These almost made the Cut...

A Much closer look at the travel gear I almost take every single trip.

Johannes GearUpYourLife
April 26, 2026

These almost made the cut…

Hey, Johannes from GearUpYourLife here…

And today I want to talk about something that is probably the most important topic on this channel… what I actually travel with every single time.

Because after almost 80 videos and testing over 320 products myself,
I’ve realized something pretty simple:

There are a lot of great travel products out there.
And for almost every situation, there’s some kind of solution.

But at the same time,
every traveler ends up building their own setup over time.

And recently, I started thinking about that a bit more seriously.

Especially because in about two weeks,
I’ll be flying to Greece for a week,
and I asked myself:

What do I actually use every single time I travel?

So I decided to make a full video about exactly that,
my Only 12 travel essentials i always Travel With.

And compared to a similar video I made around 8 months ago,
a lot has actually changed.

But in this newsletter, I want to show you something slightly different.

These are 6 products that didn’t make it into that final list,
but came very, very close.

All 6 Essentials that didn’t make it
(Rated with how much I actually use them)

($90) Tomtoc Navigator T66 Backpack (40L) — ⭐️ 8.8/10

This is probably the one I’ve been changing my mind about the most.For a long time, I moved away from bigger backpacks, especially those 50L setups — they just felt too bulky and overpacked most of the time.

But recently, I’ve started to enjoy going back to a more simple “pack one bag and go” approach.

And something like a 40L backpack, packed a bit lighter, actually feels way more practical for a few days or even a full week.

I still use carry-ons and sling setups a lot — but this is slowly becoming one of my favorite alternatives again.

And the Tomtoc one just does a really solid job here for an Good Price !

($25) Loop Earplugs — ⭐️ 8.2/10

I can’t deny, these are still really good.They’re comfortable, reusable, and work in a lot of situations like flights, buses, or noisy places.

But at the same time, I do think 25 dollars is way to much for earplugs.

I still use them quite often, especially when traveling,
but I wouldn’t say they’re one of the most important things in my setup.

If you know good alternatives, I’d honestly be curious.

($5) Zelin Mini Carabiner — ⭐️ 9.0/10

For something this small and cheap… it’s surprisingly useful.Having a few mini carabiners with you just makes a lot of situations easier.

Clipping things to your bag, organizing small gear, or just keeping things accessible without digging through everything.

For around 5 dollars, this is one of those small upgrades that just makes sense to have.

($25) Basic First Aid Kit — ⭐️ 8.5/10

On shorter trips, I usually just use something like the Pillar Go from the video.But for longer trips, I almost always bring a simple first aid kit like this.

Nothing crazy, more just the basics.

But having it with you gives you that extra peace of mind,
especially when you’re traveling in different countries or more remote areas.

You don’t need it often, but when you do, you’re very glad it’s there.

($20) Wuben G5 Flashlight — ⭐️ 8.4/10

A few months ago, I would have said you don’t need something like this.But after actually using it… I kind of changed my mind.

It’s super small, really bright, and the clip makes it easy to carry.

I’ve used it for finding things in my bag at night, walking outside,
or even just reading with the softer light modes.

It’s not something you absolutely need,
but for under 20 dollars, it’s a really nice thing to have.

($10) Soap Sheets / Travel Cleaning Essentials — ⭐️ 9.1/10

For me, this is one of the most underrated essentials.Whether it’s soap sheets,Like the one from Formin, a small towel like Kleany, or Hand sanitizer
having something to clean your hands or freshen up just makes traveling easier.

I personally use the simple soap sheets from Formin most of the time,
because they’re cheap, super small, and just work.

And even though all these options are slightly different,
they all solve the same problem,
and I wouldn’t travel without at least one of them.

($100) Bellroy Passport Cover — ⭐️ 8.7/10

This is definitely on the premium side.

At around 100 dollars, it’s not something I’d recommend to everyone.

But if you travel a lot,
having something that keeps your passport, cards, and documents organized in one place
actually makes a big difference.

I got mine on sale for around 65 dollars at black Friday last year
and since then I’ve been really happy with it.

There are cheaper options that work just fine,
but this feels like a proper long-term upgrade.

✨ Bonus Gadget

($10–$15) Travel Laundry Solution (Soak No Rinse) — ⭐️ 8.4/10

This could almost be in the main list.Having a simple way to wash your clothes, even just small items
makes a huge difference, especially on longer trips.

Whether it’s soap sheets, a small towel, or a basic setup like this…
it’s one of the easiest ways to stay flexible while traveling. But of course not something i would take with me on an City Trip on an week in an all inclusive hotel.

So now you’ve basically seen the full blueprint.

No matter if you’re just starting out or have been traveling for years,
I really think these almost 20 essentials are things I’d recommend to pretty much anyone.

Not necessarily these exact brands,
but the ideas behind them and especially the ones from the video are the things I personally take with me every single time.

And speaking of the video, I hope you’ve seen that there’s a full breakdown of the only 12 travel essentials I actually bring on every trip.

And I genuinely think that one is for everyone:

The ONLY 12 Travel Essentials I Pack Every Single Trip (2026)