I like this tiny thermometer that hangs on the zipper pull of my jacket or daypack. It settles the question of exactly how hot or cold it is. The Sun Zipogage ($21) weighs only half of an ounce (13g) and is digital with an on/off button. (Tiny analog thermometers are not readable or accurate.) – KK

I’ve long carried a mini-pharmacy in my daypack, packed with small doses of common over-counter medicines for occasional use. Mosts are used to supply my companion travelers. I recently upgraded to a very compact container that takes up almost no room. The Portable Travel Pill Box ($4) can hold 10 different medicines, which I label with dosages. It is very handy, and goes with me everywhere my bag goes. — KK

My wife recently discovered a brilliant travel accessory — the EZ4UVOY stuffable neck pillow. It's a soft velvet neck pillow that you can fill with clothes or other soft items, giving you extra packing space without counting as additional carry-on luggage. You can fit 4-5 pieces of clothing inside, saving baggage fees. While it can get a bit heavy when fully packed, the pillow is comfortable to use on the plane once stuffed, and comes with a shoulder strap and a clip to keep it in a curved shape. — MF

Whenever an old piece of luggage breaks, I replace it with a SwissGear model. I finally abandoned my 20-year-old Briggs & Riley because the zippers were all broken and I didn't like having to use both hands to extend the telescoping handle. I bought the latest version of the SwissGear carry-on for under $100. It's a lightweight, 360-degree four-wheeled spinner with two front pockets, a snap-on TSA liquids bag, and a mesh zipper compartment in the interior lid. It also has handles on the side and bottom, making it easy to pull out of stowage areas. We now have 7 pieces of SwissGear - three 21-inch models and four 25-inch check-in models. — MF

The Maxtop cross-body belt bag’s compact design allows me to discreetly tuck it under my shirt or jacket, significantly reducing the risk of pickpocketing. The bag’s multiple pockets comfortably hold my passport and essentials, making it great for travel. — MF

I try to keep my makeup routine as low-maintenance as possible and this lay-flat drawstring toiletry bag was the missing piece. The bag opens and expands to lay flat so I can see and find exactly what I want without rummaging or dumping everything out. I’m usually rushed when I decide to put on makeup and this saves me time and keeps my things from spilling on the floor. — CD

We’ve recommended Anker superchargers before; they will charge phones and computer devices really fast. Now, even better is a four-slotted Anker 747 supercharger, which can handle three USB-C cords (the emerging universal standard plug) and one classic USB. This is ideal for traveling, particularly for more than one user, with multiple devices (phone, Kindle, watch, laptop).  I used to carry a homemade squid with multiple chargers from one outlet, but this fist-size cube is much more compact, simple, and faster. It can charge up to four devices in a jiffy. — KK

This pill organizer is perfect for travel, but I also use it at home to organize my pills. It comes with seven boxes marked with the days of the week. Each box has two compartments for AM and PM. I take all my supplements in the morning, which allows me to organize my pills two weeks in advance. The seven boxes fit in a clear plastic case. On trips, I just bring the boxes I need. — MF

Seven years ago, I bought a cheap, lightweight Toaks titanium spork. I take it with me whenever I travel. I use it rather than plastic cutlery when I eat in fast food restaurants or in my hotel room. It’s so durable that it still looks brand new. — MF

The goal of ultralight backpacking is to reduce the weight of your basic persistent stuff to under 10 pounds (4.5 kg). For hiking, the lighter your load, the more enjoyment. A key component to bringing the weight down is a super lightweight backpack. One of the lightest functional packs is the Zpack Nero 38 Liter, the one I use, which weighs 10.5 ounces (under 300 g). It’s a dry bag so no rain shell is needed. Empty, it will fold into a gallon Ziplock bag. — KK

I own three pairs of Roark Explorer Adventure pants. They dry quickly in my hotel room after being washed. They feature a side zipper pocket for cell phones and passports, as well as a hidden back zipper pocket for wallets. I was in Carcassonne last week and warned that pickpockets were active there, so I was glad to have my belongings secured. — MF

I’ve used this Retractable Portable Clothesline in 4 different hotels and I highly recommend it. You never lose the clothespins since they are attached to an elastic cord. Positioning beads on the cord prevents clothing items from sliding along it. There are hooks on the ends of the cord instead of suction cups, so you’ll need to be creative to set it up, but I find a way every time. — MF

Mack’s moldable silicone earplugs are superior to squishy foam earplugs because they completely seal the opening to your ear. They do a fantastic job of blocking out sound. These silly-putty-like plugs have saved my sleep many times when staying in noisy hotels and Airbnbs. — MF

I’ve searched high and low for the perfect size toiletry bag that could fit all of my makeup and hygiene stuff, and I finally found it in this ZEEMO Dopp Kit for Men ($18). It has a main compartment where I can fit larger items, 10 mesh pouches and 2 zippered pockets. None of the unisex or women’s toiletry bags that I came across were as useful or well-designed as this one. — CD

My new favorite hat to wear hiking is this Parapack P-CAP — an adjustable, foldable hat that is so breathable and lightweight it feels like I’m wearing nothing on my head. I love that it looks better than my other sun hats, and is less bulky. I just keep this in my purse now, because it’s so small. You can also fold it and use it as a pouch. — CD

I was glad I kept this super-lightweight A.Brolly Tube umbrella in my backpack while I was in rainy New York last week. It was so light (3 ounces) and small (8-inches unopened) that I forgot about having it until I needed it. It uses carbon fiber instead of steel for the ribs. — MF

This $8 light-blocking eye mask is my go-to relaxation tool for long flights and drives and meditation and afternoon naps. It’s called a “Men’s Travel Comfort Eye Mask” but it’s one size fits all and has adjustable straps. What makes it better than other inexpensive eye masks is the ultra-soft ridge at the bottom of it that prevents any light from leaking in. This mask + noise-cancelling earbuds are the perfect tools for an at-home sensory-deprivation experience. — CD

The Olight i3E is not the smallest keychain light. That is still the Photon, powered by a watch battery. But the Olight i3E is the smallest brightest light that runs on an easily available battery: the AAA. It’s the size of your pinky: 2 inches/6 cm long, and costs $10. One AAA will power it for years of occasional use, for when you need light more focused than a phone’s. (And I use a rechargeable AAA.) — KK

This slim and portable mirror ($15) always comes in handy on trips, especially when only one bathroom is available for everyone or when I am getting ready and relegated to a room with no mirror. It has an adjustable stand and folds into its own protective cover so it won’t get crushed. It’s so slim and weighs only one pound which makes it easy to always pack it. — CD

“Basic economy” is the cheapest way to fly on United. You don’t get to select your seat and you can’t check any bags or even bring a standard carry-on bag without paying extra. You are allowed one personal item, measuring 17x10x9” or less. That’s smaller than most backpacks and is an unusual size. Fortunately, Aerolite makes a bag measuring 16x10x8” (called the 16 Inch Aerolite Carry On Hand Luggage Flight Duffle Bag) and it’s big enough for a couple of changes of clothes, toiletries, electronics, and a laptop. — MF