Whether you’re a light traveler or veteran jetsetter who’s always planning the next getaway, there’s a good chance one social media algorithm or another has pushed shiny new travel gear front and center in your newsfeed.
Likely, you’ve also seen goods touted by travel influencers and wondered if these items actually live up to the hype.
The only way to know whether it’s worth the spend is by testing products on the ground, in the air, and everywhere in between, which we’ve gone ahead and taken care of for you.
Here are four viral travel products that we’d wholeheartedly recommend.
In this article
1. Calpak Collette Lay Flat Canvas Toiletry Bag
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about setting up for success when traveling, it’s the importance of having the right bag(s) in tow. And while it’s hard to pick just one we discovered while scrolling, Calpak’s super popular Collette Lay Flat Canvas Toiletry Bag wins, largely because of its genius.
I do not skimp in the beauty product department when traveling, so keeping everything organized and accessible is tricky. This compact bag opens diagonally accordion-style and then lays flat to reveal three roomy compartments and two zippered sections. This allows me to organize products by hair, skin, and general hygiene, and the visibility means I don’t have to unpack everything. It’s a true toiletry packing game changer.
2. Marshall Major V Headphones
Look around any airplane, subway, or train and you’ll see that the world’s transitioning away from earbuds and embracing over-the-ear headphones. I think this is happening for a couple key reasons. First, the analog look/feel is coming back into style. Also, it is way too easy to lose one (or both).
It took me a minute to get with the times, but Marshall Major V Headphones ushered me right in and I haven’t looked back. I love the vintage look of them, but they are still super high-tech. The charge lasts for 100+ hours, the sound quality is excellent, and they feel soft against my ears even after hours of binging an audio book. The design itself also folds down compactly, which makes it carry-on friendly and lessens the sting of switching away from teeny earbuds.
3. Camp Snap Camera
Speaking of going analog, the days of Instagram-perfection have faded into the past, and in their place are messy, unfiltered, and raw glimpses into real life and authentic travel experiences. Increasingly, people are also trying to find ways to get off their smartphones as the “digital detox” trend takes hold. The Camp Snap Camera has made the rounds on social media for this reason, and it lives up to the hype.
If you’re unfamiliar, it’s a screen-free digital device that feels like an old-school disposable camera. Just like we waited back in the day to develop film, you will have zero clue as to how the picture turned out until you connect it to your phone or computer and review the files. Similarly, the pictures also have a retro quality to them since there’s very little correction for color or light. I love the anticipation of not knowing what you’ve photographed until later, and it infuses a creative, unexpected touch to your travel photo files.
4. Béis The Large Check-In Roller
I swear by my pale pink Away Carry-On (she’s still going strong after six years), but I recently needed a large check-in bag for multi-month stays away from home. Finding the right suitcase was tricky since I wanted it to look good, roll like a champ, hold enough, and most importantly, withstand the not-always-forgiving hands of airline staff.
I’ve tried other Béis items before—like the weekender bag and sport sling—and enjoyed them, so I went big (literally) with The Large Check-In Roller. The brand has gone viral time and again because of it’s photogenic aesthetic, but also because you can tell that the research and design team truly thinks through every detail so the bags work overtime for you. The Large Check-In has a butterfly opening with multiple sections and pouches, including a compression-type zipper compartment that allows you to pack even more. It also has a built-in scale, so there’s no sweating it out at the check-in counter and frantically rearranging stuff under duress.
The Shortcut
Viral travel gear can look shiny in your newsfeed, but not every buzzy product is worth your precious cargo space.
We tested viral travel items in real-world scenarios and four earned a giant stamp of approval.
Our list features a well-designed toiletry bag, a suitcase, and a couple analog-inspired tech items.
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