Our Gear Review Scoring System

When Becca and I publish a gear review, I want the rating to show more than a vibe. Each of the five gear categories we cover gets ten individual scores. The weights translate to a final number that you see in the review scorecard include.

How the weighted score works

Here is the quick summary. Each criterion holds a weight between 8 and 14 percent. I record a score from 1 to 5 for every line item. The scorecard multiplies each value by the weight and sums the result. That average is the rating you will find in the Review structured data and inside the post.

Travel bags criteria

I use this set in our travel bags section, which includes backpacks, weekenders and slings.

1. Carry comfort & fit: How does it feel wearing the bag? Can you wear it all day or do you immediately want to take it off?
2. Organization & access speed: How fast I can reach the gear I packed, including laptops and chargers. How much storage is built in?
3. Materials & build quality: Fabric choice, zipper quality and reinforcement in stress points. It’s the “you know when you feel it” type of score based on the materials.
4. Weather resistance: How the exterior handles rain, snow and the occasional spill. This is also the confidence level of being able to take something out in the rain.
5. Laptop & tech protection: Padding, suspension and the dedicated space for laptops or tablets. If there is no laptop protection, I’ll default to general padding within the bag itself.
6. Carry options & adjustments: Secondary handles, trolley pass-throughs and strap adjustability.
7. Packability inside luggage: Whether the silhouette nests inside a suitcase when I need to consolidate.
8. Security & closure confidence: Lockable zippers, hidden pockets and how safe the bag feels in crowded places.
9. Versatility for work, gym & travel: How well the bag pivots between commuting, gym time and trips.
10. Overall value for price: Where the bag lands on price versus performance, build and warranty.

Travel apparel criteria

You will find these criteria in our travel apparel coverage, from dresses to joggers.

1. Comfort against skin: Softness, seams and how the fabric feels in motion.
2. Fit & sizing accuracy: Whether the piece lines up with the size chart and accommodates different builds. This is also kind of specific to “how did this fit me”.
3. Materials & easy care: Fiber blend, odor resistance and wash routine. Note that we’re generous with care since we typically don’t put things in the dryer.
4. Breathability in motion: How the fabric vents during a city walk or a hike.
5. Temperature regulation: Comfort range from chilly mornings to warm afternoons.
6. Stretch & shape retention: Return to form after a long flight or day of wear.
7. Pocket function & security: Pocket depth, closure style and whether items stay put. This is where zipper pockets really shine.
8. Wrinkle resistance: Packing performance and how quickly creases fall out.
9. Styling versatility: Ability to dress the piece up or down with shoes and layers.
10. Overall value for price: Cost compared to durability, ethics and competing options.

Travel accessories criteria

These ten data points cover everything from tech pouches to travel organizers in our travel accessories hub.

1. Core functionality: Does the product solve the travel problem it was designed to fix.
2. Materials & build quality: Shell materials, hardware and stitching.
3. Packability & footprint: How easy it is to slide into a backpack or roller. Or, how does it actually condense itself.
4. Ease of use: The learning curve and general ergonomics.
5. Setup speed on the go: Time required to deploy or repack during transit. This is compared relative to other items within its same category.
6. Adaptability across trip types: How well the item handles work trips, family travel and adventure days.
7. Durability & resilience: Resistance to drops, scuffs and baggage handling.
8. Ease of maintenance & cleaning: Cleaning routine and spare parts availability.
9. Travel safety & compliance: TSA friendliness, battery rules and international voltage considerations.
10. Overall value for price: Price versus performance and warranty coverage.

Kids travel criteria

Parents often ask how we review carriers, strollers and baby travel accessories. These criteria guide the scores inside our kids travel category.

1. Comfort for child & parent: Padded touchpoints, ergonomics and how comfort scales with load.
2. Safety & stability: Harness systems, brake performance and certifications.
3. Ease of use: Setup, folding motions and how quickly caregivers learn the product. We like to thnik you need a PhD in baby items, so how true is that here?
4. Portability & storage: Folded dimensions and whether it fits in overhead bins or trunks.
5. Durability under real travel: Longevity after flights, road trips and playground use.
6. Cleanability & maintenance: Washing instructions and the effort required to keep it sanitary.
7. Adjustability as kids grow: Will this product grow with you and your child, or is it for a narrow age range?
8. Storage capacity for essentials: Space for diapers, snacks, bottles and toys.
9. Travel-day convenience: Airport security, gate checking and transitions between transport modes.
10. Overall value for price: Cost versus years of use, resale potential and brand support.

Travel footwear criteria

Shoes get their own scorecard in the travel footwear section.

1. All-day comfort: Cushioning and pressure distribution during walking tours.
2. Support & stability: Arch structure and ankle security on uneven sidewalks.
3. Breathability & moisture control: How the upper handles sweat and hot climates or the cold in cold climates.
4. Weather & water performance: Water resistance, drying time and insulation.
5. Traction on different surfaces: Grip on wet pavement, cobblestones and dirt paths.
6. Weight & balance on foot: How the shoe feels after hours of wear.
7. Packability in luggage: Space in a carry-on and ease of compressing.
8. Durability over time: Midsole life, outsole wear and upper integrity.
9. Style & outfit versatility: Ability to match travel outfits without looking out of place.
10. Overall value for price: Price compared to longevity, replacement cost and competitor sets.

Where to go next

• Go to our Gear Reviews for everything that we’ve reviewed.
• Check out our compare tool for the best strollers.
• Learn about the best fanny packs.
• Contact us or work with us.