# Road Warriors! Your must-have travel item(s) for business trips? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 11, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807 "2019-05-11T00:34:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/1 "2019-05-11T00:34:43Z")
What makes plane trips (less) unpleasant for you? Any little creature comforts that help turn a hotel room into a home? Yeah, I am shamelessly soliciting gift ideas from my Doper pals. This is on behalf of a rather Spartan individual who does not shop for himself much. He’s just started traveling for business purposes so I’m sure there’s something beyond the basic travel toothbrush kit he could use. Any suggestions for fun or unexpected items he may not think of getting? (Most trips are by plane so everything has to be TSA approved.) ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/2 "2019-05-11T01:45:20Z")
Hotel carpets (and bathroom floors) always seem gross to me so I travel with a nice pair of leather carpet slippers. They can be expensive but can be found for reasonable prices (meaning under $100). You’ll want ones with the soft leather lining inside as well as out. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/3 "2019-05-11T01:49:55Z")
Get a decent, dedicated shaving kit/toiletries bag. There’s any number of good sources for audiobooks. Maybe an Audible gift card? It’s hard to go wrong with quality [luggage](https://saddlebackleather.com/leather-laptop-bag-briefcase-flight). This stuff is beautiful to look at, built like a tank and almost as heavy. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/4 "2019-05-11T01:58:10Z")
Noise cancelling headphones, good ones. My stress level is so much lower now and I feel much less beat up getting off of the airplane. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/5 "2019-05-11T02:04:10Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > Noise cancelling headphones, good ones. My stress level is so much lower now and I feel much less beat up getting off of the airplane. What kind do you have? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/6 "2019-05-11T02:18:41Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > Get a decent, dedicated shaving kit/toiletries bag. I second this. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/7 "2019-05-11T02:29:35Z")
In my shaving kit I carry a corkscrew, and in my luggage I carry a MEC (sort of a Canadian REI) collapsable stainless steel wine glass. I also bring a pair of x-mini collapsable speakers for my ipod or my laptop. And I have a Yeti coffee mug and a generic, refillable Keurig-compatible coffee pod. I also bring a VGA cable so that I can connect my laptop to the TV. I always have checked baggage so I don’t give a rat’s ass about the space or weight; I like my creature comforts on the road and I’ll often bring a bottle or two of wine in my luggage. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/8 "2019-05-11T03:28:34Z")
Noise cancelling headphones or earphones are an absolute must. Don’t skimp, pay what it takes to get something like the items on this [page](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bose+quiet+comfort&ref=nb_sb_noss_2). I have taken 5-6 hour flights with a screaming infant right behind me with no problem wearing Bose Quiet Comfort 20 Acoustic Cancelling Headphones (I travel a lot and prize weight and size- it all adds up). A tablet fills the bill for entertainment- books, movies/show, tunes, games A good smartphone with a decent sized screen is a necessity for business travel, but can also fill the same niche as a tablet for entertainment. Travel with snacks sufficient to keep you going for a few hours. Useful on long flights where you are just sick and tired of the airline’s offerings, or when you don’t have time to buy before you board, or you check in late at night and just need something to keep you from waking up in the middle of the night with hunger pangs (I like small beef jerky packets, breakfast bars, and fruit like raisins, dried apricots, etc.). Keep prepacked toiletries (meeting TSA requirements) and electronics accessories (if you develop kits like this, it makes packing to go and repacking on travel a 5 minute exercise). Go online and get light, small items specifically for travel. (small bottles and containers, retractable cables, adapters, multi port USB chargers, etc.) Longer term, and only if your friend does a lot of traveling, he should get a membership in his airline of choice’s lounge. If you travel a lot, it’s a nice luxury and at least once or twice a year it’s a life saver. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/9 "2019-05-11T03:42:02Z")
This is a gift, right? A lot of the things suggested would be good to think about if it were for you, but wouldn’t make great gifts. Many are bulkier than I want when I travel, for instance. Others are things I’m picky about. I couldn’t really think of anything except a dedicated tube of lip balm, which isn’t much of a gift. But three things others have mentioned that would be nice are: > [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > There’s any number of good sources for audiobooks. Maybe an Audible gift card? > [@Oredigger77](#): > > Noise cancelling headphones, good ones. My stress level is so much lower now and I feel much less beat up getting off of the airplane. > [@peccavi](#): > > Noise cancelling headphones or earphones are an absolute must. Don’t skimp, pay what it takes to get something like the items on this [page](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bose+quiet+comfort&ref=nb_sb_noss_2). I have taken 5-6 hour flights with a screaming infant right behind me with no problem wearing Bose Quiet Comfort 20 Acoustic Cancelling Headphones (I travel a lot and prize weight and size- it all adds up). Personally, I chose to go small & light, rather than getting the best quality. And I’m very happy with that choice – my little headphones are easy to pack in my handbag, and allow me to hear the dialog on airplane movies. > [@peccavi](#): > > Longer term, and only if your friend does a lot of traveling, he should get a membership in his airline of choice’s lounge. If you travel a lot, it’s a nice luxury and at least once or twice a year it’s a life saver. This is a great idea! Your friend only has to pack a credit-card-sized membership ID, and it provides food, wifi, and a quiet place to site, as well as some other benefits. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/10 "2019-05-11T03:43:00Z")
If he doesn’t have a USB power bank (battery) already, that is essential for business travel, to keep the smartphone alive through a long travel day. A basic [Anker PowerCore 1300](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z9QVE4Q/ref=emc_b_5_t) or similar should work fine. Although I recently got [this one](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GKRJVN6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) which is pretty awesome - it has built-in cables that mount flush when not in use, _and_ it plugs directly into an AC power outlet to charge. It has USB-C, Micro-USB and Lightning cables all built in, which should cover any smartphone on the market. Often the hotel room is too quiet and/or there are distracting noises around. You can’t always count on a ventilator fan or AC fan to drown out the noise. So I always travel with a [Lectrofan Micro](https://www.soundofsleep.com/lectrofan/#micro) white noise machine. For anyone who travels with a lot of gadgets, the [Mogics Donut](http://www.mogics.com/3824-2) power strip is awesome. It’s a very compact and lightweight power strip / extension cord, with USB power outlets too. I used to carry a corkscrew because I sometimes buy a bottle of wine during a trip, and sometimes it’s hard to find twist-top bottles. But it often got me extra scrutiny by the TSA so I don’t do that anymore. Of course **the** best investment you an make to make business travel easier is to enroll in [TSA Precheck](https://www.tsa.gov/precheck). But I don’t think you can give that as a gift. (It does cost money - $85 - but I don’t think you can apply on someone else’s behalf.) ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/11 "2019-05-11T03:50:28Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Personally, I chose to go small & light, rather than getting the best quality. And I’m very happy with that choice – my little headphones are easy to pack in my handbag, and allow me to hear the dialog on airplane movies. The [QuietComfort 20](https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/headphones/earphones/quietcomfort-20i-acoustic-noise-cancelling-headphones.html?mc=25_PS_HP_BO_DT_GO&gclid=CjwKCAjwwtTmBRBqEiwA-b6c_9Q3verULt3LYGHI2ont3nS0dxS_cKFYjHRtZGckxlecUhpqo5VmGhoC0TgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) that **peccavi** mentioned is very compact and lightweight. I have the same one and use it on most trips. I also have the QuietComfort 35 which half the business travelers seem to use, but I find it to be too bulky for travel. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/12 "2019-05-11T05:12:37Z")
Slippers, absolutely. A toiletry kit that is fully kitted out with whatever he uses at home. When I travelled, I had duplicates of everything and my travel kit was never unpacked. (Shampoo, soap, makeup, contact lenses, deodorant, etc) A small first aid/pharmacy kit: tummy meds, advil, kleenex, bandaids, sudafed Bottle opener/corkscrew Coffee and creamer (or tea) of the preferred kind Stain remover stick Small soap packets for emergency washing in the sink Snacks - hotel food is unreliable or your schedule won’t match up. Include some protein bars and such for emergencies. A nice kit for organizing all of the cables and such that you travel with for all your devices ETA: Precheck is essential. Also noise cancelling headphones. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/13 "2019-05-11T05:17:12Z")
Noise-cancelling headphones, and something distracting to listen to with them. Podcasts or Audiobooks. For me, I’ll purposely get to an exciting point in a mystery/thriller, then save the action for the plane.Also prevents a lot of chit-chat before the flight takes off. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/14 "2019-05-11T05:43:51Z")
Face mask, for sleeping in overly light conditions. A small umbrella that can be left in the suitcase. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/15 "2019-05-11T12:36:43Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > The [QuietComfort 20](https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/headphones/earphones/quietcomfort-20i-acoustic-noise-cancelling-headphones.html?mc=25_PS_HP_BO_DT_GO&gclid=CjwKCAjwwtTmBRBqEiwA-b6c_9Q3verULt3LYGHI2ont3nS0dxS_cKFYjHRtZGckxlecUhpqo5VmGhoC0TgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) that **peccavi** mentioned is very compact and lightweight. I have the same one and use it on most trips. I also have the QuietComfort 35 which half the business travelers seem to use, but I find it to be too bulky for travel. Ooh, those are small! I don’t like stuff in my ears, so I have a small folding over-the-head set, which isn’t made any more. And they are noticably less effective than the big fluffy ones that entirely encase your ears. But I deliberately traded sound quality for size. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/16 "2019-05-11T14:07:47Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > Noise cancelling headphones, good ones. My stress level is so much lower now and I feel much less beat up getting off of the airplane. I love my [Bose QuietComfort 35s](https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/headphones/over_ear_headphones/quietcomfort-35-wireless-ii.html#v=qc35_ii_black). On a recent flight my gf asked to try them on and I had to demand their return. She has since purchased a pair. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/17 "2019-05-11T14:13:23Z")
> [@TSBG](#): > > What kind do you have? I’ve got the Bose QC35s others mentioned. I’d rather have total quite then light weight. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/18 "2019-05-11T14:49:45Z")
Recently I bought [this travel pillow](https://trtltravel.com/) and used it on a cross-country red-eye flight. I think I slept better using that than I did when trying to sleep without any sort of travel pillow. It’s basically like a scarf with a plastic shield that holds up your head. I thought it would look silly and it probably does but it seemed to work. This was also the first flight since I got Global Entry, which includes TSA Pre-check and that made the security checkpoint nonsense much quicker and easier. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2019, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/19 "2019-05-12T03:28:08Z")
Travel pillow is a must for me. I bring little bags of disposable ground coffee with it’s own filter. Much better than the hotel in room most rooms have a water heater. I always have some instant noodles or a pouch of indian curry that can be heated up on my schedule. I hate having to wait for room service or go to the restaurant when I just want something quick I can do myself in a couple of minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2019, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807/20 "2019-05-12T03:49:25Z")
Thirding, fourthing, whatever a travel kit. It stays stocked in my suitcase at all times. I have [LG Tone Platinum HBS-930 Bluetooth Stereo Headset](https://www.amazon.com/LG-Platinum-HBS-930-Bluetooth-Headset/dp/B07HS1QQLZ) because I can’t bring myself to spring for the Bose QC35s that others have mentioned even though I know they would be completely worth it. [Melatonin liquid](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G7R33S) sleep aid that doesn’t leave you cotton tongued or fuzzy headed the next day. And, also as others have said, [TSA Precheck](https://www.tsa.gov/precheck) is absolutely worth it in larger airports. Every time I go through one of the international airports and see 100+ people in the regular line and 5 in the TSA-Pre line my day just got much better. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-warriors-your-must-have-travel-item-s-for-business-trips/833807.md?page=2)