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11 Travel Kits for Women That Will Keep You Organized on the Go

Kimberly Miles

Packing and unpacking are probably two of the least favorite things about traveling. However, you know what makes those things easier and maybe even…fun? Organization. When you have a great travel kit to keep your travel accessories organized, loading and unloading doesn’t seem so bad!

Here we share our favorite travel kits for women to keep things neat in your luggage , carry-on or backpack. From minimalist toiletry bags and pouches to stylish cosmetic totes and jewelry cases, getting organized for your next trip will be as easy as pie!

BAGSMART Toiletry Bag Travel Bag with Hanging Hook

When it comes to hauling along the toiletries, makeup and medication, having space without taking up too much space is important. This large capacity travel kit for women fits the bill with four spacious compartments with a double zipper closure and back open pocket. Whether you’re traveling alone or with the family, this travel bag will help you keep things organized.

Features of this hanging toiletry bag for women include inner pockets with elastic straps to keep bottles upright, transparent sides to easily see the contents, easy grab-and-go carry handle and a 360 degree swivel non-slip metal hook so you can easily hang it from any hanger, door knob, towel rack or coat hanger.

Why the BAGSMART Travel Toiletry Bag is great for travel:

• #1 best seller on Amazon for travel toiletry bags
• Multi-functional, great for travel or casual use at home
• Multiple spacious compartments to store different travel size items or full-size items
• Comes in three different sizes, so you can choose the size best for you and your belongings

BAGSMART Toiletry Travel Organizer Dopp Kit

If you’re looking for a convenient and easy-to-pack toiletry bag that you can grab, pack and go for those short weekend getaways or last minute vacations, the BAGSMART Toiletry Travel Organizer Dopp Kit should be at the top your list. This super functional travel kit for women is compact, yet spacious, so you can quickly and easily pack it up with the essentials and throw it in your backpack or carry-on.

Features of this travel organizer bag include a multi-pocket compartment for storing smaller items such as oils, cotton swabs and pills, a large capacity compartment for larger items, separate waterproof compartment, double-zipper and elastic hoops to keep everything in place. It is also water-repellent, making it super easy to clean.

Why BAGSMART Travel Toiletry Organizer Dopp Kit is great for travel:

• Super versatile: You can use it as a dopp kit, makeup bag/cosmetic bag, toiletry travel kit, or wash bag or shaving kit bag
• Water-repellent material, easy to clean and ideal for carrying along to the beach or pool
• Large-capacity size, suitable for carrying larger essentials such as lotions, shampoos and conditioner

Convenience Kits International Women’s Foil Bag

The Convenience Kits International Women’s Foil Bag takes the headache out of preparing for trips. Everything you need is in one convenient grab and go travel bag! That way, you can just throw it in your luggage and focus your mind on other things, such as counting down until takeoff.

You won’t have to worry about accidentally leaving something behind with this 11-piece toiletry kit. It features travel size toiletries such as Pantene shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, razor, toothpaste and full-size toothbrush with cover. There’s also floss, a nail file and styling comb. And it is all stored in a quart-sized zip top TSA compliant bag that you can use more than once!

Why the Convenience Kits International Women’s Foil Bag is great for travel:

• Easy grab-and-go kit has all of the necessary travel essentials, so you don’t have to do extra shopping or worry about forgetting something at home
• TSA compliant resealable zip top bag that you can reuse
• Includes a full-size toothbrush, so you can leave your home toothbrush where it belongs
• A great gift for new and frequent travelers

Convenience Kits International Women’s Premium 16 PC Travel Kit

The 16-piece Convenience Kits International travel kit for women features even more convenient and popular brand name travel and hygiene products to make packing for your next trip a breeze. It also comes in an attractive burgundy zipper bag that you can later use as a cosmetic bag.

This quart-size TSA compliant bag features Tresemme travel-size hair products and bathing essentials as well as Olay body wash, Nivea face creme, Crest toothpaste and mouthwash, Colgate toothbrush and toothbrush cap, Glide dental floss and a shower pouf and comb.

Why the Convenience Kit International Women’s Premium 16-pc Travel Kit is great for travel:

• Comes in a stylish and sturdy TSA compliant zip-top bag
• Includes a full-size toothbrush and shower pouf, so you can keep your home essentials in your bathroom

Convenience Kits International Women’s Herbal Essence Kit

The Convenience Kits International Women’s Herbal Essence Kit is the #1 best seller for travel kits for women on Amazon. This 10-piece set features all the name brand travel size products that you need in one bag. Not only will this women’s travel kit save you time, but it’ll also save you money to spend on vacation excursions, meals or souvenirs!

For less than $10, you will get a convenient zippered cosmetic bag packed with your oral and hygiene travel essentials including Herbal Essences Hello Hydration shampoo and conditioner, lotion, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, floss and styling comb.

Why Convenience Kits International Women’s Herbal Essence Kit is great for travel:

• Budget-friendly, less than $10
• Comes in a TSA compliant reusable zippered cosmetic bag
• Features popular national grooming and oral care brands

Ms Lovely Leather Toiletry Travel Bag for Women

For a toiletry bag that you can pack or carry around like a tote, the Ms. Lovely Leather Toiletry Travel Bag for Women fits the bill. This stylish, lightweight leather travel kit for women features a soft, quilted lightweight leather exterior, a waterproof satin interior and beautiful rose gold hardware. Others won’t know if its a toiletry bag or a hand bag!

This large, fashion-forward leather travel case also has four pockets including clear inner pockets and a front pocket. There is plenty of room for all of your toiletry essentials as well as makeup. The material is also super flexible, making it easy to fold down into a more compact size when needed. The outside zippers are high-quality with tassels on the main zipper to add to its stylish appearance. And no more annoying stains from your makeup or lotions! Its easy-to-clean, satin material is made to repel stains.

Why the Ms Lovely Leather Travel Bag for Women is great for travel:

• Large size with multiple pockets
• Easy to clean waterproof satin interior
• Super modern and stylish design so you can pack it or carry it like a tote
• Multiple styles and colors to choose from to match your preference and/or current luggage

GOX Travel Toiletry Bag

If you’re more of the minimalist type when it comes to packing and storing your personal items, the GOX Travel Toiletry Bag is right up your alley. This ultra-lightweight cosmetic bag is small enough to be used as a pencil case, but large enough to safely keep all of your travel essentials accessible and organized.

Features of this multipurpose travel bag include a large compartment with multiple pockets that include a waterproof zipper pouch and three elastic mesh pockets. The high-quality Ripstop Nylon material isn’t just light, dust proof, waterproof and scratch proof, but it is also environmentally-friendly to meet sustainability standards. There’s also a zipper pouch on the back of the pouch for smaller items and a hanging hook for easy access and storage when not in use.

Why GOX Travel Toiletry Bag is great for travel:

• Has a convenient hanging hook for fast access and easy storage
• Super water-resistant and durable material that won’t scratch or attract dust
• Lightweight and easy to carry, ideal for travel as well as home use and sports
• Comes in two sizes and four different colors so you can choose which fits your personality and needs

4KITS Hanging Roll-Up Makeup Bag

One of the toughest things about traveling with makeup is keeping all of it organized and safely stored so that things don’t spill or stain your belongings. The 4KITS Hanging Roll-Up Makeup Bag solves this problem with four separate removable compartments that roll up into a small cute toiletry kit that you can carry on its own or pack into your luggage.

One of the best features of this compact travel kit is its set of four removable grab-and-go storage bags that can be used to organize personal care items, makeup, first aid items and medicine or whatever else you please. Since they’re removable, you can share them with other members of your family or travel group to store their personal items. And because the storage bags are made of clear plastic, it is easy and convenient for TSA to inspect without having to rummage through or expose all of your personal belongings. Once you’ve arrived at your destination or returned home, use the hanging hook to easily store your bag until the next trip!

Why the 4KITS Hanging Roll-Up Makeup Bag is great for travel:

• Easy roll-up design with hanging hook makes it super easy to store and pack
• Removable compartments to serve different uses or share with other travelers
• Clear plastic makes TSA airport inspection easy and private
• Strong quality zippers ensure your makeup and personal belongings stay put

NISHEL Large Size Toiletry Bag for Women

If space was ever and issue before, it will no longer be once you have the NISHEL Large Size Toiletry Bag. This spacious yet efficiently-sized travel case is just the size you need to hold all of your full-size travel toiletries. You won’t have to leave a thing behind!

The NISHEL travel toiletry case comes with two water-resistant compartments with mesh pouches and elastic bands that keep your bottles upright and your liquids where they’re supposed to be. The clear and mesh pockets easily separate your wet and dry belongings, so items such as your toothbrush and shaving kit can dry without other items becoming wet. The u-shaped zippers make zipping up your toiletry bag a breeze, and the two carrying straps double as hanging straps. The NISHED toiletry case also comes in multiple colors so you can find the style that fits you the most.

Why the NISHEL Large Size Toiletry Bag for Women is great for travel:

• Versatile and can keep you organized while on vacation, business travel or at home
• Large capacity so you can easily store and organize all of your full-size toiletries and essentials
• Easy to zip and hang
• Also a great gift for travel-loving friends and family

Luxja Travel Makeup Bag

The Luxja Travel Makeup Bag is a large, deluxe-style women’s travel kit ideal for traveling with makeup. It features top-notch materials, multiple storage sections and removable cases so your cosmetics are kept safe, sound and organized.

This versatile bag is made of heavy-duty nylon and has a soft, padded interior to keep your most delicate travel items safe during transport. The two removable cases have separate handles and are great for organizing skin care and makeup products. They also have a clear top to easily see what’s inside. There’s a mesh zipper pocket for storing flat makeup supplies as well as detachable dividers in the upper section. There are also two side pouches for additional tools and a back pocket for other personal items.

Need more space? This bag also comes in larger sizes with three removable cases and four removable cases . Take advantage discount coupons at checkout for additional savings!

Why the Luxja Travel Makeup Bag is great for travel:

• Vertical strap on back to easily slip over your suitcase handle
• Sturdy handles and a detachable shoulder strap
• Removable cases with their own separate handle making finding what you need a breeze
• Transparent side pouches and back pockets for additional storage of personal items and makeup accessories

Pocmimut Makeup Bag and Jewelry Bag

The 2-and-1 Pocmimut Makeup Bag and Jewelry bag is like a dream come true, keeping both makeup and jewelry together and organized. This high-quality, waterproof travel kit for women is lightweight, soft and super portable. Traveling with all of your beauty essentials will be easy-peasy.

The double layer design with multiple jewelry storage areas keeps necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets separate and untangled. There’s a large makeup bag for skin care products and other toiletries. There’s also a small cosmetic bag that you can use separately for makeup or as a change purse. Separate pockets keep your makeup brushes safe and dust-free.

Why the Pocmimut Makeup Bag and Jewelry Bag is great for travel:

• Water-resistant fabric both inside and outside to keep your belongings protected from unexpected spills
• Convenient carry handle that you can use like a tote or as a hanging bag
• Detachable cosmetic pouch that you can use independently
• Multi-functional jewelry organizer with multiple panels, straps and a large pocket
• Available in multiple colors to match with your luggage

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The 25 Best Travel Bags for Every Kind of Trip

It's all about the right luggage.

Whether it’s a two-day business trip to Boston or a boys’ weekend in Miami, there are a lot of different ways your bag can support you. Along with handy features, looks play a part, too; you should be proud of the bag you are toting along. Get yourself that snazzy weekender with hidden pockets and a built-in cooling compartment. Treat yourself to that sleek Rimowa roller you’ve been eyeing since last year. Splurge on that monogrammed duffel to replace the one your investment bank gave you when you signed on. Don’t go on another trip without your new bag, and take some action now.

Best Travel Duffle Bag

Herschel supply co. novel duffel.

Most Versatile Travel Bag

Longchamp le pliage energy.

Best Hard Shell Carry-On Travel Bag

Rimowa cabin s carry-on suitcase.

Best Travel Backpack

Away the everywhere zip backpack.

Best Lightweight Travel Bag

Métier vagabond duffel.

Best Soft-Shell Carry-On Travel Bag

Samsonite pro travel softside expandable carry-on luggage.

Best Travel Garment Bag

Tumi garment bag tri-fold carry-on.

Best Garment Duffel

Halfday the garment duffel.

Best Neoprene Travel Bag

Dagne dover landon carryall bag.

Best Luxury Duffel

Lucchese cosimo garment duffel.

Our favorite luggage brands make it easy to elevate your travel style . If you need help narrowing down your choices, we have our 25 favorites that our editors have tested and reviewed. Out with the old, in with a new travel bag.

When it comes to quick trips that last a day or two, a duffel is what you need. And Herschel’s Novel bag is, in so many words, the best bang for your buck. Not only is it incredibly durable and spacious enough for several fits (there’s also a separate compartment for your shoes), but it’s also less than $100. That’s what we call a win-win.

Drawing its inspiration from origami, Longchamp’s convertible travel bag is one of the most versatile out there. Wear it as a backpack or carry it around as a weekender, this bag is going to get you from point A to point B with ease. It’s sporty and practical and effortlessly in fashion.

From Karl Lagerfeld to David Fincher to Martha Stewart, all the high rollers can be seen toting this suitcase. It’s got distinctive grooves and an ergonomic design, and it just screams class. Plus, the TSA-approved locks are keeping your belongings extra secure.

It’s also Esquire approved and worthy of an investment.

For train travel, bus voyages ( ooof, we feel your pain ), or even a trip involving a connecting flight, there’s nothing like a good backpack to keep you hands-free and moving at a quick pace. Made of water-resistant nylon, Away’s backpack is a durable choice with padded shoulder straps and a laptop pocket.

Surprisingly lightweight, Métier’s duffel is a luxe option for frequent travelers. It’s thoughtfully designed with specific places for toiletries, sunglasses, a laptop, and the rest of your valuables. A secret card slot in the exterior pocket makes for easier travel at the airport.

In the luggage realm, there are very few that hold a candle to Samsonite. For more than a century (yes, that long), the brand has been churning out travel accessories, always offering quality styles for the day. It doesn’t get bogged down by its history. This soft-shell spinner, for example, features wireless charging pockets and a compartment for toiletries, and it’s made of 100 percent ballistic nylon. It’s also less than $250, which makes is a virtual steal.

Business executives know the importance of a garment bag. When you just hopped off the plane and are running late to that meeting, never stress trying to find a steamer again. TUMI is saving you from wrinkle embarrassment, keeping you put together everywhere and anytime.

We love our garment bags in duffel form. They are practical for traveling with suits or other formal clothes, but you can also use them for quick casual trips. Need more convincing? Check out our endorsement of this one.

In a flexible neoprene, Dagne Dover's carryall is one of the lightest duffels out there. It's got a laptop sleeve, and it also comes with a shoe bag and a dust bag. It also makes for a great gym bag, if you want something that's multipurpose.

We love this duffel so much, it was even one of the travel products our editors can't live without . Converting from a garment sleeve to a duffel bag, its versatility meets a luxurious style for a bag you will have for decades.

July Carry All Weekender Plus

Much like it's name denotes, this truly is a carry-all at its 50L capacity. A large padded pocket fits your laptop, and hidden pockets with magnetic closures keep your smaller belongings tucked away safely. If you are going somewhere for the long-haul, it also easily attaches onto your luggage.

Paravel Aviator Grand Suitcase

Paravel is new-ish to the luggage game, but in just a short time it is succeeding in the competitive market by focusing entirely on sustainability. The brand's collection is not only beautifully designed, but they are also made of recycled plastic water bottles. It also plants trees through Eden Reforestation Projects to offset the carbon emissions it produces via shipping.

Meisterstück Meisterstück Document Case

From the finest writing instruments to regal timepieces, Montblanc offers the kind of items beloved by jet-setters, C-suite executives, and anyone else of that sort. Naturally, this means that its briefcase is one of the best around, and will surely induce envy from the rest of the folks in first class.

Zero Halliburton Large Travel Case

When it comes to luxury, you can't ignore Zero Halliburton. This label is, after all, the maker of the iconic damage-resistant aluminum briefcases, so rest assured that its large spinner will stay looking good while its be tossed and turned from the check-in booth to baggage claim.

Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Frequent Flyer Carry-On

This Swiss brand makes luggage that lasts. Constructed in a high performance recycled polycarbonate, this suitcase is durable and eco-conscious. It expands by 20 percent and has multiple compartments for smart storage. We also love this piece from Victorinox because you can personalize it for no added cost.

Coofay Travel Backpack

Now you can pack for a weekend trip in a backpack. There's a laptop compartment, separate shoe storage, and a USB charging port. Travel compactly and with rest assured that everything you need it right on your back.

Lululemon Command the Day Duffel Bag

Aptly named, this bag is going to be your 24/7 savior. A water-repellent fabric protects against spills and weather. You can stay organized with the allocated pockets for shoes, laptop, and gear.

Yeti Crossroads Duffel Bag

You know Yeti for its coolers and bottles, but you're about to love it for its luggage. A water and abrasion-resistant exterior coupled with reinforced stitching makes this one of the most durable duffels on the market.

Mark & Graham 2-in-1 Garment Bag

This bag is literally a transformer. Going from garment bag to duffel, it helps to protect your clothing with its folding design. The smart silhouette even leaves room for two pairs of shoes to store at the side.

Mack Weldon Atlas Duffle

This reinforced canvas duffle will pass any test you put it through—from the gym to the plane. It has multiple pockets, one that's designated for shoes and the other for drinks and snacks ( remember to throw those out before you get to TSA ), and a slip-resistant bottom.

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The Best Gear for Travel

By Wirecutter Staff

Traveling well can be one of life’s great pleasures, whether you’re alone or with family and friends.

But what does it mean to travel well? We’d say that along with traveling safely (of course), traveling well involves avoiding hassle, carrying a single bag (if possible), and bringing only the necessities.

“Traveling well is a fine balance between finding inspiration in the unknown while being grounded in something,” said Wirecutter founder Brian Lam. “Sometimes that is a memory of home, a family, a significant other, friends, etc. Sometimes it’s just the familiar, reliable stuff in your bag.”

Over the past nine years, we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing dozens of products to find the most dependable items that will help you travel well. On top of that, we sought the advice and wisdom of Doug Dyment, author and creator of OneBag. As a traveling businessman and public speaker, he has logged millions of miles over the past few decades. We also ran our picks by travel-gear reviewer Eytan Levy, the Snarky Nomad .

And we relied heavily on the experiences of Wirecutter staff, an especially mobile group of individuals. Our staffers have worked remotely from every continent except Antarctica—the five most frequent flyers among us travel about half a million miles in any given (normal) year.

The research

Flying/riding, just in case, travel tips.

A well-packed bag is one that contains less than you think you need but everything you actually need. If possible, fitting everything into one carry-on and personal item will give you more freedom compared to checking a bag or two. You’ll be glad you did if (and when) things don’t go according to plan. Consider this example from OneBag’s Doug Dyment: “I’ve been in situations where I’ve landed in Chicago on my way to New York and everything was snowed in, no flights were flying anywhere, but I was able to rent a car or take a train whereas everyone whose bags were being held hostage by the airlines were simply stuck.” While carry-on-only isn’t feasible (or advisable) for every trip—especially extended business trips or weddings where you need multiple outfits to maintain appearances—if in doubt, it’s better to cut.

Carry-on backpack (non-roller)

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

The Allpa’s clamshell design makes organizing your things simple. The strap design lets you easily wear this durable bag on your back or carry it in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind, but most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility and clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts depending on how much you’ve packed. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

We spent six months testing 22 bags, and in the end we chose two as our top picks for travelers determined to never check luggage again: the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L (for most trips) and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L . Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L features an easy-to-pack clamshell design and highly adjustable straps that make it a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. Handles on all four sides of this bag make it easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it, and the Allpa’s straps are contoured to comfortably fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The bag is protected by a full lifetime warranty and has the build quality to back that up. Its front panel is made of a waterproof, TPU-coated 1,000-denier polyester (a strong fabric covered in a flexible plastic coating), which means you can lay it on its back in a wet field or in gravel without worrying about moisture soaking through or jagged edges ripping the fabric. The rest of the paneling is made with 1,680-denier ballistic nylon, which feels similar to a strong canvas but with a more prominent weave. After four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item to store under the seat) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage that Kit Dillon, Wirecutter’s senior staff writer who covers luggage, uses.

One caveat: The Allpa has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth—which is where the personal item comes in handy. As the name suggests, “personal items” are very, well, personal, and no one bag will work for all travelers; we offer a range of recommendations in our full guide to them .

The larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. Not so with the Peak Design: It looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack. You can access the bag through a back panel, which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch, as well as through a front one, if you unzip the pass-through divider. You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps that run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters.

If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. It still feels larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for the ability to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400D nylon and polyester fabrics—it feels tough, but not as tough as the Cotopaxi Allpa. As for flaws, it is expensive, especially if you commit to the entire system of packing cubes and camera cubes . The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses, though Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty.

Finding the right bag is a personal choice, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we have picks in our full review of carry-on travel bags that can double as traveling offices , bags that are easy to carry while you’re walking long distances , and budget options for travelers who want to give the one-bag strategy a try.

Carry-on bag (rolling)

Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner

Great features, great value.

This spinner carry-on offers the best balance of size, value, reliability, and durability, with high-end details. It’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

Since 2015, we’ve researched several dozen suitcases and gone hands-on with the 47 most promising candidates in a variety of tests—including having active flight attendants test bags for us in a fake plane fuselage in their training facility. We determined that for most people the  Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Expandable Spinner  offers the best balance of features, durability, and price for most flyers who log less than 25,000 miles annually.

It features smooth-rolling, user-replaceable wheels; solid and comfortable, telescoping handles; and a hard-wearing nylon exterior propped up by a solid internal chassis. The Elite only improves on past iterations in the Platinum line by reducing the size of the stowed handle (which used to jut out about an inch) and adding a second zippered, exterior pocket for easy access on the go and a USB pass-through extension that lets you insert your own battery pack for charging your phone. And at 7.8 pounds when empty, this carry-on bag is about half a pound lighter than its predecessor. Compared with other bags in this price range, you also get surprisingly high-end components and a warranty that covers anything, even airline damage, for the life of the bag (as long as you register the suitcase within 120 days of purchase, which is easy to do on any smartphone).

Upgrade pick

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

For frequent flyers.

If you fly more than 25,000 miles a year, invest in a bag with unique features, superior details, and plenty of expandable room. This manufacturer guarantees your satisfaction.

If you fly more than 25,000 miles annually and you’re willing to invest in a higher-quality product, we recommend the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner. It can fit more clothing than any bag we tested, thanks to a cavernous interior and clever expansion and compression system that can adjust to variable levels beyond open and shut. Wirecutter’s founder, Brian Lam, has put more than 150,000 miles on his so far, and it’s held up great. His only complaint is that longer pants will need an extra fold, or to be rolled. In taller bags, pants will only need to be folded over once.

Checked luggage

If you need to pack more stuff than a carry-on and a personal item can hold, our first piece of advice would be to reconsider whether you need that extra outfit “just in case.” But you’ll have times when you need to travel with several pairs of shoes, formalwear, a winter coat, special equipment (like diving or camping gear), or all of the above. In these cases, there’s no way to avoid checking a bag.

REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack (Men’s)

The best travel backpack for people with longer torsos.

Thick padding and highly adjustable straps make this the most comfortable and easy-to-fit pack sized for people with longer torsos.

May be out of stock

REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack (Women’s)

The best travel backpack for people with shorter torsos.

Thick padding and highly adjustable straps make this the most comfortable and easy-to-fit pack sized for people with shorter torsos.

If you’re going someplace where you’ll need to walk a lot (or if there’s dirt or cobblestone roads), we recommend a travel backpack. Specifically, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack (Men’s) for men (and tall women) and the REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack (Women’s) for those with shorter torsos. The Ruckpack’s thickly padded, stowable straps are fully height-adjustable. The bag is made from rugged, recycled ripstop nylon and is guaranteed for up to a year. And it holds about 60 liters, which gives you noticeably more space than our other picks while still keeping the overall dimensions manageable. You can read all about why we like the Ruckpack in our review of the best travel backpacks .

Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner

The best checked bag for most travelers.

The bag provides a luxury feel at a reasonable price, with a capacity, warranty, and reliability that should suit most travelers. The 25-inch model should offer plenty of room for most people without going over airline weight limits.

If you don’t plan on walking around while carrying all your stuff, the  25-inch Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Spinner Suiter is our favorite piece of checked luggage for all of the same reasons we loved the carry-on size: It has excellent organizational features, it’s especially durable, and it has a better warranty than anything in its price range.

Luggage tags

Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag

Strong and easy to see.

Rugged silicone and a metal cable mean this tag (which comes two to a pack) may well outlive your luggage. The brightly colored case displays its owner’s name but keeps other personal information out of sight.

A good luggage tag should be durable, simple to use, and discreet. Ultimately, a tag should allow someone to get your luggage back to you quickly and easily, and it should withstand the wear and tear of being thrown onto conveyor belts time and again. After researching the top-rated and best-selling models, reading existing luggage-tag reviews, and comparing fourteen tags , we recommend the Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag for most travelers because it’s the only one we’d trust to survive being smashed by other bags, jammed into walls, and generally abused by baggage handlers. It’s the most durable tag we tested, and it comes in a wide selection of colors to help any bag stand out from the rest.

The Ovener tag’s silicone body seems nearly indestructible and is available in four bright colors (you get two tags per pack). Whereas other tags also feature metal cables, this tag has a metal grommet to keep the cable from eventually wearing through the silicone case.

Should you lose your bag, the Ovener makes it easy for a Good Samaritan to find your contact information. To fully access the info card, you have to unscrew and remove the metal strap; this lets the card slide out of the case. Most luggage tags we tested secure their info card in this way. It isn’t a difficult or time-consuming process, but it is an extra step compared with using a tag that displays all of your information openly. Still, for anyone who wants to keep their contact information out of view, the extra step is worth it.

Another approach to increasing privacy is to hide information in a QR code, as the Dynotag Smart Deluxe Steel Luggage Tag  does, or to provide a user ID number, as the Okoban UID Luggage Tags  do. But these seem like overly complex solutions to a problem that doesn’t really exist. The Dynotag requires a scanner app that many phone owners don’t want to bother with, and the Okoban requires going online and entering a code, which might deter otherwise-willing Good Samaritans.

Compression sacks

Originally designed for reducing the bulk of lofty sleeping bags, compression sacks are stuff sacks modified with additional nylon end caps that can be pulled together by strings or straps to remove air and create a smaller, denser package that’s easier to pack. Most travelers use compression sacks to condense socks, underwear, and other stuff you don’t mind getting wrinkled into a package with half as much overall volume. For example, an 8- to 12-liter sack can compress a fleece jacket and a long-weekend’s worth of socks and underwear into something that fits in one hand. They also make a decent pillow in a pinch.

Osprey StraightJacket (8L)

Easier access, less compression.

It has a full-length zipper on its side that allows access to the bag’s entire contents. However, it doesn’t compress as tightly as traditional designs.

Most compression sacks require you to empty out the stuff at the top to get to the stuff below it, but the side-zipper design on the Osprey StraightJacket allows access to the entire contents of the bag at once. The compression straps attach sideways, and are less likely to get tangled and twisted like on most compression sacks with lengthwise straps. It can also sit up on its own, and the handle design lets you break it out as a last minute carry-on to avoid an overweight-baggage fee. However, it doesn’t compress down as compactly as the traditional designs we tested so it’s not the best option if compression is your top priority.

GobiGear’s SegSac takes a different approach to solving the same access issue: It has four inner dividers that run the length of the sack in order to keep your socks separate from your underwear, winter accessories, towel, what have you. This means you don’t have to take out your T-shirts to get to your socks. Unlike the Osprey, it compresses just as much as a normal compression sack, but it loses points for versatility because the segmentation prevents it from handling large items like a down jacket or sleeping bag.

Packing cubes

Packing cubes could change your life. (Okay, maybe just your traveling life.) Packing cubes are basically bags to hold your clothes that you organize within your luggage. Though seemingly superfluous, they’re brilliant in action. If you imagine your suitcase as a dresser, you can think of these cubes as individual drawers: Put all your underwear and socks in one container, all your shirts in another, and your workout clothes in yet another. Then pull out only the cube you want. They make packing and repacking wonderfully simple.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set

Well built with easy access.

Simple and solidly constructed, these packing cubes keep your bag organized while you’re traveling.

The three-piece Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set keeps a week’s worth of clothes organized and moves easily from suitcase to hotel dresser. We’ve been recommending the previous version of these cubes for years, and after testing this newly updated set, we now recommend this version.

The full-size cube is great for shirts, shorts, and insulating layers. The half-cube and quarter-cube are perfect for underwear, socks, and other thin fabrics such as stockings or sleepwear. These cubes are made of 300-denier polyester (a strong fabric) and stay upright when empty, so they’re easy to pack. The Pack-It cubes’ windows are made of the tightest mesh link we tested—better for resisting snags—and the smooth zippers close easily around all corners, even when a cube is overstuffed.

The Eagle Creek cubes have the ability to unzip fully to allow full access to their contents while sitting in a dresser drawer. That means your clean clothes stay protected against some potentially dicey motel dressers. In 2022, Eagle Creek updated the design of these cubes, and now the company no longer uses YKK zippers, which are widely accepted as the best around . That said, we couldn’t tell any difference between Eagle Creek’s zippers and other brands’ YKK zippers, even with a magnifying glass, and their performance was indistinguishable. (For what it’s worth, an Eagle Creek product manager assured us that the proportion of zipper-related warranty claims hasn’t changed since the company made the switch from YKK.)

Most travelers are likely to be well served by the Reveal set. But if you value lightness above all, the more expensive Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube Set is about 50% lighter than similar-size competitors (just over 1 ounce for a medium cube, whereas the Eagle Creek classic style weighs about 4 ounces). Unlike the Reveal set, this set is water resistant. However, the Isolate design’s thin sides—which don’t allow the cubes to stand up on their own—make those cubes a bit more challenging to pack than the Reveal cubes.

Buying the right gear can help organize your existing travel kit, but it’s a red herring if your goal is better portability. “It’s mostly the clothing that allows you to reduce what you need to carry,” explains veteran traveller Eytan Levy, better known as the Snarky Nomad . That’s because clothing, which is very voluminous, makes up the bulk of what’s in your bag. He recommends traveling with basic-looking clothes because you can always buy or rent something nice in a pinch, whereas lugging around formalwear just in case will always be a pain. It also helps if you can avoid cotton and stick to merino and synthetic fabrics, which dry faster. This allows you to do laundry by hand in the sink as needed to reduce the amount of clothes you need to carry.

Travel underwear

Good travel underwear keeps you feeling fresh and clean, even when your destination is gritty.  To find the best , we researched an array of underwear designed for men and women to find 34 pairs meeting our criteria: moisture-wicking and breathable, quick-drying, odor-resistant, stretchy, stylish, and cut to fit a variety of body types.

We then conducted rigorous pretesting (wearing the underwear for two days at a time, machine-washing them repeatedly, and tracking their drying speed when hung on a clothesline) before taking them out into the real world. Our testers went backpacking 215 miles throughout Portland, Oregon; hiking in the Canadian Rockies, including walking from the lowest point in the Continental US to the highest; and road-tripping to the national parks of the West. Testers who flew to their destinations wore the underwear on the plane, too.

Afterward, we checked for signs of wear, such as seam breakage and pilling on the fabric. As we continued to test the finalists, we repeatedly checked for durability problems. In addition to comfort and fit, we noted whether each pair seemed lightweight and packable.

ExOfficio Men’s Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief

Best for most men.

Durable, quick-drying, and relatively inexpensive, this soft-fabric version of ExOfficio’s time-tested Give-N-Go undies will get the job done for years.

The ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief is the best men’s underwear for travel because it balances fit, comfort, odor-proofing, and value better than anything else we’ve tested. The Sport Mesh fabric excels at breathing and wicking and has better odor-resistance than other fabrics. It feels soft on the inside and smooth on the outside so it slides against your pants instead of creating friction, reducing potential for chafing. It also features a sculpted crotch area that gives wearers some much-appreciated support, without feeling stifling. These boxer briefs dry quickly, pack compactly, and weigh less than almost all the other boxer briefs we tried—basically they’re everything you’d want from a pair of excellent travel underwear.

Patagonia Women's Active Hipster

Best for most women.

These light, stylish, quick-drying hipsters stay in place whether you’re walking, flying, or hanging upside down.

The Patagonia Active Hipster doesn’t appear special upon first glance. Only after trying everything else and living through their failures to stay put did we remember what “special” really means in a pair of underwear: Feeling as if you’re wearing nothing at all. The Patagonias have the best fit, comfort, and style out of all the panties we tested. The nylon material is fast-wicking and better than most synthetics for odor-proofing, making it well suited for athletic activities. The Active Hipster is lightweight and packable, and is the fastest-drying underwear we tested—making them perfect for minimalist travelers who go weeks at a time with just one or two pairs. But these same characteristics make them great for any traveler looking for comfortable, packable panties, regardless of where you’re going or what you’re doing.

Budget pick

Uniqlo Men Airism Boxer Brief

Comfortable, compact, and fast-drying, these are a great value but don’t fit quite as nicely and aren’t as supportive in the crotch.

Uniqlo Women Airism Ultra Seamless HipHugger

Similar fabric to the Men’s Airism, with a no-ride cut for women, these underwear are the least expensive of any we tested and among the best performing.

If you want to spend as little as possible without sacrificing performance, the Uniqlo Airism line has long been a great choice for men and women who can wear sizes small and medium. In recent years, both lines have expanded their size range somewhat (men to 3XL, and women to XL). If these fit, you can replace an entire underwear drawer on a tight budget, as long as you can deal with the slightly odd cut and less-effective odor-control treatment.

If you’ve never traveled with merino wool socks, you’re missing out. These aren’t the scratchy wool socks your grandpa wore in the army; they are soft and stretchy ones that have natural sweat-wicking and odor-resisting properties that keep your toes comfortable under all conditions—even when wet. This combination of odor, moisture, and temperature regulations makes them ideal for traveling. "Because of its natural anti-bacterial properties, washing merino wool on a daily basis isn’t absolutely necessary,” explains Snarky Nomad , "after letting it air dry overnight while you sleep, it’ll seem brand new.” The only major downside is that merino tends to be a bit pricier than synthetic counterparts. But it’s a worthy trade-off, since you can go for longer with fewer pairs.

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock (women’s)

The best quality for women.

The best mix of comfort, durability, and cushioning in a versatile height.

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock (men’s)

For the best quality.

The same great versatile sock as the women’s model, but in different color options and more sizes.

Darn Tough’s Light Hiker Micro Crew socks (both the men’s and women’s versions) have been our favorite hiking socks for years. Darn Tough made its name through its quality guarantee : “Our socks are guaranteed to be the most comfortable, durable, and best fitting socks you can buy. In a nutshell, if you wear a hole in them, we will replace them free of charge, for life.” Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers (hardcore backpackers who walk from Mexico to Canada in one continuous trip) praise them for their durability, comfort, and blister resistance. When you hold a pair of Darn Toughs next to a pair of Smartwools (which only have a two-year guarantee ), the difference is clear. The Darn Toughs are more tightly knit, the yarns are finer and feel sturdier, and the stitching is tighter.

Wirecutter’s Michael Zhao once wrote of his Darn Tough socks: “While I haven’t yet owned mine for life, my oldest pair is coming on three years old and I have trouble telling them apart from the newest pair I bought last month. During those same three years, I’ve worn through the heels of two pairs of Smartwool hikers and runners, had three pairs of Icebreaker ankle socks start to unravel, and developed holes in the heels and toes of six pairs of Stoic trail socks. Meanwhile, the Darn Toughs look as good as new. And unlike cheaper socks you can get from Costco or military surplus stores, they’re not so thick that you can’t wear them in warmer climates.”

WrightSocks

Light and fast-drying.

Not as durable but much lighter and faster-drying. A dual-layer design prevents blisters better than any other synthetic sock.

If you prefer a vegan product, have a wool sensitivity, or if you’d like something a bit cooler and are willing to sacrifice some durability, WrightSocks (both men’s and women’s sizes at that link) made from synthetic Coolmesh are a great choice (we like them better than Darn Tough’s synthetic option, which felt stifling). Like most synthetic socks, they’re lighter weight and dry quickly, but what sets WrightSocks apart is their dual-layered design, which prevents blisters by diverting friction between your shoe-lining and the sock onto the inner layer of the sock as opposed to your skin. This combination of blister prevention and light weight makes them particularly popular amongst runners in addition to travelers. Popular women’s travel gear review site HerPackingList calls them “the perfect sock for active travelers who will be on their feet for hours or days at a time.” Wirecutter writer Geoff Morrison switched his whole sock drawer out for these since he started traveling seven years ago and hasn’t looked back. “I've never gotten a blister, even after walking over 30 miles in a day during the 2014 Le Mans,” wrote Morrison in an email interview.

But with the WrightSocks, what you lose in weight, you also lose in durability. After just three trips through a washing machine, both the women’s and men’s versions we tested had substantial pilling in several locations. Morrison notes that his tend to start looking worn after about six months and that he replaces them about once a year. Also, avoid the dryer if you can because multiple user reviewers state that they’ll shrink in the dryer over time. (They dry quickly enough without the dryer that this isn’t really a huge issue.) And because they’re not merino, they really start to stink after a full day of walking around; bring extra.

Havaianas Top Flip Flop (Men's)

The best flip-flops for men.

Durable, grippy, and squeak-free when wet.

Havaianas Top Flip Flop (women’s)

The best flip-flops for women.

Same shoe in women's sizes.

A good pair of travel flip-flops should be lightweight, cheap, and flat. That way they’re easy to take wherever and it won’t matter if you lose them. After testing the super popular Havaianas, Ipanemas, Crocs, and Old Navy flip-flops, our pick is the Havaiana Top (for men and women ). These high-density PVC Brazilian classics are world-renowned for their durability, affordability, and reliable traction, even when wet. They weigh just 150 g, compared to the 220 g Ipanemas. They pack down to almost nothing, unlike the big and boaty Crocs. And while other cheap flip flops can get squeaky when wet, the Havaianas stay mostly silent, which is why they’re so popular in beach towns all over the world. Ultimately, this is what earned them the pick over our previous pick from Old Navy.

Clothesline

While doing laundry at home can be a large weekly event, OneBag author Doug Dyment recommends approaching travel laundry as a part of your daily routine, especially if you’re trying to pack as little as possible: “The laundry should be more like cleaning your teeth—something you do everyday. It only takes about five minutes to do it. Every night, do your socks and underwear and you’ll have clean socks and underwear everyday.”

A secure, hassle-free option

The Flexo-Line attaches easily to a door handle or faucet and grips garments securely between its loops.

Check out OneBag’s laundry packing list if you want specific tips on how to do it and what you’ll need, but it’s a pretty simple setup: All you need is a toiletry bottle of powdered detergent, a towel to help expedite drying, and a travel clothesline to finish the drying process while you sleep at night.

Specifically, you want a braided—not twisted—surgical latex clothesline with looped ends, which means you want a Flexo-Line . The Flexo-Line can stretch up to 7 feet long, which is enough to span most hotel bathtubs, and it has loops that you can attach easily to a door handle, bath spigot, or faucet. The braided construction is superior to twisted designs made from other materials because the latex does a better job of gripping garments securely between the loops, which means you don’t need any additional clothespins.

Dyment has tried them all, but the Flexo-Line is the one he comes back to. As he explained to me in an interview, “There are others that are fine, but there are far more that are not fine.” More specifically, Dyment says to avoid anything that’s not made of latex , because clothes will inevitably slip out of them. He also says to never, ever trust a suction cup: “They don’t work, period.” If the Flexo-Line is unavailable, Dyment says that the Rick Steves collection from Kiva Designs also makes a nice braided line that is a bit more expensive. If you have a latex allergy, Dyment recommends going with a length of cord ( paracord is nice because it’s durable and you can use it for other things as well) and stainless steel safety pins meant for cloth diapers , because they take up far less space than a clothespin and won’t rust. In fact, it’s worthwhile to get these items even if you can use a latex line because they’re great for making luggage repairs and performing other MacGyver-ish tasks in a pinch. To hang up the clothesline, we recommend using a bowline knot on one end and a taut line hitch on the other. These knots work well together because the bowline creates a simple, slip-proof loop to anchor one end while the taut line hitch allows you to adjust for tension and locks tightly in place. If you could commit any two knots to memory forever, these are the ones to learn.

Laundry detergent

Minisoak Travel Packs

A travel size version of the best delicates detergent.

Perfect for traveling because you don’t even need to rinse it out.

When you’re washing your underwear in a hotel sink, you want a fast and easy experience. For this, we recommend the no-rinse detergent Soak . That’s right, we said no rinse . You just add a drop to the sink, fill with water, and leave your garments to soak. Then press out the water and hang. Done.

In our tests of delicates detergents , Soak cleaned almost as well as our top laundry detergent, Tide; plus, it comes in individual packets of powder  that are great for traveling, as well as in  travel-size bottles of the liquid version . In addition to unscented, it's available in a variety of scents, although Lacey and Celebration are not the most descriptive of scent names. They all smell nice, not overpowering. Soak also comes in an assorted travel pack with two single-use packets of each scent, if you want to test-drive one or two before you buy. In that mini size, you get eight packets for $11 currently, but you really need only a squeeze, not the the whole packet, to wash a couple of pairs of socks and underwear.

One downside to Soak is that you won’t find it in a grocery store or big-box store. But it is available online at Soak’s site . And if you really want to walk into a store and put your mitts on a bottle, you can find it at most local yarn stores.

Don’t feel like buying Soak or bringing along a bit of your own detergent? Shampoo also works pretty well for cleaning garments in a pinch, so make use of that free bottle from the hotel. But a caveat: Neither Soak nor shampoo contains enzymes , which are biological molecules in laundry detergent that break down certain stains. If you have especially stinky or stained clothes, you might need to break out the Tide .

When we first published this guide, this section addressed only toiletry kits and bottles, razors, and packable towels. The times, and traveling, became more complicated. One thing we've learned in the past few years is that face masks can be useful whenever you’re sick and don’t want to share your misery: with a cold, the flu, Covid-19, whatever. Fortunately, compared with early 2020, medical-style N95s and KN95s (which many experts recommend as the best protection) are widely available. They’re easy to tuck into a bag, which we do now whenever we travel. 

Toiletry kit

We’ve researched dozens of travel toiletry bags and dopp kits over the past several years, and we tested 23 of the top-rated contenders in our most recent round of tests. After packing and unpacking a week’s worth of travel-size toiletries, conducting spill tests, and living out of the top performers on the road, we have a few different picks that stand out thanks to their style, packability, and quality of construction.

Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag (small)

A space-saving hanging bag.

This lightweight, well-organized bag fits a week’s worth of travel-size toiletries into a compact package. It’s meant to be hung, which makes it good for tight spaces, but it doesn’t have much in the way of internal structure.

The Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag (small) is compact and durable. It’s small enough to stash in a backpack or laptop bag, but it holds enough travel-size toiletries to keep us supplied for a week. You can open it and hang it from a shower curtain or towel rod to easily see and grab your items. It comes with a shatterproof mirror, two micro-mesh zip pockets and an open pocket for toothbrushes, lip balm, and tweezers, and a large compartment for bulky lotions and hair-care items.

L.L.Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag

For more stuff and longer trips.

With a 6.4-liter capacity and over a dozen compartments, this toiletry bag has a place for everything—and everything will stay put during transit, too. It can also accommodate non-travel-size bottles.

The L.L.Bean Personal Organizer (medium) is a great option for longer trips and people who travel with full-size bottles. Its 6.4 liters of storage spread across a dozen compartments means there’s a dedicated place for pretty much everything you could want to bring on a trip—it even has a removable mesh shower caddy for shampoo and body wash. This level of organization is crucial for larger toiletry bags because, as we discovered after years of traveling with our picks, contents that aren’t securely fastened can shift around in transit, which increases the chance of spilling. The downside of all this organization is that the L.L.Bean weighs 14 ounces when empty, so it’s not ideal for carry-on travel.

If neither of these bags seems right for you, read our full review of the best toiletry bags and dopp kits to learn more about our picks and everything we tested.

Toiletry bottles

Sea to Summit TPU Clear Zip Pouch with Bottles

These six TSA-friendly bottles are sturdy and smartly designed, dispensing liquids more precisely than any of the other bottles we tested.

For traveling with liquids in your carry-on, the Sea to Summit set is your best bet. All six bottles conform to TSA size limitations; three of them can hold 3 ounces of liquid each, and three can hold 1.5 ounces each, for a total of 13.5 ounces. Despite the set’s name, the bottles themselves are made not of thermoplastic polyurethane—“TPU" refers to the zip pouch—but a high-density polyethylene material, much like what you’d see used in most plastic milk jugs. It has an almost-smooth, semi-transparent surface just textured enough that it’s not slippery when wet. The plastic is also flexible enough that you don’t have to squeeze very hard to get your shampoo or liquid soap or whatever going. An insert at the mouth of each bottle helps regulate the flow, and the screw tops prevent liquids from leaking in transit.

Razor (faces)

Gillette Mach3

The best manual razor for most faces.

This classic razor’s three widely spaced blades provide the best balance of speed, smoothness, and safety. Its handle is comfortable and well designed, and replacement blades can be had for a fair price.

We researched and tested 100 manual razors for our full razor guide , concluding that the Gillette Mach3 is our top pick for manual razors. Although the three blades require a little extra time for a closer shave, it performs comparably to the latest and greatest offerings for as little as half the price.

The Gillette Mach3 provides the best balance of speed, smoothness, and safety. The Mach3’s simple, round handle is easy to grip and maneuver, and its three blades offer a close shave without over-irritating the skin or getting clogged with hair. And the price of Mach3 blades—$2 per cartridge or less, whether you buy them online or in a store—came close to, or even beat, the pricing of shave-club rivals, and the Mach3 shaved better than those competitors.

Five of our eight testers named the Mach3 among their top three razors, and two named it a favorite.

Razor (legs/body)

Gillette Venus Smooth

The best body razor.

This classic Venus is one of the easiest razors to grip and maneuver and its three-blade design keeps the blades remarkably free of hair.

Disposable razors (both the completely disposable and replaceable-cartridge variety) are fine to take through airport security , and among them we like the Gillette Venus Original best. After testing 22 top-rated body razors and panel testing the five best of them , we prefer its capable, three-blade head and easy-to-maneuver handle to the competition’s. Plus, as with any Venus, the Original’s body is compatible with any other Venus head and many heads from Gillette’s facial razors, making it exceptionally versatile.

The Original’s head has three blades separated by considerable slats of space, making it far easier to clean the head between strokes. And it includes simple aloe strips above and below the blades, allowing the lubricant to ease the shave without transforming your razor into a swamp. The Original is intuitive to hold and secure to maneuver, thanks to a contoured handle with corrugated chevrons of rubber. Though our testers have a wide range of hand sizes, no one found the Original difficult to grasp. Despite the significant ribbing, it doesn’t feel too bulky. Gillette claims its razors have lasted for five weeks; we think one razor for a weeklong trip should be fine.

(Know that, confusingly, the Venus appears for sale on some retail sites under the name Venus Close and Clean or Venus Smooth. It’s the same razor. If you’re unsure which Venus model you’re looking at, check for the Original’s three blades and trademark sea-foam blue color.)

Towel (packable)

PackTowl Personal

The best all-around packable towel.

The PackTowl Personal Towel is lightweight, soft, absorbent, quick to dry, and odor-resistant.

With store pickup or REI membership (limited patterns)

(limited patterns)

We put 20 top-rated towels through a battery of tests including regular shower use, a trip to the beach, camping, and a 48-hour stay in a ziplock bag under the hot Hawaiian sun. After all was said and done, the Packtowl Personal Towel is still the best all-around travel towel for most people. In addition to being the softest lightweight towel we tested, it was more absorbent than competitors made of similar materials. It had the best odor-resisting abilities and comes with a convenient mesh carrying pouch. We also have alternate picks for ultralight and all-natural towels below.

The Personal Towel’s suede-like material was the softest of the thinner towels. The Personal Towel also had superior absorption when compared with other similarly constructed towels such as the Sea to Summit DryLite  and the Shandali UltraSport —in our tests, it absorbed 2.8 times its weight in water, while the others absorbed between 2.3 times and 2.7 times.

One of just two we tested that featured an added antimicrobial treatment, the Personal Towel was only a little musty smelling after 24 hours in a sealed ziplock bag, and remained unchanged at 48 hours.

If you’re looking for a budget option, consider the Rainleaf Microfiber Towel , which is a tad smaller than our other picks and is made from a seemingly lighter-feeling fabric. Unlike most budget options, it has an antibacterial coating and still managed to carry a pleasant smell after being testing in different environments.

Regardless of how you get to your final destination, it’s likely you’ll be stuck in a seat that’s less than ideal. Travel gadgets that claim to reduce this misery, such as compression socks, are popular. But when they take up precious luggage space for the duration of your trip—not just the flight or train ride–they need to be worth every cubic inch of space. The less you can make do with, the better off you’ll be.

Neck pillow

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow

More support for most necks.

Its tall memory-foam walls let it offer more support than any other pillow we tested. It’s also shaped to sit flush against a headrest, and it compresses to a manageable size.

The uniquely angled back on the Travelrest Ultimate sets it apart from other travel pillows we tested because it can lay flat against the seat back. Most other pillows have a rounded back, which pushes your head away from the headrest. The Travelrest also has rubber grip dots to prevent slipping while sleeping. This pillow’s spongy memory foam cushions the entire circumference of your neck, preventing your head from leaning far in any direction, and its adjustable Velcro strap ensures it can fit most necks. The pillow’s cozy velour exterior is removable and machine-washable. Although it doesn’t pack flat, the Travelrest weighs less than a pound and compresses to a quarter of its size when rolled into its Velcro-strapped carrying case. Our only complaint is that the Travelrest’s high walls, though supportive, can push over-ear headphones off of the ears of people with shorter necks.

Noise-cancelling headphones

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

The best over-ear noise-cancelling headphones.

The Bose 700 headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation in a comfortable, lightweight design that’s traveler friendly—but they carry a high price.

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 over-ear set has the most versatile active noise cancellation we’ve ever tested. With 10 levels of noise reduction to choose from, everyone should be able to find a setting that meets their needs. We also enjoyed the lightweight and comfortable design and the easy-to-use controls. What distinguishes the Bose 700’s ANC is the amount of adjustability it gives you: Most noise-cancelling headphones offer controls for only on/off or maybe high/low/off, but with the Bose 700 pair you can set the ANC level from 0 to 10, so you have more flexibility to dial in the ideal setting for your comfort. The 20-hour battery life, while not the best we’ve seen, is more than sufficient to get you to most destinations. We have additional options—including earbuds and surprisingly good budget options for  over-ear headphones and earbuds —in our full guide to noise-cancelling headphones .

Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs

For blocking out the most noise.

These blocked the most noise in our controlled testing and got the most votes from our subjective sleep panel.

When you’re traveling, it can be difficult to fall asleep to unfamiliar noises. That’s why we spent several hours researching new contenders and tested four top-rated models while sleeping in a house that was next to an airport in order to determine that Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam earplugs are the best earplugs for most travelers .

The Mack’s 37.1 dB noise reduction rating was the highest among the models we tested. According to Cooper Safety , that’s enough to reduce the volume of a gas lawnmower to that of a normal conversation. What made the Mack’s earplugs so effective is the fact that we could insert them and rest assured that they would stay in the whole night. Meanwhile, the Howard Leight MAX1 might be a favorite from crowdsourced sleep-aid review site Sleep Like the Dead , but the earplugs would inevitably fall out in the middle of the night. Thus, they failed to block out the noise of planes landing and taking off throughout the night, despite the MAX1’s 33 dB noise reduction rating. The Howard Leights also made our ears ache on occasion, whereas the Mack’s has a tapered shape that was consistently comfortable night after night.

The Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs cost about 20¢-35¢ per pair when purchased in a 50-pair pack. They come in a plastic case is about the size of a large coffee mug, which is small enough to toss in a large bag or suitcase. Many other ear plugs like our runner-up, the 3M’s E-A-Rsoft OCS1135 , can only be ordered in industrial-size lots that, while perhaps appealing to those who travel constantly (or run a hostel), are annoying to store and often lack a reusable container of any sort.

Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask

For air travelers and back-sleepers.

The lightweight and contoured Nidra mask is a light-blocking win for most face shapes, with deep eye cups that allow the wearer to blink freely and arrive feeling refreshed.

When bright lights hamper peaceful shut-eye, we recommend the light-blocking, contoured Nidra Deep Rest sleep mask. Of the 20 masks we tried over two rounds of testing , the Nidra blocked the most light on the most faces. It’s contoured to rest on your face like a pair of soft goggles, with fabric lenses that sit around your eyes (instead of directly over them). This design provides more space for your eyes to flutter during REM sleep, ensuring that you come through red-eye flights with less redness in your eyes. Makeup wearers will also appreciate that, with the Nidra’s elevated eye cups, there’s a smaller chance of smudging.

Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask

A flat, silk mask.

A silken exterior material, a flat design, and an adjustable strap make this mask a fit for almost any face, but it puts pressure on the eyes.

If the Nidra Deep Rest doesn’t fit your face quite right, we also recommend the Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask . It lacks contoured eyecups and thus applies some pressure to the eyes overnight like any regular eye mask does. But its flat design easily conforms to fit your face, and its silk exterior feels smooth and soft against skin (the padding is made of cotton). Its relative lack of structure makes it more difficult to knock off when you’re tossing and turning. Testers also liked that the Alaska Bear’s unobtrusive buckled strap didn’t snag on long hair the way a Velcro strap could. We think the Alaska Bear is a terrific eye mask for sleeping while traveling or in bed—regardless of your preferred sleep position—but we find the Nidra mask’s roomier eyecups more comfortable.

Sleeping bag liner

Sea to Summit Premium Silk Travel Liner

For a silky feel and extra warmth.

The Sea to Summit silk liner wicks moisture, doesn’t retain smells, packs down to the size of an apple, and even weighs less than one. It makes scratchy motel and hostel linens a lot more bearable.

A silk sleeping bag liner is a great way to insulate yourself from scratchy, cheap, poorly maintained linens you might find at a hostel or motel. On top of the obvious bling appeal of sleeping in silk, it’s the best performing material, too: absorbent yet quick-drying.  This makes silk superior to cotton, which becomes uncomfortable as soon as it gets moist, and synthetics, which retain smells more readily. Silk is also super strong, and its light weight means manufacturers can give you full body coverage in a compact package.

Our favorite is the  Sea to Summit Premium Silk Travel Liner , which is available in a variety of sizes, including regular, long, and even double for sharing. Whichever you pick, it will pack down to about the size and weight of a medium-sized apple. You won’t need it everywhere you sleep, but you’ll be glad you have it the next time you run into a set of scratchy sandpaper sheets at a cut-rate boarding house. (We have also used this for sleeping on long plane flights with great success.) Cocoon and Rab are the only other options when it comes to 100 percent silk liners available online and backed by a real company with a warranty, but those come in only one size. (Western Mountaineering makes silk liners as well, but they’re mainly available through independent retailers.)

Few things are better than landing at an airport, turning on your phone, and having it just work. No hassles, no stress, no worries about brutal roaming fees. You can check in with loved ones, scope out the route to your lodgings, and maybe post an Instagram story or two—because your phone works just like it does at home. This is especially freeing, and it makes travel so much easier. (Of course, phones aren’t the only useful tech to bring: Check out our accessories reviews for guides to the best cables ( USB-C , Lightning , and Micro-USB ), Wi-Fi hotspots , Bluetooth speakers , and more.)

Unlocked mobile phone

One of the most useful gadgets for international travel is an unlocked smartphone that’s compatible with cheap, prepaid phone plans you can sign up for at your destination. Unless your carrier offers plans including high-speed data that you can access internationally (i.e., you’re with T-Mobile or Google Fi), traveling with a phone under contract with a major carrier means paying an arm and a leg for data. Being able to access data-guzzling apps like Google Maps or Google Translate on the fly is worth the hassle to unlock a phone. Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp are free, easy ways to communicate with people you meet on your trip and people from home. Plus there’s checking email, TripAdvisor, banking, social media, and so on.

An “unlocked” phone means you can buy prepaid SIM cards in the country you’re visiting, letting you access their local network for significantly less money than the roaming fees incurred by your home carrier. With a prepaid SIM, your phone effectively becomes a new phone with a new (now local) phone number. Instead of seeing “Verizon,” “AT&T,” or “Sprint” at the top of your phone, you might see “Vodafone,” “Yes Optus,” “M1,” or whatever provider you choose in the country you’re visiting. The first thing to check is if your phone will work where you’re going. If you’re unsure if your phone will work where you’re going, check the Wikipedia page for your phone or contact your provider.

Your phone will also require a removable SIM (which most newer phones have). Most countries require a passport or other ID to buy a prepaid SIM without a contract, but switching the SIMs is easy. Most stores will do it for you while you’re there. Depending on the country/provider, this could take as long as 10 minutes but is often faster. The next question is easily the most complicated: Can you unlock your phone? Each carrier has different rules and criteria. Generally, if you have a brand new, expensive phone, they may not let you unlock it (there’s usually a waiting period after the purchase date). But if it’s a little older, or if you’ve paid it off, they probably will. The thing to remember is that a provider can deny an unlock request without giving a reason. You might be lucky, though; certain phones on certain providers are unlocked by default. Here are Verizon and AT&T’s pages on unlocking. Alternately, you can buy a pre-unlocked phone just for travel. Amazon and Best Buy, for example, sell unlocked phones. This is also a good option if you think you might lose your expensive phone and a cheaper one will suffice while you travel.

Plug adapter

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

Best universal travel adapter.

With four plugs that will work in most countries, plus faster-charging USB ports (and more of them) than its competitors, this adapter is the best all-around choice.

You save $4 (17%)

In a sea of almost-identical travel adapters, the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter stands out, combining the best of the features we look for. It contains the three most common international plugs and a US-style plug, which should cover you in the majority of countries around the world. It has the most USB ports—four of the standard USB-A and one USB-C—of any universal adapter we tested, and it charged more of our devices faster. A replaceable fuse and an included spare should take the brunt of any accidental, unfortunate, or shockingly bad connections. The Epicka is fairly compact and well built, and it even comes with an extra USB cable and a nylon case.

However, no universal travel adapter is truly universal, and they’re all a lot bulkier and more expensive than simple plug adapters. If you want the smallest adapter possible, or if you’re going someplace where a universal adapter won’t work (more on that in a minute), a plug adapter could be what you need.

Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter 5 Piece Set

The best plug adapter.

Individually, these tiny plug adapters are smaller, lighter, and cheaper than any universal travel adapter. To juice up multiple devices, though, you’d need a separate multiport charger too.

The tiny plug adapters from Ceptics are barely larger than the prongs they convert. Small, simple, and cheap, they’re perfect for someone who wants to carry only the adapter they’ll need and who already has a multiport USB wall charger they like. Like our universal adapter picks, this set contains the three most common international plugs and the US plug. However, it also includes a somewhat rarer plug used in some European countries that has two thick, cylindrical prongs. This means that the Ceptics set will likely cover you in even more places—as long as you pack the appropriate plug adapter. These charts should help you find the shape you need before you order.

However, getting your gear to work in different countries isn’t quite as simple as it should be, and there’s no single solution that’s guaranteed to work for everyone. Our picks should work for you, but you may have some random piece of equipment, or be traveling to some country, for which our “good for most” picks just won’t work. (Case in point: One Wirecutter editor visited Iceland a few years back. The house she stayed in had outlets unlike anything on those charts, and the plug adapters she had used elsewhere in Reykjavik didn’t fit at all. It turns out the mystery sockets belonged to an obscure Italian system from the 1960s that was popular in Iceland for a time. Luckily, the hosts had power strips in the house that her adapters fit into.) The world is a big place, and when it comes to electricity and wall outlets, there’s a lot of variation. That’s important to keep in mind.

Whether two-prong or three-prong, an adapter just changes the shape of your plug, not anything about the electricity coming through the wires. However, this usually isn’t a problem because almost every power brick that comes with modern electronic gear is capable of accepting both the 110-volt standard used in the US and the 240-volt commonly used abroad. If your device has a power block on the cord, it likely says something like  “100-240 V ~ 50/60 Hz”—that’s the all-clear to use it without a voltage converter so long as the range covers the voltage of the country you’re visiting . This includes the vast majority of modern laptop and USB chargers. Products without some sort of power block at the end or with a non-detachable cord—in particular, things with heating elements like hair dryers and curling irons—are more likely to need a voltage converter. Putting 220 V through a US 110 V device would be like attaching a firehose to a drinking fountain—you’re likely to blow your face off. But voltage converters are tricky devices, and most of the inexpensive ones have awful (or dishonest) reviews. Since hotels and hostels will often have hair dryers and most newer gear can do the full range of voltages, we strongly recommend that, whenever possible, you only bring items that work with a much simpler (and more reliable) adapter.

Wire/gadget organization system

Now that every device has a battery, every battery has a charger, and every charger has a cable—never mind power-plug adapters if you’re traveling abroad—the sheer quantity of accessories needed just to keep your gadgets running can take up more space than the devices themselves. And unless you organize them, you can bet on having to blindly fish them out of the least convenient spot at the bottom of your bag. Unfortunately, our pick for carrying tech necessities, the Incase Nylon Accessory Organizer, has been out of stock for a few years. It will, however, be coming back in 2024, according to Incase.

The Incase cable organizer is a poly-nylon blend, so it’s durable. It is a soft-shell bag, however, so its contents can distort the bag’s shape when it’s full. But the bag’s edges remain rigid—so the seams don’t pucker—its contents don’t fall out, and zipping and unzipping the bag is still easy. We have other picks in our full guide to bag and cable organizers , including a customizable mesh-pouch setup and a stylish duo of cosmetics travel pouches ; we’ll also start testing other options to replace this one.

USB battery packs

A USB battery pack (also called a power bank) can keep your small electronics—from phones and cameras to tablets and more—going while you’re on the road. Although the length of your trip will determine exactly how much extra juice you’ll need to have on hand, whatever your requirements, we have a great USB battery recommendation for you. The Zendure SuperMini 20W is about as small and lightweight as a power bank can possibly be while still offering enough capacity to juice up most smartphones up to three times. Its USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port can charge most handheld devices (and recharge the power bank itself) at top speed with the included USB-C cable and a compatible wall charger (the one that came with your phone will work). The USB-A port can handle any older, non-USB-C devices you might have kicking around, too. The SuperMini’s rounded edges make it easy to hold and slip into a pocket.

If you’re traveling for leisure, try not to get too wrapped up in technology because you might miss what you’re actually there to do: experience a new place. OneBag’s Doug Dyment said in an interview, “Wearing headphones and staring at a screen is like putting a digital wall around yourself when you’re traveling. It makes you seem unapproachable and uninterested in what’s around you.” That may be a good thing if you do truly want to be left alone, but Dyment went on to say that some of his most memorable traveling experiences were the result of just looking lost and getting help from the locals. “One minute, you’re a lost foreigner in an unfamiliar village, then someone asks if you need directions. Before you know it, you’re eating dinner with his family.”

Travel binoculars

Athlon Optics Midas ED

The overall best binoculars.

Amazingly affordable with great optics, these binoculars have performance comparable with that of many models that cost thousands more.

Our top pick for binoculars is durable and great for near-home hikes. In hot or dusty environments that may call for a clearer optical boost, the Athlon Optics Midas ED 8×42 binoculars deliver top quality. Its focus dial offers a wide range of depths that makes it easier to see whatever it is you desire—birds, grass or darkened areas of the forest. Our recommendation comes with the assistance of a professional ornithologist who spent over 100 hours putting 17 pairs of binoculars to the test in the mountains of Southern California and the rain forests of southern Mexico.

Although the Celestron TrailSeeker ED binoculars don’t offer a clear edge-to-edge view to the same degree of the Athlon Optics Midas EDs , they’re a comparable runner-up model that’ll be lighter on your wallet if having binoculars while traveling is a must. The TrailSeekers are equipped with great light-gathering qualities, close focus, and impressive optical resolution.

Ebook reader

Amazon Kindle (2022)

The best e-reader for most people.

Amazon’s most affordable Kindle is also its most portable, and it’s finally been upgraded with sharper text on its 6-inch screen and support for USB-C charging. Those features bring it in line with much-pricier e-readers.

The entry-level Amazon Kindle finally got an upgrade, with the same crisp display and USB-C charging as the pricier Kindle Paperwhite has (and with double the storage space of the previous entry-level model). If you have $20 more to spend, the Amazon Kindle Kids is worth it even if you’re not a parent; it comes with a case, one year of Amazon Kids+, a two-year warranty (compared with the standard version’s one year of coverage), and no ads. Getting rid of ads on the base model costs $20 alone. Amazon’s well-stocked ebooks store remains its biggest selling point, along with the ease of checking out library books via Libby and sending them directly to a Kindle.

Even if you don’t have time for pleasure reading on your trip, it’s worth investing in a Kindle because many major travel guides are available in fully searchable ebook formats now. Furthermore, e-texts will also work on your phone, tablet, and computer, thanks to the Kindle ecosystem.

Travel water bottle

CamelBak Podium 21oz Bike Bottle

A lightweight squeezie.

This squeeze bottle is leakproof, light enough to throw into a carry-on for a flight, and cheap enough that if the TSA forces you to ditch it, the loss won’t break your heart.

If you’re tired of paying for a liter of water every time you take a plane trip, try a lightweight water bottle that you can stuff into your bag and then refill once you get past airport security. For years, we looked for a reliable collapsible travel bottle, but we were disappointed so many times: The HydraPak flopped, the Hydaway tasted plasticky, the Vapur and the Platypus collapsed (in a bad way), and the Nomader didn’t pack down very small. And in our experience, the implied way to carry a full one correctly—clipped to a backpack or belt loop—left them swinging around haphazardly. We’ve recommended all of these bottles in the past, but we’ve always been left wishing there was a better way.

Basic, light, and cheap, a squeeze bottle made for cycling is now our sincere recommendation for airport travel, and we like the CamelBak Podium in particular. It has a twist lock that provides extra assurance that it’s closed tight when you toss it in a bag—plus, it’s dishwasher safe. In addition to its being light and relatively compact, if the TSA takes it, you’ve lost only a few dollars instead of your investment in an expensive insulated bottle. The lid on this bottle is not covered, though, so if you dislike the idea of this bottle swimming around in a bag with the drinking surface exposed, you may prefer another of our water bottle picks, the Thermos Hydration Bottle , although some of our testers didn’t like having to fuss with the lid or flip lock on the Thermos.

Packable daypack

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack

A pack that fits in your palm.

Toss this lightweight, phone-sized packable bag into your luggage or coat pocket, and you’ll never get caught without a spare bag again. If you need something to carry every day, though, we think you’ll prefer one of our more-structured picks.

Packing a stowable daypack, one that stuffs down to fit in your luggage when not in use, is a relatively small investment of space in exchange for a high return of function and flexibility. After researching dozens of packable daypacks across a spectrum of portability, features, and prices, and then packing, unpacking, loading, wearing, and drenching the top-rated finalists during multiple rounds of testing, the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack is the smallest and lightest packable backpack we recommend. Packed up, it is very discreet: nearly the size of a keychain accessory. The bag itself is a no-frills sack made from a paper-thin siliconized Cordura nylon, which means it’s very light and water-resistant. It has reinforced stitching at stress points, allowing the Ultra-Sil to carry more weight than you would expect. That said, since this pack is made of such thin, light material, carrying large or awkwardly shaped loads is somewhat uncomfortable, especially when compared with our more structured picks.

If comfort or waterproofing is important to you, check out the alternative picks in our review of packable daypacks for travel .

Field Notes 3-Pack Original Kraft Memo Books

For ultimate portability.

Field Notes are cheap but contain high-quality paper that earns praise from pen and stationery geeks across the web.

For writing your adventures as you travel, you can’t beat the portability, practicality, and romanticism of a pocket notebook. There’s nothing better in that category than Field Notes (three-packs available in a variety of styles and types ). These pocket-sized notebooks are widely praised for their excellent paper quality, and the Pen Addict’s Brad Dowdy tells me “Field Notes is pretty much the runaway pocket notebook champ.” Dowdy has praised it for the lack of feathering or bleedthrough with almost any pen, as well as for the light brown ruled lines, which are easier to write over than solid black. Austin Smith of Art Supply Critic told us in an email that his recommendation is “Field Notes has it, no question.” The Well-Appointed Desk has reviewed a slew of different Field Notes variants for those looking for something a bit more interesting.

Field Notes Expedition

A weather-resistant option.

Weather-resistant Expedition Field Notes are great if you’re writing in wet conditions, but don’t get them if you don’t need them. The synthetic paper feels weird and can cause some inks to smear.

If you think you’re going to be writing in foul weather, Field Notes also has the waterproof Expedition version with pages made from a synthetic water-and-tear resistant paper. You should only get these if you really need them, because otherwise, they just feel unnaturally slick and are more prone to smearing ink. At least one user has said that the paper shows less soaking through when wet than the similar Rite in the Rain books . The one caveat is that the synthetic paper will only work with pencils and certain inks ; thankfully, the Uni-ball Jetstream RT , our pick for best pen , definitely makes the grade.

Things can go wrong while you’re traveling, both where you are and where you’re not. Though you can’t prepare for every worst-case scenario, the peace of mind that a little bit of preparation grants will allow you to focus on what’s in front of you, instead of having to worry about what could go wrong. But preparation doesn’t simply mean buying more stuff just in case; it also means making efficient use of what you already have.

Merchant & Mills for Purl Soho Rapid Repair Kit

For the best combination of sewing tools.

The Merchant & Mills Rapid Repair Kit is the only travel kit we found that had objectively high-quality thread and scissors.

There’s nothing quite like a wardrobe malfunction to put a damper on vacation, especially when traveling with limited clothing. A good travel-size sewing kit allows you to mend a popped button or ripped seam on the fly—or even tackle more pressing issues like fixing a tent, sleeping bag, or backpack. After 15 hours of research, interviews with sewing teachers and avid home sewers, and tests of six travel and full-size kits, we found the Merchant & Mills for Purl Soho Rapid Repair Kit had by far the best tools and was the easiest to keep organized. Standard travel sewing kits usually contain mediocre thread and plastic-handled scissors that break easily. They can also be hard to keep organized (a truth we confirmed when testing six top-rated travel and full-sized kits). The Merchant & Mills set was the only one that had high-quality thread, all-metal mini scissors (don’t worry, the TSA shouldn’t stop you ), and a durable tin case (about the size of a deck of cards) to keep everything well organized.

Because the sewing pins are neatly stuck into paper inside a slim envelope and the three needles are housed in a mini glass vial, this kit also limits the risk of losing a sharp object in your bags. We found the Merchant & Mills needles easier to thread than others (no need for a fussy needle threader!) and we also like the vintage-looking safety pins that come clipped together along with two small white buttons. Although this kit only comes with black and white thread, the thread is strong and there’s more of it than you’d get in a flimsier set with shorter strands of multiple colors. We do think it would be nice if the kit included a more durable measuring tape than the paper one included, but overall everything about this kit is leagues ahead of anything else we considered. We didn’t find editorial reviews for any of the kits we tested, but the Merchant & Mills rapid repair kit was recommended by several sewing bloggers and is sold in many reputable indie fabric shops.

Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella

The best umbrella for most people.

This is a solidly built, easy-to-find umbrella that holds up in high winds. It also comes in a variety of colors.

price may vary by color or style

An umbrella you take traveling should be small, light, sturdy, and affordable. After putting in 66 hours of research and evaluating a total of 48 umbrellas across five rounds of testing (including one thunder-snowstorm), we found that the Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella is the best umbrella for most people. Its durable, nine-rib construction held up admirably against gale-force winds, and it’s as sturdy as umbrellas that sell for more than twice as much.

The Repel folds up to an 11½-inch long, 14-ounce package that fits easily into most bags and glove boxes. And it forcefully expands at a touch of a button to reveal an ample 37-inch-diameter canopy that protects your head and torso from precipitation in all but the windiest of conditions. Its lengthy, textured handle is easy to grip for hands of all sizes. We also appreciate that the Repel comes in a wide variety of colors, so it’s easier to pick yours out of a crowded umbrella bucket. Finally, despite its affordable price, it’s backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee, but only if you purchase directly from Repel and register the item under the company’s warranty.

Packing method for clothes

While packing cubes and other organization tools are helpful for maximizing your bag’s usable space, efficient packing is also achievable without the aid of tools and compartments. One Bag’s Doug Dyment tried all manners of folding aids and compression products but was unsatisfied with their claims of compression and wrinkle prevention. Frustrated, he developed his own method of packing clothes compactly called the Bundle Method, which he’s used and perfected over several decades of traveling.

The Bundle Method involves layering your shirts and pants at opposing angles on a flat surface, then wrapping them around a small “core” parcel (e.g. a packing cube full of underwear and socks). We won’t get into details, but Dyment does on his website ; you can watch this easy-to-follow video from NBC . The resulting bundle is compact and has no sharp creases that will require ironing out later on. Additionally, Dyment explains that “the slight tension created in the fabric by the wrapping process, along with the anchoring of the resulting bundle, greatly reduces the chances of wrinkling.” You then put it in your bag and use the tie-down straps to provide just enough pressure to keep it together.

While simple to perform, this packing method isn’t something you can master in one go. It takes a bit of practice, but once you get it, it’s like riding a bike. The downside is that you can’t just leave your clothing packed and expect to be able to access your underwear without fully unpacking your clothes first. But unpacking is a good habit to get into anyway, as it allows your clothes to breathe and avoid wrinkles or mildew. Wirecutter founder and frequent traveler Brian Lam says that unpacking the moment he enters a room has a grounding effect that allows him to feel a bit more at home in a new environment.

If this sounds like too much of a hassle for you, you can do what we did before we found out about bundling: roll up your socks and underwear tightly and place them in packing cubes, then put your wrinkle-prone items (shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets) in a garment folder—we used the Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Garment Folder . This is also travel guru Rob King’s preferred method of packing. Though the garment folder is not quite as space-efficient as the bundle method due to the added bulk of the folder and folding board, the plastic backboard does go a long way towards preventing wrinkles. Just be aware that if you leave your clothes in there for longer than a day, they’ll begin to develop unsightly creases that require an iron to get rid of.

A big thank-you to the Hotel Lucia in downtown Portland, Oregon, for lending us a suite to use for the photos in this guide.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Meet your guide

Wirecutter Staff

Mentioned above

• 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. The Best Underseat Luggage and Personal-Item Bags  
• 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. The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks  
• After 10 years of airport dashes and overhead-compartment stashes, the Travelpro Platinum Elite is still the suitcase we want to carry. The Best Carry-On Luggage  
• For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably. The Best Travel Backpack  
• After researching 30 models, we found that Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is the best suitcase for most travelers who check bags. The Best Suitcases for Checking  
• We chose five luggage tags that will help you identify your belongings in a sea of similar suitcases. The Best Luggage Tags  

Further reading

How to Sleep Well (or at Least Better) While Traveling

by Christine Ryan

Our sleep and travel editors recommend gear for coping with travel-induced insomnia, vetted through hours of testing and years of personal experience.

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.

Road-Trip Essentials

by Eve O'Neill

We spend a lot of time driving each year, and this is our list of essential road-trip gear to include in your packing list.

Tools and Emergency Supplies to Keep in the Car for Winter Driving

by Rik Paul

Here are the essential—and nonessential—items to carry in your car during winter driving to ensure you get to your destination.

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The 13 Best Toiletry Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Keep all your beauty and grooming essentials in one place when you're on the road.

In This Article

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• Our top picks
• Other Bags We Liked

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We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

There are a few things every traveler needs, no matter where in the world they're going — and a toiletry bag is one of them. The humble case might be an afterthought to some, but these helpful bags are crucial to keeping your travel essentials organized.

We tested 52 toiletry bags and cosmetic cases (and continue to do so for a period of at least six months) in order to bring to you the best of the best, evaluating capacity, design, portability, and value. We also considered the overall quality of the bags, as well as their ease of use on real trips.

Taking our test results into consideration, we've put together a list of the best toiletry bags across various categories; you’re sure to find one that suits your needs.

Best Overall

Away large toiletry bag.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5

This bag holds more than you'd expect from just looking at it.

The limited edition colors often sell out fast.

You might be most familiar with Away for its selection of hardside luggage and weekender bags, but the brand carries travel accessories, too, including this large toiletry bag that earned high marks across the board during our tests.

Though we found the bag to be even roomier than expected, there are so many individual compartments including a clear cosmetic bag, a zippered pouch, two mesh linings, and an exterior pocket, to name a few. You won't be reaching into a bottomless pit, rummaging around for individual products here. We also love that the bag zips open wide enough for you to reach inside with ease. We packed it with both large and small items, from travel-size liquid bottles to makeup brushes, and there was still room for more.

We also noted the durability of the water-resistant nylon, which is lightweight without feeling cheap. The interior of the bag is coated with an easy-to-wipe material, allowing you to clean up any spills quickly. The bag comes in five color options (with limited edition colorways offered on occasion), as well as a smaller size option and a hanging version of the bag.

The Details: 10.2 x 3.7 x 5.9 inches | 8.8 ounces | Nylon | Water-resistant

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Best Compact

Dagne dover mila toiletry organizer.

Dagne Dover

• Capacity 4 /5

It might be small, but it can still fit full-size makeup brushes.

The dividers take up valuable space.

If you're a toiletry minimalist, this is the case for you. The highly compact Dagne Dover Mila keeps all your products neat and organized in a tiny, plush drum made of water-resistant recycled poly. Unzip the lid and you'll see a grid created by a removable insert — use the insert to keep your products separated from one another, reducing their impact if the toiletry bag is jumbled around. There's also a zippered mesh pocket in the lid, as well as four elastic loops to hold items like makeup brushes and lip balm.

We did notice, however, that the insert takes up quite a bit of space in the bag, and you'd be able to squeeze quite a few more items inside if you remove it instead. Of course in that case, you wouldn't have much help in terms of organization. Ultimately, we love the flexibility — you can customize the bag to suit your needs.

The Details: 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches | 6 ounces | Material | Recycled poly

Travel + Leisure / Leticia Almeida

Best Waterproof

Matador flatpak zipper toiletry case.

Back Country

• Design 4 /5

It's extremely lightweight — just over an ounce.

There aren't any extra pockets or pouches for organization.

While many toiletry kits are water-resistant, this one is fully waterproof, and that makes all the difference if you're on an outdoor adventure like camping or a multi-day kayaking trip. It's made from a special nylon that has a secret superpower: "dry-through" technology, which allows moisture to escape from the bag without letting any in. That means your toiletries (like a wet toothbrush) can dry while they're in the bag.

We found this bag to be deceptively spacious, given that it looks like a simple pencil pouch at first glance. The bag expands at the bottom, allowing it to stand alone on a flat surface while giving you the space to fit larger items in with ease. That said, there aren't any useful organizational tools to keep your products in order — this is a fairly bare-bones bag.

The Details: 9.5 x 6.75 x 3.5 inches | 1.1 ounces | Nylon | Waterproof

Best Organization

Peak design wash pouch.

Peak Design

The bag is lined with high-density foam for extra protection.

It's a fairly pricey bag.

When you have a large number of toiletries to bring with you on vacation, the best thing you can do is choose a toiletry bag that helps you keep everything organized. This is that bag! Though it appears small from the outside, the bag is so thoughtfully designed with organizational tools — we found that there's a pocket for just about everything. The main compartment is large enough to fit small bottles, while mesh pockets of various sizes line the walls. There's also a separate pocket for your toothbrush, which keeps it nice and clean.

Other highlights include a wide opening to access each pocket easily, and the ability to stand on its own thanks to the bag's layer of high-density foam that also helps protect the items inside. It also has a handy hanging hook if you'd prefer to keep some counter space clear.

The Details: 10.2 x 6 x 4.4 inches | 8.7 ounces | Nylon

Best Dopp Kit

Dare to roam steward dopp kit.

Dare to Roam

The material is antimicrobial and antibacterial.

Organization is limited to three pockets.

What are dopp kits, anyway? Though the term can be used interchangeably with "toiletry bag" today, the dopp kit was originally a durable toiletry bag devised by German leather maker Charles Doppelt that was popular with military personnel in the 20th century. It typically takes the silhouette seen here in this bag — a large main compartment, sometimes with side pockets.

What dopp kits are great for is space; we were amazed by how much could fit in this bag, especially because it's expandable with side clips and adjustable webbing straps. As such, it's ideal for longer trips where you'll need as much space as you can get. We also love that it's made from an antimicrobial and antibacterial nylon (yes, it's water-resistant), though we think it could use a little more organization beyond two interior pockets and one exterior one.

The Details: 4.5 x 8.7 x 4.7 inches | Polyester | Water-resistant

Best Small Hanging

Sea to summit hanging toiletry bag.

Small and lightweight, it's perfectly portable.

It has to hang as it won't stand up on its own.

When it comes to hanging bags, this one is perfectly balanced. It's made from an ultra-thin, water-resistant nylon and takes the shape of a saddlebag, which is ideal for hanging. We found that no matter how many items we stuffed in there, the bag never really felt weighed down; all the products were perfectly situated and easy to access, thanks to a plethora of pockets.

This bag also comes with a detachable mirror, which makes it great for outdoor adventures when you don't have access to a vanity, as well as handles for easy transport. Ultimately, it is perfect for people limited on space and weight, whether they're on a multi-day trek that requires them to carry all their gear or traveling for an extended period of time with limited storage space. The toiletry bag comes in two sizes (we tested the smaller one) and four color options.

The Details: 10.2 x 3.9 x 8.9 inches | 0.3 ounces | Nylon | Water-resistant

Best Large Hanging

Bagsmart hanging toiletry bag.

This is an excellent value if you need to store full-size items.

The material is difficult to clean.

Bagsmart is known for making convenient travel products at affordable prices, and that's certainly true of its hanging toiletry bag. Before it's opened, the bag looks just like a little quilted briefcase; inside is an extraordinary amount of storage. Unzip the perimeter and the bag unfurls into four panels of hanging storage for your toiletries, which we found perfectly capable of storing just about every toiletry in the book save for full-size bottles of shampoo and body wash. While most of the storage compartments are variously sized zippered pockets, some actually have elastic bands to help hold your items in place.

The quilted material is made of polyester, which we found to be a little difficult to clean. It is water-resistant, though, and the texture adds a nice visual quality. Plus, it comes in ten colorways.

The Details: 12.6 x 9.1 x 4.3 inches | 15.2 ounces | Polyester | Water-resistant

Best for Cosmetics

Béis the cosmetic case.

The brush holder and mirror are removable.

The main compartment is pretty much just one big open space.

The clean, minimalist design that Béis is so loved for comes through in its cosmetic case: a sturdy bag with plenty of space for makeup aficionados. For starters, it's offered in eight elegant earth tone hues. But then there's the simple rectangular shape, which feels almost handbag-like in its sculptural form, as well as luxe hardware that adds to that handbag quality.

Though this bag can carry all types of toiletries, it's specifically designed with cosmetics in mind. That's evident from the removable mirror and brush holder, which has PVC material where the brush heads will go for easy cleaning. There are also a few slip pockets, which we found especially helpful for palettes. One thing to note, however, is that the main compartment of this toiletry bag is simply a vast space without any dividers to organize individual products. That said, we can report that nothing broke or spilled during evaluations.

The Details: 9.5 x 4 x 7 inches | 1.38 pounds | Polyester | Water-resistant

Best for Men

Bagsmart toiletry bag for men.

It opens wide with a double zipper.

It's made of canvas, which may be hard to clean but is water-resistant.

Fun fact: dopp kits were originally designed for men so it makes perfect sense why this one is designed to fit shaving and grooming products in particular. It's made of canvas for a rough-and-tumble look, and it's offered in seven colors (mostly neutrals, but also light pink) and two sizes. Though we consider it sturdy enough to stand on its own, we also found it flexible enough to be stuffed into a packed weekender.

As for storage capabilities, there's a main compartment that's accessible via a double zipper, which means the kit opens nice and wide for you to be able to access your items. That main compartment can fit bulkier items, while smaller items can fill the pockets along the sides. There are also two separate side pockets, one of which is designed to hold wet items.

The Details: 10.2 x 5.9 x 6.3 inches | 6.4 ounces | Canvas | Water-resistant

Best for Short Trips

Tumi response travel kit.

It opens like a clamshell.

It's not water-resistant.

Luxury brand Tumi doesn't only make high-end suitcases and travel bags — they also make high-end toiletry bags. Made from ballistic nylon (and offered in three colorways), this is one of the most durable toiletry bags out there, and it wouldn't be surprising if this bag lasted years, even with regular use.

Its best feature is the fact that it opens like a clamshell, with two distinct compartments in each half. That makes it easy to access everything in the bag, whether you're laying it flat on a countertop or you're hanging it via the attached hook. There are four pockets, including one water-resistant one, and two elastic loops to hold products like toothbrushes or razors. We think it’s a reasonably spacious bag, but only for travel-size products — that's why we recommend it for short trips rather than long ones.

The Details: 6.3 x 9.5 x 3.5 inches | 0.9 pounds | Ballistic nylon

Best Leather

Cuyana travel beauty case.

• Portability 4.5 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

This is a true luxury item with exquisite craftsmanship.

More care will need to be taken so spills don’t damage the leather.

Take one look at the Cuyana Travel Beauty Case, and it's clear that you're dealing with a luxury item. Made from Italian pebbled leather, this toiletry bag is extremely elegant in each of its three colors: ecru, soft rose, and black. We found that this is high-quality leather that's not so delicate you have to worry about damaging it when stuffing it in your backpack or weekender.

As for storage, there are two main compartments: one with an internal elastic pocket for storing larger items and another that has elastic straps to hold items like makeup brushes in place. They open like a clamshell, and between them is a detachable pouch for smaller items. The pouch is ideal for a few items that can be used to refresh your makeup on a travel day, but it can't hold enough products for a full face.

The Details: 6.2 x 10.2 x 3.1 inches | 1.6 pounds | Italian pebbled leather

MZ Wallace Mica Cosmetic Case

It's a no-nonsense bag — simply stash your stuff and go.

There's only one main compartment with a smaller zippered pocket.

The best thing about a pouch like this one is that it's very straightforward — all you have to do is toss in your items without giving much thought to organization. We loved this particular toiletry bag because it's more spacious than it seems at first glance. That's particularly true of the one zippered pocket inside: it was able to hold seven makeup brushes.

By the same token, the lack of organization might be frustrating to some. Depending on your preference, you might wish there were a few dividers or additional pockets to keep things a little tidier inside the bag. Still, the amount of space it has for items is impressive, and for some travelers, that might be just what they're looking for.

The Details: 9.49 x 4.02 x 5.98 inches | 0.23 pounds | REC Oxford

Best Budget

Wandf toiletry bag.

• Portability 4 /5

It comes in nearly 20 colors.

The main compartment only has one zipper, which makes it a little tough to retrieve items.

As you're probably well aware by this point, toiletry bags can get quite expensive — but they don't have to be. This is a particularly budget-friendly model, yet it accomplishes just about everything you'd need a toiletry bag to do. For one, it has multiple compartments. And for another, it's a water-resistant case, which means it can handle being splashed on a bathroom counter.

The compartments are both the success and the downfall of this toiletry bag. We were beyond impressed with the amount of space inside the main compartment, as well as with the two side compartments with mesh pockets. But we found that the main compartment was almost too spacious and could benefit from another divider of some kind. Given its size, it could also benefit from a double zipper opening, which would allow you to access more items throughout the bag than the existing single zipper.

The Details: 10.24 x 4.72 x 5.91 inches | 3.53 ounces | Nylon | Water-resistant

Other Toiletry Bags We Liked

• Dagne Dover Hunter Neoprene Toiletry Bag : We love the soft, water-resistant neoprene material of this bag, as well as the two detached pouches for easy organization. (And did we mention the colors? Those are beautiful, too!) Unfortunately, we found it to be a tight fit to squeeze both of the detachable pouches into the main bag when all three had items in them.
• State Bags Bensen Dopp Kit : This is a spacious bag with a detachable pouch for additional storage — there's not much to not like here. But we think it's a bit too expensive, and we found the hook to be too small to use in many cases. Because it's so spacious, it's best for longer trips, as we think it might take up a bit too much room in a carry-on bag.
• L.L.Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag, Medium : A favorite for decades, this bag is the king when it comes to storage space and organization — there are pockets for just about everything. Some might find the sheer number of storage spaces to be overwhelming. But others, particularly those going on long trips or families who might be sharing a toiletry bag, will love the roominess.
• Baggu Dopp Kit : This bag packs flat, which is great when you need to store it somewhere. But when you expand it, you'll find that it's large enough to carry all of your toiletries and then some. The only thing we worried about was the durability of the materials. Though it did not fail any of our rigorous tests, we suspect it may wear out over time.

We tested 52 toiletry bags and cosmetics cases in our lab to determine the best products.

Testing started with an analysis of the bag when it was empty; we examined the materials, the construction, and the overall design.

Then we packed the bags with common travel essentials like toiletry bottles, makeup, and dental products, among other items. We then re-evaluated the design of the bag, noting overall capacity; convenience and security of organizational compartments, pockets, and pouches; closure functionality (such as zippers, magnetic clasps, and Velcro tabs); and overall sturdiness and stability of the bag.

Next, we put the bags into weekenders, carry-on luggage, and backpacks to see how they'd fit. We also carried around the larger bags to evaluate the feel of the toiletry bags in them.

Finally, we rated each toiletry bag on its capacity, design, portability, and value, all the while considering extra characteristics like the material's water-resistance, ease of cleaning, and any extra features, such as hanging straps or built-in mirrors.

Testing of the toiletry kits then continues for a period of six months on our real-world trips, and we will continue to update this article based on the results.

When the bag was fully packed, we placed it inside a large weekender bag to get a sense of its weight by carrying it around our lab. We also checked how much space the bag took up inside the weekender bag to determine if there was ample room to store other items, such as clothing and accessories. We then determined whether the bag would be suitable for weekend trips and/or longer vacations.

After rating for all attributes, we checked each bag's price to rate the overall value.

Tips for Buying a Toiletry Bag

Look at the design of the bag.

Some toiletry bags are voids — they have one cavernous space to fit all your items. But others are separated into compartments with pockets and pouches to keep your items in place. Depending on what you're storing in your toiletry bag, you might prefer more organizational tools than a single open space. Also consider the material; more durable, water-resistant materials are ideal for toiletry bags, since they'll be getting quite a bit of use on the road.

Consider capacity and the items you pack

What do you plan on putting in a toiletry bag? If you're a minimalist who carries very few toiletries — say, just face wash and toothpaste — you might only need a small case But if you have an extensive skincare routine — including sunscreen and after-sun lotion — and you travel with all your makeup, you'll need a bag with enough space for everything.

Think about portability

If you plan on taking your toiletry bag in your carry-on, you'll want it to be as compact and lightweight as possible to save room for everything else in your bag. And if you're packing liquids, gels, or aerosols, make sure your items’ sizes comply with the TSA's 3-1-1 rule . If you're checking your toiletry bag, though, you might have more flexibility with size and weight.

While a clear bag is not explicitly stated on all sections of the TSA website , this is the common practice and can speed things up at the security checkpoint. Toiletry bags that don't hold any liquids, as well as toiletry bags that will be checked in your suitcase (regardless of their contents), do not need to be clear.

Since toiletry bags frequently come into contact with liquids — either from leaking products or from the bathroom counter — water-resistant or waterproof materials are best. Another factor to consider is durability. Toiletry bags are typically fairly heavily used when you travel, so it's best to look for tear-proof fabric that will hold up over time.

A TSA-approved toiletry bag is one that meets the TSA's requirements for the 3-1-1 rule regarding liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes packed in carry-ons. These products must be 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters or less, and they all must fit in " 1 quart size, clear, plastic, zip top bag ."

You can pack just about anything in a toiletry bag, from hair products to body washes to makeup. Depending on what you plan on putting in your toiletry bag, you may want to look for ones with special pockets — many toiletry bags have designated spots for items like makeup brushes or palettes to keep them secure.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance travel writer with a decade of experience. For this article, she incorporated tester feedback and used her own experience with toiletry bags.

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The 9 Best Travel Toiletry Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Keep all your bathroom necessities together

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

TripSavvy / Tamara Staples

After you've organized your suitcase or weekender, the next and possibly biggest challenge is to pack your toiletry bag. While this might seem an afterthought, it's a pretty important step, especially if you don't want to arrive at your destination and realize you forgot to pack your sunscreen or open your bag to spilled body wash. Whether you're more of a minimalist or carry your entire 10-step beauty routine with you, there's something for everyone. 

To help you find the right one, we tested 27 toiletry bags, rating them for capacity, design, portability, and value.

Final Verdict

Product selection, how we tested, other toiletry bags we tested.

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, sea to summit hanging toiletry bag.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5

Designed for organization

Tough exterior

Plenty of thoughtful additions

Nothing yet

Sea to Summit's Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag impressed our testers, earning top marks across all categories. The Australian outdoor gear brand has been on a mission to build the lightest, most durable gear for more than three decades. Our testers loved how much space this lightweight toiletry bag has and its numerous pockets. "This is a great hanging bag because you can store different-size products inside without feeling like you're weighing the bag down," one tester noted.

The Travelling Light Bag, which weighs less than 5 ounces, is made from Cordura nylon. This material helps keep the weight down and offers stretch, allowing room for all the toiletries. Our testers liked the bag's convenient features, including a carrying handle and hanging hook. "There are tons of pockets, a mirror, hooks to hang the bag, and other unique features that are perfect for every trip," a tester concluded.

Size: 10 x 9 x 4 inches | Weight: 4.7 ounces | Material: Cordura nylon

TripSavvy / David Carr

Best Budget

Wandf toiletry bag.

• Design 4 /5
• Portability 4 /5

Generous amount of space

Very lightweight

Not very compact

The first thing to know about WANDF's Toiletry Bag is that it has a ton of capacity, so much so that our testers joked that it could double as an overnight bag. Jests aside, this was a popular bag because of how much it holds and how little it weighs (just 3.6 ounces). "This is a great buy for someone who wants to bring a lot of skincare or other products along with normal toiletries," one tester said.

The bag's water-resistant nylon is thin but durable. It has three pockets for good organization and a handle for easier transportation. Our testers did say that it might be hard to fit in a smaller bag, especially if you take advantage of the size and pack it to maximum capacity. If you're looking for a larger-capacity toiletry bag or simply a budget bag, this was our testers' top pick.

Size: 9.5 x 5.9 x 4.7 inches | Weight: 3.6 ounces | Material: Water-resistant nylon

Bagsmart Toiletry Bag

Very spacious

Zippered mesh pockets are helpful

Sturdy yet compressible

Customer reviews complain about the color

This classic-looking toiletry bag impressed our testers with its durable materials, organization potential, and smart features, including a waterproof pocket. The large-capacity toiletry bag is made from water-resistant polyurethane leather, features double zippers in the main compartment, and has mesh holders to keep items like toothbrushes in place.

"The material is classic, zippers are easy to zip, and the compartment with the waterproof coating is very handy and will be easy to clean," one tester noted. "It's structured enough to keep organized but still flexible enough to fit easily in a weekender bag." Our testers said they'd pay more for this than the minimal list price. "It's a great price for something that feels durable and will last for a long time," one tester concluded.

Size: 10.25 x 6.25 x 5 inches | Weight: 0.62 pounds | Material: Polyurethane leather

Best Hanging

Bagsmart hanging toiletry bag.

Durable design

Easy to pack

Water-resistant material

Not the easiest to clean

Once you arrive at your hotel or vacation rental, finding a place to stash your toiletry bag can be tricky, especially if counter space is limited. Luckily, this bag's hook makes the most of limited or nonexistent space. This is a great way to keep items visible but still out of your way as you get dressed. The interior mesh pockets also help with visibility. There's even a smaller, removable compartment you can hang up.

"This bag fit all of the toiletries and still had room to spare, but only for travel-sized products," one tester said about the bag's capacity. "The design of this hanging bag was pleasantly sturdy." Our testers also liked the spacious organizational components and how the bag folds, which gives it a slim briefcase look. They also loved how easily the slender profile fits into a weekender bag.

Size: 12.6 x 9.1 x 4.3 inches | Weight: 15.8 ounces | Material: Polyester

Best Splurge

Away large toiletry bag.

Made of recycled materials

Stores bulky items well

Lets you see everything at a glance

Limited colors

For fans of the iconic suitcase brand, the toiletry bag is another worthy addition to your Away collection. Like many of Away's bags, this thoughtfully designed bag keeps your toiletries organized and separated. The clamshell opening displays items perfectly through the mesh and clear plastic interior pockets. The nylon material is easy to clean should you ever have a spill. Bonus: The bag can even be monogrammed on the front or back.

Thanks to some unique features, our testers loved how roomy this bag was. "I packed mostly large items, such as makeup brushes, foundation, and a compact mirror, and there was still tons of room to insert more," one tester reported. "There are different types of pockets inside the bag—one for makeup brushes, one clear pocket for makeup products, and others for whatever you'd like to put in."

The bag helped with organization, and our testers liked the top handle. "The fact that it can fit so many items and still not take up so much space says a lot about the bag. It can also carry a lot of weight," a tester noted. Our testers weren't the biggest fans of the nylon material but noted that it is water-resistant. And while they said bags with similar features could be found at a lower cost, they would still recommend this one. "I'd love to purchase it if it wasn't so pricey for a toiletry bag, but if you need organization and travel often, then this bag is a must," a tester concluded.

Size: 10.2 x 3.7 x 5.9 inches | Weight: 8.8 ounces | Material: Nylon

Best Organization

Peak design wash pouch.

Peak Design

Extra durable

Fits into other bags easily

Contains recycled materials

A bit on the pricey side

The first key to good organization is having plenty of room for all your toiletries. Peak Design's Wash Pouch offers exactly that, with our testers noting that they had plenty of room to fit all of their toiletries and then some. "I'd be able to put my skincare products in here along with several travel-sized toiletry bottles ," our tester said, noting that they loved the product's design. It also opens wide for easy packing and accessibility. "There were plenty of pockets and even a shallow zipper pocket to hold a toothbrush," our tester reported, also praising how it sits open upright on the counter on its own. Bonus: Despite the large size and roominess, it still packs down to a small size.

Size: 10.6 x 6 x 4.4 inches | Weight: 8.7 ounces | Material: Recycled, DWR-treated nylon

Best for Extended Trips

Dare to roam steward dopp kit.

Dare to Roam

Impressive capacity

Eco-friendly

Less likely to harbor microbes

Bulkier than other options

There's much to like about the Dare to Roam Steward Dopp Kit. It features responsibly sourced materials and ethically made construction. It uses antimicrobial and water-resistant materials—features we'd like to see in many more toiletry bags, considering the amount of liquid and moisture these containers are exposed to.

What our testers loved most about this particular toiletry bag was the amount of space available, making it ideal for extended trips. The main compartment has a ton of room and a two-way zipper entry. It also features side clips and adjustable webbing straps, making the bag expandable on both sides. Our testers had no problem fitting all their toiletries into the bag and then some. "This bag is designed well and is built to really hold up," a tester reported. "The handles and lightweight feel of the bag make it perfectly portable."

While this bag did take up a lot of space when packed in another bag, it's best used for extended trips on which travelers are likely to use larger luggage anyway.

Size: 4.5 x 8.7 x 4.7 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Polyester, nylon 

Best for Camping

Matador flatpak zipper toiletry case.

Back Country

• Capacity 4 /5

Stripped-down but serviceable

Built to last

One large pocket

May be too simplistic for some

Toiletry bags aren't only handy for traveling. They're also helpful when backpacking and camping. For that usage, we love Matador's FlatPak Toiletry Case. The FlatPak checks off three key boxes when looking for a camping- or backpacking-focused toiletry bag. It's super lightweight (1.1 ounces), it's fully waterproof, and it has one main compartment for easy access to all items. Simply put: It's a no-frills yet incredibly practical bag.

Our testers were impressed with the bag's capacity—it fits all toiletries without getting overly bulky. They also loved its durability, waterproof material, and how the bottom of the bag expands. "For someone who goes on lots of camping or rugged outdoor trips, this bag is a great value," one tester concluded.

Size: 9.5 x 6.75 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 1.1 ounces | Material: 30-denier Cordura nylon

Best Eco-Friendly

Cotopaxi nido accessory bag.

• Portability 4.5 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

Nice internal organization

Not ideal for extended trips

Cotopaxi's marketing slogan is "Gear for Good." This dopp kit, which features 100 percent recycled materials, definitely falls into that category, but besides being a responsibly created toiletry bag, it's simply a good toiletry bag. The bag has three compartments to separate different items, fits a reasonable amount of toiletries, and has a convenient side carry handle. Another huge step toward planet friendliness is the longevity and durability of the product. We love that this toiletry bag is constructed to last many years and maybe decades.

Size: 9 x 6 x 5 inches | Weight: 6.5 ounces | Material: Recycled nylon with a TPU coating 

Hitting it out of the park and claiming a perfect score on all our tests for capacity, design, portability, and value, the Sea to Summit Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag is hard to beat. Another favorite of our testers for its generous capacity and reasonable price tag, the WANDF Toiletry Bag is light and comes in a range of bright and neutral colors.

To determine the products to include in this test, we researched the top-rated products on the market from multiple retailers, considered popular and traveler-loved brands, and relied on the knowledge of our travel editors and their experience with a variety of toiletry bags. We also aimed to include a variety of sizes, price points, and intended uses.

We tested all 27 toiletry bags in our New York City lab space. Bags were rated on a five-point scale and evaluated for capacity, design, portability, and overall value. We averaged scores across individual categories to give an overall score. Testers packed each bag with the types and quantities of toiletries that would last for a long weekend trip. Once the toiletry bags were packed, our testers took notes on how full the bags were and any unique organizational or structural features. Lastly, they placed the toiletry bags in weekender bags and carried them around to get a sense of how heavy the toiletry bags felt and how easily they could be packed into other pieces of luggage.

BÉIS Cosmetic Case : This case is sturdily built with a couple of thoughtful extras like a standing mirror and a separate sleeve for makeup brushes. With its generous capacity comes a larger footprint, which may be problematic in smaller carry-ons or weekenders. Finally, we felt the price was too high for the quality of the materials.

Calpak Clear Cosmetics Case : Another spacious pick, our tester could appreciate the capacity of this bag with its convenient carrying handle, though it needs to be packed full to keep the contents from jostling around wildly. The design and internal organization were OK but not as good as some others.

Dagne Dover Hunter Toiletry Bag : Overall, we liked the Hunter Bag. The soft neoprene exterior felt durable and easy to clean. The interior features a few pockets and two removable zipper pouches, which our tester said they would probably leave out to make better use of the space.

Everlane ReNew Catch-All Case : True to its name, the Catch-All is a roomy yet simple option with both internal and external pockets. It isn't particularly structured, so it would slip nicely into any other bag, but we worry the contents could easily be damaged or crushed.

State Bags Benson Dopp Kit : The Benson Dopp Kit is a hanging bag with a solid capacity and a well-designed interior. Because of its size, this isn't the ideal option for short trips, and we found similar models that just edged out this pick in terms of the quality of materials and design.

Tumi Response Travel Kit : Our testers were hard-pressed to find anything negative about this bag. It features a clamshell opening for easy packing, is roomy but remains a good choice for weekend getaways, and offers enough structure to protect your toiletries. The real downside is the luxury price, which we found hard to swallow.

What to Look For in a Toiletry Bag

Whether you want something you can quickly toss products into or a hyper-organized toiletry bag with ample pocket space is up to you, but it’s important to think about how organized you usually are. Our advice? Look at how your purse or backpack is organized (i.e., is it a massive tote you throw everything into, or is everything organized in its own little pocket or bag?) to figure out how you naturally travel.

TSA Requirements

If you're carrying your luggage on a flight with you, be sure your items meet TSA requirements —one quart-sized bag of containers holding liquids in quantities of no more than 3.4 ounces. If you are checking your luggage, some of the large-capacity bags on this list can come in handy for packing larger liquids. However, rather than putting all your products into a flimsy plastic bag, opt for a reusable zippered bag instead.

Hanging Capability

Sometimes, the hotel you're staying at won't have enough counter space for a toiletry bag, especially if you're traveling with others. If you want to ensure that things don’t get too cluttered, consider a bag that can hang from the towel hooks on the back of the bathroom door. Bonus: You can use it to free up space at home, too.

Because they are frequently in wet and humid surroundings, most toiletry bags are pretty easy to clean thanks to the functional materials used to make them. Simply wipe down the interior, usually made of nylon with a water-resistant coating. Toiletry bags that are made of faux or genuine leather or polyester can be spot-cleaned.

If you plan to fly and take your liquids onboard with you, make sure to follow the TSA requirements, which allow one quart-sized bag of containers up to 3.4 ounces each. While it's not required to have a clear toiletry bag, if your bag is pulled for further inspection, it might speed up the process if the security agent can easily see what you've packed.

To recommend the best toiletry bags out there, we tested 27 items across various brands and price points in our New York City lab space, scoring each on its capacity, durability, portability, and value.

The author of this article,  Nathan Allen , is TripSavvy's Outdoor Gear Editor. He regularly takes toiletry bags on flights, road trips, and backpacking and camping trips. His go-to toiletry bag is the  Cotopaxi Nido  for its functionality, size, durability, and planet-friendliness.

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The 10 Very Best Men’s Dopp Kits

Compact enough to squeeze in a carry-on and durable enough to withstand years of travel..

In this article

• Best Dopp kit overall
• Best extra-large and mini
• Best stylish
• Best waterproof
• Best leather
• Best flexible

A great Dopp kit will keep your grooming essentials organized once you reach your destination and prevent them from leaking in your bag while you’re in transit. It must be waterproof (or at least water-resistant ), have a wide opening that means you won’t have to rummage around, and have a handy loop or hook for easy storage in whatever bathrooms your trips take you to. To find the best Dopp kits that meet these criteria, I cross referenced recommendations we’ve received over the years from stylish men who are always on the go , from grooming experts to creative directors. Then I ordered samples to test those recommendations out for myself, placing products inside and playing around with how they’d fit into various compartments. Below, find well-organized pouches and bags for every kind of trip. While you’re here, I’ve also written about the best travel toiletry bottles and personal-item carry-on bags for flying .

What we’re looking for

Hanger type.

One thing all the best Dopp kits have is either a hook or handle so it can be hung up when you get to your destination. It gives you back some counter space and it ensures your stuff won’t be sitting in water all day. It means you can carry it around easily instead of having to “hold it like a football,” according to photographer Gray Malin . Ones with hooks, called hanging dopp kits, take it a step further and allow you to open up the bag while it’s hanging, which gives you a full view of all your products. “It unfolds like a mini garment bag and has a little hanger so you can keep your stuff out of the sink,” Nick Greene, author of How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius , describes his pick. “It makes you feel grown,” Greene summarizes, “without busting your bank.”

Surprisingly, few of the travelers we spoke to prioritized compartments within the Dopp kit as something they were looking for. While they are a bonus, “you don’t need a lot of zippers, pockets, and compartments,” Peter Hunsinger, the co-founder of sock brand Kane 11 , says. He prefers something easy to open that allows you to see everything. Our experts were above all concerned with the size of the kit. Most of the cases below have room for your skin-care routine and travel-size toiletries, but there are a few ten-liter Dopp kits that appear on our list, which are large enough to hold a compact blow-dryer or clippers. While the latter may take up more room for those who travel light, the size is ideal for those who can’t travel without taking a chunk of their bathroom. Every bag on this list is made from a fabric flexible enough to squish into an already stuffed suitcase or weekender, so the larger size shouldn’t be a problem.

Speaking of material, that seems to be the most important thing to consider when buying a Dopp kit. Something durable, easy to clean, and water resistant is what you want to look for. You’ll find that many are made from nylon, which is wipeable in case of spills. It won’t be ruined by sitting on a wet countertop. Leather, silicone, and canvas have these qualities as well, the latter of which is another popular option among our experts. The thick material is durable and affordable, and it can look more distinguished than other common Dopp kit materials. Like the other fabrics, they can be wiped or spot-cleaned. The material on the inside is just as important. It should be easy to clean and waterproof or resistant as well. For that, nylon or canvas is the way to go.

The last thing to consider is how easy it is to get to your products, which is easiest with a Dopp kit that unzips all the way around to lie flat. This is guaranteed with hanging bags, while with others it’s a toss-up. Each of the options below either unzips fully or has a wide mouth.

Best toiletry bag overall

Hanger type: Hook | Size: 2.5 L | Material: Nylon | Access: Wide opening

For just under $50, here’s a hanging toiletry bag with multiple compartments that’s literally constructed from ballistic nylon , a material that was originally developed to protect soldiers from shrapnel. So I think you can reasonably expect it to arrive at LAX unscathed. We first heard about the Aer travel kit from Barron Cuadro, the founding editor of Effortless Gent , who says that the nylon is not only “crazy durable” but also very easy to clean. It’s also water-resistant on both the interior and exterior, and when you open it up, you’ll find it unzips fully so you can see everything inside. It has a hidden hook for hanging and while compact when zipped up, still manages to fit all your necessities. On the outside, there are front and back pockets as well as an exterior toothbrush holder. Inside, there are two zippered pockets and elastic organizers for your toiletry bottles. I also like that it has YKK zippers and an antimicrobial coating on the liner.

Best (less expensive) hanging toiletry bag

Hanger type: Hook | Size: | Material: Polyester | Access: Wide opening

For less than half the price of the Aer bag, you can get this one by Muji. Compared to the Aer, it’s significantly smaller and made from a cheaper material, polyester. But it doesn’t feel flimsy, and when I placed travel-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner inside (Muji’s own reusable toiletry bottles are obviously very compatible, but others work too), they were well-secured. A toothbrush fits easily, but you’ll have to place it horizontally. While the fabric might not be as nice as ballistic nylon, it’s still very resilient and quick-drying. And honestly, I find that larger Dopp kits can sometimes just encourage overpacking of bulky tools and products. This Muji case is the bag Greene said made him feel “grown,” with its garment-bag-style hanging option. Inside, there are two zippered pockets and four elastic holders for bottles or grooming tools. Then there’s another zippered pocket on the front of the bag, plus another slip pocket on the back.

Best extra-large toiletry bag

Hanger type: Carry loop | Size: 10L | Material: Polyester ripstop | Access: Wide opening

Sometimes you have to think outside the box to find the best solution to your problem. Bags that aren’t technically Dopp kits, such as this Patagonia packing cube , might actually be the best thing for storing your toiletries. Like the rest of the brand’s products, it’s built for the outdoors. Matt Kays, a senior vice-president at PR Consulting, relies on this Patagonia number for its ripstop, practically indestructible exterior. He actually has two: He uses one as a Dopp kit for travel and the other as a wet bag to hold his things when he goes to the beach, so you know the water resistance is serious. This packing cube doesn’t have many compartments, which Hunsinger actually appreciates. It unzips to lie flat and opens like a hard-shell suitcase: Both sides are separated by a mesh zippered partition. One side alone can hold a pair of shoes, so you’d easily be able to stuff all your grooming products as well as clippers or a travel blow-dryer in here if you needed to. This bag has both a top handle and a daisy chain for clipping it to something else or hanging it from a hook.

Best (less expensive) extra-large toiletry bag

Hanger type: Carry loop | Size: 10 L | Material: Nylon | Access: Wide opening

This is another packing cube turned Dopp kit. But here, you get the same-size bag for half the cost. Topo Designs makes a specific, triangular-shaped toiletry bag, but barber Mark Miguez, of New York City’s Friend of a Barber , prefers its ten-liter packing cube because it lies flat, adding that he has used “so many Dopp kits for work” and that this is the one he has been happiest with. It’s cheaper than the Topo Designs Dopp kit. It’s made from  400D nylon , which has great abrasion resistance, water resistance, and tear strength. It has a U-shaped opening, so it lies flat, and you can easily toss in and retrieve your products. It has a nice loop handle, which makes it easy to hang in places without counter-height surfaces. There are no compartments inside, so you’ll want to make sure your toiletry caps are screwed on tight and not breakable, as there’s nothing to hold them in place.

Best mini toiletry bag

Hanger type: Two carry loops | Size: 4 L | Material: Organic cotton and nylon | Access: Double zip opening

Photographer Johnathon Daniel Pryce ( @garconjon ) travels for weeks at a time, so he needs a toiletry kit that fit his essentials without being bulky. “I’ve owned this style for about six years now,” he says. “It’s gone around the world with me and it still looks brand new.” With a double zip, there’s easy access to your toiletries, and a removable nylon liner makes wiping clean any spills fuss-free. It’s also pleasing to look at, says Pryce, who also regularly takes the bag to both the beach and the gym.

Best waterproof toiletry bag

Hanger type: No carry loop | Size: 5.9 L | Material: Silicone | Access: Average opening

Tooletries makes waterproof silicone accessories that suction to your shower wall, making your grooming tools accessible and the whole experience more streamlined. It has thought of everything from a soap holder to a beer holder to a shower mirror and has brought its technology outside the shower with this silicone Dopp kit. Its waterproof, leather-looking, antibacterial silicone is what Kyle Bergman, former senior merchant at Birchbox and founder of Swoveralls, loves most about the bag, saying it’s “leakproof and essentially stain-resistant,” as well as “very easy to clean.” It doesn’t have as much of a handle as some others, but based on the product images, the loop seems to have been designed to be big enough to fit a finger through, though using it with a carabiner to hook on to another bag might be more comfortable. It’s a medium-size bag compared to the other Dopp kits on this list, but Bergman was still impressed with the size: “It’s like an old-school Chevy Suburban inside with the amount of room it has for various products.” He didn’t mention the zipper or how easy it was to access products, but the opening is visibly smaller than others on this list. You’ll still be able to access your toiletries, but you might not be able to see them all at once.

Best toiletry bag with a waterproof compartment

Hanger type: Extra large carry loop | Size: 5 L | Material: Nylon canvas | Access: Wide opening

Dylan Raasch , senior design director at Nike , always travels for work with this toiletry bag from Herschel. “I’ve been on dozens of trips with it and it looks as new as the day I bought it. It’s easy to clean and seems to fit everything I need without having to dig around.” It doubles as a travel and storage item, where Raasch keeps his things organized so his partner can take up shelf space with her toiletries. The bag is also a favorite of Strategist editor Maxine Builder. She says it has just the right amount of pockets — enough that everything has a space, but not so many that she forgets where she’s put something. She’s also a fan of the oversize hook, which has “proved to be really useful when I’m digging through a duffel bag .”

Best leather toiletry bag

Hanger type: Carry Loop | Size: 3.6 L | Material: Leather | Access: Wide opening

For a classic option, here’s the original Dopp model that gave these kits their name. Investment banker Tsz Hin Kwok says he has used his leather Dopp kit “pretty much daily” for the past few years because it’s longer than most other kits (but still portable). We reached out to Dopp, who told us that Kwok’s exact model is no longer in production, but pointed us towards this remarkably similar option. Like Kwok’s, the kit is also made from leather, which means it’s built to last and luxurious. At a length of 10.25, it’s great for oblong items like a hairbrush, or full-size tubes of toothpaste or hair gel if you’re checking a bag. The kit also has a flat bottom and a wide mouth like a vintage doctor’s bag, as well as a convenient carry loop.

Best luxury-leather toiletry bag

Hanger type: Carry loop | Size: 5.5 L | Material: Leather | Access: Wide opening

Given your Dopp kit will inevitably become smeared with toothpaste, it feels slightly wrong to recommend purchasing anything too extravagant. But if you are prepared to make more of an investment, this leather kit is a worthwhile splurge. It’s good-looking but not too precious to get dirty. The outside wipes clean anyway, and the inside lining is water resistant in case of leaks or spills. These double zippered pockets are equal in size, adding to the “structural” design that made Gray attracted to it. (And it looks a lot like the $1,790 Tom Ford bag the Points Guy recommended to us but comes at a fraction of the cost. ) It’s perfect for overpackers, traveling with a partner, or just separating your a.m. and p.m. routines. As Gray says, “It just fits everything.” It has the extra-special touch of being customizable: You can choose between signature and premium leather, and if you purchase it from Leatherology, there is an option to monogram it for an additional $10 to $15. Malin went with a rose-gold monogram, but you can pick from 22-karat gold, silver, or other options.

Best flexible toiletry bag

Hanger type: Carry loop | Size: 3 L | Material: Coated nylon | Access: Wide opening

Thomas Pardee , brand director at Lupine Creative, likes this flexible toiletry bag that’s easy to squish into tight spaces in his suitcase. That’s not to say the bag is small. “The triangular shape is deceptively roomy,” Pardee says. It sits upright on any surface without tipping over, but in case of spills, its coated-nylon fabric is water resistant and easy to wipe clean. The kit also has a heavy-duty zipper with handy grab tabs to pull on, as well as a sturdy strap to loop over a hook.

Some other Dopp kits we’ve written about

Our experts

• Kyle Bergman, founder of Swoveralls • Barron Cuadro, founding editor of Effortless Gent • Nick Greene, author of How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius • Peter Hunsinger, co-founder of sock brand Kane 11 • Matt Kays, senior vice-president at PR Consulting • Brian Kelly, t he Points Guy • Tsz Hin Kwok, investment banker • Gray Malin, photographer • Tim Melideo, photographer and menswear blogger behind Stay Classic • Mark Miguez, co-owner and operator of Friend of a Barber NYC • Jonathan Daniel Pryce , photographer known as GarconJon • Thomas Pardee , brand director at Lupine Creative • Dylan Raasch, creative director at Nike

Additional reporting by Rachael Griffiths and Jenna Milliner-Waddell .

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans , rolling luggage , pillows for side sleepers , ultra-flattering pants , and bath towels . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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The Best Carry-On Luggage and Weekender Bags for Spring Travel: Away, Samsonite, Calpak and More

The right luggage or carry-on bag for spring break travel can help make any trip as smooth as possible.

If you're gearing up for your spring travel plans, you may be searching for the perfect luggage to accompany you on your upcoming getaway.  Carry-on luggage  — including weekender bags and spinners — is probably the best way to travel if you want to beat the lines at busy airports, especially if you're traveling on a Friday.

No matter where your travel destinations are, one thing's for sure: the right luggage will make all the difference. We've found the best luggage to shop for all of your travels, from spacious duffle bags and practical backpacks to large and luxurious carry-ons  for your next flight.

Need a new tote bag to toss everything in for an upcoming Memorial Day weekend getaway or a bigger carry-on for a tropical vacation? The Beis Weekender Bag will fit all your essentials and help you travel in style. Need a new go-to suitcase for every travel situation? Away’s  standard carry on traveler bag has plenty of packing space while still fitting in the overhead bin. Trying to avoid the checked baggage fees and long bag drop line? The Samsonite Underseat Carry-On Luggage helps you save money and time by going straight to TSA.

Below, we've rounded up the best carry-on luggage and weekender bags this year to take along on your next trip.

The Best Carry-On Suitcases for 2024

Samsonite freeform carry-on spinner.

Not only is the Samsonite Hardside Spinner perfectly sized and extremely durable, it's also incredible lightweight so you won't have to strain putting it in the overhead airplane compartment. With all kinds of pockets, you can easily organize all your belongings confidently. 

$200   $150

Away The Carry-On

This Away bag boasts flashy features such as a durable polycarbonate hard shell, spinner wheels and a TSA-approved, ejectable USB charger. The classic rolling hardside luggage with a retractable handle is designed to fit in most major airlines' overhead compartments, making it a great go-to Carry-On bag for travel, regardless of your destination.

Take OFF Luggage Personal Item Suitcase 2.0

The perfect-sized luggage that doubles as a personal item — just pop off the wheels and slide it under your seat. 

Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage

This Rockland Melbourne Spinner Luggage makes traveling easier by being extremely lightweight. While protecting your items, the wheels rotate 360 degrees for a smooth and seamless stride in the airport. Although it is compact, this carry-on luggage has the ability to hold everything you need for a short vacation.

Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Expandable Spinner

Travelpro is a pilot-founded brand that you've likely seen used by flight crews. Travel stress-free with the Travelpro hardside carry-on luggage that effortlessly fits in the overhead bins of major domestic airlines, thanks to rigorous sizer bin testing and enhanced packing capacity. The PrecisionGlide System delivers impeccable control and a seamless rolling experience, so you can get through the airport with ease.

$370   $314

Samsonite Underseat Carry-On Spinner with USB Port

Compact and convenient, this soft-sided luggage can slide smoothly under the seat in front of you or be tucked away in an overhead bin. The bag's main compartment can fit several outfits and a spare pair of shoes. Interior pockets lining the compartment will keep your toiletries organized. The telescoping handle and rolling wheels make this bag easy to navigate around a crowded airport, making it a great choice for the frequent flyer looking to pack light.

$145   $100

Monos Carry-On

Traveling is a breeze with the minimalist Monos carry-on, designed to fit in the overheard bin of almost any flight.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Luggage

This Travelpro Maxlite softside luggage has spinner wheels and is lightweight, making it easy to maneuver airport terminals and your flight's overhead storage bins. 

$170   $144

The Best Travel Backpacks and Totes for 2024 

Samsonite detour travel backpack.

Built to protect your belongings from the elements, the Detour Travel Backpack has enough capacity for your business, overnight or weekend trips.

$150   $105

Béis Travel Tote

The Beis Travel Tote, from Shay Mitchell's baggage line, can conveniently slot into place atop a suitcase with its trolley sleeve, but can also be carried on its own with a detachable shoulder strap, and top handles designed to rest comfortably on your shoulder. This bag boasts a bottom zip shoe compartment, padded tech sleeve and multiple exterior and interior pockets. 

Calpak Luka Backpack

With multiple storage compartments including a separate laptop sleeve and a space to store your shoes that has its own exterior access, this lightweight Luka backpack will help you stay organized on the go.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

This travel backpack comes with a weight-distributing, low-profile harness system and a 35L capacity, making it suitable for carry-on use. It is designed with a full-wrap zipper opening on the main compartment, along with large and subdivided zippered mesh compartments on the sides, providing convenient packing options. Additionally, its attractive design ensures you can easily identify your bag wherever you go.

Troubadour Featherweight Tote

A modern classic and easy-access bag. This Featherweight Tote features a light and waterproof fabric with vegan leather handles, and is perfect for gym trips or a day out!

Dagne Dover Jemi Puff Tote

Whether you're traveling to work or a weekend getaway, this lightweight tote is perfect with pockets for days to keep all your belongings organized. 

The Best Weekender Bags for 2024 

Lululemon go getter bag 2.0.

This sleek, modern bag looks like a tote and duffel rolled into one. There's also a little strap in the back that you can attach to your luggage. 

Away The Everywhere Bag

Away Travel's The Everywhere Bag lives up to its name: you can take it everywhere from work to the gym to a weekend away. It also pairs nicely with The Carry-On and The Bigger Carry-On.

Calpak Stevyn Duffel

Enjoy the benefits of a large bottom compartment, ideal for stowing shoes or enhancing the organization of your items.The roomy main compartment comes with interior pockets, ensuring you have plenty of space to store your belongings in a well-arranged manner.

SwissGear Apex Travel Duffle Bag

This duffle bag will come in handy during your next vacation. You can wear it multiple ways and it has reinforced sides to keep your belonging secure.

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag

For weekends away, this extra-large duffle includes a laptop sleeve, shoe bag and plenty of space for all your essentials.

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The 22 Best Travel Toiletry Bag Options in 2022

By Sarah Madaus

A few years ago, while packing for a vacation, I unknowingly set myself up to write this article. You see, I didn’t have the best travel toiletry bag, but I thought it was at least good enough to handle some turbulence-induced jostling, aggressive rifling via the hands of the TSA, and my generally careless luggage shlepping methods. I was wrong. As soon as we arrived at our hotel, I unzipped my travel bag in search of my brand new dress. I found it…covered in…**sniffs**… body wash ? Or was that shampoo ? Or my…you’ve got to be kidding me…$150 vitamin C serum ? I’m still not sure, because my toiletry bag zipper broke at some point during my travels, leaving all of my prized 1.5-oz tinctures, creams, essences, and potions to spill.

This toiletry bag and I were acquainted since my middle school days. If I had listened to my better judgment and invested in a high-quality option, I wouldn’t have run into this vicious conundrum. On the bright side, I made the mistake so that you don’t have to.

What should you look for when buying a toiletry bag or Dopp kit?

First of all, let’s clear something up: Dopp kits and toiletry bags are the same things. You might see “Dopp kit” used for “men’s” bags and “toiletry bags” used for “women’s” bags. We don’t need to gender bags. You can buy whichever toiletry bag-slash-Dopp kit your heart desires.

When shopping for the best travel toiletry bag for you, you’ll want to look at construction. A few questions to ponder: Is the design intuitive and functional for your needs? Are the zippers sturdy? Is the fabric easy to clean? We’ve done the work of finding excellent options, now all you need to do is figure out what kind will suit your travel hygiene needs.

Below, see 23 of the best toiletry bags and Dopp kits that will keep your stuff organized and leak-free through all kinds of travel, from brands like Calpak, Bagsmart, Herschel, REI, Paravel, and more. We included hanging toiletry bags that save space in your carry-on, as well as bags that sit on the bathroom counter. You’ll find minimalist toiletry cases with no separate interior pockets, which is ideal if you’re traveling with a few easy-to-recognize items. We also added larger bags that have different zippered compartments and mesh pockets so that you can separate shower products from skin-care items and makeup. And we threw in a few luxe hard shell cases that will look so good on your counter that you’ll want to use them when you’re not traveling. 

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Herschel Supply Co. Chapter Dopp Kit

This is the dopp kit I upgraded to, and I can’t recommend it enough. I have the XL version, but the standard size is ideal for a weekend getaway—or for someone who doesn’t travel with 15+ skin-care items. It has an exterior zip pocket and a large interior compartment with a mesh pocket to secure smaller items. What’s more, the lining is super easy to clean if anything spills.

Cuyana Leather Wellness Case

Here’s a leather toiletry bag that’s pretty enough to be used all the time, not just for travel. It has one main compartment with elastic loops to hold your favorite lipstick, mascara , and slender skin-care bottles, plus an internal leather strap to keep your beauty tools in place.

Bagsmart Toiletry Bag Travel Bag

If you want to go the hanging toiletry bag route, this one from Bagsmart has more than 27,500 five-star reviews and is quite affordable. Unzip it and you’ll find four separate clear compartments. The top and bottom are flat for items like sheet masks and Q-tips , while the middle two have more depth to stash all of your travel-size toiletries, plus elastic loops to really keep them secured. 

Away the Large Toiletry Bag

This higher-end toiletry kit from the travel geniuses at Away has a sleek leather exterior and a wipe-clean canvas interior. It has one big compartment, sectioned into a clear zip pocket for liquids and larger items, a smaller zip pocket for things like mascara and makeup brushes , and two mesh pockets for everything else .

By Alexis Berger

By Grace McCarty

By Anna Borges

L.L.Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag

Here’s a best-selling toiletry bag with a hanging hook for convenience. Once you open it up, you’ll see a clear pocket, mesh pocket, and an impressively large main compartment that will fit full-size bottles of your body wash, conditioner , and more. There are little mesh pockets in there too, to keep your razor and toothbrush secure, plus external pockets for things you might need quick access to, like lip balm and bandages.

Sea to Summit Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag

If you want a toiletry bag with a hanger but don’t need a huge one, try this top-rated option. It’s lightweight, so it won’t break your back if you’re taking it on a backpacking or camping trip, and it’s made with water-resistant fabric.

PurseN LED Lighted Organizer Insert

Perhaps you have so many bags, and the thought of purchasing another bag feels wasteful. Allow me the pleasure of introducing you to this handy insert, which fits in most purses or totes to add organization. It’s fitted with LED lights to make rifling through your things a little easier, and it might remove the need for a toiletry bag altogether.

Relavel Travel Makeup Train Case

Hardcore MUAs , this one’s for you. If you typically have a bag devoted entirely to cosmetics, this handy organizer will make your next getaway a little easier. It has a handful of sections just for makeup brushes , plus seven dividers for your other makeup goodies, a clear compartment, and a zippered pocket.

If you’re serious about your beauty products, you know that they can get wrecked if the temps are too hot or cold. OTM is a new brand of luxury temperature-regulating travel accessories and makeup bags that keep all of your essentials cool—even if you’re sunbathing at the beach. The Cannes bag is sturdy enough to be a mainstay in your bathroom but easy enough to tote for all of your travels.

Dagne Dover Large Hunter Water Resistant Toiletry Bag

Dagne Dover’s neoprene bags are bestsellers for a reason, and this travel case from the brand is no different. It has a wide opening for easy access, plus two removable pouches that safely store items like razors, toothbrushes , and beauty tools. 

Swissgear Travel Dopp Kit

Here’s a handy, top-rated dopp kit from Swissgear with a zip-front opening and hanger for space-saving storage. Similar to the option from L.L.Bean, this one has a large bottom compartment, but as a whole, it’s a bit smaller, so it’ll fit in your carry-on with plenty of space for your other items. 

Vorspack Toiletry Bag Hanging Dopp Kit

Here’s a no-frills Dopp kit for anyone who travels with the necessities and not much else. (This might come as a shock to chronic over-packers like me, but people like that are out there.) The main compartment includes a few mesh pockets and one zippered pocket so that you don’t have to do much shuffling around to find what you need, and faux leather accents add a stylish touch.

The ReNew Catch-All Case

Another small toiletry bag, this one from Everlane is made with recycled polyester and features five internal pockets for your products. Once unzipped, it’s designed to roll back for easier access.

Packism TSA Approved Clear Toiletry Bag

For the minimalists who might not want a whole caboodle for their travel essentials, these clear PVC bags keep your things protected without the bells and whistles. The zipper opening extends down the sides for easy access to your things, and the quart size is TSA compliant.

Carhartt Legacy Travel Kit

If you need something more heavy-duty, this Dopp kit is made with water-repellent fabric and has a sturdy carry handle. It has one large compartment to store your things, making it a great option for quick weekends away .

Paravel Cabana See-All Vanity Case

Here’s a stylish semi-clear pouch that will store everything from toiletries to hats (as shown). What’s more, it’s made from recycled materials, has a sturdy leather handle, and you can add a monogram, making it a great gift for the jet-setter in your life. 

Baggu Consignment Florals 3D Zip Set

You love Baggu’s reusable totes , scoop up these spacious bags that lay flat when not in use. There are no internal compartments or padding, but they’re stylish and durable for overnight stays or camping trips .

Sonia Kashuk Makeup Organizer Bag Set

This four-in-one bestselling set from Sonia Kashuk gives you a pretty good bang for your buck. The large clear bag is great on its own or with the other three pieces, and the three zippered bags stash all of your toiletries, paper products, jewelry , and makeup without a hitch.

Narwey Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag

This hanging bag is waterproof with three handy storage compartments ranging in size and depth. The bottom compartment is large enough to hold full-size containers, and there are plenty of elastic and mesh pockets to secure extras like razors, makeup brushes, and toothbrushes.

Béis The Cosmetics Case

Calling all stylish travelers! This vegan leather cosmetics case has a built-in mirror for doing your makeup or skincare on the go (or on the plane, if you’re anything like me). It has a detachable brush holder too, and a zip pocket to keep small makeup items in check.

REI Co-op Shower Roll

You can count on REI for made-to-last gear, including this toiletry bag that rolls up small for easy carrying. The mesh pocket allows for breathability, and the bottom PVC pocket is removable. As an added bonus, it includes a mirror—a good thing to have while hiking or camping where you might not have access to a bathroom.

Calpak Clear Cosmetics Case

Cult-favorite travel and organization brand Calpak knows a thing or two about seamless travel. This handy carrying case holds a truly astonishing amount of goods in its two zippered compartments, and it flattens to fit in your duffel or suitcase without you needing to sit on it to get the zipper closed. You’re welcome.

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Canvas Travel Kit Bag

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• Made of heavy-duty cotton canvas • Convenient carry handle • Easy Access Top Zipper • Bag is lined so if something spills in the bag it can be easily wiped clean • Approximately 10" x 5" x 5"

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This Airline is Now Charging Peak and Off-Peak Checked Luggage Fees. Will Others Follow?

By Jessica Puckett

Bad news for the overpackers among us: It’s now even more expensive to check baggage on one of the most popular airlines in the US .

Following a recent spate of US airlines raising their checked bag fees in early March, JetBlue is once again raising its prices for the service. Under the airline’s latest policy, JetBlue plans to charge as much as $50 for the first checked bag and as much as $70 for the second bag during “peak” travel periods, including the majority of this summer .

A JetBlue spokesperson told Condé Nast Traveler in March that raising checked baggage fees is one step the airline is taking to help return the company to profitability and cover the increased costs of transporting bags. “By adjusting fees for added services that only certain customers use, we can keep base fares low and ensure customer favorites like seatback TVs and high-speed Wi-Fi remain free for everyone,” the spokesperson said, adding that the first checked bag is free for JetBlue Plus cardmembers, and Mosaic customers can check two bags free of charge.

For everyone else, here's what you should know about JetBlue's new checked bag fees—and whether or not other airlines might follow suit.

How does JetBlue’s new checked bag policy work?

The new fee policy operates on a sliding scale, with prices jumping during “peak” travel windows and dipping during times that are considered “off-peak.”

For most economy fares—including Blue, Blue Basic, and Blue Extra—the airline’s checked bag fees now range from $35 to $50 for the first checked bag, and from $50 to $70 for the second checked bag. The full pricing breakdown is available on the luggage page of JetBlue’s site.

According to JetBlue’s website, the airline considers the following days as peak travel periods over the next year: April 11 to April 29, 2024; June 20 to September 3, 2024; November 21 to December 2, 2024; December 19, 2024 to January 6, 2025; February 13 to February 24, 2025; and April 3 to April 28, 2025.

All other days are considered off-peak travel days. Looking at the date ranges for peak travel, they do fall during some busy stretches, including the spring break travel period, almost the entire stretch of summer travel, Thanksgiving week, peak Christmas travel , as well as President’s Day 2025.

Has this type of fee policy ever been used before?

“Variable pricing is hardly new,” says Gary Leff, a travel specialist who writes the aviation blog View From the Wing . “It’s just unique for checked baggage.”

Some airlines use a sliding scale of fees for extra charges like seat selection and pricing for award trips using frequent flier miles —the more in-demand the route or travel window, the higher the cost for these services. “Some of the ultra low-cost carriers vary their bag fees as well, but it's not rigidly spelled out in the same way,” says Brett Snyder , president of Cranky Concierge , a firm that provides travel planning and airline assistance.

Will other airlines adopt JetBlue’s new checked baggage fee policy?

It’s not yet clear if charging extra for checked luggage during peak travel periods is something that will spread throughout the industry. But airlines do tend to copy each other in these areas: When one carrier raises fees, others generally follow in a domino effect—like travelers saw happen with baggage fees in early March.

“I would never be surprised to see an airline adopt a new method of charging fees that would allow it to increase revenues,” says Snyder. “This plan allows JetBlue to keep bag fees at the same low level as other airlines during off-peak times. But during peak times, it can charge more and make more money since it knows people are more likely to have to travel anyway.”

But since most major air carriers raised the cost of checking a bag only weeks ago, they might be slower to adopt JetBlue’s model, possibly waiting and watching to see how it performs. “JetBlue was first with the most recent spate of baggage fee increases, just two months ago. Since the major carriers just increased bag fees after JetBlue did, I don’t expect them to follow suit at least right away,” Leff says.

Traveler reached out to major US airlines to ask whether they might adopt a sliding scale of fees in the future, but most declined to comment, and others did not respond by time of publication.

What do these fees mean for the industry, and how can travelers avoid them?

Checked bag fees are part of the bread and butter of airlines’ profits. US airlines collectively earned nearly $5.5 billion from checked bag fees in the first nine months of 2023 alone, according to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics . During that time period, American Airlines brought in more than $1 billion in the charges just by itself.

Airlines want to keep these fees as profitable as possible. “There’s an argument for charging more for checked bags when the capacity of aircraft to carry them is limited, for instance on routes where people tend to check a lot of baggage,” says Leff. (For its part, JetBlue has said the price increases are in part due to higher wages and the surging price of fuel, among other inflationary pressures.)

If travelers want to avoid the sliding scale of fees, there are a few key points to pay attention to in JetBlue’s new policy. “There is a discount for booking checked bags in advance instead of waiting to do it until the last minute,” Snyder says. Under the new rules, passengers can save up to $10 if they pay for a checked bag more than 24 hours before departure (essentially, before check-in opens). “If someone has to check a bag, they should do it in advance. Otherwise, the only way to avoid this is by not checking a bag. That might mean stuffing everything into a carry-on , or looking into shipping services that send you baggage ahead of you,” Snyder says.

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Forgot to get solar eclipse glasses? Here's how to DIY a viewer with household items

By now, everyone has heard that the rare 2024 total solar eclipse is coming – and it's got people excited.

While cities brace for traffic, schools brace for absences and space enthusiasts are planning parties, the glasses that enable safe viewing of the eclipse have become something of a hot commodity.

Peeking directly at the eclipse before it reaches totality without proper eye protection can cause permanent eye damage, experts have warned, making glasses a necessity for safe viewing. But, as the day approaches, they may become harder to find .

Luckily, people who didn't manage to get their hands on glasses are not completely down and out. There are other safe ways to view the eclipse, say experts, and a lot of them only require a little bit of craftiness and items you can find lying around the house.

Here are a few DIY eclipse viewers you can make at home.

As a reminder, none of these options allow you to look directly at the eclipse: you need special eclipse glasses for that.

Solar eclipse guide: When is the 2024 total solar eclipse? Your guide to glasses, forecast, where to watch.

NASA's DIY cereal box viewer

This NASA project uses components you almost certainly already have at home. Using a cereal box, cardboard, foil, paper, scissors and tape or glue, you can put together this projection eclipse viewer.

As always, NASA advises not to look directly into the sun using this tool.

Steps to make the cereal box eclipse viewer:

• Get an empty, clean cereal box.
• Cut a white piece of cardboard that will fit snuggly in the bottom of the box, or secure it permanently by gluing it in place.
• Cut the top of the cereal box, removing both ends and leaving the center intact.
• Put a piece of tape across the center of the top to securely hold it closed.
• Tape a piece of heavy-duty foil or double a single layer for additional strength, covering one of the openings at the top of the cereal box. The other opening will remain open for viewing.
• Using a small nail (approximately 3mm in diameter) push a hole in the foil.
• Cover the entire box with construction paper, leaving the single-viewing opening and the foil uncovered.

How to use the DIY viewer :

• The finished box should be held with the pin-hole side facing the sun. It may take a little practice pointing the box.
• With your back facing the sun, look through the viewing opening. A small image of the sun, about ½ cm in diameter can be seen projected on the white paper inside the box.

Watch the demo here:

The Planetary Society DIY paper viewer

While the Planetary Society also offers instructions for box or projector viewers that are more "fancy," as they put it, it doesn't get easier than their simple pinhole paper projector.

To make it, you only need two index cards (3-by-5 or A6 or A7 size) or small paper plates for each person and basic pushpins. Simply use the pushpin to punch a small hole close to the middle of one of the cards and you're done.

Another super easy version that requires no crafting? A kitchen colander. An ordinary kitchen colander can easily be used to view a solar eclipse in the same way as other projector viewers; the colander's circular holes project crescent images of the sun onto the ground.

To make the "fancier" version, you'll need 2 index cards (larger, 5-by-7 or A5 cards work better for this) or small paper plates for each person, a pencil, pushpins and a towel, sweatshirt, blanket, flattened corrugated cardboard box, carpet, or other soft substrate to place underneath card during pin pushing.

To make the fancier version:

• Draw a simple design on a card. The lines should not be too close together
• Place the card on top of something soft (blanket, towel, etc)
• Using the push pin, make small holes along your design lines. Not too close together – about 5 millimeters (1/4 inch) apart.

To use it, you'll again want to avoid looking directly at the sun:

• Go to your eclipse observing spot and make sure you can see the shadow of your head and shoulders clearly.
• Hold up the card with the hole on top of your shoulder so that you can see the shadow of the card above the shadow of your shoulder.
• Now hold up the other card and make sure you can see its shadow, too.
• Move the second card and watch how its shadow moves. Keeping the card in front of you, move its shadow until the second card's shadow overlaps the first card's shadow.
• Now look at the second card. You should see a dot on the card for every hole you punched. Those dots are actually images of the sun.

Cardboard or paper tube eclipse viewer

Sticking with the theme of using items you can easily find around the house, tube viewers can be made using cardboard tubes from household items like paper towels or toilet paper rolls. You can also use thick cardstock rolled up and taped to make your own tube.

To make one, you'll need a cardboard tube, white paper, aluminum foil, tape and a pushpin or something else sharp to poke a small hole. According to "Let's Talk Science," you can put this viewer together with these steps :

• Trace the opening of the tube on a piece of white paper. Draw a slightly bigger circle around it. Cut around the bigger circle. Cut small slits to the inner circle.
• Cut an opening near one end of the tube to make a viewing window.
• Tape the paper circle to the end of the tube near the viewing window.
• Cut a piece of aluminum foil that is a bit larger than the opening of the tube.
• Poke a small hole in the center of the aluminum foil.
• Tape the aluminum foil over the other opening of the tube.

How to use the viewer:

• With your back to the sun, hold the tube parallel to the path of the sun. Look through the viewing hole. Move the viewer until a small white circle appears on the paper.

See an example below:

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Bagsure Travel Backpack, 42L Carry on Luggage, Flight Approved Expandable Backpack, Laptop Backpack, Hidden Shoulder Straps Weekender Bags for Women Men, Suitcase with Packing Cubes and Shoe Pocket

• ✈【LARGE CAPACITY AND EXPANDABLE】This suitcase backpack for travel features zipper expansion, which can expand up to 42L for 3~7 days of travel essentials. The spacious main compartment with straps to secure travel supplies, one separate laptop compartment for a 17-inch laptop, and a hidden anti-theft pocket on the back protect your valuable items. It's perfect for travel, business, camping, or cruises with a 20*14*7" size. Please check the size before purchasing.
• ✈【FLIGHT APPROVED CARRY ON BACKPACK】This laptop backpack for men is designed for travel, you can travel anywhere you want, and two padded handles for easy switching between backpack and suitcase. There is a luggage strap on the back, which can be placed on the luggage. It fits overhead and under the seat, while in a state of standard carry-on size, and is ideal for men, women, weekend travelers, or occasional vacationers.
• ✈【MORE DURABLE MATERIAL AND ANTI-THEFT LOCK】The suitcase backpack for travel is made of durable, water-resistant polyester and anti-scratch material. The sturdy metal double zipper and upgraded reinforced stitching make it last longer. Also, this luggage backpack has an anti-theft lock, so there will be no more worries about losing items during travel, camping, or cruises.
• ✈【HIDDEN SHOULDER STRAPS & BREATHABLE SPONGE】 The Breathable sponge mesh design on the laptop backpack for men and padded shoulder straps help with air convection, ventilation, and heat elimination, also it help relieve the stress from your shoulder. This luggage backpack is crafted with hideaway padded shoulder straps which can be hidden away in the zippered back panel when not using.
• ✈【3 PACKING CUBES + 1 SHOE POCKET】Large cube for sweaters, jackets, and pants. Medium cube for shirts, and shorts. Small cube with a transparent side for providing a clear overview of toiletries. There's also a shoe pocket. Keeping your belongings neater and more organized. The laptop backpack has a built-in USB port to charge your phone conveniently via connecting your own power bank (not including a USB charger).

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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the performance, comfort, appearance and fit of the backpack. For example, they mention it works well, it's comfortable to carry and that the straps stow away nicely. They appreciate the thoughtful design and that it fits perfectly in the overhead compartment. Customers also say it'll be a great gift for someone who travels a lot.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the storage space in the backpack. They mention that it has many compartments and separate bags, with a dedicated laptop compartment. They also appreciate the multiple pockets for airline tickets and other documents. The 42L capacity is perfect for short to medium-length trips. Customers also love the little pocket on the back of the backpack

"...additions, such as a built-in USB charging port and a dedicated laptop compartment , make it incredibly convenient for tech-savvy travelers like..." Read more

"...Security Features: The hidden back pocket safeguards our valuables , and the anti-theft lock adds peace of mind in crowded places...." Read more

"...Holds a lot, with dedicated space for a laptop and multiple pockets for airline tickets and other documents...." Read more

"...Capacity and Expandability:The 42L capacity is perfect for short to medium-length trips...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the backpack. They mention that it is well-made, durable, and functional. The padding seems durable and the color is good. Some say that it's a life saver with so much room and that it looks as good as new.

"...After several trips, the bag still looks as good as new, with no signs of wear and tear . This speaks volumes about its long-lasting durability...." Read more

"...the Bagsure Travel Backpack quietly delivers functionality and durability . If you’re a family on the move, consider it a reliable companion." Read more

"This Bagsure Travel Backpack is a rugged , quality product that works great...." Read more

"...First off, the build quality is exceptional. The backpack feels durable yet lightweight, which is crucial for carry-on luggage...." Read more

Customers find the backpack versatile. They say it's easy to carry as a backpack and the straps stow out of the way to make it into a carry-on. They also say the size is perfect for travel, and the laptop compartment is convenient for tech-savvy travelers. Additionally, customers say the bag is a great bag for a weekend get away and isn't bulky.

"...port and a dedicated laptop compartment, make it incredibly convenient for tech-savvy travelers like myself...." Read more

"...it a breeze and the carrying handle on top makes it easy to carry on and off an airliner . The outside water bottle pocket is a nice feature...." Read more

"...– it looks professional enough for business trips but is versatile for casual outings too.Capacity and Expandability:..." Read more

".../toiletries in here plus electronics and other essentials but it didn’t feel too heavy ...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the backpack. They mention that it has a nice design, looks professional enough for business trips, and is versatile for casual wear. The zippers are nice and the bag looks high end. The interior is thoughtful and contains many pockets. Overall, most are happy with the quality and design of the product.

"...First and foremost, the design of this bag is exceptional. The sleek and modern look instantly caught my eye, and I love how it stands out among..." Read more

"...Its sleek design also caught my eye – it looks professional enough for business trips but is versatile for casual outings too...." Read more

" This backpack is great . It have many compartments and holds everything. I was amazed how much stuff can fit in it...." Read more

"I’ve already used this bag for a cross country trip!!! This bag was absolutely perfect ...." Read more

Customers find the backpack well organized, with clever compartments and zippered pockets that help keep their items organized. They also appreciate the additional packing bags included for easy organization.

"...The intelligently designed compartments and pockets make organizing my belongings a breeze , ensuring that I can access everything I need without any..." Read more

"... Practical Organization : The three packing cubes keep our clothes and toiletries sorted, while the separate shoe pocket prevents footwear from..." Read more

"...It's just the right size. Loved the packing cubes and shoe bag . I'd highly recommend it for short travel." Read more

"...this backpack and there are several zippered pockets that help keep your items organized . Light weight and sturdy. Highly recommended this backpack...." Read more

Customers like the fit of the backpack. They say it fits perfectly in the overhead bin, it fits all carry on standards by size, and it can fit under the seat. Some customers are happy with the size, look, and features of this travel backpack.

"...Air Travel Compatibility: The backpack fits neatly in overhead compartments or under seats during flights...." Read more

"...The included packing cubes fit nicely into the backpack . All this in a backpack that meets the size requirement for carry-on luggage...." Read more

"...I can fit just just about everything in here. It fits under the seat in front and help up the a kid in front of me kicking it...." Read more

"...The back of the bag is padded, soft and can fit over your carry on luggage . It comes with a lock to...." Read more

Customers find the backpack comfortable to carry, with adjustable straps and an ergonomic design. They also mention that the back of the bag is padded, soft, and can fit over their carry on. Overall, customers say the backpack is easy to use and fits for purpose.

"...The adjustable straps and ergonomic design make carrying it a comfortable experience, even during long walks or when navigating crowded airports...." Read more

"...The straps are also quite comfortable , distributing weight evenly, which is a relief for my back...." Read more

"...The back of the bag is padded, soft and can fit over your carry on luggage. It comes with a lock to...." Read more

"...It was so comfortable on my back . So many compartments to put things. Had no trouble bumping into anyone walking down the aisle of the plane...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the performance of the backpack. For example, they mention it serves its purpose nicely, is entirely satisfactory, and is a great product. Some say it can carry a laptop on the front and serves the daily work needs well. Overall, most are happy with the purchase and recommend it to others.

"...In summary, the Bagsure Travel Backpack quietly delivers functionality and durability...." Read more

"This Bagsure Travel Backpack is a rugged, quality product that works great ...." Read more

"...I wish it had more room for shoes. Works great if you wear toddler size shoes. Otherwise, It is great!!" Read more

"So far this bag is holding up great and working out well . I did a lot of searching and finally decided to get this one base off the reviews...." Read more

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