The first entry in an ongoing Travel Desk series focused on gear that gets the job done.
Good travel gear isn’t about brand names, logos, or flexing. It’s about performance, efficiency, and reliability. It’s about knowing that while you’re away from home… tired, overstimulated, short on patience… the things you packed will do exactly what you need them to do, when you need them to do that, without fail.
We’ve tested a lot of gear over the years. Some of it was promising. Some of it was expensive. Much of it didn’t live up to expectations. This list exists because mistakes were made, lessons were learned, and our strategies were refined. Every item here solves a real problem, earns its space in your bag, and has survived multiple trips without becoming dead weight.
This isn’t about packing more… it’s about packing with intention.
If it’s on this list, it’s because we won’t travel without it.
Power Without Friction
Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station
The MagGo 3 is a truly compact charging station that can wirelessly charge your MagSafe iPhone, your wirelessly charging earbuds, and your Apple Watch, and charge them fast. One plug, one wire, three devices. It does away with all the nightstand chaos.
Why it earns its space:
One plug. One cable. Three devices. No compromises.
Problems it solves:
Cable clutter, outlet scarcity, slow wireless charging, and the constant shuffle of chargers across hotel rooms and airport lounges. With the horizontal MagSafe position, your phone will display Apple StandBy modes, giving you a bedside clock, weather, or whatever widgets you prefer.
Why most alternatives fail:
Cheaper multi-chargers throttle power, charge slowly, or sacrifice stability for portability. This one doesn’t.
When it matters most:
Hotels, Airbnbs, nightstands, anywhere you want to unpack quickly and solve three needs in an instant.
Silence, Focus, and Personal Space
Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Earbuds
We have been through more sets of wireless earbuds than we care to admit. Nothing beats the Sony WF-1000XM5. They sound amazing, the noise canceling is industry-leading, the battery lasts forever, they are comfortable, and most importantly, you can actually get a good seal with them, regardless of your stature. Do yourself a favor, give up the AirPods, and go with these.
Why it earns its space:
With outstanding noise cancellation, these earbuds can create calm where none exists.
Problems it solves:
Aircraft noise, crying babies, loud terminals, unwanted conversations, and mental fatigue.
Why most alternatives fail:
Over-ear headphones are bulky and take up too much space while traveling. Lesser earbuds struggle with seal, noise cancellation, or battery life. These will not let you down.
When it matters most:
Flights, trains, airport lounges, hotel rooms, anywhere you need the world to quiet down. Their small size also means they’re easy to carry everywhere for music, podcasts, or calls back home.
Hydration Without Airport Tax
S’well 17oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle (with handle + sport cap)
Do yourself a favor and start traveling with an insulated water bottle. Filling stations are everywhere. Stop overpaying for bottled water and bring something like this instead. The narrow form factor fits most side pockets. We opted for the carry handle and sport cap for convenience. Once you land, you’ll be glad you have it for the duration of your trip.
Why it earns its space:
It works everywhere, all day, without fuss. Keeps cold drinks cold for up to 36 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 18.
Problems it solves:
Collapsible bottles feel clever but are bulky when full and don’t insulate. Plastic bottles don’t last and don’t perform. Buying water at the airport adds up fast.
Why most alternatives fail:
Collapsible bottles feel clever, but they’re bulky when full, they don’t fit in cup holders, and your water will be room temperature in a blink.. Plastic bottles don’t insulate or last, and if you’re buying them at the airport you’re paying an arm and a leg.
When it matters most:
Airports, walking cities, hot destinations, day trips, and road trips.
Control When Things Go Sideways
Gerber Dime Multitool (checked-bag only)
You’ve been there. Something breaks. A screw comes loose. A hinge gives up. A screw falls out of your glasses. You can’t tighten the screw on your camera strap. You’re trying to MacGyver a fix using your rental car key. Throw this little baby in your toiletries bag and you suddenly have 12 tools at your disposal.
Why it earns its space:
It gives you options when something small becomes a problem.
Problems it solves:
Loose screws, broken glasses, minor fixes that would otherwise derail your day. If you travel with camera gear, the flathead screwdriver alone is indispensable.
Why most alternatives fail:
Too big, too heavy, or too specialized to justify packing.
When it matters most:
Destinations, day trips, and unexpected moments where “I wish I had something” becomes real.
Insurance Without the Insurance
COOAU Dash Cam D20
You’ve heard it a million times… rental car insurance is a scam. That’s debatable. What’s not debatable is that most modern credit cards include rental car coverage. We decline rental insurance, but we always travel with a dashcam.
This model installs quickly and records both forward and rear-facing views, capturing the road ahead, the cabin, and the view out the back window. If something happens and it isn’t your fault, the evidence is there. No arguing. No ambiguity.
A quick note on this recommendation:
This dash cam was originally sold by Anker’s sub-brand ROAV as the Dashcam Duo, which been discontinued. The photo above is of our Dashcam Duo. The hardware is now sold under the COOAU name, using an identical design, but with significantly upgraded resolutions for both cameras. This recommendation is based on long-term, real-world use of the original ROAV unit and confirmation that the current version is physically identical with significant upgrades.
Why it earns its space:
Evidence beats explanations every time.
Problems it solves:
Rental car disputes, false claims, and post-incident uncertainty.
Why most alternatives fail:
Front-only cameras miss half the story. Without rear or cabin coverage, you have a significant blind spot and you’re vulnerable.
When it matters most:
Rental cars, unfamiliar cities, and long drives far from home.
The goal when you travel isn’t to have more stuff.
It’s to have exactly what you need.
Every item here reduces friction, increases confidence, and lets you focus on where you are… not what’s gone sideways. This isn’t a checklist. It’s a system built from experience, mistakes, and refinement.
You don’t need everything.
You just need the things that work.
And when we recommend something, it’s because it’s already earned its place, and we won’t travel without it.
More Travel Desk gear guides are coming. Same standards. Same scrutiny. Same refusal to recommend anything we wouldn’t pack ourselves.