There’s a special place in our heart for moms that travel: whether it’s with baby (or tot, or tween) in tow on a long car ride or a solo flight for a work trip, moms are always on the lookout for low-fuss, practical items that simplify their lives (and packing time). As frequent travelers ourselves, our team of mom-editors put a few products to the test. Read on to get their recommendations.
Unbound Merino Women's Black V-Neck T
Unbound Merino
This shirt had a big promise: the only shirt you'll need. As parents we know that there's a ton of little things (peanut-butter finger smears, leaking milk, spit-up, strange shiny stains we can't account for) that can ruin a shirt quick, so the concept of one shirt travel seemed a little ambitious.
So, our Managing Editor put it to the test. Literally. The claim? This Unbound's Merino Black Mernio V-Neck t-shirt was wicking, odor resistant, light weight, fast drying and nice enough that it can go from pick-up to date night, with the right accessories.
"I was skeptical, I'm not going to lie. That's a lot to claim, but I love to travel as light as possible so I decided I'd give it a try. This shirt actually gets better with every wash, but I've only had to wash it twice in a month (and the second time was in a bathroom sink with...hand soap!) It dried in about two hours just hanging there, and was as fresh as ever. Also, it doesn't wrinkle. I don't really like t-shirts, but this one, I love and will willingly throw out all of my others."
The price tag may seem steep for a single shirt, but it's probably the closest thing you'll find to a miracle in clothing form. It actually does resist odors, and it's better after the 3rd day. If you pack a blouse or two, this really would be the only t-shirt you need. For all you moms out there, get yourself a two-pack and you'll be set for a week.
Compression socks are not what they used to be (prescription only, for example). Dr. Segals offer a lightweight compression sock that are designed to combat muscle and leg fatigue and discomfort brought on by long car rides, air travel or even everyday life (aka pregnancy and postpartum).
Because of an injury, our editor suffers from frequent leg cramps while traveling, so she was eager to try these out. "They felt great, not too tight, and I did feel less strain on my feet, especially. But the real test was to whether or not I'd get leg cramps on a flight. I am happy to say that on a recent two-and-a-half hour flight I did not get a foot or leg cramp, which is unusual for me."
These socks are not overly-constricting so while they are not medical grade, they would definitely work for pregnant women as well. The best part? They are adorable! They come in a variety of styles from stripes, to patterns to solids, so they don't have that orthopedic look.
These compression leggings aren't like the rest; yes they hold it all in, including your tummy, thanks to the fabric and the high stretchy waist. But unlike other compression fabrics, Belly Bandit's are remarkably comfortable. You could easily wear these all day! (buh-bye, zippers!)
Our editor said, "Even though I'm vertically challenged—aka short—the high waist still worked fine for me and they weren't super long. I felt sucked in but not too sucked in, so felt good wearing these on a flight. The added 'moto' element made them look a little fancier than your average legging. Also, they dry fast if you need to spot clean."
The come in steel, black and army. Get yours at bellybandit.com for $89.95
Lissom Flyte Shoes in Python
Lissom
Whether you're heading from pilates to playground or having lunch with clients, the Lissom Flyte shoes are so lightweight it's almost like going barefoot (but with all the support you need). They mold right to your foot, too, so you can't beat the comfort and they come in a ton of colors, though our fave this year is the Python. They're like a ballet flat meets a running shoe.
Our Managing Editor put them to the runway test—as in running to catch a flight. "I thought they wouldn't have enough support to run in, and I wouldn't do a workout in these, but if you need to dash after a toddler or grab your flight, treat yourself to these. They also weigh next to nothing and are pretty flat so they work great as a second shoe in your carry-on."
Travelambo Front Pocket Minimalist Leather Slim Wallet RFID Blocking Medium Size
Amazon
With over 1500 5-star reviews on Amazon, this slim little wallet is as popular as it is sleek. Not only is it small enough to slide into the pocket of your skinny jeans, it's RFID blocking and comes in 42 different colors. And did we mention the price tag? From as little as $6.79.
Our editor says, "My college-aged niece wanted a wallet that she could 'put in her pocket' but it was hard to find something that was both attractive and fit the bill. Since most of the colors of this wallet were under $8 we took a chance. She loved it so much we got one for her mom and one for me, too!"
A headband from SugarSky is the perfect addition to a busy mom’s arsenal. With over 37 different prints (see the latest collection here), each one can be worn four different ways! The bands are also handsewn in the U.S. and are made from 79% recycled water bottles. Now, that’s a fashion-forward idea we can get behind.
Our Sr. Editor swears by these for good hair days, bad hair days and all the in-between days. She never travels without them.
This grown-up bag for moms has a high-end look with a moderate price tag. It's roomy enough to hold your laptop, a change of clothes, plenty of snacks, a book, charging cords and more, all without looking overstuffed. It zips on the top, so you don't have to worry about stuff spilling out. It comes with a removable small clutch with a cute chain strap, which fits perfectly right in the outside pocket, so you have something evening-ready without having to pack two purses.
"My favorite feature of this bag," says our Managing Editor, "is the pockets. There's an inner zip pocket, and the outside one that fits the clutch, but there's also two very deep hidden pockets that held my giant iPhone, a notebook, and the headphones with room to spare. I even had room for a water bottle in the other one. The whole bag doesn't feel overly heavy either, even when you load up all your mom stuff."
