Calpak, Bombas, Elizabeth Arden and more

Did you know we are exactly one month away from the first day of spring? Forget about the frigid temperatures outside for a minute (ignore my eight layers of scarves, hats and coats!) and try to imagine days of sunshine, sandals and, dare I say, swimsuits.

Or, make that dream a reality and get a jumpstart on your escape plan — we mean, vacation — somewhere you can swap gloves for sunscreen. For this latest installment of the Shop TODAY Hot List, we tapped TODAY contributor Chassie Post for her spring travel packing list, from the best duffel bags down to airport-wear must-haves.

We listed everything you should make room for in your suitcase. Think: TSA-friendly skin care, packable mini umbrellas, shawls with sun protection and so much more. Check out our hottest (although it may not feel like it) travel finds below!

Seen on the 3rd hour of TODAY

Calpak Stevyn Duffel Bag

This duffel’s rave reviews should be enough of a selling point, but we’re happy to offer a few more reasons why you should travel with this cute weekender. Let’s talk about how efficient it is with its spacious interior and convenient bottom shoe compartment. It’s also always travel ready, thanks to a built-in luggage sleeve and exterior zipper pockets to hold important documents. And we simply can’t get over the color range, from classic neutrals to adorable pastels!

Travel Fanatics Travel Laundry Bags

Stop mixing your clean clothes with your dirty ones! These two-sided laundry bags can easily keep your soiled socks, undies and more separated from the rest your apparel. It features two compartments — each adorably marked “Wash Me” and “Wear Me” — to help you stay organized during your travels. Plus, the fabric is machine washable, so you simply throw it in the laundry after using.

Bombas Everyday Compression Socks

Do your feet swell when you fly? It’s a pretty normal reaction, thanks to a change in pressure you experience while on a plane. However, if you want to control the swelling and even improve your blood circulation, compression socks can help.

This Shop TODAY-loved brand offers a pair that is both cute and functional. Designed with medium-level compression, but said to be “not too tight — they’re just snug enough to feel supportive.” These socks offer honeycomb arch support and great cushioning. The brand also recommends them for anyone who regularly stands on their feet for long periods of time as they’re made to offer much-needed relief.

Baodini Travel Mini Umbrella

These pocket umbrellas take portability to the next level. They’re compact enough to fit inside your purse (it folds down to just 7 inches) and even comes with their own case, ensuring you never get caught empty-handed on a rainy day again. A few other key features you may not see with your current umbrella include a UV protective canopy and reinforced fiberglass ribs that help it withstand unexpected gusts of wind.

Feryes Makeup Sponge Holder

We all know how great a makeup sponge can be in our beauty routines, but it’s a hard fact that traveling with one can be a pain. That’s where this unique holder comes into play. Its silicone design and double-sided air holes create a good ventilation system, which is important to prevent your tools from getting moldy. The egg-shaped holder is also comfortable to hold and super easy to use — just squeeze it in and out to insert or remove.

Brush Bubble Silicone Makeup Brush Covers

While you’re at it, grab these brush covers as well to avoid residual makeup from staining your beauty bag or mixing with other dirty tools. The universal size can fit up to six small brushes or a single medium-large brush.

Benatu Essential Oil Blends Set

Whether you get nervous flying or need to boost your focus before jumping into a packed travel itinerary, having these essential oils on hand can make a big difference in your mood. They are available in three scents — eucalyptus (“breathe” blend), jasmine (“happiness” blend) and citrus (“focus on” blend) — and are made of 100% pure derivatives from plant sources, per the brand.

Seen on TODAY with Jenna & Friends

Piqidig Women’s UPF 50+ Scarf Shawl Wrap Shawl

A sweater or shawl is a must-have when it comes to traveling. Airports and planes can be chilly, as well as train terminals and boats. Having a lightweight layer like this one is perfect for covering your shoulders when you need to temporarily warm up. It even offers sun protection for when you’re outdoors and running low on sunscreen!

Case-Mate Chain Phone Crossbody

A fashion accessory that’s cute and functional? We’ll have 20… (Seriously, have you checked out the design options?) When a bag or purse simply isn’t an option, pop your phone inside this crossbody holder for a hands-free experience. According to the brand, it “fits all phone cases” and takes no time at all to install.

OlarHike Packing Cubes (Set of 8)

It’s 2025, so it’s time to invest in packing cubes if you haven’t already. For me, they’re not only essential for staying organized on my trips, but also super important for saving space inside my luggage. I like this set because the cubes come in four sizes and also include a toiletry bag to store your skin care, makeup and tools. You can also choose from 24 colors to match your suitcase, for that put-together aesthetic you don’t exactly need, but who doesn’t want that?

Elizabeth Arden Visible Brightening Clearly Radiant Spot Correcting Capsules

When you’re only limited to packing so much, your full-size skin care bottles probably won’t make the cut. We recommend getting your hands on these brightening capsules, which are the perfect size to pop in your purse or travel bag while on the go.

Aside from being convenient, these capsules also contain a fast-acting serum which target hyperpigmentation and strengthens the skin’s natural barrier. Can’t beat that! Plus, TODAY readers can save 25% off with code TODAY, directly from the brand’s site until Feb. 27.

Barefoot Caribou Hair Tools Travel Bag and Heat Resistant Mat

Anything “2-in-1” gets points for us in the travel category. We’re loving this portable organizer because it looks and acts like a hair tool bag that transforms into a heat-resistant mat. According to the brand, it can fit more flat irons, brushes and curling wands (but they recommend measuring your tools before purchasing). And the mat is made with a double-layered neoprene fabric that is both durable and designed to protect your countertops from hot tools.

Room Essentials Lighted Travel Mirror

We’ve all experienced enough bad lighting at hotels to know that bringing your own lighted mirror is pretty much non-optional at this point. This option is great for taking on the go because of how thin it is. It also comes with a cover to prevent cracks (nobody needs seven years of bad luck!). It also magnifies and offers three light settings.

More hot picks to shop

Baggallini 3-In-1 Convertible Backpack

My Baggallini crossbody is one of my favorite bags, but I may have to also pick up this larger version for my future travels. It looks like the perfect carry-on size (I prefer a tote to traditional rolled luggage), with its multiple pockets and spacious interior. And the fact that it turns into a backpack is just the icing on the cake.

Preppy Jones Double Monogram Luggage Tag

We’ve all used ribbons, handkerchiefs and other miscellaneous things to separate our luggage from the hundreds of others at baggage claim. If you want something a little classier, try these vibrant, monogram tags. You can choose from dozens of color combinations to customize your tag, monogram and shadow art. It also just makes a really great gift for an avid traveler, recent grad or loved one!

The Original Cincha Travel Belt

Whether you’re running through the airport to catch a flight or juggling way too many bags, this clever tool is just what you need to make sure your belongings stay secure no matter the travel chaos going on around you. The secret is a hidden slip that wraps around most trolly handles (per the brand), which help to keep even your bulkiest bags from slips or falls.

Olay Face Cleansing Melts

These cleansing “melts” are not only a great alternative to packing a cleansing liquid that has the possibility of leaking mid-travel, but are also packed with powerful ingredients to both clean and hydrate the skin. All you need is a little water to activate each sheet for it to become a foamy and soothing lather.

Meet the experts

• Chassie Post is a Shop TODAY contributor, TV host and lifestyle editor. Whether she’s talking fashion and beauty or home and entertaining, Post is known nationwide for covering the latest trends with her keen eye. To date, her style advice has been featured in numerous publications such as The New York Times, Marie Claire, House Beautiful, Domino Magazine and more.

How we chose

The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.

As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.