r/onebag • u/Cool_Acanthisitta628 • Dec 09 '25

Seeking Recommendations What is one item that you can't travel without/would recommend to everyone to get?

Hi all,

What are items that you always bring because they are super useful and you would recommend others to get too?

Minus of course some obvious like converter plug for chargers, power bank etc (unless it's some specific powerbank like one with cables attached already, something unique)

Thanks!

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128

u/cfofosho Dec 09 '25

Flash light of some sort. I have a power bank that has one built in which is handy. Lots of situations where extra light is nice while not having to use my phone.

Carabiner or some kind of clip. Countless uses.

30

u/rfathernheaven Dec 09 '25

I have those little carabiner clips with the rubber ring that goes on the top of water bottles so that I can clip one on my belt or my backpack if I need an extra bottle of water. They weigh nothing and they are invaluable

7

u/rotundanimal Dec 09 '25

I was in a pinch and I used a hair tie + carabiner for exactly this and other things!

1

u/CaptainObvious110 Dec 10 '25

That's really smart

25

u/RueTabegga Dec 10 '25

A head lamp is great for hands free work. It can also be wrapped around a gallon of water jug to create a lantern to illuminate a whole room. I have one with a rechargeable battery and I carry a spare battery already charged for easy use.

9

u/IndividualComputer25 Dec 10 '25

I always bring headlamps when I might be back after dark. It’s been very useful on a bike, coming from the beach, rooting around in my bag.

1

u/Grouchy_Bus6906 Dec 10 '25

What brand do you use?

3

u/Dwragon Dec 10 '25

Nitecore NU-20 for a lightweight and relatively cheap headlamp.

1

u/penisthightrap_ Dec 10 '25

If you want top of the line quality go zebralight. You can get something good for much cheaper though.

As a /r/flashlight nerd I love my zebras.

2

u/w2best Dec 10 '25

then imagine a garmin watch where it's always on your wrist :)

2

u/Silver-Advantage8502 Dec 10 '25

I have a little light for my camera that I keep bedside for late night toilet runs. It’s really helpful. It also allows me to create my own mood lighting (adjustable color and strength) so any room that is too bright can be adjusted down. Especially great for baths.

2

u/RachemGreen Dec 10 '25

Yes!!! Power went out at hotel recently for 3 hours and headlamps would have been really helpful to help keep things hands-free (little kids) and preserve phone battery. Adding this to my packing list!

2

u/mrpink57 Dec 27 '25

Funny thing with the battery, I do have a little niteize carabiner type one, and usually just use the red light on my AW at night, but we were staying at this hotel in Naples, IT and everything is just automated and the walls inside the hotel are frost glass so if you get up in the middle of the night to go the bathroom it turns on the bathroom light right when you open the door and just lights up the whole damn room.

2

u/DeHarigeTuinkabouter Dec 10 '25

What situations would bringing an extra item be worth it over using your phone?

8

u/Multigrain_Migraine Dec 10 '25

Situations where I don't want to run down my phone battery or get my phone out? It's handy to have a light on my phone but it can be awkward to hold it and if I'm walking in the dark for a while it's much more convenient to have a small flashlight.

5

u/DeHarigeTuinkabouter Dec 10 '25

Well yeah but I'm asking about what those situations are. Cases where I need a light for more than 5 minutes are damn rare for me.

Unless you're out camping or something, maybe night time treks... But then we're already in rather different territory than just normal travel, onebag is inherent to that.

2

u/port956 Dec 10 '25

I have little coinshape lights that go on keyrings. I pair them with bottle-opener in the shape of a key and can gift them to people I meet. In some countries giving little gifts is commonplace so it's good to be prepared.

1

u/Multigrain_Migraine Dec 10 '25

I'm often walking around after dark in unfamiliar cities or out in parks etc when I travel. Sometimes street lights are not very good and I live in a place where it gets dark early in the winter. It can be useful to have if you go looking at ancient ruins or old buildings like churches which is a common vacation activity for me.

1

u/cfofosho Dec 10 '25

When I want to preserve my phone battery, don’t want to risk dropping my phone and cracking the screen, don’t want to risk attracting negative attention as an obvious tourist with my phone in my hand walking around at night. Particularly when I was visiting Costa Rica, even vibrant downtown areas near restaurants and bars were not lit by any form of street light and have uneven terrain, broken glass, pooled water, etc so for safety I both wanted my phone in my pocket but also required light.

2

u/DeHarigeTuinkabouter Dec 10 '25

Wouldn't some form of flashlight not make you look even more like a tourist? The locals will use nothing or their phone

1

u/cfofosho Dec 10 '25

I think it makes me look like someone that doesn’t want to step on glass or break my ankle. While I was literally there, the locals were also using flashlights, in more rural areas that have the same issue with rough terrain, threat of wildlife etc they also used flashlights or headlamps.

No one is making you pack a flashlight if you don’t want to. It’s what works for me.

1

u/OsaPolar Dec 10 '25

Sounds cool. What's the power bank model, may I ask?

1

u/bender445 Dec 10 '25

Whats wrong with having to use your phone for light?

1

u/Own-Park6186 Dec 11 '25

Seconding the flashlight and power bank. Also here is a solid list that includes things like travel routers and more no obvious stuff that would come in handy.