Packing cubes 

“I love packing cubes. Especially love the eBags version. Made for easy emptying of my bag at the airport when my airline ticket / print out was inadvertently left at the bottom of my bag. The airport check in person was amazed at how fast I got my ticket out of my carry on and immediately became a packing cube convert!” — Jennifer L.

Lightweight, stylish backpack

 “For my trip to Malta, I got a new Nordace Siena backpack. You can see the USB for your phone on the outside. The battery pac connects to the cord inside. It is water repellent, lightweight, and has four compartments with various pockets plus a secret pocket. Comes in a variety of colours but I prefer turquoise.” — Joy F.

Carry-on luggage

With airlines changing carry-on requirements faster than you can say SNAP!, JourneyWoman are choosing tried and true brands that last the test of time.

“I travel about 25% of each year. For years. I have tried every kind of luggage. In my opinion you cannot beat the incredibly easy rolling wheels of Travel Pro luggage. I prefer hard side. Seriously, these things roll like a dream, even on heavy carpeting. I have three sizes as well as a bag with a trolley strap in which I keep my handbag and anything I will need on an airplane.  I am good to go on any trip. I roll everything and hand carry nothing. I no longer use any other kind of luggage. — Jeanne F.

“Recently hubby bought a medium sized TravelPro Bold Softside Luggage and I’ve used it on 3 trips now – love it (and loved my previous more boxy luggage that the airlines often broke). We’ve just gotten a large for xmas to cover all bases. – Claudia M.

Portable / packable heating pad

“Trying to figure out how to pack my bulky heating pad, I looked online for an alternative. I discovered this lightweight version (it only weighs a few ounces). It is 12 “x16” and comes with a 5.9-foot USB cable that can be plugged into an outlet, or for overseas trips it can be used with any USB port. It now goes with me on every trip.” — Karen Gershowitz

Folding stool

“For the occasional need to sit down, I tried out this portable stool for the first time. It’s 3 lbs to carry and worked well when I got tired touring the Palace of the Doges [in Venice] and needed to sit, though I’m not sure I’d want to carry it around the whole time.” — Diana Eden

Travel boots

 “Wolky are the best travel boots I have ever had. Solid construction great arch support. Moldable inner sole. I have ankle boots and get great ankle support on cobblestone roads. I can walk for miles in them and they are stylish too.” — Alisa G.

Safe and stylish

SCOTTeVEST Women’s Travel Vest 

A popular choice of JourneyWoman readers for years, SCOTTeVEST has over 20 concealed pockets to hold all of your essentials while traveling.  It also has built-in Anti Theft RFID Pocket for Security & Protection. 

“I try to put most of what I need in flight in it, earphones, tissues, hand wipes, passport, credit cards, and more. I have put a change in clothes in it too. I wear a sweater under it and a coat on top.” —  June P.

“You might want to look into a Scotte Vest. You can fold clothes and fit up to 3 days worth into it and wear it. This is a picture of my husband’s. He doesn’t really look bulky in it at all.”   Rhonda W.

Bathrobe and slippers

If you use slippers, a bathrobe and a hair towel at home, why not travel with them too? Being comfortable makes travel even better.

We love this fleece bathrobe from Ugg, along with these slippers. Find a hair turban here and spend less time blow drying your hair.

Weighted blanket

Made in Canada, this Hush weighted blanket is breathable cotton material with its compartments filled with hypoallergenic, non-toxic, odorless and glass micro beads.  Weighted blankets can be a safe and gentle way to naturally relieve anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Plant it!

If you or your mom travel a lot, our garden expert, Jennifer Reynolds, recommends that you swap out the budget you have for cut flowers and send Mom an easy-to-care-for plant that she will cherish for years. Foli, a Canadian and woman-owned small business, has a solution for you.

“With a huge selection of easy-to-care-for plants that don’t mind a little neglect while Mom is travelling, plant experts at the female-founded company Foli offer personalized shopping and gift notes that accompany each delivery. Beautiful eco-friendly packaging and custom gift notes elevate the online gifting experience.”  — Jen R.

Learn more here.