One Bag

I am currently using an osprey 26+6 backpack. Not the most comfortable carry, but works for me. I can fit a weeks worth of clothes without expanding. Like the clamshell opening.

In the past, I have used an Ogio Metro backpack. Similar capacity, or even more. Lots of pockets and organization. No clamshell opening, so I typically used an Eagle Creek garment folder to easily slid the bundle of clothes in and out.

I recently travelled to East Asia for two weeks. I wanted to share a couple things I learned.

Things I packed that I didn't use:

• dress pants/trouser, instead I wore my button-down shirt with khakis.
• shorts, I just don't wear shorts, even on a warm sunny day. I wore lose-fitting long pants instead

Things I was glad I packed:

• two wallets. I had a passport wallet with large bills and a backup credit card. This usually stayed safe in my one-bag in the hotel room. I also had a slim wallet for a credit card, a transit card, a hotel room key and local cash.
• swimsuit. I brought a speedo and a small micro-fibre towel (that I didn't need) and Swedish-style goggles. I only swam once, but it was nice that I could. I forgot my swimcap, which is required in Asia.
• first aid kit. I had polysporin, hydracortizone, vaseline, bandages, Advil, tylenol and an antihistamine, all of which I used. I also had gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibacterial medication and rehydration salts, none of which I used, but which didn't take much space.
• travel router. Once I connected to hotel wifi, all the family's devices worked as though they were at home (because I gave it the same name as our home network). It even had a VPN, which felt safer and sometimes bypassed site blocking.
• international multi-plug with USB ports. Great for charging up to five devices, in any country.

Things I wished I had:

• SIM tool. Buying a cheap data-only SIM card is awesome. Having a SIM tool becomes important. A paperclip could work, but I didn't have one, either.
• shoulder bag. I used a small backpack as a daybag and I looked like a tourist. (That, and being white in touristy spots.)

What made people mad:

• My extended family got so mad about my carry-on sized, backpack-shaped one-bag. They were mad it didn't have wheels and a handle, mad that I was carrying it on my back, and mad that I didn't pack more stuff. Maybe it made them feel stupid? Especially when I could manage my own bags and help with theirs. It's so irrational.
• I was mad when someone threw away my disposable water bottle. And when I left my first aid kit in my one-bag instead of keeping it in my daybag. So much, that I made a list of things I wanted to bring with me in my daybag every day.

Day bag:

• jacket, hat, sunglasses
• wallet, with enough cash for the day and a transit card
• first aid kit, feminine hygiene
• hand sanitizer
• tissues
• water bottle
• phone charger / power bank
• guide book and map, but these are both on my phone

Thoughts? Questions?

I'm not sure where to post this so I'm hoping onebag can help. I'm a band director and I carry large music scores (up to 12 x 18) and I'm looking for a bag that I can use to transport them back and forth from work. Ideally it would be less than $200 Canadian. Closest thing I've seen was the timbuk2 alcatraz backback but you can't get that in Canada...

Thanks!

I packed my Farpoint 40 for two weeks in Alaska. It was more full than I would like. In order to fit my dress shoes, I put three pairs of socks (rolled) in each shoe.

What do you do to save space?

“Take a very small travel bag, a guidebook, a pair of sandals, standard hygiene items and relevant medicines, disposable earplugs, a few changes of simple clothes, one relatively nice outfit, a flashlight, sunglasses, your smartphone, a daypack and sturdy walking shoes. Anything else can be purchased along the way.” Rolf Potts, Vagabonding, p. 209

Rick Steves has been taking American tour groups through Europe for years (decades?). He only allows one bag that is carry on size, and he describes his reasoning.

You don’t need to pack everything on the list, but don’t pack anything that isn’t on the list.

I originally learned about one bag travel at onebag.com, by Doug Dyment. It's a great resource. I probably found that website after reading Vagabonding by Rolf Potts. I highly recommend it. Then I bought an Osprey Farpoint 40 and although I don't travel as much as I'd like, when I do I try to restrict myself to just that bag and maybe a personal item.

I love seeing other people's packing lists, hearing about travel, what worked and what didn't, and even seeing knolling spreads. Happy travels!