Travel Expert Oneika Raymond Shares 13 Items That Will Upgrade Your Next Trip

Special Made Collapsible Water Bottle ($10)

This water bottle "folds up compactly so it can easily fit in a purse," Raymond says, adding: "There's no excuse for not drinking your water!" Available in four different colors the BPA-free design is crafted from silicone and also has a tight, leakproof lid to ensure safe drinking and zero spillage while traveling.

Naturalik 300-Pack Multi-Color Extra Durable Paper Straws ($10)

Raymond has a genius hack for transporting jewelry using paper straws and wine corks ($9 for 50). "I string and clip my necklaces through the straws so they don't get tangled, and stick my earrings that have posts into the corks which can act as great earring backs in case you lose one – just ask your hotel for a sharp knife so you can cut the cork into smaller pieces."

Riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder ($10, originally $14)

"This attaches easily to your suitcase so you can carry your favorite beverages through the airport hands-free," says Raymond. The product fits on rolling luggage only and has two holders that fit an average size coffee cup.

Phone Charger, 2 Pack ($10, originally $16)

"I've forgotten to bring my phone cable in the past and it was the worst, especially because most airlines require you to watch in-flight entertainment on your phone," says Raymond. "I have absolutely reached my destination with a nearly drained phone battery, and it can be both stressful and expensive to procure a new one on short notice. After all, we use our phones for so much these days, from messaging others to looking up directions. It's imperative that we have ample battery and wifi!"

Ziploc Big Bag XL (4 Bags) ($14)

"I skip the space savers and invest in jumbo Ziploc bags to keep my clothes organized and store dirty clothes after I've unpacked," says Raymond. While hotels often have plastic laundry bags at the ready inside the closet next to the ironing board, you can avoid waste by repurposing these Ziploc bags for your travels. The X-large size can hold 10 gallons, so you should have plenty of room, especially for a quick weekend getaway.

Anker Portable Charger ($16, originally $22)

"I love how flat and compact this power bank is. It can charge my phone completely two times so that I never have to worry about staying connected." This portable charger is only equipped with a USB-C insert and compatible with the iPhone 13, 14, and 15 series, along with the Samsung Galaxy.

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter ($21, originally $25)

"Because I travel to so many different countries, I swear by this international adapter! I love that it has outlets for both USB-C and USB-A cables." While it looks large in size, this adapter weighs only 5.4 ounces, so it won't bog down your carry-on or personal item. The all-in-one adapter works in over 150 countries (but not in South Africa or India).

Beautural Steamer for Clothes ($25, originally $33)

"This portable alternative is great for looking well-kept on the go. It's easy to use and easy to pack." The steamer heats up in just 30 seconds. Also available in a smooth indigo shade, it's leakproof and works on all different clothing fabrics, from linen to silk.

Bagsmart Toiletry Travel Bag With Hanging Hook ($28)

This toiletry bag comes in 10 different colors and patterns, perfect for coordinating with the rest of your travel items. "I love that the compartments have zippers and that the bag has a hook so you can easily hang it up," Raymond says. It also happens to be water resistant, which is convenient if it happens to be left near the sink or shower while you're getting ready.

Twelve South AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter Receiver ($35)

"Never use those shoddy plane headphones again! The transmitter allows you to use your wireless earbuds on the plane so you don't have to worry about wires or poor sound quality." Not only does it come in handy while you're in-flight, but you can also repurpose it for hotel gyms, in-room TVs, or tablets later on your trip. You can scoop it up in black or white — and travel at ease without having to worry about it getting tangled up with your other cords.

Trtl Travel and Airplane Pillow ($65)

"Traditional travel pillows are generally bulky, but the Trtl version is lightweight, flexible, and easy to carry." The highly-adjustable design keeps your head and neck in an upright position while sleeping, but also provides a soft space to land. When you wake up, you won't experience aches and pains during the rest of your trip — which is great news for all the sightseeing you're about to embark on.

gb Pockit Air All Terrain Ultra Compact Lightweight Travel Stroller ($150)

"This is one of the best investments I've made. It's lightweight, fits easily in the plane cabin or under the seat, and is one of the smallest travel strollers on the market." This model also comes in Laguna and Night blue and it folds up into a handbag-like shape. In fact, once it's collapsed, no one would even know it's a stroller. While it has velvet panels, the rest of the fabric is polyester and the frame is made from aluminum and plastic.

Tach V3 3-Piece Hardcase Connectable Luggage ($390)

"These sturdy connectable suitcases have velcro fasteners, which makes carrying multiple bags a breeze." While Raymond owns the red set, you can also purchase this trio in purple, two shades of blue, green, gray, or black. If you don't quite need all three suitcases, you can opt for the two-piece set ($280), which includes a 20-inch and 24-inch hardshell spinner instead.

Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of commerce at PS. With plenty of experience in the shopping market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.