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The Best Travel Gear of 2026, Part 1

There are few things I love more than discovering a new travel gadget that makes travel better—especially if it solves a specific pain point that’s been bugging me. And since I don’t gatekeep, I make a point to share all of these wonderful discoveries with my readers twice a year, so you can grab the best travel gear for yourself, too!

This is always one of my favorite posts, but this season looks a little bit different. While I often feature bags and innovative electronics, I didn’t find as many of those that really “wowed” me this year. Instead, this guide emphasizes health, toiletries, and caffeine—with a few other fun things scattered in between.

So whether you’re looking for TSA-friendly solutions to “travel breath,” healthier on-the-go caffeine, or just want to see what cool stuff is out there, keep reading to find the latest and greatest travel gear and accessories from this year!

*Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. In many cases, you’ll often receive a special price for shopping through my link instead of directly through the website. It’s just an easy way for you to find products you love while supporting the blog! If you have any questions, feel free to email me or check out my Privacy Policy Page for more information.

Innovative Travel Health & Toiletries

ActivatedYou Morning Complete

Activated You Morning Complete Travel Packets travel products

As I get older, I’m realizing more and more how important it is to stick with my health routine while I’m traveling. Because when I skip my vitamins, eat out every night, and get limited sleep, I start to feel bad fast.

Something I added this year is a daily dose of greens in the morning. I’ve been using ActivatedYou’s Morning Complete, which comes in a tub. But they also have travel-friendly single-serve packets, and they’ve been lifesavers during my recent travels!

The variety pack has apple cinnamon, citrus medley, and mixed berry flavors, and each packet delivers prebiotics, probiotics, and green superfoods. So even on the go, I can keep my digestion on track, get a nice energy and mood boost, and curb unhealthy cravings.

The big selling point for me was how easily they mix. I may not have a blender on my trip, but all I need is a spoon or a blender bottle with 8 oz of water, and I’m good to go.

Buy on ActivatedYou

Basicase Travel Mouth Wash

Basicase Travel Mouthwash packets

I never thought I’d be so excited about mouthwash, but…whoa. I hate travel breath, but all it takes is one cup of airport coffee or falling asleep on the plane, and it’s a lost cause. But I also dislike brushing my teeth at the airport. Something just scares me. But TSA-friendly mouthwash packets? Sold.

These packets are about the size of a full-sized lip gloss, and contain one serving of mouthwash. Just rip it open, swish, and spit. I used these at a travel conference last month, and they were absolute lifesavers before I stepped into networking meetings!

These live in my purse and 411 bag now.

Buy on TikTok

Nathan & Sons Pearl Powder

Nathan & Sons Pearl Powder Travel products

Continuing with the oral care niche, Nathan & Sons reached out to me about their mineral-based Pearl Powder, and I was instantly intrigued.

This tooth-scrubbing powder is not only travel-friendly (no liquids), but it’s made with minerals and functional ingredients that clean, polish, and whiten your teeth. It also increases your tooth density, strengthens your enamel, and provides a range of other benefits. Bonus: it doesn’t have fluoride, parabens, or artificial flavors because it’s all-natural.

I used this during my recent travels in lieu of normal toothpaste, and I don’t think I can go back. This scrub left my teeth feeling so smooth! It does have a bit of a salty, mineral-like aftertaste, but there is a minty freshness there that still leaves you feeling good after you brush. You can also pair it with normal toothpaste if you prefer, but it works just fine on its own!

I also love the travel-friendly component and how long the powder lasts. All you have to do is dip your toothbrush in the powder and scrub away, and it doesn’t take much at all.

Buy on TikTok

Buy on Amazon

FaceJolt Facial Mist

facejolt facial mist travel toiletries

Long travel days can do a number on your face. Between fatigue, dehydration, and stress, I usually land looking like I haven’t slept in 3 days. And sometimes I feel like it, too. But that’s where FaceJolt steps in to save the day.

FaceJolt is a refreshing face mist that instantly perks up your appearance and your mood. It contains caffeine, hyaluronic acid, peppermint, and green tea, which work together to reduce under-eye bags and lift, refresh, and hydrate your skin.

It’s small enough to fit into a 411 bag or a pocket, and it’s literally become one of my go-to essentials for long travel days. Because why wouldn’t I want to look and feel better with just a spritz?

Buy on TikTok

The Latest Travel Accessories

Evry Jewels

Evry Jewels waterproof jewelry

Something that drives me crazy every spring and summer is my jewelry turning my ears green. I’m a “set it and forget it” kind of girl, so I tend to wear the same pair for weeks…sometimes months. Then suddenly I realize my earlobes are green.

So I set out to find some alternatives this year, and Evry Jewels is at the top of my list.

Honestly, I was skeptical that these would last because they were ridiculously affordable. But I’ve been wearing the same 2 pairs all summer, and they still look like new. I’ve been swimming, sweating, and showering in them, and there isn’t a hint of tarnish. I’ve even been sleeping in the hoops because I barely notice they’re there.

I also wore the necklaces on multiple swims and hot-spring excursions, and you can’t even tell.

And again, the price point is…incredible. I already bought like 8 pieces and 10/10 will be shopping here again. Use my code CARRIECOCHRAN for 5% off!

Shop Evry Jewels

Orico Travel Power Strip

Orico Travel power Strip

Have you ever noticed how nearly every hotel, Airbnb, and cruise ship has exactly one accessible power outlet? Seriously, what’s up with that? Well, I got sick and tired of waking up to swap out which device was charging in the middle of the night, and bought one of these travel power strips instead.

I was instantly in love. First of all, it’s purple, which is my favorite color (it also comes in white, black, and baby blue). But on a more practical note, it has 3 outlets and 3 USB ports, an on/off button, and a 4-foot cord that winds up and stores around the base. It’s also lightweight and effortless to throw into your suitcase or carry-on, and the flat plug means you can use it on outlets behind furniture, too.

I do not travel without this now.

Buy on TikTok

Travel Inspira Digital Luggage Scale

Travel Inspira Luggage Scale

Have you noticed how expensive checked bags have gotten these days? It’s absolutely ridiculous. And if you happen to go over the weight limit, the fines are criminal. That’s why I always check my bag’s weight at home.

I used to do the classic stand-on-a-scale-and-subtract-my-weight method. But that’s super annoying and not always accurate. Plus, there’s no guarantee I can do that on my return trip. So instead, I use this luggage scale from Travel Inspira.

All you have to do is wrap it around your suitcase handle, lift, and it’ll give you an accurate weight reading instantly. You can adjust the settings for pounds, stones, and kilograms, so you don’t have to do any math at foreign airports, either.

When you’re done, pop it into your personal bag for easy checks before your return trip, too.

Buy on TikTok

Buy on Amazon

Caffeine on the Go

Dunkin’ Green Tea Refreshers

Dunkin Green Tea Refreshers Singles to Go

I spend way too much money on coffee when I travel, and I hate how dehydrating it can be. So I decided to try Dunkin’s new Green Tea Refreshers, and I was not prepared for how much I was going to love them.

I got a 40-count box of Singles to Go on TikTok, and I went through them so fast I almost didn’t have any left to create content with!

Each box has 4 flavors: strawberry dragonfruit lemonade, mango pineapple, peach passionfruit lemonade, and kiwi watermelon. All 4 taste amazing, yet they’re sugar-free and low-calorie, while still packing in 80mg of caffeine per packet!

I always pop a few of these into my purse or personal bag on travel days now. I just fill up my water bottle and shake one of these in, and I have a delicious caffeine fix that helps me stay hydrated and only costs a few cents.

In all honesty, I also go through these like crazy at home, and they’ve become a warm-weather essential for pretty much any day that needs a pick-me-up.

Buy on TikTok

Buy on Amazon

Polar Joe Protein Coffee

Polar Joe Protein Coffee travel caffeine

Protein coffee is trending right now, but it never struck me as “travel-friendly”—at least, not until Polar Joe reached out and invited me to try theirs!

Their innovative coffees and teas are not only delicious, but they blend like magic while delivering 21 grams of protein and 110 mg of caffeine per serving.

I tried both the matcha and cold brew blends, and was not prepared for how smooth and tasty they were! Honestly, I was expecting clumps and a chalky/bitter taste. But both were ready to go with just some water and a few seconds of stirring or shaking. And I didn’t feel like I needed any sort of sweetener, which makes them absolutely perfect for traveling and hiking!

You can buy them by the bag, or grab a few singles that are effortless to throw in your backpack for your next adventure.

Buy on Polar Joe

ActivatedYou Morning Lift Mushroom-Infused Coffee

Morning Lift Mushroom Infused Coffee travel caffeine

Hold on, hold on. I KNOW some of you were about to skip this because mushroom coffee sounds gross. But this isn’t mushroom coffee—it’s coffee infused with mushrooms, and you can’t even tell the difference.

Along with their Morning Complete, I’ve been using ActivatedYou’s Morning Lift coffee, which comes with a ton of great benefits thanks to the mushrooms. Unlike regular coffee, it supports not only energy but also immunity, focus, and gut health.

It’s made with 100% Arabica coffee beans and a 6-mushroom blend, resulting in a rich, bold taste. It’s also travel-friendly, thanks to the slim, resealable bag and the instant formula, which is ready to drink with just 8 oz of hot water. The only downside is that you will probably want milk or a sweetener since it is strong, but those are pretty easy to come by.

I definitely prefer this over hotel coffee, not only for the taste, but also for the benefits!

Buy on Amazon

Buy on ActivatedYou

See These Travel Products in Action on YouTube!

 

Closing Thoughts on These Travel Products

The thing I always ask myself when analyzing a new travel product is, “Does this actually solve a problem?” Sure, some things are just nice to have. But what really matters during travel is whether it makes your trip more comfortable, convenient, safe, or sustainable. I truly feel like each of these products ticks the boxes, and makes trips better.

Enough so that I’ve been traveling pretty much non-stop with all of these items recently! (Don’t come at me on all the caffeine. I like choices, lol)

So I hope you’ll take the leap and try at least one of these new products for me! No matter which one you choose, I think you’ll be glad you did.

Thanks as always for stopping by to read this post! If you want to see these products in action, be sure to check out my YouTube video as well. And if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to like, save, share, and subscribe.

Stay tuned for more posts coming soon! Until next time, happy travels!

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