To find the best compression socks, we consulted folks who wear them for all types of situations: during pregnancy, while working on their feet, for running, after working out, when traveling, and just because. After considering dozens of socks, we’ve tested 18 pairs since 2017, and we found six that are comfortably snug (yet...
The Best Slim Wallet
As everyone inches toward a futuristic cashless society where you can pay for everything with your smartphone, a slim wallet becomes all you need. (Say no thanks to a month’s worth of crumpled receipts, George.) A good one will also be comfortable in your pocket and bring you some pleasure—or maybe even a compliment—every...
The Best Duffle Bags
There are few bags as simple, versatile, and satisfying to use as a duffle. Its utilitarian design—a soft, oblong bag with one zippered opening, two handles, and/or a shoulder strap—suits anything from your daily commute to a weekend away to a fishing trip. After considering 88 bags and testing 33, we chose eight that...
The Best Briefcases
Even if your journey to the office these days is from your bed to the kitchen table, a briefcase can help you get into the work mindset. (Though for now you may just use it to store your laptop when it’s time to eat.) If you’re traveling to an office, a briefcase is a...
The Best Backpacks for College and High School Students
There’s a lot to think about during high school and college besides just studying, from potential job offers to bonafide heartbreak, but you still need a way to carry your stuff. A new backpack can help you get in the right frame of mind for learning, too, whether you’re physically headed back to school...
The Best Kids Backpacks for School
A great school backpack for kids should be able to corral all the stuff they need for the school day. It should also be appropriately sized for smaller bodies and comfortable to lug around. Also, since kids will carry a backpack every day for a school year (or beyond), it should be durable and...
The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)
The prospect of buying a backpack that can last you for the rest of your life is a tempting one. Such bags do exist: They’re made of durable materials and backed by warranties that promise to repair or replace them no matter what happens. They’re also frequently marketed with the unfortunate label of “tactical,”...
The Best Laptop Backpacks
If you take your laptop with you to work or school, a backpack is the best way to carry it. A backpack is more ergonomic than a messenger bag, capable of holding more than a briefcase, and more stylish than a rolling bag. Seven Wirecutter staffers took 53 backpacks on buses, trains, cars, and...
Visiting a National Park During the Pandemic? Here’s What to Bring Along.
After being cooped up for so long, we’re overdue for a day in the sun and a big dose of nature. If you’re feeling the same way, you might be getting ready to hop in your car for a trip to the nearest national park. There will be wildlife and majestic scenery. There could...
The Best Bag and Cable Organizers
Whether you commute to the office, the coffee shop, or your backyard, you probably need a way to organize the pens, tech accessories, and toiletries you take with you every day. To find the best options to carry what different people might need with them, we’ve researched more than 70 bag organizers and tested...