Travel Gear
14 buying decisions in travel gear, each synthesized from independent testing and real owner reports. We name the pick - and the popular option to skip.
Shopping by budget? Budget travel gear Premium travel gear
Top pick +1 to skip 
Garment Bags: Which to Buy and Which to Skip We compared six garment bags, from fold-over carry bags to a convertible duffle and a rolling carry-on, on suit capacity, weight, shoe storage, trolley sleeves and warranty. Our pick: NOMATIC Garment Bag
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Pillows: 6 Compared (and One to Skip) From Cabeau's seat-strap memory foam to Trtl's scarf-brace - the pillows that actually let you sleep in economy, and the inflatable that trades comfort for pack size. Our pick: Cabeau Evolution S3
Top pick +1 to skip 
Which TSA Luggage Locks Are Actually Worth Buying? We compared six TSA luggage locks on which inspection system they name, shackle type, materials, size, weight and warranty, using only maker product pages and TSA's own guidance. Our pick: Pacsafe Prosafe 1000 Travel Sentry Approved Combination Padlock
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Weekender Bags: 6 Compared (and One to Skip) We compared six weekender bags on stated capacity, empty weight, shoe storage, laptop protection, trolley sleeves and warranty, using only maker spec sheets. Our pick: Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Large
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Carry-On Luggage: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) Four hardside spinner carry-ons compared on durability, wheels, packing space, and warranty - with one budget bestseller we'd skip. Our pick: Monos Carry-On Pro
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Checked Luggage: 4 Large Suitcases Compared (and One to Skip) Four large checked suitcases compared on maker-stated outside dimensions against the 62 linear inch airline limit, empty weight against a 50 lb allowance, shell material, published litres and what each warranty says about airline damage. Our pick: Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Luggage Scales: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) We compared four handheld luggage scales on what their makers put in writing: capacity, graduation, any accuracy tolerance, how the scale attaches to the bag, what powers it, and whether it holds a reading. Our pick: Etekcity EL11 Luggage Scale
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Packing Cubes: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) We compared four packing cubes on published volume and dimensions, weight, compression, fabric and zip specification, visibility and warranty. Our pick: Peak Design Packing Cube, Medium
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Passport Wallets: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) From a full-grain leather cover to a family-sized four-passport organizer - the travel wallets worth gifting, and the under-shirt neck pouch that is a different kind of product. Our pick: Leatherology Deluxe Passport Cover
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Backpacks: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) We compared four carry-on travel backpacks on published litres, external dimensions, empty weight, how they open, whether the hip belt and frame actually carry load, laptop sleeve size and warranty terms. Our pick: Tortuga Pro Backpack 40L
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Toiletry Bottles: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) Four refillable bottle and capsule systems compared on stated capacity against the 3.4 oz carry-on limit, on what each maker tells you not to put inside, and on how each one is cleaned. Our pick: humangear GoToob+ 3-Pack
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Towels: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) We compared four quick-dry travel towels on published weight and packed size, absorbency, fibre blend, care requirements and what each maker states. Our pick: Matador NanoDry Packable Beach Towel
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Umbrellas: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) Four compact umbrellas compared on what their makers actually publish: tested wind speed, canopy diameter versus arc, folded length, weight, ribs and warranty terms. Our pick: Davek Solo
Top pick +1 to skip 
The Best Travel Adapters: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) Four travel adapters compared on the things the box art glosses over: which plug types they cover, whether they are grounded, the AC load limit, USB-C wattage per port and what the maker states about fuses and certifications. Our pick: Ceptics 65W World Travel Adapter (NANFUSE-WS)