6 things to make packing for that spring getaway a lot smoother

Everyone loves a vacation, not too many people love having to pack for it. Ease the ordeal with these handy gadgets and accessories.

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With temperatures slowly but pretty clearly on the up and up, a lot of Canadians' thoughts may be turning to a spring getaway, whether near or far. It's a chance to put the winter behind them – and for some, it might be their first trip in more than two years. If you're one of those counting down the days before your jaunt to a far land, here are a few things we recommend to make the the packing process less of an ordeal – and one to make the flight itself a lot easier.

Matein Electronics Travel Organizer

22-03-18 Organizer Amazon

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A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, as they say, and as you pack for your own journey, this Electronics Travel Organizer from Matein is a good starting point. Rather than scatter your various cords, pens, thumb drives and other small items in this pocket or that, it provides one, easily organizable space for them – hopefully minimizing the amount of fumbling you have to do when you’re in a slightly elevated state of travel stress.

Why we’d order it:

  • Double layered with movable dividers, increasing customizability

  • Comes in large or small sizes

  • Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on reviews from more than 2,600 users

AmazonBasics Travel Cubes

22-03-18 Travel cubes Amazon

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As for the rest of your luggage, there’s no reason that needs to be a jumble either. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller who’s an old hand at packing, or someone relatively new to wandering, you might benefit from this set of AmazonBasics Travel Cubes. This four-piece set will fit snugly into anyone’s luggage.

Why we’d order it

  • Mesh top panel makes it easier to see contents when unpacking

  • Comes in five colours

  • Top seller on Amazon.ca, with a 4.5 out of 5 rating based on more than 10,000 reviews


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Bagsmart Toiletry Bag

22-03-18 Hanging Toiletry bag Amazon

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If you’re travelling with your partner and/or children, or solo with just a lot of personal stuff, you might want to consider this accessory for your toiletries: Aside from being nice and roomy, it comes with a handy hook so you can hang it in your hotel closet or off the back of the bathroom door (it’s water-resistant, too).

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Why we’d order it:

  • Four separate compartments fold neatly into a travel-sized pouch

  • Available in eight different colours and designs (prices of each vary)

  • Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 10,000 reviews – one of the most popular items we’ve ever seen on that site

Fosmon Digital Luggage Scale

22-03-18 Travel Scale Amazon

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No one wants to painstakingly pack their luggage, only to find themselves over their baggage weight limit at the airport. It may not be THE worst, but it’s up there. Most people prudently weigh their bags at home, but bathroom scales are a bit awkward for the task. A better option is a digital luggage scale, like this one from Fosmon, which measures its weight as you lift it and eliminates all the guesswork. As an added bonus, this one’s a two-pack.

Why we’d order it

  • 110-pound maximum weight

  • Switch easily between metric and imperial measures

  • Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 1,200 reviews

Untethered 4-Pack Luggage Strap

22-03-18 Luggage Straps Amazon

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Luggage goes through a fair bit of wear-and-tear over time, depending on how much you’ve packed and how much give there is when it’s being shifted around by luggage handlers. You can extend your luggage’s life by snugly securing them with some proper straps. We recommend this four-pack of straps from Untethered, and we aren’t alone: it’s the top choice among those who purchased them on Amazon.ca.

Why we’d order it

  • Comes in a four-pack, allowing proper securing of two pieces of luggage

  • Snazzy green colour makes picking your luggage out of the carousel a snap

  • Rated 4.7 out of 5 among users who rated it on Amazon.ca.

Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Travel Pillow

22-03-18 Travel pillow

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No matter how expertly you pack and stow your luggage, ahead of you is the age-old bane of travellers: hours spent in deeply uncomfortable chairs, with restful sleep hard to come by. We can’t do anything about those chairs, but we can suggest this memory foam travel pillow from Everlasting. Rather than one-size-fits-all, it adapts to your own shoulders and neck to support your upper body, and comes with a few great accessories to sweeten the pot.

Why we’d order it

  • Comes with memory foam earplugs, sleeping mask, and carrying bag

  • Side storage pocket lets you stow glasses or keys while snoozing

  • Runaway hit on Amazon.ca, with a 4.4 out of 5 rating based on an astounding 5,000 reviews


Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.


Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.