There comes a point on every long flight when I start wondering why I didn’t bring something.

A warmer layer. My eye mask. A snack. The charger that’s sitting comfortably at home while my phone is dying somewhere over the Atlantic.

Long travel days are rarely glamorous. But I’ve learned that a few well-chosen things can make the difference between arriving exhausted and arriving reasonably human.

Here are the things I think actually earn their place in your carry-on.

Dress for Hour Eight, Not Hour One

That outfit that looks fabulous walking through the airport may feel very different eight hours later.

I like soft, breathable clothes with some room to move and layers, always layers.

Airplanes seem to have two temperatures: slightly tropical and arctic.

Wear comfortable shoes, too. Airports involve considerably more walking than you think they will, usually when your gate is at the opposite end of the terminal.

Bring Something That Makes Sleeping Possible

I won’t promise you’ll sleep beautifully sitting upright in seat 24B.

But you can improve your chances.

A supportive travel pillow, eye mask and something warm can create a surprisingly effective little cocoon.

The trick is finding compact versions you’ll actually use. If your travel pillow is so enormous that carrying it becomes its own journey, we’ve missed the point.

Pack One Good Layer

I always want something I can pull around myself when the temperature drops.

A lightweight blanket works. So does a generous scarf or wrap, especially because it can do double duty once you arrive.

Anything that can solve more than one problem automatically becomes more interesting to me as a traveler.

Create a Little Comfort Kit

You don’t need your entire bathroom.

A few small things can make you feel remarkably more human after several hours in transit: lip balm, moisturizer, hand sanitizer, tissues, toothbrush, medication and whatever else makes you feel refreshed.

Keep them together in a small pouch where you can actually reach them.

Not at the bottom of your suitcase.

Don’t Let Your Phone Die

Your phone is now your boarding pass, entertainment system, map, camera and connection to practically everything.

Which makes 3% battery particularly exciting.

Bring a portable charger and keep your charging cable with you, not in checked luggage.

For longer international trips, I also keep the appropriate adapter handy rather than discovering at bedtime that none of my plugs fit.

Water and Something to Eat

Travel has taught me never to assume food will appear exactly when I want it.

Bring a snack.

And stay hydrated. Long hours in dry airplane cabins can leave you feeling surprisingly depleted when you arrive.

Simple? Yes.

But sometimes the simplest things make the biggest difference.

My Long-Haul Rule

I don’t want to carry more.

I want to carry better.

The best travel essentials are the ones you reach for during the journey and think, I’m so glad I brought this.

That’s what I look for when choosing pieces for LuLuROAM, too: things that solve those small, irritating travel problems we’ve all encountered.

Because getting there is part of the trip.

We might as well make it comfortable.