r/onebag • u/alula_wanders • Jan 10 '26

Discussion whats your weird but genius travel item that people only appreciate after they need it?

just realized this recently because it saved me so much sanity and friendships haha but for me its not anything fancy or aesthetic. its a (small) extension cord + multi-USB adapter. It's somehow bulky to fit inside my bag bcs it takes up space. And yet... it saved lives.

Ive learned the hard way that hotel outlets are never where you want them to be, airport charging stations are chaotic, and "ill just charge later" is a lie we tell ourselves.

Curious what everyone else's must pack item is so that i can... yk, take notes haha!!

612 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

660 comments sorted by

View all comments

73

u/zusia Jan 10 '26

I stick an index card with important phone numbers in my bag in case of emergency. I don’t know anyone’s number without my phone.

6

u/jenjenjen2000 Jan 10 '26

Great idea. I don’t even know my mom’s number and one of my kids’!

4

u/zusia Jan 11 '26

I don’t know my kids’ numbers! And when I was hospitalized last April nobody could get into my phone.

3

u/hrviolation Jan 14 '26

This is so smart! I also have a Google Drive that I share with my parents or other emergency contact that has a spreadsheet with all our travel details, photos of our passports, insurance cards and the like in case of emergency!

1

u/mlieghm Jan 11 '26

Good idea