All winter long, you’ve waited for the mercury to rise and the days to lengthen. Now that summer is here, it’s time to head out to a new destination. Exotic locales, beautiful campgrounds, or exciting road trips — no matter where your summer travels take you, packing the right items turns a good trip into a glorious adventure.

Picking a summer travel destination is easy, but deciding what to pack may give you pause. Even if you have a lot of space in your backpack or luggage, packing light has several advantages. You can move around freely, not worry too much about keeping your belongings safe, and importantly, have the baggage space to bring back souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones.

One of the most important, yet underrated things you should carry with you, is a travel flashlight. Versatile and useful, you’ll never regret bringing one along with you. 

A Fenix travel-size flashlight saves space, provides peace of mind, and easily adapts to different situations. Here is a list of the best travel flashlights we recommend you slip into your carry-on luggage, camping gear, or backpack. 

The E03R — A Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight

Before hitting the road, slide the Fenix E03R onto your keychain or into your pocket. Weighing only 0.78 oz (22g), this rechargeable keychain flashlight produces a maximum of 260 lumens across a distance of 138 ft (42 m). This is a perfect travel flashlight that is bright enough to light up your environment, but discreet enough to not be blinding.

The top switch activates six lighting modes, including four brightness levels, so whether you are on a night tour with groups or a late-night walk with your friends, you always have a powerful flashlight that is as prepared to explore as you are.

One of the best things about traveling is the break from routine. From unfamiliar terrains to unpredictable weather, traveling requires you to be quick to adapt. The E03R is a travel flashlight that handles various conditions with ease, thanks to its water-resistant and dustproof capabilities. 

Transition from a beach vacation to a city exploration trip without your travel-size flashlight’s light or performance dimming. Intelligent overheat protection guards the keychain flashlight against high surface temperatures, so stash your keys and another electronic device in the same pocket while traveling without worrying about the light overheating.

The LD05 V2.0 CW 2AAA — AAA Battery-Powered Penlight

If a slim design is an essential feature for you, reach for the LD05 V2.0 CW 2AAA. Weighing 1.0 oz (29.7g) and measuring 5.3” (135mm), this penlight is so light and thin that you could easily mistake it for a simple pen! If you have a sliver of space in your pocket, you have plenty of room for this powerful travel light.

When summer temperatures climb, the penlight’s intelligent temperature control lets you continue using the light without worry. The control feature also means you can store the travel flashlight in your luggage without worrying about changing temperatures damaging it.

When you have one hand full of luggage or bags, a free hand’s all you need to brighten a darkened hotel room, B&B, or campground if you arrive at night. The LD05 V2.0 CW 2AAA travel-size flashlight allows for one-handed activation and output selection. 

The E18R V2.0 — An Ultra-Compact EDC Flashlight

While we may all want our summer travels to be limited on surprises and unlimited on fun, dealing with the unexpected is an important skill that travel teaches us. Instead of being caught under-prepared in a new environment, carry gear that can be used in more ways than one. 

The Fenix E18R V2.0 is a perfect multi-use travel flashlight. You can use its two-way body clip for hands-free lighting, or attach the light to a metal base using its magnetic tail.

If your accommodations suddenly lose power, you arrive at your lodgings after dark, or if you want to find something in the shadows, the E18R V2.0 has you and your surroundings covered with 1200 lumens of brightness. 

A new setup or city can confuse your sense of direction, making it easy to get lost in an unfamiliar area. This travel-size flashlight comes with a strobe light to help you summon help or feel safe. 

When shifting from high- and low-light situations, such as reading on a plane or searching for a dropped room key under the bed, the best flashlight for travel keeps up with your needs. The E18R V2.0’s six lighting modes access five brightness levels. When the battery level indicator alerts you to a low battery, recharge the flashlight via the USB-C port.

The LD22 V2.0 - A Multi-Use, Slim Body Flashlight

When you aren’t completely sure of your destination, it is impossible to think of what you should pack! If you are an impulsive traveler who may one day want to hop in a car to see some old friends, and at other times want to buy a last-minute plane ticket to a new city, you will want to keep a multi-use travel flashlight with you. The adaptable Fenix LD22 V2.0 helps you cover your bases and conquer various lighting tasks.

This travel-size flashlight is ideal for almost every lighting task, thanks to its seven lighting modes, including an SOS and strobe light for emergencies. This is one of the best flashlights for travel that also withstands drops and dunks in water up to 6.5 ft (2 m).

No matter wherever your summer trips take you, the LD22 V2.0 won’t leave you stranded. Keep this flashlight powered with its rechargeable li-ion battery pack, or switch out the pack for readily-available AA batteries.

A Fenix travel flashlight makes it easy to see all the great things about summer traveling and provides major lumen output in a convenient, yet powerful design.