No man wants to be left high and dry upon reaching a long sought after vacation destination. There is nothing worse than opening up a travel bag just to realize that you forgot the … you name it, because it can really bring down the vacation vibe. To get ahead of that and make sure you never have to feel like you forgot something important again, this packing list of travel essentials for men is here to help.

So, the next time you are in a rush preparing for that dream vacation, don’t get caught up in the “what do I need to pack” mentality; it’s all right here, regardless of the duration or destination of your trip

12 Travel Essentials For Men

SPF 30+ Sunscreen 

SPF45 sunscreen for vacation trips.

Sunscreen may seem like a no-brainer when packing for a trip, but it is important enough to be on this list of travel essentials for men. No matter the season, if you are exposed to sunlight at any time throughout your trip, you will want to make sure you have on sunscreen. So, how much spf is needed? Well, dermatologists recommend spf 30 for everyday application.

Essential Traveling Apps

Ride Hailing App

A picture of the UBER ride app on a smartphone.

If you are flying to your destination then you will most likely need a way to get around. Renting a car is always an option but it can be costly and time consuming, especially if you are going on a short trip. Keep getting from place to place simple by utilizing a ride hailing app like Uber or Lyft. These apps can accommodate for big or small groups and even have rideshare options for a more affordable and sustainable way to get around. 

Foreign Language Translator

Google phone apps open on a smartphone.

Foreign language translator apps are important for traveling out of your home country. It is likely that English speakers and signs will be easy to come across in high tourist destinations, but this is not a guarantee. A reliable app like Google Translate where you can take a picture of a sign and have it translated is essential in case you run into something you do not understand. 

Travel Wallet

Travel wallet as an essential must-have for men preparing to travel.

A compact travel wallet or organizer to keep your important documents and cards organized and easily accessible is a big travel essential for men. If you are used to carrying a smaller wallet that can only fit a few cards and bills, consider trying a wallet that is made to fit all your necessary cards and licenses, passport, bills, keys or other items

Adapters and Power Banks

Travel power bank and adapter.

Tech items are big travel essentials for men. Whether you are answering calls on a business trip, streaming a movie on a plane ride or capturing a video of every moment of your trip, it is important that all your devices are charged. Convenient products to have to ensure battery life when traveling are travel adapters, portable chargers and power banks.

Noise-canceling Headphones

Sony noise-canceling headphones.

A pair of noise-canceling headphones are high in necessity on the list of travel essentials for men. This is especially true for those traveling solo. Invest in a pair of good quality noise-canceling headphones or earbuds for a more comfortable and quiet journey. Bose, Sony, Beats and more offer comfortable noise canceling headphones with high sound quality. 

Travel Pillow and Eye Mask 

Travel pillow for airplanes.

Make long flights or bus rides more comfortable with a neck pillow and eye mask for rest. This may seem excessive to some male travelers, but it can improve the quality of rest you are able to get on a long flight or drive. Having energy is important for not just a travel day but for the entirety of the trip, and these two products can ensure you do not lose any to being uncomfortable. 

Reusable Water Bottle

Stanley double-insulated thermos.

Stay hydrated with a refillable water bottle, which you can fill up after passing through security. Investing in a double insulated refillable water bottle will guarantee that you can keep your water or other beverage at your desired temperature. Brands like Hydro Flask, Stanley and Yeti are great options for traveling and have plenty of consumer reviews to back them up. 

360 Rolling Suitcase

Rolling airport luggage.

A good quality, durable suitcase can make a world of a difference when navigating a busy airport. The most optimal suitcases for traveling are the kinds with 360 degree rolling wheels. These suitcases make hauling around heavier luggage a lot less physically demanding. Additionally, a better quality suitcase is more reliable in terms of potentially losing items. 

Comfortable Pair of Nice Jeans and Tennis Shoes

Blue jeans

You never know if your flight will be delayed or if you may end up running behind on your itinerary. For that reason, it is important to have a solid pair of good quality, comfortable jeans and tennis shoes so you are the most comfy while traveling but are still ready in the event you do not have time to change before your plans. 

Travel Locks

Travel locks

Travel locks are essential when flying or traveling with large groups of people. This is especially a travel essential for men that are traveling with more than just one carry-on bag. Get convenience-friendly locks for your luggage to secure your belongings when you’re not around.

First Aid Kit

First aid kit.

A travel essential for men traveling with children or others is a basic first-aid kit with band-aids, antiseptic wipes and any medications you may need like over-the-counter painkillers or motion sickness relievers. Having these items fresh and organized for a busy travel day could make any unforeseen incidents or injuries a lot easier to take care of. Also, if you plan on packing any prescription medication into the kit, make sure you use the original container with prescription clearly printed on it.