15 Essentials for Traveling With Chronic Pain

Traveling is supposed to be an escape, but when you live with chronic pain like I do, every trip feels like a marathon. I’ve spent years figuring out how to make plane rides, cruise cabins, hotel beds, and long theme park lines more bearable while managing persistent, full-body nerve pain that often flares up with the wrong clothing and shoes, or even just a poorly timed walk to baggage claim. Having the right travel gear is absolutely non-negotiable.

After a lot of trial and error (and plenty of Amazon returns), I’ve found a few holy-grail items that I refuse to leave home without. These clothes, shoes, and travel accessories are on my permanent packing list because they’re supportive and prioritize comfort, from a portable seat I rarely leave home without to a cooling eye mask that helps relieve headaches. If you live with chronic pain or simply want a smoother, more comfortable travel experience, these picks are 100 percent worth the suitcase space.

Switch Stick Folding Stick Seat

I rarely leave home without my Switch Stick Folding Seat; it’s part cane, part portable seat, and 100 percent essential for travel days. I’ve used it to hike trails and popped it out to sit on when standing in line at theme parks and airports. It’s lightweight but sturdy, and I can quickly flip it open when I need to rest in line or take pressure off my legs and feet. So many people have asked me where I got it, and I’m always quick to point them to Amazon. The cute designs make it feel a little less like a medical device, and the convenience can’t be beat when navigating a vacation with chronic pain. 

Bedrock Carin Evo Sandals

These Bedrock sandals are the kind of shoes that make you forget you’re wearing them, which is exactly what I want (and need) on vacation. The straps are adjustable and soft, and the footbed is extra grippy. They’re built to handle things like uneven sidewalks or trail terrain, and I can really feel the support, particularly when nerve pain leaves me feeling unbalanced. I’ve worn the same pair of sandals for the past four years of boating, rivers, lake trips, and chasing my kids through waterparks, and they’ve held up beautifully.

TheraIce Sleep Eye Mask

I absolutely can’t travel without a sleep mask that blocks out light. I especially love this TheraIce cooling mask because I can pop it in a hotel minifridge for instant headache relief. Since I’m prone to migraines, I like to keep this on hand for pain relief when I’m traveling. I’ve also used mine to soothe my son’s sunburned face on a beach trip, and it worked like a charm! 

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is important when traveling, but for me, it’s mandatory. I love that this Owala bottle keeps water cold for hours, and the straw-sip/spout combo makes it weirdly fun to drink out of, so it isn’t hard to stay hydrated. It doesn’t leak at all, and it’s easy to open with the press of a button, which matters a lot when the pain in my hands flares up.  

WanderFull HydroBag Water Bottle Holder

Speaking of hydration, this WanderFull HydroBag bag is incredibly handy and shockingly useful. It fits my Owala perfectly, has space for cash, cards, keys, and sunscreen, and is so light I barely notice it’s there. It’s perfect for travel days and theme parks when I need to keep things light, but have all of my stuff with me. I don’t just use it when I’m traveling, either; I carry it to my kids’ sporting events or when I’m going to be out of the house running errands all day.

Rothy’s Classic Flats

When I need something more polished than beach sandals to wear to dinner on vacation, these Rothy’s flats are my go-to. Washable, flexible flats that don’t punish my feet with even more pain than usual? Yes, please! Made from soft, recycled materials, they mold to your foot without rubbing or pinching, and the insoles provide plenty of support. Hands down, my favorite feature, though, is that they’re washable. I like to wash mine before a big trip so they don’t get anything in my suitcase dirty, and I’ve also thrown them in the washer at an Airbnb after an unexpectedly muddy outing with my kids.

Blue Lizard Mineral Spray Sunscreen

I have fair skin, so sunscreen is always in my bag. But rubbing in sunscreen is especially hard for me. Not only is there a lot of stretching and reaching involved, but my skin is extra sensitive and doesn’t always take well to friction. The only mineral spray sunscreen I’ve found that doesn’t have to be rubbed in (and still works without leaving splotches) is this one from Blue Lizard. It always sprays on evenly and dries fast. Plus, it’s reef-safe, which many beaches in popular destinations now require visitors to use. 

Comrad Recycled Cotton Knee High Socks

Do I look forward to wearing compression socks? No, but I know I need them when I’m traveling. I invested in two three-packs of these Comrad knee-high compression socks a couple of years ago, and they’ve held up through multiple trips. Whether taking a road trip or flying, I wear these socks to help stabilize my blood flow and decrease nerve pain in my feet. They’re made from soft cotton and available in several different colors, which is a nice perk for something I need, but don’t necessarily want.

Sand Cloud Turkish Beach Towel

Carrying around a heavy towel is a no-go for me, so I like to travel with one that won’t weigh me down. Sand Cloud beach towels are my favorite because water literally rolls right off them. With this in my bag, I don’t have to expend energy (that I don’t have) carrying a sopping wet towel back and forth from the water. It’s super lightweight and folds down small enough to stash in a tote. I’ve also used mine as a picnic blanket in a pinch and as an impromptu throw blanket on a long road trip. 

Cupshe One-piece Swimsuit

Swimsuit shopping when you’re in pain is…not fun. Between my chronic pain and lingering discomfort from two C-sections, anything labeled “tummy control” usually equates to “miserable compression.” This Cupshe one-piece, though, is the rare exception. It has gentle rouching that’s flattering without squeezing my midsection. I’m so picky about swimwear that I usually end up with a single suit for the entire summer, but when my family booked a seven-day cruise and I needed to buy multiple, this was it. I bought it in several colors (there are a ton) and was comfortable the entire trip.

Dearfoams Katie Memory Foam Slippers

Like many people, I avoid walking barefoot on hotel room floors, so a supportive pair of slippers is always in my suitcase. These Dearfoams Kate Slippers have the softest memory foam that feels amazing on my sore feet at the end of a long travel day. They’re like pillows for my feet, but they have the actual support that I need to help manage my nerve pain. They’ve also saved my feet from many middle-of-the-night cold tile floors, which is an added comfort.

EarPeace Sleep Ear Plugs

Even when I’m not sleeping in the same room with my noisy kids, having a set of comfortable sleep earplugs helps me block out sound from hotel elevators, rowdy neighbors, and anything else that might keep me from sleeping on vacation. These EarPeace Sleep Ear Plugs are soft, reusable, and comfortable enough to wear all night. I love that there are three sizes to choose from—we’re not all shaped the same! I’ve also yet to have one of these fall out while sleeping on a plane, which is a huge plus.

Kindred Bravely Racerback Bra

I can’t say enough about how comfortable and versatile this bra is. It’s the only one I wear regularly, but it’s especially amazing for travel. I’ve tried countless “comfortable” bras over the years, and the Kindred Bravely Racerback Bra is the only one I keep coming back to. The fabric is buttery soft, the racerback design offers light support without digging into my sensitive skin (like a perfectly worn-in sports bra), and it never leaves me sore at the end of the day like other bras. It’s amazing for catching some Zzz’s on long flights or in the car on a road trip. 

Nike One Dri-Fit Mid-rise Brief-lined Shorts

I have these Nike shorts in several colors and live in them on vacation. They’re stretchy, breathable, and made from quick-drying material that is especially great if you get sweaty outside. The waistband sits comfortably across my midsection without being too tight. They also have an interior lining, which, for me, means not packing quite as many pairs of underwear. Whether I’m walking around all day or lounging in a hotel room, these comfortable shorts are the MVP of most of my vacations.

Lizush Body Oil

Keeping my skin hydrated in a new environment can be a struggle, and having itchy, dry skin that only adds to my daily discomfort isn’t an option for me. This Lizush body oil is my vacation BFF. It absorbs quickly and gives me plenty of moisture without feeling overly oily. Plus, the lavender scent helps put me right to sleep. It’s also great for soothing sunburns and comes in a TSA-friendly bottle.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.