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Travel

Traveling well is one of life’s great pleasures, whether you’re alone or with family and friends. But what does it mean to travel well? When it comes to gear, it means packing as few bags as possible and bringing only the necessities. Different trips have different needs, which is why we have recommendations for business trips, family vacations, European backpacking trips, and everything in between.

Backpacks

See all Backpacks reviews

Bags

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  • A person holding a black Herschel duffle bag.

    The Best Duffle Bags

    by Kit Dillon

    After lugging 33 duffles through airports, to beaches, and on weekend trips, we chose seven bags that’ll carry what you need carried in a range of scenarios.

  • A person wearing our pick for best travel backpack, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 60 plus Recycled Travel Pack for women.

    The Best Travel Backpack

    by Geoffrey Morrison

    The spacious REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack - Men’s and REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack - Women’s are the packs we choose to carry.

Gear

See all Gear reviews
  • A person reading an atlas while sitting on the hood of their car.

    The Best Gear for Your Road Trips

    by Kit Dillon and Wirecutter Staff

    After 120 hours of research and 1,500 miles behind the wheel, we’ve singled out the gear that’s absolutely essential for your next journey on the open road.

  • Seven toiletry bags of different models and styles lined up on a vacuum counter.

    The Best Toiletry Bags

    by Kaitlyn Wells

    After stuffing, shaking, and dunking 23 toiletry bags, we chose six that can serve as your bathroom-in-a-bag in a variety of travel scenarios.

  • Various travel gear items laid out on a yellow background.

    The Best Gear for Travel

    by Wirecutter Staff

    We put in another year and tens of thousands more miles of travel to test the best travel gear—and we stand by last year’s choices alongside a few new picks.

Luggage

See all Luggage reviews
  • A person standing at an airport with our pick for best carry-on luggage.

    The Best Carry-On Luggage

    by Kit Dillon

    We’ve tested 47 bags over nine years, and we are convinced that the 21-inch Travelpro Platinum Elite is the best carry-on suitcase for most travelers.

  • The Best Suitcases for Checking

    by Kit Dillon

    After researching 26 models, we found that Travelpro's Platinum Elite 25-Inch Expandable Spinner Suiter is the best suitcase for most travelers who check bags.

  • One of the packing cube sets that we tested to find the best, filled with clothes and shown with a passport and sunglasses.

    The Best Packing Cubes

    by Kit Dillon

    After researching and traveling with packing cubes for more than five years, the Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set is what we keep in our luggage.

More Travel Posts

  • Our three picks for best tumblers, the Hydro Flask All Around, the Klean Kanteen Insulated, and the Yeti Rambler Tumbler.

    The Best Tumbler

    by Aaron Lebowitz and Christine Ryan

    We left 15 Slurpee-filled tumblers in a 112 °F car. Handling the meltdown with ease, the Hydro Flask emerged as the perfect choice for most people.

  • A person holding open one of the zipper compartments inside an empty suitcase.

    How to Clean Your Luggage

    by Kit Dillon

    When it comes to cleaning your grimy suitcases, a little maintenance between trips can go a long way. Here’s how to do it.

  • Six pairs of compression socks that we tested, in various colors and patterns.

    The Best Compression Socks

    by Eve O'Neill and Shannon Palus

    Whether you’re shopping for compression socks at your doctor’s orders or just because, we’ve found high-quality options in a variety of fabrics and styles.

  • The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip

    by Haley Perry

    You don't have to be a digital nomad to travel like one. Here are a few gadgets and accessories to make travel as painless as possible.

  • Our picks for best laptop backpack pictured with school supplies.

    The Best Laptop Backpacks

    by Zoe Vanderweide

    A great laptop backpack protects your tech, is comfortable to carry, and looks good, too. These six bags are our favorites for wrangling your workday gear.

  • An Apple AirTag in a blue holder locked to a luggage top handle.

    Apple AirTags Are the Best Luggage Trackers

    by Caitlin McGarry

    Worried about luggage going missing during holiday travel? How Apple’s AirTag and Android’s Tile Mate can help you keep tabs on it—even when the airline can’t.

  • The Best Travel Pillow

    by Sabrina Imbler

    After testing eight travel pillows on four red-eye flights in window, aisle, and middle seats, we think the Travelrest Ultimate is the best for most travelers.

  • A graphic displaying on the left, a person wearing a backpack with the straps higher than the bag on their back, the incorrect way of wearing a backpack, and on the right, a person wearing a backpack with the straps and the bag at an even height, the correct way of wearing a backpack.

    You’re Probably Wearing Your Backpack Wrong

    by Zoe Vanderweide

    Here are the secrets to avoiding back pain while rocking a backpack, including the best way to load it up and how to adjust your straps.

  • The six totes we recommend all lined up.

    The 6 Best Tote Bags to Match Any Style

    by Justin Krajeski

    We’ve found six totes in a variety of styles and materials that’ll suit your schlep, regardless if it’s to the grocery store, a fancy dinner, or the beach.

  • Our top three picks for best kids backpack for school, from State Bags, L.L. Bean, and Pottery Barn Kids.

    The Best Kids Backpacks for School

    by Ellen Lee

    A great school backpack should be comfortable to carry, durable, organized, and let kids express themselves. Here are four backpacks we think kids will love.

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