The ritual of packing for travel has come a long way since the trusted travel guide books. Back in the day, it was just about checked luggage, a backpack, an adaptor and perhaps a camera to capture those all-important memories to bring home. But nowadays, with the travel industry churning out the more advanced of techiest essentials, it can be a real minefield, so much so it can send the most laid-back traveller into a stressful frenzy.

Here at Luxurious Magazine, we’ve put together a few of the travel essentials you’ll want and need to make your next trip more organised, manageable and a breeze.

GOMATIC Travel Bag Backpack 30L

Now we’ve seen many travel bags here at Luxurious Magazine HQ, and the GOMATIC 30L Travel Bag is right there at the top as one of the perfect go-anywhere, anything kind-of bags. It’s made with durable, water-resistant materials and zippers, and the patented strap system allows you to go from duffel to backpack carry for those times when you need more flexibility.

If you prefer to avoid putting shoes next to your clothes, the dedicated shoe compartment will solve that problem. It has a ventilated door with a water-resistant flap allowing you to choose whether to keep water out or allow for ventilation. The carry-on size bag includes a TSA-ready laptop sleeve and tech organisation.

You’ll need to get properly familiar with it first, though, as it has over 20 features. It’s why the 30L bag is one of the best investment choices for everything from a day at the gym to a weekend break. Priced at £279.99, the GOMATIC Travel Bag Backpack 30L can be purchased from Amazon UK.

Twelve South AirFly Pro

For many travellers, take-off and landing are the most exciting parts of a flight. The in-between bit can be rather tedious. It’s no surprise then we like to take gadgets and props with us to keep us entertained on a flight.

If you love music and enjoy a good movie or podcast, the Twelve South AirFly Pro allows you to connect wirelessly to systems and devices that were previously incompatible. With the AirFly Pro, you can connect to the in-flight entertainment system with your favourite pair of Bluetooth headphones.

The device can also be connected to an old turntable record player to newer audio systems for a better experience. Available in black and white, the Twelve South AirFly Pro costs £54.95 and is available from Apple and Amazon.

GOMATIC Slim Wallet

Cash is still king, and there is plenty of space in the GOMATIC Slim Wallet to put your cards next to whatever currency you choose to travel with. It is an ultra-thin, modern, compact cash and cardholder, measuring just 85 x 55 x 5mm, that easily holds up to 15 cards and fits in your front or back pocket.

It is made from Medical Grade Elastic, and all cards, notes, keys and coins are held tightly to ensure you don’t lose anything. Other metal card cases rarely offer the same grip quality.

We like it because it’s classy and professional and also lends itself to being an effortlessly casual accompaniment on any trip. Available in a range of colours, the GOMATIC Slim Wallet costs £19.99 and is available from Amazon UK.

Pocketalk S

Speaking someone else’s language is, hands down, a sign of respect. However, not all of us have the skills, patience and devotion to master one. This is where the Pocketalk S comes into play. It is an ideal gadget for globetrotters and can be used to enjoy flowing conversations without language barriers when travelling the world.

This handheld translator utilises the world’s best translation engines allowing for conversations in 82 different languages at the touch of a button. The device offers more languages than Google Translate and yields quicker results. What’s more, the clever gadget can even understand regional dialects and slang.

The camera offers speedy image-to-text translation to decipher signs, menus, and more, easily. Additionally, a two-year roaming data plan for use in 130 countries is included in the cost, so you don’t need to rely on WiFi or incur eye-watering roaming charges. The Pocket S is available from Amazon UK and is priced at £209.99

Rocket Pro

Whenever you need a piece of paper and pen, there never seems to be one to hand. But with the Rocket Pro, you can eliminate this problem. And it’s more than just your bog standard notepad. The reusable, erasable book is a powerful note-taking tool using new technology designed for the modern age.

Its swappable inserts, made from Rocketbook’s patented reusable paper, allow users to work better while helping reduce paper waste. Compatible with a Pilot FriXion pen, marker or highlighter, users can wipe the page clean with a damp cloth to erase. But if you need to keep hold of those notes, the embedded NFC chip allows users to scan their handwritten notes to the Rocketbook app with just a tap. They can then be shared with anyone via their chosen cloud service.

The hard cover protects against scratches and spills and has a 360-degree flip design which helps the Rocketbook Pro lay flat in any position. No more dog ears when on your travels. Priced at £209.99, the Rocket Pro can be bought from Amazon UK.

MultiBev™ and Camelbak Powderhound

Travelling can be thirsty work, and getting our daily water quota when on the go can be difficult. But you can keep track of how much you’re drinking with MultiBev™. This 2-in-1 vessel serves both as a water bottle and a detachable mug.

Whether you use it for coffee on the go in the morning or as a water bottle throughout the day, your choice of beverage will be hot or cold, respectively, due to its double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel.
Sporty types who need to regularly top up their water reserves may want to invest in a backpack. Camelbak has recently launched the Powderhound – a 10-litre capacity bag with a 3l reservoir.

The functional backpack can also hold various important accessories you may need whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking or cycling. The MultiBev™ costs £28, while the Powderhound costs £110. Both can be purchased from Camelbak.

Messy Weekend

Having a good quality pair of sunglasses isn’t only a fashion statement. They also help defend your eyes from harmful rays. And it’s worth remembering that UV rays don’t just impact your vision during the warmer months. So make sure to pack yours when travelling. Messy Weekend’s eyewear is designed in Copenhagen and has a range of sunglasses that are suitable for any occasion.

Their Messy Active section is their take on a line of sports glasses that are versatile enough to be worn every day. The frames are made from the Swiss material TR90 which is a lightweight material that makes the glasses practically unnoticeable while wearing, while the lenses are crafted with high-contrast technology found in ski goggles.

Talking of which, Messy Weekend has a dedicated polarised sunglasses section to give you better visibility while reducing the sun’s glare reflecting off the snow. Sunglasses start from £65 and can be purchased from Messy Weekend.

Read more lifestyle guides, news and features here.