37 items you need to add to your summer vacation packing list

If you don’t want to break the bank on a travel backpack, we get it! (The trip alone breaks the bank!) But don’t worry, Amazon’s got you covered with this anti-theft option. It comes with a fixed lock, can fit a laptop and has pockets galore. In addition to its luggage strap, the backpack also has a top handle, a USB port and adjustable straps.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L travel backpack is a great pick for travelers who want to skip the carry-on bag entirely. One CNN Underscored contributor used this backpack to pack everything she needed for a three-week trek through Europe. We like this backpack because of its various organization compartments and stylish exterior that can be customized to your liking.

Away’s The Carry-On is one of our favorite carry-on bags, thanks to its chic design, durable polycarbonate construction and attractive price. It’ll comfortably hold enough clothes for a four- or five-day trip to a new city or the beach and is considered a carry-on bag on virtually all US airlines. One of our favorite features is the internal compression strap system that makes it easy to maximize your packing space.

Going on a longer trip and need to check a bag? It’s hard to go wrong with the Freeform Medium Spinner from Samsonite. It’s our pick for the best budget-friendly checked bag, thanks to its four smooth-rolling wheels, wide-open packing space and expandability. The price is right, too, as it’s often marked down to well under $200.

We’ve never met packing cubes we didn’t like, and that includes this set from luggage brand Away. Available in seven colors, the packing cubes are made of water-resistant nylon that can protect your clothes, with breathable mesh toppers that allow you to easily see what’s inside.

Don’t worry about your phone dying on your next trip. This budget-friendly battery bank has a 10,000mAh capacity — more than enough to charge most modern smartphones — and USB-A and USB-C outputs for maximum compatibility. Plus, this battery bank complies with TSA battery rules so you shouldn’t have any issues bringing it in your carry-on bag.

The second-generation Apple AirPods Pro offers immersive sound with up to two times more active noise cancellation and personalized spatial audio. With a customizable fit and touch controls, they provide comfort and easy playback management. They’re dust-, sweat- and water-resistant, with long battery life and a feature-rich case for convenience. Plus, they offer seamless device connectivity and features like Conversation Awareness and Siri integration for a better experience.

This simple yet effective device will help any travel journey go by faster. Simply insert your phone and use the adjustable clasp to mount the tool onto any steady surface — from airline tray tables to car headrests. It can be customized to fit just about anywhere and from any viewing angle.

The Sony XB13 churns out rich, 360-degree sound in a waterproof, dustproof cylinder that weighs less than 1 pound and boasts 16 hours of battery. Our favorite detail? The attached strap is for carrying or attaching to your gear (or beach umbrella).

This editor-approved European power adapter is a must-have for trips to the region. It has a standard European socket — and includes a US and UK adapter — and has three US-style outlets, four USB-A ports and one USB-C port. This is great for charging all your gadgets from just one outlet when you’re traveling in Europe. Just make sure the devices you’re plugging into the Foval European power adapters can work on 220V outlets.

Having a good e-reader can make reading on the beach a whole lot more convenient. Reading on a smartphone or tablet means you’re subject to glare from the sun, and traditional books are a heavy addition to your beach bag. Instead, bring a Kindle Paperwhite loaded with your reading list. It’s waterproof, a single charge can last for weeks and its e-ink screen means you can read in direct sunlight. Plus, the Essentials Bundle includes a protective fabric case and a 9W USB power adapter.

If you’re flying to your summer vacation destination and you use wireless Bluetooth headphones, you need one of these simple transmitters. After pairing the AirFly Duo with your headphones, you can seamlessly stream the in-flight entertainment directly to your ears. Say goodbye to poor-quality airline-supplied wired headphones forever.

As CNN Underscored’s pick for the best sunscreen, Hawaiian Tropic’s Everyday Active Sunscreen is spray-on and provides 30 SPF protection from the sun. It’s great for the beach, as it’s water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes and has a pleasant coconut scent. Just note that you’ll have to put this in your checked luggage since it comes in a 6-ounce container.

This sunscreen from Coppertone is great for those who prefer mineral sunscreen. It provides 50 SPF protection and is hypoallergenic, with zinc oxide as its only active ingredient. Our testers found it applies smoothly and more easily than other mineral sunscreens. You might consider this option if you have sensitive skin or want to avoid chemicals.

Exclusive to Edition Hotels, these amenities feature a signature black tea scent by Le Labo and are infused with vitamin E and aloe vera for luxurious hair care and shea butter body lotion for revitalizing moisture. Paraben-free and cruelty-free, this set includes 3-ounce bottles of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion, all packaged in a beige canvas zip pouch perfect for travel.

These budget-friendly women’s flip-flops are perfect for any beach day. They have thin straps and a squared toe, giving them a premium look that you can rock poolside, at the beach or to hotel breakfast. They pack easily too, taking up little space in your carry-on or beach bag.

Crocs have long been some of our favorite travel shoes despite their odd styling. They’re super comfortable both at the airport and on the airplane, thanks to being lightweight and breathable, and they can be easily taken off at airport security. Even better, they’re usually on sale for under $50 on Amazon.

Teva is known for providing quality sandals at affordable prices, and these are no exception. The brand’s Original Universal sandals offer traditional webbing and durable rubber soles, and there’s even a zinc-based antimicrobial treatment applied to control unwanted scents. There’s a women's version available too.

Bathing suits are a summer vacation packing list must-have, but finding one that is effortlessly flattering is no easy feat — until now. We tried Aerie’s wrap one-piece swimsuit in multiple colors and fabrics, and have to say that it universally looks great on all body sizes. Strapless (no tan lines) and boasting a full-coverage booty, the suit has a sexy, peek-a-boo cutout that is mostly covered by the crossbody sash. It comes with removable straps and cups as well.

In our guide to the best swimsuits for women, fashion specialist Sarah Nearis recommended this one-piece swimsuit from Andie Swim. It’s designed with comfort in mind, thanks to its adjustable straps, underbust elastic and sculpting fabric. It’s available in a slew of sizes from XS to XXXL.

In our roundup of the best cheap swimsuits, our senior tech writer liked these swim trunks because they can double as regular shorts, thanks to their comfort and just-snug-enough fit. Plus, they have cargo pockets, so you can carry your phone and other essentials to the beach.

A diaper bag in a fanny pack? Yes, it exists, thanks to the Kibou unisex bag, which includes a detachable changing pad and is also stocked with a big waterproof pocket for wipes, credit card and cash slots, and a hook for keys (or pacifiers). Wipeable on the interior and exterior, the bag can be worn as a fanny pack or cross-body, making it a hands-free tool for traveling parents everywhere.

This we know: Traveling with babies is not easy. Nuna is making the journey a bit easier though, with its travel stroller that weighs just under 14 pounds and can accommodate passengers from infants up to 50-pound babies. Super sleek in design, the stroller can self-fold into a freestanding position with the simple push of a button on the handlebar. We love that the buckle is a self-guiding magnet — no more buckle frustration! — and that it comes with a handy carrying case.

As the world’s only premium ride-on suitcase for kids, this is a no-brainer for keeping your little traveler happy on long travel days. Better yet, once on board your flight and at a cruising altitude, the suitcase can be brought in to act like an in-flight bed for your kid or as a leg rest. So, not only can you store things in it but it’ll make for a more comfortable in-flight experience too.

Speaking of sleep, if a long-haul flight is in your future, you'll want to bring a good travel pillow to catch some z's. The Cabeau Evolution S3 is our favorite since it's firm enough to support your neck but soft enough to sleep on for hours at a time. Plus, the price is right at well under $50.

The Small Toiletry Bag offers a compact solution for travelers and light packers. Made with water-resistant nylon and a coated, wipeable interior, it has multiple compartments, including transparent and mesh pockets for efficient organization. With an exterior zip pocket for quick-access items, it’s designed for convenience on short trips.

The Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts. Made from durable, bluesign-approved recycled nylon, it's waterproof, with double-stitched, taped seams. Reflective interior, oval base, and D-ring attachment point enhance functionality. Perfect for backpacking and paddling adventures, backed by Sea to Summit guarantee.

Do you know what can ruin a vacation fast? A lingering, itchy bug bite, that’s what. Enter Bug Bite Thing. First seen on “Shark Tank,” the suction tool quickly and easily extracts insect saliva and venom from a bug bite, alleviating all itching, stinging and swelling symptoms. Amazon’s number-one seller for bug bite relief, the “Thing” has more than 92,000 reviews and, given its efficacy, is well worth the under-$10 price tag.

You want to be Instagram-ready on vacation, and wrinkled clothes will ruin that vibe. We recommend this handy travel steamer that weighs less than 2 pounds and can de-wrinkle your clothes in seconds. Amazon’s number-one travel steamer has more than 115,000 reviews and is currently on sale for just $30.

If you’re packing for summer, chances are you’re packing for hot weather. And whether you’re standing in line for a ride at Disney World or lounging poolside at a resort, staying cool is key. This battery-powered, rechargeable handheld mini fan, which comes in five different color options, offers up to 21 hours of cooling time on one charge.

Never has the phrase, “But first, coffee,” been more apropos than on vacation. Keep your morning brew piping hot in our best-tested travel coffee mug. It comes in 12-, 16- and 20-ounce sizes and is available in a slew of colors. Our testers liked how long it kept drinks hot or cold, and it excelled in our leak tests.

Gone are the cumbersome terry towels of yore and replacing them are lightweight, thinner options that are equally absorbent and way easier to travel with. We like Outerknown’s The Beach Towel because it’s comfortable, absorbent and durable. In fact, it’s the best beach towel we’ve tested.

If you’re flying to your destination, a digital luggage scale is a must-have accessory. This one from Etekcity is small and lightweight, so you can easily toss it in your luggage without taking up much room. With it, you can weigh your bag before heading to the airport to avoid the dreaded overweight bag fee.