I packed it a hundred times... and never used it — until now

Hey, Johannes from GearUpYourLife here.

This newsletter post is a bit different — because as you probably already know, I just flew out to Cairo, Egypt — and for that long-haul flight I decided to Test 6 Gadgets that had been sitting in my carry-on for way too long. (Okay the flight was only about 8 hours, but we all know that in economy it feels like forever. 😅)

Two of them are items I never travel without, and once again they carried me through the flight. The other four? They surprised me so much that I honestly wondered why I never brought them on board before.

So here are all 6 gadgets, plus my clear verdict on each:

1. (9/10) AirFly (Twelve South)
Man, AirFly saved me again. You know that awkward moment when you’re stuck with those terrible airline headphones? Not me this time. Plugged in the AirFly, paired my earbuds, and I was just watching movies like at home. Honestly, I knew it was good — but on this flight it felt like a straight-up must.
👉 Verdict: Always coming with me.

2. (8.5/10) Trtl Neck Pillow
I used to laugh at this thing because it looks like a scarf with training wheels… but wow, it works. Slept a few hours without waking up with neck pain, which is rare for me. Not perfect — sometimes it feels a bit warm — but compared to the classic inflatable pillow, it’s night and day.
👉 Verdict: Yep, packing it again.

3. (8/10) NanoBag
Okay, didn’t think I’d actually use this on the plane… but of course my backpack was overflowing. Tossed snacks and random duty-free stuff in it, clipped it to my sling bag, problem solved. It’s not like “wow, changed my life mid-air,” but it’s so tiny and handy that it earned its spot.
👉 Verdict: Yeah, keeping it in my pocket.

4. (8.5/10) Fomin Hygiene Sheets
Total surprise. Layover bathroom = no soap. Pulled out one of these sheets, added a little water, and boom — real soap. Clean hands, zero mess. And they don’t leak like those liquid sanitizers. Super cheap, super useful, no downside really.
👉 Verdict: Absolutely bringing again.

5. (8/10) Hydaway Collapsible Bottle (Hydaway)
Airports charging $5 for water is robbery. This little thing folds flat in my bag, pops open when I need it. The Hydaway feels premium, but honestly the $6 Amazon knock-off does the job too. Only downside? Not as comfy to drink from as a normal bottle, but hey… it beats carrying nothing.
👉 Verdict: Yeah, no brainer for me.

6. (6.5/10) Foot Hammock (various brands)
This one cracked me up. Comfort-wise? Legit a 10/10 — my feet were living their best business-class life. But man, it takes up way too much space for a minimalist packer like me. If you don’t mind a little extra bulk, you’ll love it. Me? Probably leaving it home next time.
👉 Verdict: Fun experiment, not an every-trip item.

So, good in-flight essentials won’t turn economy into business class… but honestly, without the AirFly and my Trtl pillow, that Egypt trip would’ve been a whole lot less enjoyable. It’s crazy how a couple of small upgrades can make such a big difference on a long flight.

And just so we’re crystal clear: this next part is not an ad. I don’t get paid by ESR, and I don’t earn a cent from this. The only reason I’m sharing it is because the products are genuinely solid and ESR offered a deal for our community. With the code Johannes25ANI you can save 25% on their entire store — and I didn’t want you to miss out on that chance.

JUST KLICK HERE  

If you’re curious whether their new 3-in-1 charger can actually hold up against Anker (I was skeptical too), I just tested it in my latest YouTube video.
👉 Check it out here: Click Here

One thing I realized again on this trip to Egypt: travel isn’t really about moving from A to B — it’s about how the little details shape the whole experience.

Safe travels,
Johannes

PS: Thank you so much for all your support — it really means the world. This Sunday I’ll share another community story, this time from Renée, who was actually the very first subscriber to this newsletter.
See you Sunday