With a serious summer travel season just ahead of us, we decided to reach out to some of our favorite travel professionals–writers, editors, photographers, and guides–to find out what’s new in their suitcases this year. Their travel essentials span luggage, camera accessories, shoes, and toiletries, all expert tested and approved. See below for your new shopping list…
Osmo Mobile 2 Smartphone Gimbal
“My summer love affair is with my new DJI Osmo Mobile 2 ($129). As a multimedia journalist, I shoot a lot of video on my iPhone during my Caribbean assignments, and this phone stabilizer has really raised my game. It only requires one hand to operate; it eliminates that inevitable shake you get when you pan around; and it smooths out any bounce when I’m walking and talking and shooting at the same time.”
–Sarah Greaves Gabbadon, travel writer (also known as Jet Set Sarah)
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Women’s Point Hobes Light Tan
“I can’t travel without my Hobes ($159). I have a few pairs and wear them on rotation to every single trip I’ve made the last two years. Pictured is the pair I love.”
–Ana Linares, travel and lifestyle photographer
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Elta MD’s Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
“I take sunscreen really seriously and until recently, I was using a mineral-based sunscreen that was so chalky and white that it made me look like I was wearing clown makeup. My sister introduced me to Elta MD’s tinted UV clear broad-spectrum SPF 46 ($34.50). It’s created by dermatologists so it’s gentle on skin and great for both the city and the beach, and most importantly, it doesn’t make me look like I’m wearing white face paint. I basically never leave the house without it.”
–Teddy Minford, editor at Fodors
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The Thule Subterra Carry-On
“The Thule Subterra Carry-On ($222.95) is lightweight with 3 separate compartments and an excellent, unique, removable clamp-down separator inner sleeve (the same clamping mechanism Thule use on their premium bike racks), which is perfect for keeping a couple of pressed items crease free. This is all the luggage I need from bike tour to tour. Plus, the larger wheels make it a breeze to hoof through airports at high velocity!”
– Padraic Doorey, owner of Fresh Eire Adventures, a luxury bicycle tour company
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Donut Pool Floatie
“Wherever I travel, my bathing suit and Inflatable Donut Pool Floatie ($19.99) are always in my carry-on. Water relaxes me, especially after a long flight or drive. To date, my floatie has traveled to four continents as well as five states across America, and has floated in a desert gorge, off the coast of Cuba, and in countless indoor and outdoor pools. It’s always an ice-breaker, and brings smiles to faces whenever I roll it out.”
–Katrina Woznicki, travel writer
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Lowepro Transit 350AW Backpack
“I almost always travel with a 15” laptop and a DSLR camera. After many years, I’ve recently found a backpack for them whose looks I like — the Lowepro Transit 350AW Backpack ($114.90). This year, it’s already been with me to China, Chile and Calgary. I hope it will follow me on some more alliterative adventures this summer.”
-Alberto Riva, managing editor at The Points Guy
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Joby GorillaPod 1K Tripod
“I always travel with a travel tripod for vlogging or taking photos. Most recently, I use the Joby Gorillapod 1K Tripod ($39.99) together with a MeFoto Sidekick 360 Smartphone Holder. The tripod helps to take photos in low light and this one is light, small, and you can wrap it around things like a tree limb or railing.”
– Pete DeMarco, travel photographer and founder of The Nomad Within
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bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
“My essential travel item is bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream ($30). This surprises even me, because I’m not a make-up kind of girl, but I bought it on a whim in duty free once, mostly to kill time, and it hasn’t left my sight since. It makes you look like a glowing baby… Not even a long haul flight and the kind of sleep deprivation that makes you grey all over can wick away its fresh afternoon sun glow. Total game changer.”
–Erum Naqvi, traveling writer
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Polarized Maui Jim Sunglasses
“When traveling to warm climates I never leave home without my Polarized Maui Jim “Venus Pools” Sunglasses ($319). I love the feminine frame and good coverage in protecting my eyes!”
-Jessica Scranton, co-owner of Purposeful Nomad, a travel tour company for women
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Birkenstocks Arizona Rubber Sandals
“For the past few years, I’ve been buying a new pair of Birkenstocks’ Rubber Arizona Slides ($39.99) every summer, but always in black. This time around I went with the bold orange ones, and it’s making me happy on a daily basis. These are the best warm-weather travel shoes I’ve ever had–I can walk around the city for hours in them, they can go to the beach, in the water, anywhere.”
-Sarah Stodola, editor of Flung Magazine
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Head-To-Toe Travel Look
“I’ve been traveling in the Dusty Rose Crew Neck Dress ($185) by local designer Ali Golden; the Saturn Earrings ($115) by local jeweler Marisa Mason; The Frances Valentine Nomad Shoulder Bag ($275), perfect for plopping on top of a small rolling luggage; and finally, the Olukai Kipuka Sandals ($75), comfortable and waterproof, while remaining fashionable.”
–Emily Nathan, founder of Tiny Atlas Quarterly
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