9 Dated Travel Essentials We're Tossing-and the Genius Swaps We're Replacing Them With, From $20

"Out with the old, in with the new: 2026 is already underway, giving us a chance to start fresh and set our sights on what the rest of the year might hold. This is also a great time to reflect on the things that no longer align with us. To make the most of our energy and intentions this year, we're taking stock of which travel essentials did-and definitely didn't-work for us in 2025."

"Phones, tablets, laptops, Bluetooth headphones, smart watches, handheld gaming consoles: If you're someone who likes to stay plugged in while traveling, a typical power bank just won't cut it. Single-USB backup chargers are outdated and inconvenient, and usually are only capable of charging one device before you have to recharge it. We'll be upgrading to portable chargers that are powerful, pint-sized, and equipped to handle all of our tech gadgets, not just our smartphones."

"these impractical items were more of a nuisance than a blessing. On the flip side, these flubs have helped us hone in on the travel products we're enthusiastically reaching for this year. Keep scrolling to see which ones are at the top of our list, including podiatrist-approved New Balance sneakers, a viral pair of jeans that actually feel like sweatpants, and colorful American Tourister luggage sets that put sad beige bags to shame-from $20 at Amazon."

2026 offers a chance to start fresh and reassess travel gear after 2025. Nine travel products were abandoned, including weekender bags that weigh travelers down and flat, unsupportive shoes that make walking difficult. Single-USB power banks are outdated and impractical. Preferred replacements include powerful, compact portable chargers with multiple ports and built-in cables, podiatrist-approved supportive sneakers such as New Balance 997H, viral jeans that feel like sweatpants, and colorful American Tourister luggage sets available from $20 at Amazon. The emphasis is on multifunctionality, foot health, lightweight design, and bold color choices.

Read at Travel + Leisure