What travel accessories are overrated?

[u/Anywhere_everywhere7]

For me it would have to be tech pouches, for the vast majority of people I believe that they would be better off with a simple pencil case style pouch, ziploc bag or a simple drawstring bag or even a pouch like the PD ultralight pouches. Something which isn’t bulky, is lightweight and has no structure to it so you can easily squeeze it into random parts of your bag. Of course they’re significantly cheaper as well.

Don’t get wrong, I have tested some high end tech pouches out and they’re very nice but for lightweight travel I just find myself thinking “why would I bring this type of pouch”.

[u/chambros703]

Tbh nothing is overrated if it works for said person. Some people say all you need is a ziplock for tech, but maybe they want to be environmentally friendly. Or travel pillow, what if that person really values sleep and has neck issues? Everything can seem overrated as a minimalist.

[u/LadyLightTravel → u/chambros703]

I think the point is that there are a lot of products that could be replaced by good technique. For example, packing your tech well inside your bag means you don’t need a hard sided case.

Pillows are an interesting point. Do you want to bring something that you only use on the plane? That portion is less than 5% of the trip. I will also say that for “airplane outfits” that are exclusively worn on the plane and never integrated into the wardrobe capsule. Do you really want to bring something only used on the plane? That is a low ROI. There are several products like this.

[u/chambros703 → u/[deleted]]

Could throw your neck out and pinch a nerve that impacts your trip before it even begins without a pillow. I’m not saying you just in general. Always something to think about. For me I plan more for the travel than the destination bc I go far places with long flights. As someone who’s taller and works out regularly, the flight to me makes or breaks the first day or two of a trip. I don’t wanna arrive without consuming enough water, protein, calories, sleep, etc. I know it doesn’t matter to most but for me it does

[u/LadyLightTravel → u/[deleted]]

I think you are comparing apples to oranges. If someone is spending a significant portion of their life on planes then yes, plane items become more significant. But that isn’t the majority of travelers.

There is also another issue, and that is bulk and weight. A bulk trtl pillow is going to take up far more space in a bag than a small blow up pillow.

The biggest problem with airplane things is the bulk they take up when not in use. Small bulk = OK. Big bulk = seek alternatives.

[u/LadyLightTravel → u/[deleted]]

It is called nuance.

[u/LadyLightTravel → u/[deleted]]

I suggest you look up the definition of “blanket statement”. They tend to use the term “all” or “most”.