5 Best and 5 Worst Travel Items for 2025

The last (almost) 4 years, we have tested out a lot of travel items! In this video we're going to share with you 5 travel items we discovered were a waste of space, and 5 travel items we cannot live without. If you're planning a trip in 2025 and want to know what to pack, or you are looking for awesome gift ideas for a travel-lover, this video will be really helpful. When we were packing for full-time travel, we consumed so many videos on the best things to pack for travel and travel essentials that we should get before leaving Canada, and some of the things we thought were "must haves" have turned out to be not essential at all. In fact, some of the items we thought would be travel essentials ended up being things we ditched along the way, and other items on this list were things we didn't leave Canada with, and quickly discovered life on the road would be so much easier with them!

Here are links to the items for easy reference:

*The links above are affiliate links and we may get a small commission at no cost to you if you choose to use a link to purchase a product!

Packing for travel can be hard, but once you figure out what travel gear makes your life easier when your going to a new place, packing becomes a less daunting task. As full-time travelers, we actually love packing for a trip and love testing out products to see what will make the cut to stay in our backpacks as we hop from country to country and explore the world. We've ben surprised to see some travel gear stay in our backpacks since day 1, while others have been replaced with updated gear or replaced with the exact same item! When we began traveling in 2021, we traveled with carry-on only, and although our style of travel has drastically changed this past year, we still love many of the same items (and have added a ridiculous item as well!

If you choose to purchase one of these travel items, we sincerely hope you love them as must as we do! Each of these items makes our lives easier, and we hope the same goes for you :)

If you choose to support us in this way, THANK YOU so much!





== Connect with us! ==
♥ Instagram: @nicoleandmico_

== Chapters ==
0:00 Waste of space #1
1:34 Can't travel without #1
3:15 Waste of space #2
4:16 Can't travel without #2
5:35 Waste of space #3
7:00 Can't travel without #3
8:03 Waste of space #4
9:24 Can't travel without #4
10:55 Waste of space #5
11:55 Can't travel without #5
13:00 The most ridiculous thing we pack

#travel #travelpacking #travelessentials
======================

Hey there! We are Nicole and Mico and in March 2021, we quit our jobs, sold our belongings, and began traveling the world! We never thought we'd be making travel vlogs on YouTube, but after realizing that we had a unique opportunity to share our adventure and make the world feel more familiar and inviting to anyone watching, we took the leap and picked up the camera! We hope our videos show how wonderful, delicious, and friendly the world can be.

[susie]

This was very interesting guys. Didn't agree with everything but everyone travels differently.

What I really appreciated was that you always provided such a logical argument to back up your reasoning. Helps me to consider whether your points are points that I consider important.

But basically you had me from that 1st one

And thanks for reinforcing my pov that it's not worth taking hiking boots

[debbiestevens-pk]

I take an extra packing cube for shortish trips when I'm not going to do any washing, just use for dirty clothing.

[bethearl]

great video guys. I'm so glad someone finally busted the myth about concealed wallets. Also, thieves are never deterred by luggage locks.They shove a knife between the zipper teeth and crank it around. We stopped bothering with it years ago. Re: Air Tags. The only good thing about them is identifying early if your bags didn't make it to your destination airport. Then you are first in line to fill out the form.

[tmeify]

You can use the dry bag for your loundry

[KierstenandTylertravel]

Might have to get that toiletry kit, Looks super practical. Great video!

[SbMathis-cy]

🍁Love your contents! The safety belt is way more safe than leaving your important legal stuff at your accommodations AND you are not supposed to be digging in your safety belt in public. Dividing your important legal stuff is a must, personally I divide everything in 3: purse, belt and luggage. Also, on all information copies I write my insurance # and phone #. 🇨🇦

[VirginiaOkie]

Glad to hear you spread your ID + S + cards. That is my system too. I misspelled a word in my last comment. I meant to say I Never use a passport container since you have to remove the passport completely when ask to see the passport. Then afterwards the passport stays in my "money belt" worn to the back. I never take money out of my money belt in public. I enjoy your Youtube videos. "Life is short, Keep on traveling!"

[abkeener]

Thank you for your videos like this. I’m Andrew. I have a suggestion for workouts … why not just order resistance bands? They’re not quite the same as dumbbells. But they’re not as heavy either. When I move out of my apartment … I’m definitely going to either sell or donate my adjustable dumbbells. I strength train thrice weekly. And right now I’m using the fitness center where I live to workout. But I also have resistance bands. And they’re lighter weight and definitely take up less space.

[VirginiaOkie]

I disagree about money belt. I use it for my passport when at my destination and store extra credit card and copies of ids and insurance. Never us a passport container.

[alimaajamiyansuren]

Hi Nicole and Mico, I love both of your energy. Also, a little SOS, Nicole, have you had your right throat thyroids checked by a doctor? It could be just a camera angle or my eyes, but please go get it checked out just in case, please. Safe travels! Hugs.

[Cobol-Eng]

Many of the "would not recommend" items are geared specifically for backcountry outdoor/wilderness adventures. That's like saying "don't bring a tent unless you are going camping", seems a little obvious no?

[blureader]

This is a great video because it shows that what we pack is totally a personal choice. I agree 100% with the Tripped toiletries bad (my favorite of all time) and the packing cubes. I think the dry bag is a total waste of space because I don't do water activities. I used to bring one for wet clothes, then realized that I never have wet clothes that I can't hang up in the bathroom to dry. I also think the water bottles you have are a waste of space. I prefer a slim bottle that I need to refill more times. Thanks for such a fun video. P.S. I take the 5L Kitchen Sink because I use washing machines and only hand wash undergarments. Even the 10L was too big, so I downsized.

[pearlife]

Loved the sea to summit kitchen sink! Exactly what we need as a dirty clothes hamper/washing bucket!

[bethearl]

!!!ZIP LOCK BAGS!! great for wet cloths. Even better for packing snacks from the breakfast bar. We've gone days just noshing on breakfast bar stuff.

[susandevy]

I'm traveling a lot because of my new jobs require me to visit different places every week, this video helps a lot ! thank you a million !

[kimyoung]

I carried a compact lighted makeup mirror around Europe for 2 months and never took it out of my bag. Folding scissors tho? Every day! I don't use scissors that much at home

[SB-qszu]

I travel with a compact weighing device/scale to make sure my bag is within a weight limit. (I like supporting the local economy and I buy stuff. lol)

[lordnap.]

Awesome video guys! I can tell these insights came from lots and lots of trial and error and seeing what really works best. Also love that you talk about stuff we don't need - not all consumerist focused! Keep it up!!

[tanyas]

I actually use a 20liter dry bag by Seatosummit as my “laundry vessel.” It’s much more compact than the foldable “nylon bucket” you showed. (I was gifted the bucket and ended up re-gifting it.)

[mflinchb]

Love seeing this video year after year! I've made a few purchases over the years after your recommendations (matador soap case)! Ironically enough I had previously purchased the hanging sea to summit hanging toiletry bag a few years ago and just recently purchased the tripped toiletry kit- taking it on a trip next week!