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Now you’ve just gotta practice ordering a slice.

As a Deputy Editorial Director for BuzzFeed’s shopping team, I love to get into the weeds of why a product’s worth the money by deep diving into customer reviews, and product-testing as much as possible.

Hiiiiii, I'm Elizabeth, and I've lived in New York City for 15 years. But I grew up in a small town so I understand the best of both worlds, and the switchups you may experience if you aren't used to city travel but are heading to The Big Apple. I'm sure your uncle who's afraid of cities also has some opinions on what you should pack, but listen to me instead. I compiled a list of travel essentials, many of which I use on the reg in my city, like a handheld fan to stay cool, an anti-chafing stick, super cushy socks, and more. You're going to be in large groups of people and tight squeezes, but investing in some of these things will help ease some traveling pain points. Maybe by the end of your trip YOU'LL be the one yelling, "Hey, I'm walking here!" (Pedestrians do have the right of way, but do look before you cross the street.) 

A stick of Gold Bond Friction Defense will stop chafing caused by sweat before it even starts. It's sooo good and I think is better than any other competitor in the thigh-saving category. If you're in a city, you're going to do a LOT of walking and I use this all the time in NYC before I run out the door. It's also great to apply under sandal straps! Note that I have the old packaging (the product lasts for about half a year for me, but the formula hasn't changed). 

Promising review: "It’s incredible!!! Chub rub and chafing are always huge issues, especially in dresses, and this solved that problem in one fell swoop. I used this for the first time on a two-week trip to Europe, where the weather was HOT every day, and there was no AC. I got blisters on my legs the one day I didn’t use it, but used it religiously every other day, and it protected/soothed any existing irritation and stopped anything else from happening. It could have been a nightmare, but this product was lifesaving!! I’d recommend keeping it in your purse and reapplying throughout the day as needed. Absolutely worth it, especially for the price!" —Rebecca

Or some Megababe Thigh Rescue Gel can quickly dry and leave a dry-touch finish on your thighs so you don't feel like you're slipping and sliding around as you meander through Rock Center.

It even has a built-in application so you don't have to wash your hands after application!

Megababe is a woman-owned small biz started by Katie Sturino with tons of personal care products, including the OG Thigh Rescue stick. 

A phone-size portable charger with different cord options, because maybe everyone in the fam isn't using the same kind of phone just yet. You'll be using your phone quite a bit, between finding the best route from The Whitney to The Brooklyn Bridge.  

There are four cables (three output for charging devices and one input for charging this charger) and three input slots so you can charge up to six devices at once with this.  

Promising review: "Okay, when I travel, I take a lot of videos and many photos, so it doesn’t take me long to run out or be low on my battery. Recently, I traveled to Hawaii and was able to catch so many shots and videos without the fear of having a dead battery! When you’re flying, travelling around the world, or at different conferences, no need to worry about your battery charge! This device has you covered!" —Shannan C.

Get it from Amazon for $20.98 (available in six colors).

A tiny 3-in-1 portable charger so you don't have to do math to figure out how long you need to charge each item (aka, iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch) with the one measly outlet in your hotel room. After all, you've gotta send videos back to the family group chat of the horse-drawn carriages in Central Park! 

Promising review: "These are fabulous for travel — they charge three devices from just one USB port, especially [helpful] when frequenting hotel rooms. The first one is now permanently stationed bedside to help clean up the clutter, and this will go into my briefcase for future excursions. Compact, and effective!" —see2xu

Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in four colors). 

A portable white-noise machine because you booked a Times Square–adjacent hotel for easy access to Broadway shows and lots of subway lines. NYC is LOUD and if you live in the 'burbs or the country, the night sounds are very different. This compact gadget will make it easier to help you get to sleep, stay asleep, and hit the ground running the next morning before you've gotta get on a boat to The Statue of Liberty. 

Promising review: "I purchased this for my trip to Europe as I sleep with white noise every night. The rohm scores extra points for volume control, and it can get quite loud. It’s also lightweight and chargers easily with a USB." —Jessie W.

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two styles and also in two-pack or travel set).

A compact travel umbrella with a case so you don't get caught in a downpour or rushing to buy a last-minute umbrella. It folds up really small but has a 40-inch arc and a 35.4-inch diameter, so enough to cover you while you scurry about. Do NOT bring a golf umbrella to NYC. The sidewalk isn't big enough for that!

Promising review: "I was traveling to Germany in February and wanted a small umbrella for the trip. This umbrella was in a sturdy case and easily packable. I was very pleased with the quality and usability of this umbrella." —Terri A. Hannan

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in a range of colors and multipacks). 

A waterproof rain jacket with a hood worth carrying with you instead of a rain poncho. I'm gonna hold your hand when I tell you that wearing a rain poncho in a city seems like a good idea but it's awful because you're bumping up against people in your wet plastic and leaving a wet path with you everywhere. NO ONE wants to sit on a wet subway seat after you plopped yourself there in your soaking wet poncho. Pack this and an umbrella. Please.  

Promising review: "I got this a little bigger to go over my sweatshirt and it was perfect. It is super lightweight and kept me dry. It also helped lock in some extra warmth so that was a bonus. It's the perfect little rain jacket for the price." —Amie Linsday

Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in women's sizes S–XXL and 29 colors).

Or check out this rain jacket that comes in plus sizes!

A set of Fomin antibacterial paper soap sheets for those moments when you duck into a charming hole-in-the-wall Italian place's bathroom and realize they're REALLY hole-in-the-walling on the bathroom front because you can't find any soap. These pocket-size packs come in tea tree oil, sweet orange, and refreshing lavender scents. And they lather SUPER well with a little bit of water, according to reviewers. 

Fomin is a small business that specializes in travel soaps and wipes. 

Promising review: "Best thing ever. I work outdoors and I use this for my job. Doesn’t require lots of water either, but gets the job done. I actually bought it for my fishing trip and can’t wait to see how well it does." —Amazon Customer

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in single-scent packs, unscented, and larger packs). 

I really love Touchland hand sanitizer and keep it in my day bag, but if you're going to be out and about all day, hand-sanitizing wipes are a safer bet. These not only sanitize (like a spray would) but will also help your hands feel cleaner. And if you're not used to public transit — though it's the BEST once you get the hang of it — you can use it to wipe your hands off after you had to hold on to a subway pole because it was standing room–only when you boarded at Times Square. 

Promising review: "These are great for traveling! You can clean up anything from clothes stains to makeup to greasy hands!" —Rachel F

Get 60 wipes (between three packs) from Amazon for $7.99.

A portable handheld fan for those moments when the breeze takes a break. Oh, and it's also a power bank *and* flashlight. I ALWAYS have mine on me during the day-to-day in NYC and never regret making room for it in a coat pocket or my bag. 

Check out a TikTok of the portable fan in action. 

Get it from Amazon for $14.39+ (available in four colors). 

Self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint to help quiet your old dogs after a long day on your feet clocking an all-time high of steps after deciding to go from the M&M Store in Times Square to the Stonewall National Monumnet in the West Village. Really when you're in NYC, the best way to experience the city is on foot!

Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. 

BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: "I'm a long-ish distance runner and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and after a few minutes feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days!"

Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" —KS2018

Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97. 

A mattifying powder shampoo to tackle greasy roots without the aerosol or benzene formula. This'll be easy to do a quick touchup when you're resting at the hotel in between afternoon tours and dinner. City traveling can be super sweaty! But you don't have to wash your hair every day on your trip. Oh and because this is powder, it won't take up precious space in your flying toiletry bag. 

Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." —Teresa

Get it from Amazon for $17.60+ (available in five colors/styles). 

A waist bag with a ton of storage room inside that has a long enough strap to wear crossbody *or* comfortably fit over outerwear so you can use your arms to hold onto the subway rails while you stand on the train. (I'm so proud of you for standing on the train! Look at you!) If you plan on wearing it across your chest and want some extra security, attach your waist buckles together with a zip-tie to prevent it from getting unclipped from your back. 

I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fit around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. This was the only purse I brought for a whole Iceland trip and it performed its job flawlessly. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents.

Get it from Amazon for $11.98+ (available in 37 styles). 

Or an anti-theft crossbody bag if you prefer that over a waist bag and you don't have a zip-up bag that you can hack with some anti-pickpocketing clips. A crossbody is easy to hold onto and watch while you're walking through crowds and packed onto a subway car like a sardine. 

Promising review: "I brought this crossbody with me on my Europe trip, and I’m so glad I did! I got the smaller size, and it held everything I needed without feeling bulky. The safety features really gave me peace of mind while exploring crowded places. Truly such a great value — worth every penny!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $35.39+ (available in 10 colors).

OR, if you're really concerned about pick-pocketing, a PocketCor belt will *instantly* add five pockets to your ensemble without advertising it. Now, people do have their stuff stolen in NYC, but as long as you have your hand on your bag, and have it zipped, you'll likely be fine. Just watch your phone!

Alina Sol is a woman-owned small biz established in 2021 that specializes in storage accessories for travel and running. 

Promising review: "I purchased for travel. It was easy to put my money, phone, and passport in the pockets at the airport! I wore it over a dress while shopping/doing lunch in Italy and put my money, phone, and hotel key in the pockets. I felt secure and comfortable with it the whole day! I'd like more colors!" —Kristina

Get it from Alina Sol for $58 (available in women's sizes XXS–L and 3XL–4XL and men's sizes XS–S and L). 

Listen, it gets HOT in NYC and you don't want the smell of your pits competing with the smell of hot trash or souring coffee puddles on the sidewalk. This has 12% aluminum chloride, which blocks sweat for up to 72(!!) dry hours. Or just wear deo with aluminum in it. Everyone can tell when you're not, and you don't want to be the smelly tourist on the subway car.

Promising review: "Just got inside from 80-degree weather. I CANNOT believe I have no sweat marks. To be dramatic, this is life-changing. To be modest, this is life-changing. Haha. I was always so embarrassed going anywhere! No matter the weather I was always dripping sweat from under my arms. I was always so self-conscious, leaving parties early, known as the sweater! No more! I’m seriously so excited about this." —Liz

A pair of Thigh Society ~cooling~ shorts that'll save your inner thighs while you trek from Dim Sum in Chinatown to the Dominique Ansel Bakery. Plus, they're super thin so they won't make you overheat layered under a skirt or dress. 

Promising review: "These are perfect for under dresses, even in the hot, humid summer. The pocket is perfect to slip my phone in so I can be hands free. Great quality! I have two pairs, one black and one beige." —Amanda Martinez

Get them from Thigh Society for $26.40+ (available in women's sizes XS–2XL, three lengths, and in 12 colors). 

As someone who lives in NYC and once stepped out of a flip-flop in busy Union Square on a Saturday afternoon, I mostly wear closed-toed shoes here. But when I *do* wear sandals, I require that there's an ankle strap so I can't recreate that nightmare scenario. This pair has soft, adjustable braided straps that reviewers swear don't give you blisters, so they're an excellent option you can get a ton of use out of in other locales. 

FYI, these are best suited for narrow to medium-sized feet.

Promising reviews: "I literally got compliments on them everywhere we went, and they were so comfortable I could wear them all day walking miles and miles through the streets of New Orleans, and my feet didn't hurt (and that's a small miracle given I have arthritis). They are surprisingly durable, and the woven fabric tops are incredibly soft and comfy. Even when my feet swelled due to the heat and humidity in New Orleans, these were still pretty darn comfy as compared to other shoes I brought along on the trip." —UrbanUtah

"These sandals are like cotton candy clouds for your feet. Basically the Rolls-Royce of sandals." —A. Alphonse

Get them from Amazon for $34.95 (available in sizes 5–11 and 22 colors).

Listen, you don't need full-on hiking socks to walk around in NYC (I recently saw tourists in literal hiking gear — it's not that serious!), but wearing ones with some strategically placed cushioning will make your old dogs feel better after a long day of walking around the city. I have several pairs of Bombas socks and love to wear them as often as they're clean. They're squishy and comfy in all the right places.  

Get a four-pack from Bombas for $55 (available in women's sizes S–L, in four pack sizes and five color combos, and men's sizes). And check out lots more comfy Bombas options. 

Reebok Club C Sneakers that won't scream "I'm a tourist wearing comfy shoes!" in most locales. Just note that a lot of clubs and cocktail bars don't allow men to wear shoes, so plan accordingly by simply googling before your trip!

My colleague Chelsea Stuart (who travels a ton!) swears by these: "I have three pairs of these babies because they're just so comfortable straight out of the box. You don't have to worry about blisters, and they don't look out of place with dresses and skirts. They're also simple enough to slip on and off when going through the airport so they check all of my travel boxes!"

Promising review: "Love these shoes! I saw them in store at UO, but they didn't have my size. Obviously, I turned to Amazon because what doesn’t this site sell, and lo and behold, y’all had it. I try to pair these with almost every outfit because they’re so comfy and stylish! Recently went to Philly, where I had to walk everywhere because we didn't rent a car, and these were the only pair of shoes I brought (I travel light). These didn’t cramp up my feet at all as I walked over seven hours daily over the course of five days. Definitely recommend! But one thing hurts my heart...the creasing at the front of the shoe that comes with loving these shoes so much.😢" —Alli J

Get them from Amazon for $52.64+ (available in women's sizes 5–11 and in various colors/patterns, and also in men's sizes).

Having an Apple AirTag for each bag will give you peace of mind while you're en route to NYC and also while the hotel is holding your luggage before check-in time when you're doing a hop-on/hop-off bus tour. BUT, they'll be even more useful when you have each person in your party carry an AirTag in their pocket or bag so you can better track each other down in case you get separated. NYC is a crowded place and it's easy to lose your pal in a crowd when you're all just trying to get to through Times Square toward the theater for your matinee show. 

Get it from Amazon for $24 (also available in a four-pack for $59.99).

A compact eight-compartment pill organizer that'll be great for your plane personal item, but even better, when you're out and about and dead set on trying the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory despite your complicated relationship with dairy. (It's worth it, get the ice cream!) There are drugstores sprinkled allll over NYC like Walgreens, CVS, and Duane Reade, but everything inside is def pricier than in your home stores. So this could save you some extra bucks and a little extra time. 

Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline

Stroll down a few blocks in NYC, and you'll notice that New Yorkers LOVE a tote bag. When you don't drive everywhere, you need somewhere besides the front seat of your car to hold the stuff you use for the day! It's worth investing in a reusable tote that folds up into a tiny pouch if you don't already have one. I've never regretted throwing one in my bag. It's incredibly helpful for a number of reasons, including that when you buy something in a NYC store, you have to pay for bags. Also this tote is a way comfier option to carry around some buys instead of a regular shopping or plastic grocery bag. 

Promising review: "Compressed, this bag is teeny tiny! Open it up and it's gigantic! It’s a godsend for anyone who travels. Stash it in your pack and use it for purchases like food or souvenirs." —DJ

Get it from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in seven prints).

A crossbody Bandolier phone case with a magnetic case, crossbody strap, wrist strap, and magnetic wallet with a security clasp. Having your phone on a chain is INCREDIBLY helpful for navigating a new-to-you city and just for everyday life! If you aren't sold on this particular design, there are SO many more design options!

Get it from Bandolier for $178 (available in three styles). 

A phone charm wristlet can work with your existing phone case and make it easier to keep tabs on your phone. I have a cheaper option from Amazon that I love (as seen in this IG reel) and use every day. It's an anti-theft measure that also just so happens to guard against your own butter fingers. I've also seen people with these in other pickpocket-heavy cities like Paris and Barcelona. If you plan on loading up on baseball gear, or even going to a game while you're in town, you can choose your team in the Subway Series with this phone charm.

Get it from Baublebar for $48 (available in nine MLB teams, and more designs).

A breezy, sweat-wicking T-shirt that'll come in handy no matter the weather. During colder months, layering is the key when traveling to NYC and this would be great then, too. I don't necessarily recommend visiting our wonderful city in July or August because of the heat, but if some wise guy (you) found a deal during that window, you go for it and just wear one of these shirts so you don't look or smell like you've walked 15,000 steps today when you sit down for dinner at that place you saw on TikTok. 

Get it from Uniqlo for $19.90: women's sizes (sizes XXS–XXL and seven colors) or men's sizes (XXS–3XL and 13 colors)

A classic London Fog trench you can buy now and then basically wear foreverrrr. If you don't already have a trench coat, you'll get all the hype once you start wearing it out and about. It's perfect for dressing in layers and it's light enough of a layer where you can tie it around your waist at a museum if you don't wanna pay for coat check. (Yep, those are the museum rules!) A trench is also light enough for those in-between seasons here in NYC, where you can wear a coat into May, depending on the year's weather. *And* if you need anymore convincing, it can instantly make you look pulled together. 

Promising review: "This trench coat is well constructed and very high quality. It looks great over formal attire but can also elevate a casual look. It has a slightly loose fit, as expected with this style, but can be cinched with the belt. It’s lightweight, making it ideal for spring or fall. Just enough to cut the chill and keep you dry in the rain, but not overly warm. This is my second LF trench, the first had a plaid flannel lining which — while very soft and pretty — always made me sweat. This one is perfect!!" —Ash

Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in sizes 2XS–3X and three colors).

A SPF 50 Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar for a K-Beauty sun fix you can safely throw in your bag and then reapply on the go. It has a slightly curved bar for easier application (like in the GIF!) and matte effect, and won't leave a white cast in its wake. You can get sunburned in the city!

Check out a TikTok of the Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar in action. 

Promising review: "NO WHITE CAST! I've been looking for a stick sunscreen and this was just exactly what was needed!! I'm a medium-toned Black woman and looking for something without a white cast is always a challenge. I have applied it on my bare skin and there isn't a white cast at all! It's a 'soft matte' finish, for sure, and looks like natural skin. Like you're not wearing anything at all." —Martina

A three-pack of vintage-inspired polarized sunglasses that can totally pass for Ray-Bans, but are so cheap that if you leave them in the back of a yellow cab that you hailed like REAL New Yorker, it won't destroy your afternoon itinerary. Maybe pack the spare two pairs...just in case!

Promising review: "I’ve been buying these for years. They replaced my Ray-Bans that look identical! Fit great and with the price point I don’t have to worry too much with my kids and being on the go!" —Jessica M

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $17.99 (clip the $2 off coupon on the product page for this price; available in seven sets, as well as two-packs and individual pairs). 

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* Things Here To Prove That, Yes, You Can Pack Light For Your Next Trip

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* Things You Definitely Don’t Want To Forget The Next Time You Take A Trip

Plus, compression socks, pet carriers, travel wallets, portable chargers, things to pack if you're headed to Hawaii, and finds from Amazon and Walmart.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.