Travel Gear tips

I don’t know how I’ve traveled and worked out without this water bottle—it’s genius! If you like to use a foam roller for stretching, you should be traveling with this water bottle. It’s compact in size so it packs easily, and it functions as a foam roller for stretches post-workout or after a long flight.

Say goodbye to lukewarm beverages—insulated water bottles can keep beverages piping hot or icy cold for hours. Packing your own insulated water bottle when you fly can save you money (bring it through security empty and fill it up with chilled water at a bottle refill station) and help you keep that overpriced airport coffee warm through an entire flight. These are the best insulated water bottles for travel.

You don’t have to spend a ton to impress all of the travelers on your holiday shopping list. This year, many of the top gadgets, necessities, and comfort items all cost less than $50. Here are the best of the best.

A world where everyone could sleep on command—or, simply one with more comfortable airplane seats—would be a beautiful one. But until that fantasy becomes reality, some of us will have to rely on sleep aids and accessories to help us catch some Zs.

Meet Bobby, the latest innovative design in anti-theft luggage. This backpack comes with tons of safety features and cool gadgets that make it perfect for students, frequent flyers, bike commuters, and business travelers alike.

We’re proud to announce the winners of the 2017 SmarterTravel Editors’ Choice Awards. We spent six months and enlisted eight subject experts to select our Editors’ Choice winners, and then turned it over to you, our readers.

With multiple airlines (at the time of writing Delta, Alaska, and American) instituting a “smart luggage ban,” travelers have a right to be concerned if they travel with that pricey smart bag they bought. The part of the product in question is the suitcase’s battery, which with new regulations, must be removed in order to bring the bag onboard.

Ask anyone in the office, I wear these shoes at least four times a week. They are incredibly comfortable, stylish, trans-seasonal, and go with almost any outfit. What more could you want in a travel shoe?

According to technology solutions company Asurion, 19 million phones are lost or stolen each year, and traveling puts you at higher risk for theft. Don’t wait until it’s too late—know what to do if your phone is lost or stolen on a trip so you can recover faster, protect your identity, and not lose all those great vacation photos.

While flying cars and hover boards that actually hover are in travel’s distant future, there are a few technologically advanced travel products that make their traditional counterparts seem like vintage relics from a bygone era—and not in a good way. The Internet of Things, the revolution that’s connecting our devices and streamlining how we move through life, is leaving its mark on the travel industry, too. These 11 items that are available now make it seem like the future has already arrived. We can only wonder what’s next.

Give all your favorite travelers the gear and gadgets they want for their world adventures–trust us, they’ll find space in even the smallest carry-on to fit these! With presents starting at $2, there’s something for every holiday budget on this list.

What to wear in San Francisco can be a bit of a conundrum: The city’s weather changes quickly, so definitely bring layers and be prepared to go from glorious sunshine to chilly ocean winds and fog—and back again—over the course of a day.

This clip-on lens by Aukey is perfect for capturing unique travel photos with the wide-angle lens, as well as detailed close-up shots with the macro lens.

Sale season is in full swing—which means now is the time to stock up on travel accessories and essentials. Whether you’re on the hunt for gifts or need to prepare for an upcoming trip, the hottest travel products on Amazon are the perfect place to start. Here are this year’s must-have items.

If you’re like me, and have trouble getting comfortable or sleeping on planes, this four-in-one travel pillow helps tremendously. Depending on what you need, it can be a pillow, blanket, seat cushion, or lumbar support.

Love it or hate it, winter travel in colder climates requires some essential snow gear. That’s especially true if you’re heading to an affordable winter destination that’s on the colder side. From flasks and jackets to mittens and gloves, make winter less painful this year (no matter where you roam) with this essential winter gear for travelers.

While traveling, being able to drink filtered water throughout the day can be challenging. And while buying bottled water might be a temporary solution, it’s terrible for the environment and expensive to do. Which is why bringing along a bottle like Kor’s Nava Filter Water Bottle on your trip is a good idea. This straw-filtered bottle is stylish, durable, and won’t be a pain to carry around.

If you’ve ever traveled abroad without a data plan or a portable hotspot, you know how difficult it is to find free Wi-Fi. Many travelers plan their entire trips on their phones and computers, so it’s only natural that most people still rely on the Internet while traveling. Going online for directions and restaurant recommendations is second nature, but finding free Wi-Fi can take valuable time out of a vacation, and using unsecured connections can put your information in danger. For this reason, it’s important to keep an arsenal of travel apps on your phone that don’t need Wi-Fi.

We’re ready to welcome summer with open arms, and new beach-worthy novels. Check out our list of summer books for 2017 to take with you to the beach (or wherever your vacation takes you) this summer. Beach reads, here we come.

Readers, you submitted more than 100 photos to the Summer Book Photo Contest with Random House, and we loved every single one! While it was difficult to pick our top 10, we’ve narrowed down the winner and nine runners-up.

Stay warm and make your winter ski house rental feel like home with these ski trip essentials. From household items that’ll make your stay easier to cool new products that’ll keep you warm, this packing list for a ski trip has everything you need to bring on a ski vacation.