9 Travel Products We’re Not Buying in 2026

Out with the old, in with the new: 2026 is already underway, giving us a chance to start fresh and set our sights on what the rest of the year might hold. This is also a great time to reflect on the things that no longer align with us. To make the most of our energy and intentions this year, we’re taking stock of which travel essentials did—and definitely didn’t—work for us in 2025.

Ahead, we break down the nine travel products we left behind in 2025. From weekender bags that weigh us down (literally) to flat shoes we can’t bear to walk a mile in, these impractical items were more of a nuisance than a blessing. On the flip side, these flubs have helped us hone in on the travel products we’re enthusiastically reaching for this year. Keep scrolling to see which ones are at the top of our list, including podiatrist-approved New Balance sneakers, a viral pair of jeans that actually feel like sweatpants, and colorful American Tourister luggage sets that put sad beige bags to shame—from $20 at Amazon.  

What We’re Shopping in 2026:

IN: Portable chargers that juice up every device

OUT: Single-USB power banks

Hellee 15000mAh Portable Charger With Built-in Cables

Phones, tablets, laptops, Bluetooth headphones, smart watches, handheld gaming consoles: If you’re someone who likes to stay plugged in while traveling, a typical power bank just won’t cut it. Single-USB backup chargers are outdated and inconvenient, and usually are only capable of charging one device before you have to recharge it. We’ll be upgrading to portable chargers that are powerful, pint-sized, and equipped to handle all of our tech gadgets, not just our smartphones. 

IN: Cute, podiatrist-approved sneakers

OUT: Flat, unsupportive shoes

New Balance Women’s 997H V1 Sneaker

Shoe trends may come and go, but prioritizing foot health will never go out of style. We’re putting our best feet forward by choosing cute, supportive walking shoes that our podiatrists would approve of. Amazon is a treasure trove of comfortable shoes, with thousands of options from podiatrist-loved brands, like Vionic, New Balance, Brooks, and even Hoka—which is why it’ll be our first stop the next time we need a fresh pair. 

IN: Convertible duffel backpacks

OUT: Cumbersome weekenders

Tomtoc 40L Travel Duffel Backpack

Few situations are more frustrating than having to schlep a heavy duffel bag around the airport after a long day of traveling. We’re so over-the-shoulder pain and awkward shuffling it requires—which is why we’ll be reaching for convertible duffel backpacks. These travel bags combine the best of both worlds: They provide the even weight distribution and hands-free convenience of a carry-on backpack with the spacious, easy-access main compartment of a duffel bag. Amazon has plenty of duffel backpacks to choose from, with options for every budget. 

IN: Stretchy, roomy jeans

OUT: Unforgiving denim

Rag & Bone Women’s Miramar Terry Pull-on Jeans

We were thrilled that denim made a strong comeback in 2025; jeans are easy to style and are suitable for a wide variety of occasions, making them great for travel. But depending on their silhouette and the type of denim fabric they’re cut with, jeans can be too uncomfortable and restrictive to wear for hours on end. This year, we’re reaching for roomy, relaxed cuts (think: barrel or wide-leg shapes) and stretchy, forgiving fabrics that won’t hold us back. One specific pair of jeans we’re most excited about wearing this year is this style from Rag & Bone. Upon first glance, they look like a standard pair of blue jeans, belt loops and all—but in reality, they’re made with a stretchy French terry material that feels like sweatpants. 

IN: Colorful luggage

OUT: Sad beige bags

American Tourister Stratum 2.0 Luggage Set

We’re not snubbing neutrals entirely—they’re classic and go with everything, after all—but we’re craving colors. Brown, beige, black, and grey suitcases and travel bags are more common, too, making it more difficult to track down your luggage at baggage claim. We’ll be embracing fun, vibrant travel gear that stands out in the crowd, like this gorgeous metallic two-piece set from American Tourister. 

IN: Regular earbuds

OUT: Ones you’re less likely to lose

Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker Earbuds

If you know, you know: having an earbud pop out of your ear during the middle of a flight is a total headache. And if you’re unlucky enough to lose one on a trip, you’ll be stuck without music for the flight home—and we wouldn’t wish that on our worst enemies. We’ll be scooping up a pair of hooked earbuds as a precaution. These Bluetooth earbuds have an attachment that fits securely around your ear, preventing them from flying out on flights, hikes, and runs. Amazon has hundreds of highly-rated options to choose from, including these hooked earbuds from Soundcore by Anker.

IN: Tracker-friendly passport wallets

OUT: Passport holders

Polare Original Leather Passport Wallet

The worst thing you can lose while traveling isn’t your grandma’s post-war ring or your newly-purchased laptop (though that would also be tragic). It’s your passport. If your passport gets stolen or goes missing while in a different country, you could get stuck waiting for an emergency replacement passport to be processed—which, by the way, will cost you upwards of $200. To avoid a travel nightmare like this, we’ll be buying tracker-friendly passport wallets instead of standard passport holders. This Polare leather passport wallet, $34, has a round slot punched into the exterior that’s the perfect size for an Apple AirTag. On the inside, it has credit card slots, a clear ID window for your Real ID or driver’s license, and a cash pocket in the back.

IN: Customizable neck pillows

OUT: Inflatable donuts

Point2Point Twistable Memory Foam Travel Pillow

No traveler is the same, and if you ask us, it’s high time we start shopping like it. Inflatable, donut-shaped neck pillows are a flimsy, one-size-fits-all approach to comfort. There are so many more ergonomic, supportive choices on the market nowadays that can be customized to find your perfect fit. This Point2Point memory foam pillow is a shining example. It has a bendable, twistable inner core that you can contort into endless different angles and shapes, allowing you to find a sweet spot for an in-flight nap—even in the middle seat. 

IN: Carry-ons with convenient features

OUT: Standard suitcases

Mixi 20-inch Carry-on Luggage

We’re a team of travel writers and editors, so naturally, we expect our luggage to do more than just carry our clothes from Point A to Point B without exploding in the process. Here’s what we’re shopping this year: smart luggage that goes above and beyond to make our travel experience easier or more enjoyable. We’re talking TSA-approved zipper locks, ergonomic handles that reduce hand fatigue, USB charging ports, heck, even built-in cup holders (check out this Mixi carry-on, above). Whatever the convenience factors might be, carry-ons that come with an added bonus are getting top priority in our shopping carts this year. 

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