Each week we cut through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better – from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last.
I’ve worn three jackets to the airport and shoved shoes in my coat pocket to avoid checking an extra bag. And with the long weekend ahead, many of you may be puzzling over how to avoid baggage fees or just hoping to skip the unsolicited arm workout that comes with overpacking.
Over at the Filter, we recently tested a dozen personal-item backpacks to find four of the very best (surprisingly, mainstream brands such as Patagonia and Calpak didn’t make the cut). They’re all more capacious and cleverly organized than they might appear at first glance, but living out of them for more than a night or two still requires some strategizing.
For advice on packing light, I asked world traveler Angie Madden for help. She has visited more than 30 countries and puts us overpackers to shame, recently managing a three-week trip to Australia with only her Baboon to the Moon backpack.
Baboon to the Moon Go-Min 32L Backpack
Her tips, including an affordable hack for washing your clothes, have me rethinking my plan to pack a suitcase for an upcoming hiking trip in Japan entirely.
Read our guide: The four best personal item backpacks
Read more of our travel coverage:
I tested 26 packing cubes on 14 trips – here are the best ones to travel smarter
I travel 200,000 miles a year. This is the best travel backpack I can’t leave home without
Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home
I’m a digital nomad who works on the road. These seven travel gadgets go with me everywhere
Bungee cords are an oddball hack for traveling – here are 10 clever ways to use them
The 13 custom travel gifts in the US to make every trip special – curated by a travel writer
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Pack for activities, not mood boards
I’m guilty of packing too many fancy dresses for a low-key family beach vacation or an abundance of workout ensembles for a quick weekend trip.
To avoid overpacking, Madden suggested selecting clothing pieces based on purpose: “In Australia, I wore my romper to exercise, as casual wear and out dancing. Although it was a single piece of clothing, it could be worn for many functions, which helps save space.”
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Do laundry on the go
It’s not glamorous, but making use of your Airbnb or Vrbo’s washing machines means you don’t have to bring as much clothing.
“Laundry is your friend – even on a short trip,” Madden said. Plastic-free laundry sheets can be tucked into the flattest pockets and add virtually no weight to your luggage, and you won’t have to rely on finding a detergent you like in your rental.
Plastic-free laundry sheets
If you won’t have access to a washer or dryer on site, Madden hand-washes her clothing. She personally uses Zote laundry soap, a travel-friendly way to keep your clothes clean while saving valuable space in your luggage.
Zote Laundry Soap
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Think multipurpose
When possible, find creative ways to repurpose an item. For example, instead of packing a headband, face mask and scarf, Madden recommended simply packing a Buff neck warmer.
Buff Neck Warmer
If you’re looking for inspiration, a few weeks ago, wardrobe stylist Samantha Elise gave me great advice about wardrobe staples like black pants and trench coats that can pair with almost anything.
“If an item only works for one moment, think twice,” Madden said.
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Lay out everything – and then be ruthless
Avoid haphazardly shoving every clothing item and toiletry you own into your travel bag.
Instead, take inventory of what you’d like to bring, sorting your items into two categories: necessities and nice-to-haves. Our guide on travel accessories to skip and what to pack instead will help you when it’s time to do your edit.
“You’re going to have to make some trade-offs,” she said.
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Product of the week: space heaters
Much to my dismay, winter isn’t over yet. At the request of our staff who have been shivering through the arctic temperatures, we recommended five space heaters to supplement an uncooperative HVAC. One of our selections came from the Guardian US’s head of audience, Tom Johnson.
“During the colder winter months in Washington DC, my downstairs home office starts to feel like a walk-in fridge. I often notice the temperature drop several degrees with each step I take down the stairs. I tested this out recently to convince my partner I wasn’t exaggerating and, with a meat thermometer in hand, I watched the temperature drop to 50F – about 20 degrees colder than upstairs. For the last three winters my Vornado space heater has made a huge difference. Every morning, I flick it on when I first wake up and within an hour it’s made the room livable. The model I originally bought in 2023 has delivered familiar, needed warmth and I recently bought the refreshed 2025 model for extra heat during this especially cold winter,” he wrote.
Vornado MVH Space Heater
Read our guide: The five best space heaters in the US for a quick fix in a freezing home
Bathroom upgrades: best bath towels
A good bath towel is an affordable way to transform your everyday shower routine into a luxurious experience.
We recently refreshed our guide to the very best. Our recommendations include a budget-friendly option I personally have hanging up in my bathroom and a splurgy favorite we likened to “a luxury bathrobe”.
Threshold Spa Towel
Parachute Organic Super Plush Towel
Read the full guide: The best bath towels of 2026 in the US, from fluffy to quick drying – tested
Taste test: Valentine’s Day chocolate
We asked 10 Guardian US staffers to go on blind (folded) dates with 10 different chocolate bars.
Our testers sampled a range of chocolates – including a microbatch vanilla bean and a matcha-flavored bar – to find the very best. While some bars faced brutal rejections, four had our testers prepping their marriage proposals.
Beyond Good Microbatch Vanilla Bean Chocolate Bar
TCHO Perfect Matcha Chocolate
Read the full story: ‘I’ll marry this one’: the best (and worst) chocolate bars for Valentine’s Day, taste tested
More Valentine’s Day treats: edible gifts
Filter US commissioning editor Karen Yuan proved that the most romantic Valentine’s Day gift isn’t always a shiny piece of jewelry.
Recently, Yuan shared 16 Valentine’s Day foodie gifts that are perfect for the person in your life who’d rather receive an iconic bakery’s chocolate chip cookie gift set instead of a cashmere sweater or bouquet.
Levain Classics Cookie Tin Gift Set
Read the gift guide: The 16 best Valentine’s Day US food gifts that will actually get eaten
