Editor’s note: Today’s post is from guest blogger Julie Blakley, who runs TravelGearBlog.com. It’s part of the BootsnAll network—long one of my favorite travel destinations on the web.

flickr photo from jazzylolo

So often I see people trying to fit every traveler into a certain “type of traveler” mold. Either you are a budget traveler or luxury traveler. Either you roll your minimal gear into a backpack or you fold your clothes in a rolling suitcase. And, the most debated, if not ridiculous one, either you are a traveler or you are a tourist. However, I always found myself having problems with these compartmentalized ideas of what kind of traveler you are, because at least for me, I am a different kind of traveler on different trips. Sometimes it depends on the length of the trip, sometimes the destination, sometimes the budget, but I very rarely find myself always traveling exactly the same way. Sometimes I backpack, but sometimes I also roll my suitcase. And that’s the way it should be: traveling and adapting to your environment, your budget and the kind of trip you want to have.

All of that being said, there still a few items I always pack-whether I’m spending a month backpacking through the jungles of Panama or 2 weeks hanging out in Paris. Here are 5 items I make sure are always in my bag-whether it be a backpack or a rolling suitcase.

1.  Water Bottle

A sturdy, reusable water bottle is a travel essential, and having one that is both BPA-free and plastic-free is both good for you and good for the environment. Skip buying individual bottled water on the road (unless you are in a place without safe drinking water of course) and stick to filling your water bottle instead.

Sure, you can’t bring these bottles full through security at the airport, but you can bring it empty and fill it up on the other side.

I have also found a variety of handy uses for my water bottle on the road-from carrying the last half bottle of wine with you for a picnic on the Champ de Mars in Paris, or filling it with the amazing fresh squeezed tropical juice from the guy with a cart on the streets of Santo Domingo (therefore saving one more Styrofoam cup from entering the landfill).

While I used to be a Nalgene girl, I recently have switched to the Klean Canteen stainless steel water bottle and love it. It’s light, it’s the perfect size and it always seems to keep your beverages extra cold (or hot).

2.  A reusable, compact tote or bag

I always like to have an extra bag in my luggage that’s small, compact, and can be crammed into even the smallest space in your bag or purse. Having an extra re-usable nylon tote along with your gear is perfect for throwing your stuff in the bag and heading to the beach or bringing it along for shopping trip to one of the great outdoor markets in Paris.

No matter where you are traveling, you will always find some sort of use for these lightweight little bags. They are also a whole lot better for the environment than using plastic bags.

I am personally a fan of these nylon sacks, which come in a variety of great looking patterns and colors and cost about $15 for a pack of three.

3.  Campsuds Biodegradable soap

Even though this was originally designed for camping trips, I have found a million and one uses for this biodegradable, vegetable derived soap while on the road. From washing out your bottle when backpacking to washing your undies in the sink in the hotel, I always find it nice to have this concentrated and environmentally friendly container of Campsuds in my bag.

Campsuds comes in a handy 2 oz. container (meaning you can even carry it on the plane with you) and is concentrated enough you usually only need a few drops for whatever job needs to be done.

4.  Pair of flip-flops

It doesn’t matter if I’m going to the Caribbean or to Europe in the winter, I almost always have a pair of flip flops in my bag. As a budget traveler I often find myself staying in hostels and budget hotels where the bathroom is down the hall. Having a pair of flip-flops to quickly slip on for a late night bathroom run or to wear when showering in a shared facility is a travel essential for me. Sorry, but I am just not willing to go barefoot in any shared or public bathroom situation.

In general, I love travel items that can serve double duty and serve many functions. Flip-flops in sunny locales are great for jaunts to the beach and in colder ones can serve as shower shoes. Sticking a pair of sandals in your bag also takes up almost no room, and you’ll be eternally grateful you have a pair with you when staying in one of the party hostels in Paris, where you never know what possibly could have happened in those shower stalls the night before.

Plus, if you bring a cheap-o rubber pair of flip-flops and need every ounce of extra space on the way home, you can always toss them worry-free.

5.  A lightweight towel

Again, this is mostly a travel essential for me because I’m a budget traveler who often finds myself in hostels, budget hotels, and friend’s couches. Since hostels sometimes do not provide linens, or only do so at an extra cost, having your own bath towel can not only save you some dollars but can also come in handy.

Since I also find myself often begging on the hospitality of my young, poor friends, I have found having your own towel can often endear you to your hosts who don’t always have an extra set of guest towels in their home.

Obviously, having a towel to take to the beach or pool in warmer locales and beach destinations is also nice. If you do get a single towel at the hostel, it also means you won’t have to make it work as both a shower towel and beach towel.

A towel can also function as a make-shift table cloth for picnics (when clean of course) or a blanket to sit on wet grass in parks. I’ve even used a towel to cover up with when I didn’t have quite warm enough of a blanket.

My friends may laugh at me, but my favorite travel towel is actually a Little Mermaid towel from my childhood. Not because I am still enthralled with the Disney movie, but because time and use has worn this towel thin-making it super lightweight, compact to pack and quick-drying. If you don’t have a lightweight childhood towel, something like these lightload towels can also work just great while on the road.

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