Every traveler has their own packing list, but a few well-chosen essentials can make a trip more comfortable. Snacks, personal care items and familiar routines can go a long way when you’re spending long hours in airports, on the road or exploring a new place.
Here are five Native-made essentials worth finding a spot for in your travel bag.
Pemmican Patty Bisonberry Blends
Travel days do not always line up with meal times. A delayed flight, long drive or busy sightseeing schedule can quickly leave you searching for something to eat.
Pemmican Patty bars are an easy solution. Inspired by the traditional food pemmican, these bars are made with clean ingredients and designed to provide convenient nutrition on the go. Historically, pemmican was valued for its ability to last for long periods and sustain travelers during long journeys.
Keeping a few bars in your backpack or carry-on means you’ll always have a filling snack within reach.
Nemi Snacks Prickly Pear Cactus Sticks
Nemi Snacks are made with nopal, also known as prickly pear cactus, along with ingredients such as amaranth, flax and chia seeds. The crunchy snack sticks are lightweight, easy to pack and perfect for tossing into a purse, backpack or carry-on.
They also make a welcome alternative to the usual convenience store options found in airports and gas stations.
Haini Wiragusge Wiga Sweetgrass Smudge Spray
Travel can be exciting, but it can also be tiring. Long days, unfamiliar spaces and packed schedules can leave you feeling out of balance.
Sweetgrass smudge spray from Haini Wiragusge Wiga offers a smokeless alternative to traditional smudging. Crafted by a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, the 2-ounce spray is easy to tuck into a carry-on, backpack or overnight bag. Infused with the calming scent of sweetgrass, it can be used to refresh a hotel room, Airbnb or personal space while traveling.
Ioway Bee Farm Bee Balm
Dry lips are a common part of travel, especially during flights and colder months.
Owned and operated by the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, Ioway Bee Farm produces a variety of natural honey-based products, including Bee Balm lip balm. Available in flavors such as Berry Berry, Honey, Peppermint and Cocoa Butter, these lip balms are small enough to keep in a pocket, purse or carry-on.
Bison Star Naturals Sage Pine Lotion
Changes in climate, dry airplane cabins and time spent outdoors can leave skin feeling dry and irritated.
Bison Star Naturals Sage Pine Lotion comes in a convenient 2-ounce size that is easy to pack for a weekend getaway or longer trip. Made with coconut, jojoba, castor and argan oils, the lightweight formula moisturizes without feeling greasy.
Its signature sage and pine scent is inspired by the landscapes of New Mexico, bringing to mind wide-open skies and piñon-covered hills. After a long day of travel, a familiar self-care routine can help you feel refreshed and ready for the next day’s adventure.
Pack a Little Comfort for the Journey
The items we travel with often become part of the memories we make along the way. A favorite snack, a trusted lip balm or a familiar scent can add comfort during long travel days and help new places feel a little more welcoming.
The next time you’re packing for a trip, consider making room for a few Native-made essentials. They just might become permanent additions to your travel bag.