With more people adjusting to traveling during a pandemic, black men across the country are packing their bags and heading out to explore the world.

Whether they’re headed on a guy’s trip or flying solo on a business venture, there are some essentials every man should have while traveling. Here are a few items you want to make sure have before hopping on a plane or getting on the road

1. Dr. Bronner’s Soap

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Black men everywhere are raving about Dr. Bronner’s soaps. With favorites being their peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus scents, Dr. Bronner’s bar and liquid soap are perfect for any vacation. Some hotel soaps can irritate or dry out the skin, so Dr. Bronner’s is a good, safe alternative for any skin type. 

2. The GlowKit from The Melanated Bar

The GlowKit from The Melanated Bar has risen in popularity amongst black men as the go-to travel essential to keep their skin clear and on point.

The kit includes a turmeric face bar, an exfoliating scrub, and a rosehip serum. Designed to give users healthy and glowing skin, the GlowKit is a must-have in your travel bag as you come and go. 

3. Cologne

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There is nothing better than a good-smelling man and, while traveling, it’s vital that you have your favorite cologne on hand. It’s important to have multiple scents for different occasions. Some favorites include Clive Christian, Creed Aventus, and Dior Sauvage

4. Your Favorite Slides

A good pair of slides can take you straight through TSA and to the plane, so make sure you have a pair you can throw on. Slides are also great if you’re hitting the beach on your trip and don’t want to risk getting sand in your good shoes. Slide favorites include Nike, Gucci, and Adidas

 

5. A Light Jacket

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Airports and planes can be a bit chilly, so it’s important to have a lightweight jacket when you’re preparing to travel. Some of our favorite brands include North Face, Columbia, and Patagonia. You can also find light, inexpensive travel jackets on Amazon. 

6. Sunglasses

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Protect your eyes from harmful sun rays by keeping a pair of sunglasses on you while traveling. Whether you’re riding in an Uber, strolling the beach, or hiking through the mountains, a good pair of shades is essential as you explore your destination. 

7. Portable Charger

Nobody likes a dead phone, especially when you’re on vacation trying to take selfies and snap photos of landmarks. Keep your phone charged by investing in a portable charger to ensure your battery never runs out. A portable charger is very important if you plan on backpacking through a foreign country or going into areas where you’re not likely to find an electrical outlet. 

8. Carry-on Bag

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A good carry-on bag is important to have for when you’re traveling on a plane or if you can only take a limited amount of items on your trip. Some of our favorite travel bags for men include the Level 8 Carry-on Road Runner and the Gonex Canvas Duffel Bag

9. Headphones

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Leaving home without your headphones is a major pet peeve while traveling, so it’s important to have a good pair on hand before you take off.

While a lot of travelers love to rock Apple’s Airpods, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones are great when on a plane to drown out noisy passengers while on the plane. Some of our favorites include Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, Tazo NC7 Truly Wireless, and the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless headphones. 

10. Neck Pillow

A neck spasm after sitting uncomfortably on a plane or in a car is the last thing any man wants when traveling. Keeping a neck pillow on hand can save you a lot of discomforts after you’ve reached your destination. Some favorite brands for neck pillows are the Huzi Infinity Pillow and TravelRest’s Ultimate Travel Pillow