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OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

onebag.com

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Re: OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

#101

Post by 0xbadcafebee »

The site focuses too much on the bag and not enough on the context that determines how you travel. For some kinds of travel, you don't need a bag at all. For some you have to compromise on what you bring. For some, carrying more than one bag is just optimal.

Most of my international travel has used one bag. In many cases I use hacks to avoid even paying the carry-on fee, and very rarely I'm caught and have to pay for the carry-on. But for my last long trip, I checked my bag, and carried a small bag onto the plane. I wanted to be able to transport stuff they won't allow as carry-on, and it was just less hassle to check it.

My favorite bag is a small soft roll-top backpack with a waist strap. Because it's a roll-top it can expand or be packed down tight, and it's narrow so it ends up fitting more places when it's packed tight. Outside straps and mesh water bottle compartments let me carry an extra pair of shoes (or water bottles). One exterior zip pocket, one interior zip pocket. I think one version of this bag has a padded laptop sleeve with zip, but I don't really need the feature. And I found one that has an internal frame which makes it more breathable and easier to carry when heavily packed.

Re: OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

#102

Post by asdff »

ubermonkey wrote: post #26

I've seen this site before. It's, um, zealous. I travel light. I have since the 90s. I never ever ever checked a bag before 9/11, but since then I've often done so for two reasons: - Absurd restrictions on liquids in the cabin; and - Equally absurd restrictions on carrying my Swiss Army Knife. Once you check a bag, you need another bag to carry some essentials aboard the plane. Even on a short weekend trip, though, i…

The big annoyance with checking a bag imo is dealing with the entire process.

Many airlines charge you per leg per bag. Then there is sometimes a holdup at the bag drop. Then there is the weight limit. Then after you are done with the flight you have to wait at baggage claim which can be quite long at certain airports. Then there's the nonzero chance that something catastrophic has happened with your luggage; I think we all know a few people with luggage fiasco war stories.

With a carry on, you roll in and out and you are gone. No extra lines. No extra nickel and diming.

Re: OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

#103

Post by 0xbadcafebee »

58x14 wrote: post #32

I bought a Goruck GR2 (40L capacity) in 2013 and cumulatively lived out of it for ~4 years. It's been with me up every mountain I've climbed, on 3 continents, on my back as I rode a motorcycle through a snowstorm. I've slept on it, swam with it, skied with it. After nearly 9 years, it's in perfect condition, and one of my most cherished possessions. I'm not one to anthropomorphize... but this one bag is my best frien…

> A zipper breaking as you flee from danger may make the difference in survival.

In an apocalyptic scenario, zippers are way too annoying to fix and replace. Rip out your zippers and replace them with cordage through metal grommets, or with button flys. Army duffels use overlapping folds of material with metal grommets and one giant metal clasp. Roll-top bags just need rolling and can be tied closed with cord.

Re: OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

#104

Post by munificent »

ubermonkey wrote: post #26

I've seen this site before. It's, um, zealous. I travel light. I have since the 90s. I never ever ever checked a bag before 9/11, but since then I've often done so for two reasons: - Absurd restrictions on liquids in the cabin; and - Equally absurd restrictions on carrying my Swiss Army Knife. Once you check a bag, you need another bag to carry some essentials aboard the plane. Even on a short weekend trip, though, i…

> One-bagging is also a poor choice for business travel, since you likely want a smaller computer bag so you don't have to use your much larger "one bag" as your office bag.

For small work trips, I generally just pack all of my clothes and toiletries in my laptop backpack. When I get to the hotel, I take all that stuff out and leave it in the room and then bring the same bag into the office. Works fine for me.

Re: OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

#105

Post by ddyment »

Interesting to see all the "It doesn't work for business travellers" comments. I'm now retired, but was a business traveller (read: million mile flyer) for over forty years, and it has always worked well for me.

Also, there are MANY reasons (not just "less weight") to avoid wheeled bags ( https://www.onebag.com/wheeled-bags.html ).

Re: OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

#106

Post by awelxtr »

ipsin wrote: post #99

It's interesting to me that GoRuck keeps showing up in the comments. I've seen it show up in several other contexts (geocaching, Ingress, etc.), and ... It seems like a "lifestyle brand", but are they also focused on one-bag ergonomics? Not at all skeptical, just looking for an accessible intro to GoRuck.

> also focused on one-bag ergonomics?

Considering that they offer bags up to 40L, I guess go.

My GR1 23L bag has served me well thus far. Although I gotta say they are rather pricey.

Re: OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

#107

Post by yosito »

antihero wrote: post #93
yosito wrote: post #90

Since 2018, I've been traveling with a 45L GoRuck GR3 and a small backpack for my laptop. I fly carry-on only (1 bag, plus "personal item") and manage to cram a lot of useful stuff in very small space, including a lot of stuff that many minimalists wouldn't carry. - Two laptops: A company MacBook Pro, plus a personal LG Gram with Pop_OS! - A Keychron K3 keyboard, Roost stand, Apple Magic Touchpad and USB/HDMI adapter…

Can you get away with not using the yoga mat and just doing yoga on the ground? I love my yoga mat but if you are looking to stay minimal…I wonder if the original yogis used mats? :)

Yep, I could, but I'm not trying to be as minimal as possible, only to fit everything in carry on luggage, which I'm already able to do.

Re: OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

#108

Post by welder »

ngokevin wrote: post #44
welder wrote: post #33

My favorite travel hack: Wool shirts and wool socks. They need washing less often so you pack less clothing. And, showering with hand-sanitizer on arm pits. https://www.woolly.clothing/collections/190-gsm-shirts/produ... https://unboundmerino.com/collections/socks https://www.smartertravel.com/unbound-merino-womens-v-neck-r...

Or synthetic/wicking shirts. Packs extremely small and dries very quickly.

Synthetics are the worst on airplane and they smell quickly. Yea they dry fast but you have to wash them daily.

Re: OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

#109

Post by sokoloff »

OJFord wrote: post #95
interestica wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had all my toiletry containers, specifically chosen because they were 100ml, confiscated because they "looked big" to the agent. The agent literally said they "looked like 110ml versions". I had like 4 total.

I had an almost-empty container clearly marked 150ml (or something) confiscated because it was.. marked more than 100ml. Also razor blades, I don't know if they're supposed to be allowed, being only about an inch long, but nope - shaving with expensive junk or growing a holiday beard are the only approved options!

> almost-empty container clearly marked 150ml (or something) confiscated

That's correct according to the TSA rules.

https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/liquidsrule_example-...

(We can wrap ourselves around many axles debating the utility of these rules, but that's at least a correct interpretation of the rule.)

Re: OneBag: The Art and Science of Travelling Light

#110

Post by ghaff »

R0b0t1 wrote: post #98
ngokevin wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or synthetic/wicking shirts. Packs extremely small and dries very quickly.

I have to vote synthetics on this one due to price. There are some lower cost mass produced shirts claiming to be >80% wool, but the rest of that is probably synthetic.

Synthetics are also more durable. I really like merino wool and I keep my eye out for a good sale but I generally won't pay list price.
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