Travel Bag Essentials

Packing a suitcase - Credit: iStockPhoto.com

When
packing for a trip, we usually focus on getting clothes into the suitcase. We worry about filling our bag with the perfect combination of shirts, ties, socks, and underwear, and give little thought to packing those ancillary items -- aka travel bag essentials -- needed to sustain our wardrobe while we’re out on the road. That’s why, when packing for a trip, we need to stop and consider what we need in addition to our clothes to ensure we have a dapper, well-maintained appearance when we arrive at our destination.

So, next time you’re prepping for a weekend
getaway or business trip, make sure you don’t leave home without any of these travel bag essentials.

Travel clothes steamerJiffy Steamer Esteam personal travel clothes steamer - Credit: Amazon.com

Wrinkles are an inevitable by-product of packing, which leaves us with garments that are marred with tiny wrinkles and major creases while traveling -- and nothing says unkempt, unprofessional and unsightly like crumpled clothes. To look your best, you need a sharp wardrobe that appears freshly pressed, making a portable clothes steamer a top choice when packing your travel bag essentials. Having a clothes steamer is especially important when you’re traveling on business. Travel steamers fit conveniently in your carry-on and pay big dividends on traveling in style; you’ll have the necessary tool to maintain a refined, meticulous image that’s not only devoid of wrinkles, but also replete with style.

Item benefit: Besides being affordable and portable, clothes steamers allow you to travel with clothes that are both professionally polished and handsomely preserved.

Stain stickTide to Go Instant Stain Remover - Credit: Amazon.com

One small stain can ruin an entire trip for savvy travelers who pack versatile, multipurpose garments. There’s also the problem of acquiring a blemish on your shirt before the big meeting -- how humiliating. When these situations arise far from home, guys must be armed to go to battle. That’s why traveling with a stain stick will always prove to be the best weapon. This little marker-like device ranks high on our list of travel bag essentials because it contains a stain-removing solution that makes spots magically disappear. With one little swoosh, you’ll have the might to eradicate unattractive mishaps and save the day. Erasing simple mistakes elsewhere in life should so easy.

Item benefit: A stain stick is a tiny, easy-to-pack tool that has the power to undo problematic stains and the potential to save your travel wardrobe, if not your entire trip.

High-gloss shoe wipesKiwi Polished Leather Express Wipes - Credit: ShoeCareSupplies.com

Along with his crisp wardrobe, the consummate professional sustains polished footwear as well. Unfortunately, the wear-and-tear of travel often leaves shoes scuffed, dull and dingy, which isn’t always ideal when making important business calls or attending first-time meetings with new clients. Thankfully, an easy solution exists to this traveling annoyance; high-gloss shoe wipes are a required item for your travel bag essentials. Formulated and packaged for convenience, these wipes make shoe maintenance simple and easy for today’s travelers. Shoe wipes have a simple, universal application for all smooth leather shoes, come in easy-to-pack pouches, and give you the necessary means to keep your shoes impeccably shined while traveling.

Item benefit: High-gloss shoe wipes combine convenience, class and quality in one neat little package; their invention has redefined
shoe-care maintenance and style for today’s traveler.

Shoe treesWoodlore combination shoe trees - Credit: Zappos.com

Packing shoes is always tricky business given their unwieldy space consumption. Thus, most guys go out on a limb when traveling and knowingly neglect the rules of shoe maintenance; they willingly opt to leave their shoe trees at home so that their shoes can collapse into the packing. This is a cardinal sin, gentlemen. Nowhere are shoe trees more effective than in shoes that are packed in a suitcase. Shoe trees are among our favorite travel bag essentials because they not only prevent your shoes from being crushed, which can lead to permanent damage, but they also help absorb the disgusting odors that radiate from your freshly worn kicks. Sure, shoe trees may add some additional bulk and weight to your luggage, but the benefits far exceed the cost.

Item benefit: Shoe trees not only protect your shoes from the adverse effects of a crammed suitcase, but they also protect your clothes from the unpleasant odor of your smelly shoes.

Travel grooming kitTravel & Groom Kit - Credit: LeatherTree.com

Collecting your travel toiletries at one fell swoop in the bathroom isn’t an effective packing strategy. While you’ll remember the big-ticket items, you’ll undoubtedly forget the smaller travel bag essentials. That’s why owning a handy travel grooming kit solves the problem for you. Complete with a razor, nail clippers and tweezers, a travel grooming kit takes all the hassle out of packing your toiletry bag; you’ll have all the important grooming tools you need, conveniently packaged in one simple location. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to pack expediently and to be equipped and fully prepared to tackle any outstanding grooming needs in your hotel bathroom.

Item benefit: Travel grooming kits augment your traditional toiletry bag by bringing along overlooked grooming tools that will help you stay in top form while you’re out on the road.

wherever i may roam

Packing for a trip, even a short trip, can be a pain. Besides, with so many aspects to tend to before you ever get off the ground, who among us has time to adopt a “how am I gonna look when I get there” mentality? The answer is “not many.” But you can be among the esteemed few if you always include these five travel bag essentials with you when you go.
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