The Top Suitcase Accessories You Didn’t Know You Needed

When it comes to travel, having the right suitcase is just the beginning. To truly maximize your travel experience, you need to think beyond the basics and consider adding a few suitcase accessories that can make your journey smoother, safer, and more organized. While these accessories may not always be essential, they can enhance your convenience and help protect your belongings. In this guide, we’ll cover some of the top suitcase accessories you didn’t know you needed, but will wonder how you ever traveled without them.

1. Luggage Straps: Security and Peace of Mind

Luggage straps are often overlooked, but they’re a simple, affordable accessory that provides both security and peace of mind during your travels. These straps wrap around your suitcase, keeping it securely closed and adding an extra layer of protection against accidental openings during transit.

Why You Need Them:

• Added Security: Luggage straps can act as an extra deterrent against theft. If someone tries to tamper with your suitcase, the strap can make it more difficult to get into.
• Preventing Overpacking: If your suitcase is bursting at the seams, a luggage strap can help you compress your belongings and keep the suitcase closed.

Look for adjustable, durable luggage straps with TSA-approved locks to make sure they can withstand the rigors of travel while keeping your items safe.

2. Packing Cubes: Organizational Game Changer

If you’re tired of rummaging through your suitcase to find your favorite shirt or spending time re-folding clothes after a long flight, packing cubes are the solution. These compact, lightweight fabric containers help organize your clothes and accessories into neat, easy-to-access compartments.

Why You Need Them:

• Space Optimization: Packing cubes maximize the available space in your suitcase and help you fit more without overpacking.
• Easy Organization: With packing cubes, you can separate your clothes by category (e.g., shirts, shoes, toiletries), making it easier to find what you need without unpacking everything.
• Wrinkle Prevention: They help reduce wrinkles by keeping your clothes organized and compressed.

Some packing cubes are even designed to be water-resistant or breathable, providing added functionality depending on your travel needs.

3. Luggage Tags: Personalization and Identification

Luggage tags are a must-have accessory to ensure that your suitcase doesn’t get lost in a sea of similar-looking bags. While many suitcases come with a built-in tag holder, having a separate luggage tag allows for better identification, especially if your bag is misplaced.

Why You Need Them:

• Easy Identification: A brightly colored or unique luggage tag makes it easier to spot your suitcase on the baggage carousel, saving you time and stress.
• Personalization: Customize your tag with your name, contact details, or even a fun travel quote. This helps distinguish your suitcase from others and adds a personal touch.
• TSA-Friendly: If you’re traveling internationally, some luggage tags come with features like a privacy flap or RFID protection to ensure your information stays secure.

Opt for high-quality, durable luggage tags that can withstand rough handling and different weather conditions.

4. Suitcase Organizers: Separate and Conquer

Suitcase organizers go beyond just packing cubes by allowing you to compartmentalize your items even further. These accessories include smaller pouches, shoe bags, and toiletry organizers that keep everything from your cosmetics to your dirty laundry in place.

Why You Need Them:

• Keep Things Clean: Use shoe bags to separate dirty shoes from your clean clothes, and toiletry bags to store liquids and other personal items.
• Quick Access: Small pouches can be used for items like charging cables, travel documents, or medications, ensuring they’re easy to find when you need them.
• Avoid Overstuffing: By organizing your belongings into specific categories, you’ll prevent your suitcase from becoming a chaotic mess of clothes and accessories.

Look for foldable and versatile organizers that can fit easily into your suitcase without taking up too much room.

5. Luggage Lock: Added Protection for Your Belongings

A TSA-approved lock is a simple but effective accessory for adding an extra layer of security to your luggage. While your suitcase might come with built-in zippers or clasps, a lock ensures that no one can easily access your belongings, providing peace of mind as you travel.

Why You Need It:

• Prevent Theft: Locks discourage opportunistic thieves from opening your suitcase in transit or during layovers.
• TSA Compliance: TSA-approved locks allow security personnel to open your suitcase without damaging the lock, which is crucial when traveling by air.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing that your bag is secure gives you one less thing to worry about, especially when traveling to unfamiliar destinations.

Choose a lock with a combination or key, and ensure it meets TSA standards for seamless airport checks.

6. Portable Luggage Scale: Avoid Overweight Fees

One of the most frustrating things that can happen at the airport is getting hit with an overweight luggage fee. A portable luggage scale is a simple tool that can help you avoid those extra charges by ensuring that your bag doesn’t exceed the airline’s weight limits.

Why You Need It:

• Save Money: Checking your bag’s weight before you leave for the airport ensures that you’re not caught off-guard by baggage fees.
• Weigh Multiple Bags: If you’re traveling with multiple bags, a portable luggage scale can help you easily weigh each one to make sure you’re within the limit.
• Compact and Easy to Use: These scales are typically small, lightweight, and easy to use — just hook it to your bag’s handle and lift.

Look for a digital model that provides an accurate weight reading, with a capacity that fits your needs (usually 50-110 pounds).

7. Compression Bags: Save Space and Reduce Wrinkles

Compression bags are perfect for travelers who need to maximize space in their suitcase, especially when packing bulky items like jackets, blankets, or sweaters. These bags vacuum out air to reduce the volume of your clothes, allowing you to pack more in less space.

Why You Need Them:

• Save Space: Compression bags can reduce the volume of your clothes by up to 50%, which is a game-changer for travelers who are packing for extended trips or packing bulky items.
• Keep Clothes Neat: They help prevent wrinkles by compressing clothing, reducing the need for ironing when you arrive at your destination.
• Waterproof Protection: Many compression bags are made of waterproof material, providing additional protection for your clothes from spills or rain.

Make sure to choose bags that are easy to open and close, and that don’t require a vacuum to compress.

8. Electronics Organizer: Keep Cables and Chargers in Check

Electronics have become an essential part of travel, but keeping all your cables, chargers, and small gadgets organized can be a headache. An electronics organizer is the perfect accessory to keep everything in place.

Why You Need It:

• Keep Cables Tidy: Use the organizer to separate your phone charger, laptop cable, and headphones, so they don’t tangle or get lost at the bottom of your suitcase.
• Quick Access: Having a dedicated space for your tech accessories makes it easy to grab what you need without having to dig through your bag.
• Space Efficiency: These organizers come in various sizes to fit your needs, and they help you make the most of your luggage space.

Look for one that has compartments or elastic loops to secure each item and prevent them from moving around.

9. Foldable Backpack or Tote: For Extra Storage on the Go

A foldable backpack or tote bag is a great addition for travelers who need extra storage space but don’t want to carry an extra bag with them. These bags can be packed into a small pouch when not in use and unfolded when you need additional carrying capacity.

Why You Need It:

• Extra Storage: Whether you’re heading out for a day trip or picking up souvenirs, a foldable bag provides extra room without taking up space in your suitcase.
• Lightweight and Compact: These bags are usually made of lightweight material, so they won’t add much weight to your suitcase.
• Versatile: A foldable tote can be used as a beach bag, shopping bag, or carry-on.

Opt for one that’s made from durable, water-resistant fabric to handle a variety of travel needs.

Conclusion

While the right suitcase is essential for any trip, suitcase accessories can enhance your travel experience by providing added convenience, security, and organization. From luggage straps to packing cubes, and even foldable totes, these accessories will help you travel smarter and more efficiently. Next time you pack, consider adding one or more of these accessories to your suitcase, and you’ll wonder how you ever traveled without them.