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It's time to plan your next trip — the 2026 Shop TODAY Travel Awards have officially landed. For the fourth year of our Travel Awards, our editors spent months testing out the latest and greatest across travel-friendly clothing, tech innovations, luggage, gear and more. We road tested more than 250 products on trains, planes and automobiles — and even flew to countries like Norway and Japan for true travel testing — to crown these award winners. To kick off the launch, Shop TODAY executive editor Adrianna Brach stopped by Studio 1A with a highlight of the winners that earned our badge of approval. From the essential gear you won't want to leave the house without to viral accessories and boredom-busters, these finds will ensure your next trip is a first-class experience.
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"I'm very impressed with these flip-flops, especially for the under $30 price point," notes associate partnerships editor Lauren Witonsky. "Even though they don't appear to have any arch support, the memory foam-like footbed makes them surprisingly comfortable to walk around in — especially for shorter distances. I also didn't notice any discomfort with rubbing from the toe post... They take up almost no space in a suitcase and can easily be dressed up or down."
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"I love it because it's so versatile and it's under $40," says Brach, who adds that you can wear it practically anywhere, be it on an airplane or at the beach as a swimsuit cover-up. Editor Shannon Garlin also gives the dress a twirl and notes that the fabric is fast drying, making it a great option on hot days since it can absorb sweat. "I liked the length. It hit about mid-calf on my 5-foot-4-inch frame," she shares.
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Brach has a message for any ladies looking for a cute, one-and-done swimsuit that’s still modest — this swim dress is the one. "It looks great on every body size and shape," she reports. It checks all of our boxes: generous coverage, wide straps, gentle compression, built-in shorts, supportive cups and two dozen colors and patterns to choose from. Plus, the attached skirt runs no risk of falling off or blowing away like a sarong.
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Let’s face it: Most travel pillows aren't great. This one actually impressed our skeptical editors, because you can manipulate it into different positions — you can wear it like a donut, just on a shoulder, or leaning against a window or wall. It’s made from a comfy memory foam that bounces back into shape when you change positions, and you can even machine wash the cover to get rid of all those germs you pick up on your travels, per the brand.
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Now a two-time Travel Award-winning brand, Halfday has impressed us once again with this tote that’s also a garment bag. Unzip the side and a built-in garment bag unfolds, which you can pack with nicer clothes like suits, dresses and shirts to keep them in great condition during your travels. There’s still plenty of room in the main compartment for a laptop, clothing, shoes, toiletries and more essentials. Right now, you can score 25% off with our exclusive code (TODAY) through April 30.
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The Shop TODAY team wiggled, zipped and tugged on a ton of pants during our travels, but this style from Soma earned a perfect score. According to our editors, the pair features a lightly compressive and flattering high waist as well as a roomy wide-leg cut that’s comfortable and retains its shape even on long days. It also has side pockets and a super comfy “second skin” feel. The pants come in three inseam lengths and sizes up to XXL, but we found that they run big, so size down if you’re hoping for a more fitted look.
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What if your portable charger didn't take up precious space in your travel purse? This award winner is practically as slim as a credit card — the brand even says it's the world's thinnest portable charger. It is MagSafe compatible, so it has a powerful built-in magnet that snaps on to your phone and stays secure. The gadget is also designed to deliver a full charge to your device in just two hours.
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Getting sunburnt never fails to put a damper on your vacation. Be sure to pack this lightweight, breathable sun shirt on your next sunny trip, as it's designed to keep you protected from harmful UV rays, per the brand. Other key features include quick-dry and moisture-wicking materials, mesh armpits for breathability and thumbholes for extra coverage.
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A good hat is a must-pack, especially in the spring and summer when the weather is warmer and the UV rays are stronger — but it can be a nuisance when you want to wear your hair up. This brand makes hats specifically for those of us with long hair. They’re designed with an open back to accommodate buns, braids, ponytails and more updos. We love this sporty cap, but other styles include a wide-brim "sunblocker" and a bucket hat! Plus, through April 25, you can get 30% off sitewide at Ponyflo with our exclusive code: TODAY.
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This handy tote packs down to the size of a deck of cards when not in use, so you can throw it in your luggage or purse and pull it out when you need it. Unlike other packable bags associate editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson had tried before, she said this one was really easy to fold back up into its little pouch after use and it actually zips closed. Brach also says it works as a personal item on a plane "so you can avoid those extra fees!"
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Brach calls this suitcase "the perfect carry-on." This lightweight-yet-sturdy luggage comes with all the bells and whistles: a butterfly opening so you can see everything, interior compression panels, a TSA lock, a sturdy telescoping handle and a removable laundry bag for your dirty clothes. Our team reports that it maneuvers smoothly with the 360-degree wheels, is thoughtfully designed for packing and has ample room and compartments to store smaller items.
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Our team tried hundreds of travel products and curated a list of 96 winners.
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From Béis to Quince, these finds will make travel days easier.
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The winners that passed our travel test to pack, roll around and take on the airplane.
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Beauty tools, tech gadgets and life-saver accessories to ease your travels.
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From coverups to chargers, you'll have everything you need for your next trip in no time.
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