10 weird but genius tiny travel essentials

Some of the smartest essentials are also the weirdest – the random little items that look unnecessary until they save your front door keys, your sleep, your health or your sanity. This list is for those low-key genius finds: small enough to forget, useful enough that once you pack them, you never stop.

Let's start with something so brilliant that it's largely sold out since Britain had a 35 degree heatwave. So log on to the JML website and request a notification of when the Chillmax cooling neck ring, £14.99, main picture, is available again. Its clever gel filling 'refreezes' at 28C, so you don't need to put it back in the fridge or freezer to reset its cooling power. The effect lasts for 2 hours, and there's a choice of medium or large. It chills the blood flowing through the major vessels in the neck, and counteracts the heat rising off your body.

Floating key chain, £2.99 If you're anywhere near water this summer – at the beach, on a boat, canoeing, camping, fishing – this buoyant EVA keychain will stop your keys from sinking if you drop them. Also comes in red or orange,

Portable travel clothes line, £6.59 If you're travelling light, you may need to do some washing while you're away. Or maybe you've got five sets of swimwear to get dry. Or you got caught in a downpour. This is the saviour of the soggy.

Trespass midge/mosquito head net, £4.99 OK, you probably won't want to be photographed wearing it, but it's better than getting a moz bite on your face. This black mesh hood secures firmly at the neck. It's a look.

CashStash+ emergency cash capsule, £7.99 A watertight, aircraft-grade aluminium capsule with a screw top lid, this holds a single banknote. Could also be used for pills. 8 x 1.8cm

SOL duct tape, £8.61 No, this is not for the holidaying kidnapper. Duct tape is the gift that keeps on giving. It will repair rips in suitcases and clothing, secure tops on containers to avoid leaks, fix a cracked phone case. You can tape ill-fitting hotel curtains together to block out the light. Childproof the cords of blinds and other hazards by taping them out of reach. Is the sink plug missing? Tape over the drain for a temporary solution. If you want to keep your passport and valuables safe from pickpockets, put them in a polybag and tape it to the inside of your bag. If push really comes to shove, you can tape up your feet to prevent blisters. You see?

Lifeventure portable travel door lock, £5 An extra layer of security in hotel rooms. You slide it between the door and the doorframe, then swing the sickle-shaped locking mechanism into place. Made of lightweight nylon, it's 9 x 4cm.

Go Travel RFID blocking credit card covers, £7.99 for two RFID means radio frequency identification – personal and banking information is stored on RFID chips in passports and credit cards. These guards stop criminals from 'skimming' these details and raiding your bank account. They will also prevent two contactless cards in the same wallet being billed simultaneously. Peace of mind for £7.99.

TickCheck tick removal kit, £14.49 High summer + walks in the country = a risk of tick bites. And tick bites are no trifling matter – if you don't get them out promptly, you run the risk of developing the debilitating bacterial infection Lyme disease. These removers come in two sizes, for adult and nymph ticks, and are suitable for both humans and pets. Again, peace of mind for £14.49.

deStain instant stain removal wipes, £8.49 for ten Simply rub the fabric with the wipe – there's no need to rinse unless it's a persistent stain. Compostable and biodegradable, they are your holiday wardrobe's best friend.

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