Mercedes Bleth travel tips

Totes are one of the most essential travel items you can own—the best tote bags are endlessly versatile and tend to have room for everything you could need while in transit. For some travelers, a sturdy leather tote is a no-brainer personal item for flights: It's bigger than most purses, so you can more easily fit a laptop, water bottle, and all other plane accessories inside. For others, an easy-to-fold cotton option might be the item you break out mid-trip for a visit to the beach or farmers market.

Every traveler headed to a warm-weather destination needs a comfortable pair of walking sandals in their carry-on. Try as they might, those $4 flip-flops just aren’t going to cut it against a long day of sightseeing or an afternoon traipsing along muddy trails, and in hot weather, a sneakers-and-socks combo can feel stifling.

When it comes to packing for a wedding, there's a laundry list of essentials needed—the right dress, matching accessories, and of course, a comfortable pair of heels. A good pair of heels has the power to pull an elegant look together, but let's face it—they're not always the most enticing shoe to wear all night long and often are heavy or bulky in your suitcase.

Another massive two-day sale from Amazon is here: Prime Big Deal Days, fall's answer to Amazon Prime Day, runs through October 11. Travelers can save big on everything from luggage to packing cubes to travel accessories. It should come as no surprise that Condé Nast Traveler editors have already started to put together their wishlists of the items they're hoping to see on sale. Read on to see what travel gear we’re eyeing for price drops, from face serums and rain jackets to alarm clocks, steamers, tech necessities, and cameras. For more ideas, check out the best early Prime Day travel gear deals we have found so far.

Travel Debates is a series in which our editors weigh in on the most contentious issues that arise in-transit, like whether you should ever switch seats on a plane or if you should check your work email while on vacation.