Summer is here, your plane tickets are booked, and your itinerary is planned. Now it’s time to pack your bags. These 10 travel essentials will enhance your summer vacation and even serve as conversation starters as you make new friends on your adventure. Each item makes our world a better place by improving the lives of workers, the environment, the welfare of animals or all of the above! Safe travels. 

Passport Holder | Matt & Nat

Ethics | Vegan, eco-friendly 

Passport holders are a lifesaver for frequent travelers. If you lose your passport, ordering a new one is costly and time consuming, so it’s worth your while to protect the one you’ve got. Additionally, a cover will prolong the life of your passport by protecting it from the elements and wear and tear. This passport sleeve from MATT & NAT is cruelty free and vegan, with 100% recycled nylon lining. It comes in a variety of colors that are guaranteed to please shoppers looking anywhere along the basic to bold spectrum. 

Shop Online | $28

Camera Strap | Hiptipico

Ethics | Artisan-made, transparent production

For travelers who look forward to photographing the amazing scenery, architecture and friends on their trips, a high quality camera strap is a good investment. These intricately-woven floral camera straps from Hiptipico are handmade by Maya artisans out of one-of-a-kind vintage belts. You can choose a custom length, as well as opt for regular leather or vegan leather. Hiptipico pays their artisans fair wages, and offers transparency into their supply chain by inviting customers and bloggers into their factories.

Shop Online | $79

Tote Bag | The Tote Project

Ethics | Fair trade, gives back, eco-friendly

Toss a tote bag in your suitcase so that you have a compact bag for day trips and beach days, or opt to use a tote as your carry on. This Free to Dream tote from The Tote Project has a magnetic snap to keep your valuables from slipping out, and a pocket to make it easy to find smaller items like your wallet or phone.  Every tote from The Tote Project is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory in India by women who have made the brave choice to journey out of the sex trade and into freedom. 20% of the profits are donated to Two Wings in Los Angeles to help survivors of trafficking in the U.S. pursue their dream careers. Choose from a variety of original watercolor designs and freedom phrases. 

Shop Online | $30

Swimsuit | Freebella

Ethics | Eco-friendly, transparent production

Chances are your summer vacation will involve swimming, whether you hit the beach or the hotel/Airbnb pool. For a conscious suit that turns heads, check out the Elle one piece from Freebella. This 80’s inspired design doubles as a body suit, so pair it with high-waisted skinny jeans for brunch, and strip down to hit the waves. It’s fully lined and sewn out of 100% recycled polyester, and all of their suits are designed and made in Los Angeles where they have a transparent supply chain. 

Shop Online | $72

Wheeled Duffel Bag | Patagonia

Ethics | Eco-friendly, transparent production

In order to pack your bag you’re going to need said bag, and not just any suitcase will do. Patagonia’s Black Hole Wheeled Duffel bag is made from weather resistant, bluesign-approved polyester ripstop. By being bluesign approved you can have confidence that their fabric is safely produced and environmentally friendly. Patagonia promotes fair labor practices, safe working conditions, environmental responsibility and transparency in their supply chain.

Shop Online | $329

Flats | Darzah 

Ethics | Artisan-made, fair trade, gives back

Flats are a lifesaver at the airport because no one wants to get stuck fiddling with their laces in the security line. You’ll probably only want to pack one pair, so make sure to bring flats that are as cute as they are comfortable to walk in. These Fair Trade Certified Rose Zalabia flats from Darzah are hand embroidered by refugee and low income women in Palestine. They are designed to form to your foot for a comfortable fit. As a non-profit, each purchase goes to support training and employment programs in the West Bank. 

Shop Online | $209

Eye Mask | The Ethical Silk Company 

Ethics | Eco-friendly, gives back

When you’re sleeping in a new place it can be hard to get those REM cycles in, but an eye mask will help give you the shut-eye you need to make the most of your vacation. This eye mask from The Ethical Silk Company is made from 100% eco-friendly mulberry silk and filled with 100% organic cotton. Each mask is manufactured in a fair trade factory in India, and all of the water used in the low impact dye process is treated and recycled. 10% of their profits are donated to fight AIDS and homelessness, so you can sleep peacefully knowing your purchase went to a good cause. 

Shop Online | £25

Luggage Tag | CAUSEGEAR  

Ethics | Artisan-made

Attach a bright luggage tag to your suitcase and ensure you can spot your bag as soon as it comes out on the turnstile. This canvas tag from CAUSEGEAR is handcrafted by human trafficking survivors and artisans fleeing extreme poverty in India. Each purchase supports a job that pays 5 times the going rate in the area.

Shop Online | $10

Travel Journal | Elvis & Kresse  

Ethics | Eco-friendly, gives back

Wind down each night on your trip by journaling about the day’s activities. Besides jotting down memories, travel journals are great for stashing mementoes like ticket stubs and polaroids. This sturdy notebook from Elvis & Kresse is bound in decommissioned red fire hose and filled with unbleached recycled paper. The paper is refillable and the fire hose cover is durable, so you’ll be bringing this journal with you on trips for years to come. 50% of their profits are donated to the Fire Fighters Charity. 

Shop Online | $76

Beach Blanket | Siestas for Fiestas  

Ethics | Artisan-made, gives back

Rather than rely on your lodging to provide a beach towel for you, it’s safer to bring your own. These Siesta blankets from Siestas for Fiestas come in a variety of fun patterns and pom-pom colors, and the lightweight material ensures you can fold it up compactly to fit it in your suitcase. Each beach blanket is made by artisans in Mexico, and for each one purchased a Christmas meal is provided to a family living in poverty in Cancun. 

Shop Online | $58