You don’t have to go far to find a hundred articles recommending this year’s must-have travel gadgets & gizmos. Oftentimes, I find that these are a mixed bag. Some gadgets are innovative and useful for travelers, but some stuff on the market is simply redundant or just downright gimmicky. Non-rev travelers spend a lot of time living out of suitcases. During our travel experiences, we learn what to pack and how to make the most of what we bring on our trips. Some items have become essential (check out my guide to what I always pack in my carry-on bag). Others are less than stellar.
Whether you are trying to avoid over-packing or simply need a sanity check before your next trip, check out this list of “travel” items to avoid packing.
Travel Pillow
No, you don’t need a travel pillow for every flight you take. I’m sorry to be the one who has to tell you this, but you don’t need one of those goofy neck pillows to survive a 2.5 hour flight. Nobody will bat an eye when you bring a pillow on a long or overnight flight, but I am positive you can make it through your ORD-ATL flight without needing an inflatable pillow.
Solar-Powered Battery Packs
Once the novelty of having a doomsday piece of tech wears off, you realize all you are left with is an overpriced portable charger that you will almost certainly never use for its intended purpose. You would have to be longing at the beach long enough for both your phone to die and your portable charger to die before finally relying on the solar-powered charging functionality. Unless you plan on camping outside or staying somewhere without easily accessible outlets, a solar-powered phone charger simply isn’t for you.
Travel-Size Deodorant
Why is this a thing? Normal-size deodorant is already compliant with TSA regulations, and it isn’t particularly bulky. Why anyone would go out of their way to purchase miniature deodorant that costs more and lasts less is beyond me.
Seatback Organizers
Do you really need an extra sleeve of pockets and storage space hanging out of your seat back pocket? Think about how often you would actually use an organizer that is purpose-built for aircraft seats before throwing one of these in your carry-on bag.
Knee Defenders
There is a special place in hell for people who still try to use these.
Bringing one of these gadgets on a plane to restrict another passenger’s ability to recline their seat is a good way to guarantee that you will be the most hated person on your flight. If these aren’t forbidden on the airline you are flying, change airlines. Willfully prioritizing your comfort over the person in front of you is borderline malicious in today’s cabin configurations.
Traveler’s Checks
I would be amazed if you could find a bank that still issues traveler’s checks, yet some people still echo this recommendation like it is etched in stone. Just tell your grandma that these haven’t been a thing since the 90’s. If your bank somehow still tries to sell these to you: run.
Foreign Currency
In the same vein, I have a spoiler alert for you: your bank is ripping you off. Pulling money out of an ATM upon arrival in a new country will yield a better exchange rate than your local bank or the currency exchange stands at the airport.
If pulling cash out of a foreign ATM amasses a large fee, refer to the first point (your bank is ripping you off) and find a new bank for your checking account. I have nothing but good things to say about my company’s credit union; they refund foreign ATM fees and provide monthly member dividends. You may be surprised at the benefits of switching your checking & savings accounts from a major bank over to a local credit union.
Travel Fanny Pack
Fanny packs are often recommended as a good way to keep valuables and important items close to you at all times when you are traveling. While this may be true, it only works if you actually wear it. I have found that people who don’t normally wear fanny packs tend to decide they still don’t like wearing fanny packs just because they are on vacation in a new city.
Of course, this doesn’t apply if you actually enjoy wearing fanny packs around town. If that’s the case, then by all means wear it with pride
Money Belts
Money belts were designed to be an inconspicuous method for carrying around cash. Essentially, they are just fancy fanny packs to be worn under your clothes.
This may sound like a great alternative to those who know they wouldn’t wear a fanny pack in public. However, stashing more than just a passport & some bills in your money belt makes it quite obvious. Constantly pulling cash out of your money belt in public also defeats its purpose by advertising where your valuables are located. The money belt may have been useful at one point in time, but this is now simply a relic of the past.
Smart Luggage
Stay far, far away from “smart” luggage with built-in battery packs. Most airlines prohibit checking lithium polymer (LiPo) and lithium ion (Li-ion) in the cargo hold. Every frequent flyer knows that gate-checking your carry-on bag is an eventual reality for every traveler. At the very least, any practical smart luggage needs a removable battery pack to even make it on a plane these days.
The marginal benefits of having USB charging ports and GPS tracking can all be accomplished with add-on devices. Plus, they can often be had at a cheaper price than a brand new smart carry-on bag. Save yourself the hassle (and the extra cash) and stick with your trusty gear.
Travel Wallets
There is no logical reason why you would need a new wallet dedicated solely for traveling. You trust your wallet every single day at home. Why does that change just because you are in a new place? If you want a new wallet and you are ready to give up your old one, then go for it. All that I am saying is that you shouldn’t use an upcoming trip as an excuse to justify your purchase. Just please, please say no to neck travel wallets. Nothing screams “hey everyone, I’m a tourist!” than walking around with an exposed wallet hanging around your neck.
Conclusion
This list may continue to grow as we see more impractical gadgets & accessories marketed to newbie travelers. Not every new travel gizmo is inherently bad, and I am all for innovative approaches to existing problems, but the sheer number of useless travel must-have items blows my mind. Looking for items that are actually useful on a trip? Check out my list of recommended travel items that I always pack in my carry-on luggage.
Have you seen other travel accessories that need to be added to this wall of shame? Let me know on Twitter or by leaving a comment below!
