15 Travel Gear Mistakes You’re Making—and What to Use Instead

After traveling more than 130,000 miles across 14 countries this year alone, I’ve become something of a travel gear connoisseur. Having experienced countless airports, shuttles, and hotel lobbies, I’ve learned that the difference between a smooth trip and a stressful one often comes down to the gear you bring with you. Whether it’s lugging around a carry-on suitcase that’s just a little too big to fit overhead or wrestling with tangled charging cables and lost adapters, these small mistakes add up fast. And believe me, I’ve made all of them.

After testing and tweaking my packing list countless times, I’m sharing the top 15 travel gear mistakes that have tripped me up—and the smart, practical swaps that will save you time, space, and headaches. From comfortable walking shoes to carry-on backpacks that offer hands-free ease, this guide will help you travel lighter, smarter, and more comfortably—no matter where your next adventure takes you. 

Best Gear to Pack Overall

Never take: A duffel with painful straps

Take this instead: A travel bag you can wear as a backpack

Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack

Duffel bags without sturdy, comfortable straps can quickly become a pain—literally—especially when you’re hauling your gear through airports or city streets. The Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack combines the roomy convenience of a duffel with the comfort and hands-free ease of a backpack. Its padded shoulder straps are designed for all-day wear, and the durable build stands up to heavy use. Whether you’re navigating cobblestones or hopping on a plane, this bag keeps your hands free and your belongings secure.

Never take: An expandable or oversized carry-on

Take this instead: A durable, universal carry-on

Away Carry-on

Expandable and oversized carry-ons might seem like a good idea for packing more, but they often cause headaches at the gate when airlines enforce strict size limits—especially on international flights. Instead, I swear by a structured carry-on like the Away Carry-on, which is designed to maximize packing space while still fitting comfortably in overhead bins worldwide. Its durable hard shell protects your belongings from rough handling, and the smooth wheels make airport navigation a breeze. It’s the perfect blend of style, function, and travel-friendly size.

Never take: More than two pairs of shoes

Take this instead: One versatile pair and one walking shoe

Olukai Women’s Slide 

On Cloudrunner 2 Waterproof

Packing multiple pairs of shoes is a rookie mistake that adds unnecessary bulk and weight to your luggage. Instead, I stick to one pair of versatile slides or sandals that can transition from casual daytime exploring to a relaxed dinner, plus one reliable walking shoe built for comfort and all kinds of terrain. The Olukai Slide is stylish, cushy, and easy to slip on and off, while the Cloudrunner 2 Waterproof Sneakers offer breathable support and durability no matter where your adventures take you. Together, they cover all bases without crowding your suitcase.

Never take: An open-top handbag

Take this instead: A zippered bag 

Afashor Shoulder Bag

Open-top handbags are a nightmare for travel—they make it way too easy for items to fall out or for pickpockets to snag your valuables. Instead, I recommend a bag with a secure zipper closure to keep everything safe and contained. This Amazon shoulder bag is affordable, stylish, and has a sturdy zip that keeps your belongings protected, whether you’re navigating crowded markets or busy airports. It’s lightweight and roomy enough for essentials, making it a perfect everyday travel companion.

Never take: A backpack with no tech protection

Take this instead: A travel bag with a padded sleeve

Wonhox Large Travel Backpack

Laptops take a serious beating during travel—they’re stuffed between heavier items, jostled through airports, or tossed into overhead bins without care. Without proper padding and protection, your device risks scratches, dents, or worse, internal damage. That’s why I always opt for a backpack like the Wonhox Large Travel Backpack, which has a dedicated padded sleeve to keep your laptop safe from everyday travel wear and tear. Beyond its protection, it’s also durable, water-resistant, and designed to keep all your important gear organized on the move.

Never take: Loose cables

Take this instead: A compact cable organizer and universal power adapter 

Electronics Organizer

iAnker Nano Travel Adapter

Keeping chargers, cords, earbuds, and adapters all tossed loose in your bag is a recipe for stress and damaged gear. Instead, I use a small electronics organizer to keep everything neat, visible, and easy to grab. Pair that with a universal travel adapter like the Anker Nano, which works in over 150 countries, and you’ll never worry about hunting down the right plug or having a mess of cords ever again. Both are compact enough to fit in any carry-on or personal item.

Never take: Multiple bulky layers

Take this instead: one compact, packable jacket

Madewell Quilted Bomber Jacket

Packing for unpredictable weather doesn’t mean you need to bring three different jackets. Lugging around a heavy coat and a denim jacket and a sweater “just in case” is a fast way to lose precious suitcase space. Instead, I opt for one lightweight, do-it-all layer that works for chilly flights, unexpected rain, and cooler evenings. The Madewell Quilted Bomber Jacket is that unicorn: warm but not heavy, stylish enough to wear day or night, and easy to pack or wear on the plane. It goes with everything and somehow makes any travel outfit look more pulled together.

Never take: An oversized personal item

Take this instead: A compact tote or underseat roller

Calpak Luka Duffel 

It’s tempting to stuff an oversized tote or weekender bag under your seat—until a gate agent asks you to check it or, worse, charges you a fee. Many airlines are cracking down on personal item sizes, and trying to squish an overstuffed bag under the seat in front of you just isn’t worth it. The Calpak Luka Duffel is perfectly sized to meet most airline personal item requirements, and it’s thoughtfully designed with a trolley sleeve, interior organization, and even a separate shoe compartment. It fits under the seat, looks sleek, and carries way more than you’d expect.

Never take: Bulky jean shorts

Take this instead: Packable linen pants

Quince Linen Pants

Jean shorts (or any shorts, really) might seem like an essential for a warm-weather destination, but they’re surprisingly heavy, stiff, and take up way more space than they should. Plus, after a few hours on a plane or a long walk in the heat, they’re rarely as comfortable as you want them to be. I’ve fully converted to packing lightweight linen pants instead—they’re breezy, elevated enough to wear to dinner, and easy to roll up into almost no space in your bag. The Quince Linen Pants are under $50, come in tons of colors, and somehow strike the perfect balance between relaxed and polished. 

Never take: Standard packing cubes

Take this instead: Compression packing cubes

Thule Compression Cubes 

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, regular packing cubes are fine—until you try compression cubes and wonder how you ever packed without them. The Thule Compression Cubes not only help keep your clothes organized, but they also shrink down bulky items like sweaters or jeans so you can fit way more into your suitcase. I use them to separate outfits by day or type (like workout gear versus dinner looks), and the zippered compression feature reduces the cube’s size so you can fit more in your suitcase. Bonus: these are made from durable ripstop nylon, so they’ll last you trip after trip.

Never take: A power bank that needs charging cables

Take this instead: A power bank with built-in cords 

Rorry Portable Charger

Between using my phone during airport layovers, long travel days, and for maps, translation, and photos, I burn through battery fast. The worst is packing a power bank but forgetting the charging cord for your phone in the hotel room. That’s why I only travel with a power bank that has built-in cables. The Rorry Portable Charger has fold-out cords for multiple device types, plus wireless charging and a handy keychain clip, so it’s always accessible. 

Never take: Designer sunglasses

Take this instead: Affordable sunglasses

Sojos Aviators

With so much activity during my trips, the likelihood of losing my sunglasses is high. After sacrificing one too many designer pairs to the ocean, airport seat-back pockets, and random cab rides, I’ve learned to leave the expensive frames at home. Instead, I travel with a pair (or two) of budget-friendly, polarized sunglasses that still look chic but won’t ruin my day if they go missing. These Sojos Aviators are under $20, come in tons of colors, and offer solid protection—all without the stress of keeping a constant eye on them.

Never Take: A second daytime purse

Take this instead: An easy-to-clean (and foldable) tote bag

Mesh Tote Bag

I always keep a mesh tote bag folded up in a pocket of my carry-on, and it’s perhaps the smartest thing I’ve done travel-wise. Not only does it come in handy in a pinch when I accumulate too much and want to check my suitcase (then using the tote and my personal item as my two allowed cabin bags), it’s also perfect for daytime jaunts, beach trips, grocery runs, and everything in between. This now-$9 mesh tote from Amazon is lightweight, washable, and folds flat—and I’ve used it for everything from vintage market shopping in Lisbon to hauling towels on a beach day in Tulum. Skip the extra purse and bring this instead.

Never take: Multiple hair tools

Take this instead: Versatile and interchangeable hot tool

T3 Air Multi Styler

Packing a curling iron, flat iron, and blow dryer not only eats up space but also adds weight—and risks tangling cords or even damaging your gear in transit. Instead, I travel with one all-in-one styler that does it all. The T3 AirLuxe Multi Styler comes with interchangeable attachments, including a blow-dryer nozzle, smoothing brush, and curling wand, so I can go sleek one day and beachy the next without bringing an entire salon with me. It’s compact, powerful, and dual-voltage—so it’s perfect for international trips where space and function both matter.

Never take: Multiple books

Take this instead: An e-reader

Kindle Paperwhite

I love a good paperback as much as the next person, but after too many trips hauling three half-read novels across continents, I’ve finally given in to the “Kindle or nothing” mentality. The Kindle Paperwhite is slim, lightweight, and holds thousands of books—so I can switch between a beach read, a travel guide, and that long-overdue memoir without adding bulk to my bag. The battery lasts for weeks, it’s glare-free even in full sun, and the waterproof design means I don’t stress about reading poolside. Bonus: It frees up space in my carry-on for souvenirs on the way home.

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