How to Keep Your Travel Gear Organized

Seven products that make adventuring easier

There are folks whose garages feature perfectly arranged gear hooks and meticulously labeled drawers. And then there are those whose gear lives wherever they left it. For much of my life, I fell into that latter group. But I have since seen the light. Well-designed accessories for organizing your travel kit just make life easier, and anything that lets you spend more time enjoying your vacation instead of searching for that flashlight or phone cord or surfboard fin key is money well spent.

Mountainsmith Modular Hauler 4 ($60)

These ingenious cubes make it easy to pack your gear on road trips, in your garage, or even in your camper. Sort your car-camping kitchen supplies, group your equipment by activity, or provide each family member with a space for clothing. Together, they can haul a lot, but each cube is small enough—15 inches tall by 8.5 inches wide—to be easily carried. And the high-quality ripstop nylon is color coded, so you’ll never misplace your kit.

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This Is Ground Mod Tablet 4 ($385)

This travel portfolio has pockets for your tablet, passport, phone, cards, money, and travel documents, plus slots for cords, pens, pencils, and more. Though pricier than other travel organizers on the market, the Mod Tablet 4 is all about quality. Designed in Los Angeles and made in Italy with high-quality leather, everything from the smooth, Italian-crafted zippers to the stitched seams feels built to last.

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West Path Surf Dopp Kit ($50)

Never lose your small surf essentials again with this handy case. The seven-by-four-inch canvas and leather zip-up comes with your choice of Sex Wax or Sticky Bumps surf wax in an inset plastic container, natural sunscreen face stick, wax comb, fin key, bottle opener, and change pocket.

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Nite Ize GearLine Organization System ($20)

Use this multipurpose four-foot cord at home, in your garage, or camping. Made of high-quality, wear-resistant webbing, it comes with ten carabiners of different sizes to hang headlamps or wet bathing suits, or even to keep food out of the way. Each end has a reusable twist tie for easy attachment to any loop, hook, or tree branch.

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Patagonia Stormfront Great Divider 29L ($249)

Whether you’re on a surfing, fishing, rafting, or kayaking trip, this bag will keep your gear dry and orderly. The outside has a fully welded, water-resistant finish. Inside, the adjustable, soft-padded pockets are perfect for keeping your expensive pieces of kit protected and sorted. Plus, it has zippered pockets inside and out for smaller items and a shoulder strap and grab handles for easy hauling.

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Aloha Collection Splashproof Travel Bags ($22 to $42)

These stylish bags are a traveler’s dream. They come in four sizes, ranging from the Mini, which is perfect for jewelry or small toiletries, to the Max, made for dirty clothes. Plus, the unique water-resistant material makes them ideal for keeping wet bathing suits or spilled cosmetics from contaminating the rest of your luggage.

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Douchebags The Explorer ($249)

This adventure backpack was designed by skiers to easily carry all your snowsport essentials—including skis, snowboard, goggles, water reservoir, avalanche gear, and other valuables—but it works just as well on any adventure. While its tearproof, water-resistant outer shell and straps make it great for the mountains, the Explorer can also quickly convert to a city pack by removing the waist strap and extra gear loops.

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