Updated January 24, 2023

If it’s destined for your bag, it needs to earn its keep. Multipurpose travel gear allows you to pack less, and lighter. Gleaning as many uses as possible from each packed item means that other things can be left at home.

Ideas on multipurpose travel gear

Looking for inspiration? If so, here are 40 ideas.

1. Pashmina

The pashmina is the Swiss Army Knife of travel gear. It crosses the boundaries of tropical and temperate climates. A pashmina is just as functional in hot weather as it is in cold. It can be used as a scarf, towel, blanket, tablecloth, privacy curtain, changing room screen, signal flag, makeshift bag, seating pad, pillow, pillowcase, eye mask, skirt, bathrobe, or swimsuit cover-up.

It offers protection from the sun or dust storms. It can be used as a shawl in air-conditioned buildings or buses, and serve another purpose by hiding your cross-body bag from sight. Reach for it during cool evenings outdoors. Add it to your in-flight wardrobe to deal with the fluctuating temperatures on the plane. It can serve as a head cover when visiting religious sites, or to cover bare shoulders in countries where it’s culturally appropriate to do so. After injuring my shoulder in Jordan, it became a perfect sling. I’ve also seen parents use one as a baby sling. Or, use it as packing material for delicate souvenirs.

2. Multipurpose soap

There are plenty of multipurpose soap products on the market. Many people, myself included, have used Dr Bronner’s 18-in-one Hemp Pure-Castille Soap (my favourite is lavender) as hand soap, shampoo, body wash, shaving cream, laundry detergent, and dish soap. A little goes a long way and it comes in a travel-friendly 59-ml / 2-oz recycled plastic bottle. Or, look for it as a soap bar.

3. Dental floss

Dental floss is strong enough to use as a temporary shoelace, fishing line, or clothesline. It’s stronger than thread, so it can be used for mending jobs requiring a tougher approach. Fix eyeglasses after the screw holding the frame together goes missing. Repair a broken necklace or bracelet. Fasten a piece of cloth to a leaky tap or shower head to silence an annoying drip. It can substitute as a knife for cutting cheese, fruit, hard-boiled eggs, bread, or pastries.

There are plenty of plastic-free natural products on the market. For example, my mulberry silk dental floss from Dental Lace comes in a refillable and recyclable travel-friendly glass container. However, I’ve found bamboo charcoal floss to be stronger and less likely to shred or break. Mine is in a refillable bamboo container but refillable glass and stainless steel containers are available. Some empty dental floss containers make an ideal diversion safe for storing emergency cash.

4. Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal is a centuries-old remedy that is still used today in trauma centres to treat certain types of overdoses and poisoning. Some travellers don’t leave home without it. It’s used to settle a queasy stomach, treat diarrhea, or alleviate gas and bloating. Activated charcoal can help prevent hangovers, and treat alcohol poisoning. It’s also used for whitening teeth, and in homemade recipes for facial masks, skin cleansers, makeup, and deodorant. It’s my go-to product as a first step to deal with travellers’ diarrhea.

5. Hand sanitizer

In an interview with the New York Times, cleaning expert Jolie Kerr recommended hand sanitizer for stain removal. “If I had to tell people to carry just one thing with them to handle stains on the fly, it would be hand sanitizer. It has a high concentration of alcohol in it, which is a very good stain remover and will work on everything from pen to food spills to blood.”

For natural sanitizers dispensed from a spray bottle, EO co-founder Susan Griffin-Black has used it as a deodorizer on her yoga mat and sneakers, and to clean smears and smudges from a phone screen and glasses. Check out Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer and Everyone Natural Hand Sanitizer Spray (I love Coconut and Lemon).

6. Travel clothesline

A braided travel clothesline doesn’t require clothespins to attach laundry. It can be used as a clothesline or a ‘curtain rod’ for a privacy curtain. Attach it to two fixed objects, and hang a pashmina to create a screen while sleeping or dressing. It works very well when strung between the posts of the lower bunk in a hostel dorm. If I stay in a hostel without a privacy curtain, my clothesline serves as a privacy curtain and clothesline. Or, use it to strap items in place, or bundle them together.

7. Refillable water bottle

Choose a refillable water bottle that’s dishwasher and freezer safe. One with a flat design can be used as an ice pack for aching muscles. Or, fill it with hot water to use as a hot water bottle on cold nights. The Vapur Element comes in 1 litre / 34 fl oz and 0.71 litre / 23/6 fl oz sizes. Both are lightweight and foldable, and as a result some people travel with two bottles. When one serves as a water bottle, the other is available as an ice pack or hot water bottle.

A water bottle with built-in sterilizing technology eliminates the need to carry a separate unit such as a SteriPEN or LifeStraw, or iodine tablets. There are several on the market: Lifestraw-Go, Grayl, and LARQ, to name a few.

8. Travel shirt

Gone are the days when a travel shirt with sun protection created that ‘safari-ready’ look. The Columbia Silver Ridge collection of long-sleeved travel shirts for women and men offer protection from the harmful effects of the sun. And, they do double duty as dressier wear. Their sleek design and range of vibrant colours have a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating of 40.

9. BUFF® or neck gaiter

A BUFF® (or similar product) can be used as a scarf, cowl, neck warmer, cap, sleep mask, scrunchie, hairband, sweatband, ear warmer, wristband, balaclava, mask, swim cap, helmet liner, or bandana. Those impregnated with an insect shield offer protection from biting insects.

Do you always (or occasionally) return home and identify the most valuable item you packed? I do, and on one such trip, cycling in Cambodia, my Buff (and a similar neck gaiter) was my hands-down favourite.  

Photo credit: Lynn Chen, A Heart in Sharing Travel Tales

10. Bandana

Use a bandana as a handkerchief, or as a face cloth to wipe away trail dust or perspiration from a workout. Cover your face in dusty or smoggy conditions, or for protection from the sun. Make an ice pack, tourniquet, or sling. Use as a headband, hair tie, or scarf. Tie a couple together to create a strap, or as padding to prevent chafing. Wrap up a sandwich, fashion a reusable snack sack, or use as a napkin. There are loads of possibilities. They’re lightweight, reusable, and quick drying.

11. Tablet towels

Tablet towels are compressed fibre towels roughly the size of two Life Savers® candies. When introduced to water, they magically explode into a durable cloth. A tablet towel can be used as a washcloth, dishtowel, strainer, or emergency toilet paper. Keep a few in your first-aid kit for cleaning abrasions and minor wounds. Pack a couple of pre-moistened tablet towels in a reusable zip-top silicone bag in your purse or carry-on bag for freshening up during a long travel day.

12. Phone wallet case

A phone case protects a phone from damage. A phone wallet case doubles as a purse. The pocket holds a financial card, hotel room card key, driver’s licence, or a transit or Wi-Fi card. Between the case and the phone, there’s room for a few other items. That’s where I keep an emergency cash stash and a small holder containing my home-country SIM card and SIM card eject tool.

Include a phone tether tab to attach a strap to deter pickpockets and reduce the risk of damage to a dropped phone.

13. Smartphone

Your Smartphone performs a huge array of functions. Regard it as an opportunity to leave things behind. Do you need a camera, voice recorder, e-book reader, printed list of phrases in another language, maps, calculator, notebook, or guidebook? Look to your phone for these and other opportunities to carry things digitally or in a cloud-based storage system. 

14. Microfibre pouch

A microfibre pouch designed to protect reading glasses or sunglasses doubles as a lens cleaner. I use one to protect my pocket camera from scratches and dust while it sits in a pocket, purse, or daypack. The soft fabric of the pouch cleans the lens, alleviating the need to carry a separate microfibre cleaning cloth.

15. Paper clip

A simple paper clip is useful for more than keeping travel documents together. Use one as a money clip to keep currency organized. When used as a bookmark, place it at the side of the page to quickly find what you’re looking for. Open up a paperclip and use it to remove hair from a brush. Use one as a SIM card remover tool. Unclog a spray bottle or spout on a travel-sized toiletry container, or a salt or pepper shaker.

16. Zip-top silicone bags

Zip-top bags have a multitude of uses. Silicone bags are reusable. Use one as a dirty clothes hamper, icepack, camera raincoat, camera incubator to prevent condensation, food and snack storage, packing cube, outfit organizer, nausea bag, reusable wet wipes dispenser, space saver, 3-1-1 toiletries bag, wet swimsuit bag, washing machine, currency organizer, leak-proof and waterproof storage unit, file folder… the possibilities are endless, making them very handy indeed.

Discarded plastic bags are hard on the environment. Skip the single-use variety. Try to limit your plastic waste by using reusable silicone bags and other packing organizers, washable food pouches, and other alternatives to single-use plastic products.

17. Existing containers

Might an existing container store something else? Can it be reused or repurposed? Rather than discarding it, can it be refilled with a similar product?

Instead of packing a small roll of duct tape, do you have an existing container that can serve as a wrapping source? Wrap a couple of pieces around a water bottle. Slip a needle and some thread behind the soap leaves in their plastic dispenser. What’s in your bag that could be used as an emergency cash stash? Place cash inside a hairbrush, shoe, phone case, or hidden pocket in a packing organizer.

18. Socks

Use socks as a shoe bag, emergency mittens, sink plug, or a packing organizer and protective case for small electronics and gadgets. A sock with a zipper is a useful piece of anti-pickpocket gear. Or, create a moveable pocket or wallet from an old sock or pantyhose to attach to the inside of clothing with a safety pin.  

19. Denture cleanser tablets

Denture cleanser tablets are useful for sterilizing stuff on the road when you don’t have access to soapy water and a bottlebrush or other cleaning products. Drop a tablet into a refillable water bottle once a week, or in a glass of water to periodically clean a toothbrush. Instead of discarding biodegradable EcoFlosser dental picks, sterilize them to squeeze out a few more uses.

20. Twist ties

Pack a couple of plastic-coated twist ties in your MacGyver kit. Secure zippers or luggage tags, tame charging cords, fasten a loose button, or use as a temporary shoelace.

21. Tights and leggings

Tights and leggings are perfect for packing light travel. They’re comfortable, lightweight, and versatile. They can be dressed up or down, used as loungewear, sleepwear or exercise gear, or for an extra layer of warmth when the temperature drops. Add a couple of credit-card-sized pockets to the inside waistband for money and a financial card when you don’t want to carry a purse. Or, check out how TheRealKilolo uses leggings as a head wrap. Now that’s taking versatility to new ‘heights.’

22. Waterproof breathable outerwear

Use waterproof, windproof, breathable outerwear as a rain jacket, windbreaker, or winter shell with layers underneath.

Packing a selection of outerwear to perform various functions can tip the scales beyond a carry-on bag to checked luggage. Look for versatility and what best lends itself to functionality for two-season, three-season, and even four-season travel. What complicates things is travelling across different climatic zones on the same trip.  

Back in 2008, I gave Eddie Bauer $129 plus tax for a crappy rain jacket that barely met my needs on a trip to Greece via London. I sweated in both locations, it was heavier than it needed to be, and it was the worst $129 (plus tax) I ever spent. If only I had invested in something worthwhile.

Enter the Arc’teryx Norvan SL Hoody. Was it available in 2008? Maybe not. I bought mine in 2017. It’s pricey, but it’s the best lightweight, breathable, waterproof, windproof outerwear I’ve ever owned. When travelling across climatic zones that include northern winters, I pack my packable puffy jacket (Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody) that fits as a layer under the Norvan SL Hoody. For temperate climates, I pack merino layers that work perfectly with the lightweight, breathable SL Hoody. Here is my detailed review.

23. Underwear with pockets

Underwear with pockets can be useful as anti-theft gear. There’s a variety on the market. I liked  Clever Travel Companion’s Women’s Cotton Underwear with Secret Pockets until the discovered a similar product from H&R. Where the H+R underwear with secret pockets has the edge is that it’s cheaper, lighter, and dries faster than the Clever Travel Companion variety.

Both have two zippered pockets, comfortably and securely positioned in front under the waistband. However, the H+R pockets are wider, making it easier to slide in a passport. Both are quite versatile, comfortable enough to wear as loungewear after a long travel day. They’re also soft enough to wear as sleepwear. This is handy for sleeping with valuables on a sleeper bus, overnight train, or in shared accommodation. The H&R shorts are longer, and as such, are more versatile. I feel comfortable wearing them as shorts, exercise wear, or swimwear.

24. Safety pins

Carry a few different sizes of safety pins for anchoring a zipper to foil pickpockets. Join curtains to shut out the light for sleeping. Execute a temporary repair to a tent, bag, or clothing. Keep a couple in your first-aid kit to remove a splinter or fashion a sling. Hang up your laundry, or attach wet socks to an attachment point on your backpack. Or attach a sock ‘safe’ containing valuables to the inside of clothing. Are you travelling with blister packs of liquids or gels, and just need a small amount? Instead of ripping one open, use a safety pin to make a small hole to dispense what’s needed. Place a few in the bottom of a rigid soap bar case to speed up the drying process. 

25. Packable shopping bag

Look for a small packable lightweight shopping bag that can be used in several different ways. For example, the right bag could be used as a day bag, beach bag, shower bag, and in-flight personal bag. If it stuffs into its own attached stuff sack, it could be carried in a pocket or clipped to a purse. It’s useful to have one with longer straps so it can be carried over the shoulder or worn as a cross-body bag. Plus, they’re easy on the environment when you’re able to refuse plastic bags. My ChicoBag Vita is made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. It can carry up to 40 lb / 18 kg.

Love Bag’s Stash It has longer handles, so it can be worn cross-body style. It’s rated to carry up to 35 lb / 16 kg.

If you’d prefer one with backpack straps, I can vouch for the 20-litre Osprey Ultralight Dry Stuff Pack weighing only 6.9 oz / 195 g.

26. Versatile shoes

Shoes are a space and weight guzzler. When choosing which shoes to pack, versatility is key. Look for those that can do double or triple duty. For example, flip-flops can be worn at the beach or poolside, as slippers indoors, or as shower shoes. But it’s a rare pair of flip-flops that can be worn for dressier occasions.

That’s where Croc’s wedge sandals have the edge. They’re as versatile as flip-flops/thongs, and can be worn with dressier outfits. In addition, they’re a safer and more comfortable walking shoe. I love Havaianas Slims, but they’re not as versatile as my Crocs Sanrah Beveled Circle Wedge Sandal. They take up a little more space than my Havaianas Slims, and only weigh 2 grams more.

27. Hair styling aids

Some types of hair styling aids take up very little space. My friend Marilyn doesn’t pack a brush or comb when she travels. She uses a hair comb clip to brush, style, and fasten her hair in place.

Hair elastics come in different lengths, widths, and colours. They’re sturdier, and last longer than elastic bands. Use them for keeping something contained, or bundling items together. Tighten wide sleeves at the wrist to keep out the cold, or long trousers at the ankle to keep the fabric free of a bicycle chain. Strap pants to boots to keep out insects or leeches. Use a long one as a bookmark, or a shorter one to constrain charging cords.

28. Travel umbrella

An umbrella offers protection from rain, wet snow, and sun. In hot climates, such as Cuba and Australia, you won’t stand out if you use an umbrella on a sunny day. Many people do. Or, use one as a privacy screen, especially important on a bio break in some locations. In rural China where toilets often don’t have doors, your umbrella will provide entertainment value to onlookers, but at least you’ll have a measure of privacy. Look for a travel-sized version. My Sea-to-Summit Pocket Umbrella fits in a day bag and weighs just 155 grams / 5.4 ounces. 

29. Poncho

A waterproof poncho is a good choice in rain gear on through hikes when you’re carrying a backpack. It can also be used as a pack cover, ground sheet, shelter, emergency stretcher, rain catcher, or windbreak when cooking.

30. Swimwear

The right swimwear can be worn as daywear, exercise gear, loungewear, or sleepwear. For women, the greatest versatility can be found in swim dresses and two-piece swimwear. For the latter, look for a tankini top that can be worn as a tank top and swim shorts that can be worn for activities that don’t involve water. I shopped online at Modlily where it was possible to choose a top and then match it with swim shorts of my choosing. I bought a ROTITA Tribal Print Ring Detail Tankini Top and paired it with high-waisted shorts featuring tummy compression and two side pockets. A longer version of the swim shorts was available.

31. Infinity scarves with pockets

Infinity scarves with pockets are triple-duty accessories.

They provide warmth, and help create the illusion of different outfits. When they can help protect valuables in a hidden pocket, their currency as a travel accessory increases in value. An infinity scarf wrapped twice around the neck offers greater security than a rectangular scarf with a pocket. Unisex infinity scarves tend to be available in more subdued, neutral tones.

32. Surgical tape

Surgical tape is used to fasten a dressing on a wound. It’s breathable, easy to tear, and can be removed without damaging the skin. Extend its usefulness to create a non-slip grip on a hiking pole, cover a hole in mosquito netting, or to mend a tear in outerwear. Faced with the problem of shampoo oozing out of its container during a flight? Reinforce the lid with surgical tape. Keep some handy by wrapping some around an item you usually pack.

33. Coconut oil

Many travellers have turned to coconut oil to replace chemical-laden beauty products. Look for unrefined organic virgin coconut oil, as the processed varieties don’t have the same health benefits. Some of the uses of coconut oil are:

• body moisturizer and face cream
• lip balm
• soothe chapped skin
• after-sun lotion and sunburn relief
• soothe mosquito bites
• shaving cream
• hair mask/ leave-in hair conditioner
• exfoliating scrub, when mixed with sugar

I use it at home, but find the changes in texture with fluctuations in temperature difficult to deal with when travelling. As a result, I switched to fractionated coconut oil.

34. Skin gel

My 35-ml / 1.2-oz bottle of Nature’s Aid All Natural Skin Gel is just as handy in my first-aid kit as it is in my toiletries bag. This all-purpose healing and beauty product can be used from head to toe — from a scalp treatment to fungal infections of the feet. In between, it’s a face toner, body moisturizer, and wound healer. It treats a wide assortment of skin conditions, infections, and their related symptoms. I’ve used it as a wound healer on minor cuts and scrapes, and to quell the itch of insect bites. When my partner gets too close to our wood-burning stove, he applies it on minor burns and swears by its effectiveness. With its anti-aging, astringent, moisturizing and regenerative properties, I often use it as a facial moisturizer. Nature’s Aid also produces a moisturizing skin gel containing sweet almond and organ oil.

35. Aloe Vera

36. Duct tape

The versatility of duct tape can’t be understated. I’ve used it to mend a suitcase, tame dangling backpack straps, and keep a leg bandage in place on a cycling trip. For a description of other uses while travelling and tips on how to pack a small amount, see Travelling with duct tape: 30 practical uses.

37. Dry bags

A dry bag is invaluable for keeping stuff dry. Dry bags can be used to carry water or ice, seal in the funk from dirty laundry or shoes, as a DIY ‘washing machine,’ or protect items in a travel bag from a wet swimsuit or travel towel. For a description and other uses, see Ten reasons to travel with dry bags.

38. Handle wrap with luggage tag

It’s not uncommon for someone to take the wrong bag, intentionally or by mistake. Bags on luggage carousels aren’t the only casualties; I’ve read of several cases when a passenger has taken someone else’s bag from the overhead compartment.

A luggage handle wrap has several functions. It helps a bag stand out, by colour and touch, so there’s less likelihood of another person taking it by mistake. Another purpose is to provide a more comfortable grip when carrying a bag. A handle wrap that has a built-in luggage tag means that the tag is much less likely to go missing, a common problem with tags attached to the outside of luggage.

39. Key straps

With a swivel hook at both ends, a key strap tethers one or more objects to internal hardware inside bags and clothing. Pack your in-ear headphones in a small packing organizer with an attachment point and it will never go missing. Add a key ring to a key strap to attach a key, whistle, or multipurpose tool. Create additional packing space by tethering something to an external attachment point on your travel bag. Make your own or purchase some from Tom Bihn.

40. Vapour rub

An ointment containing camphor and menthol can offer temporary relief from arthritic, rheumatic, and muscular pain. Or use it as a vapour rub on the chest or neck for relief from congestion and soreness from a cold, ‘flu, allergies, or nasal infections. It can help mask offending odours such as those from cigarette smoke or rotting garbage. I carry a small amount on every flight to mask body odour of nearby passengers or clothing that reeks of cigarette smoke. Dabbing a little under the nose obliterates the smell.

Commercially available products include Boroleum, Mentholatum, and J.R. Watkins Medicated Ointment.

Might you be interested in these related posts?

• Stop pickpockets with an assortment of anti-pickpocket gear
• Always pack a pashmina: one of the bst multipurpose items in a travel bag
• Save money for where it counts: cruise dollar store aisles for travel products
• Shop Etsy travel products: 11 useful examples
• My favourite travel gear hacks
• A MacGyver kit for travel: 20 simple ideas
• Travel with tablet towels: a multipurpose essential every traveller should pack
• Travelling with duct tape: 30 practical uses
• A review of the Arc’teryx Norvan SL hoody: a breathable packable lightweight rain jacket for travellers
• 10 Useful reasons to travel with dry bags
• Laundry packing list and laundry tips while travelling
• 12 Must-have features of a phone wallet case for travel
• How to choose the best reusable water bottle for travel

 

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