Antler, Smythson via Net-A-Porter
As someone who is simultaneously a perfectionist, a type-B traveller and a disorganised mess at the best of times, I need all the help I can get when it comes to packing for a flight. That is why I have devised a perfect packing system to solve the frustrations every frequent flyer knows too well.
The secret to a more organised holiday might be simpler than you think. The best travel organisers remove the mental load that comes with packing and unpacking and packing again. This is especially helpful when it comes to boarding time and you need to know exactly where your passport, boarding pass, headphones, toiletries and other essential items are at, with quick access to each.
Once you travel with these organisers, you’ll wonder how you managed without them. Good travel organisers are designed around real-life pain points: liquids leaking, cables tangling, shoes dirtying clothes or documents getting lost at checkpoints. If a product doesn’t directly solve one of those problems, it’s not worth purchasing.
Below, I’ve found the travel organisers that actually make travelling easier. If your suitcase always turns into chaos, read on.
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Editor’s picks: travel organisers
- Best packing cubes: Blast Travel Packing Cubes,
$85$80 at Bagsmart - Best toiletry organiser: Bellroy hanging toiletry kit, $119
- Best tech organiser: Osprey electronics organiser, $50.51
- Best passport/travel wallet: Monos Metro Folio Kit, $90
- Best jewellery organiser: Smythson Panama small jewellery roll, $645
- Best shoe bag: Mossio Shoe Bag, $38.20
- Best medication organiser: Dosey x Anthropologie Polka Dots, $44
Packing cubes
I can no longer remember a time when I didn’t use packing cubes, and that’s because I don’t want to. These handy cells not only help organise my clothing into categories (or into outfits), but they don’t take up any space. My favourite is the Blast travel packing cubes from Bagsmart, which managed to squash the contents of my bag down by over half. However, if you’re not interested in compression, these option from July, Bellroy and Antler are also great options.
Click here for more packing cubes with compression capabilities.
Packing Cells Set of 4,
$55 at July
Lite Packing Cube 12L
$65 at Bellroy
Blast Travel Packing Cubes,$85 $80 at Bagsmart
Compression Packing Cubes Set pf 6,$100 $70 at Antler
Toiletry organisers
I personally love a travel organiser that prioritises compartments over capacity. A well-designed organiser with clear pockets, waterproof compartments and dedicated sections is extremely useful, and helps avoids accidental spills. Also make sure that your organsier is in a water-resistant material, it will make a huge difference in the long-haul! I really like the Bellroy hanging toiletry kit for its clamshell opening and multiple storage sections, and it’s available in four colours!
Bellroy Hanging Toiletry Kit,
$119 at Amazon
Parallel Travel Makeup Bag,
$59.99 at Amazon
Kathmandu Hanging Toiletry Bag,$29.98 $24.99
Reelau Hanging Toiletry Bag,
$16.50
Tech organisers
A tech organiser might not seem as important as the rest, but it’s actually incredibly convenient. You don’t realise how many cords and tech-related items you bring when away; phone chargers, power banks, earbuds, camera cables etc. The smartest tech organisers come with features such as elastic loops for cables, mesh pockets for visibility, and structured sections for items like SD cards or adapters. I particularly like the Osprey electronics organiser for this – trust me when I say it makes a huge difference!
Inateck Electronics Organiser,
$39.99 at Amazon
The Tech Pouch,
$189 at MAISON de SABRÉ
Cygnett Voyager Tech Organiser,
$69.95 at JB Hi-Fi
Osprey Electronics Organiser,
$50.51 at Amazon
Passport/travel wallets
The best travel wallets are designed for speed and simplicity; there’s nothing worse than rummaging around your backpack with fear of a lost passport while boarding. Find wallets with dedicated slots for your passport, boarding pass, cards and a pen, making airport transitions much smoother. I’d also recommend upgrading to a wallet with RFID-blocking material if you’re travelling through busy international hubs for safety. The Metro Folio Kit by Monos is the most versatile on the list, however I especially love the Smythson Mara passport holder for its sleek design and the Rio passport holder by Wolff Studios for RFID protection.
Smythson Mara Leather Passport Holder,
$420 at Net-A-Porter
Mon Purse Leather Travel Wallet,
$175 at THE ICONIC
Rio Passport Holder,
$129.90 at Wolff Studios
Metro Folio Kit,
$90 at Monos
Cosmetic bags
The cosmetic case is where I personally like to add a bit of whimsy and character to my suitcase. I especially love the Amalfi Handy Pouch Trio (available in a generous amount of colours and patterns) for moving beauty tools around for nights out and day trips. A cosmetic bag will inevitably deal with leaks, and if you’re me, rushed packing, so looking for water-resistant or wipe-clean linings is ideas.
Amalfi Handy Pouch Trio,
$62 at THE ICONIC
Dries Van Noten Two-Toned Leather Pouch,
$565 at Mecca
Etoile Small Twin Cosmetic Case,
$130 at THE ICONIC
Metro Toiletry Case
$145 at Monos
Jewellery organisers
Jewellery is one of the easiest things to damage or lose while travelling – unfortunately I have fallen victim to this – so while a jewellery organiser may not seem that important, it’s actually vital when protecting your precious jewels. The best jewellery organisers have padded interiors, soft linings and secure fastening for individual pieces. I love the shape of the Smythson Panama small jewellery roll, which also features high-quality crossgrain leather and lined in super-soft nubuck. It also has three zip pockets plus a dedicated ring and earring holder – because tangled chains and lost earrings (RIP by gold hoops) are a frustration no frequent flyer should suffer.
Smythson Panama small jewellery roll,
$645 at Net-A-Porter
Wolf Bella Jewellery Portfolio,
$415 at THE ICONIC
Anya Hindmarch jacquard jewelry case,
$575 at Net-A-Porter
Nakedvice The Cannes Black Jewellery Case
$129.95 at THE ICONIC
Shoe bags
One of the most vital organisers in your suitcase in my opinion, shoe bags are designed to essentially protect everything else around it. Look for designs that fully contain dirt, dust and odours so they don’t transfer onto clothing, as well as ventilation panels help reduce moisture and odour build-up. Essentially it needs to simultaneously let your shoes breathe and avoid the rest of your bag from smelling like… well, shoes.
Another solution, which I personally haven’t tried yet but I think you should, is to opt for the Koh shoe washing bag, which may solve the post-trip cleanup headache by letting travellers deep-clean shoes in a portable, protective wash bag that reduces machine damage and keeps shoes travel-ready for the next departure.
You might also like The 18 walking shoes editors actually wear on holiday – from $40 to $1185
Mossio Shoe Bag,
$38.20 at Amazon
Essential Shoe Bag Set of 2,$35 $24.50 at Antler
Shoe Cube,
$20 at Zoomlite
Shoe Washing Bag,$29.95 $17.95 at Koh
Compression packing cubes
Not all compression systems are equal. My advice is to prioritise compression quality over quantity as these packing cubes should be designed to reduce volume significantly without distorting your clothes. Poor-quality cubes often promise space-saving but end up adding bulk instead of removing it, especially if the zipper breaks mid-trip. The Eagle Creek set is your best option for quality due to its durable design, however the Samsonite and Zoomlite are also fairly good, followed by Cipway as your budget alternative.
The Large Suitcase Packing Set,$250 $125 at Zoomlite
Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set,
$195.45 at Amazon
Compression Packing Cubes Set of 3,$79.95 $47.97 at Samsonite
Cipway Compression Packing Cubes Set,
$35.99 at Amazon
Medication organisers
A medication organiser needs to work in real travel situations, meaning it must be easily accessible, feature secure compartments and is large enough to suit your travel length and routine. Travel means movement, vibration and pressure changes, so loose or weak lids are a real risk, but there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so make sure you consider all the points before purchase.
Holii Daily Pill Organiser,
$29.68 at Amazon
Dosey x Anthropologie Polka Dots,
$44 at Dosey
Onterate Small Pill Organiser,
$14.97 at Amazon
Insulin Cooler Travel Case,
$76.20 at Amazon
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