Every year, our editors take to the open roads, skies, railways and even cruise ships to put hundreds of travel products to the test. The result? The winners of our annual Travel Gear Awards (and some much-needed R&R).
In order to determine the best of the best, we scoured through editor-loved recommendations, products we've previously written about, viral finds and buzzy launches from top brands in order to create a list of contenders.
Our team tried over 200 products across 29 categories, from carry-ons to packing cubes to water bottles and beyond in order to bring you a final, editor-curated list of 81 winners. Then, we tapped travel experts, including a travel planner, flight attendant, pilot and a travel writer, to confirm that our picks are the real deal.
If you're in need of a packing list or some upgrades before your next getaway, we've got you covered. Keep reading to shop our 2025 Travel Gear Award winners.
Travel Gear Award Winners: Best Suitcases and Checked Luggage
Samsonite Freeform 21-Inch Hardside Carry On
Winner: Best overall carry-on
$127.99
Amazon
$129.99
$209.99
Samsonite
Wrangler Hardside Spinner Carry-On Suitcase
Winner: Best value carry-on
$45.56
$54.00
Amazon
$40.00
$49.00
Walmart
$49.99
Wrangler
Traveler's Choice Pagosa Hardshell Spinner Luggage
Winner: Best budget checked bag
$84.98
$99.99
Amazon
$111.99
$174.99
Kohl's
$99.99
Traveler's Choice
Jeep Large Expandable Spinner Trunk
Winner: Best hardside checked bag
$219.99
Amazon
$176.00
$219.99
Delsey
$219.99
$440.00
Nordstrom
Thule Chasm
Winner: Best softside checked bag
$313.95
$419.95
Amazon
$314.96
$419.95
Thule
$419.95
Dick's Sporting Goods
Gonex Canvas Duffle Bag
Winner: Best value duffel bag
$37.39
$50.99
Amazon
$39.99
$71.98
Walmart
$44.99
$55.99
Gonex
Travel Gear Award Winners: Best Travel Bags and Packing Cubes
Hydroflask Slingback Bottle Pack
Winner: Best sling bag
$59.95
Amazon
$59.95
Backcountry
$59.95
Hydro Flask
Calpak Water Resistant Zippered Pouch Set
Winner: Best overall travel pouch
$58.00
The Container Store
$58.00
Calpak
Bagsmart Blast Compression Travel Packing Cubes
Winner: Best overall compression packing cube
$39.99
$42.99
Amazon
$29.99
$39.99
Kohl's
Travel Gear Award Winners: Best Toiletry Bags, Backpacks and Organizers
Baggallini Hanging Travel Toiletry Kit
Winner: Best splurge toiletry bag
$40.00
Amazon
$40.00
Zappos
$40.00
Baggallini
Decathlon Forclaz Travel 500 Organizer 40 L Backpack
Winner: Best outdoor travel backpack
$99.99
Decathlon
Away Active Convertible Backpack 25L
Winner: Best backpack for day trips
$180.00
Dick's Sporting Goods
$180.00
Public Lands
$180.00
Away
Calpak Terra 35L Water Resistant Zippered Tote Bag
Winner: Best splurge tote bag
$155.00
Calpak
$155.00
Dillard's
Travel Gear Award Winners: Best Travel Gear and Tech
Skinsheet The Cleansing Coins
Winner: Best on-the-go beauty essential
$22.00
TheSkinSheet
$22.00
Cap Beauty
$22.00
Amazon
Buff CoolNet UV Gaiter
Winner: Best multiuse outdoor accessory
$25.00
Amazon
$25.00
Backcountry
$25.00
Buff
Hatch Rest Go Portable Sound Machine
Winner: Best sleep gadget for travel
$39.99
Amazon
$39.99
Target
$39.99
Hatch Co.
Ultimate Ears Miniroll Speaker
Winner: Best portable speaker for travel
$49.99
$79.99
Amazon
$49.99
$79.99
Sweetwater
$49.99
$79.99
Ultimate Ears
Travel Gear Award Winners: Best Travel Accessories
Camelback Chute Mag Insulated Water Bottle
Winner: Best value water bottle
$22.99
$25.00
Amazon
$25.00
Dick's Sporting Goods
$22.99
$25.00
CamelBak
Charmking Compression Socks (3 Pairs)
Winner: Best value compression socks
$9.99
$17.99
Amazon
$17.99
Charmking
Travel Gear Award Winners: Best Travel Clothing
Lands' End Starfish Mid Rise Straight Leg Pants
Winner: Best petite-friendly pant
$41.97
Amazon
$35.15
$69.95
Macy's
$69.95
Lands' End
Travel Gear Award Winners: Best Travel Jackets
Soothfeel UPF 50+ Sun Protection Lightweight Jacket
Winner: Best overall sun protection jacket
$25.49
$29.99
Amazon
Columbia Men's Spire Valley Windbreaker
Best overall men's windbreaker
$33.00
$55.00
Columbia
$29.83
$60.00
REI
$33.00
$55.00
Amazon
Travel Gear Award Winners: Best Swimsuits and Sun Hats
Old Navy Textured Swim Romper
Shop TODAY Travel Awards Winner for best swim romper.
$27.49
$54.99
Old Navy
Mission Cooling Unisex Bucket Hat
Winner: Best value sun hat
$19.99
$23.99
Amazon
$24.99
Walmart
$29.99
Mission
Travel Gear Award Winners: Best Shoes for Travel
Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA Sandal
Waterproof and lightweight, meet your do-it-all summer shoe.
$49.95
Nordstrom
$49.95
QVC
$49.95
Birkenstock
Merrell Moab Speed 2 Hiking Shoe
Winner: Best sneaker for hiking
$145.00
REI
$139.95
$145.00
Zappos
$145.00
Merrell
Brooks Ghost Max 2
Winner: Best overall travel sneaker
$109.95
$149.90
Amazon
$120.93
$150.00
REI
$160.00
Brooks
Salomon ACS+ Climasalomon Waterproof Sneaker
Winner: Best overall waterproof shoe
$180.00
Nordstrom
$180.00
Salomon
More of the best from Shop TODAY's 2025 Travel Awards
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Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil