Packing 101: 8 Essential Items to Take With You on Spring Break

This spring break, whether ski or surf, add these to your checklist to streamline the travel process.

1. Planes, trains and automobiles—wherever you go, bugs are sure to follow. The new Toronto-based skincare line Graydon offers an antidote with its Germs Away Mist. Just sprinkle a drop of the anti-microbial mix of essential oils (citrus, lavender, herbs) on your hands or surfaces and you’re in the clear. $15, kissandmakeupstore.com2. While you’re away, keep your phone and laptop supercharged—for photos, not for work, of course—with the Travelsmart 4-PC adapter plug set by Conair. Best for use with dual voltage appliances and with electricity converters and transformers. $15, amazon.ca3. Unless you plan on adding more plastic to the already 14 million tonnes that will be heaped on the planet this year, use BKR’s new Spiked Cash water bottle with silicone sleeve. This glass bottle is BPA-free, phthalate-free, non toxic and recyclable. $4, beautyboutique.ca4. Classic suitcases are hard to come by—you’ll either pay a fortune or everyone has the same brand—or both (we’re looking at you Rimowa). But Herschel offers a well priced alternative—the Parcel in Raven Crosshatch has good looks, good craftsmanship and comes locally designed with the brand’s signature stamp of cool. $200, herschelsupply.com5. Unless you’re planning on going with butler service at the Plaza Hotel, it’s wise to pack a shirt that looks fresh even if you don’t. The Gap’s poplin gingham men’s shirt in 100 percent wrinkle-resistant cotton passes the test, but works equally as well for women channeling a borrowed-from-the-boys look. $65, gapcanada.ca6. Plane food generally falls into one of two categories: gross and grosser. Local Rocket Foods offers certified gluten-free, GMO-free and celiac-friendly options with snacks like oatmeal-to-go with micro-dried apples, cranberries and blueberries. $3/cup, rocket-foods.com7. If Tilley hats make you think of old men in white knee-high socks, you wouldn’t be wrong. But if they make you think of Coachella, you wouldn’t be wrong either—at least with their R7 Raffia Town. The Canadian brand’s reimagining of the classic fedora is made from 100 percent Madasgascar raffia and comes with a removable sweat band, secret pocket and UPF50+ rating. $125, tilley.com8. The odourless silver technology in the ODO skinny fit jeans makes them worthy of any travelling sisterhood. Made with technology using almost 100 percent pure silver bonded polymer that permanently kills odour-producing bacteria for the life of the denim, they negate the need for a laundromat or, frankly, any other pairs of packed pants. US$115, ododenim.com

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