Packing for your next adventure can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to finding the right gear for cold weather, wildlife adventures, or specialized needs.
Whether you’re preparing for an Arctic journey or a wildlife photo shoot, it’s important to have the right gear to stay comfortable, safe, and prepared.
We understand that packing can be tricky, so we’ve curated a list of highly recommended travel gear to make your packing process easier. Our picks include gear that’s perfect for cold weather and designed for comfort and durability, so you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about what to bring.
Additionally, we know firsthand how difficult it can be to find plus-size travel gear that fits well, performs under pressure, and keeps you comfortable. That’s why we’ve made sure to include options that cater to a wide range of sizes, ensuring that everyone can travel in style and comfort.
Browse through our recommendations to find the best gear to make your trip a success, no matter your destination or needs!
Full Disclosure:
We’ve handpicked these travel essentials because we have used them personally and genuinely believe they’ll make your adventures easier and more enjoyable. Some of the links you’ll find here are affiliate links, which means if you decide to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). It’s a win-win—great gear for you, and we get to keep sharing awesome travel tips.
Luggage and Bags
Checked bags can be SO expensive, but Luggex offers great quality luggage at a pretty reasonable price. The hardside suitcases are surprisingly durable—I may have accidentally dropped mine down an entire escalator at the Denver airport (oops!), and it held up just fine (sorry, guy at carousel 8). What I love most about these bags is how easy they are to move around the airport. Spinner wheels for the win—they glide effortlessly in every direction, making those long airport treks way less stressful.
This is my favorite personal bag. It may look a little big at first, but I promise it fits on nearly any commercial flight as a personal item (even on those airlines that are super strict about dimensions…you know who I mean). I love it so much, I even use it for daily life to carry around work gear, laptops, and more. Despite being a personal bag, you can easily pack 3-5 days’ worth of clothes, plus your laptop and toiletries, for a quick and easy pack. It’s the ultimate blend of style and practicality!
I love these guys because they’re perfect for most international flights—no more worrying about strict carry-on size limits. While they don’t have spinner wheels (which I don’t mind because the extra space makes it so worth it), they fit everything you need. The matching bag packs surprisingly well and sits perfectly on the handle, giving you a cute and stylish look. Plus, they’re affordable and come in a bunch of adorable colors, making them a great travel companion. They are soft side so not as durable as other options, but for the price point they do a great job.
Beauty + Care
I bring this bag everywhere, and can fit everything in it. The waterproof pockets are perfect for anything that might leak, like shampoo, conditioner, or hairstyle products. The other pockets are perfect for makeup, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, falsies, razors, toothbrushes, you name it. It all fits! Plus, the hanging hook means I can hang it up anywhere, and when it opens, it turns into a super organized cabinet. Then, just zip it back up into a portable, adorable bag. Oh, and it comes in fun colors, too!
Travel can be tough on my skin, especially with Colorado's dry air, but this serum has been a game-changer. Made from repurposed coffee grounds, it keeps my skin moisturized overnight, and the coffee oil works wonders for reducing puffiness and dark circles from jetlag. It also lasts forever, as only a few drops go a long way, and doesn’t break me out. I use it every day, and the travel size makes it super convenient for on-the-go. Bonus: It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and UpCircle is all about using sustainable ingredients in every product!
Chapstick is an absolute essential, not just for long, dry airplane rides, but to protect your lips in cold, windy and harsh environments. I like Aquaphor because it lasts a long time and does a great job at keeping my lips moisturized for the long haul, when some other brands make my lips feel sticky or sometimes even more dry after applying.
To be honest, I originally got these for shampoo and conditioner (which they work great for, btw). But what I actually found was that I usually ended up using the hotel stuff wherever I went. What I really use these for now are hair styling products—hair gel, leave-in conditioner, and curl cream. They’ve also been great for face scrub and lotion! The best part? They’re super affordable, they don’t leak, and they last forever. Plus, they fit perfectly in your hanging toiletry bag!
Some exfoliators can leave my sensitive skin raw, but this face scrub made with coffee grounds keeps me exfoliated and leaves my skin soft and refreshed afterwards. The caffeine keeps puffiness at bay and it smells amazing. A little goes a long way and the size is perfect for travel. Plus this brand is committed to sustainable ingredients, as well as being vegan and cruelty-free.
Apparel
Favorite. Sweater. EVER.
After ordering my first one, I loved it so much I grabbed two more in different colors. I’ve had them for a few years now and get compliments all the time! When traveling, this sweater is a must-have—you only need one. It stays clean as a top layer and can last up to two weeks of regular wear without needing a wash (depending on your activities, of course). It’s flattering and plus-size friendly, with sizing options that let you easily go up or down for your preferred fit. Plus, it’s cotton (not wool), so while you don’t want to get it soaking wet, it will still keep you warm and reasonably dry in cold conditions.
Fleece lined thermal set that won’t break the bank. I absolutely love these! They pair perfectly with t-shirts (and scrubs) or can be worn on their own, and they’re incredibly flattering—especially for plus-size figures. Available in a variety of colors, they’re smooth enough to fit under any fabric, making them perfect for layering. With proper care (air-drying works best, as the fleece doesn’t hold up well in the dryer), they’ll last a long time and keep you cozy for seasons to come. There’s a guys’ version, too!
These are my go-to travel leggings. Soft, comfortable, durable, they also keep my legs warm on cold flights. They’ve lasted me for years, and I’ve worn them everywhere, including hiking, biking, skiing and kayaking. They come in lots of sizes and colors and have high tops for decent tummy control. Best of all? POCKETS.
You just can’t go wrong with wool. This set is a must-have when traveling to freezing or wet climates. The top, in particular, is one of my favorite pieces—it’s warm, flattering, and pairs perfectly with slacks or trousers (plus, it’s slimming and plus-size friendly!). Being made of wool, it keeps me toasty warm and cozy without any itchiness. It's incredibly soft! Wool is also antimicrobial, meaning it doesn’t get smelly, which is perfect for longer trips or active adventures. You can choose from mid or lightweight options depending on your needs and preference, giving you flexibility in your layers.
It’s hard to find wool socks that aren’t expensive and that fit (ahem) thicker calves. These fit the bill - and the foot. I’ve gifted these to guys and gals and people always love them. They’re super soft, cushioned, and perfect for adventure or curling up by a cozy fire at home.
This is the coat, ladies. I searched high and low - HIGH AND LOW - for a winter coat that was water resistant, warm, hooded (with the color I wanted), had wrist cuffs, and pockets big enough to fit my mittens and phone. This one fit the bill plus has a price tag that didn’t make me scream. It also has lots of sizes, meaning I could easily size up to fit my layers underneath without worrying about the fit. I’ve worn this snowmobiling, hiking, skiing and snowshoeing and it’s kept me toasty and warm.
Pet Travel
This bag has been a great addition to my travels. Even though I typically travel mostly via roadtrip with my dogs, you could pack this with your luggage if needed for an airport. It’s great because it has so many compartments, including one for food that keeps it fresh. It also has a water-resistant food mat, pop up bowls for food and water, and tons of pockets for extras. I keep poo bags, cleansing wipes, toys, treats, supplements and medications with plenty of room to spare. It’s got a shoulder strap with carry handles, and comes in a bunch of really cute colors. I actually have two - one for each dog (one could handle everything for both, but my dogs are suuuuuuper spoiled, so…..they each get their own).
A first aid kit gives you peace of mind when traveling far from home. This kit provides a great array of basic first aid for your pet that will fit into a small, portable case you can slip into your car or luggage easily. It comes with a muzzle and a slip lead, too - absolutely essential for emergencies when you’re struggling to treat your pet, keeping you and your pet safe when it matters most.
This is a great portable bottle to carry water with a detachable screw on bowl on the bottom. It’s also got a bag with straps and a little pocket so you can put in wipes, bags, or even keys if you’re on a hike. And because you’re pouring out the water into a bowl for your pet, you can drink directly from the bottle yourself for sharing (as long as your dog doesn’t mind your cooties, of course).
Another roadtrip essential, I like this bag because it stores A. LOT. of food.
If you’ve seen my socials, you’ve noticed that one of my doggos (Cherry) is half sweet potato, half hippochonk, with an appetite to match. I love her so much, but she goes through a lot of food (my fault, really). This bag carries 64 cups of food, which is enough for the apocalypse. I’ve gone on roadtrips for up to two weeks and this carried everything plus more, including a pocket in the front to slip a collapsible bowl into. It also comes with a scoop to measure food (much to Cherry’s displeasure) and is waterproof, which also makes it great for camping, fishing and boating. I have the orange one, but there are lots of colors.
I love this harness and have one for both of my dogs. They’re bright, reflective, and well-made. The metal hooks are both on the back and on the chest so you have options of where to attach it, and the handle on the back makes it easy to grab them in a pinch. There are multiple buckles to put it on, and the ones over the shoulder lock, adding an extra measure of safety. They’re super adjustable and comfortable, too. I’ve had these for a few years now and they still look new!
Travel Essentials
Tessan makes quality adapters at reasonable prices. I’ve brought mine to several countries in Europe and Scandinavia and had zero issues. Always be sure to check that the type you’re getting is rated for your destination, and if you have any questions or concerns - that’s what we’re here for!
Luggage tags are exactly what you need to pick your stuff out in a sea of black bags. I love fun ones that are easy to spot - so northern lights are the perfect theme for me! But if that’s not your thing, there are plenty of designs out there. Be sure to find a brand with a buckle; in my experience, ones that tie on or have the round metal connector that screws together tend to fall apart.
You’ll want a passport holder to protect the most important document you have. This one has RFID protection, holds your credit cards and other ID, plus has a slot for a vaccine card if needed. You can pick a variety of colors for you and your travel companion, or just keep one for personal backup.
Travel Photography
An essential item for those photographing in cold environments - think Northern Lights, penguins, polar bears, and Arctic foxes. It can also help in warm, humid conditions, or anytime you have a sudden shift in temperature (as in, from an air conditioned car to a warm day, or from a warm car into a cold night). A warming band on your camera lens is an easy to way prevent fogging, condensation, and will get you snapping pro photos in an instant. Oh, and if you’re just into stargazing, it works for telescopes, too.
A large, soft-sided bag, this has been my go-to for many years for basic photography bag needs. I like that the interior sections are adjustable, so I can move them to adjust to whatever gear I’m carrying with me or need most accessible. It’s plenty big enough for my lenses (though my telephoto one can be a tight fit), and has a ton of pockets for lens cleaning wipes, memory cards, and attachments. It’s padded enough to offer reasonable protection, but is a little more flexible if trying to stuff it into a piece of carry-on luggage already full. Mine is orange, but it comes in grey as well.
Tripods are a necessity for many types of photography, especially Northern lights and water features. Having a lightweight one that’s small enough to tuck into a bag is a lifesaver. This one features a ball head (versus a tilt and pan flat), 44lb load capacity, and comes with a cell phone attachment - all at about 2.5 pounds.
If photography is really, REALLY your thing, you know that rule #1 is to never check your camera equipment. This roller backpack - yes, it’s a roller and ALSO a backpack! - can handle multiple cameras, several lenses, batteries, memory cards, and more - with a cute little attachment to secure your tripod to the front. It’s durable with metal components, easy to roll over rough terrain, and water resistant.
Touchscreen gloves can keep your hands warm while allowing you to interact with camera faces as well as touch screens on your phone, keeping your fingers warm in frigid temps. I wish I’d had these on my first whale watching tour in Lofoten on a frigid January morning. I did get some pretty awesome shots with my cell phone, but I probably would have gotten a lot more if I didn’t have to keep shoving my hands in my pockets! These ones come in different sizes and colors, making it easy to find your perfect fit.