I live in Los Angeles, capital of heat, home of no winter. We drink liquids, especially water, like it’s going out of style. Technically, we are a desert, you just can’t see it anymore as we have built this city on top of it. Nearly everyone carries a bottle of water around at all times. Cars are filled to the brim with empties.

Ever since the TSA in the United States banned bringing liquids on board airplanes, an empty bottle has been a requirement for myself. I drink so much water, I can’t afford to buy bottled all the time. And besides, tap is fine. In some places it has a weird taste, but beggars can’t be choosers. At every airport, once you past security, there are water fountains for you to fill your empty up.

What one little thing can you not travel without?

A water bottle. Ideally, full. But if I am flying, I bring an empty one. Doesn’t have to be anything special, a smaller plastic one works fine and fits into my purse.

Why has this one item been so important to you?

I drink a lot of water and since the TSA banned bringing liquids on board and I refuse out of principal (and the environment) to keep buying fresh bottles, I bring an empty in my carry-on. There are always water fountains past security and the first thing I do after putting my shoes back on is search one out to fill my bottle.

How packable is it? Does it take up much room? Is it heavy?

It’s quiet packable. It does take up a small bit of room, but an empty bottle is very light.

Why would you recommend this to your travel friends?

Instead of wasting money on overpriced bottled water once you pass security (what *they* want you to do), save money and a bottle by bringing your own! I have yet to be in an airport that does not provide working water fountains.

Can you name one incident or situation where you were so happy to have this item with you?

How about every time I fly? Flying dries you out and not having to wait for beverage service is a lifesaver. And you know it’s only a matter of time before they start charging for drinks (A-hem, Virgin Blue in Australia….)

How did you hear about this item?

Every day life! I usually carry full bottles with me in daily and and I started to make sure I always brought an empty one after the ban. Sometimes I forget and you can catch me chugging an entire bottle while I wait in line. There is nowhere to throw away liquids once you are in line and I don’t want to get rid of my bottle.

What sort of traveler is this item perfect for?

Everyone! We all need water to survive. You are saving money plus it cuts down on our use to keep using new plastic bottles.

About the author: Rebecca Several works at an office job by day and spends her free time figuring out how to make her limited US vacation days last the longest by night. She originally traveled to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa back in 2007, parlaying that into a general work permit for an additional few months before discovering the Work and Holiday Visa in Australia where she traveled for an additional 8 months. She only meant to be overseas for one year but whoops! Didn’t make it home for over two years. She writes about her travels on her website Travels at 88mph and can be found on Twitter @purplekat99.

Laptops

When I first started traveling, most people dropped by an internet cafe periodically to check email and connect with loved ones at home. Fast forward a few years to day one of my year in Australia, and the first thing I noticed upon entering the hostel was that everyone in the common area was typing, surfing, or Skyping away on her own computer.

Packing your own laptop means you can book last minute deals, Skype, transfer photos from your camera, and connect with loved ones and fellow travelers via social media and blogs as often as you want, from wherever you want.

Companies now make laptops for almost every budget and need, helping you afford and pack exactly what you want. Lightweight, well-rated models are ideal for the traveler, ranging from my Asus netbook (read my review) to Brooke’s MacBook Pro (and of course the even lighter MacBook Air).

Cameras

Before I traveled with a laptop, I traveled with perhaps the most popular gadget – a camera.

Packing a camera (and laptop) means you can share photos via email, social media, an online photo album system, or a blog within minutes of taking them, helping you share your experiences and stay connected to people around the world. I often review the photos I’ve taken at the end of each day and then revisit them whenever I am on a long bus, train, or plain ride.

Cameras are such a popular travel gadget that some of us pack more than one! I love my D-SLR, but sometimes it’s easier to take a quick snap with my iPhone camera or pack my sister’s point-and-shoot when I’m packing super light.

Wondering what style of camera you would like to pack? Check out our pros and cons for traveling with a D-SLR, a point-and-shoot, or a smart phone with a built-in camera.

Smart phone

I never thought I’d be a smart phone owner, but now that I have one, I can’t imagine going back!

Whichever brand and model you select, a smart phone helps you stay connected and informed on-the-go.

• I’ve used the Maps app to help me navigate new places.
• I’m able to connect with fellow travelers on Twitter to schedule Tweetups and chat about last minute changes to meeting spots or times. (Check out Twitter apps for Android on Amazon)
• I counted on the Share-a-bill app to keep track of spending and “who owes what” when I road tripped around Australia with two friends for 10 weeks.
• The FlightAware app, one of my new favorites, allows me to stay up-to-date on my own flights and also those of friends who I’m picking up from the airport. (Get FlightAware for Android on Amazon)

I’m fortunate that my phone came factory unlocked directly from an Apple store in Australia. I can take it anywhere and buy a micro SIM for the country I’m visiting. If your smart phone is locked, ask about if and when you can unlock it.

Portable media player

I loved my off-brand media player – until a friend let me borrow their iPod nano (4th generation). The 5th generation was released a few months later, and it became my first Apple purchase.

Music keeps me company on the plane when I’d prefer to pop in my ear buds and close my eyes. I jogged from the hostel to the Sydney Opera House and back using good workout songs to keep me going. When one of my first Aussie friends gave me an iTunes gift card, I set up an account on the Australia store and downloaded songs from Aussie artists I learned about over the next few months.

Whether you’re passing time on a 12-hour bus, train, or plane trip or simply love music, a portable media player can help keep your energy going.

E-book reader

Books rarely make my packing list, and when they do, I usually find room for only one guide book and one thin “for fun” book. It’s a shame, because while I love hopping online or listening to music, sometimes what I really want to do is read.

I don’t own an e-book reader – yet – but I’ve traveled with two ladies who do, and they have a hard time putting them down! When you’ve had a busy day of walking, sightseeing, and eating, it’s nice to relax and unwind at night with a book. With a lightweight e-book reader, you can read as many books as you wish (i.e., afford) without packing one. Packing more with less? What’s not to love?!

How many of these popular gadgets do you travel with? Which one tops your wish list?

Photo credit: 1 – tachyondecay; 2 – evilerin; 3 – freeintelpress; 4 – ataraxis; 5 – arianr.

Everything centers around the Strip and with most casinos within walking distance, you want to make sure to pack some comfy shoes. Much of what you pack will depend on what activities you are interested, whether it be hiking the nearby canyons or playing blackjack or lounging by the pool. Just don’t pack a camera because if the saying is true, “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

This packing list should be suitable for a long weekend in Sin City.

Clothing

3 sundresses – Easy to thrown on in the mornings.
1 nice going out dress – If you plan on going to nightclubs like Tao or Pure, make sure to dress the part.
1 skirt – Switch up your going out attire or throw on over your swimsuit when exploring the Strip.
1 sarong – Easy to tie over your swimsuit to go into a restaurant.
1 pair of jeans – Some people might disagree with this one, but if you’re not in the mood for wearing a dress to the clubs, it’s nice to have options.
2 swimsuits – You will spend plenty of time in it. Two allows you to wash one and wear one.
1 cardigan – It’s still the desert, so it cools down at night.
2 bras – One nude and one black.
4 pairs of underwear – Bring ExOfficio and it’s less to pack, but just make sure it’s the sexy lace kind.

Shoes

Comfy shoes for walking the strip – It’s difficult to gauge distances on the Strip so you may walk a mile to the MGM while rubbing blisters into your heels.
Nice sandals, heels or flats – For dinner out, you need a nice pair of shoes, depending on your preference.
Flip flops – For hanging out by the pool.

Toiletries

Deodorant – You don’t want to smell when you’re out dancing
Shampoo and conditioner
Makeup – Items from the Low Key Traveler’s Beauty Kit should be enough.
Ibuprofen – or your preferred hangover remedy
Razor – Have nice smooth legs before you go out to the pool.
Brush – A travel sized brush should work.
Hair ties – Keep the hair off your neck.
Hair dryers and straighteners – Many hotels have dryers, but if you want to get dolled up, you will need your own straightener.
Birth control – Because what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.
Diva cup – You don’t want your time of the month to ruin your trip.

Protection from the Elements

Sunscreen – The Vegas sun is relentless, especially if you’re sitting in the reflection of the Luxor pyramid! Bring high SPF sunscreen to avoid getting fried.
Hat – Make sure it covers your ears, in addition to being fashionable.
Sunglasses – If you forget them there are plenty of stores that sell cheap ones.

Tech

iPod – Create a playlist for your weekend.
Chargers – Vegas uses standard American outlets.

Other

Money – Whether it be for cabs, gambling, shopping or bail, you can’t do Vegas without serious cash.
Books or e-reader – You’ll need some good chick lit when you’re hanging out poolside.
Ear plugs – If you plan on getting any sleep, you might need to drown out the noise of your fellow partygoers with ear plugs.
Eye mask – Keep the light out and save yourself from worsening your hangover. See what to pack to help you sleep.
Government issued ID – Every casino will ask you for your ID before you can drink or gamble.

You must be age 21 or older to drink or gamble in Las Vegas or to even be on the casino floor in many places. Bring your government issued identification with you, likely a drivers license if you’re from the US or a passport if you’re from overseas.

ATMs are available in most casinos, so you don’t need travelers checks, but having cash upon arrival is always a good idea, especially if you’re taking a taxi from the airport.

Stay as a group. You don’t want any friends getting left behind or having something slipped into their drinks. And don’t forget to have fun!

The one little thing I feel secure about traveling with is my money belt. Yes, it does sound boring. Plain. Practical.

A money belt is neither stylish as a multi-purpose black dress nor sentimental as an entry journal. However, for me, this belt not only fulfills its purpose as a security precaution. This same item also gives me more self-assurance in my ability to take the many journeys since I bought it twelve years ago.

When I decided to go on a guided tour around Italy in May 2000, I would hear constant warnings from relatives and other travelers about watching out for pickpockets. I was told these people would fake scenarios to distract me to grab my bag or my purse, to dig into my pockets.

Yes, my friends and loved ones were well meaning. Yes, this advice was important to heed. Yet their continued concern over my possibility of being robbed, along with over-hyped anxiety over my personal safety, were starting to be too much.

This tour marked the first time I was going outside of the United States, for the most part, on my own. And would I want fear of the unknown to damper my anticipation of seeing Italia?

Would I have had to constantly fret over the possibility of losing my passport, my money, even my credit card? Should I be leery of crowd places and riding on packed trains?

Thankfully, someone gave me a rational solution: get a money belt.

I purchased one of Eagle Creek’s undercover belts, which slips under the hip portion of my pants with a strap to adjust its fit to my waist.

This thin belt has two zipper pockets, so I could separate my cash in one place and my credit card and passport in the other. The price at the time was good and I still use it twelve years later.

While in Italy, I felt better having it on me. During a packed ferry ride to Venice, my tour group members and I huddled near to watch out for each other and our respective stuff. We heard later that supposedly a group of pickpockets cleaned out other passengers–most likely tourists–on the ferry. Hope that was just a rumor.

As I continue to travel throughout Europe and the United States, my money belt has gone beyond serving as a security blanket.

For me, it is multi-purposed.

Often I store non-monetary items in it. It’s held a room key during a night walk alone in Athens, near the Plaka. It’s been like a drawer for stomach medicine needed after a heavy BBQ meal in Memphis and ibuprofen for the morning after a strong cocktail and a nasty fall on Bourbon Street.

Other contained items have ranged from hotel business cards (because it might take a while for me to remember the name of the place I’m staying), to handwritten notes.

My money belt even helps me better manage my cash flow. Before venturing out, I try to take out how much I think I will need or spend that day or night. I leave the rest in. If I find I’m running short on dough, I find a bathroom or convenient corner where I can pull the belt out discreetly.

Gradually, my money belt has made me feel bold enough to leave my purse at the hotel, taking out the essentials, and walking around bag-free with confidence.

Although I have a tendency to overstuff my money belt – I try to counter this look by wearing a baggy top or cleaning out nonessentials – just knowing that it’s on me makes me feel secure. From time to time, I’ll do a quick tap around the side of my pants to reassure myself that it’s still in place. Then I know I’ll be fine.

Michele Herrmann, a writer and editor, contributes advice-based pieces about travel to various websites. She has ventured throughout Europe and up, down and across the United States and Canada. When she’s home, she likes to go hiking and enjoys festivals and general exploring. Follow her on Twitter at @micheleherrmann or her WordPress blog, Beyondthe203.

Primavera Sound Festival of the past. (photo by bertogg)

This year’s edition, which will take place between the 30th of May and the 3rd of June, includes in its program artists like The Cure, Bjork, Kings of Convenience, The XX, Franz Ferdinand, etc. But apart from these five days of music, which will constitute the highlights of the festival, some other activities will take place in line with it, such as Minimúsica (activities for children including music), Flatstock (exhibition of posters from concerts), or even free concerts at various spots of the city.

If you are planning to attend this year’s Primavera Sound Festival you should consider some things, apart from booking one of the apartments in Barcelona near the area where the festival takes place, of course:

Barcelona is in a strategic location on the Mediterranean sea, which allows the Catalan capital to enjoy a pleasant climate throughout the year. The temperature in Barcelona during June is about 24ºC and most of the festival concerts take place outdoors, in the Forum Park. Given this, it is very important that when packing you don’t forget to bring light clothing (short-sleeved or strapless), sunglasses, a hat or a cap and of course, sunscreen. This is extremely important. It is not pleasant to get burnt, even if it’s in the Primavera Sound Festival.

Music maker. (photo by quiquelopez)

Although Barcelona is a warm city, at night the temperature drops, so it won’t hurt to bring a jacket or a jumper for the concerts taking place at night-time. Also keep in mind the possibility of rain, so don’t forget to pack your rain jacket or good umbrella. You will regret it if it starts raining during your favorite concert!

The Forum Park is a very large place; there will be different stages that the concerts take place during all evening and night. It is possible that you will need to walk several times to find the stage you are looking for, in addition to being stepped on, pushed by people, and just jumping around all night to the beat of music. Therefore, it is essential you bring comfortable shoes, especially for the journey back home, which will probably be hard after the long hours of the festival.

During your stay in Barcelona apartments, and for the time you are not in the Primavera Sound Festival, you can go to the beach to enjoy the sun of the Mediterranean sea. So don’t forget to bring your swimsuit, a towel and flip-flops. After an exhausting night of festival-going there is nothing like having a morning nap on the beach…

Again, don’t forget the sunscreen!

If you follow these tips I can only tell you to enjoy the San Miguel Primavera Sound, the music, the environment, and of course, the city!

Can you pack all these clothes?

Choosing to only travel with a relatively small suitcase means I avoid many costly airline baggage fees. I can navigate bustling areas with greater ease than people hauling larger suitcases. And, I am positive that I can pack as much into my suitcase as some people with the massive ones.

>> Learn more about carry-on packing

Packing more with your current go-to luggage — how to make it happen

Compression bags

I rarely pack appropriately when traveling to colder climates. Who has room for bulky items like jackets, hoodies, and sweaters? But even Australia’s winter can be downright cold, and I paid the price for leaving warmer clothes at home by having to buy new ones in Oz.

Compression bags are perfect solution when you want to pack heavier, thicker items in the same case or bag you always carry. Some products may save up to 75% of packing space per compression bag!

To use, place clothing into the bag. Then, seal and roll the bag toward the end that has a one way-valve to remove air.

Rolling

Confession: The first time I rolled clothing was when I packed my bag for Australia two years ago. How had I previously not known one of the best methods of saving space when packing?!

What prompted me to roll? A video of a flight attendant who packed outfits for various occasions for a 10-day trip in one carry-on size bag, including one or two pairs of shoes. Although I knew I could buy clothes throughout the year in Oz, I wanted to pack as many items from my existing wardrobe in my just-slightly-bigger-than-carry-on bag.

With rolling, I packed more shirts and bottoms than ever before but still managed to pull off the light-packer look to other travelers. It’s hard to believe that rolling makes a significant difference, but it does.

Packing cubes

Before rolling, I stacked traditionally folded clothes in a packing cube. With rolling, I can fit 2-4 more shirts in one cube!

Packing cubes are often made from soft material in a box-like shape and can be zippered once full. In addition to serving as great organization tools, packing cubes help maximize space in your case. With their rectangular shape, they take advantage of the walls and corners of a suitcase and can be stacked on top of one another to make sure every inch is being utilized.

Jackets and vests with (LOTS OF) pockets

When a friend first showed me his jacket with countless interior and exterior pockets, I couldn’t help but laugh. Would he ever really use them?

As someone who hates to pay to check a bag, I’m now wondering if I should invest in one!

I recently read about a traveler who wanted to beat a low-cost carrier’s policy of traveling carry-on only with a limit of 10kg. Loading clothing, gadgets, and toiletries into 17 interior and exterior pockets, the traveler made it on board carrying nearly 12kg on his body. Perhaps not the best solution for warm climates but a product like this could save you money and checked baggage hassles time and time again! The jacket isn’t just an item of clothing – it may just become your new carry-on “luggage”!

If you don’t want to pack EVERYTHING in a jacket (and I wouldn’t blame you), a product like this can still free up room in your carry-on bags by housing electronics, books, boarding documents and IDs. And who doesn’t need more space from time to time for that new shirt or souvenir?

All-in-one products

In addition to the above methods, all of which attempt to help you pack more, you can always pack more-with-less by traveling with all-in-one products like:

• Dual shampoo and conditioner products, whether they’re solid (like LUSH’s bars) or liquid, and dual body wash and shampoo products
• Moisturizer + sunscreen in one – in Oz, I found that I needed a higher SPF than my moisturizer from home provided and a local recommended a great brand
• Smart phones: phone, internet, camera, alarm, watch all in the palm of your hand

>> Read about the infinity skirt that acts as a dress, skirt and top!

More ideas to help you pack “smaller”:

• Choose a small bag to travel with and you’ll only pack what fits inside
• Take advantage of every available space – inside shoes, various pockets
• Wear your bulkiest items on the plane/train/bus and carry your coat instead of packing them

I leave for London in a few days and plan to travel with an even smaller bag than normal. Maybe next month I’ll report on whether or not I made it work!

How do you pack smarter by packing more without showing it?

The dreaded baggage claim. (photo by sugree)

Unless you’re traveling with a backpack, which tend to come in a variety of colors, chances are your bag looks very similar to mine. And when you’re eyeing the dozens of bags circling the carousel, you probably hope that it took the same flight as you and that you find it as quickly as possible.

No matter what style bag you travel with, you can make luggage identification an easy process. And making your luggage easy to identify is oh-so-smart for several reasons:

• It can speed up the wait at baggage claim – especially good news if you have a short layover at an international airport or you’ve just landed after a long flight and can’t wait to get home!
• IDing your luggage helps make sure no one mistakenly picks up your bag.
• You help make it easier for airlines to identify your bag should it be misplaced (like the time an airline sent my bag to Vancouver when I was on my way to London).
• Or if you’ve ever made a ridiculous mistake like me (why yes, I’m the gal who once left a bag at baggage claim on a layover at an international airport), it helps airport staff identify your bag more quickly amongst a crowded behind-the-scenes storage room.
• You can have peace of mind that your bag is unique and stands out!

If you’re looking for ways to identify your luggage more easily, check out our easy, colorful ways to mark your bags!

Colorful luggage

What color is your luggage? If I was a betting woman, I’d say black. All of the bags that I own are black. Most of the ones circling the baggage claim carousel are black. Some dare to be different with gray and a few stand out from the pack with reds, greens, or blues.

If you’re going for soft luggage, select a solid color that’s anything but black or gray. Though someone else may have a pink or green suitcase circling the carousel, chances are it’s yours!

If you prefer a hard shell case, a wide variety of colorful, feminine patterns are yours for the choosing, in addition to more traditional solid colours.

>> Buy this pink suitcase on Amazon

Luggage tags

As you’re watching the black bags make their way around the carousel, you’ll notice that most have some type of luggage tag, whether it’s the one provided for free by the airline or a more unique one. They’re easy to find at most any store and relatively inexpensive.

I travel with black suitcases, and at some point, I decided to decorate my bags with one or two colorful, unique luggage tags to make them easier to identify. Why use more than one? I assume that I’ll be the only one with two very different tags!

My clown fish tag stays on the small carry-on size bag that I take from time to time, and a blue “Hasta la vista” tag always stays on my favorite checked bag. I also have a light pink rectangular tag with an “H” on it, a tag featuring the London Underground map, and tags I’ve snagged at business conferences simply because no one else will have them.

>> Buy this colorful luggage tag on Amazon

Luggage belts/straps

Whether you call them luggage belts or straps, you’ve probably seen a few people on any given flight use these.

They resemble a belt you would wear around your waist but are designed to wrap around luggage and stay put with a snap of a plastic buckle.

You can find these in just about any color, and I tend to see individual ones featuring the colors of the rainbow. Select your two favorite colors to make your luggage easy to spot!

>> Buy unique luggage straps on Amazon

Fabric and ribbon

The first time I noticed a bag with a colorful ribbon or piece of fabric tied to one of the handles, I wondered why I hadn’t thought of that!

You can find ribbon or fabric at any craft store, but I prefer to recycle the ribbons I receive with wrapped presents, gift baskets, or flowers! On my go-to bags, I currently have red, gray, or orange tied to a handle. I recently traveled to London and packed an extra suitcase to begin moving my fiance’s belongings to the states. I think he was surprised when he saw that I had packed ribbon from home to tie to his bag – it certainly helped me spot his (new to me) bag more quickly when I returned home!

If the ribbon is too long, tie it in a bow or consider trimming it – you don’t want it to get caught on a belt as it’s traveling behind-the-scenes at the airport or at baggage claim itself!

>> Buy strips of ribbon on Amazon

Colorful and unique combination

Use at least two of the methods above to help make sure no one confuses your bag for hers!

I received my black luggage second hand from a friend nearly 10 years ago, but it still looks fabulous, and I’ll use the pieces until they’re ready to retire. I love using both luggage tags and ribbons on each bag. Fellow travelers know that my bag does not belong to them, and I know that their bags, sans tags and ribbons, are not mine.

How do you make your bag stand out from the rest? Tell us about your tricks of the trade that we didn’t highlight above.

I’m a travel writer and photographer–I contribute regularly to multiple travel and women’s magazines, as well as pen a couple guidebooks a year, so I’m on the road (or in a plane) more often than not. I also write a blog, Camels & Chocolate, as well as create custom editorial content for travel companies and resorts and dabble in social media here and there.

What’s the one little thing you can’t travel without?

My Grid-It. I travel with two DSLRs, a GoPro, a Canon G12, a Kindle, a MacBook Pro, an iPad, an iPod, an iPhone and various other gadgets. Before I discovered the Grid-It–ironically, I first bought one for my sister when she was studying abroad, then quickly claimed one for myself not much later–all my cords, camera batteries and memory cards would get tangled up and lost in my seemingly bottomless carry-on.

>> Buy a Grid-It on Amazon

Why has this one item been so important to you?

I’m an organization freak, so it helps to keep all my belongings neat and tidy and easy to find.

How packable is it? Does it take up much room? Is it heavy?

It’s very slim and easy to slip in a bag. It takes up the small pocket in the front of my laptop bag (or the top pocket on my rolling carry-on suitcase if that’s my bag of choice for that particular trip). The weight depends on how many items you try to strap into it, but mine is always pretty light. My iPod, digital recorder and iPhone are the bulkiest items I store in it, and everything else is a mix of cords, batteries and memory cards.

Why would you recommend this to your travel friends?

It will make you a much more organized traveler. As someone who is very Type A (and borderline OCD when it comes to storing all of my belongings in an orderly fashion), it has been a savior!

Can you name one incident or situation where you were so happy to have this item with you?

Every time I’m in the airport and frantically digging around my bag to find my phone charger (which happens more often than not)!

How did you hear about this item?

I’m a big fan of the travel company Flight 001, and I happened to stumble upon it while shopping in the San Francisco store one day. But you can buy a number of Grid-It variations in different shapes and sizes from the company’s website.

What sort of traveler is this item perfect for?

The flashpacker (as much as I hate such travel cliches) or anyone who travels with a whole lot of gadgets.

Big thanks to Kristin for sharing her one little thing. It looks very handy, so I might have to pick one up myself!

Hey. I’m Monica. I’m a travel blogger from the UK and I’m also part of the editorial team at Gap Daemon. I travelled for almost 2 years through SE Asia and Australia and I now I’m living in London and trying to get out and about around Europe as much as I can.

What’s your backpack brand and model? How much does this backpack typically cost?

I have a Deuter Futura 24L and it cost me £80.

>> Shop for Deuter Futura backpacks on Amazon

How long have you had your backpack and where have you traveled with it?

I bought it about 3 years ago and I took it on my 2 year trip through Asia and Oz.

What factors were most important to you in choosing a backpack? How did you come to choose this one?

I’ll be honest; I’m a girly girl and I bought it because I liked the colour and it had a giant daffodil pinned to it. It’s also super comfy and designed for women so it has a shorter back which is soft and squidgy. I also wanted something with lots of smaller pockets so I could find my stuff.

What do you like most about your backpack? Any down sides?

I like the fact it has a smaller compartment at the bottom and two side pockets. I don’t like the fact it’s a top loader because if anything slips down to the bottom of the main compartment it pretty much stays there and I don’t find it until I have a major ‘backpack clear-out’.

Tell us about the fit and comfort level of your backpack.

It fits perfectly. I always tighten the hip belt and carry all the weight on my hips rather than my shoulders so it’s really comfortable.

If you want to take your backpack as carry-on luggage, can you?

No it’s too big and usually too heavy.

Have you found the size to be too small, just right, or too large?

It’s probably too big really. It means I end up packing far too much stuff that I really don’t need to lug around with me. But I’d probably freak out if I had a smaller bag and couldn’t fit everything in it.

Overall, would you recommend your backpack?

I definitely would, especially if someone is travelling for a while and needs a bigger bag. Also, Deuter have some bright colours; my bag is orange so although it gets pretty mucky, it’s always easy to spot on the carousel.

Thanks for telling us about your travel experiences with your backpack, Monica!

You can read about Monica’s travels on her blog The Travel Hack, Twitter and Facebook.

See, back in the day, I used another brand of menstrual cup. Before setting off on my extended travels, I wanted something that made sense to the pack snob within – the one that didn’t like the idea of stock-piling tampons (I had studied abroad in Italy in college and was never happy with my tampon selection in that country) and one who was just curious as to whether or not the menstrual cup would work better for me.

And it did. I loved the menstrual cup and used it for several years until I one month misplaced the cup. Blame it on me being lazy, but I just never got around to ordering a new one, and instead explored the world of Australian tampons (uhm… so they don’t believe in applicators here), which was fine. But, when I started thinking about longer-term travel again, I wanted a cup – which is where DivaCup came in.

I’ve now had a couple of cycles with the Divacup, and I’m just so happy to have this little item in my arsenal again. For me, it just takes a lot of worry out of that time of the month – mainly because with tampons, I always fear leakage. Instead, with my cup, I barely have to worry. In fact, I know that if I’m on a long, long trip, or traveling in the countryside with lame toilet facilities, I am still going to be OK.

Sure, the process of using a DivaCup might be a bit more invasive than tampons (well, not for the women Down Under who don’t use applicators!), but the peace of mind I receive is more than enough to outweigh that negative. I also really enjoy that I usually only have to attend to it 2, maybe 3, times per day. So, I empty in the morning, and again in the evening when back from my city tours, and again before bed — and that’s all!

Plus, it holds little to no risk of causing TSS. Win!

In comparison to my other brand of cup I used in the past, there are a few reasons why I enjoy the DivaCup a little more:

• The stem on the DivaCup is shorter. So, while the older cup I used to use had a long stem that made it easy to grab and pull out for emptying, the stem would often poke and prod me in places I wished it hadn’t. The smaller stem is nice in that regard, and I find that if I can’t reach the stem very well, it only takes a few clenches of the muscles (like pushing down) before it is accessible.
• The clear color of the DivaCup has not been affected by the menstrual fluids. My older cup had a tendency to turn colors until I was able to give it a proper boil or scrub down – and even then it still had a yellowish appearance. Not cool.
• The cup itself feels more flexible than the other brand I used in the past. It makes it easier to fold and insert.

From one female to another, I would say that the DivaCup is worth a try. It doesn’t cost much, and if you love it, you’ll have a monthly feminine product for many years to come.

>> Buy the DivaCup on Amazon.