There are fiercely enforced baggage restrictions on just about every airline provider on the planet, which makes packing succinctly key to a stress-free journey. Choosing your travel accessories carefully is an important part of the process.
Gone are the days when you could fill your bagsto the brim with a host of just-in-case belongings. Instead, you need to curate a set of truly useful items that cater for your jetsetting needs, while also taking up minimal space in your luggage.
One thing that’s key to every man’s travels is organisation. Packing cubes and a document wallet will make your journey as methodical as possible, saving you space, weight and time as you easily glide from your home to your destination.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all policy, some gadgets are perennially essential - headphones and portable chargers, we’re looking at you - whilst others are entirely down to personal preference.
If you’re a keen reader then a compact Kindle is an investment worth making, or if you’re an aftershave-enthusiast that can’t be apart from his scent, a rollerball pocket fragrance can replace your traditional spritz to save both precious mls and space in one fell swoop.
The good news? Whatever your taste, we’ve cherry-picked a selection of easy-to-pack products that we deem essential for a hassle-free journey, taking the stress out of the travel process so you can enjoy your trip instead.
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with MagSafe Charging Case 2022
Travelling without a pair of headphones is simply out of the question, so take your in-flight entertainment to the next level by treating yourself to a pair of Apple’s AirPods Pro. These earbuds offer Active Noise Cancelling to block out unwanted sound as well as Adaptive Transparancy so you can remain aware of your surroundings. This gives you the best of both worlds to flit between blocking out crying babies and tuning in to mid-journey annoucements. There’s also compatability with Siri and touch controls to adjust volume.
Buy now £219.00, John Lewis
Kindle (2022 release)
Amazon’s own-brand e-readers have been around for a while now, but this 2022 release will ignite jealousy from your fellow travellers - and for a very good reason. This Kindle is the lightest and most compact to date, making it perfect for diving into the latest good read while you’re on the go.
The ultimate companion for the bookworm jetsetter, it is small enough to fit in any crossbody bag to offer an entire library at your fingertips for the entire trip. No longer will you need to choose between a book and that extra pair of shoes as whether you have the chance to dive into your most recent literary downloads or not, the featherlight 158g won’t make too much of a dent in those already tight baggage restrictions.
It measures under 16 x 11 x 0.8cm with a 6” display and a built-in light so you can continue to flick between the pages even when lighting is low. You can use it totally wirelessly with no need to connect to a computer and the 16GB gives you the option to download thousands of books to enjoy with no WiFi necessary. Battery life is impressive too and should last throughout your adventures. The brand says up to six weeks but this will be less depending on how usage and if you employ the use of the illumination. Set-up and navigating the system couldn’t be easier - even for the less technology adept among us and recharging is through USB-C so the same cable as the newest iPhones and Android devices.
The cherry on top of the cake is the eco-conscious construction where this Kindle is made from 75 per cent post-consumer recycled plastics. This sustainable approach is continued into the packaging too with wood-fibre-based material and entirely recyclable boxes used.
Buy now £84.99, Amazon
Belkin 10K 3-Port Portable Power Bank, Black
Is there anything more frustrating than running out of battery? Especially whilst you’re on the move.
Enter - Belkin’s portable charger. Supplying up to 15W of power at once to two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, you‘ll never run out of juice again.
Buy now £19.99, John Lewis
Antler Chelsea 4 packing cubes in black
As proclaimed by Antler themselves - these are the ultimate travel hack. If you’ve not yet experienced the understated joy of an entirely organised suitcase, you’re in for a treat when you bag this set of four packing cubes.
Not only does the compression zip mean you can squeeze the most out of your limited travel space, but they also allow you to unpack in an instant when you arrive - leaving you with extra time to enjoy an ice cold drink in the sunshine. Bliss.
Buy now £50.00, Antler
Ferragamo Sunglasses Gold/Dark Green
This year, the trend on everyone’s lips is ‘quiet luxury’, so sunglasses that are understated yet elevated should be the ones on your wishlist for 2023 - and these Ferragamo frames certainly hit the brief.
Buy now £265.00, Ferragamo
D.S. & DURGA Coriander Pocket Perfume 10ml
Rollerball perfumes are all the rage on the fragrance market - and they’re the perfect size to keep in your pocket for an on-the-go refresh. Often an oil rather than a vaporizer, all you need to do is apply it to your pulse points for a quick and easy powerful fragrance punch.
If you’re partial to a fresh scent, New York-based perfumer D.S. & Durga have just the aroma for you. A blend of coriander, geranium, magnolia and pepper, it’s spicy yet green - and perfect for summer.
Buy now £70.00, Liberty
Desmond & Dempsey Men’s Eye Mask The Jag Print Green
If you, like me, can’t sleep if there’s as much as a glimmer of light shining from a charging point, then an eye mask is a travelling essential.
You may be attempting to nap on a long haul flight or perhaps the blinds at your chosen hotel are less than satisfactory - either way, Desmond & Dempsey’s printed mask will have you, and your eyes, covered.
Buy now £20.00, Desmond & Dempsey
Bottega Veneta Cassette Intrecciato-leather cross-body bag
One of 2023’s most coveted purchases, Bottega Veneta’s Cassette is loved by luxury lovers, fashion editors and A-listers alike - with the price tag to match. Featuring the Italian house’s signature intrecciato-leather detailing and silver hardware, it’s the bag at the top of everyone’s wishlist.
Buy now £1970.00, Matches
Aspinal of London Travel Wallet with Removable Inserts
When you’re making your way through customs, the last thing you want to do is to hold everyone up whilst rummaging around in your backpack for the correct documents - which is where Aspinal of London’s travel wallet comes in.
Crafted using full-grain leather with a soft suede lining, there’s space for tickets, passports, boarding passes and currency - and each section even has its own label. Sophisticated organisation at its finest.
Buy now £150.00, Aspinal of London
Rains Weekend Wash Bag
Cut from its signature waterproof rubberised fabric, Rains’ wash bag is true to its minimal Scandi brand identity.
With a four litre volume, there’s ample space for all of your grooming goods, and when you’re not using it to its full capacity, side buckles compress the size so you’ll be able to fit it into even the smallest of carry-on suitcases.
In four versatile muted shades, there’s an option to go with any luggage collection.
Buy now £39.00, Rains
Away The Garment Bag
Keeping your clothes pristine whilst travelling is nigh impossible - unless you’re the proud owner of Away’s garment bag. Not only does it have ample space for two suits or three full length garments, but it also has an exterior pocket for valuables and an interior pocket for shoes and accessories so everything’s taken care of.
Buy now £155.00, Away
Aesop Arrival Travel Set
An easy way to take any holiday to the next level is with luxurious toiletries. Aesop’s Arrival set includes a quartet of essentials perfect for a long weekend - a shampoo, conditioner, body cleanser and body balm. The brand’s signature aromatic fragrance will be the tonic your senses need after a day spent in transit.
Buy now £29.00, Aesop
Manscaped The Performance Package 4.0
You probably recognise Manscaped from Pete Davidson’s campaign for them back in July, and the good news is that it’s now available in the UK. The brand’s The Performance Package contains everything the well groomed man needs. With a skin-safe electric trimmer for shaving the, ahem, sensitive areas, a ear and nose hair trimmer, and a range of products to stop chafing and ingrown hairs - and you can transport the whole set around in the nifty portable zip-up case.
Buy now £120.00, Amazon
Mejuri Travel Case
Jewellery is a menswear staple - so a portable jewellery box is a necessity when it comes to travelling. Mejuri’s case offers ample space for all your favourite pieces, from necklaces to rings to earrings, all in one compact zip-up square. To make it extra special, you can add monogramming for free.
Buy now £68.00, Mejuri
