Our Gear Review Scoring System
See how we score travel bags, apparel, accessories, kids travel gear and footwear across ten detailed criteria with weighted ratings.
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When Becca and I publish a gear review, I want the rating to show more than a vibe. Each product gets scored across ten individual criteria tailored to its specific subcategory. 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 2 and 18 percent (most fall between 8 and 14 percent). We 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. You’ll also find this scoring data for our comparison tables.
Scores are frequently updated to reflect a relative comparison between other similar items. For example, if we receive a backpack that scores at the top of the charts in all categories, other backpack review numbers might trend slightly down to reflect a clear winner.
Travel bags criteria
I use this set in our travel bags section, which includes backpacks, weekenders and slings. Each subcategory has tailored criteria that reflect how you actually use the bag. Camera backpacks emphasize gear protection and quick access, while adventure backpacks prioritize weather resistance and trail durability. The scoring evaluates comfort, organization, build quality and how well the bag handles real travel scenarios.
Travel backpacks
Reviews focus on carry comfort and weight distribution, organization speed for laptops and chargers, and build quality that survives years of travel. Weather resistance, tech protection and versatility across work and travel use cases round out the scoring.
Daypack backpacks
These get scored on all-day comfort with breathable back panels, quick-access pockets for daily essentials, and water bottle pocket performance that actually works. Build quality, laptop protection and versatility between commute, gym and travel days matter most here.
Adventure backpacks
Load transfer efficiency and hip belt performance drive the comfort score, while weather resistance and abrasion durability get heavy weight for trail use. Organization focuses on hydration compatibility and quick-grab external storage rather than laptop pockets.
Camera backpacks
Camera and lens protection is the top priority, followed by gear organization and access speed for lens swaps. Weather resistance, tripod carry systems and security features like rear-only access get scored heavily since photographers need reliable protection in unpredictable conditions.
Duffel bags
Carry comfort focuses on shoulder strap performance and backpack mode conversion, while organization emphasizes wide-mouth access and shoe separation. Build quality, weather resistance and versatility across gym, weekend trips and commuter use drive the scoring.
Rolling suitcases
Maneuverability and wheel performance are the top criteria since that’s what makes or breaks a suitcase. Handle quality, internal organization and shell durability get heavy weight, while packability focuses on capacity efficiency rather than nesting inside other bags.
Tote bags
Reviews emphasize handle comfort and structure that keeps the bag standing upright, plus quick access to tech and organization that works at a desk. Laptop protection, weather resistance and versatility between work and travel scenarios round out the scoring.
Sling bags
Comfort and body-hugging fit matter most since slings sit differently than backpacks. One-handed access speed, organization for phone and essentials, and strap adjustability drive the scoring. Security features like body-side pockets get extra weight for crowded travel environments.
Crossbody bags
Comfort focuses on strap width and how the bag sits on your hip without bouncing or digging in. Quick access to passport and essentials, security features for crowded places, and packability for travel days drive the scoring.
Rolltop backpacks
Weather resistance and roll-top sealing performance are top priorities since that’s why most people choose rolltops. Expandability and capacity flexibility get heavy weight, while side access for laptops and tech protection without unrolling the top matter for daily use.
Travel apparel criteria
You’ll find these criteria in our travel apparel coverage, from dresses to joggers. Each subcategory has specialized criteria that reflect real travel use. Rain jackets emphasize waterproof performance, dress shirts prioritize wrinkle resistance and fit, while hoodies focus on comfort and temperature regulation. The scoring evaluates comfort against skin, fit accuracy, materials that resist odors and dry quickly, and how well garments pack without wrinkling.
Travel hoodies
Comfort against skin and fit accuracy drive the scoring, along with materials that resist odors and dry fast after hotel sink washing. Temperature regulation across airport to city transitions, breathability during walks, and wrinkle resistance for packing round out the evaluation.
Travel sweaters
Reviews focus on wool softness versus prickle factor, fit that accommodates layering, and odor resistance for multi-day wear. Breathability, temperature regulation and styling versatility matter more than technical features since sweaters bridge casual and smart casual environments.
Travel jackets
Weather protection gets heavy weight since that’s the core function, followed by temperature regulation and wind performance. Comfort against skin, fit for layering, breathability and packability drive the scoring for jackets that need to work across variable travel conditions.
Rain jackets
Waterproof performance is the top priority, with seam sealing, zipper waterproofing and storm protection getting heavy weight. Breathability and venting performance matter almost as much since clammy jackets become unusable fast. Fit for layering and packability round out the scoring.
Travel pants
Fit accuracy and mobility drive the scoring, along with comfort against skin and materials that dry fast. Durability and abrasion resistance get dedicated scoring since pants face unique wear patterns from seats and bags. Wrinkle resistance, breathability and versatility across casual to smart casual environments round out the evaluation.
Travel dress pants
Fit quality and professional appearance matter most, followed by wrinkle resistance that keeps pants sharp after packing. Materials that balance looks with easy care, durability at seat and thigh areas, and styling versatility across business and travel scenarios drive the scoring.
Travel joggers
Comfort against skin and fit that accommodates athletic builds drive the scoring. Materials that resist odors and dry fast, durability at inner thigh and seat areas, and styling versatility that avoids the pajama-bottom look round out the evaluation.
Travel shorts
Comfort against bare skin and fit accuracy matter most for hot weather wear. Breathability and moisture management get heavy weight since shorts face humid conditions, while durability at inner thigh areas and versatility that avoids the gym-short look drive the scoring.
Travel leggings
Opacity and non-sheer performance are critical since leggings must maintain coverage under stress. Comfort against skin, fit and compression level, stretch recovery that prevents sagging, and breathability for summer travel round out the scoring.
Travel dresses
Comfort against skin and fit that accommodates movement drive the scoring. Opacity and non-sheer performance get dedicated weight, along with materials that resist odors, dry fast and pack without wrinkling. Styling versatility across casual to evening environments matters most here.
Travel shirts
Comfort against skin and fit accuracy are top priorities, along with materials that resist odors and dry fast after sink washing. Breathability for summer travel, wrinkle resistance and packability round out the scoring for shirts that need to work across multiple wear cycles.
Long sleeve shirts
Comfort against skin and fit that accommodates layering drive the scoring. Breathability, temperature regulation and wrinkle resistance get heavy weight since long sleeves bridge seasons. Materials that resist odors and packability for travel days round out the evaluation.
Dress shirts
Fit accuracy and wrinkle resistance are the top priorities since dress shirts must look polished after travel. Comfort against skin, materials that balance looks with easy care, and styling versatility across business to travel scenarios drive the scoring.
Travel suits
Fit accuracy and wrinkle resistance matter most since suits must maintain a professional appearance under travel stress. Comfort during long flights, materials that resist odors and pack without crushing, and styling versatility across business and travel scenarios round out the scoring.
Travel accessories criteria
These criteria cover everything from tech pouches to travel organizers in our travel accessories hub. Each subcategory has specialized criteria that reflect how you actually use the accessory. Tech bags focus on device protection and organization, packing cubes emphasize compression effectiveness, while ear plugs prioritize noise reduction. The scoring evaluates how well each accessory solves a specific travel problem, with quick access, minimal bulk and durability under constant use driving the evaluation.
Tech bags
Reviews focus on core functionality that eliminates cable clutter, organization speed for quick access to chargers and dongles, and device protection that prevents crushing. Build quality, packability and ease of use matter most since tech bags get opened dozens of times per day.
Fanny packs
Organization and access speed drive the scoring since fanny packs need to deliver essentials in seconds. Security features for crowded places, wear comfort for all-day use, and ease of use for constant opening and closing round out the evaluation.
Packing cubes
Core functionality and compression effectiveness are top priorities since cubes must actually improve packing efficiency. Organization and access speed matter for mid-trip access, while build quality and durability get heavy weight since cubes face constant overstuffing stress.
Dopp kits
Organization and access speed matter most since you use these when half-awake in hotel bathrooms. Leak protection and ease of maintenance get heavy weight since toiletries create mess, while packability and moisture management round out the scoring.
Neck pillows
Comfort and support are the top priorities since that’s what makes or breaks a travel pillow. Packability and thermal regulation matter almost as much since hot pillows become unusable fast. Ease of use and battery life for adjustable models round out the scoring.
Ear plugs
Noise reduction effectiveness and comfort drive the scoring since plugs must work without causing ear pain. Seal consistency and pressure equalization matter for airplane use, while ease of use and packability round out the evaluation for products you’ll use constantly.
Keychains
Core functionality and security matter most since lost keys are catastrophic. Organization and access speed, durability at clips and magnets, and ease of use for one-handed operation drive the scoring for products that get constant daily use.
Laptop sleeves
Laptop protection is the top priority, with padding thickness, corner protection and suspended compartments getting heavy weight. Build quality, weather resistance and ease of use for TSA checkpoints round out the scoring for sleeves that must survive constant insertion and removal.
Phone cases
Phone protection and camera lens protection drive the scoring since cases must survive real travel abuse. Grip and handling security matter for multitasking during travel, while MagSafe compatibility and ease of use round out the evaluation.
Shoe pouches
Core functionality and odor control are top priorities since pouches must keep shoes separated from clean clothes. Packability, ease of maintenance and water management get heavy weight since wet shoes create problems fast.
Sleep lights
Light quality and spectrum matter most since sleep lights must support circadian rhythm without harsh blue light. Functionality that masks hotel noise, battery life for multiple nights, and ease of use in complete darkness drive the scoring.
Camera straps
Comfort and fit drive the scoring since straps must work for all-day shooting without causing neck strain. Security and attachment confidence matter for expensive gear, while ease of use and durability at stress points round out the evaluation.
Sound machines
Sound quality and noise masking power are top priorities since machines must actually drown out disruptive hotel noise. Battery life for multiple nights, ease of use when exhausted, and packability for nightly travel round out the scoring.
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. Each subcategory has specialized criteria that reflect real family travel use. Strollers emphasize portability and ease of use, cribs prioritize safety and setup speed, while carriers focus on comfort and adjustability. Safety and stability are non-negotiable, but we also evaluate comfort for both parent and child, portability for airports and tight spaces, and cleanability after inevitable messes.
Travel strollers
Safety and stability drive the scoring since travel involves unpredictable terrain. Portability and storage matter almost as much since strollers must fit overhead bins or gate-check easily. Ease of use when juggling luggage and a toddler, maneuverability on cobblestones and rough surfaces, and cleanability after airport messes round out the evaluation.
Travel cribs
Safety and stability are the top priorities since cribs must replicate safe sleep standards away from home. Ease of use and setup speed matter when you’re exhausted after travel days, while portability and storage get heavy weight since cribs need to disappear into luggage. Cleanability and durability round out the scoring.
Baby carriers
Safety and stability matter most since failures are catastrophic, followed by child and parent comfort for all-day wear. Ease of use for solo setup, portability for travel days, and heat management for warm destinations drive the scoring. Adjustability as kids grow and versatility across carrying positions round out the evaluation.
Hiking carriers
Safety and stability get heavy weight since hiking involves uneven terrain and shifting child weight. Child and parent comfort drive the scoring for long trail days, while load stability and balance matter for unpredictable footing. Durability for both airports and trail use, storage capacity for day hikes, and ventilation for heat management round out the evaluation.
Family travel bags
Organization and rapid-access layout are top priorities since family bags need to deliver essentials in seconds. Versatility across travel days, park days and hotel pool trips matters almost as much. Comfort for heavy loads, spill and mess management, and capacity that handles eight to twenty pounds drive the scoring.
Travel footwear criteria
Shoes get their own scorecard in the travel footwear section. Each subcategory has specialized criteria that reflect real travel use. Waterproof shoes heavily weight waterproof performance, water-resistant shoes balance breathability with light rain protection, while travel socks emphasize comfort and moisture control. All travel footwear is scored on all-day comfort after 10,000 to 20,000 steps, weather performance, traction on varied surfaces, and versatility across activities.
Travel shoes
All-day comfort drives the scoring since travel means long walking days, followed by support and stability for uneven sidewalks. Breathability and moisture control matter for temperature swings, while traction on wet pavement and cobblestones gets heavy weight. Weight, packability and durability round out the evaluation.
Waterproof shoes
Waterproof performance is the top priority, with seam sealing, gusseted tongues and storm protection getting heavy weight. Breathability matters almost as much since waterproof membranes can trap heat, while traction on wet surfaces and comfort for long walking days round out the scoring.
Water-resistant shoes
Water resistance performance and breathability drive the scoring since these shoes balance light rain protection with ventilation. Dry-time speed matters since water-resistant shoes will eventually get wet, while traction on wet surfaces and comfort for all-day wear round out the evaluation.
Travel socks
All-day comfort and breathability are top priorities since socks must prevent blisters and manage moisture. Odor resistance gets heavy weight for multi-day wear, while temperature regulation, durability and packability round out the scoring for socks that need to work across multiple wear cycles.
Understanding subcategory variations
While the general criteria above apply to most products in each category, specific subcategories may have:
- Different weight distributions: Some aspects may be weighted more heavily (for example, waterproof performance for waterproof shoes)
- Specialized criteria: Unique aspects like compression effectiveness for packing cubes, noise reduction for ear plugs, or setup speed for travel cribs
- Adjusted labels: Criteria labels may be more specific (for example, “Camera & lens protection” vs “Laptop & tech protection”)
The scoring system automatically uses the appropriate criteria based on each product’s subcategory, ensuring fair and relevant comparisons.
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.
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