Gear Guide: The Best Travel and Outdoor Gear To Get

By Tim Wenger

The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals

Having the right travel gear can make or break a trip. The thing is, it’s not like you can just flip a switch and then, bam — you have the perfect travel setup for every situation. Building a quality kit takes time (and money), and the best approach is to focus on bigger-ticket items like a hardshell roller case or the right travel backpack, one at a time when big sales happen, while bundling smaller items like a good toiletry bag and a pair of compression socks in one purchase to optimize time and shipping costs.

You’re currently reading a travel newsletter, which demonstrates that you have at least some level of digital savvy — and therefore you’ve likely heard about Amazon Prime Day, the retailer’s massive bi-annual sale that discounts products across all specters of the site. This summer’s sale starts today (July 8) and runs through July 11. There are tons of travel deals going on, including on the Away carry-on roller that is a favorite among Matador staff.

Amazon is also debuting something new this Prime Day. You can now book trips through popular platforms like Expedia or Carnival Cruises, curated by Amazon. Taking advantage of these deals requires a Prime account and a bit of knowledge on sifting through listings.

Whether you're buying gear or booking a trip, getting the most value for your dollar is key. As the guy who regularly reviews travel gear at Matador, here are my tips for finding what you like and getting a good deal on it, whether it’s Prime Day or not.

• Dream big, pack small. There’s beauty in minimalism, and it’s not just Marie Kondo who agrees. I’ve found that prioritizing clothes and items that serve more than one purpose significantly reduces my stress level when traveling. That’s not just because it keeps packing minimal, but also because when you have less with you, you have to make fewer daily decisions about what to wear or use. Opt for stuff that can be worn more than once, like merino wool clothes, when possible.

• Spend a little more up front for a lot more value gain. You can buy a super-cheap roller case on Temu or Amazon, but it’s likely going to cheapen your experience, as well. There’s a reason Samsonite has been in business for over a century — its luggage can take repeated knocks over the course of many years and still function. That’s not going to happen with the $70 knockoff case. Buying a name-brand product saves you money in the long-term because you won’t have to replace what you buy nearly as often, and it may even come with a warranty or be replaceable if something does go wrong. This makes sales like Amazon Prime Day even more valuable because you can grab stuff from well-known brands at a discounted rate while simultaneously taking advantage of free shipping.

• There’s almost always a way to get rid of shipping costs. It’s well-known that Prime members don’t pay for shipping. But even if you aren’t shopping on Amazon, many brands and sites waive shipping costs after a certain order minimum, or if you opt to order online and pick up in person at a retailer like REI.

• Chat with GuideGeek® for a rundown of everything you need for your trip. Matador’s AI travel genius, GuideGeek®, is more than just a chatbot. You can use it to get weather reports so you can accurately compile a packing list, build a map of the places you travel, and find recs for where to buy something in a pinch even when you’re far from home. Give it a whirl to find out what your travel kit is missing in preparation for your next trip.

Have questions about packing advice or a specific piece of luggage? Email me and I’ll give you my two cents.

Tim Wenger, transactional content editor

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