Getting ready for a work trip?

Heading out on a summer vacation?

Regardless of your travel purpose, this post is dedicated to arriving at your destination in the most comfortable way possible.

***Disclosure:*** I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links through which I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full privacy policy here.

While I am by no means the real-life manifestation of George Clooney’s character in “Up in the Air,” the one million-mile, jet-setting business traveler. I do hop on the plane often enough to issue advice drawing upon my experience and creature comforts.

The travel industry has been in constant flux. The one constant has been change, and the change is not always for the better.

Flight delays, cancellations, and cramped airports are unfortunately the new normal for the airline industry.

As an eternal optimist, I believe travel does not have to be all that bad. Airplane wifi, mobile devices, travel rewards credit cards, and advances in the apparel industry are just some things that can make your travel experience more pleasurable.

It’s easy to say, “Travel business class, hire a car, and have the company cover your upgraded hotel room.”

I certainly don’t live in that world; chances are, neither do you. My tips and pearls are a bit more practical for the common person.

The following is a list of some of my favorite travel companions that help me arrive at my destination bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!

Pack em’ up!

Most of my trips last from 1 to 5 days. On longer trips, I may need a second bag, depending on the location and occasion. 95% of the time, I’m traveling with a backpack or briefcase and my trusty duffel bag that doubles as a garment bag. I do my best to avoid checking bags whenever possible. As a disciple of The Home Edit, I appreciate organization and efficiency, and this carries over to my travel.

Traditional garment bags are miserable! They are just compressible enough to fit in an overhead bin but be prepared for a nasty game of luggage Tetris. I’m a duffel guy, but what’s a duffel guy to do when he needs to pack a suit or some sports coats?

Enter the Ultimate Garment Bag by Stitch Golf.

This thing is awesome. You can pack a few coats and/or suits, zip them up, and then pack the rest of your items as if you were packing a cavernous duffel bag. Best of all, it seamlessly fits into the overhead bin on any plane. The materials can take a beating, and the bag is a head-turner. I’ve received many compliments on this bag from co-workers while traveling with them. Excellent travel product from a golf company!

Let Your Dogs Travel in Comfort

No, I’m not talking about your actual pet dog (though it’s amazing how many people require comfort dogs to be seated with them on the plane).

I’m referring to your feet!

Our feet are put to the test as we run through the airport to our connecting gate. They swell with cabin pressure from sitting in place for hours on end.

Tip: Get up and walk to the bathroom. Do some seated heel and toe raises to keep the blood circulating. A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is no joke!

Alas, I’ve found my favorite travel shoes. They are called Tree Runners, and they come from Allbirds.

Allbirds is a New Zealand and American company that began as a direct-to-consumer brand and initially launched on Kickstarter. They have several models in all kinds of fun colors to suit your needs.

You may be back in coach, but your feet will feel like they are in First Class

Tree Runners are lightweight, breathable, and sustainable. They are made with Eucalyptus tree fiber in the upper and merino wool heel lining. They boast midsole cushioning and are machine washable.

Translation: freaking comfortable; wear them with anything; and good to go no matter where your travel takes you.

Side Note: Allbirds just came out with a golf shoe that is based on their popular Tree Dasher 2 running shoe. I recently picked up a pair and played in a 36-hole tournament with friends. My golf game withered as the day progressed, but my feet were comfy and looking fly!

Travel In Stylish Comfort

Let me preface this next part: I am not a style consultant and will never be confused with one. The internet and social media are full of experts much more qualified and opinionated than I am.

I also feel that it’s your right to dress how you want. Enjoy yourself, just don’t bother me

That being said, enough with the pajamas! The textile industry has advanced to the point where comfortable clothing with a semblance of style can be purchased at nearly any price point. See How to Find That “Favorite T-Shirt”

If you must travel in clothes that you can also sleep in, go to REI and pick up some gear from Vuori.

I’ve been a huge fan of their gear for years. The Ponto line is buttery soft. The Meta pants are perfect for business casual, especially when paired with their Strato Tech polos.

You can now look like a professional yet still have 4-way stretch and moisture-wicking properties in your clothing. The future is here!

Go Green!

Yes, the sustainability of Allbirds footwear is a conscious first step (pun intended) in green living, but that’s not what I’m referring to. I’m talking about eating our greens!

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is tough when you’re traveling. The airport isn’t always chock-full of healthy eating options. Sometimes, you’re doing a grab-and-go before hitting the restroom and boarding your next flight.

It’s quite easy to deviate from your regular healthy diet (if you normally strive to maintain one).

This is one of the reasons why I use Athletic Greens. Yes, I am a big fan of Andrew Huberman and have enjoyed many Joe Rogan podcasts. Athletic Greens, also known as AG1, are sponsors of both shows.

I guess you can say, I’ve drunk the Kool-Aid. Better yet, I’ve ingested the “comprehensive nutrition and gut health support” found in one simple scoop of AG1.

Whether or not it's a placebo effect, I feel better after chugging down my AG1 on the road. I know I’m getting my day started with vitamins and minerals and treating my body well from the moment I roll out of bed. AG1 comes in travel packs. I fold a few of them into a shake bottle and stuff them into my travel bag.

Nutrition needs are solved!

Sleep Soundly…er(?)

Pop quiz:

A business flight travels from Sacramento, CA (SMF) to Ft. Meyers, FL (RSW) at 6am Sunday, to arrive at 6:30 pm that same day. Your work meeting starts Monday morning at 6:30 am Eastern Standard time (3:30 am Pacific).

How do you get a good night's rest?

A) Count sheep

B) Melatonin: which dose, and will I wake up bright-eyed in the middle of the night or have crazy-weird dreams?

C) Run in circles until you eventually tire out?

D) Pull an all-nighter and wear dark sunglasses to your meeting

E) None of the above

Personally, I’ve tried all of the above, except for parts of “D.”

As mentioned above in my fandom of Andrew Huberman, I came across his episode on Developing a Rational Approach to Supplementation for Health & Performance.

In this podcast, he discussed the benefits of Magnesium L-threonate as a sleep aid. I began using it for that first night or two of travel and on nights or in general on nights when I’m just a bit restless (pending work deadline, NY Giants playoff game, kids’ first day of school, etc.).

Each day, I attempt to get a good sweat, eat right, and give myself enough sleep. This has been helpful in my quest for better rest. On the road, however, sometimes I need a helping hand. Magnesium L-threonate has been that helper.

I don’t feel cloudy, have strange dreams, wake up in the middle of the night, or feel as if I need it every day. When it kicks in, my body just feels sleepy, like it knows that it’s time to curl up in bed. Heavy eyes and a relaxed mind.

Note: Consult your physician before taking any supplements. The suggestions written here are from my personal experience.

Collateral Comfort

You spend money with your credit card, so why not have it spoil you when you travel?

If you’re a reader of Enough About It, then you know that I’m a fan of maximizing my dollars and stretching them. Please refer back to Why You Should Go on a Mattress Run.

Maximize your credit card benefits and take advantage of all the perks afforded to you. A 2-hour layover is much more palatable sitting in an oversized chair with a beverage, a plate of fresh food, and the clean restrooms found in an American Express Centurion Lounge.

Airport security feels less like a cattle call when you breeze through the lines with TSA pre-check or a CLEAR membership. The aforementioned programs are free perks of several travel rewards cards.

Tune Out the Noise

I’ve met some really kind folks in my travels. I enjoy speaking with new people and making true connections through fate. I also enjoy the solidarity of being in my own headspace and tuning out the rest of the world, especially when crammed into a jam-packed airplane.

Airplane time is great for reading, catching up on a show, or even writing a blog post! To help me with that, I take advantage of some noise-cancelling headphones.

Noise cancelling heaphones are fantastic. According to Bose, Noise cancelling headphones monitor the sound around you, preventing the unwanted noise from ever reaching your ears. Miniature microphones in the earcups or earbuds listen to the outside noise frequencies and emit the exact opposite signal to effectively “cancel out” both sets of sounds when the soundwaves collide.
Translation: music and movies sound clearer, you hear less of what’s going on around you, and you can sleep in peace (kind of).

“It’s not the destination; it’s the journey.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Regardless of where your final destination may be, I hope this post helps make your journey just a bit more comfortable.

Bon Voyage!

https://stitchgolf.com/collections/ugb-ultimate-garment-bag/products/ultimate-garment-bag?variant=40044959236209

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352557

https://www.allbirds.com/?irclickid=wG1zFEXtBxyNU6Eydz0Zp1H5UkF0sp0PyxOlX40&irgwc=1&utm_campaign=Tommy%20P%20%40%20Enough%20About%20It&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=impact

https://vuoriclothing.com/collections/new?utm_source=vuori%20clothing%20email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SP23_SP23%20D5_5.1.23&utm_klaviyo_id=01EJC80R0Q1DCT1SPG7Y4QTTDG&triplesource=klaviyo&_kx=xmNkAOrpFUag7IkWZuN_p4iOrMGg-LCG_tY6SMOHpOY%3D.N8GZZz

https://drinkag1.com/en?store=us

https://hubermanlab.com/

https://www.joerogan.com/

https://www.bose.com/en_us/better_with_bose/noise-cancelling-vs-noise-masking.html

How to travel in comfort