Please do a bag comparison. I just did a four week trip to Europe and used the. Lovevook back pack. I loved it on a short trip in country but didn’t love it for the long trip. The one I purchased zips from one side of the base all the way around to the other side which is nice BUT a little awkward. I think if it opened up like a “clam” (like a regular suitcase) it would have been easier to pack, AND get stuff out of in the airport.
I travel with an HDMI cord on business trips. Got snowed in at the Newark airport in 2017. Connected my laptop to the in-room TV to use as a monitor. Zip-Loc baggies of various sizes are a must. A few in the personal carry-on and a few for the suitcase. Great video!
We all have watched a gazillion RUclips videos through the years but, I really like your delivery. You stick to the facts and present the information in an interesting way that keeps me wanting to hear more. Thanks for the great content on traveling. I will continue to watch your videos to gain insight and travel ideas.
Personally, I'll add a few more things: 1. Dramamine. it's a lifesaver for unexpected motion sickness when traveling. 2. Allergy meds 3. Matador soap bar case. Helped me efficiently bring a bar soap when traveling and makes it last more compared to just sticking it into a ziplock bag. 4. Hand cream is an absolute must. 5. Goretex shoes for locations with rainy weather. 6. Superfeet insoles really helps make you last longer with walking dominant travels.
Buy a Mesh fishing vest , they only cost around 30$ ( Lot cheaper than a 400$ SCOTTeVEST EDC jacket)and usually have around 15-20 pockets and can be worn under the jacket that you wear when you check in , really useful for one bag travel as some airlines have weight restrictions on your bag of around 7kg , so stuff the pockets full of your heavy items , then after you have checked on simply transfer most of the stuff back to your bag
Some tips of mine to add: I wrap some duct tape around a pen (because duct tape!) and a small roll of medical leukotape for blister prevention, ankle sprains, or gear repair. Once my hiking boot sole failed, and the tape came in handy as the hike would have been impossible with a floppy sole. I also bring 2 carabiners and some nylon cordage as a versatile clothes line or for gear repair. Dry laundry soap strips in a zip lock, easy to tear small pieces for hand washing or use a whole strip for a load.
One thing I would recommend as an alternative to an eye mask is a buff. While an eye mask really only serves one purpose, a buff is one of those small, lightweight items that can serve the same purpose as an eye mask, plus it can double as a way to keep your head warm, or sand out of your face, depending on the climate of where you're visiting. It can also double as a face mask if (heaven forbid) you find yourself feeling under the weather while traveling, but need to go to the pharmacy to pick something up.
I think both are so important that I bring both and an eye mask BACKUP. Very minimal weight, and the results are disastrous if I lose my only eye mask.
Buffs are very versatile and light accesories and i never travel without some. Beside from sunblocking they are also great for cooling when moistened with fresh water.
I’ve been using the winter wool version of the Buff for nearly 8 years. They’re great for long travel because they rarely hold smells and are very durable.
Instead of compressing packing cubes I use dry sacks in my backpack. They are water proof and fit well. I use different colours and sizes to easily work out where items are.
@@mick_justmickI got sea to summit ultra-sil dry bags. They are very light, water proof bags. I didn’t need a pack liner, and only needed about four to five dry bags for everything.
Great video. I have been traveling for at least the last decade using gallon freezer bags as my packing cubes. I feel they do a better job of compression than the Eagle Creek cubes. I would absolutely add to this list a flashlight. Even if it's just an LED on your key ring, you should always have a flashlight.
On the same vein as sleeping mask, i recommend earplugs, both in hand luggage as well as check luggage.. The amount of times this has allowed me a nice little nap in a flight with screaming children.. Also sometimes you can get a room with a noisy fridge or near a noisy road. How do i wake up? The buzz alarm on my smartwatch. I also invest on a travel door lock, a sleeping bag liner (hotels dont do a good job of cleaning the bedding very well), a large microfiber towel (same reason as bedding) and flipflops for the hotelroom and to use in the shower. I carry a hero carabiner and, to secure my zips, a few S-Binner clips.
OMG, YES TO THIS!! I started doing this when I read that one of the hotels I was booked at had a loud party scene on the weekends (which it did), but now I juest keep them packed into my cosmetic bag (I have one for travel that I never unpack), and it is seriously a godsend!
I take at least 2 cables for each type of plugs needed. We were in South America and my one cable broke. We were in an airport and the cable I bought was $30 US. My iPhone and iPad both use USB-C. My husband’s use lightning cables. So that’s 4 cables total. At least. Having been stuck paying so much for a cable makes my cable shy so usually there are 6 cables just in case. Laundry detergent sheets are great. I put them in a zipper bag. They take up no space and there’s nothing to spill or pop spreading detergent all over.
A couple of recent security updates to share: 1) London Heathrow T5 International terminal and Schiphol (Amsterdam) have recently installed next generation security scanning technology where you can leave EVERYTHING (electronics, quart liquid bag, etc.) in your carry-on while being scanned. No need to remove shoes either. It made getting through busy security so much easier. 2) The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) process /app makes returning to America quick and easy when getting through Customs. It pretty much removes the need for the 'Global Entry' process. You complete the return information in the app before arriving to the airport and walk through a special line (1-3 people vs hundreds). They scan a tag in the app and away you go in less than a minute. Hope this helps fellow travelers.
Heathrow works well unless, like me, you have artificial joints. When I mentioned my two knees and left shoulder, they suggested I take off my shoes, watch and belt, since I was going to set off the alarm, and would have to go through the full scanner and be patted down. It's a bitch getting old. :-)
@@conniekershaw4412 How can this be when the greatest nation in the world, the largest economy on the planet, and the nation who sent astronauts to the moon still requires shoes off, quart bag of liquids out of bag, and electronics in a bin? 🙈🙉🙊
I would add I love to have a small set of scissors. I buy a pair of small children’s scissors with a 2” blade during back-to- school time. I have even had it inspected and measured at the Heathrow airport with no issues. Helpful for opening packages, cutting the random thread, you name it.
And now are an absolutely required if you carry hearing aid batteries! But I’ve found many smaller scissors aren’t heavy enough to cut through the thickness.
Great advice. Yes to the ziplocs - always have a bunch in my pack and use for all the small stuff. I've been travelling for over 40 years and went to a backpack only in 1995 (after the luggage took a detour on the way home!) I don't pack any toiletries - I purchase on arrival, except for my multi-purpose pure veg bar soap. I have a very small travel first aid kit that I won't leave home without. I take very few items of clothing as I hand-wash, as everything I take will dry overnight (and the amount continues to decrease as I STILL get home with stuff I didn't wear!) I use an Eagle Creek folding compressor pack that I've had for 25+ years that holds all my clothing. Only ever take the one pair of shoes which I wear - if I need beach shoes etc. I'll just buy cheap ones there. I usually wear a zip-up fleece vest under my light coat - coat has dozens of pockets and a detachable hood. I do not take any electronics other than a small pocket sized camera (no mobile, etc.) My backpack always has enough room in it to pack home the souvenirs. I always have a journal and writing implements. My trips vary from four nights to over a month and I pack the same for every one. I just did my 35th country and have the 36th booked!
Check out USB to HDMI adapter dongles. Read descriptions carefully to make sure you get one that does what you want, but your long USB cable plugged into a little adapter might replace a dedicated HDMI cable. Another multi-task item is a buff. It can replace an eye mask, and then be worn in a ton of other ways.
I did a 5 month trip a couple years back. A quilted vest was absolutely essential. You can wear it under a rain shell for extra warmth, or over a hoodie for adjustable comfort in various climates. If you get one with lots of pockets you can load it up for plane travel. A durable waterproof baseball cap is also handy, I clip it to the outside of my bag when not using it. Throw some rubber bands on that carabiner, trust me. I travel with a fire stick and it's great !
Agree with the insulated vest. Mine packs down to nothing but when needed gives me that extra layer. Also it has great inner pockets for my phone and travel wallet and zip up outer pockets for stuff so I don’t need to carry a purse. If it’s really miserable, I throw on my packable rain jacket. They haven’t let me down but I haven’t been everywhere yet.
I advocate testing all of your tech bag items before you head out. It can be a real pain to be stuck in a hotel only to find that your travel USB-C PD charger burned out as it was unplugged on your last trip, or that HDMI cable you just unwrapped was bad from the factory. That said HDMI cables are likely to be available at local retail shops. One thing to potentially cut down on bulk would be to look at a RJ-45 to HDMI adapter pair, with a 6' or 10' Cat6 flat cable that rolls up neat. And yeah, test it at home on a couple different TV's and all computers. There may also be flat HDMI cables that pack small. Hair bands (the small variety for pony tails, are a great bit of kit for keeping cables tidy, and mostly aren't going to get hung up on the mesh as some of the velcro straps will. Gear ties are becoming popular for this as well, think heavy duty twist ties. I've had good luck with most of my RayCon ear buds, and carry the workout set with me, but the gaming set would work just as well I think.
If you change the HDMI cable to an HDMI to USB-C you can connect most devices that support USB-C. Makes your phone a portable workstation with a small travel keyboard.
Great to see a video focusing on minimalism from a non-“ultra-light” perspective. A lot of people go so far w/ their sub-25l load outs that it feels unapproachable.
I think that's cos these guys travelled for half a year. Whereas a lot of these ppl who focus on personal item only are taking much shorter trips. Makes a big difference. Not necessarily to your wardrobe, cos can always wash clothing (yes, you can handwash clothes in your hotel bathroom and dry overnight), but the other gear needs to be built to last and multifunctional (to cover many different scenarios)
I always travel with some form of dry laundry detergent that can be either used in a sink to hand wash items or a laundry machine if I have access to one. Really helpful when I'm packing light if I need to wash things in a pinch! I've used Sea to Summit's Trek & Travel Pocket Laundry Wash which are super light-weight and barely take up any room in a bag.
my two small things that i always take with me that have come in clutch many times if i'm going to be walking a lot or away from my hotel for a long time are a small hand fan and a tide to-go pen!
I have recently bought some socks and base layer items made with alpaca wool and I find they are great for temperature regulation and super for protecting your feet from blisters.
Great list. I also travel with a regular stainless steel household dessert spoon - it lives in my personal item bag. It's airline-safe and opens up a whole new world of possibilities for food on the go - like yoghurt and soups. Most disposable spoons are really bad, especially those rubbish bamboo things that hold as much liquid as a knife!
Good video and all makes sense. I would recommend adding a small roll ( like 3/4 inch wide) of gorilla tape. An amazing tool for repair, organizing, and weight is negligible.
While I agree this stuff is great, you just can't bring everything; so it's worth looking into whether you can buy that at your destination should you have need of it, imo
Ive done some major thru-hikes w pack and never needed anything more than trail runners. Also darn tough makes best merino socks w lifetime warranty. Def agree the unbound stuff is awesome! Luv channel.
I'm a frequent traveler and (wannabe) photographer so I'll be doing Shimoda 30L Explore V2 backpack with a July Carry On Essential wheelie. Your list has added a few things that I'll be taking: Osprey Toiletry bag, Caribiner, pen and notepad, I have many of the remainder already ticked off, due to watching your other videos, so thank you. As Australia is the home of merino, I was there before you!
Absolutely love these packing tips! ✈ Packing light with one bag is definitely the way to go for hassle-free travel. Thanks for sharing your essentials!
The problem some people find with merino wool clothing is that it begins to fall apart long before many other fabrics. It can also tend to wear too warm in tropical countries. Yes….many travel RUclips vloggers do get benefits from pushing merino wool clothing. I find the latest high tech summer/hot weather fabrics in men’s shirts by companies like Columbia to be much better in the tropics. Tough long lasting and breezy ventilated quick drying…can’t go wrong. It’s what I wear during long term trips to the tropics of south Asia. No shoes and socks…. Bare feet in sandals . A good pair of men’s sandals with heal strap and arch support and tough sole….and no socks in the tropics is how I go. I let my feet breathe in the open air and sun. I wear a pair of socks only on the plane. ✈️ 🌴 🌴 🌴
Just my two cents, but my husband and I have mostly switched over to merino fabrics, and I haven’t found a weak link in the bunch. We do line-dry all of it, which we’d have to do abroad in many cases, but man it’s so good. We buy most of ours from Icebreaker. No Smell Ever. I swear I could wear a single shirt for a week, wash & line dry and repeat without any smell or wrinkles. Same for socks, pants, and sweatshirts. Of course we wash underwear (but I can wear a bra multiple times before it needs washing). In the end, it saves money - at least that’s our experience.
i travel with a lot of electronics in my carry-on , at least 2 power banks , cables , ear buds , and other stuff , i put them all in cheap a see through zip lock freezer bag , at the top of my bag and simply pull it out going through security at check in , saves a lot of time and stops me being pulled aside at the scanning machine ,
I wear hand knit or hand cranked socks all the time. They are fabulous! I can even make them no show if I want. I’m seriously considering knitting a short sleeved tee. I already have the yarn!
I have an emergency repair kit that fits in a flat pencil pouch in my dop kit. Eyeglass screws,nose pads.+mini screwdriver, a polybag self adhesive repair patch, a foot of duct tape (folded with parchment paper into 3” long), a 0.5g superglue packet, a sharpie, a few zip ties, rubber bands and Velcro strips, a single use epoxy foil pack, a couple twist ties, and a sewing “kit” with 4 colors of thread, a needle, and 2 buttons on a business card. They’ve each gotten me out of a jam at one time in the past. (I’ve yet to encounter TSA problems with my superglue and epoxy as they’re just (so trivially small. )
Also to add if you have a new Galxy phone 100% bring a USB c to full hdmi cable so you can use DEX which turns you phone into a crome PC and is still a phone... This saved me when my PC broke a few months ago.
Love bbkbags the way you show it! You really focus on showing off the bag. I don't think any other RUclipsr can show off bags in as much detail as you.
I have been using this backpack since it came out and I used it as a single bag for traveling inside my country, and used it as a carry-on bag for traveling to another country for containing my camera gear. Overall it's great but I never use the expansion because it makes the bag look too big.
My wife and I just took an eight day cruise. We did not check a bag, but we did have both a wheeled carry-on and a backpack. We breezed through immigration on both outbound and inbound legs.
Be careful. Some airlines, looking at you Turkish Airlines, only allow 17 pounds {8KG} for the carry-on and they do weigh the carry-on bags. At least they did the last time I flew. I have even heard of them weighing bags at the gate.
Thx for sharing. Bombas merino wool socks. Only ones I use for just daily life. I’m too picky about seams and the feeling of fabrics and these are awesome. My grown sons use just like two pair on camping trips since they don’t stink!
@@bgtsy I have multiple pairs of Paka and Pacas socks. The former are thinner, the latter are thicker. I use them as the season dictates. I am eventually going to try Hollow, Willowace, and a few other brands.
Please remember a lot of Air Lines flying into the South Pacific region, have a ONE bag carryon a total weight of 7 kilograms, so your crossbag will be ONE bag, their is no such thing as a personal bag.
Nik, can you go into more detail about shoes you pack? Perhaps you have a suggestion for 2 pair that would be good for 4 different functions? everyday, training/workout, pool/beach, non sneakers for going out nicer.
You bet. For me, it really depends on the trip. For 6 months of full-time travel, I packed 1. A pair of walking shoes like these (amzn.to/3U4Wl6T the ones I took are discontinued now.) 2. A pair of running shoes specifically for working out and 3. A pair of sandals for water related activities. (These www.nike.com/t/air-deschutz-se-mens-shoes-WtcmP1/DO8951-001). As you can tell, there's not a nicer pair of dress shoes in this mix. The walkers I had were solid black and could "pass" in all but very fine dining situations. For most trips I don't pack sandals as we aren't big water/beach people 9 times out of 10. For some trips, I'll just run in my 'walking shoes' so I don't have to bring an extra pair of runners. For work trips, for example I used to attend a lot of trade shows, I like Cole Haan shoes like these (www.colehaan.com/mens-originalgrand-wingtip-oxfords/C26472.html) because they have great cushion. SO I'll wear them on the plane, to my appointments, etc. and then I've got my workout shoes for my run around town or the hotel gym. I almost always find myself having to prioritize the 2 things I care about most in order to avoid packing 3 pair. I'm always like "man, if I weren't a runner, this would be a lot easier" but I'll take packing a pair of runners over packing other sports equipment any day. I hope this is even a little helpful! Disclosure - that amazon link above is an affiliate link - I did that simply because the regular link was a mile long. Not trying to sell you something. :)
Side comments: Liking the new background. Bit more dynamic and less claustrophobic Also, I was just in Vienna with my husband for vacation and went to tons of places you had in your videos! Amazing recs. Loved the brewery and Vollpension a LOT
I'm moving to Australia on the 29th of this month, only doing carry on and using the Monos Carry On Pro 46L and a Patagonia Refugio 30L day pack and a unisex sling from Uniqlo.
While I always bring my earbuds while travelling I don't use them on a plane because if you drop one on a stuffed, cramped Ryanair flight it takes a contortionist to retrieve it. I carry a set of basic wired for the plane but am tempted to invest in overear bluetooth noise cancelling despite the added bulk. My last flight was so noisy!
Nik, Thanks for all these videos. I have a question. When traveling with an empty water bottle. I have Titanium, Plastic, Grayl or sturdy plastic options Going to rome so one is needed. Which is better to fly ( no checked bag) with?
For international travel and if you can afford the weight...GRAYL. the filter is by far the best whether in town/city or hiking in the mountains. If you can't afford the weight, stick with a hot/cold thermos. I use ultralight THERMOS or my Kojirushi. Flexibility for hot/cold for hours! With that, I bring my Sawyer squeeze with adapters. Happy travels!
I'd like to add a suggestion: when considering which water bottle to choose for travel, be sure it is leak proof (nothing like having it on its side, and releasing the contents all over your bag or anything else nearby) and that the mouth piece is covered (no folding straws/bite caps without a cover) and for your own protection/ safeguard from contamination, like dirt, falling,, people coughing/sneezing...
I really want to love merino wool clothing but I have found they develop holes and fall apart very fast. Love wool socks but shirts last less than a year before they fall apart.
In general, stuffing your passport in an upper-pocket of your backpack is not a good idea safety-wise. Moreover, carrying an exposed passport is even worse. The modern passport contains a microchip and an antenna which are susceptible to corrosion and oxidation. These booklets are meant to last for at least ten years, so it is a good idea to insert the passport in a cheap plastic transparent cover for that extra protection. Also, it is even better to put it in a ziplocked bag, and even adding small moisture absorbing bags, those that come with new cameras or binoculars. Going through passport control where you passport fails to beep means a secondary inspection and an interview. Then if your passport is taken out of your backpack by a pickpocket you have to go to the embassy with a police report and get an emergency passport that will screw up your travel plans altogether.
I met a woman in France who watched all her papers head off down the highway as she was left behind by her Flix driver. Always keep in my day pack while in transit
Hey Nik, great video 🎉 Sorry to bother you, but do you have any recommendation and/or suggestions of brand name for a Light Rain Jacket with a hoodie? That can not be too bulky Thank you very much for your kind attention 😊
Outdoor Research Helium 2. Bestvultralight rain jacket and packs small. Shop sales for prior year colors and you can get one in the $70.00 range. Great deal.
Dryer sheets and ziploc bags are must haves for all the reasons you gave. I wish I could wear merino next to my skin but I can't. Except for my feet! As another layer, it's great!!!! Merino wool socks are wonderful. Bombas makes great socks; we've been buying them for years. Also FoxSocks. Some great advice!!! Thank you, Nik!
I have issues with wool too. Even merino is a little scratchy for me. So after washing I then soak it in 1:1 vinegar and water solution for 1-3hrs. Some even suggest that you can then freeze it in an airtight bag overnight to fully take the itch out of it but I find I don't have to go that far. Hope that's helpful
10ish litre dry bags make really good day bags that lay flat in a document sleeve when you need to haul a bit more shit for a day trip than will fit in a Fanny pack.
I’m guessing that since he’s not traveling alone that they both share the weight of some of these shared items. Also, I believe you get one bag (the backpack/carry on) plus a personal bag (purse, messenger bag, whatever.
I've been all over the world and only travel carry-on. If the bag fits in those carry-on tester things no one ever weighs it. I don't think I've ever had a bag weighed by anyone.
The wall charger is only an adapter though right? It doesn’t convert from 220 down to 120 does it? I bought it but I live in the US and feel nervous about charging things besides my iOS devices
13:26 Okay, I get THAT I need a water bottle, but can you explain WHY I so desperately *need* a water bottle if I'm going somewhere that has bottled water available? Backpacking or hosteling through rural countryside locations, yes it makes sense. But what if I'm staying at a Radisson in Montréal and there's a source of bottled water on other street corner? Wouldn't a water bottle just add exta bulk and be *yet another* item to keep track of...or lose?
I have items that have different charging ports, so I purchased a cable with three different charging options, lightening, usb c and mini usb. Saves space and works well. The ones I have are not smart, just charging, so you don't have to worry about data hacking.
I have an sd card reader that includes various usb adapter jacks in the device. Best $15 I ever spent. Use daily when travelling. And am always finding new uses for. Brilliant piece of kit
My personal recommendation is instead of carrying both a charger and an adapter, consider just getting a charger at your destination if it is your only destination and you plan to visit more places with the same plug in the future
My personal problem with merino wool is that it is obtained through cruel breeding. While I am not categorically against animal products, this should be avoided, in my opinion. Cool video, though, thanks!
I just used your affiliate link to purchase an Unbound Merino T-shirt! Thanks for the discount code! I love their compact travel hoodie as well. Thank you for the great channel. Keep it up!
Get 10% Off Unbound Merino here: shrsl.com/4da0u (use code AWAYTOGETHER)
Stubble&Co Adventure Bag 👌🏾
Kindly share the link to the Patagonia jacket that packs that small
Please do a bag comparison. I just did a four week trip to Europe and used the. Lovevook back pack. I loved it on a short trip in country but didn’t love it for the long trip. The one I purchased zips from one side of the base all the way around to the other side which is nice BUT a little awkward. I think if it opened up like a “clam” (like a regular suitcase) it would have been easier to pack, AND get stuff out of in the airport.
@@annamcgonigle2712 You'll definitely want to see next week's video!
The portable power bank looks amazing, I would add to the list some good wallets. I was looking for some leather wallets, any recs?
I would go for Vionentus, their leather series are elegant, full grain leather.
Thanks man, I'll go check
I travel with an HDMI cord on business trips. Got snowed in at the Newark airport in 2017. Connected my laptop to the in-room TV to use as a monitor.
Zip-Loc baggies of various sizes are a must. A few in the personal carry-on and a few for the suitcase. Great video!
We all have watched a gazillion RUclips videos through the years but, I really like your delivery. You stick to the facts and present the information in an interesting way that keeps me wanting to hear more. Thanks for the great content on traveling. I will continue to watch your videos to gain insight and travel ideas.
Same!
Personally, I'll add a few more things:
1. Dramamine. it's a lifesaver for unexpected motion sickness when traveling.
2. Allergy meds
3. Matador soap bar case. Helped me efficiently bring a bar soap when traveling and makes it last more compared to just sticking it into a ziplock bag.
4. Hand cream is an absolute must.
5. Goretex shoes for locations with rainy weather.
6. Superfeet insoles really helps make you last longer with walking dominant travels.
Buy a Mesh fishing vest , they only cost around 30$ ( Lot cheaper than a 400$ SCOTTeVEST EDC jacket)and usually have around 15-20 pockets and can be worn under the jacket that you wear when you check in , really useful for one bag travel as some airlines have weight restrictions on your bag of around 7kg , so stuff the pockets full of your heavy items , then after you have checked on simply transfer most of the stuff back to your bag
Some tips of mine to add: I wrap some duct tape around a pen (because duct tape!) and a small roll of medical leukotape for blister prevention, ankle sprains, or gear repair. Once my hiking boot sole failed, and the tape came in handy as the hike would have been impossible with a floppy sole. I also bring 2 carabiners and some nylon cordage as a versatile clothes line or for gear repair. Dry laundry soap strips in a zip lock, easy to tear small pieces for hand washing or use a whole strip for a load.
I love your videos and how YOU pack, but how about the things that Allie packs? I want to know what she takes.
One thing I would recommend as an alternative to an eye mask is a buff. While an eye mask really only serves one purpose, a buff is one of those small, lightweight items that can serve the same purpose as an eye mask, plus it can double as a way to keep your head warm, or sand out of your face, depending on the climate of where you're visiting. It can also double as a face mask if (heaven forbid) you find yourself feeling under the weather while traveling, but need to go to the pharmacy to pick something up.
The buff is an amazing choice with so many different functions!
I think both are so important that I bring both and an eye mask BACKUP. Very minimal weight, and the results are disastrous if I lose my only eye mask.
Buffs are very versatile and light accesories and i never travel without some. Beside from sunblocking they are also great for cooling when moistened with fresh water.
I’ve been using the winter wool version of the Buff for nearly 8 years. They’re great for long travel because they rarely hold smells and are very durable.
Instead of compressing packing cubes I use dry sacks in my backpack. They are water proof and fit well. I use different colours and sizes to easily work out where items are.
Aren't they much heavier than packing cubes? Or is there a brand you recommend?
@@mick_justmickI got sea to summit ultra-sil dry bags. They are very light, water proof bags. I didn’t need a pack liner, and only needed about four to five dry bags for everything.
Great video. I have been traveling for at least the last decade using gallon freezer bags as my packing cubes. I feel they do a better job of compression than the Eagle Creek cubes. I would absolutely add to this list a flashlight. Even if it's just an LED on your key ring, you should always have a flashlight.
On the same vein as sleeping mask, i recommend earplugs, both in hand luggage as well as check luggage..
The amount of times this has allowed me a nice little nap in a flight with screaming children..
Also sometimes you can get a room with a noisy fridge or near a noisy road. How do i wake up? The buzz alarm on my smartwatch.
I also invest on a travel door lock,
a sleeping bag liner (hotels dont do a good job of cleaning the bedding very well),
a large microfiber towel (same reason as bedding) and flipflops for the hotelroom and to use in the shower.
I carry a hero carabiner and, to secure my zips, a few S-Binner clips.
OMG, YES TO THIS!! I started doing this when I read that one of the hotels I was booked at had a loud party scene on the weekends (which it did), but now I juest keep them packed into my cosmetic bag (I have one for travel that I never unpack), and it is seriously a godsend!
I have added a Vaseline stick to my essential list. It does not count as liquid, and the uses are endless! Love your channel.
I take at least 2 cables for each type of plugs needed. We were in South America and my one cable broke. We were in an airport and the cable I bought was $30 US. My iPhone and iPad both use USB-C. My husband’s use lightning cables. So that’s 4 cables total. At least. Having been stuck paying so much for a cable makes my cable shy so usually there are 6 cables just in case.
Laundry detergent sheets are great. I put them in a zipper bag. They take up no space and there’s nothing to spill or pop spreading detergent all over.
A couple of recent security updates to share:
1) London Heathrow T5 International terminal and Schiphol (Amsterdam) have recently installed next generation security scanning technology where you can leave EVERYTHING (electronics, quart liquid bag, etc.) in your carry-on while being scanned. No need to remove shoes either. It made getting through busy security so much easier.
2) The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) process /app makes returning to America quick and easy when getting through Customs. It pretty much removes the need for the 'Global Entry' process. You complete the return information in the app before arriving to the airport and walk through a special line (1-3 people vs hundreds). They scan a tag in the app and away you go in less than a minute.
Hope this helps fellow travelers.
Two other airports with the new security features are the 'budget' airport of Eindhoven in the Netherlands & London City Airport.
We used MPC app on our way back home from Europe last Sept and the lines were short
Heathrow works well unless, like me, you have artificial joints. When I mentioned my two knees and left shoulder, they suggested I take off my shoes, watch and belt, since I was going to set off the alarm, and would have to go through the full scanner and be patted down. It's a bitch getting old. :-)
Rome's airport also didn't make us takeanything out or take shoes off October 2023
@@conniekershaw4412 How can this be when the greatest nation in the world, the largest economy on the planet, and the nation who sent astronauts to the moon still requires shoes off, quart bag of liquids out of bag, and electronics in a bin?
🙈🙉🙊
I would add I love to have a small set of scissors. I buy a pair of small children’s scissors with a 2” blade during back-to- school time. I have even had it inspected and measured at the Heathrow airport with no issues. Helpful for opening packages, cutting the random thread, you name it.
And now are an absolutely required if you carry hearing aid batteries! But I’ve found many smaller scissors aren’t heavy enough to cut through the thickness.
Great advice. Yes to the ziplocs - always have a bunch in my pack and use for all the small stuff. I've been travelling for over 40 years and went to a backpack only in 1995 (after the luggage took a detour on the way home!) I don't pack any toiletries - I purchase on arrival, except for my multi-purpose pure veg bar soap. I have a very small travel first aid kit that I won't leave home without. I take very few items of clothing as I hand-wash, as everything I take will dry overnight (and the amount continues to decrease as I STILL get home with stuff I didn't wear!) I use an Eagle Creek folding compressor pack that I've had for 25+ years that holds all my clothing. Only ever take the one pair of shoes which I wear - if I need beach shoes etc. I'll just buy cheap ones there. I usually wear a zip-up fleece vest under my light coat - coat has dozens of pockets and a detachable hood. I do not take any electronics other than a small pocket sized camera (no mobile, etc.) My backpack always has enough room in it to pack home the souvenirs. I always have a journal and writing implements. My trips vary from four nights to over a month and I pack the same for every one. I just did my 35th country and have the 36th booked!
Check out USB to HDMI adapter dongles. Read descriptions carefully to make sure you get one that does what you want, but your long USB cable plugged into a little adapter might replace a dedicated HDMI cable.
Another multi-task item is a buff. It can replace an eye mask, and then be worn in a ton of other ways.
I would add wet wipes for the bathrooms that don't have toilet paper.
Please only dispose of any style of wetwipesminto the trash. Never flush. They cause horrible havoc on systems, especially old ones.
Yah more plastic 😢
Just buy wet toilet tissue that is biodegradable
I did a 5 month trip a couple years back. A quilted vest was absolutely essential. You can wear it under a rain shell for extra warmth, or over a hoodie for adjustable comfort in various climates. If you get one with lots of pockets you can load it up for plane travel. A durable waterproof baseball cap is also handy, I clip it to the outside of my bag when not using it. Throw some rubber bands on that carabiner, trust me. I travel with a fire stick and it's great !
Agree with the insulated vest. Mine packs down to nothing but when needed gives me that extra layer. Also it has great inner pockets for my phone and travel wallet and zip up outer pockets for stuff so I don’t need to carry a purse. If it’s really miserable, I throw on my packable rain jacket. They haven’t let me down but I haven’t been everywhere yet.
I advocate testing all of your tech bag items before you head out. It can be a real pain to be stuck in a hotel only to find that your travel USB-C PD charger burned out as it was unplugged on your last trip, or that HDMI cable you just unwrapped was bad from the factory. That said HDMI cables are likely to be available at local retail shops.
One thing to potentially cut down on bulk would be to look at a RJ-45 to HDMI adapter pair, with a 6' or 10' Cat6 flat cable that rolls up neat. And yeah, test it at home on a couple different TV's and all computers. There may also be flat HDMI cables that pack small.
Hair bands (the small variety for pony tails, are a great bit of kit for keeping cables tidy, and mostly aren't going to get hung up on the mesh as some of the velcro straps will. Gear ties are becoming popular for this as well, think heavy duty twist ties.
I've had good luck with most of my RayCon ear buds, and carry the workout set with me, but the gaming set would work just as well I think.
Brother, at the point where you are buying multiple pairs of RayCons, I say just get the AirPods
@@God-mb8wi Not an Apple person. Not telling anyone not to buy them, just not buying them myself.
If you change the HDMI cable to an HDMI to USB-C you can connect most devices that support USB-C. Makes your phone a portable workstation with a small travel keyboard.
Great to see a video focusing on minimalism from a non-“ultra-light” perspective. A lot of people go so far w/ their sub-25l load outs that it feels unapproachable.
Completely agree!!
I think that's cos these guys travelled for half a year. Whereas a lot of these ppl who focus on personal item only are taking much shorter trips. Makes a big difference. Not necessarily to your wardrobe, cos can always wash clothing (yes, you can handwash clothes in your hotel bathroom and dry overnight), but the other gear needs to be built to last and multifunctional (to cover many different scenarios)
I always travel with some form of dry laundry detergent that can be either used in a sink to hand wash items or a laundry machine if I have access to one. Really helpful when I'm packing light if I need to wash things in a pinch! I've used Sea to Summit's Trek & Travel Pocket Laundry Wash which are super light-weight and barely take up any room in a bag.
my two small things that i always take with me that have come in clutch many times if i'm going to be walking a lot or away from my hotel for a long time are a small hand fan and a tide to-go pen!
You can get solid shampoo bars & shower gel bars and toothpaste tablets to reduce the number of liquids you need to carry.
As for shoes the absolute best and hands down most comfortable are the On Cloud shoes, no matter what ones you chose
I have recently bought some socks and base layer items made with alpaca wool and I find they are great for temperature regulation and super for protecting your feet from blisters.
Also supposed to be more durable than merino. I'm trying to move my wardrobe more to alpaca
Great list. I also travel with a regular stainless steel household dessert spoon - it lives in my personal item bag. It's airline-safe and opens up a whole new world of possibilities for food on the go - like yoghurt and soups. Most disposable spoons are really bad, especially those rubbish bamboo things that hold as much liquid as a knife!
I use Matador FlatPak instead of a silicon tubes.
It doesn't occupy space when it's empty.
Good video and all makes sense. I would recommend adding a small roll ( like 3/4 inch wide) of gorilla tape. An amazing tool for repair, organizing, and weight is negligible.
While I agree this stuff is great, you just can't bring everything; so it's worth looking into whether you can buy that at your destination should you have need of it, imo
Ive done some major thru-hikes w pack and never needed anything more than trail runners. Also darn tough makes best merino socks w lifetime warranty. Def agree the unbound stuff is awesome! Luv channel.
I'm a frequent traveler and (wannabe) photographer so I'll be doing Shimoda 30L Explore V2 backpack with a July Carry On Essential wheelie. Your list has added a few things that I'll be taking: Osprey Toiletry bag, Caribiner, pen and notepad, I have many of the remainder already ticked off, due to watching your other videos, so thank you. As Australia is the home of merino, I was there before you!
Absolutely love these packing tips! ✈ Packing light with one bag is definitely the way to go for hassle-free travel. Thanks for sharing your essentials!
The problem some people find with merino wool clothing is that it begins to fall apart long before many other fabrics. It can also tend to wear too warm in tropical countries. Yes….many travel RUclips vloggers do get benefits from pushing merino wool clothing. I find the latest high tech summer/hot weather fabrics in men’s shirts by companies like Columbia to be much better in the tropics. Tough long lasting and breezy ventilated quick drying…can’t go wrong. It’s what I wear during long term trips to the tropics of south Asia.
No shoes and socks…. Bare feet in sandals . A good pair of men’s sandals with heal strap and arch support and tough sole….and no socks in the tropics is how I go. I let my feet breathe in the open air and sun. I wear a pair of socks only on the plane. ✈️ 🌴 🌴 🌴
I totally agree. I can’t wear wool so I’ve tended towards Columbia from clothes to shoes/sandals to jackets
Try Arctic Cool. My daily drivers
Alternatives to wool sounds good to vegans! 😂 I’ll have to look for that kind of alternative material!
I’m agree with you too …. I love merino wool but they are more fragile…. 😢
Just my two cents, but my husband and I have mostly switched over to merino fabrics, and I haven’t found a weak link in the bunch. We do line-dry all of it, which we’d have to do abroad in many cases, but man it’s so good. We buy most of ours from Icebreaker. No Smell Ever. I swear I could wear a single shirt for a week, wash & line dry and repeat without any smell or wrinkles. Same for socks, pants, and sweatshirts. Of course we wash underwear (but I can wear a bra multiple times before it needs washing). In the end, it saves money - at least that’s our experience.
i travel with a lot of electronics in my carry-on , at least 2 power banks , cables , ear buds , and other stuff , i put them all in cheap a see through zip lock freezer bag , at the top of my bag and simply pull it out going through security at check in , saves a lot of time and stops me being pulled aside at the scanning machine ,
I wear hand knit or hand cranked socks all the time. They are fabulous! I can even make them no show if I want. I’m seriously considering knitting a short sleeved tee. I already have the yarn!
I can travel with my firestick??? Thats brilliant.
Well done videos, quick informative without all the blah blah blah. ❤
Rubber bands...incredibly useful for travelling
I have an emergency repair kit that fits in a flat pencil pouch in my dop kit. Eyeglass screws,nose pads.+mini screwdriver, a polybag self adhesive repair patch, a foot of duct tape (folded with parchment paper into 3” long), a 0.5g superglue packet, a sharpie, a few zip ties, rubber bands and Velcro strips, a single use epoxy foil pack, a couple twist ties, and a sewing “kit” with 4 colors of thread, a needle, and 2 buttons on a business card. They’ve each gotten me out of a jam at one time in the past. (I’ve yet to encounter TSA problems with my superglue and epoxy as they’re just (so trivially small. )
I love Smartwool socks!
Finally, some useful packing video. I wish it'll get more views. Keep doing more good videos like this 👍🏻
Also to add if you have a new Galxy phone 100% bring a USB c to full hdmi cable so you can use DEX which turns you phone into a crome PC and is still a phone... This saved me when my PC broke a few months ago.
Love bbkbags the way you show it! You really focus on showing off the bag. I don't think any other RUclipsr can show off bags in as much detail as you.
I have been using this backpack since it came out and I used it as a single bag for traveling inside my country, and used it as a carry-on bag for traveling to another country for containing my camera gear.
Overall it's great but I never use the expansion because it makes the bag look too big.
My wife and I just took an eight day cruise. We did not check a bag, but we did have both a wheeled carry-on and a backpack. We breezed through immigration on both outbound and inbound legs.
Clear, concise, and helpful! Thank you!
You may also add a small bag for bandage, eye-drop, panadol...BTW, I have most of the items you mentioned when traveling.
Nothing and I mean absolutely nothing beats the Rimowa carry on.
Never thought of the HDMI cable! Will be adding that to my tech case.
Put the dryer sheets in the net pockets of your bag and your clothes stay fresh!
Great advice, thanks Nik!
merino wool socks best! Great vid i use Darn Tough from Vermont!!
Be careful. Some airlines, looking at you Turkish Airlines, only allow 17 pounds {8KG} for the carry-on and they do weigh the carry-on bags. At least they did the last time I flew. I have even heard of them weighing bags at the gate.
Yes the reality is most airlines do weigh every time I travel, whatever airline may be. Plus ask for a return ticket
In Australia we've been
Thx for sharing. Bombas merino wool socks. Only ones I use for just daily life. I’m too picky about seams and the feeling of fabrics and these are awesome. My grown sons use just like two pair on camping trips since they don’t stink!
Try any brand of alpaca socks. I promise you will change your sock habits.
Sure. I’ll try a pair to compare next time I buy socks. Thx
@@bgtsy I have multiple pairs of Paka and Pacas socks. The former are thinner, the latter are thicker. I use them as the season dictates. I am eventually going to try Hollow, Willowace, and a few other brands.
Hi Nik. This is great content and you gave me some really helpful tips. I appreciate it. New sub here!😀
My $8 tote from old navy, is a perfect one bag carry. Its gone through 20 trips and looks brand new
Please remember a lot of Air Lines flying into the South Pacific region, have a ONE bag carryon a total weight of 7 kilograms, so your crossbag will be ONE bag, their is no such thing as a personal bag.
Nik, can you go into more detail about shoes you pack? Perhaps you have a suggestion for 2 pair that would be good for 4 different functions? everyday, training/workout, pool/beach, non sneakers for going out nicer.
You bet. For me, it really depends on the trip. For 6 months of full-time travel, I packed 1. A pair of walking shoes like these (amzn.to/3U4Wl6T the ones I took are discontinued now.) 2. A pair of running shoes specifically for working out and 3. A pair of sandals for water related activities. (These www.nike.com/t/air-deschutz-se-mens-shoes-WtcmP1/DO8951-001). As you can tell, there's not a nicer pair of dress shoes in this mix. The walkers I had were solid black and could "pass" in all but very fine dining situations.
For most trips I don't pack sandals as we aren't big water/beach people 9 times out of 10. For some trips, I'll just run in my 'walking shoes' so I don't have to bring an extra pair of runners. For work trips, for example I used to attend a lot of trade shows, I like Cole Haan shoes like these (www.colehaan.com/mens-originalgrand-wingtip-oxfords/C26472.html) because they have great cushion. SO I'll wear them on the plane, to my appointments, etc. and then I've got my workout shoes for my run around town or the hotel gym.
I almost always find myself having to prioritize the 2 things I care about most in order to avoid packing 3 pair. I'm always like "man, if I weren't a runner, this would be a lot easier" but I'll take packing a pair of runners over packing other sports equipment any day.
I hope this is even a little helpful! Disclosure - that amazon link above is an affiliate link - I did that simply because the regular link was a mile long. Not trying to sell you something. :)
thanks for all the tips what about medication how to pack and any issues i need to be prepared for
Side comments: Liking the new background. Bit more dynamic and less claustrophobic
Also, I was just in Vienna with my husband for vacation and went to tons of places you had in your videos! Amazing recs. Loved the brewery and Vollpension a LOT
Eagle Creek luggage for me!
I'm moving to Australia on the 29th of this month, only doing carry on and using the Monos Carry On Pro 46L and a Patagonia Refugio 30L day pack and a unisex sling from Uniqlo.
Welcome to Australia.
While I always bring my earbuds while travelling I don't use them on a plane because if you drop one on a stuffed, cramped Ryanair flight it takes a contortionist to retrieve it. I carry a set of basic wired for the plane but am tempted to invest in overear bluetooth noise cancelling despite the added bulk. My last flight was so noisy!
Who makes the slings in your video? The orange one and the one right after that? The one you linked is overkill. Thanks!
Nik, Thanks for all these videos. I have a question. When traveling with an empty water bottle. I have Titanium, Plastic, Grayl or sturdy plastic options Going to rome so one is needed. Which is better to fly ( no checked bag) with?
For international travel and if you can afford the weight...GRAYL. the filter is by far the best whether in town/city or hiking in the mountains. If you can't afford the weight, stick with a hot/cold thermos. I use ultralight THERMOS or my Kojirushi. Flexibility for hot/cold for hours! With that, I bring my Sawyer squeeze with adapters. Happy travels!
I'd like to add a suggestion: when considering which water bottle to choose for travel, be sure it is leak proof (nothing like having it on its side, and releasing the contents all over your bag or anything else nearby) and that the mouth piece is covered (no folding straws/bite caps without a cover) and for your own protection/ safeguard from contamination, like dirt, falling,, people coughing/sneezing...
Love the content and items you use while traveling. Leaving for Paris, Bordeaux and Lisbon
I really want to love merino wool clothing but I have found they develop holes and fall apart very fast. Love wool socks but shirts last less than a year before they fall apart.
In general, stuffing your passport in an upper-pocket of your backpack is not a good idea safety-wise. Moreover, carrying an exposed passport is even worse.
The modern passport contains a microchip and an antenna which are susceptible to corrosion and oxidation. These booklets are meant to last for at least ten years, so it is a good idea to insert the passport in a cheap plastic transparent cover for that extra protection. Also, it is even better to put it in a ziplocked bag, and even adding small moisture absorbing bags, those that come with new cameras or binoculars. Going through passport control where you passport fails to beep means a secondary inspection and an interview. Then if your passport is taken out of your backpack by a pickpocket you have to go to the embassy with a police report and get an emergency passport that will screw up your travel plans altogether.
I met a woman in France who watched all her papers head off down the highway as she was left behind by her Flix driver. Always keep in my day pack while in transit
Hey Nik, great video 🎉
Sorry to bother you, but do you have any recommendation and/or suggestions of brand name for a Light Rain Jacket with a hoodie? That can not be too bulky
Thank you very much for your kind attention 😊
I adore my eddie Bauer one
@@0mfgeeze thank you very much for your kind attention 😊. I will get one, God bless you 🙏
Outdoor Research Helium 2. Bestvultralight rain jacket and packs small. Shop sales for prior year colors and you can get one in the $70.00 range. Great deal.
Instead of a packable backpack, I highly recommend a lightweight crossbody messenger bag.
I am am 6'1 280 and still haven't found a merino shirt that a relaxing fit. Bought from 3 differant companies and they are all skin tight.
Dryer sheets and ziploc bags are must haves for all the reasons you gave.
I wish I could wear merino next to my skin but I can't. Except for my feet! As another layer, it's great!!!!
Merino wool socks are wonderful. Bombas makes great socks; we've been buying them for years. Also FoxSocks.
Some great advice!!! Thank you, Nik!
I have issues with wool too. Even merino is a little scratchy for me. So after washing I then soak it in 1:1 vinegar and water solution for 1-3hrs. Some even suggest that you can then freeze it in an airtight bag overnight to fully take the itch out of it but I find I don't have to go that far. Hope that's helpful
Is the Monos that you linked accepted in international airlines? Thank you!
Osprey Porter 46 is my friend!!
Any suggestions for 1 bag and need much thicker clothes boots meds for winter or winter summer in one bag?
10ish litre dry bags make really good day bags that lay flat in a document sleeve when you need to haul a bit more shit for a day trip than will fit in a Fanny pack.
Smartwool, Icebreaker, Fjällräven and a lot of other companies make great merino products...
Great review, it's all good one bag travel, any ideas what to do when bringing back home souvenirs which cannot fit in one bag, just a thought
How do you get it all under the 7kg carry-on limit.
Especially for traveling for more than a month abroad.
I’m guessing that since he’s not traveling alone that they both share the weight of some of these shared items. Also, I believe you get one bag (the backpack/carry on) plus a personal bag (purse, messenger bag, whatever.
I've been all over the world and only travel carry-on. If the bag fits in those carry-on tester things no one ever weighs it. I don't think I've ever had a bag weighed by anyone.
The wall charger is only an adapter though right? It doesn’t convert from 220 down to 120 does it? I bought it but I live in the US and feel nervous about charging things besides my iOS devices
Does the Osprey meet the carry on baggage size restrictions that most airlines have adopted?
My favorite travel gear channel. Always something I didn’t know. I do want to recommend jaybird earbuds as a sub for the apple buds.
I HATE my Monos. Handle won't extend when full. I bought a Samsonite hard case to replace it.
I'm coming from Australia TO the US. Can you recommend a good travel bank for charging my iPhone and iPad and Apple watch?
13:26 Okay, I get THAT I need a water bottle, but can you explain WHY I so desperately *need* a water bottle if I'm going somewhere that has bottled water available?
Backpacking or hosteling through rural countryside locations, yes it makes sense.
But what if I'm staying at a Radisson in Montréal and there's a source of bottled water on other street corner? Wouldn't a water bottle just add exta bulk and be *yet another* item to keep track of...or lose?
I have items that have different charging ports, so I purchased a cable with three different charging options, lightening, usb c and mini usb. Saves space and works well. The ones I have are not smart, just charging, so you don't have to worry about data hacking.
I have an sd card reader that includes various usb adapter jacks in the device. Best $15 I ever spent. Use daily when travelling. And am always finding new uses for. Brilliant piece of kit
Another useful video from Nik... tons of great tips. What are some less expensive options for merino wool? Some of us can't afford Unbound !
Which one do you like better? The osprey ultralight roll or the tripped travel gear one?
Alternative...Alpaca is softer than merino wool. Same wicking properties and no smell.
I have bin traveling so much I thought this video would be a waste of time, but damn it was good
I assume you are compensated for the specific items you recommend in your video?
I've found that airport security wants your tech bag to be clear so they can quickly review the purpose of all the wires.
My personal recommendation is instead of carrying both a charger and an adapter, consider just getting a charger at your destination if it is your only destination and you plan to visit more places with the same plug in the future
Excellent contact… Thank you
curious what you use for white noise/sound? Phone app or another device you recommend? Thank you!
I look forward to COPYMAXY my rotation
Is the merino washable?
My personal problem with merino wool is that it is obtained through cruel breeding. While I am not categorically against animal products, this should be avoided, in my opinion.
Cool video, though, thanks!
Well stated and I agree with you that wool should be avoided!
almost forgot can i take a carry on a small backpack for under the seat and a sling is this allowed or should i pack the sling thanks
I just used your affiliate link to purchase an Unbound Merino T-shirt! Thanks for the discount code! I love their compact travel hoodie as well. Thank you for the great channel. Keep it up!
They are awesome! Thanks for supporting our channel. Happy Travels!