We all have our own special things we like to bring with us on trips. Some are merely functional, while others act as sort of a security blanket that make us feel a bit more protected in a new environment.

My favorite is a Sportsac travel bag that I carry with me on all of my big trips. I bought it in a Hong Kong train station on the way to Guangzhou.

Its pretty enough to have gotten compliments from many of the places that I go to, but not too flashy that its an automatic target for thieves.

I also like it because its light weight, has multiple compartments that can hold a lot of different things, its waterproof and, after a trip, I can throw it right into the warm cycle of my washing machine to get rid of germs. When I don’t need it, I simply fold it up and put it away in my suitcase.

I also carry a pretty eyeglass bag that I bought in Chinatown in San Francisco. Its opens on both sides and I put glasses, extra contact lenses, makeup and other small items in it.

A mini flashlight, a camera and an Iphone with some travel apps are also things that I use as part of my travel gear.

What about you? Tell us about your can’t-live-without travel gear.