Enola KnezevicPacking. My compression packing cube with just-in-case clothes (and travel towel) weighs 1.25 kg. I'm also bringing a jacket, but in an outer pocket of my backpack, so that I can put it in a small pillowcase I'm also bringing, to get a travel pillow.
Let's make this an awesome-travel-products thread? First the travel backpack. I have an older version of Deuter Aviant 65+10 litres. It is adjustable in every possible way and 20 kilos in it feel like 10 (thanks to the hip belt). I don't use the daypack because my laptop doesn't fit in it, I carry a somewhat larger backpack in front, and use the pocket for my jacket and lunchbox. #travel #travelgear #backpack #backpacking https://www.deuter.com/de-en/shop/backpacks/p226903-travel-backpack-aviant-access-pro-65-sl
I also have an older version of Deuter Aviant 38 litre carry on backpack. I have used it for shorter trips (up to 12 days) in combination with a daypack. Actually I use that carry on as my daypack in everyday life because I do everything by foot, so it's great for carrying heavy groceries because it has a hip belt as well. Unlike the 65 litre version, it has a large laptop compartment. #travel #travelgear #backpack #backpacking https://www.deuter.com/de-en/shop/backpacks/p226880-travel-backpack-aviant-access-38-sl
My daypack when travelling is a Fjällräven Kånken 15'' laptop backpack. It fits a 16'' laptop in the laptop compartment plus a 14'' laptop in the tablet compartment, so I can bring both my work and private computers. It is surprisingly ergonomic for its simple design, but the laptop version has padded straps (unlike the classic version). #travel #travelgear #backpack #backpacking https://www.fjallraven.com/uk/en-gb/bags-gear/kanken/kanken-bags/kanken-laptop-152?_t_q=&_t_hit.id=Luminos_Storefront_Web_Features_Catalog_Product_Domain_CommonProduct/CatalogContent_8883c368-c60b-433d-aca4-ca1daa85534c_en-GB&_t_hit.pos=12
Here's an advice: pack clothes in packing cubes by outfits, not by type (like all socks together). If you're staying in the same accommodation for 3 nights, pack outfits you need for that time (including sleepwear) in one packing cube and the rest in other packing cubes. Those outfits (-1 but +1) will be transferred to the dirty laundry bag by the time you leave for your next destination. Of course that's easier to do if, like me, you have almost identical black pieces for each day 🧛 #travel
Or have a separate once-in-the-accommodation packing cube containing pajamas, eye mask, ear plugs, loungewear, slippers (or sliders, a must if you share a shower), towel, kitchen towel (especially if you plan to eat in bed), microfibre cloth (once a smoothie in a glass bottle broke in my backpack, so I had to buy it, never went without it again), desinfectant wipes (for touch points such as light switches, door knobs, remotes, all the surfaces in the room, also headboard). #travel
Food containers! Bring two, Lock'n'Lock are leakproof (you can put soup in them, turn them upside down in the backpack and they won't leak). You can start with socks in them so that they don't take up too much space, and later use them for any leftovers (or something that needs to be isolated from the rest of the baggage, such as a wet bathing suit). I haven't had much luck with cheap collapsible ones, but Sea to Summit brand might be good. #travel #travelgear
https://www.locknlock.com/eng/product/container/food-storage/classic
Speaking of food: bring trail mix, nuts, chocolate bars, tea bags, some instant coffee, or caffeine drink powder such as Koawach, those salt, pepper, sugar, artificial sweetener, soya sauce, wasabi (or ketchup if you like it) packets you get in restaurants. Instant soup or bouillon cubes are also a good idea. Bring a reusable cuttlery and a reusable straw. #travel #travelgear
I have Eagle Creek compression packing cubes. They are great because they weigh almost nothing, but make for extra wrinkly clothes, and the compression zipper is tiresome to use every time I change the location. So I only use one for just-in-case clothes. Also, cubes aren't cubes (prisms) anymore when compressing, they're bulging in the middle, so I need to squeeze smaller gear in between them to use up the space. #travel #travelgear https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/pack-it-isolate-compression-cube-m
If you're flying you need one one-litre ziploc bag for your liquids, but bring extra ziploc bags of different sizes regardless. They can be used to store food leftovers, wet bathing suits, worn FFP2 masks, dirty shoes, or can be used as tech pouches, jewellery organisers or similar. Also bring some trash bags, they weigh almost nothing, but can be very useful when there's only one trash can, either in the room or the bathroom. #travel #travelgear
My Deuter backpack weighs 18.15 kg. My Kånken backpack weighs 7.55 kg. That's with food and water. I told everyone at work that I can't bring my work laptop because I already carry 23 kg 😅 Well, it's almost 26. And I, a couch potato, was able to run carrying them to catch the tram (it's not like I would be late for my train, but didn't want to wait for 10 min). So much for minimalism 😅
Get yourself a hanging toiletry bag. If the hook is plastic, replace it with a metal one (trust me). There are many kinds, but the huge one from Tchibo turned out to be the best for me (older version, which is navy blue and with fewer pockets).And it's squishable if not all the space is needed. #travel #travelgear https://www.tchibo.de/products/400144754/kulturtasche-zum-aufhangen
Kulturtasche zum Aufhängen
Kulturtasche zum Aufhängen | Ob für die Reise oder einfach, um zu Hause einen besseren Überblick über die Kosmetikartikel zu haben: Eine Kulturtasche ist eine gute Aufbewahrungsmöglichkeit, denn ihre vielen verschließbaren Fächer bieten eine Menge Stauraum und sind dank Reißverschluss perfekt vor Staub geschützt. Und auch größere Utensilien wie Shampoo oder Bürste finden in den geräumigen Seitenfächern der Tasche Platz.Kulturtasche zum AufhängenEine umweltschonende ecorepel®-Imprägnierung macht das Futter des Kulturbeutels wasserabweisend. Generell ist die Tasche sehr strapazierfähig und abwischbar gestaltet. Und falls man Platz sparen will: Die Kulturtasche lässt sich einfach an ihrem Tragegriff an einem Haken aufhängen.
Oh, the new version doesn't have a hook. No problem, just use a carabiner. I always bring an XXL carabiner by Tchibo because it can be really odd spaces where I need to hang my toiletry bags. Yes, bags, I have another, small one, which is my everyday toiletry bag for make up, deodorant, and other essentials, don't know the brand, got it from my credit card company. And both of them together fit into my Kånken backpack. One large carabiner hook is enough for both. https://www.tchibo.de/products/400132868/2-xxl-karabinerhaken
2 XXL-Karabinerhaken
2 XXL-Karabinerhaken | Diese zwei Camping-Alleskönner sind Haken, Griff und Halterung in einem. Mit ihnen kann man die unterschiedlichsten Gegenstände – wie beispielsweise Tüten, Spielsachen und Sportausrüstung – aufhängen, bündeln und dank der Schaumstoffummantelung angenehm tragen. Durch sie liegen die Karabiner angenehm in der Hand, rutschen nicht ab und sind gut geschützt. Außerdem sind sie leicht mit einer Hand bedienbar und können mit bis zu 20 Kilogramm belastet werden.
Speaking of carabiners, the best I've ever used are Nite-Ize S-biners. They have 2 'compartments' to prevent detaching them altogether when you only need to remove one thing, they come in different sizes (and maximum loads), and some of them are lockable, in 2 different ways (I did manage to lose one key by using a non-lockable one, so I suggest lockable ones for valuables, attaching to backpacks, or anything moveable. #travel #travelgear
https://www.nite-ize.eu/de/menu/shop-by-category/hardware/s-biners-carabiners-1037.html
https://www.nite-ize.eu/de/menu/shop-by-category/hardware/s-biners-carabiners-1037.html
I don't know what these clips are called, and I'm not sure where I got them, probably Flying Tiger Copenhagen or Tchibo, but they are amazing and weigh just a little. They're meant for hanging kitchen towels which don't have their own loops, but have many more applications. For example if the terrace door won't stay open just a few cm during the night, you can do this. #travel #travelgear #lifehack
I always need to hermetically (and I mean it) close some packaging, whether food or cosmetics, and these clips from DM turned out to be the best, better than Ikea or any others I have tried. Just have in mind that they easily break if you try to press too much material into them. For smaller packagings that don't need to be hermetically closed (salt, pepper, sugar packets) bobby pins will do. #travel #travelgear https://www.dm.de/profissimo-universalverschluesse-in-3-groessen-p4058172067020.html
There are 3 options regarding laundry:
- bring enough clothes for the duration of your stay, don't do laundry
- bring less, hand wash clothes, I did it last summer for a month, every few days I would hand wash clothes in the sink with whatever hand soap was provided, but it did get tiresome
- bring enough for a week, do laundry once a week, either by renting accommodation with a washing machine or finding a laundromat (or let the hotel laundry service do it if you don't mind paying by the item)
- bring enough clothes for the duration of your stay, don't do laundry
- bring less, hand wash clothes, I did it last summer for a month, every few days I would hand wash clothes in the sink with whatever hand soap was provided, but it did get tiresome
- bring enough for a week, do laundry once a week, either by renting accommodation with a washing machine or finding a laundromat (or let the hotel laundry service do it if you don't mind paying by the item)
Machine washing every week turned out to be the best for me. I bring clothes that can be washed together (dark colours, similar materials). I don't have a dryer every time I use a washing machine, so I bring my own clothesline which can be attached to pretty much any fixed point. It doesn't need any clips and weighs only 25 grams. I mostly bring quick dry sports clothing. In summer if I wash it in the evening, it is usually dry by the morning. #travel #travelgear https://seatosummit.com/products/lite-line-clothesline
Then I also need laundry detergent because hand soap or shampoo or whatever I would use to hand wash my clothes shouldn't be used in the washing machine. I'd used this liquid one for road trips, and refilled it at home: https://www.rossmann.de/de/haushalt-domol-feinwaschmittel-fluessig-2-3-wl-reisegroesse/p/0000043004515
When I started backpacking I would bring a few laundry pods in a ziploc bag, but liquid detergents are still too heavy for backpacking. Sometimes I would buy the smallest laundry detergent packaging I could find and leave the rest for other guests. #travel
When I started backpacking I would bring a few laundry pods in a ziploc bag, but liquid detergents are still too heavy for backpacking. Sometimes I would buy the smallest laundry detergent packaging I could find and leave the rest for other guests. #travel
I have these laundry sheets by Flying Tiger Copenhagen. Laundry sheets are waterless and light like laundry powder, but not as bulky. I have used them once in a washing machine, adjusting for the amount of water (there are only instructions for hand washing). It turned out OK, but I'm not sure that's how they're supposed to be used. #travel #travelgear https://flyingtiger.com/en-gb/products/laundry-sheets-50-pcs-3045338?mdApp_countryCodeDomain=GB
So, this is what I used yesterday for the first time, laundry sheets intended for machine washing (in most cases 2 are needed per wash). They are lightweight, smell nice, and get the job done. (Although at home I use a laundry sanitizer every time, I skip it while I travel.) #travel #travelgear https://www.dr-beckmann.de/unsere-produkte/detail/magic-leaves-waschmittel-blaetter-color/
I don't iron. I hate ironing. So I don't iron on the go either. If I'm giving a talk and need to have an ironed shirt I'll let the hotel iron it. Otherwise creased clothes are perfectly fine for me. I do own a steamer though and you might find that more practical than an iron for travelling (or life in general). Or you could hang whatever you want steamed in the bathroom while having a shower. #travel #lifehack
If there are shops at your next destination, you can leave those unopened vanilla soya milk and pasta sauce behind. That's over 1.5 kilos! The housekeeping might take them. They might leave them for the next guests (if there's a kitchen). They might throw them away, but that's not on your conscience. Staying with a friend? Leave that half-used body lotion. If they don't like it, you can use it the next time you visit 😄 #travel
Christopher Agocs@rhelune This is good advice. My packing cubes tend to be larger than my outfits, so I wind up doing 2 or 3 days in each cube + another cube for peripherals or a blazer or something if I need that.
@agocs That's exactly how I do it: a few days of outfits in one packing cube 👍
@rhelune My go-to suitcase recently has been a Pelican 1535 TRVL. https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/travel-case/air/1535trvl
It's a little absurd and heavy, but between that and an 18L Patagonia backpack I've had forever, I can fit a week of clothes + laptop + books/e-reader/etc into carry-on luggage. And I can sit on it or stand on it if needed, and I don't worry about anything being crushed.
@agocs Wow, that looks sturdy! I have switched to backpacks because of icy roads, snow, cobblestones, steep stairs and no lifts, but if I ever need a suitcase again I should consider a heavy duty one just because of how clumsy I am.
@rhelune Big travel backpacks are excellent. I used one when my wife and I visited the arctic circle in Sweden a few years ago. It was a lot better than dragging a rolling suitcase through the snow. But if I'm going somewhere for work, a sturdy carry-on is great because I can drag it out of the overhead bin, bludgeon anybody in my way, and get right into the taxi / train / rental car immediately.
@rhelune I think I'm going to retire my beloved old Osprey Farpoint 55. It served me well, but for some reason I can't quite work out, I feel like I can't put as much in it as I should be able to. Similar to yours, it has the detatchable daypack which was convenient, but also too small.
@agocs Osprey was the other brand I considered when I was switching to backpacks. Do you mean it doesn't fit enough volume-wise, or is it not ergonomic enough to carry much weight in it?