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Indefinite Backpack Travel

jeremymaluf.com

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Re: Indefinite Backpack Travel

#231

Post by driverdan »

agd wrote: post #111

I did this for a few years and would recommend 1 (smallish) suitcase + 1 backpack. As mentioned in the article, it’s better (financially and socially) to stay in locations for a medium length of time. If you do this, then the overhead of a single suitcase is very minimal, and you get far more flexibility with clothing - particularly if you’re staying in colder areas. E.g. NYC in winter.

I usually prefer two carry-ons, a backpack and a laptop bag. I find it easier to minimize what I have under the seat in front of me and be able to carry a few extra things that wouldn't fit otherwise.

Re: Indefinite Backpack Travel

#232

Post by mierz00 »

urbandw311er wrote: post #195

I find myself wondering how this person pays for their nomadic lifestyle. Presumably they have some sort of remote job; it would be interesting to know how much they have to earn to offset their expenses.

In 2016 I was travelling on 1000 AUD a month in Asia.

Granted this was no life of luxury, but I wasn’t exactly holding back on much either.

Re: Indefinite Backpack Travel

#233

Post by driverdan »

octo888 wrote: post #38

Shoes are always what get me. Wearing the same pair 2 days in a row isn't great for bacteria etc. Plus wanting sandals/flip-flops for the beach. Proper boots for any kind of hiking. Then I feel awkward particularly in Europe in the evening going to restaurants in trainers, so a pair of smart shoes is useful. Not saying I always take that entire combo, but almost always more than 1 pair.

> Wearing the same pair 2 days in a row isn't great for bacteria etc.

Do you have foot health problems? For much of my life I've had a single pair of shoes I wear almost daily and have never had problems with bacteria. The only issue I've found is going sockless. Even then you can put a little foot powder into the shoes once a week and it kills everything in them.

Re: Indefinite Backpack Travel

#234

Post by Liftyee »

Arainach wrote: post #87
pavel_lishin wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Out of curiosity, what is it about touchscreens that's such a big selling point for you?

They're inherently convenient and fast to use. As I'm typing, it's far more ergonomic to take my middle finger and swipe on the screen to scroll than to reposition my hand to have two fingers on the trackpad. For extended reading I can keep one hand at the edge of the screen to scroll with a thumb instead of cramping my wrist. Zooming is quickly and intuitively obvious rather than having to figure out where my mouse…

The hand repositioning was the rationale for the ThinkPad TrackPoint (which I still use daily). Right on the home row, and with 3 buttons for left/right/scroll+zoom purposes. Sadly it never caught on, possibly because the precision is not as good as a touchpad. It's even been removed from some of the latest ThinkPads.

Re: Indefinite Backpack Travel

#235

Post by driverdan »

kakacik wrote: post #115
mbesto wrote: post #81

Few modifications. I would highly recommend: - Icebreaker Merino T-Shirts https://na.icebreaker.com/en-us/collections/mens-tshirts?cou... - Paka Alpaca Wool Hoodie: https://www.pakaapparel.com/products/alpaca-hoodie?variant=3... I wear those t-shirts in hot climates because of how breathable they are and the Alpaca Wool Hoodie is literally the best sweater I've ever owned. Super breathable, lightweight and I've washe…

Merino shirts are literally the only shirts I've worn through to have holes on various places. Its not that great and vastly overpriced material for many active uses, but marketing is strong with this one. To quote some mountain guides I talked about this - its a great second layer in snowy sports, ie ski touring. Wicking of sweat ain't great compared to synthetics (and thus drying takes also much longer), but when w…

The one Icebreaker shirt I owned got holes and sweat stains while my tri-blend American Apparel shirts continued for years longer without issues.

Re: Indefinite Backpack Travel

#236

Post by bluebarbet »

lisbbb wrote: post #122

I like that this guy's ethos is something along the lines of "better dressed homeless person." It won't last, though. Anyone of any means falls into the materialism trap. If you ever want to build anything, create art, open a business, all of that requires "stuff." If you're just some yob blogger dude then I guess you can make it work. I doubt very many women find it appealing. I see people living out of their cars w…

This is all clearly true. Human society is rooted. Communities are static, more or less by definition. So a nomadic lifestyle will never appeal to most people: it's just not compatible with a normal life. But most of us relish the bite-sized version of it (vacations) so I think there's value in pushing the envelope if ever we get the chance.

Re: Indefinite Backpack Travel

#239

Post by driverdan »

I did this for a bit. The approach is very useful to learn. Traveling light is so, so much better. I never check bags unless there's a very good reason. It does have some downsides.

You're constantly making and throwing away relationships. I found this the hardest part.

Your lifestyle is subsidized by society. You depend on other people and services to make it work. You either have to eat out all the time or make many small trips to grocery stores and rent places with furnished kitchens. There is no self reliance, no preparation for things to go wrong besides saving money and hoping you can buy your way out.

There are opportunity costs. If OP had bought real estate in 2015 they would be better off financially. It's one of the reasons I stopped living in a bus and bought a house. Had I bought the last two times I "moved" in 2011 or 2016 I'd have almost enough money to retire and live OP's lifestyle permanently.

Re: Indefinite Backpack Travel

#240

Post by blackguardx »

dijit wrote: post #153
plastic3169 wrote: post #107

I am surprised one bag crowd seem to pack so many computing devices with them. Some have phone, laptop, ipad and kindle and pride themselves on being minimalists.

I'm one of those. I'd go iPad only, it's a versatile device after-all, but the truth of it is: it can't beat a laptop for "real work" (unless, real work is replying to emails and running an extremely cut down version of excel). Yet, a laptop is significantly more awkward to read with or watch media. When flying I have (nearly) lost a screen to someone reclining in front of me while I was using my laptop; this is not…

It is not cool or sexy, but a surface tablet makes a great travel device because it is a full computer that is also a tablet. You can also use it during takeoff and landing when laptops are not allowed.
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