You’ll never catch me without: Soundcore by Anker Q20i Noise-cancelling Headphones , $40 (originally $70) When all the outlets are taken: Charmast Portable Charger With Built-in Cables , $22 (originally $30) Podiatrist-approved and Oprah-loved: Dr. Scholl's Time Off Sneakers , $75 (originally $110) Customize to your perfect sleep position: Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow , $20 (originally $35) If there’s one thing last year taught me, it’s that layovers can make or break a travel day. I endured over 20 of them—some short and uneventful, others long enough to feel like a full shift at the airport—and I quickly learned which travel essentials are actually worth carrying around. When you’re bouncing between gates, killing time in food courts, or posted up in an uncomfortable chair for hours, the right travel gear matters. The difference between counting down the minutes and barely noticing the time often comes down to what’s in your carry-on .…