Everyone everywhere is always trying to tell you how to survive plane trips – the problem is, many times those people are not giving you advice you can actually use, telling you things you already know, or pushing products they got for free (and haven’t actually tried them out over and over. Everything can be great once).

So, after logging in thousands of miles, sometimes days in a row on a plane, I’ve decided to do my own basic list… and I can tell you this: don’t get on a flight longer than seven hours without a sleeping pill, drink lots of water (duh), and these six items will change your life if you have to hop on a long, cylindrical metal tube hurtling through the air. Note: I found, bought and paid for all of these on my own and have tried them out on countless trips.

Tieks travel shoes are the best – and they are collapsible. Photo: Tieks.

1. Tieks Travel Flats.

These flats from Tieks by Gavrielli, at $175 a pop, may be more expensive than other shoes that seem similar, but they are the best and worth every penny. Available in every color and pattern under the sun – including in matte, patent leather and vegan material – these flats are handmade, versatile and fit into a small 2″x2″x4″ bag that can fit into any carry on bag. So why do you need these on a plane? In the winter you board the plane (usually) in your boots. You take those off because your feet expand and get gross while in the air, and you’re left in your socks. But then you have to go to the bathroom and… EW. No one should go into any plane bathroom without full foot protection. These flats not only give you bathroom protection, but have arch support so when you get to your destination, you can wear them to walk around as well. For miles. Trust – I’ve done it.

The TRTL neckpillow is revolutionary. Photo: TRTL.

2. The TRTL perfect neckpillow.

I found this neckpillow on Amazon and it’s perfect. It doesn’t slip out from under your head while you sleep and has perfect support. But, it’s going to need some visual explaining, so, here we go:

How to put on the TRTL – unwrap it, put the support on the side you need and then pull the wrap behind your neck – then around it. Photo: TRTL.

After securing the TRTL neckpillow, fall sleep. It works like magic. Photo: TRTL.

3. Chapstick.

Yep, good old chapstick. It does three things: it moisturizes your lips, it moisturizes the skin around your eyes (and your face if your desperate) and fun fact: if you have new shoes (not the Tieks I wear) and have a blister forming or chaffed skin, put chapstick on it and voila! The issue is resolved. And, at $1 a stick, it’s a helluva lot cheaper than the BandAid blister stick that’s sold in drugstores.

Howard Leight earplugs will block even the most serious snorer.

4. Howard Leight Earplugs.

I have tried every single ear plug out there and these are the best. Seriously – I once slept through a storm next to my dad who snores like a hog in heat.

The sleepmaster eye mask blocks not only light but noise AND won’t mess your hair… i.e., perfect. Photo: Sleepmaster.

5. The SleepMaster Eye Mask.

My neighbors downstairs found this eye mask for me on the internet. One day they knocked on my door and swore that this was the best. They were right. It blocks all light, helps keep in the earplugs – or, if you’re like me and hate air blowing in or on your ears, it also blocks wind… and because it’s satin it doesn’t mess up your hair while you sleep. I wear it every night  now – on and off a plane.

The buff – usually reserved for outdoor activities – is perfect on a plane.

6. A Buff.

Many people associate buffs with skiing or hiking – but they actually are best on a plane. A buff can act as a scarf when it gets chilly, a headband for plane hair and is most extremely handy when the guy next to you has a bout of high altitude flatulence, which sadly, is not a myth.