6 everyday essentials you should always carry with you

We all have that friend who’s always prepared and has everything they need in their purse, daypack or tote. But what about you? We’re not saying you should carry every little thing you might ever need, but there are a few things everybody should have with them at all times. When you need to carry more than you can fit in your pockets for a day of activities, investing in a comfortable and high-quality daypack is key. And we’ve made a list of everyday essential items to carry so you can enjoy your day with a lot less stress.

SUNSCREEN

It’s best to wear sunscreen daily, even when you aren’t sure you’re going to be spending a long time outside. Sunscreen is important to protect your skin, your largest organ, from the sun’s harmful rays. Without sunscreen, you’re vulnerable to a host of problems like premature aging or even cancer.

Keeping your skin safe from the sun will require sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection. The  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends SPF 15 or higher in order to protect against UVA and UVB rays.

It’s important to carry sunscreen with you so you can reapply on the go. Capital Soleil Soft Sheer Sunscreen SPF 60 is great for your face and body, and it’s water resistant up to 80 minutes. Plus, it’s the perfect size to fit in your daypack.

POCKET NOTEBOOK AND PEN

Your daypack is a great place to keep a notebook. You never know when inspiration will strike, so it’s best to keep a notebook on you at all times for those great ideas that you always think you’ll remember… until you don’t.

We love the Baronfig Vanguard Softcover Notebook because of its sleek look and pocket size. It also comes in several colors and larger sizes in case you feel like building a collection.

You’ll need something to write with, of course. A notebook and a pen are the bread and butter of your everyday essential items to carry in your bag. Baronfig makes a sleek, refillable aluminum pen, the Squire Rollerball Pen, that pairs nicely with any notebook.

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

For an easy way to drink more water, keep your water bottle in your daypack.

If you are constantly on the go, like most people nowadays, it can be difficult to stay hydrated. That’s why it’s best to carry a water bottle in your daypack. In addition to keeping things simple for you, this will also ensure that no matter where you find yourself at any given moment during the day, you always have a convenient way of staying energized and healthy.

There are many kinds of water bottles out there, but we recommend using a reusable bottle like the Hydroflask. It comes in a variety of colors, is dishwasher safe, and will keep your beverage ice cold for 24 hours.

LIP BALM

Lips always seem to be the first thing to get dry when you’re out in the elements. It’s always a good idea to have a tube of lip balm on you. It’s useful for keeping your lips moisturized and soft whether you’re sitting in an air conditioned indoor environment or out in the cold or hot weather.

We love the Balm Dotcom lip balm from Glossier because it is formulated with heavy-duty moisturizers like castor oil and beeswax. It comes in several flavors, and the original even doubles as a skin-salve for other areas on your body that tend to get dried out easily. We love multi-use products in our daypacks.

PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER

One of the things you should always carry is a portable phone charger. It seems like our devices are always running out of juice at the most inconvenient times. So a portable charger is essential to top off your phone or tablet until you get home (or somewhere else with an outlet). The last thing you want to have happen is getting stuck somewhere without being able to call for help.

If you’re an iPhone or Android user, you simply set your Qi-enabled smartphone on the 10k Wireless Pocket Power Pack and your phone will be charged in no time. And it can power multiple recharges, so your friends can use it too.

PROTEIN-PACKED SNACKS

No list of everyday essential items to carry is complete without snacks. You should absolutely keep protein-packed foods in your daypack, because they can be a healthy and fast alternative to trying to find food while you’re out and about. You know your stomach will growl if you’re not eating enough, and that can be distracting and uncomfortable.

While your local grocery store will have plenty of nuts and protein bars for you to choose from, the dedicated adventurer should pick up the RXBAR Variety Pack. These bars are made with simple ingredients and are filled with protein. The pack comes with 30 bars in 10 flavors so you won’t get tired of having the same old thing over and over.