Backpacking tips

When it comes to packing clothes for a trip, solo backpacker Claire Sturzaker leaves anything white at home. 

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.

Once mainly visited by volunteers, aid workers and backpackers on a budget, Guatemala has now made it onto the radar of trendsetters and Hollywood stars.

Figuring out what you need to pack for a trip can be challenging—especially if you like to travel carry-on only. But whether you’re heading for a weekend away with your best gal pals or a week-long jaunt to a new city, the tech you pack is important. From portable batteries and small location devices to headphone adapters for planes, we’ve tested multiple items to see what the best travel gadgets really are, and which ones simply aren't worth the space.

If you're drawn to the convenience and freedom of traveling alone, you could soon find yourself passing on a big backpacking trip to go on a cruise instead.

TikTok has a special way of feeding you videos about products you probably don't need, but that might come in handy someday.

For some experienced travelers, taking it slow is the way to go. 

Calpak first caught my attention when I got my hands on its popular Luka duffel bag that had previously racked up a 44,000-person-deep waiting list. It quickly became my favorite weekender bag of all time, accompanying me on all of my NYC weekend getaways to New England and the Jersey Shore, and as my personal item on several flights I took this year—and that was only the beginning of my love affair with Calpak. Since then, I've tried out a variety of bags and travel accessories from the brand and I've never been disappointed. As a chronic overpacker, I look for smart travel gear that offers me ample space, pockets, and ways to stay organized on the go—and Calpak gets it. And my fellow Condé Nast Traveler editors agree: Calpak is consistently designing reliable and functional luggage that gets the job done in style.

There’s good news for budget travelers: Uzbekistan is one of Asia’s most affordable destinations.

Investing in the best kids' luggage won’t make traveling with children as easy as traveling without them, but it will make the whole endeavor a lot less chaotic. After all, giving them a suitcase of their own can make any parent’s load lighter, literally. The trick is to find a piece of luggage that a kid loves so much, they’ll be delighted to carry it themselves—at least for a while. Our favorite brands not only appeal to a younger aesthetic sensibility, they’re also designed to stay organized and survive even the roughest of toddlers. Ahead, discover the best luggage for children that will house everything from clothes and shoes to beloved stuffed animals (and several dozen packs of animal crackers).

The joys of travel can be interrupted by unforeseen curves in the road, but how your luggage holds up doesn’t have to be one of them. A reliable suitcase that performs well in every type of travel situation is the stuff of legend. Whether you're packing for a road trip, multi-leg airport journey, or a leisurely cruise, bringing the right luggage can make the experience even more rewarding (and a touch less stressful).

I distinctly remember the moment I first laid my eyes on an Away suitcase. One of my coworkers had been talking nonstop about her new carry-on, and before heading out of town one day, she rolled the hard-shell spinner into the office. Like a proud new homeowner, she took our team on a tour through its features, leaving me mesmerized by its built-in compression straps and portable battery pack, as well as its stylish and sturdy design.

When it comes to luggage, travelers are generally either team hardshell or team soft-sided. While both have their perks, soft-sided suitcases rarely get the praise that they deserve. If you’re in the market for a new piece of luggage, you may want to consider a soft-sided suitcase for flexibility and durability while traversing airport terminals, narrow cobblestone streets in Europe, and beyond.

What started as a desire to create functional bags for parents on the go has turned into multiple best-selling luggage collections and a Barbie collaboration that sold out within minutes. You can't walk through the airport without seeing the eye-catching, signature beige luggage. Actor and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell founded Bèis in 2018 and has been seeing viral success since its first drop.

Any frequent traveler knows that when you bid farewell to your bag at check-in, the likelihood of it being treated with the same care and attention you would give it is low. That's when you turn to hard shell luggage: sturdy, box-like suitcases with hard sides that are typically made of ultra-durable polycarbonate or aluminum (making them easier to clean than fabric suitcases). They can handle the wear and tear of being transported by baggage handlers and have all the perks you'd expect out of high-quality luggage—spinner wheels that can speed through an airport or take on a cobblestoned street, TSA-approved locks, and more often than not, a matching carry-on to consider. So, we set out to find the best hard shell luggage of 2023—read on to discover the winners, 16 suitcases that will last for years to come.

Wherever you're headed—be it a bucket list trip across the globe or a lowkey staycation in your own city—you're going to need luggage. Minimalists and overpackers alike need durable and easy-to-carry suitcases and bags to safely transport clothes, travel accessories, and any souvenirs picked up along the way. As travel editors, we have high expectations for our gear—requiring that reliable, long-lasting bags accompany us on every journey.

We've all been there: back-to-back holidays and summer birthdays approaching and you realize you need to purchase a few last-minute gifts stat. There's no need to panic—thanks to Amazon Prime's speedy two-day shipping, there's still some time to get your hands on actually thoughtful gifts that the travelers in your life will love. Prime Day is just around the corner, so the earlier you start preparing your shopping cart—the better. We've searched Amazon high and low for 75 of the very best gifts—from noise-canceling headphones and portable campfires to beauty gift sets and duffel bags, there's something for everyone on your shopping list.

Officials said a hiker who was injured in Grand Canyon National Park last weekend had been left behind by his friends after they called in a rescue for him — but the hiker in question says that's not at all what happened and that his friends have been "unjustly vilified in the media."

Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Colorado Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail—the U.S. is full of challenging long-distance routes, alluring intrepid hikers from near and far. One of the most well-known thru-hikes is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT), the Footpath for the People.

When it comes to packing light, it's not just the amount of clothing you bring that matters — it's also the materials they're made of.

Two summers ago, I sat on my unzipped suitcase in the middle of New Zealand's Auckland Airport and attempted to squeeze my bag shut.