Frequent travellers know that going from one place to another can sometimes be tiring. There will always be things that you have to take with you no matter where you go. Besides your clothes, there are some must-have accessories you should pack. Some will keep you safe, some will allow you to sleep, and some can entertain you during your flight. Having the right accessories can make trips much easier and keep you organised no matter the time and place.
Packing Cubes
Everyone loves a well-organised suitcase. A bag that won’t be a scrambled mess when you open it. You could get a suitcase with a lot of compartments, but cubes are another way to stay neat. They’ll keep everything in its place and make it easy to access. Before buying, you should look for a reliable supplier that ships travel packing cubes Australia-wide. Someone with high ratings and many satisfied customers.
The first thing you need to figure out is how many compartments you need. Cubes are often empty, with no compartments, but there are exceptions. Some of them have a clean and dirty compartment so you can separate your clothes for obvious reasons. Some of them have external pockets for things that should be no hand like your passport or your keys.
High-quality zippers are a must. They’re the thing that holds the bag together and you need them to be sturdy and durable. Zippers can be half-opening and clamshell-style. The clamshell-style opens up in whole and gives you full access to the bad, but it can get tricky to close if you fill the bag to the brim. The half opening is easier to zip up, so many experienced travellers prefer this opening style.
Handles are often a disregarded part of the cubes. Most people grab the whole cube instead of the handle. But having a well-implemented handle has its benefits. A nice, sturdy handle will help you carry the cube around, hand it or even attach it to the outside of your suitcase or bag.
Colour-wise you have plenty of options. People often go for the plain black or white cubes but there are many colours. You can use their shades to better organise yourself. The red one can hold underwear, the yellow is your shirt and the green can be for your toiletries. This way you won’t have to open each one until you find what you need.
There aren’t any universal sizes with cubes. They often come in sets of small, medium and large cubes, but you can also buy them separately. Consider your belongings and how many clothes you need to pack. Consider the shape of the bag as well, because maybe 2 big cubes won’t fit, but 3 small ones or 2 medium ones will.
Travel Lock
Keeping your belongings extra safe is never a bad idea. Having a lock on your suitcase will keep away potential thieves during transit and on the streets. Protecting your travel packing cubes in Australia and worldwide can save you a lot of trouble. There are plenty of locks to choose from depending on the suitcase or bag you own.
The key lock is the most traditional choice. Just as the name suggests you need a key to access your belongings. Sometimes people refrain from buying this lock because of the fear they’ll lose the key. Combination locks are also a trend. You set a 3- or 4-digit code that gives you access to the bag.
You can also go for cable locks which are a blend of a semi-flexible cable and a combination lock. Besides your suitcase, you can use them on your locker, bike, strongbox and backpack. If you need to lock the suitcase to another one or to a fixed object, you can use retractable cable locks. And if you don’t want to deal with codes or keys you can use key card locks. They can be bulky sometimes but are easily accessible.
Travel Pillow
If you’re travelling a lot and don’t have much time to sleep in your bed or in a hotel, you’ll inevitably sleep on the plane, bus or train. In this case, a travel pillow will be of great help. You’ll be able to get some sleep even in the most uncomfortable setting. However, not every pillow is made equal, and not everybody will fit into every type of pillow.
Inflatable pillows are U-shaped, and you have to inflate them to sleep. They’re very lightweight, and compact and can easily fit into your travel packing cube. They’re also budget-friendly and easy to handle. Microbead pillows are also U-shaped. They’re filled with polystyrene beads and don’t weigh a lot.
They may not be as comfortable as inflatable ones, but you can shape them to your needs. Memory foam pillows are the epitome of comfort. These pillows will adjust to your neck’s shape giving you proper support at all times. Despite their price, they’re an investment worth making.
Eyemask
If you’re sensitive to light, it can be very difficult to fall asleep while travelling. Some people find that even the smallest flicker of light from a nearby beam disturbs their sleep. That’s why they should use an eye mask. You first need to make sure the mask fits your face properly. It should curve to your face comfortably and leave no gap for light to come in.
Otherwise, it’ll be uncomfortable and won’t serve its purpose. The material matters as well. Cotton is one of the most comfortable fabrics. It’s breathable, soft, lightweight and blocks light very well. Plus, it’s durable and easy to wash. Silk is a luxurious choice that’s gentle to the skin, but these masks may not be as durable as cotton ones. You can also find satin and polyester masks if you need something cheap, durable and lightweight.
Earplugs
If you’re sensitive to sounds, earplugs will be a great accessory to have during your travel adventures. You’ll find relief and get a couple of hours of sleep even in a loud environment. The most important thing to consider when you buy earplugs is comfort. They should fit nicely and feel comfortable in your ears. Not all earplugs are made the same, so you’ll have to find the right pair for you.
If you’re buying for the first time, get the plugs with different ear tip sizes. This way you’ll find out which ones fit you the best. Clean and replace them regularly to prevent dirt and bacteria from piling up and infecting your ears. Look for earplugs made of foam, silicone and plastic. These materials are sturdy, flexible, easy to clean and less allergenic.
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