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If you’re planning to travel in 2026, you’re not alone.

The travel industry is booming. According to travel experts, trends for the new year include extended holidays, train travel, under-the-radar destinations, space and eclipse tourism, purposeful travel, multigenerational trips — and an estimated 21.7 million Americans are planning to cruise in 2026.

With all of those travel plans in the works, you (and everyone else) have probably been browsing the internet for the best luggage, backpacks and other travel accessories to take on your trips. And, there’s a lot of stuff out there.

How do you know what to purchase when there are hundreds of options online and in stores?

I’ve personally road-tested many items, using them on planes, trains, in automobiles and on ships in 2025, and these are the ones I highly recommend for your upcoming 2026 travel adventures.

Okapa Water Bottle

My husband and I have migrated away from plastic and have moved to glass for most storage containers. We have also transitioned to using a water filtration system and refillable glass bottles at home, so I was excited to try the Okapa water bottle for my travels. I’m not a fan of aluminum reusable bottles because the water has a metallic taste, and I prefer not to use plastic water bottles when there are other options.

The Okapa water bottle is an engineering wonder. Over eight years of research and 10,000 prototypes went into the design and creation of this nifty water bottle. With more than 70 Utility & Design Patents worldwide, Okapa touts its 17-ounce luxury glass water bottle as a “researched fusion of art and engineering.” While most people want a well-designed, functional water bottle, this one is a cut (way) above — and a bit pricey. But fun. Especially in the bold, eye-catching Misti Pinku shade (my choice).

The company uses borosilicate glass for safety and durability and 100 percent recyclable, premium, medical-grade materials that are thermal-shock-resistant to extreme heat and cold. With eight modular components, including a silicone safety gasket and top cap, the bottle also features a snap-in safety system with a push-button opening that prevents the bottle from falling out of the anodized aluminum shell. It’s also designed with a built-in aeration system that allows natural airflow to keep the interior fresh and dry and it’s dishwasher-safe for deep cleaning. It’s lightweight and less bulky than some aluminum or stainless steel water bottles — and you won’t have that metallic taste when drinking from glass — or possible exposure to BPA, PFAS and volatile compounds.

You can choose from six bright color combinations or opt for basic black or silver for a more subdued look.

Price: $295 (or less) on Okapa.com.

HoverAir X1 PROMAX

My husband and I used to travel with a drone when we were working together years ago, but it became just one more (large) thing to carry when I started traveling solo for work — and I had no idea how to use it, as they were very complicated to operate at the time. Thanks to new technology and smaller, lightweight options, such as HoverAir X1 PROMAX, bringing a drone isn’t the ordeal that it used to be (it literally fits into your pocket) — and learning how to fly one is easier than ever before, especially for a solo traveler.

What makes this drone special?  It’s size, weight, flying options and ease of use. It’s better behaved than my 7 year-old Tibetan Terrier…and it trained me in minutes rather than me having to learn how to train it.

You can launch this compact version from your hand using voice control in follow-me mode, without a controller. For specs: It shoots in 8K resolution, weighs 192 grams (less than 7 ounces) and has a maximum follow speed of 26 mph, with pro-level visual tracking. It’s also eco-friendly and, best of all, FAA-ready to fly in the U.S., with no registration required if used for personal use and not for business use. I watched a few videos, practiced a few times at home — and then was ready to go.

It includes a hard case, a soft pouch (to carry in your pocket), a thermal battery so you can shoot in extreme cold and many other features. There are advanced options available when using a beacon or manual control. The company also offers bundles with a beacon, joysticks and other accessories.

Price: $600 or less on HoverAir.com.

Travelpro Altitude Medium Expandable Laptop Backpack 25-30L

A laptop-style backpack is my go-to personal item when flying because it fits neatly under the seat in front of me, even when it’s packed to capacity.

This Travelpro backpack is especially durable (and water-resistant), made with ballistic ECOFAB material on both the inside and outside, and features a zippered expansion that increases capacity by 20 percent. Other features include padded sleeves for your laptop (up to 16 inches) and tablet, full-grain leather touchpoints, airline-grade aluminum hardware, YKK zippers, 20-plus pockets (including anti-theft pockets), cushioned shoulder straps and a rear strap to loop over the handle of your carry-on luggage.

The backpack is available in several color combinations, including the one I chose: Field Green.

Weight: 3.7 pounds

Dimensions: 17 x 14.5 x 8.5 inches

Price: $272.00 (or less) on Amazon.com.

Páramo’s Velez Jacket

The Velez Jacket is my new favorite lightweight piece of outerwear for travel, outdoor adventures and casual wear at home. The hooded, zippered jacket is super comfortable and easy to pack in your backpack or carry-on bag.

Made of Nikwax Analogy waterproof (and breathable) fabric, the jacket features dual-phase chest pockets, forward-facing upper-arm vents and a lightweight mesh inner lining for temperature regulation. The “Pump Liner” technology also pushes water away from the body, not just vapor.  It’s also windproof and PFAS-free — and will remain waterproof for life when used with NikWax products for cleaning and care. When you’re ready to trade it in for a new jacket, the Velez Jacket is fully recyclable with Páramo’s Re-Store Adventure.

There are two side pockets on the zippered version that you access via two zippers (one exterior zipper and the other through the mesh liner for ventilation). There are also two “pockets” of sorts that are also accessible via a zipper where the mesh  liner is; these extend the length of the arm. While you wouldn’t want to place anything heavy in this space, it would be good for something super lightweight, such as a map or directions. I also like that you can tighten the sleeves around the wrists with Velcro and make the waist a bit snugger with adjustable cinchers. 

The jacket is available in red or dark blue. You can also opt for a pullover-style Velez Adventure Smock or the Velez Evolution Hybrid Smock.

As a side note, the pieces in Páramo’s Directional Clothing line are designed at its headquarters in Wadhurst, East Sussex, U.K., and the jacket is ethically produced at Miquelina, a World Fair Trade Certified facility in Bogotá, Colombia.

(The above photo is of the pullover version.)

Price: $380 (or less) at Paramo’s website.

iPhone 17 and T-Mobile

If you do most of your calling in an area somewhat close to home, or even primarily in the U.S., there are a number of mobile phone companies that may meet your needs. But when you travel the world, or even outside of major U.S. cities, mobile service can be spotty and expensive. For this reason, my husband and I have used Verizon for our mobile phone needs for may years. They’ve provided a robust domestic service and a seamless international offering as well. 

However, coverage and plans have changed dramatically in the past several years. We knew that T-Mobile typically has broader and faster 5G coverage in much of the U.S. (especially in cities), but we were interested in how it would perform when traveling outside the U.S.  We wanted convenience and coverage without having to register destinations ahead of time or determine the best plan for our location and length of stay. 

T-Mobile’s regular plans include many international destinations without roaming fees, while there’s a daily fee with Verizon: $12 per day in 210+ destinations and countries and $6 a day in Canada and Mexico. (Note — With Verizon’s Unlimited and other select plans, Canada and Mexico are covered.)

T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond and Better Value plans provide  international coverage in 215 countries, comparable to the Verizon plan, but at a much lower rate. 

When I was offered the opportunity to test the T-Mobile service on the new iPhone 17, I was excited to compare the two providers, especially during an international trip. So far, I’ve been to numerous destinations in the Caribbean with the phone, and the service was excellent and the sound perfectly clear — even on a cruise line’s private island. I’m headed to Europe in early spring, so I’ll have the opportunity to see what it’s like there as well (and I’ll report back with an update then).

If you’re interested in making the switch, T-Mobile offers several features and current deals to make it easy, including “15 Minutes to Better,” an AI-powered tool that helps you choose the best plan and shows your total savings. You can also switch your plan but hold off on activating the new smartphone for up to 90 days, and you’ll receive same-day delivery when you order the smartphone on T-Life. There are also deals on iPhone upgrade plans, including a “Get 4 on Us” offer that includes four new iPhone 17s with four lines for $25 per line per month.

Check out the current plans and pricing on their website, T-Mobile.com.

Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens

I have owned a Canon EOS R10 camera for several years, but neither of the lenses that came with the camera were great. When I had the opportunity to work with Canon on a loaner piece, I requested a sample of this lightweight, high-quality zoom lens for a last-minute bear-viewing trip to Kodiak Island, Alaska.

The lens receives excellent reviews—and I can understand why. It was a game-changer for me on this trip, as I was able to capture incredible (and clear) shots of bears along the shoreline in a rocking boat, thanks to the 5.5 stops of shake correction. The lens also performed well in another small, rocking boat while sailing in Kodiak Harbor. There, I captured clear images of puffins and sea otters despite being unsteady on my feet.

I took the same setup on an expedition to Northeast Greenland after the Alaska adventure, and the ship’s photographer said he had even considered purchasing this lens. While I only used it a few times in Greenland, as it was more about the glaciers and otherworldly landscapes in that remote part of the world (we didn’t see much wildlife), the pictures I took were sharp, and the colors were well-saturated without much post-processing.

There’s a clear difference between the images I took on this trip and those from my trip to Antarctica years ago, when I used a different lightweight Canon zoom lens. I’ll be investing in this lens before my next bear-viewing adventure.

Price: $699.00 or less on Amazon.com. 

Nemo Equipment Double Haul 55L Convertible Duffel & Tote

I’ve never been known to travel light (especially on the return trip when I typically have a few additional items), so I’m always looking for versatile, convertible and expandable luggage for my next adventure. The Nemo Double Haul checks all the boxes, with a 36 percent increase in capacity in tote mode (up to 75L) and three ways to carry it: over the shoulder as a duffel, by the handles as a tote or as a backpack. It’s made with Bluesign-approved 420D recycled nylon, so it’s durable, water-repellent and easy to wipe down.

Other features include stiffened trusses to keep it open during packing, internal and external zippered mesh pockets, padded backstraps, interior compression straps and a carrying case that doubles as a packing cube. The bag weighs approximately 3 pounds, and is available in four colors: Chai (yellow), Nova (green), Black and Lake (blue).

Price: $169.95 or less on Amazon.com.

Nothing Headphones

If you’re bored with the basics and in the market for out-of-the-ordinary headphones at a reasonable price for the functionality offered, check out this stylish version from Nothing. The striking design is carefully engineered to ensure every cut and curve is optimized for acoustic precision, delivering pure, incredible sound. These lightweight and futuristic headphones also feature advanced hybrid active noise cancellation using dual feedforward and feedback microphones to effectively reduce noise.

For jetsetters on the go, a quick 5-minute charge provides 5 hours of listening time. Fully charged, they offer up to 80 hours of playback time—and they come with a sleek hardcase for travel and storage. These are perfect for those long flights where you want to drown out the engine noise (or fussy children – or adults) as well home use where the comfortable fit and sound quality will be most welcomed. Plus, they’re just really cool and a great conversation starter.

These headphones come with an app (Nothing X App), which allows you to fully customize your listening experience with adjustments to noise cancellation, equalization customer profiles, a gaming mode and even custom gesture controls. 

Price: $224 or less at Amazon.com.

*Image credit – Jordan Hemingway

Redtiger F17 Elite 4K 3 Channel Dash Cam

Perfect for on-the-road adventures, the F17 Elite Dash Cam is the world’s first dash camera to feature full-color night vision. It provides three-channel coverage of the car’s surroundings, capturing video simultaneously and delivering clear images in almost any lighting. In addition to recording inside and outside of the car (there’s a front and rear camera in addition to the in-cabin camera), you can record all of the license plate numbers in front of your car and with the 4K video, they will be easy to read, unlike most 1080P systems. Other features include G-Sensor Emergency Recording, panoramic views, Dual STARVIS 2 with HDR to improve the low light and nighttime video quality and a 3-inch screen.

With all of the features, there’s a great deal of flexibility in the type of coverage you can capture, and the image quality is excellent. We prefer to have it with us when we travel, not only to record the scenery around us and what’s happening in the car, but also for security and documentation in case of an accident or other issue on the road. And, if you park the car, the system will detect motion to the car and begin recording in front, back and inside the car with the G-Sensor system.

The system is easy to install and comes with the necessary tools and hardware. If you wish to engage the G-Sensor recording, you may require help as that ties directly into the fuse box on the car. The only challenge we experienced was the need to provide some additional glue to the mount to more securely adhere the foam backing to the windshield.

Price: $169.99 or less on Amazon.com.

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Disclosure — I received these items for review directly from the companies. I was not compensated by them to write a review, and the opinions expressed regarding my experience are my own.