9 Women's Travel Essentials of Summer 2012

Oakley Carry-On

The sturdy Oakley carry-on roller’s 44 liters hold a week’s worth of stuff for a light packer. It can take a beating, and the telescoping handle and wheels are supersmooth, so the details won’t slow you down. One drawback: the mesh lining can snag.

Sockwell Circulator

Sockwell’s smooth, cashmere-merino-bamboo Circulator compression socks boosted circulation on long plane rides, preventing the agony of restless legs.

Horny Toad Metamorphose

The ultrasoft Tencel-and-linen Horny Toad Metamorphose dress can be worn as a skirt, knee-length halter dress, or front- or back-tie strapless dress. Roll it up in a suitcase and it’ll stay wrinkle-free. One gripe: it takes a while to dry.

Birkenstock Gizeh

Birkenstock Gizeh sandals have all the perks of the original footbed (arch support, deep heel cup, roomy toe box), plus EVA soles make them almost as lightweight as a pair of foam ’flops.

Helly Hansen Hydro

Packing rule #1: Don’t forget the swimsuit. (Even Manitoba has hot tubs.) Unlike most halters, the Helly Hansen Hydro bikini offers coverage for ladies who wear up to a C cup. The slim bottoms have a flattering but not Brazilian-small cut and won’t slip during a fierce game of Kadima.

MEC Bon Vivant

The mid-thigh-length MEC Bon Vivant jacket isn’t all-day waterproof, but it’ll handle a soupy spell or bouts of moderate rain. And we liked that the tailored cut, in recycled polyester, doesn’t look outdoor-geeky on city streets.

Zeal Boundary

The copper-colored polarized lenses on Zeal’s lightweight Boundary sunglasses knock back glare during road trips, boating, and even spring skiing. Our favorite part? The rubber on the arms didn’t pull on our hair when we took them off.

Prana Essex

Prana’s quick-dry, nylon-spandex, trouser-style Essex pants went from the plane to city strolling to the trail without a hitch. We even wore them to an impromptu yoga class, where they asana’d right along with us.

Marmot Sylvie Hoody

Marmot’s mid-hip-length Sylvie Hoody is cozy and flattering, with a wide neck and generous hood. The base-layer-thick Tencel-and-wool blend is ideal for breezy evenings.