Whether it’s just a night or two or an extended period of time, traveling to new places is one of my biggest sources of joy. Packing is not. I’ve had the privilege of vacationing all over the world and yet I still haven’t mastered the oddly complicated art of choosing and packing the a piece of carry-on luggage. That has made finding the right bag extraordinarily difficult – until now. Following a recent two-week trip to Florida, I won’t go on another vacation without Osprey’s Squffel duffle bag.My extreme aversion to dealing with the baggage claim at the end of a long flight pushed me to start using backpacks as often as possible. I’m slowly training myself to be a carry-on only flyer with varying degrees of success. I have amassed quite the collection of backpacks and totes as a direct result of this experiment, but most of those can be retired since I acquired the 70-liter Squffel. This duffle/backpack hybrid easily stored 14 days of clothing (both daytime beach attire and dressier evening outfits) as well as my toiletries, three pairs of shoes, books and souvenirs I acquired on my trip. I’m still in awe over it, to be honest.The spaciousness is just a small part of what makes this bag so special. For me, the most helpful feature is the almost absurd amount of compartments. I’m still discovering hidden zippers that reveal little nooks to keep everything in its place. As my vacation progressed, having a separate place to keep my dirty clothing where it wouldn’t come into contact with my unworn items was a major bonus. Typically, my husband and I just end up keeping dirty stuff in a completely different piece of luggage.The bag has a middle zipper allowing you to open it like a clamshell and pack it like most regular suitcases, in addition to a top zipper for quick and easy access to items you may need for the flight. There’s even a section to store damp clothing with a zipper on the outside of the bag to provide ventilation to help dry out those items. (And in case you’re wondering, I’ve flown with it on both Delta and United and it fit into the overhead bins.)We can’t talk about the Squffel without also acknowledging its durability. Osprey’s signature “NanoTough” material protects the bag from abrasions and inclement weather. I got caught in a few summer storms during my trip and the pack deflected every drop, leaving the interior as dry as can be. On the inside, the mesh sections may seem only sturdy enough to hold a few odds and ends but trust, I packed those puppies to the brim coming home. They held together perfectly and protected my precious souvenirs. It’s worth noting that I opted for the larger 70-liter Squffel, but there’s also a smaller 44-liter option available at a lower price. The aforementioned features are still included in the 44-liter bag, there’s just less internal space to work with. The choice is yours, but you really can’t go wrong choosing a Squffel.Osprey70-liter and 44-liter Squffles side-by-side.For more packing tips and tricks, check out HuffPost contributor James Barret’s round up of the essentials a travel journalist takes on every flight:AmazonCotopaxi’s Bataan fanny packThis fanny pack is definitely an original — each one is handmade in the Philippines from repurposed materials, so no two are alike. I don’t trust my loose pockets on a plane, so all of my valuables (wallet, passport) will be kept safely in my fanny pack. I wear mine crossbody for easy access in the airport and always get compliments. AmazonThe Brevitē backpackMeet a lightweight, carry-on approved travel backpack that fits perfectly under the seat or over your suitcase handle. This isn’t your average laptop bag — it holds up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro, has a passport pocket, and is extra spacious for my most precious cargo: camera gear. An added perk: It comes with a lifetime warranty!AmazonOstrichpillow Go travel neck pillowI’ve tested more travel pillows than I care to admit, and the Ostrichpillow Go is the one I actually use. The high-density memory foam molds to your neck like it was custom-made, and the 360-degree ergonomic design means no more awkward head bobs or waking up with a crick in your neck. I used it on a 14-hour flight to South Africa and I slept eight hours. It compresses down small enough to stash in your bag, but still offers full support.AmazonCrocsOnce you fly in Crocs, there’s no going back. These are my go-to shoes for long travel days: they’re lightweight, breathable, ridiculously comfy, and slip off in a second at security. Bonus: they rinse off easily if you spill your coffee mid-flight. When I’m running late I convert them to “sport mode,” utilizing the strap on the back to keep the shoes in place. AmazonTheraFace depuffing wandThis little wand has become my secret weapon for looking decent after a red-eye. The device chills in seconds to zap under-eye puffiness, then switches to heat to boost circulation. I use it mid-flight, post-flight, or even just when I’m feeling a little dull — it’s like giving your face a reset button. I always have it in my fanny pack onboard and it instantly makes me feel fresh again after sitting in my seat for hours. YETI, James BarrettA Yeti Rambler water bottleThis is the water bottle that’s survived every trip, tumble, and TSA bin I’ve put it through. The YETI bottle keeps water ice-cold for hours, and it’s totally leakproof — so I never have to worry about it soaking the rest of my bag. It’s hefty but easy to carry, and the wide mouth works great for easy refills. Hydration station, secured.Away Travel, James BarrettAway’s “bigger” carry-onThis is the suitcase I take when I want to pack a little extra without checking a bag. This popular suitcase from Away fits in most US airlines’ overhead bins, but gives you more space thanks to its interior compression system. It’s sleek, durable, and glides through airports smoothly. I’ve brought mine to more than 10 different countries and it still feels brand new. AmazonBose QuietComfort HeadphonesThese Bose QuietComfort headphones might just be your lifesaver for your next 10 hour flight. The noise cancellation is top-tier (seriously, it’s like flipping a switch on the outside world), and the plush earcups make them wearable from gate to gate without any pressure or pinching. Bonus: they last a full 24 hours on a charge and come with an old-school cord for when Bluetooth isn't an option.AmazonMZOO sleep eye maskThis isn’t your average flimsy airline freebie — it’s an eye mask that actually works. Made with breathable memory foam and a contoured design, it gives your eyes space to blink and blocks out all the light without squishing your face. It stays put, doesn’t pull your hair, and somehow feels like a tiny pillow for your face. Whether I’m trying to nap on a plane or reset after a weird hotel check-in time, this mask is a game-changer.HypericeHypervolt Go 2 massage deviceAfter long flights or cramped car rides, I use this compact massage gun on every trip. The Hypervolt Go 2 may be travel-sized (it weighs only 1.5 pounds), but it packs a serious punch when it comes to loosening tight shoulders, calves, or that weird spot in your back from sleeping uncomfortably on a plane. It’s lightweight, portable and easy to pack into a backpack. AmazonAn 8-pack of Purell hand sanitizerSome bulk hand sanitizer might seem like an obvious choice for this list, but it absolutely cannot be skipped. I fly with a few — tucked into my pocket, backpack, and fanny pack. Purell’s formula kills 99.99% of germs without wrecking your hands (it’s free of harsh, drying ingredients like parabens and triclosan), and the adorably named “jelly wrap” holder makes it easy to clip onto a bag for quick cleanups. AmazonAn Apple iPadSadly, more and more new aircrafts are dropping their built-in televisions, so my iPad has become my in-flight entertainment center. Before the flight, I download all of my movies and shows so I have hours worth of mindless content to consume from 35,000 feet in the air. It’s lightweight but powerful, with enough battery to last from wheels up to touchdown and then some.