adapter removes that worry as it works essentially anywhere. These adapters normally have multiple USB A and C ports, so you only need to pack one to charge all of your devices.
Cabin-sized backpack
Who needs a viral Ryanair backpack?! When it comes to luggage I’m devoted to my Cabin Zero classic cabin backpack. I’ve had my Cabin Zero pack for a decade and it's never failed. My go to is the 36L but I used the 44L for a trip to Iceland and fit all my warm layers and coats in it. They also come in lovely bright colours, which I love, because life's too short for boring black luggage.
Silicone suction phone stickers
These little stickers go on the back of your phone and have rows of suction cups on them so that you can stick your phone to any shiny surface (window, mirror, etc). I have one on my phone and I keep extras in my bag to give to people because I think they’re so amazing. I use them to film/photograph myself without having to set up or pack a tripod.
Solid perfume
I love these - they’re small, last for ages and you can toss them in your bag without worrying about a clear liquid bag. Or, if you’re devoted to a certain scent but don’t want to bring the whole bottle, you can fill a small perfume atomiser with your signature fragrance. You’ll find these on Amazon; a pack of three will set you back a tenner.
Cross body bag
I always bring a small bum bag/cross body bag with my essentials in it (phone, money, passport) that I can squeeze into or clip onto my back pack if I’m flying with a budget airline. It’s easier to have your essentials accessible rather than having to fish them out of your backpack.
If you’re in the market for one, I love Cotopaxi for bright, ethical cross body bags.
Collapsible water bottle
Recently, it seems that everyone and their mother has fallen in love with Stanley cups, however, as someone who has been smacked in the head by a rogue (very heavy) one that escaped the plane’s overhead locker, I would personally opt for something a little lighter. Weight aside, collapsible water bottles are light, they occupy minimal space and they’ll save you money.
Fold away shopping bag
Call me the bag lady because a fold up shopping/tote bag will always live in my bag. You know the ones that fold up into the little pouch? Except I never fold them, I scrunch them back in because who has time for all that folding? Folding aside, they’re handy for extra storage on the return journey, or for when you need a casual bag for the beach or shopping.
Solid/balm deodorant
I’m obsessed with my Wild Refill deodorant. It smells amazing, and doesn’t take up liquid allowance. Plus, it can double up as an anti-chafing stick for us thick-thighed babes. It’s such a lifesaver when you want to wear a dress/skirt but you have a big day of exploring ahead of you. Anything that has a double use is a win for me when packing.
Comfortable walking shoes
When I land somewhere new the first thing I do is walk at least 20000 steps. It goes without saying that comfy, well worn shoes are a non-negotiable for me. I know it’s tempting to pack new runners you bought for your trip, but your feet will not thank you for it. I adore Skechers Uno Lite. They come in bright colours, look great and have a memory foam sole for maximum comfort. I also love the Vans Mountain Edition range. This range is built for urban and outdoor adventures but has a much nicer look than a standard walking shoe/boot.
Blister plasters
Ideally, I’ll never need these, but I always bring them for my feet just in case. There is nothing worse than your feet being sore when you want to explore. Compeed blister plasters are life savers and take up no space. You’ll never regret having them with you.
Factor 50+ SPF
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland so we should all be protecting ourselves both abroad and at home. I’m what could be referred to as extremely pale so factor 50 sunscreen lives in my bag. When it comes to the body I swear by P20 and for the face, I love Kiehls and Dermalogica.
Prescription sunglasses
I got my first pair of prescription sunglasses last year, but now I’ll never be without them. What’s the point of being on a whale watching tour if you can’t see the whales?! Prescription sunglasses don’t have to be expensive, you can get reasonable pairs from sites like Zeelool or Firmoo, you just need to know your prescription details.
I hope I gave some of you a few ideas that might make travel easier and more comfortable for you this summer! We’ll all be breezing off to foreign lands soon enough, and no doubt there’ll be a heatwave at home while we’re away, of course.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ.
