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

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  • 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 five bags are our favorites for wrangling your workday gear.

  • A person standing outside in a light blue short sleeve shirt wears the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpack, in black with a gray llama-head logo and aqua accents.

    The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

    by Kit Dillon

    The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is our backpack pick for most travelers. We also have picks for other travelers, including those who want to carry a bit more.

Bags

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  • Four Osprey travel backpacks, two blue, two green, sitting next to each other.

    The Best Travel Backpack

    by Geoffrey Morrison

    For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably.

  • A selection of messenger bags tested for this review.

    Our Favorite Messenger Bags

    by Sri Rain Stewart

    Stylish and practical, a great messenger bag can be a commuter’s best friend. We found five great options that will suit a range of budgets, tastes, and lifestyles.

Gear

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  • Our four picks for best tumblers, shown side by side.

    The Best Tumbler

    by Elissa Sanci

    The affordable, leak-resistant Simple Modern Classic Tumbler keeps drinks cold (or warm) for hours, and it comes with both a straw lid and a flip-top lid.

Luggage

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  • Three of our picks for best suitcases for checking, shown side by side.

    The Best Suitcases for Checking

    by Kit Dillon

    After researching 30 models, we found that Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is the best suitcase for most travelers who check bags.

  • The Cotopaxi Chumpi 35L Duffel Del Día, on a stone wall next to a water bottle and surrounded by plants.

    The Best Duffle Bags

    by Kit Dillon

    After lugging 34 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.

  • Alt Text: Three of our top picks for carry-on luggage, shown side by side, an Away The Carry-On, a Travelpro Platinum Elite, and a Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential.

    The Best Carry-On Luggage

    by Kit Dillon

    After 10 years of airport dashes and overhead-compartment stashes, the Travelpro Platinum Elite is still the suitcase we want to carry.

More Travel Posts

  • 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 three picks for best stroller wagon, shown side by side in front of a pink background.

    The Best Stroller Wagons

    by Liz Iversen

    Got kids and gear you need to schlep to the soccer field, the beach, or the neighborhood block party? A stroller wagon might be for you.

  • Four filtered water bottles along with replacement filters and straws.

    The Best Filtered Water Bottles

    by Tim Heffernan

    You can get cleaner, better-tasting water with a filtered bottle that can travel with you—but other filtered water options may be more convenient overall.

  • Several sleep masks placed in between a white alarm clock and a candle on a blue background.

    The Best Sleep Mask

    by Caira Blackwell

    A comfortable, well-fitting sleep mask blocks disruptive light, which can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

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

    The Best Compression Socks

    by Jackie Reeve, 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.

  • Three of our favorite laptop tote bags that we tested, shown with a laptop, sunglasses, keys, a pen, and a notebook.

    The Best Laptop Tote Bags

    by Kaitlyn Wells

    Our favorite laptop bags are not only a stylish step up from utilitarian messenger bags but also more refined and work-appropriate than classic canvas totes.

  • A selection of wallets tested for this review, shown on a green background with flowers.

    The Best Slim Wallet

    by Jason Chen

    A slim wallet is best for your style and your spine. Here are the best slim and bifold wallets, all of which are less than an inch thick.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Three briefcases and a laptop laid on top of each other, on a yellow background.

    The Best Briefcases

    by Zoe Vanderweide

    Elegant and professional, a great briefcase never goes out of style. These timeless picks will serve you well, from internship to retirement party.

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