The holiday travel season is upon us. You may have dragged your suitcase out of the closet only to discover that a wheel is broken, or that it’s just not big enough for all the loot you’re expecting. (Or maybe you plan on popping in and out with only a toiletry kit and a T-shirt, in which case, good for you!) These Travel Tuesday deals on carry-on suitcases, toiletry kits, and accessories will make your flights as painless as possible—maybe even enjoyable!
Check out our Best Gifts for Travelers guide for more recommendations.
Photograph: State Bags; Getty Images
If you’ll be traveling with children in tow, I highly suggest you avoid the checked-luggage line and get your kids their own carry-ons. These State bags are just as sturdy as my own carry-on, but they’re lighter and have kid-friendly features like fun prints and a front organizer pocket. State Bags is currently holding a sitewide sale with 30 percent off with the code BF24.
Aer’s carry-on is more expensive than some of our other picks, but I particularly liked it for a few reasons. The polycarbonate surface doesn’t pick up dirt as easily as the Monos, and it doesn’t have ridges like the Beis. It also has specialized Hinamoto metal ball bearings for smoother rolling, as well as wheel locks, so it doesn’t slide all over the place when you have to take it on a shuttle. All of Aer’s luggage is 25 percent off through Cyber Monday.
Photograph: GORUCK
This is far and away one of my favorite backpacks (and one of my favorite reviews that I’ve written). This is a legendary tactical backpack that’s a civilian version of a Special Forces med-pack, and it’s WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson’s backpack for everything but hiking. It will fully outlive him. If your everyday commute also includes busting through a plate glass window and rappelling down a building, this is the backpack for you.
If you’re in the market for a travel bag, the Dagne Dover Petra Convertible Tote is a chameleon of carry-alls. It’s part backpack, part tote, and even has a luggage pass-through that is a back-saver during long treks through airports. At nearly 17 inches tall, this bag is big, but it still fits under most airplane seats. We’re particularly fond of the padded compartments, offering extra protection for your tech gear and one less thing to worry about while rushing to your gate. —Boutayna Chokrane
This is one of our favorite personal items and travel bags—small enough to fit on almost every airline. Wandrd’s duffel has structure, lots of grab handles, and a chest strap so you can rush through the airport without feeling like you’re strapped to a brick. —Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Nordstrom
Reviewer Nena Farrell also likes Calpak’s duffel bag as a weekender or personal item to tote on top of your rolling suitcase. It’s also big enough to be a great hospital bag if you suddenly need emergency surgery (yes, she tested that, unfortunately), and it can also work as a gym bag.
Bringing your pet along? This carrier fits my 19-pound dog well, with enough room that he can lie down and snooze. (Except he did everything but snooze.) It’s airline-approved, and I had no issues toting him in this carrier through TSA and onto two Delta flights last month. —Julian Chokkattu
With crowded airports and long-haul flights, it’s time to upgrade your noise-canceling headphones. No, you don’t need a pair of the AirPods Max! Bose remains our top choice for high-quality noise cancellation (9/10, WIRED Recommends), and it gets up to 18 hours of battery life in Immersive Audio mode (or 24 without), which is long enough to last through the most brutal trip. The earbuds are also on sale.
The Travelrest Nest Ultimate Travel Pillow (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is nearly perfect. The back is flat, which keeps your spine aligned, whereas the sides and front are high and firm, which keeps your neck supported. The microfiber cover is soft and machine washable, and the memory foam cover holds its shape without compressing too much. We just wish the stuff sack had an attachment point for easier toting around. —Louryn Strampe
Bite Toothpaste Bits for
Some travel mugs dent if you so much as look at them wrong, but not the Hydro Flask. Its signature powder-coated exterior is as durable as it is sleek. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano has been using hers for years without a single ding, making it a reliable choice for your busiest days and clumsiest moments. Plus, no lead here—unlike certain other tumblers we know (looking at you, Stanley). —Boutayna Chokrane
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
The spill-proof Carter has a screw-on cap, so it’s a two-hand approach compared to the Hydro Flask above, but at 69 mm wide, it’s compatible with most manual coffee brewers, like an AeroPress. There’s a ceramic coating and a nice matte exterior. —Julian Chokkattu
Nimble’s 10,000-mAh battery is our favorite portable charger. Take it with you on all your trips and use the included lanyard for easy toting while charging. It’s cute and has enough juice to top up a phone almost twice. —Julian Chokkattu
This 3-in-1 wireless charger folds onto itself so that it barely takes up room in your bag. Unfold the whole thing and you get a MagSafe wireless charger for your iPhone, a charging puck that flips out for your Apple Watch, and a little pad for AirPods (as long as you have a wireless charging case). The whole thing comes in a nice fabric case, and includes the power adapter and cable too. —Julian Chokkattu
