We Tested Over 1,500 Products in 2023 and These Are the Best of the Best

2023 is wrapping up and as everyone reminisces on the last 12 months, Travel + Leisure is also taking a look back. Our editors visited every single continent this year — and most brought products to test — so it’s safe to say that we really do uncover the best of the best through extensive hands-on experience. With a massive effort from multiple teams here, we were able to test more than 1,500 products this year (even more than we did in 2022). 

Hundreds of sneakers were worn while sightseeing, countless miles were hiked in outdoor gear, dozens of suitcases were hit with baseball bats, and numerous accessories were used to make traveling easier and more comfortable. We tried products in our New York City lab and in everyday life with all items being tested for a minimum of six months. From Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo to Cairo and London, these are just some of the adventures we took to test luggage, shoes, clothing, and more. Keep scrolling to get an at-a-glance look into the winners from every test, and find related links to full articles for all of the products that earned top scores this year.

Luggage

Tumi luggage comes at a cost, so after testing 13 bags from the brand, we determined that the Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry-on is well worth the splurge. It’s thoughtfully designed with a built-in suiter that can be removed to pack delicate clothing like a jacket and slacks or a floor-length dress. Plus, the suitcase is durable, rolls smoothly, and has a dual-access compartment to reach in and grab an item without having to unzip the entire bag. 

Lightweight, easy to pack, and stylish, this Béis weekender exceeded our expectations in testing. The structured bag has a wide-mouth opening to pack the main compartment with everything you need for a weekend getaway, and the separate shoe compartment on the bottom is beyond helpful to separate clean clothing from footwear. We also love that the bag can be carried as a tote or duffel bag with the removable (and padded!) shoulder strap. 

Delsey blew us away during testing after excelling in our durability tests (a.k.a taking a baseball bat to bags repeatedly). The Chatelet Air 2.0 21-inch carry-on stood out for its stunning vintage design and for making packing a breeze thanks to the spacious compartments and numerous pockets inside. We love that the compression flaps help save a noticeable amount of space and that there’s a USB charging port for boosting a phone battery on the go. We’re confident this bag is made to last since it didn’t show any signs of wear in testing.

For weddings, business trips, or just a regular vacation, this spacious and useful garment bag from Mark & Graham does it all. It can fit an entire suit, two floor-length dresses, a button-down shirt, two pairs of shoes, and a slew of accessories, so it basically functions like a carry-on suitcase designed for delicate clothing. Plus, the bag itself looks classy and elegant, and it can be customized with initials as an extra special touch. 

Bags

This Dagne Dover fanny pack is made with the brand's iconic neoprene material, which is lightweight and protective. The pack can fit all kinds of items before running out of room, including a passport, wallet, phone charger, snacks, and headphones. We spilled coffee and water all over the bag and the neoprene fabric repelled any and all liquids so it has remained in perfect condition despite lots of use.

More sporty and rugged than a typical fanny pack, this sling bag from The North Face is compact, comfortable, and can fit a shocking number of items without feeling cumbersome to carry. We were able to fit a tablet, snacks, and a wallet with tons of room leftover in the 9-liter main compartment. Both the strap and back panel have generous padding so our shoulders never felt the weight or strain of carrying a shoulder bag either. 

This large shoulder bag is the perfect personal item to store all of the in-flight and road trip essentials in one place. We’re huge fans of the designated laptop pocket for protecting fragile technology and there are numerous other pockets for staying naturally organized while on the go. Best of all, the bag is spacious without feeling bulky to carry and it comes with a trolley sleeve for seamless travel atop a suitcase. 

If you’re in search of a roomy tote, this one from MZ Wallace takes the cake for a fashionable and functional travel bag. It has a designated laptop pocket with some cushioning from the slightly puffed quilt material, and there are tons of pockets to store smaller items. The tote is exceptionally lightweight and comes with a removable shoulder strap for versatility so we love that it’s comfortable to carry for hours on end, too. 

One of the most versatile travel bags we tested this year is the Baggu Nylon Crescent Bag. Trendy, lightweight, and easy to pack in a bigger suitcase, it boasts more than enough qualities to earn top scores in testing. The thick, adjustable shoulder strap makes the bag comfortable to carry for long periods of time and the main compartment is spacious enough for all the everyday necessities with room leftover. It’s also machine-washable and can pack down to a fraction of its size to store in a larger bag en route to your destination. 

Whether traveling by plane, train, or car, this versatile backpack from Solo is the ultimate bag for protecting laptops on the go, earning perfect scores in every testing category. It boasts a fully padded, 15.6-inch laptop pocket and a USB and headphone port to fit the needs of commuters and travelers alike. The backpack looks small and compact but we were shocked at how much it could fit. The recycled polyester material has proven to be lightweight, comfortable, and super durable during our lab and real world tests as well.

This packable mini backpack from Paravel is superior in the portability aspect of our tests since it can be folded up to take up virtually no room in a larger bag. Despite its miniature size, the backpack can store numerous everyday items like a tablet, wallet, passport, and headphones, with space to spare. We also love the discreet pocket in the back of the bag for hiding valuables like money and important documents. 

Accessories

This set of four toiletry bottles is the ultimate set of protective and useful containers for traveling with even the runniest liquids. We filled the two 2-ounce bottles and two 3-ounce bottles with various cosmetics like micellar water and shampoo, and these bottles didn’t leak the slightest bit, even when we squeezed them as tight as we could. It’s also hard to beat the under-$20 price tag for such durable and easy-to-fill containers. 

We were impressed with how slim and comfortable this RFID-blocking money belt is when wearing it under clothing for long periods of time. It lays completely flat against the skin and even when we packed it with valuable items like passports and cash, it was undetectable under clothes. It also boasts a double-release button closure for added security when traveling, which is a feature we didn’t come across often when testing similar products. 

This compact jewelry case has a unique oval shape that can hold way more jewelry than meets the eye. It has designated spots for rings, bracelets, necklaces, and the structured shape has a bit of give so a watch or chunkier bracelet can also fit in the main compartment. Plus, the leather material looks and feels premium so the case is just as stylish as it is functional. 

We chose the Béis cosmetic case as our best overall after it proved to be exceptionally easy to pack during our lab test. The spacious main compartment can fit all types of cosmetics from full-size containers to travel-size capsules with a removable flap for makeup brushes. And, the mirror on the interior flap was the cherry on top in terms of features that consistently impressed us as we continued to use the bag after initial testing. 

Sturdy, sleek, and effortlessly stylish, we can’t get enough of these square cat-eye sunnies from Raen. The materials are hardy and durable, but still feel weightless and don’t pinch at the bridge. There are five stunning colorways to choose so you really can’t go wrong with the design. We also love that the case is slim, making it super easy to travel with this pair. 

Raen sunglasses wowed us during our men’s portion of eyewear testing with the Aren polarized version earning the top spot, too. Similar to the women’s pair we tried, the high-quality and durable materials impressed us right out of the case. The acetate frames are also very lightweight, which make them comfortable for hours on end, and the shape of the lenses are unique and flattering. 

Most T+L editors won’t travel without a luggage tracker for obvious reasons and this one from Eufy etched out competitors during our tests. It takes mere seconds to pair the tiny tracker to a phone and it works with the Find My app on the iPhone for truly seamless integration with Apple products. Beyond keeping it in suitcases, the tracker has a hole to attach it to keys or headphones for multiple different uses. 

This passport wallet is perfect for securing important documents like multiple passports, cash, IDs, and credit cards in a fully zipped enclosure. Our favorite thing is that it’s useful for international travel, but can also be used in everyday life as a clutch or wallet for going out to dinner or running errands. It both looks and feels premium so we think the high-quality materials make it well worth the money. 

Pretty much the only outlet adapter you’ll ever have to buy, this one works in over 150 countries and can charge up to six devices at once. Not already sold? We found it to be ultra-compact, which makes it easy to toss in a carry-on and the different prongs are discreet and easy to switch out when needed. 

These all-weather gloves from Head are designed to keep fingers warm in harsh conditions and we found that promise to be true during testing. Waterproof, windproof, and warm, these gloves run true to size with options for XS to XL hands in black and gray colors. We particularly love that the gloves are easy to slip on and off without feeling flimsy or ill-fitting when they’re on. 

After testing this sunscreen in Hawaii, it was clearly the winner. The Babo Botanicals formula applies like a hydrating lotion and didn’t leave a trace of oil or white cast on the skin after we rubbed it in. Since a little bit goes a long way, the 3-ounce bottle can last a while, which makes it cost-effective, too. 

Hawaii has strict laws against certain types of sunscreen formulas to protect reefs and wildlife, so it’s only natural to turn to this Hawaii-made sunscreen from Maui Naturals. It doesn’t include any harmful chemical but it still boasts the traits we look for in sunscreen like a smooth texture, subtle scent, and hydrating feeling after application. We found that this sunscreen offers all of the above and more since it doesn’t leave a white cast and feels gentle on sensitive skin. 

Shoes

Our favorite hiking boots for both men and women, Merrell’s Moab 3 Mid boots were the clear winners in our tests. The boots were comfortable right out of the box for an initial four-hour long hike, and proved to be fully waterproof and boast excellent traction. Plus, the style offers superior arch support for comfort, which keeps getting better with more use. 

Merrell proved to be one of the best hiking boot brands in all of our hiking footwear tests (we tried a whopping 46 pairs) so it’s no surprise that the Speed Eco shoes for men and women were our favorite pair of hiking shoes. The shoes were comfortable right away thanks to the generous arch support, and even in extremely hot weather conditions, they were impressively breathable and flexible. 

Made with ultra-durable Vibram soles, these unisex hiking sandals offer stability, comfort, and style when we ventured into the great outdoors. Extra grippy in and out of the water, the pair boasts excellent traction in slick conditions and the T-strap can be adjusted in three different places to get the most comfortable and supportive fit. 

OluKai is one of our favorite footwear brands and we are obsessed with these stylish water shoes. We love that they don’t actually look like water shoes but they have a mesh upper for drainage and a wet-grip rubber outsole for traction, making them the perfect pair to wear in and out of the water. Plus, the drop-in heel makes it easier than ever to slip them on and off.

Flats had the comeback of a lifetime in 2023 so we had to test 29 pairs to see which ones were the best. These square-toed ones from Vivaia offer an abundance of comfort thanks to the cushioned midsole, especially when running around New York City. The knit upper repels water (we even got caught in a downpour while wearing them) and the straps are permeable so they can be adjusted to your exact liking by making a hole wherever you need. 

Heading on a warm-weathered vacation in 2024? These rubber-and-vegan-leather sandals are the most comfortable and stylish pair we tested so we’re sure you’ll want them in every color. The shoes basically come broken in and ready to wear, and the waterproof materials mean they can get wet without being ruined. We also love that the shoes look nice enough to wear in the daytime or nighttime for extra versatility while traveling. 

Some brands just know what they’re doing when it comes to comfy footwear and OluKai falls under that category. Earning the top spot for men’s comfortable slides, the MahaOlu sandals look much nicer than the average pair of sandals. The materials are both stylish and comfortable, so we ended up wearing these for two weeks straight and they still looked good as new. 

After wearing these boots right out of the box, we were pleased to find out that they require no break-in period as they come ready to wear. The thick rubber outsoles boast sturdy traction, and the midsoles feature comfortable OrthoLite sock liners. Plus, the faux-shearling interior makes them look more stylish than your average pair of snow boots.

Puddles, rain, and even a stream of shower water were no match against these Columbia rain boots. The waterproof exterior and insulated interior make them the perfect footwear to stay both warm and dry in inclement weather. We also discovered that the boots run true to size and come broken-in so we were able to wear them right away, which is always ideal. 

These lace-up Cahartt boots offer superior comfort right away and we wore them for a 10-plus hour day without any pain or discomfort. We also got the chance to wear the boots in the rain and the brand’s Storm Defender waterproof breathable membrane prevented any liquid from seeping into the boots. Depending on your needs, the boots come in soft and steel-toe options as well. 

Clothing

From the slopes to the streets, this versatile Patagonia fleece was dubbed a winner in our eyes for being versatile, comfortable, and warm. Made with 100 percent recycled polyester, the fleece looked brand new after we wore it for several weeks straight and machine-washed it several times. The pullover design is easy to take on and off and the snap buttons go all the way up the collar for extra warmth on chilly days. 

This zip-up jacket from The North Face was worn in both below-freezing and warmer temperatures, and it kept us perfectly toasty without overheating. The polyester and nylon material is soft and cozy, but still breathable enough for more rigorous activities. We’re also big fans of the color-blocking design, which makes this jacket more stylish over casual outfits. 

To test rain jackets, T+L editors stood under showers of streaming water for several minutes to see if any liquid seeped through the material. This one from Outdoor Researchfully (thankfully) kept us perfectly dry despite our best efforts. The Gore-tex-finished synthetic fabric is flexible and lightweight, which makes it easy to pack down the jacket to fit in a suitcase or backpack without taking up much room.

Similar to the testing notes from above, we were equally impressed by the men’s Foray Super Stretch rain jacket from Outdoor Research. Rain and shower water slid right off the Gore-tex fabric, so the interior never stood a chance of getting wet. Because of the stretchy synthetic material, we still have full range of motion while wearing the jacket, making it an excellent choice for both rigorous and leisurely activities. 

These Vuori swim trunks feel like wearing a pair of waterproof lounge shorts since the swimsuit is both comfortable and stretchy. We love that they still look nice on dry land but offer high-quality and stretchy materials for swimming in any body of water. They also dry quickly, which is always a plus. 

Andie’s The Amalfi one-piece comes in a range of sizes, fabric colors, textures, bottom coverage, and torso lengths so we were able to get a nearly customized swimsuit without paying an arm and a leg. The fit was perfect for both of our testers with different body sizes, and the swimsuit offers plenty of support and flexibility so it offers both comfort and style.

This bikini top and matching bottoms boast a two-layer, nylon and spandex material that offers comfort and support whether swimming in the waves or laying on the beach. We appreciate the crisscross back tie for extra support and, while the swimsuit does run true to size, it’s always nice to be able to adjust straps as needed. This bikini also dried very quickly during our tests.

Lululemon is another brand that constantly exceeds our expectations for travel gear, especially for comfortable pants like the high-rise joggers. These are basically sweatpants that look much nicer when traveling so you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. Both the waistband and ankle cuffs have a solid amount of stretch, and we always appreciate when there is a range of sizes (0 to 20) and two pant lengths (25 and 28 inches).

Speaking of comfortable Lululemon pants, these chino-like pants for men offer so much comfort that we’re shocked they aren’t actually sweatpants. We wore these pants for weekly commuting since they were nice enough to wear to the office and they definitely have more stretch and breathability than a regular pair would. 

Whether traveling in the winter, spring, or fall, this versatile puffer from Eddie Bauer can easily fit in a backpack without taking up much space. It has 650 down-fill insulation, so it’s a warm jacket without feeling bulky or overly hot when we wore it during testing. Eddie Bauer is a deeply trusted outdoor brand so we felt like the high-quality materials and superb fit match the brand’s promise of longevity and comfort. 

This Columbia rain jacket blew us away in testing after we discovered it folds into itself, packing down to a fraction of its original size. That means it can fit in bags as small as a shoulder bag, which can be a game changer if caught in an unexpected rainstorm while traveling or hiking. The jacket fits true to size and comes in dozens of colorways to fit every traveler’s preference — a feature we appreciate for versatility. 

Lightweight, warm, and stylish, this down jacket checked all of our boxes in testing. It’s designed to be worn down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and we found that this down-fill jacket brings the heat (literally) in cold weather. The slim shape is flattering and we love the curved hemline at the hip for superior range of motion, too. 

Alo’s cropped puffer is ultra-cozy and warm thanks to the thick synthetic, down-fill material. For extra warmth, the jacket comes with a removable hood and has a cinched hem so cold air can’t find its way inside. We wore this jacket for various activities and it was the perfect everyday option for style, comfort, and warmth. 

Outdoor Gear

We used this backpack on several long, strenuous hikes and it proved its worth right away. The backpack is exceptionally comfortable thanks to all of the adjustable straps on the shoulder, chest, and hip, and there is ample padding throughout. Plus, the various pockets and included hydration pack kept everything organized with plenty of room to spare. 

Easy to set up and secure, this beach umbrella makes it as simple as possible to get some shade on a sunny day. We tested the umbrella in extremely windy conditions and it never budged from its position in the sand and, in extra hot weather, the UPF 50+ material ensured we were safely resting underneath. 

This luxe Turkish towel is plush, absorbent, and large enough to seat multiple people. While the organic cotton material feels thick and premium, the towel is super lightweight and easy to pack in a suitcase. We brought it along on a weekend trip and it fit perfectly in a carry-on without taking up much room at all.  

Remarkably easy to set up, this Nemo tent takes little time to assemble and it’s filled with thoughtful features. We camped on a windy beach with this tent and it completely protected us from strong gusts and looked good as new after some rough handling from the weather. The multiple gear pockets, smooth zippers, and pocket that turns a headlamp into a tent lantern were also standout features we noticed.

Our Testing Process

In 2023, Travel + Leisure tested more than 1,500 products across 50 separate tests in our New York City lab and in real-world settings, surpassing the number of items we tried in 2022. With the hard work from our research coordinators, lab producers, photographers, photography assistants, product testers, editors, and writers, we were able to add product testing notes into hundreds of articles to ensure we only recommend the best of the best on the market. 

From hitting luggage with baseball bats to test durability to standing in showers with rain jackets on to see how waterproof each one is, we go to great lengths to which items exceed our high expectations and which fall short. We wear shoes for hours on end to gauge comfort levels (many blisters occurred after testing more than 200 pairs of shoes this year) and we wear jackets in inclement weather to make sure they are warm and weatherproof. We go on 5-plus mile climbs to test hiking shoes, pants, and backpacks, and we sit in cars, planes, trains, and buses for hours and hours to test travel-ready clothing. Thermometers, infrared readers, timers, and luggage scales are often used to get numerical data on the products we test and every product is rated using the same attributes and rating system.

We’re travel experts, so we take products with us to test whenever we jetset around the globe, and this year alone, we tested products in nearly every continent. Whether we test products in our lab or in everyday life, items are tested for up to six months or longer, and we’re constantly updating our articles with additional testing notes. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a commerce writer at Travel + Leisure, where she primarily writes the team’s tested content. Anna has been testing products for the last three years and she participates in nearly every travel test since starting on the team a year and a half ago. Anna worked closely with T+L editors and the testing team to comb through product notes to put together and recommend our annual list of the best products we tested all year.

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