Survive planes, trains, and automobiles with these essentials.
Voke Tabs ($7)
Don’t have time for coffee but need a pick-me-up? These chewable tablets offer a fruity (if somewhat bitter), naturally caffeinated boost to get you through a long day of shuttling between gates and hailing rickshaws. If you find them habit forming, don’t fret: Voke offers a monthly subscription service (from $28).
Sea to Summit Travelling Light Eyeshade ($15)
Some luxuries are worth carving out carry-on space for, especially if it means squeezing in a few more hours of sleep. This mask’s quilted padding is more comfortable than whatever thin airline freebie you’re currently using, and it’s plenty wide, so light won’t creep in around the edges.
Tiger Balm Pain Relieving Patches ($6 for five)
The magic of Tiger Balm in a stretchy hydro-gel patch? We’ll take five. These are great for lengthy car rides home from big missions and won’t grease up your fingertips, although it can’t hurt to have an extra hand around for hard-to-reach areas.
Rite in the Rain Mini-Stapled Waterproof Notebooks ($8 for three)
Prevent precious vagabond memories from dissolving into a blob of soggy paper and smudged ink. Rite in the Rain’s UV-coated pages ensure that your travel notes remain intact, and no special pen, pencil, or marker is required.
Aquapac Large Whanganui Waterproof Case ($45)
Packing this submersible (up to 30 feet) protective case means less stress about valuables and electronics when dealing with monsoons, sketchy boat rides, and loose water-bottle lids. Contents remain visible, which is great for consulting maps in damp conditions, and the shoulder strap allows important documents to remain accessible at border crossings.
Cusa Instant Tea ($10 for ten)
Instead of waiting for a bag to steep, dump this powder in hot water and go. The measured dose provides a nice, not overwhelming splash of flavor in your cup or thermos, and the long, thin pouch doubles as a stirring stick. Even better: it’s organic.