The Essentials That Make Every Journey Better
Travelling for me is more than just ticking places off my list, it’s about the little moments in between. The early morning starts at the airport, the train rides with new friends, the solo sunsets with your playlist on full volume creating the perfect soundtrack to a bucket list moment. As the founder of gals who travel, I’ve spent the past few years exploring the world and I’ve learnt quickly that good essentials make all the difference.
And one of the questions I get asked the most?
“What headphones do you recommend for traveling?”
This year, I discovered JLab—and I haven’t looked back since. My current go-tos? The JBuds Lux ANC Headphones and the Pop Party Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Here’s why they never leave my carry-on.
JBuds Lux ANC: My Travel Day Lifesaver
If you’ve ever been stuck in an airport surrounded by chaos, busy gates, check ins or just that constant background buzz, you’ll understand how essential good noise-cancelling headphones are.
The JBuds Lux ANC block out the world so I can actually breathe. Whether I’m listening to a calming meditation, editing content for gals who travel or just zoning out with a podcast.
Why I'm obsessed:
- Next-Level Noise Cancelling – Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling eliminates background noise so you can focus on your music, meditation, or podcasts. This makes them perfect for long flights, trains or even just tuning out in a busy hostel.
- Be Aware Audio Mode – I love that I can stay present in my surroundings with a quick switch to “Be Aware” mode. Ideal for walking through airports or when I want to hear announcements without taking them off.
- Insane Battery Life – Up to 70 hours of playtime without ANC (40+ with it on). I've genuinely gone on full trips without charging them once.
- Comfort Meets Style – The cloud foam ear cups are SO comfortable (no sore ears after hours of wear) and they fold down neatly into my carry-on. Seriously the most comfortable headphones for travel.
Honestly, whether it’s a 5am start or a midnight layover, these headphones are always in my hand luggage.
Pop Party Ultra-Portable Speaker: Bring the Soundtrack Wherever You Go
Some of my favourite memories have been made with gals who travel, a speaker in the middle and everyone singing along to throwback tunes on.
Why it’s always in my bag:
- Ultra Portable - They’re small, light and built to go anywhere.
- Surprising Power - For something that fits in your hand, the sound quality is so impressive
- Built to Last - They’re splash-resistant and rugged enough to handle a few bumps. They can handle the bumps and bashes your suitcase or rucksacks going around the world.
- LabSync - You can link up multiple speakers and some even come with lighting features which make them so fun for the evenings.
These little speakers bring people together. Whether it's a group of girls dancing around a villa kitchen or a spontaneous singalong on a beach.
Why JLab Is the Ultimate Travel Partner
What I love most about JLab is how they combine performance, accessibility and style. Their products work so well, look great and don’t cost the earth which is so important for women who are navigating travel, budgets and busy lives.
Whether I’m solo travelling or on a gals who travel trip, I know I can rely on JLab to keep me connected, focused and feeling like the main character.
So if you’re building your travel essentials kit?
Start with gear that makes your journey smoother, your moments more memorable and your soundtrack to your travels that bit more special.
Brontë x
Brontë King, founder of gals who, passion for adventure led her to expand into a female travel community called gals who travel. Providing a safe space for young female and solo travellers, organising curated group trips to destinations like Bali, Thailand, Australia, Japan, Costa Rica and so many more helping women build friendships while exploring the world. Brontë continues to build gals who travel whilst also pursuing her ongoing love and passion to travel the world.
