https://lighterpack.com/r/qnh6r1

The is an update from my  retro a year ago.  For the last 4 years I have been mostly a nomad  living out of a bag which has squeaked by as a personal size item on all my flights.

Since my last retro we have spent time in Iceland, Czech Republic, TW, UAE, Turkey, Kenya, Portugal, and Spain. In the US we spent time in California, Oregon, Arizona, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Ohio.

Generally we stay in the same place 1 week to a month, though there have been weeks where we were moving between destinations (by foot and mass transit) numerous miles each day. We try to stay in places that have a washer but that's not always the case. Clothing washed as needed (1-7 days of wear depending on item, conditions and activities). In almost all situations clothing dried overnight (less than 7 hours) with the exception of wool socks or when backpacking in a cloud (humidity >97%). Weather has been variable: from 20F/snowing, 40F/raining, pleasant "Palo Alto" days, to >90F with humidity. We are pretty active... the "normal day" we will walk 10 miles and likely engage in some sort of exercise:  run/row (zone 2 or zone 5)  and some strength training. 

This will be the last retro about “semi-infinite travel” I post here… we are ending this season of continuous travel.  We are settling into a couple locations with explicit trips to interesting destinations.  In the next season of life my bag will sometimes switch from personal to carry-on size to have room for dressier clothing, and reduce the frequency of washing to every 7 days or so. I will continue to update my gear page at the beginning of each year.

Bags

UPDATED:  Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet – my review a 23L day pack which is light weight, comfortable to carry for extended periods of time, works well for EDC, and is large enough to hold everything I take when traveling. 46x27x15cm (18/10.75/5.75inches) filled with my normal gear is small enough to squish into every “personal item” sizer I have encountered and under the seat in front of me. While access is not as easy as a clamshell style bag, I have no problem retrieving items by feel because my clothing and stuff sack have different textures. Stands up on its bottom makes access on the go easy.  I was using the discontinued Trail model but recently switched to the Jet model which was a gift. I also picked up the ULA Ratpack Hip Belt which lets me offset some weight to my hips. I have a list of  trekking packs  for people who want different trade-offs.

Decathalon Packable 15L Courier Bag Used when most of my gear can be left behind. Easier to access on the go than a backpack and no sweaty back. Large enough to hold anything I might need, unstructured so light loads still feels small and can be worn under my slim fitting coat. Carrying >4lbs for an extended time is uncomfortable for my shoulder. The bag has several small holes in the fabric after 1.5 years of everyday use. I expect I will get a few more years use out of it, but find the lack of durability disappointing. I have used other ultralight bags whose fabric showed no wear after similar use. On the other hand, it was only €8.  Picked up a spare when in Turkey which is now in storage for when this one wears out.

S2S Ultra-Sil Stuff Sack 2.5l stuff sack made from silicon nylon.  Many uses: keep small items together, hold dirty clothing, washing bag, trash bag. 

 litesmith zipza pouch (small) which holds my small “tech” items.  It’s the perfect size, mostly waterproof, light, and a different texture than anything else in my bag so easy to find by touch.

ADDED: Nanobag Sling 19l bag which weights just 20 grams and compresses to the size of a roll of lifesavers. Shoulder strap has a tendency to narrow under load, which makes it a bit uncomfortable when used for an extended time. Great for when we are buying groceries which don’t fit in whatever other bags we are carrying.

In Pockets / On my Body

UPDATED: Apple iPhone 16 ProToo big, but can’t find a usable small phone :(. Camera on the 16 pro is quite good, appreciate the action and camera button, and the satellite messaging has sometimes been useful. Apple’s native satellite system (using GlobalStar) has a fairly good UI. StarLink via T-Mobile UI is pretty poor and connectivity has been inconsistent. T-Mobile carrier service has decent international coverage but so/so coverage in USA compared to Verizon. Purchased the 16Pro when my iPhone 12 mini’s battery couldn’t last more than a few hours.

Apple AirPod Pros are nicely integrated with the Apple eco-system and just works. Noise reduction is “ok”, and the “ambient mode” provides situational awareness. The case is part of the “Find My” eco-system.  Downside is battery can’t be swapped when it no longer holds a charge. I have written about other headphones.

Flexon Frames last an average of 8 years. Yearly replace lens… currently using high index progressive lens with Transitions XtrActive Polarized that go from almost clear and unpolarized to 90% light blockage which is polarized! Eyeglasses are an incredible blessing.

Garmin 955 Watch accurately tracks my activities and measures my fitness level. Has decent integration with smartphones and notifies me when I have left my phone behind. I find the data I get from Garmin to be higher quality than most other wrist worn sensors, being close to medical / lab grade when paired with external sensors. Better battery life than the Apple Watch with physical buttons which work with sweaty fingers. The display on the updated versions of this watch is a significant improvement but I am happy enough with my 955 not to upgrade.

Hanchor Micaa tiny wallet / coin purse which holds my IDs, 1 credit card, 1 debit card, a few bills, coins when needed. Using a Chase Sapphire Reserve card for this season of life. Annual fee is ridiculous, but benefits have more than paid for the fee last few years. Really appreciate that the points can be transferred to the frequent flying programs we use, and the access to airport lounges has been a lifesaver.

Swiss+Tech Utili-Key. The Utili-Key has made it through TSA checkpoints over 172 times without being confiscated. Isn’t as usable as the Victorinox Rambler which I gave up when flying after losing a couple to TSA. I have some notes about other knives I would recommend when not flying.

Uniball Vision Elite .5mm Pen Writing feel approaching Pilot V5 and doesn’t leak after plane flights!

EDC

Typically using my Courier bag.  First aid kit listed under toiletries is carried.

Zojirushi Double Walled Mug 16oz, can easily be used one handed, locks, pours at the perfect speed, the mouth is wide enough for ice cubes, and insulates better than every other mug I have tested. When air temp is 80F and the mug is exposed to the sun, 6 small ice cubes in cool water have just finished melting in around 3 hours – water temp is 35F. In 68F conditions ice lasts most of the day. In many countries (apparently not Canada) you can fill mug with ice (no water) and get through airport security. Once through, add water and you can have icy cold water for your flight. I have a Deep Cherry color mug which is easy to spot. When I want to go extra light weight, I swapped it for either a SmartWater bottle or a 2L Platypus bottle.

Passport with a Chipolo Card Spot so I can use Apple’s “Find My” for my passport. Used to cross borders, checking into hotels, getting cell service, etc.

LISTED:  loksak aloksak waterproof bag which holds my passport. Is large enough for passport + my phone + my wallet if I go swimming. Been using it for awhile but forgot to list it last year.

UPDATED: NU20 classic just 38 grams. Adequate regulation on medium and low settings. Has a flood, spot, and red light. Used when I need hands free light: making repairs, hiking at night, etc. Lit our kitchen during a power outage by bouncing light off ceiling. Can be locked to prevent accidentally turning on. Four LEDS to indicate battery level. UCB-C for changing and can be powered by an external source making it useful in extreme cold or when needing long runtimes. Replaced an original Nicore NU20 headlamp which I gifted to someone on our travels. There are many other good flashlights.

UPDATED: Back to a  cheap plastic  tape measure when my new, metal    6 Foot Tape Measurewas confiscated by security in UAE because it’s a weapon?!

Fold-it-flat Unitensil Spoon/Fork Often useful when traveling and we purchase food at grocery stores rather than restaurants.

STORED: Totobobo mask which is almost as effective as N95, and easier to breath through. In the last year haven’t been required to use a mask.

Sleep Mask helps me get longer / better sleep because it stops external light from disturbing me.

Technology

In my backpack when moving between locations. Typically stays in wherever we are sleeping. My new phones battery lasts long enough that I don’t need to carry an external power source for it.

MacBook 12″ from 2017 The last ultra portable made by Apple. It’s 2lb, decent keyboard, and enables me to complete daily tasks with a minimum amount of friction. Eventually I will be forced to move to an MacBook Air. I am in the Apple eco-system due to the intersection of security, ease of collaboration/sharing, and quality of applications. I have a MacBook Pro 14-inch that is left running in a safe location and I access it remotely via Tailscale. I could change workflows so everything lived in cloud, but current system is working well. I have additional details about the technology I use.

Nomad 65w Slim Charger hangs down rather than out so doesn’t lever itself out of loose outlets and packs well. 65W to one slot, 45W/20W when using both. My wife loves her tiny 30w Anker Nano. For people who need three outlets, Anker 735 and Minix P1 and P3 are pretty good. If you need more power / more outlets I would think about getting something that has a removal cord rather than plugs directly into the wall to avoid it levering itself out of an outlet. Snug plug does help keep devices from falling out of loose type A outlets.

Nitecore 10000 Gen2 power bank with USB-A out C in/out. Lightest and most compact 10k battery I have found. Comfortable in my pocket while charging my phone. Can slowly charge my MacBook or mostly power the MacBook while charging my iPhone. Supports pass through charging so I can charge this battery while my MacBook is plugged into. Has a bug that when you hold the “low power” button too long it puts the battery in standby mode which is only ended when you plug it in to be charged which is fixed in Gen3.

UPDATED: 6ft UCB-C and 2 6″ USB-C cable. Switched from a video rated cable which was never used to a longer, lighter cable.

Adaptor tips from USB-C to (Lighting and Garmin), and 2 USB-C to A converter.

DROPPED: MagSafe Charger now that my phone is USB-C.

Mogics Adapter MA1is the smallest and lightest universal power adaptor I have found. For type E remember to unscrew and extended the type C prongs. Some trouble in UK outlets due to round pins: sparking until I got it set properly. BTW: The best visual display of outlet types I have found.

Etymotic HF3 IEM with great sound isolation. Provides me with around 40db of noise reduction which is better than any consumer grade active noise cancelling headphones I have tried. Carried with FiiO KA11 USB-C DAC and airplane double jack adaptors. Second foam eartips for when current pair stops sealing. The AirPod Pros are good enough than I would likely leave behind unless doing a number of transatlantic or transpacific flights.

Tempo Logging Thermometer which lets me keep track of the conditions I experience.

Garmin HRM-Pro gets higher accuracy during interval training than built in optical sensor on smart watches and works when swimming. Also provides running power which has been somewhat useful. Supports ANT+ and Bluetooth.

Toiletries

UPDATED: Decathlon Ultralight Toiletry Bag is the perfect size for my toiletry kit and makes it easy for me to find everything quickly. Top section holds first aid kit, middle things for teeth/lips, and the larger bottom section holds everything else. Replaced REI Micro Shower Bag that I was struggling to quickly access contents as what I carried increased.

First Aid Kit: Band-aids, single use benzoin tincture, compeed blister pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic cream, superglue, a couple of safety pins, and a few doses of nyquil and benadryl, small HumanGear GoTubb to store aleve.

UPDATED: Philips One ToothbrushElectric toothbrush that is compact, easy to use, comfortable in the hand, and moderately effective. Use a  charging adapter rather than the charging cable. Why doesn’t the Philips use a standard USB-C socket?! The Philips One isn’t as strong as I want.  Likely going to return to Oral-B for home and travel.

UPDATED: Reach (rebranded Listerine Woven / Ultraclean) Floss. Is the most effective dental floss I have used. Gentle to the gums while still getting plague and food wedged between teeth out.  Had switched to Glide brand, but found a stockpile of Reach.

ADDED: Daily Medicine – Comprehensive preventative medical checkup in TW recommended some medicines to take daily.  Stored in ziplocks made for pills and some GoTubb containers.

100senses body bar which takes care of all my cleaning needs without drying out my sensitive skin or making my hair feel like straw. One bar lasts around six months. There are better shaving creams and detergents to wash clothing, but it’s been good enough and simplifies life for me.

Matador Flatpack Soap Case The Flatpak lets the soap dry out better than a ziplock bag, but it’s far from magical. In high humidity conditions I have had soap fail to dry after a couple of days. It doesn’t work very well as a case while showering.

Gillette Mach-3 Handle. Use around 11 blades / year.

PaRaDa Nail clipper are large and heavy but effective and the trimmings catcher is brilliant. I have been saying for years that I will replace it with something lighter and more compact but I haven’t done it yet.

Retractable Bristle Hairbrush Compact and more effective than a comb for me.

Crystal Deodorant Simple Potassium Alum crystals. Years ago I ran an experiment and discovered if I showered regularly, no one could tell that I didn’t use deodorant. I suppose I have lower BO than some people. After >10 years I gave this deodorant a try after reading about them on /r/onebag. I notice that my shirts go a day or more longer before they pick up body odor. Carrying a 1.5 oz stick which shows little wear after several years of use. It’s best to apply right after a shower since it needs to be wet and works best on clean skin. It’s not an anti-perspirant nor doesn’t cover up existing odor. Rather it produces it environment that is hostile to the odor creating bacteria. Removed from case… rubber band to make it easier to grip.

A micro fiber cleaning / storage bag for my glasses

ADDED: Holey Hiker Backpacking Bidet Just attach to a squeezable water bottle. Not as nice as a heated toto, but gets the job done. This plus some other hygiene and no more monkey butt during extended treks in hot conditions.

PackTowel Ultralight Body Size now discontinued. Dries in less than 3 hours after I dry myself when hanging indoors, faster in sun, is compact, weights just 3oz. Large enough that I can wrap it around my waist like a small sarong. I found the face size sufficient for me to dry my body, but I am willing to carry a larger towel for the added versatility and ease of use.

I acquire sunscreen wherever I am. I try to select SPF >=50, considered very low risk for health, and reef safe when near the ocean. The sun screens in EU are way better than in the US because the FDA hasn’t approve some of the newer options. Such a shame since they are reportedly are safe, feel better on the skin, and often don’t leave you looking like a ghost. If the trip is short and I don’t have any sun screen from the EU left I will bring a Neutrogena Mineral stick. Around town where I don’t need to worry about form factor or TSA I will pick up whatever is the top rated sun screen that is liked by both consumerlab and ewg.

Clothing

I have notes about selecting clothing which goes into my thoughts in more details.

UPDATED: Shammas Elite Maximus I love the feel of running almost barefoot and the small space they take when packed. I find the Shammas lacing system more comfortable and they have better traction than any of the Luna I have used, and they have better ground feel than Bedrock sandals. Lasted 1000 miles so far.

 Inov-8 Trailfly G 270. Zero drop trail running shoe with a 12mm stack. Great fit for me: just enough room for my toes to splay while gripping my heel perfectly. Used for backpacking or trail running when the terrain is too challenging for my sandals or when I need to wear closed toe shoes. They have been acceptable footwear in snobbish establishments and no one has ever commented about them. I wear in transit and pack my sandals. The graphene infused soles are more durable than typical trail runners. At 1400 miles there is still a bit of tread on the highest wear areas of the sole and the uppers still look ok. Discontinued and replaced by the Trailfly Zero which I haven’t tried yet. Hopefully same great fit and durable. Alas, not available in black, or any discreet colors. :( 

2 Xoskin Toe Socks prevents blisters forming between my toes when walking or running for extended distances. I have worn one pair 30 days in a row doing 16 miles of hiking each day without blisters, even when my feet are wet. They weren’t stinky after six days of continuous use and not washing (yes, this is gross, but I was backpacking and running an experiment). These were a new pair, they are more prone to pick up odor after several hundred miles of use. Gets 700 miles before first hole appears. With darning can often make it to 1100 miles. Downside is harder to put on than normal socks.

STORED: Darn Tough Socks.  Not needed. Xoskin is getting the job done and the Darn Tough can’t be used with my sandals.

3 Icebreaker Anatomica Briefs  The most comfortable underwear I have worn. They dry quickly and resist odor. Only downside is that they bunch up a bit in hot weather when carrying a backpack. I wash the pair I wore at the end of the day… they typically dry overnight. Typically get 600 days of wear before they need to be replaced.

Xoskin Compression Shorts Great for many highly energy activities. Has eliminated chafing on long, hot runs, and of course work fine in less demanding circumstances. Ok as a swim suit. No pockets, but items placed on the leg are held in place by compression. Not durable enough to cycle in without shorts over them. When not subjected to extreme abrasive conditions, first hole appeared after around 600 hours of use, but performance is still good.

Patagonia Hydropeak Hybrid Walk Shorts Dry in a couple of hours while hanging, faster when wearing. They are very comfortable, give me good freedom of movement. Not excessively “technical” looking. They can function as a swim suit – no drawstring but snug enough fit that they stay on when I dive from a high board.

2 Outdoor Research Ferrosi Transit Pants Acceptable looking in urban settings (wish didn’t have the OR logo on the pocket.. though typically hidden by my shirt) while providing great mobility. Unless it’s 99% humidity, dries in a few hours and is comfortable in hot weather. I have some concerns about long term durability… noticed some light pilling near my knee after around 120 days of wear but only noticeable when my eye is inches from the fabric. Time between washing required varies between 1 day (muddy trails in hot weather) to 5 days (urban, low activity, cool temperatures). Other good pants.

 Icebreaker Anatomica Tee-shirt  Merino wool with a bit of nylon for durability and a bit of lycra for a body hugging fit. This tee-shirt fits me perfectly, is super comfortable, doesn’t smell after a week+ of wear, dries overnight, and my wife likes how the shirt looks on me. UPF between 15-30? I get around 500 days of wear before an Anatomica Tee looks tired, and 600 days before the first small holes appear. This is my default shirt unless I am want something covering my arms (sun protection or warmth). I think Icebreaker makes the best merino tees, but there are a number of other good options from Smartwool, Outlier, Wool&Prince, and several other companies. While I love merino wool, there are advantages to synthetic technical-tees: absorb less water, dry more quickly, and are more cost effective because they tend to be cheaper and longer lasting.

Arcteryx Cormac Hoodie A casual UPF 50 shirt. Slightly textured which I find reasonably comfortable when I am hot and sweaty. When using a crystal deodorant resists odor for 3+ days of normal activities, 2 day of vigorous activity. Provides full sun protection. Resists stains pretty well so spills generally clean with a quick rinse, but after 130 days of use there were stains which won’t come out. Thankfully light stains on the heather mostly blend in. I found this shirt dries in less than 3 hours after being squeezed, rolled in a towel and hung in a cool indoor room with modest ventilation. When hung in bright sunlight it dries in less than 1 hour. Also dries in less than 1.5 hours when I am wearing it in moderate temperatures and humidity. This is my default shirt for “outdoors” / “athletic” activities. The Outdoor Research Echo is a good alternative for many: lighter, cooler feeling, with a slimmer fit, and good anti odor. Unfortunately for me, the Echo’s UPF is 15-20 has resulted in me getting sunburn when I spend all day outdoors in locations which have >10 UV Index. I have notes about other base layers.

Outlier AMB Merino Wool Button Up Shirt. Very comfortable. Nice looking, resists wrinkles and if I don’t spill food on it can be worn for more than a week without washing. Dries overnight. Good air permeability, surprisingly comfortable in warmer conditions. My default long sleeve shirt when in urban environment. No longer made.

STORED:  OR Astroman Button-Up UPF 30-50, light weight long sleeve button-up shirt. Jack of all trades, master of none. If I could only have one shirt for adventure travel, this is what I would take. Good sun protection and reasonably comfortable in hot conditions, but not as comfortable as Cormac Hoodie. Reasonably dressy, but the slash pocket, tendency to wrinkle, and lack of fabric structure isn’t as dressy as a good wool, cotton, or linen button-down shirt. Resists odor for 2-4 days at “normal” activity levels, 1-2 when highly active. Dries in a few hours when hung up after washing. First shirt not durable: shoulders piling badly after just 10 days of serious backpacking. OR replaced it under warranty. We will see if I had a defective shirt.

ADDED/STORED:Jolly Gear Triple Crown Shirt Button down shirt with hide-able hood and thumb loops, UPF 30, modestly stink resistant (it's polyester), and fast drying. A flashback to the 1970s. Works on the trail and in the city. The pattern is printed on the outside, so when you roll up the sleeves plain fabric is revealed. Not as cool wearing as my Cormac or Astroman sun shirts, but certainly more "stylish". A bit much for me, but my wife loves it and I regularly get compliments from people when I wear it.

Outerwear

The following clothing allows me to be comfortable at all actively levels when the temperature is 25F or warmer, and colder if I am engaged in high aerobic activities like running or cross country skiing.

Macpac Nitro Pullover Made from Polartec Alpha Direct (90gsm). Almost no water absorption and dries super fast. Very air permeable… I can feel air flow at walking speed in still air. Very light insulate without a shell, surprisingly warm under a shell. Great when active in cold conditions. Worn whenever my shirt isn’t warm enough. I am comfortable sitting in 68F wearing the Nitro and a tee-shirt, but when I pull up the hood and layer on a shell I am comfortable down to 40F doing light work (walking 2mph flat terrain), and in colder conditions when more active. Not as fragile as it looks but guessing 1/4 the lifetime of a classic fleece. There are lots of good options for an insulation layer.

Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest Incredibly light weight vest which provides moderate insulation for my core. I have the Japanese version which has pockets. With a long sleeve shirt and shell I am adequately comfortable down to around 45F. When combined with a tee-shirt, Macpac Nitro, and a shell allows me to be comfortable while walking down to 30F. Combined with Nitro and Micro Puff keeps me warm enough in any winter conditions I am likely to encounter in the next few years. More acceptable looking over button down shirt / under blazer than my hoodie. Less than perfect for me: cut is a bit too boxy the neck doesn’t seal well.

Montbell DryPeak Jacket made from Shakedry. I can actually wear it and not be soaked by sweat when active! I have done zone 2 runs for 2 hours in 48F rain with just 1 gram of water accumulating. Waterproof and doesn’t wet out. Works well as a wind shell. Shakedry is somewhat fragile and is discontinued… hope something equally performant comes out soon. Other options are discussed in my post about rain gear.

Enlightened Gear Visp Rain Mittens Super minimalist protection for hands. Keeps my hand comfortable from freezing to around 50F when engaged in modest activity

Foam Visor Keeps sun, rain, and sweat out of my eyes when running. Often combined with a hood which protects neck and ears.

Montbell Umbrero Rain Hat is a 1.8oz folding hat which fully shades my face, ears, and neck. It’s fully waterproof but still provides the best ventilation of any hat I have used. It deforms but usable in <25mph winds. I paint the inside for UV protection. I think it’s silly looking, and periodically have people point and laugh… but I have also received compliments and have had people chase me down to ask where they could purchase one for themselves. The tube inside the brim breaks after 2-3 years of everyday use. There are lots of other good hat options.

ADDED: Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants are simple, light, breathable, waterproof rain pants. Have used them occasionally in cool rain when commuting by bike, hiking, or backpacking. After a few years of light use I am getting some minor leaking in the seat, and the bottom cuffs are fraying / delaminating. I go back and forth with bringing them. Last year they really didn’t get used.  I am adequately comfortable wearing Terrebonne or OR Ferrosi in the rain and then allowing them to dry on my body.  I brought the Rain Pants out for when we spent several weeks in Iceland and doing the NH section of the AT, and was glad I brought them.

Exceptions

There were several trip segments in the last year that planned to mix urban life with  multi-day backcountry / wild camping.

For these segments I initially switched to a 40l  Hanchor Tufa which weights 26oz and carries up to 17lb with comfort, usable up to around 27lb. The Tufa uses a full length foldable foam pad to provide structure. I found it more comfortable than a HMG SW2400. When the roll-top is fully cinched down qualified as carry on for most airlines. When I was able strip down to just my back country items it was able to  scrunch into Spirit Air personal bag sizer. I carried my laptop in the “pad pocket”.  I recently switched to a pack which I found more comfortable to carry. The Zpacks Arc Hauler 50l weights 24oz and carries up to 22lb with great comfort, and was usable up to nearly 30lb. When the roll-top is fully cinched down qualified as carry on, and it compresses well when carrying a low volume load.

On some of the backpacking outings I was able to leave my “purely urban” gear behind. On other outings, I hauled everything with me.  I think a detailed list of items I used for back country is beyond the scope of this subreddit, but here is a lighterpack   combining urban and wilderness camping that I used for several months.

Hello all,

I have just returned from a week-long trip to Spain, using the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Pack 25+5. I just wanted to share how it went.

Packing List:

• In one small Prezon Packing Cube
  • Rash vest
  • Swimming trunks
  • Goggles
  • Cloth
  • 3x pants
  • 3x socks
  • Vans
• In one medium cube
  • 1x smart set of clothes
  • 1x casual set of clothes
  • PJs
• In one Toiletry Pouch (was a gift, no link)
  • Toothbrush + toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Eye mask
  • Comb
• In various pockets
  • Notebook + pen
  • Sunglasses + case
  • Fidget ring
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Fan + lipbalm
• In Decathlon hip pack
  • Pixel 7 Pro
  • JBL Live Pro 2 TWS
  • Anker Zolo 10000mAh
  • 3D printed wallet

Bag thoughts:

• My first real Onebag, after going through over 2 weeks of research

• The founder Dylan was incredibly helpful, finding a bag from an earlier batch just so it arrived on time

• The Good:

  • Very light and easy to pack
  • In 25L mode, functions quite well as a daypack for a trip to Valencia
  • Magnetic sternum strap very satisfying while waiting in airport queues
  • Comfortable

• Small tweaks I would make for V2:

  • Change clamshell orientation so that the hinge is at the bottom of the bag (like Aer travel pack)
    • Would be better for EDC/school use
  • The sternum strap popped off the rail quite a few times, so I would change it to the Aer travel pack style instead of the rail style
    • I have had bad experiences with rail-style sternum straps- they always fall off!
  • Add a hip belt to make it more comfortable.
    • Even a nylon strap would distribute some weight.

Context:

• 7 days (sat-sat) with Ryanair
  • The bag fit perfectly in the sizer with a little squish
    • In my endless stupidity I forgot to take a photo
• I am 14, and the rest of my family took a checked bag between them
• After landing in Alicante, we drove 1h to Xabia
• I will use this bag for travel and daily school use

TLDR and summary:

• I LOVE this bag
  • It may be my first ‘proper’ backpack, but I can’t see myself going back.
  • It fits in Ryanair sizer

Thanks for reading and thanks to Almond Oak for making such a great bag!

I know one bag refers to bringing only one for a trip. What’s you pick if you could only own one bag.

Hi there, I used to travel very often, but the bulk of my experiences were well twenty years ago so I'm not sure my observations about brightly colored carry-ons still hold (if they ever did):

Back then, whenever I was forced to check my overstuffed, rolling carry-on, the case in question was bright red, whereas whenever I used the black, they let me on with it.

Is this still likely to be true? I'm guessing probably not, because luggage choices have gotten a lot snazzier since then, and bright colors are no longer unusual, but I wanted to check before I buy a new bag.

(Note: I do tend to get hand-searched more than average as well, so could be my face or aspect that's the issue).

Thanks!

I need not tell the frequent reader of r/onebag how long one can deliberate over what bag to buy for an upcoming trip. All the hemming and hawing one does to make sure they have the ideal bag for their upcoming trip, we’ve all been there. Indeed, we have all be in the unenviable situation of not having the right bag for a trip, or not knowing which of our bags we should take on an upcoming weekend away. Its nearly enough to make a snoo loose focus on the fact that this is all supposed to be about immersing ourselves in our destination and not focus on the logistics. Well, as luck would have it I have been saved from the burdens of this deliberation by the events of today and my good fortune dropping a wonderful bag in my lap.

My GF had cleaned her apartment recently and this resulted in several bags of stuff to take to the second hand store. Now, an unintended consequence of letting the 2 of us loose in a second hand store is that we wind up bringing 2 bags of stuff back, but I guess its less stuff.

I take my share of responsibility for that and regularly scan the shelves for interesting calculators, board games that might have all the pieces, and of course new luggage. You know, the normal things. The last one should ring true to many of us, and I’ve spent years in envy of the folk on this subreddit who have found highly desirable bags made by the likes of ToughTraveler, Tom Bihn, or MEI at the thrift store. Today I join their ranks.

The appeal of the bag should be obvious to the serious onebagger. It is made of very durable feeling nylon with a rubber/plastic coating on the inside. The zipper is not YKK, but we can let that slide, right? The straps are a little slender but since I emphasize packing less to use my bag as a tool to fully experience my destination I don’t think that will hold me back. And to top it all off the bag is styled like a beach bag, which is fitting since I plan to go to the beach in Miami.

I’ve spent enough time talking it up, here you go:

I’ve noticed while traveling (and here on this subreddit) that there seem to be two main types of one-baggers.

I’ve been on the road solo for 75+ days and am currently at hostel, where I started chatting with another one-bagger about one-bag philosophy.

He s from Japan and has a (Hybrid wheel/backpack) Patagonia Black Hole MLC Wheeled Duffel 34L. I have a (hiking backpack) Marmot Kompressor Verve 32L. So we are both roughly in the same size range.

After talking for a while we realized a couple of things. He does not use the backpack feature very much, because he does not hike with his pack often. His type of travel looks more like: airport > Uber > hostel. He does not travel more than 1k with his bag by foot, otherwise we would take some type of transportation. He admitted that wearing the Black Hole as a backpack for more than an hour is uncomfortable, also hot and sweaty. For 20–30 minutes it’s fine, but he would never use it for hiking.

I’m the opposite. If the next town is 5–20 km away and there’s a nice trail, I’ll hike it. I love trains, but I also do a lot of hiking between places, and sometimes even stay in lodges you can only reach on foot. For me, dragging wheels along a trail would be difficult and an uncomfrotable backpack would be misery, I woud need a proper backpack.

We both carry laptops (he has a MacBook Air, I have a Dell XPS 13). Both fit. We carry roughly the same amount of clothing.

But we also noticed differences. He’s more of a city explorer: museums, restaurants, short park walks. I enjoy the same, but I also want long hikes in the mountains and forests. His clothing and footwear reflect that, he is more urban casual. My attire leaned more hiker. He laughed and said he would feel awkward with a full hiking pack in the city, but his Black Hole feels right at home in an urban setting. For him, it looks like commuting. We both had a good laugh.

For planes, trains, buses, and Ubers, both of our setups work very well.

It was a really insightful conversation, something neither of us had given much thought to before. We agreed that the type of travel you do matters as much as the size of the bag. If you hike a lot, a real comfortable backpack is better. If you’re more focused on city travel and short distances by foot, a hybrid bag with wheels might be the smarter choice.

I’ll admit, if I didn’t hike, his bag is far more convenient: mesh pockets, wheels, hidden straps, easy access. A very nice product.

So I came up with two names for these styles of one-bag travelers:

• The Jetsetter: Hybrid carry-on, wheels, backpack straps for short walks.
• The Pilgrim: A true backpack, built for hiking long distances (5–30 km) when needed.

Have you thought about how you travel, and whether you’re more of a Jetsetter or a Pilgrim?

Just wrapped up a three week trip with the Soocas NEOS II toothbrush. it impressed me. The brush has solid power and the built in water flosser isn’t going to replace a countertop unit, but for travel it does the job way better than I expected

Battery life is the real highlight. It goes about 26 days on a charge(website says 30) , so I didn't use the charger I brought this time. It uses a magnetic puck that just snaps to the back of the handle like this,and I bought the travel case, and while it works, you have to take the head off every single time and store it separately. Also, can someone please make a case with a hole at the bottom so I don’t have to dry the brush before putting it away? If you don't want to pay for the case, they give a free little cap for the brush head,just put it on when you throw it in your bag

The water tank is small. If you want to floss every day you’ll be refilling, but for the built in one minute cycle it’s the right size. I floss three times a week and it’s perfect for me. If your dentist is on you to floss constantly though, you’ll still want a heavy duty home unit

It’s just way more convenient than carrying a manual brush. all in one actually makes sense

I recently started sleeping with an orthopedic pillow and my shoulder and neck pain is gone. I travel, backpack, and camp a lot and not having my pillow with me is a huge pain (in the shoulder).

Has anyone found an inflatable orthopedic style pillow that works for backpacking and travel?

Thanks!

I’ve been one-bagging for decades and for the last 15 years or so I’ve been using Columbia fishing shirts (super lightweight, always dry the next day after a sink wash). But lately (in Europe for 2 months right now) I’m getting tired of looking like I should be fishing. I’ve tried other, similar shirts (Poncho, etc), but keep coming back to Columbia. Is there a dressier shirt out there made of a similar fabric? Rohan looks good but isn’t available in the USA where I live. TIA!

Day 1 of a 17-day trip in Greece and I already regret how I packed. Everything fit perfectly when I left home… but the second I pulled out my wash bag, my backpack turned into chaos. Nothing slots back in, and I’m on just one bag but lugging 12.5kg, a full 3kg over my max allowed weight. I’m blaming my work tech (which I don’t usually bring) but honestly? I just massively overpacked clothes and (weirdly, for me) shoes.

For context: I’ve been one-bagging for 3-4 years. My go-to setup is a 16L Cotopaxi Tasra for shorter EU trips and a 40L Osprey for longer hauls (15+ days). Since this trip is 17 days plus a 2-day wedding, I went with the 40L. But somewhere along the way, things went off the rails.

Normally, I have a system: - I keep a master packing list (copy-pasted from similar past trips). - I plan outfits in advance using a wardrobe app, so everything mixes and matches. - I start throwing items into my open backpack days ahead so I don’t rush at the last minute.

This time? Total fail. The wardrobe app glitched right before I left, so no outfit planning. I also couldn’t start packing early because of other commitments. The result: one very stuffed, very heavy backpack that I’ll be dragging around for the next 16 days.

So I’ve got to ask: what’s your system? Do you stick to it religiously, or do you sometimes deviate? And when you do… does chaos ensue like it did for me?

Long time follower, first time poster here.

Is it just me or is one bag ALWAYS possible if you can find laundry?🧺

I have been backpack / traveling for nearly 30 years. I am always working on my craft and cutting it down. I don't camp as much as I use to (no more tent/sleeping bag), mostly hostels and hotels often traveling weeks or months.

I had a couple of friends ask me about packing and I realized it was more than just one bag and what I packed, but also a philosophy, so I put a blog post together with what I pack and also some thoughts on travel. I am currently on a 2+ month trip across Europe (note: I live in Portugal) and will head home soon. Currently posting this from a hostel.

If you are interested - you can read it about my one bag here

I'm looking for one shoe that can be worn for work + travel. I'll be going to Kazakhstan and then straight to Kenya on a work trip next month. There's no dress code but I'm planning to wear semi formal (shirt and chinos). I will have a few days in both places to do some outdoor walks / safaris. Maybe a plain brown or black walking shoe could go with this? I haven't been able to find anything good. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions (ideally under £100). I'm based in the UK.

Hi, I’m looking for advice on what size bag would be most suitable and tips on refining my packing list, which I feel may be a bit long. After researching and trying a few options, I’m currently leaning toward the Farpoint 55L largely cause of its comfort and detachable daypack. But I’m still uncertain since this will be my first time traveling abroad, and so I dont have the experiance to weigh pros and cons of different bag sizes and packing list items. I’ve included more details about my trip and context below. Thanks in advance!

Trip: 7 Months in Australia (some coastal, some rural), followed by backpacking in Europe (about a month).

Weather: Will vary - will sometimes be in areas that are 50-60 degrees but also sometimes areas 80-90 degrees

Packing list:

Clothing:

4 T-shirt

2 long-sleeve shirt

5 Shorts

7 Underwear

7 Socks

1 bathing suit

2 Pants

1 Sweatshirt

1 quick dry towel - seeking reccomendation

1 formal shirt

1 formal pants

Belt

Rain coat

Slides - seeking reccomendation

Eye Mask

light coat - seeking reccomendation

Work Clothes

Non-slip Shoes

(hopefully) running shoes

Tech:

Laptop

Mouse

USB-C cord

Watch Cord

Magsafe cord

USB-C Brick

Laptop brick

Charge Station

Power Bank

Plug converter x2 - seeking reccomendation

Headphones

(Hopefully) GoPro

Hygiene:

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Mouthwash

Deodorant

Body wash

Shampoo and conditioner

Sunscreen

Shaving razor

Shaving cream

Contacts

Dry eye drops

Nail Clippers

Misc:

AirPods 

Wallet

Phone

Watch

Sunglasses

Glasses

Water Bottle

Padlocks

Baseball cap

Backpack Cover

Packing accessories:

Laptop case 

Hygiene bag

Packing cubes

Tech case

I'm limited to one bag (33 lb limit) for a two week long African Safari. I've done well moving towards one bag travel but am having trouble finding an ultra-light rain jacket. It will be the dry season, so water-proof shouldn't be necessary, but water resistant would be nice. My current jackets take up half of a compression cube - I'm looking for something I can stuff in a sack and is lightweight, as I'm counting every ounce.

Also, we are limited to 'safari colors' - nothing white or bright or colorful. So, earth tones of shades of brown and tan, khaki, muted greens. No black or navy, as those colors attract the tsetse fly.

Any suggestions? This shouldn't be so hard!

Hi onebag community!

I'm thinking about buying the Matador SEG28 backpack which looks like the ideal backpack for me. The only thing that bothers me is the laptop compartment - I've read some comments that the laptop compartment on this backpack is pretty bad. Since there is no stiff back support the laptop compartmant is kind of open to demages.

Wanted to ask if someone have tried this backpack and can verify if this is a real issue with the laptop compartment. This is pretty crucial for me since I'll be traveling with my macbook and I can't really risk it to demage.

Thanks in advance 🙂

I've been trying to get well fitting tshirts for years. I generally wear black crew necks and find that tshirts shrink and don't fit very well after time, so I get supima cotton that doesn't shrink as easily and size tall or 2" longer. I'm 6'3" and have a bit of a gut, so shrinking doesn't just give me a midriff, it also tightens on the belly.

M&S: my current favorite, they keep their shape and colour. The material feels more premium and a tiny bit silky. The shape is good. They have shrunk slightly after 1.5 years but still very wearable and are my go to. Their cuts are really nice and look more sophisticated, which is difficult to find with tall sizes.

Banana Republic. Their premium supima is okay, I used to buy them regularly, but quality isn't what it used to be. Don't let them confuse you, they seem to do a cheaper supima t-shirt that is crap. After 2 years wear, the colour has faded, but still a regular wear.

True Classic: this has been a nightmare, I've tried L, XL & 2XL... Their sizes are massive, the necks are way too wide, the sleeves too long and the material is way too thick and sweaty. They are heavy and get heavier with sweat. These are not designed for tall people, even though they seem to market them that way.

I will be traveling to the Philippines and Poland in the near future. I need to power my CPAP while keeping my phone, AirPod pros, and rechargeable AA battery for my flashlight charged up. The battery is a usb-c chargeable as well. What is the most compact way to have an adapter to US and charge all three?

context: Europe in September: berlin, Prague, amsterdam, Luxembourg, Paris

weather: Mid to upper 60’s some days high 50s °F

Duration: 16 days, hostel stays

activities: urban travel, touristy stuff if im being honest

About me: 27m who is 6’5 - this is significant because its been a pretty big annoyance. size 16 shoe. first time trying to one bag. i promise you ive searched and read reviews and my experience does not feel the same.

Carry style: i am targeting for a 35L bag and i will have a small crossbody for my EDC items. Taking trains where i can but have a flight booked on KLM airlines so i want to be in those measurements which are, 55x35x25 cm.

EDC: fjallraven high coast crossbody that ill wear with: phone, wallet, headphones, camera, portable charger, sunglasses

Goals & constraints goal: 35-40L backpack, i have liked the clamshell budget: under $300

constraints: my clothing is literally just bigger. Ive rolled and folded and folded and rolled, its as small as it gets. shoes are a big problem, european airlines. i want this bag to have a longer life. a lot of times it seems like people get a bag for 1 trip. i dont want to be a bag hoarder.

current bags/bags ive tried - discussion below.

Pakt aero 35L travel bag (the new one)

Matador globtrotter 35L

just ordered: cotopaxi 35L

I have been able to get all of my socks and underwear in 1 cube, and all of my other clothing into another cube.

clothing, including on body when flying:

short sleeve merino 72 hr quick dry x2 uniqlo longsleeve x1

graphic tee x1 fancier short sleeve button down x1

pants x3

athletic short x1

all purpose jacket x1

rain jacket x1

32 degree briefs x4

darn tough socks x6

Tennis shoes x1

chacos x1

adidas slides x1

travel towel x1

toiletries health: sea to summit hanging dopp kit - with pretty much everything youd assume in it sleep mask

misc: point and shoot camera, film, phone charger, adapter, portable charger

Discussion/question: So i have tried the Pakt aero 35L and it feels like it fits SO much more than the matador 35L. The matador has more comfortable straps, better compression straps and is overall more comfortable. the pakt fits everything better. The pakt bag isnt comfortable enough and is far too expensive to keep if i dont love it, and i dont think i do. the pakt feels like it would work for this trip, but i dont feel confident i will reach for it on other trips. One thing i am frustrated with is every bag being made for the digital nomad, which i am not. the pakt bag has the laptop sleeve in the middle of it and it feels like a waste of space, i can keep my passport there and maybe other documents or my journal but i feel like itll get so squished and just takes up space. I am not impressed enough with either bag. i leave for my trip sept 6th so its dry pack and crunch time. My shoes are really giving me hell because theyre so big. the solution is to either shower in my chacos and accept wet straps - really dont like this - or to not bring them and accept ill only have tennis shoes. i dont love this because being able to switch from tennis shoes to chacos at music festivals, which is a comparable amount of walking, feels really nice. id like to have the option. Id also like to have my chacos as easier around the hostel shoes, or run to grab something shoes so i dont always have to put tennis shoes om. SO! any feedback? ive really tried to cut down my packing list and this is significantly less than i am used to traveling with. looking for advice, feedback, discussion about what to change, what to accept and if any other large folks have found solutions to some of my problems. you can be blunt if you need to be ill try and have thick skin. if you got this far i really appreciate your help.

I am looking for some travel shirts and pants that are perfect for long travel and keeps fresh throughout the travel and odor-free. Too many times have I felt like I was going to stink after a long long travel and from sweat accumulating. So looking for some clothes perfect for traveling that will keep you feeling fresh

I will also open this discussion up to different types of products fit for onebagging that have worked for you to stay fresh during long travels

I’m flying solo with my toddler to India soon and I need a backpack that can handle everything. It has to work as a carry-on/daypack for a long haul flight (nappies, wipes, change of clothes for me + baby, water bottle, snacks, toys, ipad…the whole lot), but also be practical and stylish enough for daily use once we’re there.

Has anyone found a good all-rounder bag that works for both travel days and exploring? I don’t want something super bulky or too “outdoorsy hiking pack” looking, more like something functional but still nice enough to carry around cities.

Any recs?

Editing to add that because I am travelling with a toddler I'm bringing a suitcase. I know this isn't exactly onebagging but I can't carry my toddler and a large backpack at the same time. Maybe I should go to another sub?

Peak design travel backpack 30l user here. How's the carrying comfort with the hip belt? Does it actually help distribute weight effectively?

For those who've used both the 30L and 45L - is the upgrade worth it, or should I stick with my current setup? Does the hip belt make a big difference?

And yes, I am aware of the all other backpack brands out there and and camera Backapck brands. I am considering those too such as lowepro, manfrotto, shimoda, wandrd, and many many more. I've been one-bagging for 8 years and do bag reviews on YouTube. Currently have the Peak Design 30L, Osprey Farpoint 40, Daylight 26+6, and Thule Landmark 40 and and many more.

Edit: removed the fluff in the post and stripped it down to the core of what I am wondering about.

I'll be in South America for 3 months and plan to do a fair amount of hiking. I'd like to bring 3 pairs of shoes, my hiking boots which I'll wear on the plane because they're the bulkiest, daily shoes, and a pair of slides, for convenience. Packing 2 pairs of shoes feels like a lot of bulk so looking for ideas on reducing this.

My 2 ideas were bring either just the slides or the skate shoes and buy a cheap pair of whatever I'm missing out there or buy a pair of comfy slip on shoes like vans now that can serve the purpose of both the skate shoes and the slides. Any other options or thoughts on what you'd bring?

I, like all of you, am a lunatic and enjoy researching, comparing, and analyzing backpacks. This makes me immune to some of the ungodly price points they're sold for as I have started to see through the matrix and understand the engineering.

HOWEVER, when we show bags like AER and Tortuga to people looking at one bag travel we scare them right back to roller luggage and checked bags. My old recommendations was always Osprey 40L Fairview/Farpoint (still a great bag) but even the $230 CAD was a steeper investment than most people were willing to make. So now, as the introduction to onebagging, I recommend.....

The Tomtoc Navigator 40L

The argument for it:

This bag punches so high above its weightclass its ridiculous. Opens book/duffle style in the front. Opens full clamshell from the back and you can access the tech portion alone or further unzip to also access the main compartment. Well padded straps and handles. Stands up on its own. Flexible to pack smaller. And extremely solid build quality.

And the most important part - its $130 CAD (got is at $100 CAD on sale)

40L and that price point make it perfect Onebag start. Doesn't start newbies off by asking a huge financial commitment or asking them to go from a checked bag to 25L.

TLDR: $130 CAD (cheaper on sale), great build quality and features, 40Ls that can crush down to not start people off too drastically light.

I’ve always been someone who might overpack some things and generally will travel with relatively large bags. For context I’ve never travelled with anything smaller than 25L and generally will use my black hole 25 or a 55l black hole duffel. But when I had a spontaneous trip sprung on me and this new deuter bag/vest arrived the same day I thought why not try it out.

In all honesty since it was only a 2.5/3 day trip I probably could’ve zero bagged or just taken a small sling seeing as we were flying to France and then driving back to the UK but in the interests of hygiene and being safe rather than sorry I tried out the bag. For 16l the bag honestly fits a lot. I still had plenty of space left in the bag and it comfortably fit under the plane seat+the Ryanair sizers. I’ll definitely be using it again for short trips but still not certain I’d use it for anything over 4 days unless there were specific circumstances. What was interesting is that as we were boarding a guy in front of me with a 32l black hole bag wasn’t stopped but the boarding agent asked to see my tiny bag.

Packing list was:

1x Lululemon Zeroed in short(doubled as swimming shorts and casual wear)

1x Lululemon abc trousers(worn)

1x regular cotton shirt(worn)

1x merino wool long sleeve shirt

1x spare socks and boxers

1x ARC’TERYX beta AR(not pictured)

Tech and miscellaneous:

MagSafe charger and a regular power bank

Global travel adapter

A fan

A Cooks Tour-AB(not pictured)

AirPods

Passports

Human gear silicone pouch for snacks

1L Nalgene

Sunglasses

Medication, sun cream painkillers etc

Head torch