Travel
Backpacks
See all Backpacks reviews
The Best Backpacks for College and High School Students
by Zoe Vanderweide
Our top backpack picks for the 2023-2024 school year include a sporty-looking ergonomic pack, a bag that’s nostalgic and timeless, and a polished workhorse.
The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)
by Kit Dillon
A buy-it-for-a-lifetime backpack should last you for years of heavy use. But as with all investments, you need to decide if it makes sense for you.
The Best Packable Daypack for Travel
by Kit Dillon
We chose four packable daypacks that you can keep on hand, whether you’re trekking across the globe or just on your daily commute.
Bags
See all Bags reviews
The Best Beach Bag
by Kit Dillon
After testing beach bags in Northern California and Hawaii, we’re convinced that the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is a classic for very good reasons.
The Best Underseat Luggage and Personal-Item Bags
by Kit Dillon
There’s more to a great in-flight personal item than being small enough to stuff under a plane seat. Here’s how to choose the right one for your travel needs.
I’m a Chronic Overpacker. This Compression Sack Helps Me (Literally) Squeeze More Into My Luggage.
by Elissa Sanci
This cheap and easy-to-use compression bag makes it easy to pack days worth of essentials into a single backpack.
Gear
See all Gear reviews
The Best Gear for Your Road Trips
by Kit Dillon and Wirecutter Staff
After hundreds of 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.
The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip
by Ivy Liscomb
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.
The Best Travel Carrier for Cats and Small Dogs
by Kaitlyn Wells
After lugging eight pet carriers around NYC, we found that the Sherpa Original Deluxe is the best for taking your small pet on a plane or to the vet.
Luggage
See all Luggage reviews
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.
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.
We’ve Loved Luggage From Travelpro’s Platinum Elite Line for a Decade. Here’s Why.
by Kit Dillon
Travelpro Platinum Elite is our most loyal travel companion.
More Travel Posts
The Best Travel Car Seats
by Christina Szalinski and Rebecca Gale
After testing 17 lightweight, portable car seats, we have five good options for infants, toddlers, and big kids to recommend.
The Best Thermos
by Trey French and Jordan McMahon
The Stanley Classic Legendary Bottle 2.5 QT is the most comfortable thermos to carry and pour from, and it keeps your drinks hot over a long workday.
The Best Binoculars for Birds, Nature, and the Outdoors
by Daniel S. Cooper
A professional ornithologist tested 25 field-ready binoculars against his $2,500 Leica Ultravids and picked the Athlon Optics Midas ED pair as the best.
What to Pack for Summer Camp
by Kalee Thompson
Summer-camp packing lists can be long—and sometimes intimidating. Here’s how to choose fun but practical gear that’ll last for many seasons to come.
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.
The Best Travel Power Strips and Surge Protectors With USB Charging
by Sarah Witman
The best power strip for travel in North America is the easily packable Tripp Lite Protect It 3-Outlet Surge Protector—our top pick for eight years running.
The 36 Best Gifts for Frequent Travelers
by Samantha Schoech
We’ve put together a selection of fun, useful and clever gifts for that person who always has a trip planned.
Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.
by Kerry Davis McGuinness
From compact car seats and cribs to portable blackout shades and white noise machines, the right tools for travel can lead to less fuss—and more fun.
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.
Ask Wirecutter: What’s the Best Way to Pack Sunscreen for Vacation?
by Annemarie Conte
From carry-ons to checked bags to buying on-site, we have some tips for making sure you are fully stocked with sunscreen on vacation.
Wirecutter’s Summer of Giveaways
by Wirecutter Staff
Air Travel Is Chaos. This Gear Will Help Get You Through the Exasperating Delays.
by Elissa Sanci
These things don’t make your flight take off any faster, but they can make the wait a little more tolerable.
When a Simple Tote Bag Becomes a Lasting Heirloom
by Lauren Sullivan
A rumination on love, loss, and the things we gift and leave each other.
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.
The Best Bag and Cable Organizers
by Kaitlyn Wells
Always losing cables, SD cards, and tubes of lip balm in the depths of your backpack? A bag organizer will help you corral what you carry every day.
The Best Fanny Packs
by Kaitlyn Wells and Jordan McMahon
Cute and convenient, fanny packs securely transport your belongings as you travel hands free. We found five great ones to suit a range of styles and situations.
The Best Picnic Blanket
by Kit Dillon and Dorie Chevlen
After lounging on 19 top-rated picnic blankets, we found that the Nemo Victory Picnic Blanket offers the best combination of comfort, durability, and easy cleaning.
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.
