Five travel essentials you should spend money on

While we always strive to stay within the budget when planning a trip, it doesn't hurt to splurge a little on things that will make traveling more convenient and stress-free. After all, we don't want to go home with broken bag straps or sole-less hiking shoes.

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Quality travel essentials are an investment if we want to use them multiple times over the years. Here are five that you should spend your money on as recommended by frequent travelers:

Luggage

"If you're doing a good amount of traveling in the foreseeable future, it makes great sense to invest in a good bag. Find a bag that really fits you and your travel habits," shares Travel Factor co-founder Cedric Valera, "I invested in a luggage-type bag that can also convert into a backpack and it has been with me since 2006!"

Digital nomad Mary Charie has invested in quality luggage since her unfortunate experiences with cheap bags.

"I remember when exploring Italy back in 2015, one of the wheels on my cheap rolling suitcase came off, I had to drag my luggage across the town under the hot sunny day until I arrived at my bnb.

"Another situation that I really regret today is when I bought a very cheap 40L backpack in Hanoi as a budget backpacker. For $20, it was a great deal. But if I knew that I will be using it for four years from Southeast Asia, to Europe, to the Middle East and to South America, I would have spent more money on a better one to spare my body, which now is experiencing a real back pain problem."

Her advice? "If you are going for a carry-on backpack for your travels, make sure to look for very padded shoulder straps, great back support, and a bad-ass hip belt that will help you carry the weight of your backpack."

Shoes

Whether for hiking mountains or leisurely walks, a good pair of footwear is always a wise investment. "Show your feet some love and invest in a good pair you can use for roaming around cities to hiking trails and mountains," says Cedric.

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"A mountaineer is only as good as his shoes so it's important for me to have sturdy and reliable footwear," says travel writer Celine Murillo of Celineism.com. "I once made the mistake of hiking in flimsy shoes and ended up with lots of blisters and one less sole."

Like any shoe, Celine recommends that "you must try them on first and make sure they fit perfectly. I have two pairs of hiking shoes: trekking sandals for easy hikes and those involving river-crossings, and a trusty closed shoes for more challenging hikes and multi-day ones."

Camera phone

For some travelers, bringing a DSLR camera will just consume a big space in their luggage, not to mention that it could be heavy and bulky when walking around. A phone with a great camera however, is lighter and can take photos of almost the same quality.

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Cedric, who is currently traveling to his 66th country, reveals he has long ditched his camera and just uses his smartphone to document his trips.

"When phones became good enough for travel photos, I left my heavy camera equipment back home and just snapped away with my phone. I have never taken more photos in my life. I'm always amused when people ask what brand of camera I use to take my photos when in fact, I just use a mobile phone."

If you're the type who prefers to print their photos, then a Polaroid camera is a good alternative.

"I'm a real sucker for keeping memories. Digital photos are very efficient but I love that I can hold and place on my journal book the photos that I take on my Polaroid camera.," says Mary, who bought one for $100 in Denmark.

"I always leave a text or two on the photo which is so amazing to read and look at after all these years. I also give them as a souvenir to the travelers who are now my great friends."

Zero-waste kit

As a huge advocate of the zero-waste lifestyle and veganism, Celine never leaves home without her zero-waste kit. And for those who are leading a plastic-free lifestyle, traveling with your reusable items will definitely go a long way in protecting the environment.

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"This helps me refuse single-use plastic and allows me to make my travels as sustainable and as trash-free as possible. Plus, it's a primer for a discussion about how our dependence on single-use plastics is very harmful to the environment.

"Don't fall into the trap of rainbow-colored straws and utensils. I'm pretty sure most of us all have a spare pair of spoon and fork at home so pack that and avoid unnecessary purchases. In general, my purchasing mantra is this: If I must buy, I choose well and make it last."

Jacket

Investing in a high-quality jacket or any similar gear is a must especially when traveling to a cold destination.

"You never know what the elements will bring. Get one that's breathable, water and wind-resistant, and of course something that reflects your style. Can't hurt to look and feel good!

"Even if you're traveling to warm countries, airports and vehicles can still turn out really cold," advises Cedric.