The Top 5 Traveling Essentials to Never Travel Without

There are very few things I never leave home without when I hit the road for some epic travel adventure. As any seasoned traveler will tell you, you can always pick up what you're missing during your trip. Some things of course are easier to replace then others but there's a lot to be said about already being prepared. Beyond the essentials like a toothbrush, towel, and clothes there aren't very many things that you absolutely have to have to travel. I've found, however, that some things just make life a little better on the road. These are the top 5 that I never leave home without regardless of how long or short the trip is:

1. Shemagh/Keffiyah (Shawl or Large Scarf)

Early in my travelling fool days, when I was flying a lot with work, I often found myself sitting on a Shemagh (or Keffiyah) is a large cotton scarf often found in arid countries to help keep sand, dust, and sun off of your face and mouth. Mine has come with me to 16 of the 19 countries I've visited and still looks nearly new. I've used it to keep the rain off my face in Islay, the dirt out of my nose on safari in South Africa, and even for warmth in the snow in Stockholm. It's also great to help keep you warm on an airplane.
plane in the wee hours of the morning freezing to death. I longed for anything to wrap around me to stave off the frigid air. Then one day I saw someone with this large funky scarf, and then I saw it in a movie about war in the desert, and then finally I figured out with some google-fu what it was. A

2. Mini Surge Protector

More often then not I stay in hostels when traveling but I've found this to be the problem in hotels as small surge protector in my bag. Then there's enough outlets to charge my two cell phones at once.
well. Usually there is only one outlet in a convenient spot, and in a hostel or airport you don't want to leave your cell phone charging across the room. So instead of hoping to grab the lone outlet near my bunk I keep a

3. Pocket-Size Tote Bag

My favorite thing to do in ever city I visit is to go to the supermarket. I find that it's the best way to get a glimpse into the local life and culture of the country. I also love to bring back foreign snacks for my friends and coworkers to try out. Recently, however, cities have begun charging for plastic bags at stores to reduce waste. I started traveling with a small collapsible tote by reisenthal that I picked up in Switzerland (linked here and conveniently available in America too). It is easy to keep with me no matter how light I pack, especially since it's no bigger then a credit card when folded up, and super useful for bringing home souvenirs that I picked up along my travels that don't fit in my bag.

4. External Battery/Power Bank aka Portable Charger

I've actually gone whole trips using only the portable battery pack/charger that I bring with me when I travel. Even though I have a dedicated USB outlet plug in my travel pack I'm often too lazy or tired to go to the trouble at night to take it out of my pack and set it up. It's especially useful on long plane rides where there's no USB outlet in the seat too. Although I still use an older model that uses a dedicated AC adapter, my brother has the most popular Anker power bank that charges via USB which is the most convenient type because if (or when) the battery runs out you can easily charge it back up again without bringing any extra cords or accessories with you. I recommend getting something with 10000mAh at least to get you through multiple charging cycles.

5. Pocket Wine Corkscrew

While most people walk around with a bottle opener on their keychain there is nothing more frustrating, in my experience, to find yourself with a bottle that has a cork and no way to open it (not cleanly at least). The Wine Enthusiast 2-Piece Pocket Corkscrew is the solution. I have one in my carry-on toiletry bag and haven't had it taken away by TSA (yet).

Honorable Mentions:

Collapsible Backpack

I only bring my collapsing/pocket backpack with me on longer vacations. It isn't the smallest travel essential so cramming it into an already packed bag is tough, but on a long trip it beats emptying out your carry-on any day of the week. It is perfect for bringing along a camera, water, and battery pack along with anything else you might pick up along your journey wandering through a new city.

Water Bottle

This one should be a no-brainer but there are times when I've been too lazy to bring it with me. I recommend bringing along a water bottle that has little sentimental value and can be easily replaced. It is the perfect thing to have along with you in the airport to avoid paying through the nose for water. I have a fancier version (the Grayl with Travel filter) that purifies water as you push it through the filter that I bring with me to less-developed countries. I will usually bring along something and then leave it behind at the end of the trip so that I can carry more souvenirs and trophies home.