The Best Travel Products of 2015

By Katie Fish
December 23, 2015
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Credit: Mr & Mrs Italy
It's a wonder our luggage ever made it from Point A to Point B before the advent of Trunkster, a self-weighing suitcase with a built-in USB charging system and a location tracker that debuted in 2015. And how did we survive long-haul flights behind screaming toddlers without Doppler Labs' wireless, sound-filtering earbuds? From major technological upgrades (automatic cellphone reception wherever in the world you are, a super-sleek external hard drive that is only 7mm thin) to convenient accessories you never even knew you wanted (taco-inspired cord organizers, an eyemask filled with soothing lavender) the best travel products of 2015 promise to simplify and improve your travels, whether you're constantly on the road for business or a person who lives for their annual family vacation. 

There's something for everyone on this list—gift ideas abound, and there are plenty of ways to spoil yourself, too. Hyper-organized individual will find solace in an incredibly efficient wallet with separate pockets and slots for your passport and boarding pass, as well as business cards, credit cards, and cash. Pampered passengers and fashionistas can now pack fold-flat kicks with interchangeable soles and tops, carry-on size Jack Black grooming products, and a scarf-blanket combo by Club Monaco perfect for getting cozy on chilly flights. 

The very best products of the year aren't just great for packing on trip: they're clever, well-built, and attractive items that will carry you across the world and through the year to come. (Looking for trip ideas for next year? Might we point you in the direction of T+L's Best Places to Travel in 2016.)

Hand-painted designer luggage tags, the best new hiking boot for living out all your Wild adventures, and toiletry organizers: these items are our favorite wish list and gift guide items of 2015. Click through to see what products have topped T+L's list of the best travel products of 2015. 
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Rimowa Carry-On

Credit: Courtesy of Rimowa

Not only is this Rimowa carry-on a stunner, but its utilitarian inside includes a quilted tech fabric with two removable dividers to maximize organization. And because of the multi-wheeled system that is incredibly easy to maneuver, there is no need to struggle with unwieldy luggage.

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Filson Duffle

Credit: Courtesy of FIlson

This Filson duffle is the perfect bag for a long weekend away. The outside zipper pocket make cell phones and travel documents easy to access, while its reinforced base gives the roomy interior an added support. With rugged twill and saddle-grade leather, you can trust that this bag will survive many years of travel to come.

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AMPL SmartBag

Credit: Ampl

One of the coolest travel gadgets is this AMPL SmartBag because of its charging capabilities. With only one cord connected to the wall, the pack can charge up to 7 devices at once: and when no outlet is available, the modular battery can be used instead—all controlled by an intuitive smartphone app.

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Tumi x Public School Travel Kit

Credit: Tumi

Tumi partnered with the ultra cool designers of Public School to create a line of luxe and durable travel gear. This travel kit keeps your toiletries organized while offering a sleek and polished design.

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Valextra Wallet

Credit: Valextra

When it comes to keeping all of your most important travel documents organized, the Valextra “All in One” wallet lives up to its promise. It has a separate passport and boarding pass holder, along with room to carry business cards, credit cards, identification, cash, and more.

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MyCharge CHarger

Credit: Amazon

You no longer have to travel with multiple charging tools because of this all-in-one, car and wall rechargeable charger. The editor-recommended gadget also comes pre-charged, giving your gear an extra 13 hours of battery life from the moment you purchase it.

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Spruce & Co Wipes

Credit: Spruce & Co

It’s easy for smartphones and cameras to get dirty throughout our daily lives—especially while traveling. Finally, there's a gentle cleaning wipe for all of your tech devices. Plant based and alcohol, ammonia, and fragrance-free, Spruce & Co's wipes will not cause irritation to the skin (and they won't get grimy like reusable microfiber cloths). They are small and lightweight, making them easy to bring with you while on the go.

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Shooz

Credit: Shooz

These genius Shooz fold flat in a suitcase and are completely customizable (soles for running or nights out, skins in wingtip-style leather or sleek metallic). With an easy waterproof zip, you can change the tops or soles to fit your needs and mood for the day, making it the best travel shoe we've ever seen.

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Headphones by AKG Acoustics

Credit: AKG

Over-ear headphones can oftentimes be bulky and difficult to pack, but this noise-cancelling style by AKG Acoustics folds flat and even comes with a flight adapter.

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Compressed Towels

Credit: Prospector Co.

Use these compressed towels to keep fresh mid-flight. By simply adding water, the cotton fiber will expand to the size of a personal dishtowel and you can instantly have the comfort of home with you, no matter where you are. The perfect no-liquid beauty product to add to your bag!

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Sun Protection Cream

Credit: Philip Friedman

Shideido’s Ultimate Sun Protection Cream with WetForce technology is an essential beach beauty product. After 15 minutes of exposure to water or 30 minutes to sweat, the solution becomes more effective on the applied areas, meaning a higher level of protection.

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iPad Pro

Credit: Courtesy of Apple

Apple’s new iPad Pro is just one of the travel-friendly products they have released this year. It offers a more lightweight solution for travelers who need to bring their work (or entertainment) on the road with them. Travelers can easily use this as a laptop replacement by clipping on the new Smart Keyboard.

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Flashlight/Speaker

Credit: Outdoor Tech®

Leave your flashlight, speaker, and portable charger at home because all you need is this 3-in-1 Buckshot Pro. Even better, you can use all functions at the same time, making this one of the most handy travel gadgets on the market. Consider this an ideal tool for road trips and glamping.

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Nikon D5500

Credit: Nikon

When it comes to travel tech devices, this Nikon D5500 is the cream of the crop. It's incredibly lightweight, (weighing only one pound) and it also has an LCD touchscreen that tilts to whichever angle you choose. Continuous shooting capabilities ensure you never miss a moment.

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4-in-1 Lens for the iPhone

Credit: Courtesy of Olloclip

Ideal for the traveler who wants a wide range of photographs in their album, the Olloclip enables users to attach one of four lens (two macro, one wide-angle, and one fish-eye) onto their iPhone. Use this travel-friendly gadget to create photos with a unique viewpoint, without investing in expensive lenses for your camera.

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Logitech Keys to Go Keyboard

Credit: Logitech

Typing long emails or documents while on the road can be a pain when you're only packing a tablet or smartphone. Use this Logitech portable wireless keyboard to connect with all of your iOS devices. It is also lightweight and can easily fit into personal baggage.

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500GB External Hard Drive

Credit: Seagate

This sleek and discreet external hard drive is the thinnest of its kind: only 7mm thick and weighing in at a cool 3.2 ounces. Just becuase it's small in size doesn't mean the Seagate portable hard drive lacks storage space: the device boasts 500GB of storage and is the perfect addition to your tech travel goods.

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Olympus TOUGH T-G 4 Camera

Credit: Olympus

For adventure trips, you need a camera that will withstand whatever comes your way. This model is tested to be tough: it is crush-proof by up to 220 lbs., shock-proof up to 7ft., and freeze-proof to 14 degrees fahrenheit—all while still being able to capture beautiful and crisp photographs.

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Aromatherapy Associates' Eye Mask

Credit: Courtesy of Net-A-Porter

For those dreaded red-eye flights, this lavender-filled eye mask is a must-pack item that will help block out unwanted light and keep you relaxed and rejuvenated. With cozy velvet lining and silk surface, you'll not only feel pampered—you'll look it.

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Trunkster Luggage

Credit: 500GLS

Trunkster is a must-have luggage for techies and travelers alike. This smart luggage has a built-in scale, a USB charging system, and a location tracking app so you can always know where your bag is. Other innovative features include the rolltop, sliding door (no zippers to break or bust) and omni-directional wheels for smooth sliding.

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Victorinox Bag

Credit: Victorinox

Finding the right balance of performance and professionalism can be difficult when traveling for business. This Victorinox Architecture Urban Voltaire is a multi-purpose bag, functioning as both a briefcase as well as a backpack thanks to its convertible straps. Fashionable and resilient twill, nuwa, and leather make this a smart buy for any master traveler.

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Here Active Listening Earbuds

Credit: Here Active Listening

Noisy neighbors and crying babies can be tough to tune out while traveling, but thanks to Doppler Labs, you can filter the sounds, frequencies, and tones of your everyday life by using these wireless earbuds and their partnering smartphone app.

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Gluten Sensor

Credit: Nima

Having a dietary restriction in a foreign country may be one of the most challenging things about traveling. But for those with celiac disease (or who simply choose to be gluten-free) fear no more. There is now a portable sensor that can detect if a food or beverage contains gluten. You can say goodbye to foreign menu confusion forever.

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Cell Antenna

Credit: Courtesy of goTenna

Whether on a hike, at a crowded concert, or shopping along the boulevard of your favorite foreign city, you can always have cellphone reception with goTenna. This slim, 2-ounce device (essentially an antenna) enables the user to text others within several miles who also have the system. This is one of the best travel tools for ensuring that you never get separated from your companions again.

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Jack Black Grooming Kit

Credit: Jack Black

This grooming kit by Jack Black is TSA-friendly and will fit perfectly into a carry-on luggage. It includes facial cleanser and moisturizerwith SPF 20, as well as two-in-one shampoon and conditioner and hair gel, the perfect gift for travel-minded men. Best of all? The all-organic products contain zero fragrances or colorants. What man doesn't love going au naturel?

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Cord Tacos

Credit: This Is Ground

There is nothing more frustrating than your getting cords in a tangle. These adorable leather cord tacos (aptly named This Is Ground) will keep chargers wires headphone cables neat and easy to access with no fuss or knots.

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Smythson Atlas Currency Case

Credit: Smythson

Keep your money straight with this calf leather currency case by Smythson. The perforated world atlas design (available in sophisticated shades of plum or forest green) is a beautiful touch, while inside the pouch are four separate zippers for all of your different world currencies.

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Clinique Moisturizer

Credit: Clinique

Skin often times gets irritated and dry when traveling. Stay hydrated by keeping this small Clinique moisturizing cream in your bag (carry-on compatible size, of course) when you been a boost of hydration.

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Kyte&Key Cabelet

Credit: Courtesy of Kyte&Key

This brilliant cabelet by Kyte&Key is an iPhone cord disguised as a bracelet. Wear it on your wrist like any fashionable bracelet (styles include wrap or standard, with various metal treatments and leather hues) and when you see that your tech power is running low, plug the bracelet directly into a computer or USB port to boost your battery: both micro USB and lightning connections are available. Additionally, you can plug it into their companion charging wallet, which acts as a portable battery, giving your phone almost 2 full charges.

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Burberry Luggage Tag

Credit: Burberry

Inspired by their fall runway collection, Burberry has crafted an exquisite leather and beaded luggage tag with hand painted edges, adorned with a pom-pom on top. This tag is guaranteed to give a jolt of energy to even your most drab piece of luggage.

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Manicure Set

Credit: Mr. Porter

This brilliant air-safe manicure set holds all of the essentials for a travel grooming routine. The instruments are handmade in Germany, are rust-resistant, and come in a slim, leather-bound case. It’s the perfect quick addition to your luggage, and even makes a great gift idea.

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Molton Brown Toiletry Bag

Credit: Courtesy of Molton Brown

This pretty pink toiletry bag is not only attractive (and editor approved), but also comes with a travel-sized body wash, moisturizer, and hand cream in a spicy blend of ginger and pink pepper. The kit can easily fit inside a small carry on, so it's ready to go with you wherever you go.

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