8 Travel Essentials for a Fall Weekend Getaway

You never know when a few raindrops will morph into a downpour or a pleasant breeze will become a chilly gust — which is why it’s always smart to carry a jacket (like your parents always said). But it’s also kind of a drag carrying it along before you need it. This Jack Wolfskin hardshell folds up into one of its own pockets, so it’ll take up barely any room in your bag or purse when you grab it on the way out the door. According to the manufacturer, the jacket is waterproof, windproof and breathable, and both hood and hem are adjustable for the perfect fit.

With the necessity of heavier layers, you may find that your suitcase is packed more tightly than you prefer. But you can still keep your clothes — be they for a wedding, a music festival or just leaf peeping —looking their best with a portable travel steamer. The small but mighty Conair tool is a 2023 Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Award winner. It not only smoothes out creases and wrinkles quickly (it takes only 35 seconds to heat up), but helps remove odors and refreshes worn garments (when used as directed, the high-heat steam kills 99.9% of E-coli bacteria). Its pivoting head makes it easy to tuck into a suitcase, and it even comes with a folding travel hanger for on-the-go convenience. And thanks to the dual-voltage feature, you can use this steamer anywhere in the world your wanderlust takes you.

Between the wind nipping at your face and the dry heat in your car and hotel room, your parched skin will be begging for a little moisture. Fight dehydration and fine lines alike with this travel-size set, which includes SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream, a 2023 Good Housekeeping Best Beauty Award winner, as well as the brand’s Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum. The latter is packed with antioxidants to defend skin against damage from environmental stressors and promote a more rejuvenated complexion. The non-irritating cream uses actives like retinoids, peptides and exfoliating acids to provide moisture and improve skin texture and tone.

Look around — you’re seeing a revival of ’90s fashion everywhere, which above all means iconic Dr. Martens boots are back in style. Once you break in a new pair (well in advance of your travels!), they’ll be your go-tos through spring, thanks to their wear-with-anything vibe. The water-resistant leather means you won’t have to jump over puddles, while the sole offers slip resistance and has WarmWair insulation to keep your toes toasty.

It’s never a good idea to rely on the hotel’s hair dryer — even when you find one in working condition, it’s usually not that powerful and also often filled with dust and debris. BYOHD with this Conair travel dryer, which folds up for easy packing and has smart-voltage technology that adjusts automatically for worldwide use. It offers three heat settings and two speed customizations for any hair type. Plus, it comes with a concentrator and a diffuser that help you achieve a perfect blowout on the go.

“Have umbrella, will travel” should be every wanderer’s motto — because minimal preparation is all that’s needed to prevent a little rain from standing between you and a great day of sightseeing. According to the manufacturer, the Repel is compact, windproof to prevent those awkward inversions (it weighs 15 ounces and folds down to 11.5 inches) and even boasts a slip-proof handle. Choose a bright color like yellow, for vibrant selfies even when skies are dreary.

For whenever there’s a bit of a chill in the air, there’s no layer more classic, cozy and versatile than a cashmere sweater. This relaxed-fit J.Crew crewneck is impossibly soft, comes in a rainbow of colors and is produced sustainably to ensure the welfare of the cashmere goats and improve the working conditions of its farmers. And if your sweater still displays a crease after unpacking or needs refreshing and reshaping after a few wears, just reach for your Conair steamer — steam is perfectly safe for cashmere.

Running out of juice can throw a wrench into any long travel day — especially if you’re exploring a new city or nature trail. So never head out without a portable charger, like this one from Anker. Slim and compact, it offers your devices days’ worth of power, and its dual USB ports let you charge two devices at once.