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What’s in my bag?  Well, usually not that much.  To be honest, the budget flights I book usually only include 1 carry-on piece of luggage per passenger, and I can generally limit myself to that.  Another good thing about yoga pants - they become super compact in your suitcase, haha! Here’s my list of travel essentials, enjoy!

1. comfy hiking/walking shoes

These Timberland hiking boots are everything.  Ever since I can remember, I’ve had issues finding comfortable shoes that are sustainable.  My trips generally consist of A LOT of walking (12-15 miles per day), and these are ideal.  They’re comfortable, affordable, and cute! I have the Mt. Maddsen pair, bottom row & first on the left.

For warmer weather, I LOVE the Sanuk brand. The sole of their flip flops is made out of yoga mat, so it’s got that almost squishy/tempurpedic thing going on.

2.  phone tripod

Everyone asks about my pictures, especially the yoga pics.  Most of the time I do take them myself.  My secret for taking good yoga photos?  Take a video.  Capture the still that best embodies your asana practice.  Voila!  Tripods are invaluable for the solo traveler, especially the solo traveler who wants to get some good yoga shots for IG!  This guy is good for cell phones, and doubles as a selfie-stick.  Tripod & Selfie Stick by Fugetek

3.  travel adapter

One of the most important things to remember!  Granted, you can buy these little guys most places upon arrival, especially if you’re staying in a popular tourist destination.  Some Airbnbs provide them, but hotels usually do not.  This guy is good for USA, EU, UK, AUS travel. Definitely one of my top travel essentials.  Travel Adapter, Worldwide All in One Universal Travel Adaptor Wall AC Power Plug Adapter Wall Charger with Dual USB Charging Ports for USA EU UK AUS Cell Phone Laptop

4.  yoga mat

Ok, this one is not always with me.  Believe it or not, you can do yoga without a mat!  If I’m going to a destination that’s going to have mild weather, I’ll usually forego the mat in lieu of a backpack or additional personal item on the plane.  But, the Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Yoga and Pilates Mat, Acai, 1.5mm, 68″ folds up nicely and weighs next to nothing. If I do travel with a mat, it’s this one. 

5.  headphones

Obviously a necessity for the plane, also a good idea to have handy if you’re traveling with a snorer (looking at you, mom).  I use these Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Headphones Don’t skimp on quality here, especially if you’re planning on logging a lot of miles, on a plane or otherwise.

For solo travel, I like having headphones to walk around my destination, occasionally. Tip for women: If you don’t want anyone to bother you, keep your headphones in. If you are in an unfamiliar or otherwise unsafe area, keep the headphones in, but don’t turn any music or podcasts on.

6.  steripen

Guys.  THIS IS THE COOLEST THING.  Imagine a world in which you don’t have to purchase bottled water anymore!?  Anywhere in the world, the water you pour into a glass can be sanitized and ready to drink in minutes. If you’re headed somewhere with non-potable water, this should absolutely be one of your travel essentials.  Check it out.  SteriPen Ultra USB Rechargeable UV Personal Water Purifier for Camping, Backpacking, Emergency Preparedness and Travel

7.  sanuks

Okay, this one is geared specifically toward tropical or summer weather, but seriously.  These.  Sandals.  Are.  The.  Best.  First of all, the inner sole is made of yoga mat.  Perfect!  It’s like a soft layer of squishy, memory-foam clouds to step into.  They are enduring, adorable, and come in a ton of different styles (also for winter, autumn, spring!).  Not to mention they’re SUPER affordable - and, they have men’s styles too!  Here are my favorites -  Sanuk Women’s Yoga Sling Flip Flop

8.  camera

This guy has 40x optical zoom, 4k video, wifi, 20.3 megapixel, image stabilization, awesome reviews on Amazon and more! It’s also under $400. Canon PowerShot SX730 Digital Camera w/40x Optical Zoom & 3 Inch Tilt LCD - Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth Enabled

9. a good book

Lately it’s getting harder and harder for me to cram books into my carry-on or backpack, so I’ve had to bite the bullet and get a Kindle. I absolutely, 100% need reading material when I’m traveling. But, for the most part, I do my best to only rely on a carry-on. So you see my dilemma.

10. yoga pants!

Given the fact that I am working with limited space with a carry-on bag, yoga pants are the perfect solution to space-saving. Not only that, they’re the most comfortable option. I generally bring a couple of pairs of black pants that I can pair with a longer shirt or tank top.

While I hate the price tag, Lululemon pants are the best. They last, they’re good about replacing them should something happen, and they are without-a-doubt the most comfortable. I stick with the Align II pant or the cropped Align.

Need to stretch before or after your journey? Check out this yoga sequence targeted toward travel. All-levels accessible.

Getting ready for an overseas adventure? Check out this post on mistakes to avoid while traveling abroad!

Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will receive a small commission should you decide to purchase something to keep the website up and running!