20 Must-Have Summer Road Trip Essentials
Updated: Jul. 16, 2019
Nothing says summer like a good, old fashioned road trip.
There’s nothing like a good road trip to rejuvenate the senses and is one of the best ways to explore the exciting sights, sounds and smells of Canada. Whether you’re packing for a quick day trip or a weeklong trek, we’ve selected out favourite summer road trip essentials so your next adventure goes off without a hitch.
FACE by Phantom Glass
A smashed iPhone is never fun, so don’t let it ruin your vacation! Try this phone case on for size. You can change the colour of your iPhone and protect it without compromising on the sleek design. Now that your phone is safe, keep it by your side in the case of an emergency, but try to limit your screen time. After all, vacations are the perfect time to go on a digital detox.
$60 at facebyphantom.glass
Colgate Optic White 360° Toothbrush and Whitening Pen
Don’t forget your toothbrush! Pack this one for convenience sake, which features a hidden whitening pen in the bottom. You simply paint on the whitening formula after brushing and go – no need to wait for it to dry.
$17 at amazon.ca
Wine Cooling Sleeve from Trudeau Maison
Your picnic is complete, but the white wine is warm! No worries: grab this colourful Cooling Sleeve from the freezer or cooler bag and wrap around a wine bottle to cool it down in only five minutes. With a lifetime warranty, there will be many bottles of wine to chill in your future. (BONUS! It makes a great ice pack for sore limbs and joints, too.)
$20 at London Drugs
Nature’s Path EnviroKidz Peanut Free Granola Bars
A quick snack that’s both tasty and good for you is a great win-win. Peanut and gluten-free, these bars pack only 6-8 grams of sugar and come in at 100 calories each. Pass them over!
$5at walmart.ca
DAVIDS TEA Iced Tea Press
Perfect for the tea lover on the go, this travel cup allows any loose leaf tea to steep and chill, no matter where you’re headed. Add hot water and tea to the outer sleeve, and fill the inner compartment with ice. When the tea is done steeping, slowly press the inner compartment all the way down. Voilá! Iced tea made easy.
$30 at davidstea.com
Hunter Women’s Original Vinyl Poncho in Thundercloud
Heading into the great outdoors? Be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at you (and ditch the last-minute attempt at the garbage-bag poncho). The bright colours are fun and a nifty pocket keeps belongings dry.
$230 at ca.hunterboots.com
L’Oréal Professionnel Morning After Dust Dry Shampoo
Go on, skip the shower and get outside to make the most of whatever travel destination you choose. Simply spray this aerosol powder on greasy roots and comb through to distribute. The amazing scent will mask any odour, too.
$23 at select salons
Mistura Beauty Essential Kit
This travel-size kit includes a mini 6-in-1 compact, which self-adjusts to any skin tone, eliminating the need to use a concealer, foundation, blush and bronzer and can also be used a eye and lip color. There’s also a mini kabuki brush to apply the compact, as well as a vitamin E lip treatment and mini Luminada Moisturizer for perfectly glowing skin.
$31 at misturabeauty.com
Kerastase Elixir Ultime Masque – Travel Size
Just because you’re travelling doesn’t mean your hair has to turn to straw. Envrionmental factors like chlorine from pools and UV rays from the sun can dry out and damage locks. Seal in moisture and nourish with this travel-sized hair mask.
$25 at kerastase.ca
Boo Bamboo SPF 40 Natural Sunscreen
Never forget to slather on the sunscreen. Try this natural broad-spectrum protection that’s unscented and fast absorbing – perfect for the entire family.
$20 at boobamboo.com
Dr. Roebuck’s Precious Pack
This little pack is perfect for travel, featuring four key products from this natural brand: PURE, a gentle moisturizer can be used on dry, sensitive skin. FACE contains three oils (rosehip, vitamin E and macadamia) to regenerate and moisturize skin while reducing wrinkles. BUBS AND BITS is a cream that can be used on adult’s post-wax as well as baby’s bottoms, alike. And LIPS is a blend of beeswax and essential oils to keep lips soft.
$40 at select Shoppers Drug Mart stores
Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Icaridin Towelettes (pack of 8)
Perfect for on-the-go, these deet-free individually-wrapped towelettes repel mosquitos for up to five hours and deer ticks up to 7 hours.
$16 at avon.ca
SweetSpot Labs On-The-Go Wipettes
Sitting in the car for long periods of time, going for a quick dip in a less than appealing pond, long sweaty hikes on the trail…sometimes we need a quick freshen-up *down there.* These quick-fix wipes are are 98 percent natural, free of glycerin, alcohol, parabens, gluten, soy and dairy ingredients and are pH balanced and gynecologist tested and recommended.
$3 at well.ca
Joe Fresh Universal Beauty Balm
A quick fix for dry spots on your hands, lips and face. Swipe on, rub in and your dry patches are instantly hydrated.
$10 at joefresh.ca
Biotherm Eau Soleil EDT
Fig and citrus come together to put you in the perfect summer state of mind. It’s even formulated without photosensitive ingredients so wearing it in the sunshine is no issue. One splash will transport you to the beaches of Fiji – even if you’re stuck in traffic without AC.
$56 at biotherm.ca
Kobo Aura H20
Instead of packing a mountain of books, digitize and download for easy summer reading. This lightweight e-reader is even waterproof and features a touchscreen that reads just like print on paper, so you can read (glare-free!) poolside, beachside or boat-side with little worry.
$200 at Best Buy
Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Stimulating Step Insoles
Driving long distances and walking around at your destination, it’s important that comfortable shoes are always in order. It may also be a good idea to pack some extra comfort. These particular insoles use a combination of ultra-soft blue gel and comfort pads to provide shock absorption and target pressure points on your feet, helping to reduce fatigue in feet and legs. Simply trim to fit and place in your shoes.
$22 at Walmart.com
Coleman 24 Hour Soft Sided Cooler
This little cooler has lots of muscle, promising to keep its contents cool for 24 hours in 32°C and has an antimicrobial liner to resist odour, mold and mildew. Keep in the car for cold drinks and chilled sandwiches, then tote on the boat or down to the beach for summertime snacks.
$33 (24-can) at walmart.ca
Austin House TSA-approved bottle set
If you’re not a fan of buying travel sized items, you can simply purchase a set of small bottles (these ones happen to be TSA-approved so you’re good to carry-on while flying, too). Consolidating your products into smaller packages will safe space and prevent leaks from happening in your suitcase or backpack.
$12 at staples.ca
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