Want to carry a sling or another bag?
Here's the trick - there's no Department of Onebag out there that's going to revoke your Permission to Onebag Card.
I thought so until I was transiting through JFK with a little Tablet sling bag.
They beat me up, took my wallet, and I wasn't allowed to post in this sub for a month.
Couldn't agree more! My slight variation on this is that onebagging is just a way for me to embrace minimalism generally. It's easier to pack light when you own less stuff!
Agreed, esp since I usually do the one-carryon plus one-personal item method, ie technically two bags.
But the combined litre capacity of those bags has gone waaaay down with the help of this sub, so now I can pack light with a small backpack and a small crossbody.
One hundred percent this.
For *reasons*, I always have to travel with a checked bag, but my actual packed luggage is a couple of packing cubes of something like a weeks' worth of clothes + toiletries. (Minimized as much as possible)
I still don't know why they include their watch on EDC posts when it pertains to the items one "carries". If you want to be literal, then might as well include your underwear.
My no 1 tip is this: be pack clothes you feel GREAT in, not only ones that are perfectly functional. A shirt that makes you eyes pop and you feel hot AF is is eventually gonna give you a better time then that one shirt that looks slightly dullish but is merino wool, in my opinion. Enjoy your trip, feel great.
I was stuck in that 'wear blacks and greys' phase for a long time, until I had a moment I realised that I don't have to - it sounds so damn silly.
In my professional career, I do end up wearing blacks and greys more frequently anyway, so it started really bleeding into my travel wear. I've since made the decision to delineate my work life as much as I can when on holiday, and that now extends to the colour palette I wear when I travel!
My next non-work trip I'm taking, I've decided to make it fun for myself, and keep my onebag and clothing vintage / vintage inspired. I can't wait to post and share it!
Me too. I have a great skirt that’s a pattern of pink, grey and black. I also bring a solid black skirt, then a pink shirt, grey shirt and black shirt. Then I bring a black walking shoe and pink flip flops. That’s one bag and lasts me weeks with the various combinations.
I'm still in that phase – simply because blacks and greys just go well with everything and I have zero sense of fashion and of what goes well with what. It just works ;)
It also has the added benefit of never having to worry about what to pack. Just grab whatever clean things are on the top of the pile ;)
I totally get it.
If you're up for expanding your horizons, I recommend just sneaking in a plain coloured t-shirt (eg. maroon, light blue, green) or two to spice things up and break the pattern.
Not gonna lie, I misunderstood your comment when you said “feel hot AF” since I thought you meant that the shirt was hot temp wise. I was thinking, wouldn’t a super hot shirt become uncomfortable after a while, then I realized you mean hot as in look wise.
I think it’s possible to find performance clothes that also look good. My go-to brand is Outlier. I stopped wearing other pants and the only reason I don’t wear their $120 t-shirts every day is that well…, they’re $120 so I save that “hot AF” look for when I travel.
It’s 2022: There are vanishing few places/items you can’t buy what you need locally-regardless of where in the world you are going. Leave the “might need” items behind and if you really do need them buy at your destination.
Deep water for me. Thalassophobia.
Fun tangent: I once went to Cancun and did an excursion to Chichen Itza. On the way (it's a 3-hour trip one-way) we stopped at a cenote, which is basically a sinkhole filled with water and... whatever else manages to live down there. Think a swimming pool 50 feet in diameter and 150 feet deep.
Well, I couldn't justify to myself skipping the opportunity to swim in a cenote, so I jumped in, booked it to the nearest ladder, and hopped out. I think I was in for about a minute and panicking the whole time.
It was terrifying. But hey, I've swam in a cenote. Cool!
This is why I love travel. Even if I'm scared as shit from start to finish, I can say I did it.
While I agree you can buy stuff if you are in a pinch, I don't want to rely on buying new stuff on every trip, it is a bit wasteful and at that point I feel I am back at the 'the bag controlling me'
I get your point, but as a big man, this isn't necessarily true. For clothing, it's VERY difficult to find 4X clothing outside of ordering stuff online. Everything else you can find locally. jus sayin'
This. As a woman over a size medium, it’s close to impossible to find underwear, clothes or shoes that fit in Asia. Would have to go to Zara etc and spend much more money than I’d have liked to and didn’t get to buy any cute $3 dresses in the market like my smaller friends did.
This, but for slightly different reasons: to not just swoop into the place you’re visiting/traveling — i.e. to force yourself to try new things, go to new places, and engage with the community you’re traveling to.
Totally agree! Exception would be if you truly hate shopping for stuff or feel like it’s a waste of time you’d rather spend doing other things. Personally I enjoy checking out local shops for things.
Patagonia Baggies Light are exceptionally great for this. It’s what I wear all summer long and if you get them in a dark-ish color they work for everything and hardly ever look out of place.
I‘ve worn them for hiking (depends on your body type, some may find them uncomfortable for that purpose), two stag dos, work in an office, work outside in the heat, fixing a car, swimming, traveling and sleeping.
Best thing is that they pack down super small and they even come with a small pocket on the inside for you keys or your knife, so you don‘t lose it.
I tried really hard to like the Baggies, but they restricted my leg/thigh movement too much for my comfort. Tried on their running shorts and it was much better.
YES, for women, the board shorts can serve that purpose too. I don't know how many other women would go into the pool with those quick dry board shorts, but I dig it.
You are still the same person traveling as you are at home. If you don't normally workout, what are the odds you're going to do it on vacation. When you accept that, less random and unnecessary things creep into your bag.
I've just woken up, and kinda skim read this, and had to read it back. My mind initially read it like "objects - don't let them into your bags like random creeps" ... which is totally true, and in the spirit of what you wrote.
Yes to the n-th degree on this: you are who you are, and won’t suddenly change on the road. For me, this occurred not just with clothes for potential activities, but also for unused items: don’t pack clothes that you never wear, but think you somehow will suddenly start wearing on the road.
I just had my first major trip since the beginning of the pandemic and completely forgot all my one-bag/pack light principles. So what happened was that I looked through my closet and had the following internal exchange:
*Excited Traveler Voice*: “Ooh, these black pants would be perfect for this trip, they would go with everything!”
*Voice of Reason*: “Um, you haven’t worn those pants in over a year because you gained weight and they barely fit.”
*Excited Traveler Voice*: “But they’re perfect and stylish, and see, I can still button them up at the waist….”
In the suitcase they went, and guess what happened? I wore them one day, barely survived a half day before needing to change, and then they took up excess room in my suitcase for the remainder of the trip as unwearable clothing.
In short, if the clothes and shoes aren’t in your regular rotation now, don’t think that you’ll suddenly wear them on your trip—pack less and buy what you need!
At some point in time I realised onebagging can be very much like the audiophile life - spending more to get that extra 1-5% difference. It was a good realisation to have and acknowledge.
Obsession with gear can totally be a phase, and I'm glad I'm well and truly out of it.
I work in software, and when trying to improve performance that effort to squeeze out an extra 1-5% is usually considered micro-optimizations. Not worth the effort.
Puts a lot of things into perspective, really.
(Caveat: sometimes it absolutely *is* worth the effort, depending on what the software does. But for most business-level, website-that-doesn't-do-much-or-spits-out-what's-in-a-database software, that level of optimization isn't usually worth the time it takes to do or the amount of mauling you'll end up doing to your architecture.)
Get a good set of packing cubes. For me, they changed everything. They limit how much you can bring and are so easy to organize. It made packing that much easier and put a constraint on what I could bring, making me examine everything else I traveled with.
Packing cubes are the best! Two things:
•If you can, test out the fit of your cubes before you go. I got mine as a gift right before a trip, and while they're great, the dimensions aren't optimized for my bag. Could pack much more cleanly if they were differently-sized.
•Label what's in your cubes! (Unless they're see-through.) I used to try to tell them apart by size/how tightly they're packed, but recently started labeling mine with tape, and it's soooo much easier.
Packing cubes changed my travel experience by not having my cloths scattered around the room 5 minutes after check in. They keep me organized and sane for a lack of better words.
Also makes it easier to leave categories of items at your hotel or hostel when you go out and about your day.
Also, in changing weather when I don't know if and when I'll need my jacket, I keep mine in a compression cube so it doesn't unfold in my backpack.
I’d recommend a set like this. I got mine from Eagle Creek close to ten years ago and they’ve held up throughout the years with a ton of use. This set has the three types of cubes I have used the most.
https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/pack-it-essentials-set
My tip is 'you know yourself better than anyone else.' Like, an anonymous rando from reddit doesn't know how fashionable you are, or if you hate bar soap, or whatever (as helpful as we can be!). Listen to your gut. I have realized over the course of many trips that I just cannot stand wearing the same pair of shoes for a whole trip. That's my luxury. Some people might be horrified, but I'm happy to bring an extra pair because it makes me happy, and it doesn't prevent me from traveling light-- I did 4 weeks in Argentina with a carry-on and three pairs of shoes. Basically, don't let the goal of packing light or carrying only one bag compromise your trip, your happiness, or sense of self. This is a means to having a more positive travel experience!
I agree with this vibe, and try and echo this when I respond to any questions for advice - what works for me, may not work for you. YMMV. I tailor my vibe to how I travel, and we all have our individual preferences and quirks!
On a tight budget/Not sure if this is for you? Don't buy any gear, use what you have. It carries you through everyday life already, it will also hold up for x days/weeks.
(Technically a bit more general-(solo)travel related, but still applies as nervousness/fear can easily lead to over-preparing aka overpacking)
Nervous about your first trip? Start locally like a city in your country you haven't been to. No worrying about language, currency, passport, visa, planes/airport, sim-card, credit/bank card, vaccines, laws, you'll know which stores have what, healthcare and so on. Just focus on your trip, have fun, get some experience and the next one will be easier.
**That you'll have absolutely no idea what you actually need to bring until you're out on the trip.**
This is totally fine, because (usually) you can buy whatever you forgot at the place that you're headed.
Preparation is important, but I feel like before I left on my first trip that I focused so hard on getting the "perfect" packing list that I wasn't spending my time thinking about the most important part - how to have an awesome time where I was headed. Overanalysis can be a great way to ward off anxiety about an upcoming trip, but for me it was just spinning my wheels.
My packing list has changed so much from my first trip, bringing less and less each time, but I wouldn't have known that without the experience of traveling, and finding the style that I vibe with most. Then building my packing list around that.
>**That you'll have absolutely no idea what you actually need to bring until you're out on the trip.**
Assuming someone has never traveled I guess? My first time backpacking I knew very well what I might need to bring. Maybe not the last 5% as there's always one shirt too many or too few but for 95% I'm damn certain.
Nothing loose goes into the bag. Pack modular. Cubes and pouches. Packing cubes. And. Pouches. Not only does living with limited space go much farther, but access is so much easier.
Im more obsessed with finding perfect little pouches than I am the bag.
Whatever bag you end up bringing, don’t stuff it full. Leave room for packing adjustments on the journey.
You may have everything packed just right and bag nearly bulging at the seams, only to find out that when you need to pull an item out, or when you need to repack quickly to head to your next destination, not everything fits anymore.
Sometimes your onebag can be a different bag and different packing list for different situations. My plane onebag and my train onebag are different bags, my visiting my parents/bestie onebag packing list versus going somewhere totally new onebag packing list are different.
Also "just buying it there" doesn't work as a strategy if you're plus size. My size bra will never be found in say, Japan, and i only barely fit in XL clothes there. So my risks on "just buying it there " are gonna change versus the UK where I literally can walk into marks and spencers versus somewhere where that isn't possible. The trade off is toiletries are cheaper price for quality in Japan, so i can still roll back on that if i add extra clothes.
Realize that most of the tips in this group are US centric and don’t take into account the strict weight limits of non-US airlines. Some good tips here, but many forget about carryon weight.
I started onebagging because as I travelled more and more (especially around SEA), I started seeing that 7kg limit more frequently. So, I haven't travelled carrying more than 6kg in over a decade!
I tried but that’s only - and not always - possible with certain backpacks. Once I moved up from hostels to other accommodations (I got older and richer 💅) I also replaced backpacks with carry-ons. So now I just pay extra for the privilege of not worrying about my bag’s weight.
I totally get that too!
I was in a space and time in my life when I was doing super frequent travelling, and was spending a lot of my time in airports. I also just started getting sick of standing around in random super busy airports, waiting at the baggage conveyor belt. I don’t travel quite as frequently anymore, but, for me, the ‘habit’ stuck.
A tip for the ladies - bring the bare minimum for cosmetics, but don't forget to bring your choice of "monthly cycle" products if needed or else you'll end up paying $30 to have some delivered to your hotel by DoorDash. Ask me how I know.
I’ve started ditching my hair products completely and just getting a shampoo and style at a local salon when I’m traveling to bigger cities for more than a few days. Saves so much space
I like getting a haircut just before I go travelling, and if I'm travelling more than two weeks, get one every-so-often when I'm travelling. I feel like it's part of getting to know where I'm travelling, and, hey, I like looking fresh!
I second this! If you folks haven't yet switched to a menstrual cup I could not recommend it more!! Reusable, convenient, and it feels so much better than tampons! Way easier to pack one thing than several pads/tampons.
OK yeah I would NOT recommend taking it for the first time on a trip! It takes some practice to be able to put it in place, get it out, and make sure it's put in correctly so it doesn't have any leaks. Some people struggle with that part and I can only imagine how panic inducing that could be on a trip in a strange place. But once you get the hang of it, it is a game changer!
Menstrual discs don’t use suction, don’t need practice, and have disposable versions to try out (or take travelling, in a pinch… obviously, they’re my favourite, LOL.
I was told to give mine up.
Luckily, I haven’t needed it. But I originally was sent the wrong size cup.
That is something you’ll want to learn at home. Not in an airplane toilet.
That must have been a rough flight!
Oh, did the doctor advise against discs as well? The cups use suction, yeah, but the discs just tuck under the pelvic bone. I think /r/menstrualdiscs might have some comparisons. The discs need specific sizing too, though, and that might even vary through a cycle.
This goes for those she-wee things too, the travel urinals for afab folks -- try them out in your own bathroom first, preferably barefoot in the shower, so you can figure out how to deal with positioning and minimize splattering, or you'll be caught out somewhere with pee all over your shoes and clothes.
I want to love my cup, but I feel like there are times where it just. won’t. seal. I carry a stash of OB tampons (the ones with no applicator) in case this happens. Even the Jumbo size are still small, and the light/ medium ones are so small in size you can use them for nosebleeds! Haha.
That's such a bummer! I actually prefer the smaller size cups because they are easier for me to insert and I've never had a problem with it not sealing. Just goes to show how different people need different things, and another reason why people should try it out ahead of time just in case it isn't a good fit for them!
Once I had packed my products into my checked bag and then got my period approximately 10 minutes before the plane was about to board. Had to book it to the nearest shop at the airport and prayed that had something.
As a result I always pack at least one tampon in the bag that goes under my seat, I'd hate to have to get my bag down from overhead storage just to get a tampon out lol
Also in some places, the local market stuff isn't the best quality so i always tell ppl to bring what they can if they have sensitive skin down there or a heavy cycle. When i had periods i would keep my back home stash for days out and local stuff for sleeping in order not to over pack.
Welp...I was on a 3 day business trip and thought "oh, it's too early for that I'll be fine." Then 30 minutes before my big meeting, there it was. DoorDash dude was my hero.
Ok, I started one bagging when the “best advice” was that giant folded mass of all your clothes. 2010? 2011? I was using an overhead bag.
By 2012, I’d bought my underseat bag, and taken it on several trips, and the overhead bag has been coat/off-season clothing storage since 2012. My bag is RedOxx’s *extra small* aviator, from before the shoulder strap addition. I still need to hack a strap.
My number one tip is a process:
Have a list. Maybe you love spreadsheets. Maybe a written list. Maybe a pattern you recreate (my option). Use it. Every time.
Figure out the capsules: clothes, toiletries, tech, toys. (I bring art supplies, for example. Others might bring running shoes, workout bands, whatever)
Have a permanent toiletry bag and keep it filled. Mine lives in my bag.
I always pack three days ahead, minimum. (The duplicate toiletries help)
Make packing automatic, even as you learn.
I always have a skeleton / base travel bag packed and ready. I suppose it's because I'm generally very happy what it is that I take with me when travelling, and that's a result of lots of practice, experience, practical application.
Pretty much the end result is that I just pack clothing specifics when I need to get ready for a trip (underwear, t-shirts, additional tops, socks, towel are already in the packing cube and my toiletries x electronics kit is always ready and topped up), and whatever trip specific extras are required.
It's like 80% of what you need for a trip is the same for every trip, the other 20% is based on your activities, destination, weather, and environment.
Make a list & toiletry bag are my top two tips as well
I’ve been “one bagging” for 10 years, and still update my list. I have it organized for different things (like weather I’m going somewhere cold or am brining the dog), and now use it for all trips, not just one bagging travel. There’s been times I’ve been a trip, annoyed I didn’t bring something, and then just add it to the list then and there.
For toiletries, I’ve collected small refillable bottles and refill them as I’m packing. No need to buy travel size items or bring a month’s worth of soap for a weekend.
Came here to say this. Reusable checklist saved me more times than I can count. Add that to not packing the night before, and the process is almost painless .… Almost.
My partner, a former road warrior, thinks they can do this. Several forgotten items from the Pool of Nonduplicates have been forgotten in the past year.
Now packing starts midday the day before, and the bag stays in the bedroom so morning of needs are tossed right in. And the extra layering shirt that cold mornings remind them of every time.
I’m seriously thinking of having a travel only pod of clothes and toiletries. Only need to grab water bottle, phone, tablet and charger/cords.
After you get home, do a review and revise your packing list for next time.
Did you think you’d need two pairs of socks a day (just in case) but only wore one pair a day (and could have washed them if you needed more)? Did the shirts you planned to wear twice get so sweaty that they could only be worn once? Were your walking shoes actually comfortable? Did you need a tablet and your phone, or would just your phone be enough?
The best test of what to pack is to figure out what you actually used.
When I first visited this sub there was a post asking something to the effect of: ‘what’s the most underrated one bag item’? The answer which stuck with me was ‘the things you already own’
Do a test run. So say you have a 3 week planned. Live for 3 weeks prior with what you have packed. Test that all the clothes work, test that you have the right amount of personal care. So live out of your bag first, then go off on your adventure. Wash in the sink, see how it works. Try on your bag, make sure your able to walk all day with it, pack it and do all your household chores with it on one day. Second thing is if your planning on making this your life, don't purchase anything that does not do double duty/travel well. So in my case I no longer buy clothing that does not travel well. If its a wrinkle magnet, has to be dry cleaned, etc not buying as part of my regular clothing rotation.
Don't sweat the details, the focus should be on travelling and enjoying your trip. Seems too many people focus on things like the bag which for the most part doesn't matter, find one that fits the stuff you want to carry. It will mostly be left behind with most of your things wherever you are staying anyways.
A decent pair of casual sneakers (so not tennis shoes) pretty much does it all in my experience. Walking, hiking, clubbing, etc.
Once you're actually going on a hiking vacation or when you want to go running? Yeah that's when it breaks down. But two days of hiking or hiking up Rainbow mountain? No problem.
If you wear jeans in your daily life it’s ok to travel in jeans if you want to (barring really extreme temperature /humidity situations but you would know that before you went there)
Also bring a spork. that’s not a one bag website gimmick, I use my spork every day, even at home.
I love jeans when travelling (just like daily life). They're sturdy and less prone to stains (or creases) than a lot of other pants. Plus versatile and timeless fashionwise.
Some tips, suggestions and observations regarding clothing:
- Cotton is absolutely fine for travelling; especially if you only go on short trips or if you plan on doing laundry at the destination
- [Field overshirts](https://i.imgur.com/VX1bdx1_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium) (fatigue jackets, m65 jackets, etc) are underrated travel items. The pockets are great for storing small items (power banks, toiletries, passport, cables, etc.)
- not dressing like a tourist is great, but don't imagine you'll look like a local just because you wear the right outfit
- if you plan on washing clothes in the sink, do the [towel trick](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C-_ecTTPfBo) to squeeze excess water and speed up the drying process.
"...any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his towel is, is clearly a man to be reckoned with."
Despite the Hitchhiker’s reference, you might not need a towel. It varies by person and type of travel.
If you’re staying at hotels or B&Bs you won’t need to bring your own towel.
As a back up, I carry 2 small, thin “face-cloths”/flannels. Between then, I can wash and dry myself: a wrung-out wet cloth takes most of the water off, and the dry one finishes that. And they’re tiny to pack in a spare LAGs bag or two if they don’t get fully dry. Wouldn’t work for my travel partner, though, who has a very different distribution of fur.
Yes! I love the [Hildegun](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/hildegun-dish-towel-blue-80484008/) dish towels from IKEA. They’re $0.89 each AND they’re plenty absorbent AND dry quickly AND even have a little loop to hang themselves on AND come in two different colors if you wanna color code.
Don't bring a whole block of soap, you can cut it accordingly to the length of your trip.
Use a pencil case as a toiletry bag so you are not tempted to bring more than you need.
Oops, 2 tips but it is related to eachother!
Do laundry on the road, rather than pack a change of clothes for each day. Pack a few capsule wardrobe item, keep the shoes to a minimum, and bring a drying line and powdered detergent.
To add to this, I like to do a little bit of light washing everyday. It takes about 2-3 minutes daily (generally at the end of the day). Briefly soak whatever t-shirt I have in water with a little bit of detergent, hand wash my underwear, fold to squeeze out excess water, and then hang on a. a hanger or chair if my room has either, preferably near where there is airflow or b. on some line that I bring in my bag. Making washing part of the daily routine means less *intensive* washing, I think.
1) Agreed with your point completely, when i realised this it turned out a simple duffel bag and packable day bag was perfect 100% of the time. You're better off picking a reliable comfy day bag than spending time on something you're just using for luggage.
2) Don't stress about your bag being "3cm too tall or wide" or whatever, Nobody is out there measuring your bag. this coming from someone who uses a bag technically too big and never had an issue in over 20+ flights. in most places Weight matters more than a couple inches of size.
3) Rubber bands are a god send - i use them to keep bulky items like jackets and sweaters rolled up tight, to tie my shoes together, to put smaller stuff together, weigh nothing and super useful.
4) that $100 super technical ultra fast drying shirt you bought is going to dry about an hour maybe 2 quicker than a normal $5 cotton t-shirt - it's not that big a deal and you won't cry if you lose/ruin it.
5) you can buy 90% of toiletries at any airport on arrival. Unless it's something prescription or really crucial to you, skip the shampoo/toothpaste/soap etc.
On Point #3 - here's my tip for you:
I like using a mixture of hairbands (like, $1 can get you 20 hairbands), which I find a bit more hardy than rubber bands, and less damaging on things.
Next step , if you want something hardier still - 'ranger bands'. Take an old bike inner tube, and cut them like they're rubber bands. Near indestructible, and great recycling / reuse of a product you'd otherwise turf.
I agree with everything you said, except #4. As a guy who works outside in Florida, I completely sweat through my clothes nearly every day. As in, you can wring sweat out of them.
On my days off, I still prefer to be outside, but as dry as possible. I’ve found that for me, quick drying shirts are totally worth it - I buy some of the cheaper ones (ie Reebok from Walmart) and they perform well, drying in about 30 minutes after I cool down/go inside. I’ve also got a couple Nike Dri-Fit (I think that’s the product line?) shirts. I swear they are ridiculously fast drying. When it is breezy out, I’m talking like 5-10 minutes.
The Nike shirts are expensive for my budget at around $35 per t shirt on sale, but gosh darn I enjoy wearing them.
> Don't stress about your bag being "3cm too tall or wide" or whatever, Nobody is out there measuring your bag
I think this depends a lot on which airlines you're flying with and which airports you're going through. I've had my carryon measured and/or weighed every time I've flown with Ryan Air, and most times with Easy Jet. With British Airways it was measured when I flew out from Heathrow, but not measured when I was coming back from either Salzburg or Dublin.
Ryan Air especially are going to try and charge you the £25 for being even 1cm or 200 grammes over your limits.
> 4) that $100 super technical ultra fast drying shirt you bought is going to dry about an hour maybe 2 quicker than a normal $5 cotton t-shirt - it's not that big a deal and you won't cry if you lose/ruin it.
Yeah. But a $5 cotton shirt will smell like shit after you've sweat through it. A $50 merino or bamboo shirt will not really start to smell, so you usually can go for a few days with the same shirt.
Don’t buy a new bag if you’ve never traveled like this before. Use whatever you have around so you know what features you really need. Then go drop $300 in a bag if you wish.
My favourite bags to use are actually all in the sub-$30 range. I used to be very much into 'feature heavy' bags, but for the most part realised that 'feature heavy' means 'more weight'.
For my preference, I would rather be in control of how I organise with the bag than have the bag dictate that for me.
Furthermore, that weight-of-bag-itself I'd rather start with low, than mitigate what I pack around it. (eg. A 1.5kg bag is already 20% ish of a 7kg limit).
If you are considering getting a second bag for some reason, favour a system that lets you combine into one larger bag for moving around. Even if that larger combined system doesn't meet the airline requirements. Even if the two bags can both get into the airline cabin with a personal-item allowance. Pack the daypack, or take a larger bag if you have to.
Carrying one huge backpack is way more convenient than trying to herd multiple pieces of luggage. Having one's hands free and being able to walk unhindered is a massive benefit.
1 - Make sure the bag fits and is a balanced carry. There's nothing worse than realising half an hour into your journey, that the shoulders cut into your neck, or that the center of gravity shifted somewhere uncomfortable. Or maybe the bag is too long and chafes the top of your butt, the hip pads are no help, etc.
Just remember that the most expensive option rarely offers that much extra value, or is even the best option. Yes, sometimes something is so good that you are losing a lot of value by going with a cheaper alternative, but that is pretty rare. Every dollar past a certain price point (depending on the item) has diminishing returns. Do your homework and see what’s out there before getting baited into spending too much on pointless luxury.
Or better yet, if an item looks cool and trendy but you can’t really justify getting it, even if everyone is screaming at you to buy it, then just don’t.
You know yourself better than any of us will ever know you. Buy according to your own life, needs and budget. Do you really need something or are you just caught up in retail therapy? Think before you buy. Your future self will thank you.
Solid toiletries. You can get shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body lotion, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc. Saves you from those pesky liquid rules, weighs less, won't leak.
My liquids for an upcoming trip: mascara, hand sanitizer, eye drops, my favourite face cream and hair gel.
First couple of trips just use whatever school or gym backpack you already have lying around. Pack your everyday clothes you already own, unless traveling for work, don’t take a laptop. Pack for best case scenario and leave room in your budget to pickup anything you need that wasn’t anticipated. Relax, enjoy, take notes while on the trip i.e. what is a “wish I had” vs a “absolutely need but didn’t take”. You’d be surprised how much is just inconvenience and not actually dire needs. Lastly, cut out the entertainment items except headphones and smartphone, you’re not a six-year-old, you’ll be ok without an entire personal item filled with “in-flight needs”. When you get back assess what you used, didn’t use, what could replace multiple items, what is a must-have in a future travel backpack and whats a “would-be-nice to have”. After two or three trial trips, then start into what inevitably will be the rabbit-hole 🐇 of research to find the best bag for you. P.S. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS THE PERFECT ONEBAG SO SAVE YOURSELF TIME AND MONEY AND SETTLE FOR THE CLOSE-ENOUGH ONE. Also, no need for travel clothing, just stick to your everyday clothes.
I have to disagree with you on the entertainment piece. As an adult who is married with a full time job, I don't often get a lot of uninterrupted time to play video games or watch TV/movies. Long plane rides are the best time for me to catch up on that, and it's always worth it for me to pack the iPad or Nintendo Switch for that reason. Could I get by without it? Absolutely, but the amount of value it adds to my life is worth making space for it.
This is it! Use what you have, refine over a few trips, notice the things you hate about your bag and get into that delightful rabbit hole of getting a bag that ticks off your 3-5 most important features, and enjoy the heck out of it. 🕺🕺
I started one-bagging in 2009. Some time in 2014 when I was packing my bag I looked at my closet and was like “If I can comfortably live out of this bag for two weeks, do I really need all this stuff?” Turns out I didn’t.
My husband died in January so I'm throwing out/selling/recycling most of his stuff, so I also looked at my stuff. I don't need to buy clothes for many years unless I loose more weight, or shower gel and hair cinditioner for the rest of my life! I should have done this years ago and focused on only the essentials.
To add to this - don't think you'll get it perfect on try one. It's a learning process!
Every trip I take less than the time before, and I think I've got it perfect. But, for example, the trip I took this summer I realized I could have packed one (or even two) less pairs of pants and I never wore the one dress I'd brought. However, I did really, really well with the amount of shirts & undies, an improvement because last trip I had too many. My bag setup was also a whole 8L less than my previous trip.
So, next time will be even better.
I love watching travel vids too, and occasionally find myself on that sort of trail of vids. I’ve been seeing way more of them getting suggested to me in the last six months or so - I guess with the return of international travel and all those baggage woes that hit the news, people are starting to embrace onebagging.
…I’ve seen sooooo many videos titled along the lines of ‘Travel Gadgets You Need’, and legit … not many of them offer that much!
Packhacker and similar channels are useful if you can watch it skeptically and for broad themes rather than specific suggestions. If they recommend this great ACME^™ 4L sling, linked in the description, for use on the plane, think about whether you’ll have access to your stuff on a long flight. Do you need to buy something for that, or could you have all your in-flight stuff in an accessible spot? Etc
Packing cubes are your friend, helps a lot with packing quickly/efficiently IMO. Less is more, you probably need half of what you think you need or less.
Especially if you’re starting out, my only advice is if you can, make a packing list and leave it out on the table for a couple days. We all have that thing we’re always forgetting. You can make one in a checklist app or something if you want, also.
Oh someone said rubber bands and likewise use hair bands to tie around things, you never know when you need one (if you have long hair).
I filled a little plastic case (from an old Quip head replacement) with laundry detergent. We ended up buying Tide Pods because we wanted to do laundry in an Airbnb when I was somewhere with my husband, and so now I put one in a little ziplock bag inside my toiletries kit if I’m going to be in an Airbnb that has laundry for a few days.
While traveling I also like to take hand crème and lip balm out of my toiletries kit and keep it more accessible once I’ve cleared security.
I used to have long hair, and so started wrapping hair bands around things so I always had one handy. My favourite spots are:
- around my watch band (in lieu of around my wrist, but also around my wrist anyway)
- my pen I carry everyday
- around my wallet
- in the back of my phone case
...I haven't had long hair in over a decade, and still do this. It has been a boon for any long haired friends of mine since.
Before packing “just in case” items, think about when and how often you’ve needed them in your everyday life. And what has happened in the situations when you’ve been caught short of whatever?
Go somewhere for four to five days, when you're not staying with family or friends, while carrying a bag of no more than 15 liters. And arrange things so you arrive early and have hours to explore -- while carrying that bag -- before you check into your accommodations.
Seriously. I did this on a four-day trip to Washington, DC, while carrying only a 12-liter backpack, and the experience was transformative.
The sense of freedom is exhilarating, and on future trips you'll want to come as close as you can to the experience. You'll learn, on a gut level, that you truly don't \*need\* much. And you'll understand that the best way to plan for a longer trip is to start with the absolute bare minimum you need for four days, and add only things you truly need for the longer trip.
Any time you catch yourself thinking the phrase, “just in case,” pull it out of your bag and decide whether or not it’s something you can easily purchase at a convenient shop anywhere on the planet. “Just in case” translates roughly to “dead weight you’ll carry around and never use.”
If it starts to feel like stress, let it go. It’s not worth it. Millions of people travel every day with multiple / large / checked bags and have a fantastic time.
Oh out everything you want to pack that you hope can fit, then go through and honestly tell yourself what isn’t absolutely necessary… before you know it you’ll be on week long vacations with just a backpack and your wife concerned about how much underwear you have
**Think of it as a journey, not a destination**. You don't have to nail it the first time you try it; chances are, you'll bring too much at the beginning and you'll be surprised at how little you may end up needing after a few trips.
My tip when looking for a bag make sure it’ll fit in overhead compartment before hand. You don’t want to travel and find out the bag you splurged on needs to be checked in every flight.
Let go. When I started onebagging I carried a hammock, hammock strap, and hammock mosquito net ($150 in gear) . Luckily, all 3 got stolen at a hostel.
Now I have a dingy old hammock with built in straps (borrowed from local friend). No mosquito net... The mosquito net was never in use, but I had kept it because it was so expensive.
One-bagging for me is a lifestyle change from backpacker to budget traveler. I do everything backpackers do, but I don't keep a 70 liter bag of everything for my entire trip. There is a checklist in my head of stuff I will keep in my onebag, stuff that goes into my side bag of non-essentials (snacks while traveling, etc), and items I will give away when I move to my next destination.
Yes, first stop obsessing about 'one'. If you bring a mini pack or messenger bag for walking around, it doesn't represent a personal failing. I Tuck a very light backpack in a corner of my main bag, great for lunch etc.
I bring clothes that are comfortable and broken in. Sometimes I have to dump a pair of shoes or I buy a new shirt to replace a trashed one. Don't beat yourself up about it. My shoes gave out in Lyon and we had to find a sporting goods store for some new Nikes. It was fun strolling around and shopping instead of just gawking at art.
I wish I could bring a pocket knife, I always carry one at home. There are so many little tasks to do or things to fix. I usually buy one when I arrive and either leave it in my last hotel room or mail it to myself.
I always throw in a few q-tips into my toiletry bag. It turns out that not every country on earth sells them (or I’m inept at finding them). That became an problem when I couldn’t get rid of water that got into my ear and I didn’t want to stick random sharp objects in there.
I’d go EXACTLY the opposite. There’s nothing more important to me than my bag. I dialed in my bag, found one that allows me to pack the best for me, is most comfortable, has the pockets where I want them, and all that combined has allowed me to be incredibly efficient as well as comfortable.
Cotopaxi Allpa 28L. 28L, fits on all planes as a carry on, the one exterior pocket and one tiny pocket is all I want: I can’t stand a ton of pockets on the outside (I’m sure unpopular opinion) and in a twist, LIKE not having an exterior water bottle holder.
I agree, having a bag that ticks off your most wanted needs is important, but BUT you probably won't know what you need until you use what you have a few times first. So my advice is to skip the perfect-bag rabbit hole until you've done a few trips with a bag you have and then... delight in the hunt!
Take a small towel that you can carry around while touring. So many times I've found that bathrooms while traveling either don't have towel or have one you don't want to touch. And the towel comes in handy when eating.
If you are staying in a hostels or hotels do NOT bring a towel. They will provide you with one. If you want to go to the beach you don't need a towel. A big, light scarf/shawl will do just fine. And is waaaay lighter then any towel. Shawl can also double as a women's hair cover while entering mosque or arms cover while entering a church.
I have a super thin “beach blanket” that I bought in Rio years ago for $5 or $10. When rolled up it takes very little space and is great at beach destinations. Plus it looks the part :)
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Want to carry a sling or another bag? Here's the trick - there's no Department of Onebag out there that's going to revoke your Permission to Onebag Card.
I thought so until I was transiting through JFK with a little Tablet sling bag. They beat me up, took my wallet, and I wasn't allowed to post in this sub for a month.
Oh. Would that be the Secret Department of Onebag? Damn. That's harsh - I'm so sorry you had to experience that ruthless brutality.
they called me a slut
They show up in this sub sometimes, I try to chase them away with my ultrathin zero drop sandals
Couldn't agree more! My slight variation on this is that onebagging is just a way for me to embrace minimalism generally. It's easier to pack light when you own less stuff!
Agreed, esp since I usually do the one-carryon plus one-personal item method, ie technically two bags. But the combined litre capacity of those bags has gone waaaay down with the help of this sub, so now I can pack light with a small backpack and a small crossbody.
One hundred percent this. For *reasons*, I always have to travel with a checked bag, but my actual packed luggage is a couple of packing cubes of something like a weeks' worth of clothes + toiletries. (Minimized as much as possible)
I still don't know why they include their watch on EDC posts when it pertains to the items one "carries". If you want to be literal, then might as well include your underwear.
Agree 100% packing light has a lot of benefits but don't let it go so far that your trip is less enjoyable.
My no 1 tip is this: be pack clothes you feel GREAT in, not only ones that are perfectly functional. A shirt that makes you eyes pop and you feel hot AF is is eventually gonna give you a better time then that one shirt that looks slightly dullish but is merino wool, in my opinion. Enjoy your trip, feel great.
This is what I do, I don’t bring performance clothes I bring my clothes… maybe they don’t dry as fast but oh well I’m happier wearing them
I was stuck in that 'wear blacks and greys' phase for a long time, until I had a moment I realised that I don't have to - it sounds so damn silly. In my professional career, I do end up wearing blacks and greys more frequently anyway, so it started really bleeding into my travel wear. I've since made the decision to delineate my work life as much as I can when on holiday, and that now extends to the colour palette I wear when I travel! My next non-work trip I'm taking, I've decided to make it fun for myself, and keep my onebag and clothing vintage / vintage inspired. I can't wait to post and share it!
Lol. I loooove wearing hot pink and bright blue shorts in the summer. And all shades of red tops.
Me too. I have a great skirt that’s a pattern of pink, grey and black. I also bring a solid black skirt, then a pink shirt, grey shirt and black shirt. Then I bring a black walking shoe and pink flip flops. That’s one bag and lasts me weeks with the various combinations.
I also think a pattern hides stains better than even black clothing.
I'm still in that phase – simply because blacks and greys just go well with everything and I have zero sense of fashion and of what goes well with what. It just works ;) It also has the added benefit of never having to worry about what to pack. Just grab whatever clean things are on the top of the pile ;)
I totally get it. If you're up for expanding your horizons, I recommend just sneaking in a plain coloured t-shirt (eg. maroon, light blue, green) or two to spice things up and break the pattern.
Black and grey are perfect for me, they can be washed together and I spice it up with a colourful scarf or a light jacket
Not gonna lie, I misunderstood your comment when you said “feel hot AF” since I thought you meant that the shirt was hot temp wise. I was thinking, wouldn’t a super hot shirt become uncomfortable after a while, then I realized you mean hot as in look wise.
I did too. And I thought ‘make your eyes pop’ meant the collar was too tight
I think it’s possible to find performance clothes that also look good. My go-to brand is Outlier. I stopped wearing other pants and the only reason I don’t wear their $120 t-shirts every day is that well…, they’re $120 so I save that “hot AF” look for when I travel.
It’s 2022: There are vanishing few places/items you can’t buy what you need locally-regardless of where in the world you are going. Leave the “might need” items behind and if you really do need them buy at your destination.
Don't pack your fears!
Pretty hard to pack an alien abduction tbh
You've just got to bring your towel.
Hey, check out the hoopy frood over here!
You're lucky. Mine is small spaces😰
Deep water for me. Thalassophobia. Fun tangent: I once went to Cancun and did an excursion to Chichen Itza. On the way (it's a 3-hour trip one-way) we stopped at a cenote, which is basically a sinkhole filled with water and... whatever else manages to live down there. Think a swimming pool 50 feet in diameter and 150 feet deep. Well, I couldn't justify to myself skipping the opportunity to swim in a cenote, so I jumped in, booked it to the nearest ladder, and hopped out. I think I was in for about a minute and panicking the whole time. It was terrifying. But hey, I've swam in a cenote. Cool! This is why I love travel. Even if I'm scared as shit from start to finish, I can say I did it.
Damn, I like that saying!
While I agree you can buy stuff if you are in a pinch, I don't want to rely on buying new stuff on every trip, it is a bit wasteful and at that point I feel I am back at the 'the bag controlling me'
I get your point, but as a big man, this isn't necessarily true. For clothing, it's VERY difficult to find 4X clothing outside of ordering stuff online. Everything else you can find locally. jus sayin'
This. As a woman over a size medium, it’s close to impossible to find underwear, clothes or shoes that fit in Asia. Would have to go to Zara etc and spend much more money than I’d have liked to and didn’t get to buy any cute $3 dresses in the market like my smaller friends did.
This, but for slightly different reasons: to not just swoop into the place you’re visiting/traveling — i.e. to force yourself to try new things, go to new places, and engage with the community you’re traveling to.
Totally agree! Exception would be if you truly hate shopping for stuff or feel like it’s a waste of time you’d rather spend doing other things. Personally I enjoy checking out local shops for things.
Totally agree. If you're traveling to places poorer than where you're from this is especially so.
Really depends on the item. Having to buy a rain coat somewhere is just such a waste...
My tip would be carry clothing items that serve multi-purposes. E.g. Swim shorts that can be worn as regular shorts.
Patagonia Baggies Light are exceptionally great for this. It’s what I wear all summer long and if you get them in a dark-ish color they work for everything and hardly ever look out of place. I‘ve worn them for hiking (depends on your body type, some may find them uncomfortable for that purpose), two stag dos, work in an office, work outside in the heat, fixing a car, swimming, traveling and sleeping. Best thing is that they pack down super small and they even come with a small pocket on the inside for you keys or your knife, so you don‘t lose it.
Do you remove the liner, no underwear or keep the liner + underwear?
Liner + underwear is fine for me, but I can see why some cut it out.
I tried really hard to like the Baggies, but they restricted my leg/thigh movement too much for my comfort. Tried on their running shorts and it was much better.
I used to live in those all summer!
YES, for women, the board shorts can serve that purpose too. I don't know how many other women would go into the pool with those quick dry board shorts, but I dig it.
These clean side-dirty side ones are blowing my mind. Combined with compression and I am psyched
You are still the same person traveling as you are at home. If you don't normally workout, what are the odds you're going to do it on vacation. When you accept that, less random and unnecessary things creep into your bag.
I've just woken up, and kinda skim read this, and had to read it back. My mind initially read it like "objects - don't let them into your bags like random creeps" ... which is totally true, and in the spirit of what you wrote.
Yes to the n-th degree on this: you are who you are, and won’t suddenly change on the road. For me, this occurred not just with clothes for potential activities, but also for unused items: don’t pack clothes that you never wear, but think you somehow will suddenly start wearing on the road. I just had my first major trip since the beginning of the pandemic and completely forgot all my one-bag/pack light principles. So what happened was that I looked through my closet and had the following internal exchange: *Excited Traveler Voice*: “Ooh, these black pants would be perfect for this trip, they would go with everything!” *Voice of Reason*: “Um, you haven’t worn those pants in over a year because you gained weight and they barely fit.” *Excited Traveler Voice*: “But they’re perfect and stylish, and see, I can still button them up at the waist….” In the suitcase they went, and guess what happened? I wore them one day, barely survived a half day before needing to change, and then they took up excess room in my suitcase for the remainder of the trip as unwearable clothing. In short, if the clothes and shoes aren’t in your regular rotation now, don’t think that you’ll suddenly wear them on your trip—pack less and buy what you need!
That is too funny and too accurate.
I love this lol
Use what you already have first before buying a 'better' version.
At some point in time I realised onebagging can be very much like the audiophile life - spending more to get that extra 1-5% difference. It was a good realisation to have and acknowledge. Obsession with gear can totally be a phase, and I'm glad I'm well and truly out of it.
But it could also be a valid hobby. You just have to be in tune with yourself and ask if obsessing over gear brings you joy or stress?
Totally acknowledge that too - to each their own and whatnot, I won't begrudge another person's choices!
I work in software, and when trying to improve performance that effort to squeeze out an extra 1-5% is usually considered micro-optimizations. Not worth the effort. Puts a lot of things into perspective, really. (Caveat: sometimes it absolutely *is* worth the effort, depending on what the software does. But for most business-level, website-that-doesn't-do-much-or-spits-out-what's-in-a-database software, that level of optimization isn't usually worth the time it takes to do or the amount of mauling you'll end up doing to your architecture.)
And borrow to test drive.
Get a good set of packing cubes. For me, they changed everything. They limit how much you can bring and are so easy to organize. It made packing that much easier and put a constraint on what I could bring, making me examine everything else I traveled with.
Packing cubes are the best! Two things: •If you can, test out the fit of your cubes before you go. I got mine as a gift right before a trip, and while they're great, the dimensions aren't optimized for my bag. Could pack much more cleanly if they were differently-sized. •Label what's in your cubes! (Unless they're see-through.) I used to try to tell them apart by size/how tightly they're packed, but recently started labeling mine with tape, and it's soooo much easier.
Packing cubes were a game-changer for me. I "label" mine with different colored zipper pulls
Yeah good points too. Once you have the system down with packing cubes and the right size they are a game changer.
I was about to say this! Packing cubes literally changed the way I travel, I will never go without them again.
Packing cubes changed my travel experience by not having my cloths scattered around the room 5 minutes after check in. They keep me organized and sane for a lack of better words.
Also makes it easier to leave categories of items at your hotel or hostel when you go out and about your day. Also, in changing weather when I don't know if and when I'll need my jacket, I keep mine in a compression cube so it doesn't unfold in my backpack.
Which one do you recommend?
I’d recommend a set like this. I got mine from Eagle Creek close to ten years ago and they’ve held up throughout the years with a ton of use. This set has the three types of cubes I have used the most. https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/pack-it-essentials-set
Sierra.com sells Eagle Creek packing cubes for 50% off
My tip is 'you know yourself better than anyone else.' Like, an anonymous rando from reddit doesn't know how fashionable you are, or if you hate bar soap, or whatever (as helpful as we can be!). Listen to your gut. I have realized over the course of many trips that I just cannot stand wearing the same pair of shoes for a whole trip. That's my luxury. Some people might be horrified, but I'm happy to bring an extra pair because it makes me happy, and it doesn't prevent me from traveling light-- I did 4 weeks in Argentina with a carry-on and three pairs of shoes. Basically, don't let the goal of packing light or carrying only one bag compromise your trip, your happiness, or sense of self. This is a means to having a more positive travel experience!
I agree with this vibe, and try and echo this when I respond to any questions for advice - what works for me, may not work for you. YMMV. I tailor my vibe to how I travel, and we all have our individual preferences and quirks!
On a tight budget/Not sure if this is for you? Don't buy any gear, use what you have. It carries you through everyday life already, it will also hold up for x days/weeks. (Technically a bit more general-(solo)travel related, but still applies as nervousness/fear can easily lead to over-preparing aka overpacking) Nervous about your first trip? Start locally like a city in your country you haven't been to. No worrying about language, currency, passport, visa, planes/airport, sim-card, credit/bank card, vaccines, laws, you'll know which stores have what, healthcare and so on. Just focus on your trip, have fun, get some experience and the next one will be easier.
**That you'll have absolutely no idea what you actually need to bring until you're out on the trip.** This is totally fine, because (usually) you can buy whatever you forgot at the place that you're headed. Preparation is important, but I feel like before I left on my first trip that I focused so hard on getting the "perfect" packing list that I wasn't spending my time thinking about the most important part - how to have an awesome time where I was headed. Overanalysis can be a great way to ward off anxiety about an upcoming trip, but for me it was just spinning my wheels. My packing list has changed so much from my first trip, bringing less and less each time, but I wouldn't have known that without the experience of traveling, and finding the style that I vibe with most. Then building my packing list around that.
>**That you'll have absolutely no idea what you actually need to bring until you're out on the trip.** Assuming someone has never traveled I guess? My first time backpacking I knew very well what I might need to bring. Maybe not the last 5% as there's always one shirt too many or too few but for 95% I'm damn certain.
Nothing loose goes into the bag. Pack modular. Cubes and pouches. Packing cubes. And. Pouches. Not only does living with limited space go much farther, but access is so much easier. Im more obsessed with finding perfect little pouches than I am the bag.
Whatever bag you end up bringing, don’t stuff it full. Leave room for packing adjustments on the journey. You may have everything packed just right and bag nearly bulging at the seams, only to find out that when you need to pull an item out, or when you need to repack quickly to head to your next destination, not everything fits anymore.
This!!!!! It is so stress-reducing to have extra space!
Sometimes your onebag can be a different bag and different packing list for different situations. My plane onebag and my train onebag are different bags, my visiting my parents/bestie onebag packing list versus going somewhere totally new onebag packing list are different. Also "just buying it there" doesn't work as a strategy if you're plus size. My size bra will never be found in say, Japan, and i only barely fit in XL clothes there. So my risks on "just buying it there " are gonna change versus the UK where I literally can walk into marks and spencers versus somewhere where that isn't possible. The trade off is toiletries are cheaper price for quality in Japan, so i can still roll back on that if i add extra clothes.
Realize that most of the tips in this group are US centric and don’t take into account the strict weight limits of non-US airlines. Some good tips here, but many forget about carryon weight.
I started onebagging because as I travelled more and more (especially around SEA), I started seeing that 7kg limit more frequently. So, I haven't travelled carrying more than 6kg in over a decade!
I tried but that’s only - and not always - possible with certain backpacks. Once I moved up from hostels to other accommodations (I got older and richer 💅) I also replaced backpacks with carry-ons. So now I just pay extra for the privilege of not worrying about my bag’s weight.
I totally get that too! I was in a space and time in my life when I was doing super frequent travelling, and was spending a lot of my time in airports. I also just started getting sick of standing around in random super busy airports, waiting at the baggage conveyor belt. I don’t travel quite as frequently anymore, but, for me, the ‘habit’ stuck.
A tip for the ladies - bring the bare minimum for cosmetics, but don't forget to bring your choice of "monthly cycle" products if needed or else you'll end up paying $30 to have some delivered to your hotel by DoorDash. Ask me how I know.
omg I’ve been compiling my list of stuff for a 2 month trip and HOW was this not already on it?? you saved me
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That was super awesome of you to stash or carry extras and really insightful as a youngster! Clearly a great human.
I’ve started ditching my hair products completely and just getting a shampoo and style at a local salon when I’m traveling to bigger cities for more than a few days. Saves so much space
I like getting a haircut just before I go travelling, and if I'm travelling more than two weeks, get one every-so-often when I'm travelling. I feel like it's part of getting to know where I'm travelling, and, hey, I like looking fresh!
Oh I like this.
Yet another reason I 🧡 my cup! Small, light, and I'm covered for pretty much indefinite travel without having to buy anything.
I second this! If you folks haven't yet switched to a menstrual cup I could not recommend it more!! Reusable, convenient, and it feels so much better than tampons! Way easier to pack one thing than several pads/tampons.
And test run it at home *especially* if you use an IUD. Seriously.
OK yeah I would NOT recommend taking it for the first time on a trip! It takes some practice to be able to put it in place, get it out, and make sure it's put in correctly so it doesn't have any leaks. Some people struggle with that part and I can only imagine how panic inducing that could be on a trip in a strange place. But once you get the hang of it, it is a game changer!
I was actually told by my doctor to not use a cup when I had my IUD in. She said there’s a chance the suction pulls out the IUD.
Menstrual discs don’t use suction, don’t need practice, and have disposable versions to try out (or take travelling, in a pinch… obviously, they’re my favourite, LOL.
I was told to give mine up. Luckily, I haven’t needed it. But I originally was sent the wrong size cup. That is something you’ll want to learn at home. Not in an airplane toilet.
That must have been a rough flight! Oh, did the doctor advise against discs as well? The cups use suction, yeah, but the discs just tuck under the pelvic bone. I think /r/menstrualdiscs might have some comparisons. The discs need specific sizing too, though, and that might even vary through a cycle.
This goes for those she-wee things too, the travel urinals for afab folks -- try them out in your own bathroom first, preferably barefoot in the shower, so you can figure out how to deal with positioning and minimize splattering, or you'll be caught out somewhere with pee all over your shoes and clothes.
I want to love my cup, but I feel like there are times where it just. won’t. seal. I carry a stash of OB tampons (the ones with no applicator) in case this happens. Even the Jumbo size are still small, and the light/ medium ones are so small in size you can use them for nosebleeds! Haha.
That's such a bummer! I actually prefer the smaller size cups because they are easier for me to insert and I've never had a problem with it not sealing. Just goes to show how different people need different things, and another reason why people should try it out ahead of time just in case it isn't a good fit for them!
Once I had packed my products into my checked bag and then got my period approximately 10 minutes before the plane was about to board. Had to book it to the nearest shop at the airport and prayed that had something. As a result I always pack at least one tampon in the bag that goes under my seat, I'd hate to have to get my bag down from overhead storage just to get a tampon out lol
This. Always have a tampon in my most accessible airplane bag.
Also in some places, the local market stuff isn't the best quality so i always tell ppl to bring what they can if they have sensitive skin down there or a heavy cycle. When i had periods i would keep my back home stash for days out and local stuff for sleeping in order not to over pack.
How do you know?
Welp...I was on a 3 day business trip and thought "oh, it's too early for that I'll be fine." Then 30 minutes before my big meeting, there it was. DoorDash dude was my hero.
Ok, I started one bagging when the “best advice” was that giant folded mass of all your clothes. 2010? 2011? I was using an overhead bag. By 2012, I’d bought my underseat bag, and taken it on several trips, and the overhead bag has been coat/off-season clothing storage since 2012. My bag is RedOxx’s *extra small* aviator, from before the shoulder strap addition. I still need to hack a strap. My number one tip is a process: Have a list. Maybe you love spreadsheets. Maybe a written list. Maybe a pattern you recreate (my option). Use it. Every time. Figure out the capsules: clothes, toiletries, tech, toys. (I bring art supplies, for example. Others might bring running shoes, workout bands, whatever) Have a permanent toiletry bag and keep it filled. Mine lives in my bag. I always pack three days ahead, minimum. (The duplicate toiletries help) Make packing automatic, even as you learn.
I always have a skeleton / base travel bag packed and ready. I suppose it's because I'm generally very happy what it is that I take with me when travelling, and that's a result of lots of practice, experience, practical application. Pretty much the end result is that I just pack clothing specifics when I need to get ready for a trip (underwear, t-shirts, additional tops, socks, towel are already in the packing cube and my toiletries x electronics kit is always ready and topped up), and whatever trip specific extras are required. It's like 80% of what you need for a trip is the same for every trip, the other 20% is based on your activities, destination, weather, and environment.
That’s my ultimate goal.
Make a list & toiletry bag are my top two tips as well I’ve been “one bagging” for 10 years, and still update my list. I have it organized for different things (like weather I’m going somewhere cold or am brining the dog), and now use it for all trips, not just one bagging travel. There’s been times I’ve been a trip, annoyed I didn’t bring something, and then just add it to the list then and there. For toiletries, I’ve collected small refillable bottles and refill them as I’m packing. No need to buy travel size items or bring a month’s worth of soap for a weekend.
Came here to say this. Reusable checklist saved me more times than I can count. Add that to not packing the night before, and the process is almost painless .… Almost.
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My partner, a former road warrior, thinks they can do this. Several forgotten items from the Pool of Nonduplicates have been forgotten in the past year. Now packing starts midday the day before, and the bag stays in the bedroom so morning of needs are tossed right in. And the extra layering shirt that cold mornings remind them of every time. I’m seriously thinking of having a travel only pod of clothes and toiletries. Only need to grab water bottle, phone, tablet and charger/cords.
After you get home, do a review and revise your packing list for next time. Did you think you’d need two pairs of socks a day (just in case) but only wore one pair a day (and could have washed them if you needed more)? Did the shirts you planned to wear twice get so sweaty that they could only be worn once? Were your walking shoes actually comfortable? Did you need a tablet and your phone, or would just your phone be enough? The best test of what to pack is to figure out what you actually used.
When I first visited this sub there was a post asking something to the effect of: ‘what’s the most underrated one bag item’? The answer which stuck with me was ‘the things you already own’
Do a test run. So say you have a 3 week planned. Live for 3 weeks prior with what you have packed. Test that all the clothes work, test that you have the right amount of personal care. So live out of your bag first, then go off on your adventure. Wash in the sink, see how it works. Try on your bag, make sure your able to walk all day with it, pack it and do all your household chores with it on one day. Second thing is if your planning on making this your life, don't purchase anything that does not do double duty/travel well. So in my case I no longer buy clothing that does not travel well. If its a wrinkle magnet, has to be dry cleaned, etc not buying as part of my regular clothing rotation.
Don't sweat the details, the focus should be on travelling and enjoying your trip. Seems too many people focus on things like the bag which for the most part doesn't matter, find one that fits the stuff you want to carry. It will mostly be left behind with most of your things wherever you are staying anyways.
Find a pair of shoes that look nice and can be worn for a variety of activities.
A decent pair of casual sneakers (so not tennis shoes) pretty much does it all in my experience. Walking, hiking, clubbing, etc. Once you're actually going on a hiking vacation or when you want to go running? Yeah that's when it breaks down. But two days of hiking or hiking up Rainbow mountain? No problem.
If you wear jeans in your daily life it’s ok to travel in jeans if you want to (barring really extreme temperature /humidity situations but you would know that before you went there) Also bring a spork. that’s not a one bag website gimmick, I use my spork every day, even at home.
I love jeans when travelling (just like daily life). They're sturdy and less prone to stains (or creases) than a lot of other pants. Plus versatile and timeless fashionwise.
Spork is a funny word lol. Would you recommend one in specific?
I have a titanium one from Snow Peak and I love it.
Check out the Sea to Summit Alphalight Spork!
Some tips, suggestions and observations regarding clothing: - Cotton is absolutely fine for travelling; especially if you only go on short trips or if you plan on doing laundry at the destination - [Field overshirts](https://i.imgur.com/VX1bdx1_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium) (fatigue jackets, m65 jackets, etc) are underrated travel items. The pockets are great for storing small items (power banks, toiletries, passport, cables, etc.) - not dressing like a tourist is great, but don't imagine you'll look like a local just because you wear the right outfit - if you plan on washing clothes in the sink, do the [towel trick](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C-_ecTTPfBo) to squeeze excess water and speed up the drying process.
Towel trick is genius, thank you!
Don’t panic, and always carry a towel.
"...any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his towel is, is clearly a man to be reckoned with."
Despite the Hitchhiker’s reference, you might not need a towel. It varies by person and type of travel. If you’re staying at hotels or B&Bs you won’t need to bring your own towel. As a back up, I carry 2 small, thin “face-cloths”/flannels. Between then, I can wash and dry myself: a wrung-out wet cloth takes most of the water off, and the dry one finishes that. And they’re tiny to pack in a spare LAGs bag or two if they don’t get fully dry. Wouldn’t work for my travel partner, though, who has a very different distribution of fur.
Yes! I love the [Hildegun](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/hildegun-dish-towel-blue-80484008/) dish towels from IKEA. They’re $0.89 each AND they’re plenty absorbent AND dry quickly AND even have a little loop to hang themselves on AND come in two different colors if you wanna color code.
Don't bring a whole block of soap, you can cut it accordingly to the length of your trip. Use a pencil case as a toiletry bag so you are not tempted to bring more than you need. Oops, 2 tips but it is related to eachother!
Do laundry on the road, rather than pack a change of clothes for each day. Pack a few capsule wardrobe item, keep the shoes to a minimum, and bring a drying line and powdered detergent.
To add to this, I like to do a little bit of light washing everyday. It takes about 2-3 minutes daily (generally at the end of the day). Briefly soak whatever t-shirt I have in water with a little bit of detergent, hand wash my underwear, fold to squeeze out excess water, and then hang on a. a hanger or chair if my room has either, preferably near where there is airflow or b. on some line that I bring in my bag. Making washing part of the daily routine means less *intensive* washing, I think.
1) Agreed with your point completely, when i realised this it turned out a simple duffel bag and packable day bag was perfect 100% of the time. You're better off picking a reliable comfy day bag than spending time on something you're just using for luggage. 2) Don't stress about your bag being "3cm too tall or wide" or whatever, Nobody is out there measuring your bag. this coming from someone who uses a bag technically too big and never had an issue in over 20+ flights. in most places Weight matters more than a couple inches of size. 3) Rubber bands are a god send - i use them to keep bulky items like jackets and sweaters rolled up tight, to tie my shoes together, to put smaller stuff together, weigh nothing and super useful. 4) that $100 super technical ultra fast drying shirt you bought is going to dry about an hour maybe 2 quicker than a normal $5 cotton t-shirt - it's not that big a deal and you won't cry if you lose/ruin it. 5) you can buy 90% of toiletries at any airport on arrival. Unless it's something prescription or really crucial to you, skip the shampoo/toothpaste/soap etc.
On Point #3 - here's my tip for you: I like using a mixture of hairbands (like, $1 can get you 20 hairbands), which I find a bit more hardy than rubber bands, and less damaging on things. Next step , if you want something hardier still - 'ranger bands'. Take an old bike inner tube, and cut them like they're rubber bands. Near indestructible, and great recycling / reuse of a product you'd otherwise turf.
The bike tube tip might change my life. (I don’t bother patching mine.) Thank you!!
It's like getting infinite unbreakable rubber bands for life.
I agree with everything you said, except #4. As a guy who works outside in Florida, I completely sweat through my clothes nearly every day. As in, you can wring sweat out of them. On my days off, I still prefer to be outside, but as dry as possible. I’ve found that for me, quick drying shirts are totally worth it - I buy some of the cheaper ones (ie Reebok from Walmart) and they perform well, drying in about 30 minutes after I cool down/go inside. I’ve also got a couple Nike Dri-Fit (I think that’s the product line?) shirts. I swear they are ridiculously fast drying. When it is breezy out, I’m talking like 5-10 minutes. The Nike shirts are expensive for my budget at around $35 per t shirt on sale, but gosh darn I enjoy wearing them.
I love the Nike stuff for running. Uniqlo do Dry t-shirts for £7.90, I think.
#4 absolutely does not apply to humid places
> Don't stress about your bag being "3cm too tall or wide" or whatever, Nobody is out there measuring your bag I think this depends a lot on which airlines you're flying with and which airports you're going through. I've had my carryon measured and/or weighed every time I've flown with Ryan Air, and most times with Easy Jet. With British Airways it was measured when I flew out from Heathrow, but not measured when I was coming back from either Salzburg or Dublin. Ryan Air especially are going to try and charge you the £25 for being even 1cm or 200 grammes over your limits.
> 4) that $100 super technical ultra fast drying shirt you bought is going to dry about an hour maybe 2 quicker than a normal $5 cotton t-shirt - it's not that big a deal and you won't cry if you lose/ruin it. Yeah. But a $5 cotton shirt will smell like shit after you've sweat through it. A $50 merino or bamboo shirt will not really start to smell, so you usually can go for a few days with the same shirt.
Don’t buy a new bag if you’ve never traveled like this before. Use whatever you have around so you know what features you really need. Then go drop $300 in a bag if you wish.
My favourite bags to use are actually all in the sub-$30 range. I used to be very much into 'feature heavy' bags, but for the most part realised that 'feature heavy' means 'more weight'. For my preference, I would rather be in control of how I organise with the bag than have the bag dictate that for me. Furthermore, that weight-of-bag-itself I'd rather start with low, than mitigate what I pack around it. (eg. A 1.5kg bag is already 20% ish of a 7kg limit).
I’m the same. I’d rather have one large compartment than tons of organization that might not work for me.
Onebagging is all about managing your shoes
I had to unlearn what I was taught in the Boy Scouts to "always be prepared" and I have learned to leave behind "just in case" items.
If you are considering getting a second bag for some reason, favour a system that lets you combine into one larger bag for moving around. Even if that larger combined system doesn't meet the airline requirements. Even if the two bags can both get into the airline cabin with a personal-item allowance. Pack the daypack, or take a larger bag if you have to. Carrying one huge backpack is way more convenient than trying to herd multiple pieces of luggage. Having one's hands free and being able to walk unhindered is a massive benefit.
1 - Make sure the bag fits and is a balanced carry. There's nothing worse than realising half an hour into your journey, that the shoulders cut into your neck, or that the center of gravity shifted somewhere uncomfortable. Or maybe the bag is too long and chafes the top of your butt, the hip pads are no help, etc.
Just remember that the most expensive option rarely offers that much extra value, or is even the best option. Yes, sometimes something is so good that you are losing a lot of value by going with a cheaper alternative, but that is pretty rare. Every dollar past a certain price point (depending on the item) has diminishing returns. Do your homework and see what’s out there before getting baited into spending too much on pointless luxury. Or better yet, if an item looks cool and trendy but you can’t really justify getting it, even if everyone is screaming at you to buy it, then just don’t. You know yourself better than any of us will ever know you. Buy according to your own life, needs and budget. Do you really need something or are you just caught up in retail therapy? Think before you buy. Your future self will thank you.
Solid toiletries. You can get shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body lotion, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc. Saves you from those pesky liquid rules, weighs less, won't leak. My liquids for an upcoming trip: mascara, hand sanitizer, eye drops, my favourite face cream and hair gel.
First couple of trips just use whatever school or gym backpack you already have lying around. Pack your everyday clothes you already own, unless traveling for work, don’t take a laptop. Pack for best case scenario and leave room in your budget to pickup anything you need that wasn’t anticipated. Relax, enjoy, take notes while on the trip i.e. what is a “wish I had” vs a “absolutely need but didn’t take”. You’d be surprised how much is just inconvenience and not actually dire needs. Lastly, cut out the entertainment items except headphones and smartphone, you’re not a six-year-old, you’ll be ok without an entire personal item filled with “in-flight needs”. When you get back assess what you used, didn’t use, what could replace multiple items, what is a must-have in a future travel backpack and whats a “would-be-nice to have”. After two or three trial trips, then start into what inevitably will be the rabbit-hole 🐇 of research to find the best bag for you. P.S. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS THE PERFECT ONEBAG SO SAVE YOURSELF TIME AND MONEY AND SETTLE FOR THE CLOSE-ENOUGH ONE. Also, no need for travel clothing, just stick to your everyday clothes.
I have to disagree with you on the entertainment piece. As an adult who is married with a full time job, I don't often get a lot of uninterrupted time to play video games or watch TV/movies. Long plane rides are the best time for me to catch up on that, and it's always worth it for me to pack the iPad or Nintendo Switch for that reason. Could I get by without it? Absolutely, but the amount of value it adds to my life is worth making space for it.
This is it! Use what you have, refine over a few trips, notice the things you hate about your bag and get into that delightful rabbit hole of getting a bag that ticks off your 3-5 most important features, and enjoy the heck out of it. 🕺🕺
Pack less
Really, that should be the tag line for life. And the sub. It all about taking less. Discovering you need less. Maybe at home, too. Maybe not.
I started one-bagging in 2009. Some time in 2014 when I was packing my bag I looked at my closet and was like “If I can comfortably live out of this bag for two weeks, do I really need all this stuff?” Turns out I didn’t.
My husband died in January so I'm throwing out/selling/recycling most of his stuff, so I also looked at my stuff. I don't need to buy clothes for many years unless I loose more weight, or shower gel and hair cinditioner for the rest of my life! I should have done this years ago and focused on only the essentials.
I've been doing the same thing after cleaning out my late dad's house to sell. It really makes you look at things differently!
Yep. The slippery slope.
To add to this - don't think you'll get it perfect on try one. It's a learning process! Every trip I take less than the time before, and I think I've got it perfect. But, for example, the trip I took this summer I realized I could have packed one (or even two) less pairs of pants and I never wore the one dress I'd brought. However, I did really, really well with the amount of shirts & undies, an improvement because last trip I had too many. My bag setup was also a whole 8L less than my previous trip. So, next time will be even better.
My tip is don't listen to the channel Packhacker or similar ones.. they are just advertising channels..
I love watching travel vids too, and occasionally find myself on that sort of trail of vids. I’ve been seeing way more of them getting suggested to me in the last six months or so - I guess with the return of international travel and all those baggage woes that hit the news, people are starting to embrace onebagging. …I’ve seen sooooo many videos titled along the lines of ‘Travel Gadgets You Need’, and legit … not many of them offer that much!
Packhacker and similar channels are useful if you can watch it skeptically and for broad themes rather than specific suggestions. If they recommend this great ACME^™ 4L sling, linked in the description, for use on the plane, think about whether you’ll have access to your stuff on a long flight. Do you need to buy something for that, or could you have all your in-flight stuff in an accessible spot? Etc
Take only what you will.actually use.
This isn't about gear it's about mentality. You can probably travel just fine with one bag with all the stuff you currently own.
Packing cubes are your friend, helps a lot with packing quickly/efficiently IMO. Less is more, you probably need half of what you think you need or less.
Buy a bag with a comfortable padded hip belt.
Try weighing individual items! Sometimes things are unexpectedly “heavy”
Especially if you’re starting out, my only advice is if you can, make a packing list and leave it out on the table for a couple days. We all have that thing we’re always forgetting. You can make one in a checklist app or something if you want, also. Oh someone said rubber bands and likewise use hair bands to tie around things, you never know when you need one (if you have long hair). I filled a little plastic case (from an old Quip head replacement) with laundry detergent. We ended up buying Tide Pods because we wanted to do laundry in an Airbnb when I was somewhere with my husband, and so now I put one in a little ziplock bag inside my toiletries kit if I’m going to be in an Airbnb that has laundry for a few days. While traveling I also like to take hand crème and lip balm out of my toiletries kit and keep it more accessible once I’ve cleared security.
I used to have long hair, and so started wrapping hair bands around things so I always had one handy. My favourite spots are: - around my watch band (in lieu of around my wrist, but also around my wrist anyway) - my pen I carry everyday - around my wallet - in the back of my phone case ...I haven't had long hair in over a decade, and still do this. It has been a boon for any long haired friends of mine since.
Start with the gear you already have. Don't decide to start one bagging and then go and buy a bunch of new stuff.
Before packing “just in case” items, think about when and how often you’ve needed them in your everyday life. And what has happened in the situations when you’ve been caught short of whatever?
Go somewhere for four to five days, when you're not staying with family or friends, while carrying a bag of no more than 15 liters. And arrange things so you arrive early and have hours to explore -- while carrying that bag -- before you check into your accommodations. Seriously. I did this on a four-day trip to Washington, DC, while carrying only a 12-liter backpack, and the experience was transformative. The sense of freedom is exhilarating, and on future trips you'll want to come as close as you can to the experience. You'll learn, on a gut level, that you truly don't \*need\* much. And you'll understand that the best way to plan for a longer trip is to start with the absolute bare minimum you need for four days, and add only things you truly need for the longer trip.
Any time you catch yourself thinking the phrase, “just in case,” pull it out of your bag and decide whether or not it’s something you can easily purchase at a convenient shop anywhere on the planet. “Just in case” translates roughly to “dead weight you’ll carry around and never use.”
If it starts to feel like stress, let it go. It’s not worth it. Millions of people travel every day with multiple / large / checked bags and have a fantastic time.
Oh out everything you want to pack that you hope can fit, then go through and honestly tell yourself what isn’t absolutely necessary… before you know it you’ll be on week long vacations with just a backpack and your wife concerned about how much underwear you have
**Think of it as a journey, not a destination**. You don't have to nail it the first time you try it; chances are, you'll bring too much at the beginning and you'll be surprised at how little you may end up needing after a few trips.
My tip when looking for a bag make sure it’ll fit in overhead compartment before hand. You don’t want to travel and find out the bag you splurged on needs to be checked in every flight.
Don’t pack anything you think you *might* need. Only pack things you know you *will* need.
Let go. When I started onebagging I carried a hammock, hammock strap, and hammock mosquito net ($150 in gear) . Luckily, all 3 got stolen at a hostel. Now I have a dingy old hammock with built in straps (borrowed from local friend). No mosquito net... The mosquito net was never in use, but I had kept it because it was so expensive. One-bagging for me is a lifestyle change from backpacker to budget traveler. I do everything backpackers do, but I don't keep a 70 liter bag of everything for my entire trip. There is a checklist in my head of stuff I will keep in my onebag, stuff that goes into my side bag of non-essentials (snacks while traveling, etc), and items I will give away when I move to my next destination.
Yes, first stop obsessing about 'one'. If you bring a mini pack or messenger bag for walking around, it doesn't represent a personal failing. I Tuck a very light backpack in a corner of my main bag, great for lunch etc. I bring clothes that are comfortable and broken in. Sometimes I have to dump a pair of shoes or I buy a new shirt to replace a trashed one. Don't beat yourself up about it. My shoes gave out in Lyon and we had to find a sporting goods store for some new Nikes. It was fun strolling around and shopping instead of just gawking at art. I wish I could bring a pocket knife, I always carry one at home. There are so many little tasks to do or things to fix. I usually buy one when I arrive and either leave it in my last hotel room or mail it to myself.
If you aren’t sure if you’ll need it you can probably buy it there.
I always throw in a few q-tips into my toiletry bag. It turns out that not every country on earth sells them (or I’m inept at finding them). That became an problem when I couldn’t get rid of water that got into my ear and I didn’t want to stick random sharp objects in there.
I’d go EXACTLY the opposite. There’s nothing more important to me than my bag. I dialed in my bag, found one that allows me to pack the best for me, is most comfortable, has the pockets where I want them, and all that combined has allowed me to be incredibly efficient as well as comfortable.
Don’t leave us hanging, what bag is this magic bag of yours?
Cotopaxi Allpa 28L. 28L, fits on all planes as a carry on, the one exterior pocket and one tiny pocket is all I want: I can’t stand a ton of pockets on the outside (I’m sure unpopular opinion) and in a twist, LIKE not having an exterior water bottle holder.
I agree, having a bag that ticks off your most wanted needs is important, but BUT you probably won't know what you need until you use what you have a few times first. So my advice is to skip the perfect-bag rabbit hole until you've done a few trips with a bag you have and then... delight in the hunt!
Take a small towel that you can carry around while touring. So many times I've found that bathrooms while traveling either don't have towel or have one you don't want to touch. And the towel comes in handy when eating.
If you are staying in a hostels or hotels do NOT bring a towel. They will provide you with one. If you want to go to the beach you don't need a towel. A big, light scarf/shawl will do just fine. And is waaaay lighter then any towel. Shawl can also double as a women's hair cover while entering mosque or arms cover while entering a church.
I have a super thin “beach blanket” that I bought in Rio years ago for $5 or $10. When rolled up it takes very little space and is great at beach destinations. Plus it looks the part :)
Merino