Things I Can't Travel Without
Our editors reveal all…
Who’s who Jason Stahl, Deputy Editor
Current location Hoboken, N.J.
Place I visit most Washington, D.C., every July 4th
Favorite Destination St. Cyprien, France
Dream Vacation African safari and Japan
My suitcase is always A carry-on
Victorinox Weekend Bag
The makers of the original Swiss army knife are also makers of top-quality luggage. I’ve been traveling across America with mine, which I nicknamed Mr. Bag because it deserves that kind of respect, since 2007. And I don’t anticipate to ever have to buy another one again. From $130, swissarmy.com
Journal
Sarah McNally’s Goods for the Study may sell the widest and finest selection of journals, but I prefer buying small notebooks in small towns. My favorites are Pigna’s Monocromo (see top image), which I found in some Italian bodega in the Rome neighborhood of Trastevere, and an unmarked notebook from an unnamed shop in Montepulciano, Italy. pigna.it
Pilot Vball Extra Fine Point Pens
My pen of choice since 2002, you can always count on me having one of these in my front right pants pocket. The only downside is they leak during air travel from the air compression. And they’re hard to find in stores. But I mostly just steal them from the boss. Seriously. $26 for a dozen, staples.com
Mason Pearson Rake Comb
When you have hair like mine you need a comb that can trudge through the remnants of the finest pomades to make me look slick. $35, barneys.com
GapFit Hybrid Khakis
I can wear these every day, and in the spring and summer, and early fall, I, er, do, somehow now owning eight pairs. They say business trip honcho when paired with dress shoes, and fitness buff when worn with sneakers. I’m neither. $70, gap.com
Chambray Shirt
And what goes better with those hybrid pants than a chambray? Whether worn with pants or shorts, just roll up the sleeves and leave the top buttons undone if you want to be taken seriously as an international man of some mystery. $88, jcrew.com
Balega Socks
I’ve tried the best then I tried Balega. Enough said. They fit my foot perfectly, sweat wicks away like a fart in the wind and they’re the right amount of thickness, making these the most comfortable, form-fitting sock ever. OK, now I’ve said enough. $13, balega.com
Crocs Flip Flops
After a long flight, nothing feels better than taking off the aforementioned Balega socks and walking around the hotel room barefoot, digging my toes into the rug, working out that time zone tension. (It worked for John McClaine in the first Die Hard.) But the rest of the hotel is probably riddled with bacteria, so I slip on a pair of Crocs that gives me comfort when I walk down that hall to the ice machine — and get protection for when Karl shoots the glass. $35, crocs.com
My Son
He’s a person, not a thing, and I don’t go anywhere without him. Whether it’s our annual visit to Washington, D.C. for July 4th or flying to Las Vegas or sharing an egg cream at a neighborhood diner, I cherish all of our adventures. Priceless
Karl Malone 1992 “Dream Team” Jersey
Am I serious? You bet. From Italy and Australia to Greece and Kentucky, this jersey has globetrotted everywhere with me. Packing it is instinctual, like packing underwear.
L’Occitane Body Lotion
I wish this stuff was sold by the vat — it smells sooo good! How else can you explain why flight attendants give me extra bags of peanuts? I mean, unless they think I have a serious peanut allergy… $29, loccitane.com
Warby Parker Sunglasses
I can’t see without glasses. So, when I need to in the sun, I rely on these reliable frames. $175 for prescription, warbyparker.com
Mini LED Flashlight
You must think I’m some rugged, Macgyver-type outdoorsman with some of my selections, and I’ll let you think that. (I mean, I am a NOLS alumnus.) But when you travel with a child who plays with the tiniest Legos in the darkest restaurants, you need a bright torch to find those pieces that find their way onto the dirtiest floors. From $13, rei.com
