How We’re Preparing for Italy: The Travel Gear We Tested and Loved

With our family adventure to Italy fast approaching, we’ve been spending the past few weeks doing something we always recommend before a big trip: testing our gear before departure.

Rather than waiting until travel day to discover what works (and what doesn’t), we’ve been trying out new travel products, experimenting with packing systems and refining what we’ll bring along. After years of family travel, we’ve learned that a little preparation can make a big difference when you’re moving between destinations, travelling with carry-on luggage and trying to keep things simple.

With two budding photographers in the family, we were also thinking carefully about how to safely bring camera gear while still travelling carry-on only.

Here’s what made the cut for Italy.

Flextail Power Banks: Trail Tested and Travel Ready

One of our newest additions is a pair of Flextail power banks.

Before committing to bringing them overseas, we wanted to see how they performed in real-world conditions, so Robin took them with him on his recent West Coast Trail adventure. They proved to be lightweight, reliable and capable of keeping his devices charged when he needed them most.

Between navigating unfamiliar cities, accessing tickets, taking photos and staying connected, portable power is essential when travelling internationally. After successfully testing these on the trail, we’re confident they’ll earn their place in our bags.

Camera Gear for Our Young Photographers

One thing that makes this trip especially exciting is that both kids now have their own cameras. With Italy offering everything from colourful coastal villages and ancient architecture to markets and dramatic landscapes, we knew their cameras would be coming along. That meant finding travel-friendly camera bags that would protect their gear while still fitting within our carry-on-only approach.

My daughter chose a Lowepro camera backpack that we were able to find second-hand. It will serve double duty as her personal item for the flight, with room not only for her camera equipment but also her water bottle, sketchbook and art supplies.

My son preferred something smaller and more streamlined, selecting a Wolf shoulder camera bag that can easily be stowed inside his backpack when we’re on the move. It provides enough protection for his camera while keeping things lightweight and easy to carry during long sightseeing days.

One of the things we love most about family travel is watching our children pursue their own interests while exploring new places. We can’t wait to see Italy through their eyes—and through their camera lenses.

Finding the Right Compression Socks for Long Flights

Long-haul flights can be tough on your legs, so I set out to find compression socks that would help make the journey more comfortable.

My first stop was Outway, as they came highly recommended from a friend, and are a Canadian company known for their fun designs. I loved the prints and the comfort of the soft fabric. They were relatively easy to put on; however, I discovered that the higher compression level (20–25 mmHg) was simply too much for me to wear comfortably for an extended period.

I switched to Sockwell’s 15–20 mmHg circulator compression socks, which provided a much better balance of support and comfort. While they aren’t quite as soft as the Outway version, they’re easy to put on and comfortable enough that I am hoping I’ll forget I’m wearing them.

Testing Different Packing Systems

Packing is always a bit of a puzzle, especially when you’re trying to travel light with a single bag each. This year, we experimented with several different packing methods to see which would work best for our carry-on suitcases.

Vacuum-Seal Zip Bags

The large vacuum-style zip bags definitely compressed clothing the most and created the smallest overall package size. However, there was a trade-off.

Everything came out extremely wrinkled, and repeatedly opening and resealing the bags would become frustrating during a multi-stop trip. If we were staying in one location for an extended period, these might be worth considering, but for moving between destinations they weren’t practical for us. We did consider bringing one empty for the return journey home in case we need a little extra room for souvenirs.

Double-Zip Compression Packing Cubes

Next, we tested double-zip compression packing cubes. These helped reduce excess air and offered some compression benefits without requiring vacuum sealing. While they worked reasonably well, we found their shape didn’t fit particularly efficiently inside our carry-on suitcases.

Our Tried-and-True Packing Cubes

In the end, we came back to the packing cubes we’ve used successfully on previous trips.

The mesh-top design allows us to easily see what’s inside, stack them neatly in our luggage and transfer them directly into drawers when we arrive. They may not offer the absolute smallest packed size, but they provide the best balance of organisation, accessibility and convenience.

Sometimes the gear you already own remains the best solution.

Our Tried-and-True Travel Essentials

Not everything in our suitcase is new.

A few trusted travel favourites continue to earn a place on every packing list.

Tru Earth Laundry Strips

Tru Earth Laundry Strips are one of my favourite travel hacks. They’re lightweight, take up virtually no space and make it easy to wash clothes along the way. Whether we’re handwashing a few items or using the laundry in our Airbnb, they eliminate the need to pack bulky detergent.

Shampoo Bars

We’re also bringing our favourite shampoo bar. They help minimise liquids, reduce plastic waste and take up very little room in our bags. They’re especially useful when travelling carry-on only and trying to stay within airline liquid restrictions.

Clear Toiletry Bags

Another travel favourite making the trip is our set of clear toiletry bags.

After years of fumbling through security lines and digging through carry-ons to separate liquids, we’ve found that a simple clear bag makes the airport experience much smoother. Being able to quickly see what’s inside and easily remove liquids for screening saves time and eliminates one more source of travel-day stress.

They’re lightweight, durable and make it easy to stay organised throughout the trip. Once we arrive, they continue to be useful. The clear design means we can quickly find what we need without unpacking everything, and they help keep us organised as we move between destinations.

It’s not the most exciting piece of travel gear we own, but it’s one of those small items that makes every trip a little easier.

The Value of a Test Pack

One of the most useful things we did this year was a full test pack several weeks before departure.

By packing everything in advance, we could see exactly how it fit, identify any gaps and make adjustments without the stress of a looming departure date. It also gave us time to test new products, swap out anything that wasn’t working and ensure everything had a place.

As part of our test pack, we also worked through our Ultimate Family Travel Packing List and updated our Travel First Aid Kit to make sure we weren’t missing any essentials. Having a checklist helps us leave with confidence and avoid last-minute scrambling before departure.

Travel preparation isn’t always the most exciting part of a trip, but it’s one of the best ways to reduce stress once the adventure begins.

Now that the gear has been tested, the bags are nearly packed and the planning is complete, all that’s left is the part we’ve been looking forward to most: exploring Italy together.