12 Carry-On Essentials That Make Traveling So Much Easier (and Your Bag Lighter)

This backpack/duffel hybrid from Calpak is my new favorite carry-on bag. It has a *gazillion* pockets on the front and inside, a water bottle pocket, a luggage travel sleeve, and a laptop sleeve that holds computers up to 17 inches. Best of all, you can unzip it like a duffel bag to load your stuff easily, then unzip a separate top zipper (like a backpack) when you need to access items in a snap.

Long travel days can get, well, stinky. Luckily, these biodegradable wipes are easy to stash in your carry-on bag. The dermatologist-developed formula includes glycolic acid (which fights odor-causing bacteria) and natural ingredients like soothing aloe vera, coconut fruit extract, and eucalyptus oil. What's not inside? Parabens, sulfates, or aluminum.

Some people have the courage to rock a face mask on a flight, to which I say "you do you." As for me, I'd rather give my skin a dose of hydration by way of this face mist from Caudalie. The formula uses calming rosemary, lemon balm, and orange blossom, as well as hydrating grape and rose water, which prevents my skin from feeling like the Sahara by the time we land.

Bringing hand sanitizer on a flight is pretty much non-negotiable. So, you might as well use a nicer sani, like this one from Touchland. The hydrating formula, which includes aloe vera and radish root for moisture retention, is available in a slew of fun scents, like Mango Passion, Rainwater, and Pure Lavender. The sleek bottle is a perk, too.

Because planes circulate dry, cool air throughout the cabin, air travel can be pretty dehydrating. To combat feeling like a prune, I always pop an electrolyte pack or two in my carry-on, and add it to my water during in-flight service.

I'm still on my hydration soapbox, I know—but when I get dried out mid-flight, my cuticles take a big hit. That's why I make sure one of these cuticle oil pens from Bare Hands is always within reach. The formula includes a blend of nourishing oils (jojoba, sesame, grape, and castor oil to name a few), as well as nutrient-packed sea buckthorn oil.

There are few things I find more frustrating than trying to sleep on an airplane. While nodding off vertically is still a struggle for me, I've found that this travel pillow from Cabeau is my best bet. It's made from squishy, supportive memory foam and connects to your headrest to keep it in place. There's also a handy travel bag that compresses the pillow to half it's original size, and clips to your carry-on so it doesn't take up additional room.

After months of targeted Instagram ads, I finally got my hands on a Cincha toiletry bag and I'm happy to announce that it lives up to the hype. It feels really durable, and the smaller size is perfect for a carry-on but still has loads of room thanks to the four zip compartments inside. The shape is also great for packing into the corner or a suitcase or stacking in a backpack.

Say goodbye to cheap airline earbuds. This Bluetooth audio adapter from TwelveSouth plugs into your seat's audio jack so you can use your own wireless headphones to watch in-flight entertainment. The wireless device is USB-C rechargeable and can connect to your headphones for up to 20 hours on a single charge.

Truth be told, I still prefer reading paperback books over e-readers. However, when I'm traveling light, my heavy fantasy tomes stay home and the Kindle Paperwhite steps in.

Longer flights can be so uncomfortable. If you need a little relief during a layover, stow the TSA-approved Theragun Mini in your carry-on. It's the smallest and lightest of the Theragun line, but still packs a great punch with three speed settings and three interchangeable attachments. There's even a travel-lock feature so it doesn't accidentally turn on in your bag.

I love my Cram cubes, and not just because they're cute as a button (I have the yellow set!). They're well-structured and durable, the mesh helps me see what's inside, and the handle is surprisingly helpful for loading and unloading my case. The smallest size is perfect for throwing a change of clothes in your carry-on, and the larger cubes are great for keeping your checked bag organized.