Let me count the ways.
Touching down in a new place brings excitement, adventure and – if you’re anything like me – a whole new coffee scene to explore. But navigating somewhere new also takes mental effort, as does diabetes (no holidays there I’m afraid), so it pays to arrive prepared.
Wondering exactly what changes when travel enters the diabetes equation? I’ve broken that down here.
A diabetes travel bag needs to do many things at once: carry all the diabetes equipment we need, reduce the mental load while on the move, and still look and feel like something we actually want to wear.
Our take on a diabetes travel bag is informed by chats with many intrepid diabetic travellers, and my own experience trekking across 20-odd countries with diabetes in tow (read more on my personal approach to travelling as a T1D here).
Enter SideKYT: my travel bestie. Mine’s kept me together through many intrepid adventures (boats, beaches, treks, tuk tuks, camping, trains, planes, festivals, and many, many cafes). Here’s what I love most:
- Hands-free, always – a crossbody means my hands are free for luggage, boarding passes, coffee, cameras and everything else that comes with being on the move.
- Insulin has a home – dedicated pen loops keep insulin pens secure, visible and easy to grab. No fishing around the bottom of a handbag required. (Hot tip: if you’re choosing between an insulin pen case and a diabetes travel bag, think about whether you need to carry just your pens or your wider diabetes kit and everyday essentials too.)
- Security without the faff – easy access means less rummaging at airport security or festival gates. My favourite was a festival in France, where I opened my SideKYT and the whole security team stopped to say, “wow!”
- Room for the rest of life – phone, wallet, passport, hotel keys, maps and sunglasses. My favourite hack? Tuck sunnies between the two halves of the bag – the leather keeps them protected and makes it much harder to leave them behind on a boat somewhere.
- Ready for the heat – dedicated insulin pen storage keeps everything easy to find, while a FRIO cooling pouch can be tucked behind the pen loops to help protect insulin in warmer climates.
- It’s a handbag first – no “medical bag” vibes on holiday. Just a good-looking crossbody designed around diabetes.
(That’s enough gushing for one blog, but if you want more, you can take a full video tour of SideKYT here.)
For me, a diabetes travel bag is about making the things I need to carry feel effortless – while leaving plenty of room for everything else I’m doing. That’s why I don’t even unpack SideKYT when I get home. A quick wipe with my sleeve to get rid of the sand, and it’s back off to work with me Monday.
Bridget xx
Designer & Diabetic
