The Very Best Travel Gear of 2024, According to Our Readers

2024 was an iconic year for traveling—heaps of hotel openings, emerging destinations, and trending food scenes brought us to new corners of the world and allowed us to experience them in a fresh light. And with all that travel, of course, came all new gear that editors and readers alike brought along. From carry-on essentials that made long-haul flights a little more comfortable to supportive walking shoes built for those 20,000-step days, we tested out some pretty great travel gear this past year—and recommended our favorites to you along the way.

As we look ahead to new adventures, we’re also taking a look back at the products that resonated most with Condé Nast Traveler readers in these last 12 months. Below, you’ll find the most-purchased Traveler-recommended items of 2024, from supportive travel neck pillows and hotel-quality bedding to tote bags you’re wearing everywhere. Consider these our best travel gear recommendations of the year—all available to shop now in case you missed them the first time around.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Madison Flager.

The year’s best travel gear by category:

In-flight essentials

Trtl travel pillow

Year after year, this travel pillow is one of our reader (and editor) favorites. It’s much different than your classic travel pillow: shaped like a supportive wrap for your neck, it takes up little space in your carry-on and weighs only 4.5 ounces. Bring this on your next long-haul flight, train ride, or road trip—your head and neck will thank you later. The texture is also super soft without being too heavy, adding to its breathability and comfort.

Cabeau Evolution S3 travel pillow

With its memory foam material and adjustable toggle clasp to secure the pillow comfortably around your neck, Cabeau’s Evolution S3 travel pillow offers one of the best designs for basic support and comfort. There’s also a handy side pocket—ideal for storing headphones or earplugs. A huge plus that sets it apart from other travel pillows: There are velcro straps on its back that loop around a plane seat’s headrest so your head stays upright, relieving your neck from any pressure. It’s truly one of the best travel accessories on the market.

Sleepy Ride Airplane Footrest

You all loved this airplane footrest as a way to really get your lounge on while in-flight. For the uninitiated, here’s how it works: Carry it onboard and strap it around your tray table—once you fold the tray back up, you have a place to rest your feet, taking the pressure off your lower back and keeping your legs and feet from getting stiff throughout the flight. Our recommendation: If you’re around 5’6″ or shorter and fly often, or are embarking on a long-haul flight, it’s worth trying out, especially given the price point.

Read a full review here.

Versatile travel bags

Cuyana System tote

The System Tote is a convenient and stylish accessory to use for traveling—or, even as an everyday work bag. The built-in interior pocket is perfect for storing essentials you need to reach easily, like your passport, earbuds, or some petty cash, and since the bag can be snapped closed, you don’t have to worry about anything flying out. Additional organizational accessories are available for purchase for a bit more structure to the interior.

Read a full review here.

Cuyana Easy Tote

Is there a travel bag more versatile or more chic than a good leather tote? Traveler contributor Lydia Mansel raved about Cuyana’s popular Classic Easy Zipper Tote. The brand gave the Easy Tote a little facelift in 2023—it can now be fully zipped, making it an even more secure travel companion. It’s lightweight, sleek, and the quality speaks for itself. You’ll have this thing for years to come.

Read a full review here.

Comfortable walking shoes

Allbirds Tree Runners

If you haven’t tried a pair of Allbirds yet, what are you waiting for? The brand is known for its ultra-lightweight, comfortable kicks—the kind that make sightseeing on your feet all day long a breeze. The Tree Runners are versatile enough to pack on any trip and take up little suitcase space.

Read a full review here.

Allbirds Wool Runners

The Allbirds Wool Runners are another great pick for style, traction, and comfort. The shoe is light and packs well for any upcoming snowy escapes—even ideal for short runs in Maine winters, according to Traveler contributor Erinne Magee. Of note, if you are someone who opts for thicker socks, you’ll probably want to size up a half size for these.

Read a full review here.

Cozy loungewear

Quuenieke leggings

Both ultra-stretchy and soft, these affordable and durable Amazon leggings are the perfect leggings for road trips, flights, and everything in between. According to Amazon reviews, the size chart is extremely accurate. They have also been tested and reviewed by Traveler senior commerce editor Madison Flager—she says that they are opaque enough to wear without a long shirt or sweater. “And shockingly, after plenty of cycles through the wash, they haven’t started pilling and have kept their stretch.” If basic black isn’t what you’re after, they come in five other colors, too.

Shop more versatile travel leggings here.

Compression socks

Copper Fit compression socks

Compression socks are a key travel companion for long-distance travel—especially for flying. “I’ve never felt as comfortable getting off a 15+ hour flight than when I’m wearing these,” says Traveler editorial assistant Kat Chen. Like most compression socks, they do fit snugly. They are available in black or white, though there’s also a women’s line that has colorful athletic pairs well suited to gym days.

Shop more compression socks here.

Leakproof toiletry bottles

Tocelffe 18-pack travel bottles

This 18-piece Tocelffe set is one of Amazon’s bestsellers, too—probably due to its affordability and versatility, making it well suited to most types of travelers. The many silicone bottles of varying sizes come neatly in a waterproof toiletry bag, with vessels meant to carry everything from soap and shampoo to makeup and micellar water. With these, you won’t have to worry about spills in your bag. The bendable shape means they can easily be squeezed to get out every last bit of product.

LiquiSnugs silicone travel bottles with suction cups

LiquiSnugs offer a unique option: clever suction cups on the back allows the bottles to stick onto any shower wall, freeing up limited counter space in a hotel or rental. Great for in-shower products like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, this set of four bottles features both 3-oz. and 2-oz. bottles, so you can choose how much product you need depending on the length of your trip. Another smart design feature: Twist the top to adjust the label name so you won’t forget what’s inside.

Shop more reusable toiletry bottles here.

Waterproof gear

Pelican Marine Series floating waterproof phone pouch

This Pelican pouch is a clear standout for waterproof phone pouches, largely for its ability to float. It comes with a detachable lanyard to keep your phone from dunking into the water without you—but, as accidents happen, it’s nice to know that your phone won’t sink to the bottom either way. Not to mention, the pouch is cushioned, which will protect your phone from any drops on a hard surface. And because of its sleek design, it’s easy enough to still use your phone while inside the case to take photos. According to the Pelican site, rigorous testing proved that the case will keep your phone dry in one meter of water (3.3 feet) for 60 minutes.

A portable steamer

Nesugar portable handheld steamer

It’s nearly impossible to keep clothes wrinkle-free in your suitcase. This becomes especially tricky when you’re traveling for a special occasion, say a destination wedding, and you need to touch up formalwear upon arrival. This lightweight, portable steamer was a huge hit with our readers—and we see why: It weighs less than a pound, is easy to pack in your suitcase, and offers 10 minutes of continuous steam. The Nesugar steamer comes with a convenient wall mount, too, so you can keep it neat and tidy back at home.

Hotel-inspired household items

Brooklinen Classic Cotton Sheet set

Traveler contributor Iona Brannon spoke to Brennan Tomasetti, co-owner of the Guild House Hotel in Philadelphia, about finding the perfect set of sheets. After taking home several samples to test out, Brooklinen—founded by husband and wife duo Rich and Vicki Fulop—was the obvious winner for both its comfort level and alignment with the hotel’s history and values; it once served as the headquarters of one of the oldest women’s organizations in the US.

Shop more bed sheets here.

Brooklinen super plush robe

A favorite of our editors—and now, readers—for all things comfort, Brooklinen doesn’t disappoint with its robe selection. Cut from the same material as the brand’s super-plush towels, you’ll make Turkish cotton a requirement for all robes that follow.

Looking for more of our readers’ favorite travel gear? Take a look back at some of our top stories of the year: