In my pre-pandemic life, I was on a plane at least six times a year. As a Canadian living abroad, I spent my days and dollars finding cheap flights, avoiding checked luggage and (literally) living out of my suitcase. Therefore, even if only self-proclaimed, I consider myself something of a carry-on expert.

While I typically travel with two carry-on bags (a mini suitcase and a backpack), my tips involve what to bring in your carry-on backpack. First and foremost: The backpack itself. While a weekender bag and oversized tote are certainly cute, I find anything that requires hands or limits your mobility to be entirely impractical when you’re speeding through an airport.

Quick shop: Carry-on bag essentials

I have two backpacks I recommend, depending on your budget. On the less expensive side, I recommend Lululemon’s New Crew 22L Backpack. I travelled with a similar Lululemon bag for nearly a decade and I still take it out from time to time when I am hiking or doing a more down-in-the-dirt, rugged activity. My specific backpack has (sadly) been discontinued; however, the New Crew shares many of the same qualities.

What I love about my (and this) Lululemon backpack:

• Water-repellant fabric: Trust me, any travel bag that is not water-repellant or waterproof is a waste of your money.

• Padded laptop pocket (for obvious reasons).

• Exterior water bottle pocket.

• Interior pockets for your wallet, keys and more.

• Trolley-compatible sleeve — destined for an airport!

If your budget is a bit more flexible and you’re willing to invest in a backpack that can go from the airport to the office (and everywhere in between), I’m a fan of Monos’ Metro Backpack.

What I love about my Monos backpack:

• It has a separate laptop compartment, several versatile interior pockets and a built-in trolley sleeve.

• It’s super durable — after more than 18 months of use, it still looks brand new.

• The front kit can be easily detached and reattached to change the look of your bag.

• It’s stylish — expect compliments when you wear it.

Now, equally as important: What to pack in your carry-on bag. From a reusable water bottle to noise-cancelling headphones, here are 34 travel essentials I never leave home without.

Don’t leave home without them: 34 carry-on bag travel essentials

1. Reusable water bottle

If you take only one tip from this article, let this be it: Always pack a reusable water bottle in your carry-on bag. I repeat: Always pack a reusable water bottle in your carry-on bag. Between global warming and inflation, buying a disposable water bottle at the airport is not helping anyone, anywhere. Pack an (empty) water bottle, fill it up inside, and just like magic, you’ve saved $8 at the airport convenience store.

2. Over-ear noise-cancelling headphones

Next to a reusable water bottle, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones is a travel essential, in my opinion. Why? Wireless headphones (i.e. Apple AirPods) can’t connect to in-flight entertainment, so unless you’re keen to stream a show on your phone via the airline’s app, you have to either forgo entertainment or purchase a pair of single-use headphones for the flight. Secondly, the noise-cancelling function helps to drown out noisy neighbours and comes in handy if you’re looking to snooze.

3. Universal Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter

A universal Bluetooth what? This nifty little device allows you to connect your wireless headphones to an airplane’s entertainment system so you can go without the aforementioned corded headphones. Cool, right?

4. Change of clothing

If the airline blunders of the past several years have taught us anything, it’s to bring a change of clothes in your carry-on, just in case. On my personal packing list: socks, underwear, a cute day-to-night maxi dress and a sweater.

5. Eye mask

While my body seems physically incapable of sleeping on a plane, I still reach for an eye mask on every overnight flight, hoping for a miracle. A teacher once told me that your brain waves during deep meditation are similar to the early stages of sleep. So if anything, I venture for a lights-out meditative session and pray that it’s enough to keep me going until I eventually find a bed.

29 carry-on bag travel essentials, according to an avid traveller:

1. Mini toothbrush & toothpaste

2. Granola bars & snacks (basic enough that they could double as breakfast)

3. DIY first aid kit with additional ibuprofen, anti-nausea medication, melatonin, Pepto-Bismol, allergy pills, Band-Aids, antibacterial hand wipes, plus antidotes for whatever else you’re prone to

4. Emergen-C Immune+ drink mix packs (I swear by these! Plus, they taste good)

5. Probiotics — especially if you’re taking any travel medication or antibiotics.

6. A travel pill organizer for all the aforementioned medication

7. A good book or an eReader

8. Travel-friendly games like Catan or UNO

9. A cozy scarf (never trust the forecast — airplanes are freezing)

10. Compression socks (I repeat, airplanes are freezing)

11. Ear plugs

12. Extra pads & tampons

13. Neck pillow (this one has a lot of reviews)

14. Pen, pencil and paper

15. Kleenex

16. Tide To Go for us mess-prone people

17. Phone charger

18. Power bank (for when you can’t use your phone charger)

19. Lip balm

20. Hand sanitizer

21. A travel adaptor (this one covers over 150 countries)

22. A travel-sized version of your beauty essentials (sunscreen, face wash, etc.)

23. Gum (for your ears and for flavour)

24. This Universal Airplane in Flight Phone Mount is fantastic

25. Travelling for business? The Downy Wrinkle Release comes highly rated

26. A LifeStraw can come in handy if you’re hiking or camping

27. Any and all travel documents you may require

28. Enough cash (in the correct currency) that you can pay for a taxi to your hotel

29. Your favourite chocolate bar — for when the going gets rough

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