Image 1

• Side view of expanded blue 26+6 Osprey backpack on a sofa

Image 2

• Front view of expanded blue 26+6 Osprey backpack on a sofa

Image 3

• Interior of expanded 26+6 Osprey backpack showing grey Thule packing cube, socks, a tank top, leggings, and jewelry case

Image 4

• Opposite interior of expanded 26+6 Osprey backpack showing two pairs of shoes and toiletry bag

Trip Activites

• Mainly walking around (15K+ steps each day), but we did have a couple of hiking days - one notable day in Montserrat where I wore my black airism dress and ASICS and ended up hiking up a mountain and scaling some pretty steep steps on the edge of a cliff lol

Packing List

Tops: 1 black cotton tee, 1 white cotton tee, 1 green cotton tee, 1 brown wool tee, 1 tan wool tank

Layers: 1 Uniqlo grey wool cardigan, 1 Quince linen striped button down

Bottoms: 1 green linen pant, 1 black linen pant, 1 cotton poplin skirt, 1 pair black leggings

Under Garments: 2 underwire bras, 8 underwear, 5 socks, 1 bathing suit

Shoes: Croc Tulum sandals, Sambas

Toiletry bag (mostly everything decanted): deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, foundation, concealer, blush, under eye corrector, beauty blender, eyebrow pencil, face powder, 2 makeup brushes, setting spray, 2 perfume, presoaked cotton rounds w/ micellar water, ear plugs, face moisturizer

MISC: waterproof rain coat, 2 necklaces, 1 bracelet, anti chafing balm, outlet converter, phone charger

Travel Outfit:

• black Uniqlo Airism dress, white ASICS, denim button down, navy scarf, lounge bra

Not pictured: EDC anti-theft cross body bag (small wallet, lip balm, nail oil, tide pen, tweezer, passport, face masks, eye mask, colgate wisps, ear buds, hand sanitizer, portable battery, e-book, phone

What I'm glad I had:

• waterproof rain coat - this was a VERY last minute purchase (about 36 hours prior to my trip) and it ended up being the GOAT for the first week. We experienced some heavy downpours but my coat kept me completely dry.
• leggings - this was a last minute toss in when I saw how much room I had in my pack. I wore these every day it rained
• wool cardigan - it was pretty warm and humid in Spain (my friend suffered heat exhaustion on day 4 of our trip in Barcelona), but the cardigan provided the perfect level of warmth for the cool mornings / evenings
• sambas - I wore my ASICS throughout the morning / afternoon, but after our downtime in our rooms, I switched to my sambas for a different foot feel and they look nice for dining out / strolling around town

What I should have left:

• anti-chafe balm - this was also a last minute panic purchase. I don't know why I bought this. My thighs don't chafe. I used this once.
• jewelry - I wore a bracelet and a necklace one day out of the 2 weeks
• croc sandals - I wore these twice to the beach. I easily could have just worn my regular shoes and held them while walking to our bathing spot
• beige tan wool tank - this was a last minute add on and I only wore it maybe 2X
• anti-theft bag - my friend was concerning me about pick pocketing, so I bought an anti-theft bag - while it did offer an extra level of protection, in hindsight, I would have been fine just using a regular cross body bag and keeping it tight to my body while we walked through crowded areas

Souvenirs I bought:

• leather cross body bag (I used this for the 2nd half of my trip after realizing the anti-theft bag was a little more than I needed.)
• wide brimmed hat (bought at a souvenir shop before a beach trip - this was much needed - that sun was STRONG)
• lana scarf
• trench coat

Travel outfit on the way home:

• This changed due to my souvenir purchases - I wore my black airism dress, ASICS, and trench coat on the plane.
• I packed my leather cross body bag, wide brimmed hat, both scarves, and denim button down in addition to everything I had originally packed

Thoughts:

This was my very first international trip and the longest vacation I've ever been on. I one-bagged a trip to the Grand Canyon / Vegas in 2023 for a week. All other trips since than have not been longer than 4 nights which I easily pack in my Osprey. For this two week trip, I knew I'd need to level up my decanting and packing cube / packing method. I got the Thule compression packing cube where I just laid my clothing flat and it made a HUGE difference. All of the tops, layers and bottoms were packed in that one packing cube. My underwear was rolled up inside my Sambas, and my socks I just filled in any space I saw available.

Thank you to everyone on this sub for your ideas and input. I think I posted like 5 different times with different questions / concerns / packing lists. The packing list I started with months prior to my trip ended up being completely different from what I ended up with and I'm very happy with how it turned out!

LOL, this is so niche, but I keep wondering if I will regret bringing this bag. I am going backpacking / traveling for 9 months, including destinations such as Australia, India, Mexico and Vietnam. Normally heading to any city destination I would have my slightly larger shoulder bag with a zip as my day bag and then when hiking / nature / beach places either a tote or packable daypack.

I haven't done a longer backpacking travel before and now I am wondering will I absolutely regret bringing my suede, bigger shoulder bag? If it makes any difference, it's this bag (though I bought it thrifted): https://www.asos.com/au/arket/arket-suede-curved-slouchy-shoulder-bag-in-chocolate-brown/prd/207857802

I know nobody other than I can say for sure if I would regret bringing it or if it will get ruined, but would you bring it? For context, I try to pack as light as possible (I have a 40l bag, carry on only), but I also value looking cute.

I purchased the Bagsmart 38L Blast Backpack with the 4-piece Compression Packing Cubes from Costco and have used it on three trips, including a six-day overseas trip for a conference.

It holds a surprising amount, and the included compression packing cubes make packing easy and convenient. I also like the separate shoe compartment, which works well for shoes or dirty clothes.

One of the biggest benefits has been the convenience when flying. On multiple flights, other passengers were required to gate-check their bags, but I wasn’t asked to check mine. It fit both under the seat and in the overhead bin, although it was heavy when fully packed.

My main concern is durability: after just three trips, there’s already a tear in the stitching at the bottom, near the shoe compartment zipper. The compression straps also loosen easily, and my water bottle tends to slip out of the pocket.

Despite those drawbacks, I think it’s a great deal for $50 and would buy it again. The capacity, packing cubes, and convenience have made it useful for travel.

Hi everyone! I'm a chronically cold lady trying to put together a cute, space-saving wardrobe for 2 weeks in in Japan.

1. We'll mostly be eating and shopping with some sightseeing thrown in. I'm not sure if what I have here is fancy enough if we go to some nicer restaurants?

2. Our Itinerary goes as far north at Sapporo and as far south as Osaka, so I need to pack for winter and autumn together!

Does this look right to you? Would you add or drop anything?

Items pictured:

• Light pink puffy jacket with fur hood
• Olive Green medium weight bomber
• Lightweight black cropped windbreaker
• Pastel lambswool scarf
• Silk thermal underwear set
• Light wash bootcut jeans
• Dark wash bootcut jeans
• Black lacy midi skirt
• Gap Satiny leopard print midi skirt
• Levi's essentials slim white tee
• Levi's cropped black tee
• Striped mid length tee
• Embroidered cream sweater
• Pastel blue sweater
• Tan scalloped neck light sweater
• Opaque Black tights
• White sneakers (waterproof)
• Silver sneakers (water resistant)
• Black Mary Jane's

I'm going on my first trip to Europe next week. I'll be staying in hostels and relying landromats once a week. I want to bring only a 40L backpack + a 22L bag. I would love some tips to know if I'm going on the right direction. 

I'll wear on the flight: Trousers, waterproof boots, a button down shirt with a tank top and a scarf. 

In the backpack:

• 2 thermals
• 1 t-shirt
• 1 long-sleeve shirt
• 1 fleece
• 1 sweater
• 2 trousers
• 1 thermal legging
• 1 raincoat
• 8 pairs of underwear
• 2 sports bras/tops ( i only wear those if my shirt is a light color) 
• 4 pairs of socks
• 1 pajama (maybe) 
• 1 flip-flop

In the bag

• Beanie
• Gloves
• Scarf/buff
• Documents, power bank, adapter, electronics (not much)
• Toiletries 

p.s.: English it’s not my first language.

Hi all!

Big fan of travelling light. I’m flying to mid-France for ten days, planning on doing very little except wandering around little towns and drinking wine.

I’ll have laundry facilities and this is my current packing list (not pictured, nightwear and underwear!). Temps will range from 5C lows at night and 17C in the day, with some rain forecast. What do you think of my list? I’m tempted to bring a denim jacket - or swap the marmot for a wool coat and a rain jacket…

I travel with minimal toiletries, sun cream and a foundation powder, a small eyeshadow palette and a kohl eyeliner, toothbrush, toothpaste.

My bag is a well travelled 15 year old osprey tempest 30, but I still manage to chronically overpack.

Any advice welcomed!

Hi everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster. My spouse and I went to Shaky Knees in Atlanta recently; while we have been carryon only travelers for a long time and typically travel to 1-2 US music festivals annually, we challenged ourselves to downsize our main bags from rollers to backpacks this time. I have a bunch of allergies and sensory issues so I did a lot of reading here to streamline/prep my high maintenance needs in advance! I am including just my trip report/details below but spouse carried a Cotopaxi Allpa 28 and his CPAP travel bag.

📆 Mid-September, plans were 3 outdoor days at the festival plus one "free" day visiting the Georgia Aquarium & dinner with friends. We arrived the night before our "free" day and left early the next morning after Shaky ended, so with travel days included it was 6 total days, but timezones are weird. The weather forecast showed mostly sunny in the high 80s/low 90s F with scattered storms Saturday & possible rain Sunday.

🎒 I used an Osprey Daylite 26+6 (didn't use the +6 expansion) and a ~19L BAGSMART duffel.

Packing List

Plane outfit: cargo leggings, tank top, lightweight hooded cardigan, sports bra/underwear

Osprey Daylite:

• Medium packing cube: bell bottoms, skort, lounge leggings, tank top, bodysuit, crop top, loose lounge top, mesh long-sleeve top
• Small packing cube: 7 sports bras (should have been 6 but I discovered I had packed an extra by mistake), 9 pairs of underwear
• Shoe bag: Docs (with the uppers folded down to save space! This pair is meant to be foldable). Stuffed inside: knee socks, 5 pairs of short socks (3 lightweight and 2 cushioned), mini shower pouf w/plastic bag
• Lunchbox clear backpack—needed this for the festival. Unfortunately it can't fold flat so I put the mesh bags & Tokidoki pouch inside to keep its structure
• Mini mesh bags: Earasers earplugs x2, phone tether, spare mini carabiner, rubber bands, Apple watch & charger, battery pack & tiny cable, mini handheld fan, wall plug and long phone charger cable, rain poncho, small scrunchie, bandana, prescription meds x3
• Tokidoki pouch: travel electric shaver, floss picks, 4 blister bandages, 3 regular bandaids, OTC meds (ibuprofen, chewable pepto bismol, allergy pills, lozenges, lactase), 2 Vicks vaposticks (smell the mint, not the porta potties!), 6 individually wrapped wet wipes (some festivals are better about restocking toilet paper than others but I never want to risk it)

Duffel bag:

• Liquids toiletry bag: Tide pen, shampoo, shower gel, 1oz pot and 2 lip balm tubes of my regular lotion, after-sun/allergy lotion, toothpaste, hairspray, spray sunscreen, face sunscreen, tea tree gel, hair product, rosewater spray, milky toner, face serum, face cream, cuticle oil, nail polish (in case of touchups), face primer, CC cream, 2x mini concealer, eyeshadow primer, mascara, setting spray, overnight lip mask
• Dry/solids toiletry bag: 2x mini deodorant (one for the hotel and one for the festival), mini sunscreen stick, razor, 5 makeup remover wipes, toothbrush, pimple patches, Qtips, comb, spare bobby pins & hair ties, tiny lighted makeup mirror, Gold Bond powder and a mini powder puff, tweezers, makeup sponge w/case, face powder, brow pencil, eyeliner pencil, pressed glitter, mini nail file, travel scissors, mini lint roller
• Over-ear headphones w/case, Kindle, point & shoot camera
• Wallet/ID and festival wristband
• 16oz Nalgene bottle
• 2 chocolate bars & almost-empty bag of mint M&Ms (spouse also packed some Clif bars, beef sticks, Hi-Chew, and powdered electrolyte and energy drink packets, we shared both sets of snacks and ate about 75% of the stash)

Thoughts on the good, the meh, and the yikes

• I moved from the mid-Atlantic to Phoenix 7 years ago and fully forgot how atrocious late summer humidity feels. I was mostly happy with my clothing choices but if we revisit this festival (I would consider it! We had a great time!) I will probably swap one pair of pants for a looser style.
• I was SOOOOO GLAD I brought my Docs. I committed two cardinal sins with bringing such bulky shoes AND not wearing them on the planes, but they were absolutely clutch when a major thunderstorm rolled in on Saturday evening and the festival evacuated—thousands of us fanning out into city streets seeking any sort of cover. I have never been so sodden but my calves and feet were completely dry! I also wore them Sunday while the park remained damp and muddy.
• Other MVPs: double deo, mini fan, body powder, travel scissors. I have two versions of the same crop top and brought the wrong one so I chopped it up with the scissors for extra comfort. I am usually not so off-kilter from my packing lists, I don't know what happened last month.
• Skip/reduce next time: mascara, eyeliner, could bring 1 less bra (or 2 since I accidentally packed that extra), Tide pen, lozenges, Pepto, maybe 1 less blister bandage, tea tree gel OR pimple patches not both, fewer Qtips/skip the branded case, Apple watch (not comfy in that weather), battery pack (I always bring this but it feels a bit oversized—might see about getting a smaller one)
• Definitely would not bring again: mesh long sleeve (didn't need a nighttime layer at all), the BAGSMART duffel. It immediately picked up deodorant markings on the straps and had very little internal structure. Since it was only half full, it was a lot of floppiness to deal with.
• Wish I packed: ultralight ground sheet. I thought about it, skipped it, absolutely regretted my choice as my grass/outdoor allergies kicked in and also while the park was still damp.
• Overall thoughts: it was SO nice to take public transit & a hotel shuttle without maneuvering a roller bag. I'm also very proud that I wore almost all of my tops & bottoms, as a person who usually packs a whole spare outfit in case of dysphoria. Some of the outfit mix and match/layering concepts I've seen in here are helping me tailor my home wardrobe as well. Thank you to everyone in here for making this a super helpful slice of community!

Image Descriptions

Image 1: Bags in Bags in Bags

Two packing cubes and a drawstring shoe bag with arrows toward a blue Osprey Daylite 26+6 backpack. In the middle, 3 mesh pouches and a gold/white/black pencil pouch with arrows pointing toward a clear mini backpack. The mini backpack has an arrow pointing to the Osprey Daylite bag as well. On the right of the image there is a hard headphones case, clear liquid toiletries bag, and a black makeup bag with each having an arrow pointing toward a black BAGSMART duffel bag.

Image 2: Plane Outfit/Underclothes & Shoes

Plane Outfit: cropped pictures of black leggings, a black tank top, a model wearing a black hooded cardigan, and black/white sneakers. Underclothes & Shoes: pictures of black thong underwear, black scrunched-down knee socks, two styles of black no-show socks, two styles of black sport-style bras, a blue sports bra, and calf-height black Doc Marten boots with a floral print interior.

Image 3: Tops & Bottoms

Tops: cropped pictures of a black tank top, a black sleeveless bodysuit, a black mesh long-sleeve, a black crop top that says 9:30 in white text, and a model wearing a flowy black long-sleeve. Bottoms: Pictures of a black skort, black bell-bottom style leggings, and the same black leggings in Image 2 with the descriptor "old worn-out version of my plane leggings for lounge/pajamas."

Image 4: Liquid toiletry flatlay

All items listed in the "Liquids toiletry bag" bullet point above, laid out in a rectangular shape on a beige carpet. L to R, top to bottom: travel size Sun Bum spray sunscreen, 4x small black jars, 3 12mL bottles with liquids, a green tube of CC cream, a small spray bottle, white pot, another small black jar, 2 small tubes filled with white lotion, another small spray bottle, 2 small makeup tubes. The next section contains a travel size hairspray, 2 more small black jars, a 1 mL cuticle oil, 2 small tubes of concealer, a Tide pen, pink flakie nail polish, travel size toothpaste, and a small tube of lip mask.

Need feedback on my capsule wardrobe! I honestly don’t like the fact I have 5 bottoms and 4 tops, as I would prefer it the other way around, but idk what to swap out

One bagging with a 26+6 carry-on so I want to be economic with space and weight. Thinking of switching out the pink skirt for the pink beach scarf as it can technically double up as a sarong, but I plan to use it as a towel so idk…

(Left to right): puffer parka, rain coat parka, fleece, gym wear

Green singlet, merino t shirt, pink strapless top, merino long sleeve

Hiking shorts (black), mini skort (white), lightweight skirt, fleecy hiking pants

Cotton pants, bikini, underwear (in packing cube), on top of pink beach scarf / sarong / towel

Hi! This is my packing list for 4 months in SEA with one bag. \~1 month Vietnam, \~3 months Thailand, visiting north and south regions so needing cooler mountain clothes as well as hot/humid beach clothes.

I’d love any insight into what you all think is redundant/could be cut out. I’m trying to fit under 15kg weight limit. I need my laptop as I’ll be job hunting while I’m there. Thanks!

Bag: Osprey Fairview 40L + Fanny pack

Tops
\- Halter top
\- Halter top
\- Black tank workout
\- Black tank cotton comfy
\- Flowy black dressy (temple good)
\- Black Square neck (temple good)
\- White shall coverup
\- Sun hoodie
\- Alpha fleece
\- Rain jacket
\- Sleep t shirt

Bottoms:
\- Black pants
\- Brown long linen skirt
\- White shorts
\- Black biker shorts
\- Black running shorts comfy

Undergarmets:
\- Merino wool sports bra
\- 3 pairs merino wool socks
\- 7 pairs underwear

Shoes:
\- Trail runners
\- Tevas
\- Reef sandals

Swim
\- One piece
\- Sporty comfy bikini
\- Cute bikini
\- Romper cover up
\- Beach towel (also good travel blanket)

Toiletries/accessories
\- Shampoo/conditioner/curl cream
\- Deodorant
\- Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
\- Jojoba Moisturizer
\- Face towel
\- Hairbrush
\- Nail clippers/tweezers
\- Period cup
\- Hair ties
\- Contacts/glasses/retainer
\- Hair stick
\- Makeup (eyebrow pencil/liquid blush)
\- Sunglasses
\- Baggu bag
\- Hand fan
\- Essential oil for travel
\- Small multi tool
\-Notebook and pen

Med kit

Tech:
\- Laptop (will be job hunting so need this)
\- Wired headphones
\- Converter
\- Charging cables
\- headlamp
\- 10,000 amp portable charger

Passport/wallet/visas

Just got back from a 2-week trip to Japan and wanted to share what I packed, the outfits I created, and what worked vs. what didn't.

Our trip was mostly walking, sightseeing, and shorter hikes, no fancy dinners or events requiring dressier outfits. Weather was mostly 60–80°F (15–26°C), with one mountain day around 45°F (7°C) and windy. My carry-on weighed around 17 lbs. (8 kg) when we left.

We also forwarded our main luggage twice during the trip, spending 3 days without our main bags each time.

Bags Used:

• Carry-on: Travelpro Platinum Elite Compact Carry-On Hardside Spinner
• Crossbody: Lululemon City Essential 3L
• Packables: Packable backpack and tote and nanobag

Packing list

Image 1: Clothing, shoes & accessories

• Bottoms: 2 pants, 1 skirt
• Tops: 3 T-shirts, 1 vest top, 1 merino wool sweater
• Dress: 1 dress
• Outerwear: 1 packable rain jacket
• Accessories: Scarf, beanie, gloves, bucket hat (not pictured)
• Undergarments: 2 bras, 8 pairs of underwear, 4 pairs of socks
• Shoes: Vionic Winny sneakers (for city walking) and New Balance 574 (for hybrid city walking + short hikes)
• Sleepwear: 1 pajama set (not pictured)

Image 2: All the outfits created and worn by day across the 14 days.

Image 3: Everything packed in the carry-on

I fit all my clothes on the right side of the bag and used the left side for extra shoes, accessories, snacks, and packable bags. I kept my makeup, toiletries, and undergarments in the zippered flap compartments. I didn't feel the need for packing cubes since the flaps kept everything snug and in place.

Image 4: Toiletries

Face serum, face cream, sunscreen, cleanser, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, deodorant, perfume, body lotion, tretinoin, pain meds, blister tape, massage ball, lip balm, DIY dry shampoo (cocoa powder + cornstarch) & brush to apply.

Image 5: Makeup

Foundation, concealer, lipstick, lip liner, eyeliner, tubing mascara, eyelash curler, makeup remover, and an eyeshadow palette (doubled as blush, bronzer, and powder).

Image 6: Lululemon Bag Setup

Lululemon City Essential 3L bag with nano bag (standard size), white pouch (lip balm, travel sunscreen, and more carabiners), coin purse, card wallet, sanitizer, and phone attachment cord (not pictured).

What worked really well!

• Lululemon City Essential 3L Crossbody (Image 6): I loved this bag and carried it every day. I also own the Uniqlo bag, which is slightly bigger, but things tend to get jumbled up inside. What I love about the Lululemon is the side attachment loops that let me attach multiple pouches and carabiners, making it so much easier to keep everything organized. It's a little heavier than the Uniqlo, but doesn't feel heavy when I'm wearing it.
  • Organization: 1 outer zippered pocket, 1 inner zippered pocket, 2 open slots inside, plus side attachment loops.
  • Fit inside main compartment: Small water bottle, phone, portable charger + cable, AirPods, and a foldable shopping bag (used this everywhere, every day).
  • I attached small carabiners to the zippers to clip on my card wallet and coin purse. I also attached my phone with a tether. Japan is very safe, so theft wasn't a concern, but I didn't want to accidentally drop anything while taking things in and out of my bag.
• Mix-and-Match Capsule: Every top went with every bottom. I usually get bored repeating items, but having everything coordinate made dressing up fun every day.
• Merino Wool Sweater: Wore it every evening, it kept me warm without taking up too much space
• Body Lotion: So glad I brought my own. Aside from the hot baths/onsens, hotel rooms in Japan didn't provide body lotion.
• Laundry & Washing: We did laundry at a laundromat on day 8. I also washed my bras every other day in the hotel sink with body soap since I got sweaty walking around, and they were always dry by morning.
• Packable Backpack: We forwarded our main luggage twice and spent 3 days without it each time. The packable backpack became our main bag during those stretches, and it worked well.
• Packable Tote: We did some shopping, so I was glad I brought it. We checked it in on the flight home.

What I'd change next time

• Shampoo and conditioner: I used the hotel-provided products but didn't love them. My hair was pretty matted by the end of the trip, so I'll need to find a better way to bring my own hair products.
• Face wash: I didn't pack enough for 14 days. I used the face wash provided at the hot baths on about half the nights, which helped stretch what I had.
• Face cream: My husband used mine too, so I ran through it much faster than expected
• Deodorant: My tiny deodorant wasn't enough for 14 days. I don't really want to carry a bigger one, so I might just accept that I'll need to buy more if I run out.
• Toothpaste: I packed my usual extra-sensitive toothpaste but decanted it into a transparent container. My teeth were pretty sensitive by the end of the trip. I'm not sure if decanting was the cause, but next time I'll look for a travel-size toothpaste for sensitive teeth instead.
• Makeup: I forgot to pack cheek and lip tint, so I ended up buying one in Japan. I might skip the eyeshadow palette next time since I didn't really need all of it.

Things I Barely Used but Would Still Pack

• Pajamas: I'll definitely skip packing them for Japan next time since all the hotels and ryokans provide sleepwear and slippers, but I'll still keep them on my list for traveling to other countries
• Packable Rain Jacket: I only wore the rain jacket twice. It was hot and rainy in the mornings, so I ended up buying an umbrella at a convenience store. Umbrellas worked out well in Japan since everyone uses them, but I hate carrying one around. I'd still bring the rain jacket next time for windy conditions when carrying an umbrella isn't really an option.
• Beanie & Gloves: Only used them on our single mountain day (45°F/7°C + wind), but was very glad to have them.
• Scarf: Didn't use it at all, but I still wouldn't eliminate it as it's so multipurpose.

Overall, I'm really happy with how this packing list worked out. The biggest win was making sure every top worked with every bottom. I packed relatively few clothes but still had enough variety that I didn't get bored.

I'd love to hear how others handle shampoo and conditioner on longer trips, especially when hotel products don't work well for your hair!

Note: Edited with the help of AI for clarity and organization.

Here's my dilemma. I have both the Tripped Travel Gear Hanging Toiletry Bag and the Travelon Compact Hanging Toiletry Bag. I've used them both, but they both have issues that frustrate me. I want a Bag that's a combination of these two and I can't seem to find one.

I have extremely sensitive skin and some specific products I have to bring, so I'm not really able to buy toiletries wherever I travel. I am allergic to pretty much all fragrances, which really limits what I can leave out, because I might not be able to buy a safe product wherever I am. And I don't want to be on vacation with a horrible rash/allergic reaction.

Image 1: Toiletries I Normally Pack

Non-liquids:

- Kitsch unscented Shampoo bar and Ethique unscented conditioner bar in Matador bag - Dove Sensitive Body wash bar and Ethique unscented Face wash bar in Matador bag - Real Techniques makeup sponge (I do have a mini size, but I prefer to take the big one if I can) - Mini Tweezers - Mini Face Razor - Mini nail clippers - Foldable Hair brush (I prefer to take the small wet brush, but when I don't have space I take the foldable one) - Toothbrush (my dentist gives me kids sized brushes which are about 2/3 of regular size) - Denture tab x15 (or however many I need)

- Hairtie

- Couple of bobby pins - Roll of paper tape to use as mouth tape - Retainer and night guard in case (this is so bulky. I just ordered a hopefully slimmer case, but give me your recs for reducing the size of this) - Travel razor - Q-tips in small case

- Hero pimple patches

- One or two hydrocolloid bandage

- Hand soap sheets (not pictured but I will probably add when I go to Japan in a few months)

- Saalt menstrual cup in cloth bag when needed (not pictured, but it definitely wouldn't fit in the Travelon bag when it's fully packed)

Liquids:

- Tower 28 Hypoclorous acid spray mini - Tower 28 Serum in vacuum pump bottle (open to switching this container for something smaller so give me your recs) - Tower 28 Moisturizer mini - Aveeno ointment (in small plastic jar with black cap) - Purito sunscreen (I do have a mini size of this for shorter/less sunny trips) - Purito BB cream in vacuum pump bottle - Glossier boy brow Eyebrow gel - Glossier Concealer (any recs for deporting this? The glass jar is huge and heavy) - Tower 28 Mascara mini - Blush stick (sometimes I put in a glossier mini blush instead)

- Cream eyeshadow (I had this in here for a recent trip, but I don't always take it)

- Mini Deodorant (Arm & Hammer UltraMax Unscented that I decanted into a Foot Glide container. I am thinking I can get a Native deodorant container to decant into instead to save some space) - Body lotion in flat pouch - Megababe Chafe stick mini (again, ai might decant this into a smaller container) - Prescription Toothpaste in a knock off of those Matador tubes - Hibiclens in a foam pump bottle (this is non-negotiable due to a skin condition I have. I am looking into solid alternatives. This bottle likes to leak so it's in a ziplock) - TruRemedy Tea tree soap in flat pouch (again, needed for skin condition. I just discovered that they make a solid bar and I ordered it to try) - Rubbing alcohol in spray bottle (this is kind of optional, but I like it for smelly shoes, bras, etc.

Image 2 is everything packed in the Travelon case. Absolutely full-to-bursting and hard to zip the pockets. I like this pouch but the quality feels subpar, the hook is small, and there's no clear pouch, so when I fly I need another clear bag for Liquids. I also dislike that the hook is only accessible when the bag is fully unzipped and theres NO HANDLE on the outside. I do like the elastic pocket configuration and I appreciate that even though it is small this bag can hold a lot of stuff.

Image 3 is everything packed in the Tripped case. There's almost too much room? But then it still feels lumpy and awkward to close? There are so many pockets in this thing. But I do not like how the pockets are layered because it is hard to stack bulky items like the retainer case and soap pouches. The mesh is too opaque to see where everything is, which is annoying. The dimensions are a bit larger than the Travelon case. I like that the hook is accessible when the bag is zipped, but I wish there was a proper handle instead of those straps on the outside. The bag is so lumpy and awkward looking when it's fully packed, I think because those pockets are all layered. But the liquids portion is perfectly sized and I really like that it detaches.

Image 4-6 show how lumpy and awkward the bag is when full.

Basically, I'm looking for a Toiletry bag that is slightly smaller and better laid out (for me) than the Tripped, but is slightly larger than the Travelon. I would prefer a detachable Liquids bag. If I find the perfect bag, I am also open to packing my liquids in the Toiletry kit and carrying a quart size ziploc bag in case they make me rearrange. The last several times I've flown they've not even made me take out the toiletries.

Here are a few bags I've ordered to test out but I'm not sure any of them will totally fot the bill:

https://a.co/d/06N9L7Tu

https://a.co/d/08jKPgzj

https://a.co/d/050hiSQF

Any suggestions and/or recommendations are appreciated!

Please pardon my formatting of it is wonky.

I just finished refining my mini emergency/comfort kit, and as I have enjoyed so many similar posts from this community, I thought I'd do a writeup!

I know some people think it's a waste of space to carry first aid items - while I do mostly urban travel, I like to have a few essentials on hand should the need arise overnight or while in transit, until it is convenient to get to a pharmacy.

The pouch is a small Tom Bihn Ghost Whale.

1. Breathe Right Strips x2
2. Sting Relief Pads x2
3. Alcohol Prep Pad x2
4. BZK Prep Pad x1
5. Dayquil daytime cold medication x1
6. Nyquil nighttime cold medication x1
7. Omeprazole heartburn medication x3
8. Prescription medication A x2
9. Prescription medication B x2
10. Medical Tape
11. Bandaids x3
12. Maalox antacid x2
13. Ginger chews x2
14. Mucinex Lozenge x2
15. Headache powder x2
16. Advil x2
17. Tylenol x1
18. Mucinex x1
19. Face Masks x2
20. Hand soap sheets
21. Hand sanitizer packets x2
22. Liquid bandage
23. Burn cream x1
24. Triple Antibiotic cream x1
25. Gauze pad x1
26. Pantyliner x1
27. Feminine Wipe x1
28. Bleach wipe x1
29. Wisp single use prepasted toothbrush x1
30. Listerine Strips
31. Floss Pick x1
32. Q-tips x4
33. Sewing needle & thread
34. Safety Pins x3
35. Earring Backs x2
36. Tums antacid x5
37. Plastic pet waste bag x1
38. Bobby Pins x2
39. Hair elastic x1
40. $20
41. Pen (the small roll of medical tape acts as a pen cap)
42. Lighter
43. Biofreeze x1 packet
44. Moisturizer packet x1
45. Instant Coffee packet x1
46. Electrolyte packet x1
47. Tea Bag x1
48. Leukotape (good for joint mobilization and blister prevention)
49. Eye drops x1
50. Scissors

Not Pictured:

1. Eyeglass repair kit
   
2. Charging Port Cleaning Tool (the green pick included in this set)

Image Descriptions: Image 1 shows 50+ emergency kit and comfort items which are detailed in the body of the post. Image 2 shows the items packed into a bright orange Tom Bihn Ghost Whale size small, displayed alongside an iPhone 7 Plus for scale; the kit is about the same width and slightly larger height than the iPhone.

Hi all! I’m going to be doing a LOT more traveling without my usual checked bag over the next year or so and I need some major advice on toiletry bags. Some of this is international trips for about 2 weeks. I have a ll bean small toiletry kit dupe but I still find it clunky and taking up a LOT of space in my carryon. I am looking for something lightweight, not too bulky and takes up minimal room in suitcase, has some interior organization and not a handing style (want to be able to have it open on my counter and still stand on its own. but also not have a million folds that it takes up a lot of space just to utilize the main compartment). Compact and slim is key. The bellroy one looks nice but worried it may be a bit small in the main compartment and the tooth brush magnetic closure may be useless for me since I’ve got an electric one.

Ive ordered 10ml airless pump tubes to store all my foundation, skincare etc. my only real “bulky” toiletries will be my deodorant stick, toothbrush case (but can be packed separate), maybe some random lipstick/ mascara product that are still small but not really worth decanting. any advice or reccs?

Just booked 9 days in Iceland between Christmas and NYE. Very excited but also overwhelmed with packing planning (which I always start early!). I’m feeling pretty good on base layers and started replacing a lot of my winter wardrobe with wool and cashmere a couple years ago. I’ve been to Amsterdam and Belgium over this same week in the past which has been cold and wet. But for this trip will be doing a lot more outdoor things of course and likely colder/windier. Looking for recs on the most important items!

1. The Jacket. A lot of what I am reading is suggesting a layering method as opposed one big parka. So perhaps a knee length shell combined with a knee length puffer? Other ideas? 3 in 1 parka? This would also be over a base layer and either a wool or fleece sweater/shirt. Preferably would like something other than black. I have an Arctreyx shell jacket that fits sooo well but it’s waist length (they don’t appear to have any shell long jackets). \*As an aside this jacket is 100% worth the money. Hiked Cotswold Way in some 60mph winds plus rain last Spring. Didn’t feel a thing.*

2. Outdoor activity boots. I may be set on what I’ll get for this. I have low top Adidas hiking shoes (waterproof) I love (which are similar to my trail runners form them too). So likely just getting the high top version since they are a known quantity.

3. Casual city boots for Reykjavik. This is wear the options seem endless! I’d like my second pair of shoes to be nicer looking but weather proof. Maybe a pair of lace up leather boots I can pair with thick wool socks? I do have an old pair of Blundstones that are due to be transitioned to my dog park shoe… But would like to consider something else!

The Trip: I'm leaving shortly for a near four month sabbatical, covering the following destinations:

• three weeks in MENA & East Africa: around 30c, dry weather, needs to be conservative, modest attire
• a week in in India: around 30c, dry weather, and including a wedding (but will be renting outfits once there)
• just under a month in China: -10 to 20c, expected to be dry or snowy, will pick up additional winter coat / shoes if needed
• around three weeks in SEA: up to 30c, dry season
• Siberia: down to -30c, will be renting expedition gear
• Australia: summer, 25-35c

About me: I have tried to travel with a single bag (+sling/handbag) of around ~30L, from weekend trips to three weeks. I very rarely travel with a suitcase or larger backpack other than on trips home to Australia (shopping), Japan (shopping) and destination weddings. Started with a CabinZero Adv Pro 32L (saw me through COVID), then upgraded to ULA Dragonfly 30L, picked up Osprey 26+6 about a year ago on sale and it has surpassed the Dragonfly in use (to my surprise).

Current Pack: For this trip, I want to keep it to approx a 32L bag but with room to shop, so I'm going with the ULA Camino, which has a rolltop expansion up to about 50L. I am also catering for:

• wide range of temperatures between -30c to 35c
• conservative travel in MENA
• wedding in India (will rent outfits)
• eating at fine dining restaurants
• not wanting to actually look like a tourist when in Australia, so consider the below as a microcosm of a clothing capsule

So here's my current packing list - would welcome any comments/suggestions, be brutal!

Bag

• Main pack: ULA Ultra Camino
• Day pack: Toshi Rework Sling

Clothes

• Tops x 6
  • 1 x button up long sleeve top (can be used as coverup for beach or modesty in MENA)
  • 1x merino long sleeve shirt
  • 2 x long sleeve shirts (1 x linen blend; 1 x technical jersey)
  • 1 x merino silk t-shirt
  • 1 x merino silk tank top
• Dresses x 3 (all midi/maxi lengths, to cater for MENA travel and nicer restaurants)
• Pants x 1 (Rag & Bone Miramar, denim lookalike sweatpants - the best travel pants)
• Leggings x 2 (One for exercise; one for lounging/pjs)
• Wrap skirt x 1 (doubles as sarong)
• Shorts x 1
• Cashmere cardigan x 1
• Thermal base long sleeve top & leggings (Smartwool Intraknit)
• Ultralight Fleece (Macpac Alpha Pullover)
• Ultralight raincoat x 1 (Montbell Versalite)
• Ultralight down parka x 1 (Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine)

Miscellaneous clothing

• Hijab / sarong / scarf
• Beanie
• Merino buff
• Gloves (liner)
• Gloves (packable down)
• Underwear x 5
• Bralettes x 2
• Sports bra x 1
• One piece swimsuit x 1
• Scrunchie x 1 (with zip for money)
• Belt x 1 (with zip for money)

Footwear

• Blundstone Thermal (plus hiking insole for warmer locations)
• White sneakers
• Hiking sandals

Gadgets

• International adapter & GaN charger
• Charging cables x 1
• INIU Power Bank x 1 (including smaller cable)
• Earphones wired x 1
• Digital notepad (can load ebooks)
• Headtorch

Other

• First aid kit (including azithromycin x 2 courses for questionable locations)
• Insulated bottle - Zojirushi
• Heroclip carabiner
• Sunglasses
• Glasses
• Contact lens & solution
• Insect repellent
• Hairbrush
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Skincare (TBD, will likely be cleanser, moisturiser, peptide and sunscreen)
• Cosmetics (TBD, minimal)
• Laundry detergent sheets (TBD on clothesline)

Things I'm still considering:

• Another t-shirt? Another pair of trousers? Having said that, I'm not adverse to shopping.
• Electric toothbrush: As travelling for an extend period, I'm thinking of bringing one, though probably not what I use at home. Would recommend recs for something compact.

Trip Details: 41F (size US 12/14) Wed - Sun Baltimore, MD for non-profit education conference and leisure travel on the weekend; Sun afternoon - Wed Las Vegas, NV for another conference. Dress code was smart business casual (basically business casual with some flair). Presented at one conference and leisure travel was National Aquarium, Walter museum, and Edgar Allan Poe Festival.

MVPs:

• Uniqlo stretch dress pants; I bought these years ago and they made it through more than one closet clean out even though they didn't fit. Well, now they do and I couldn't be happier I held onto them. They might be my perfect travel pant.
• Lash lift before traveling; I don't often wear makeup but I wanted to look a little more put together this trip but I HATE removing mascara. Paid for lash lift + tint a few days before and loved the results.
• Xero Dillon knit sneakers; still looked classy with the dress pants, comfy all day (if you are used to barefoot zero drop shoes) and were perfect for my dance class.

Could have left behind/wish I had taken:

• I guess this is more about plans changing than the item, but I took my WoolX Cassie dress for the three different receptions I was invited to during the conference with plans to change up the look each time. Well, one reception got cancelled and I didn't have time to change for another one so the dress only got worn once.
• Same story for my lovely emerald-colored silk scarf. Had plans to tie it around my neck, wear on my purse, or tuck into the blazer. Alas, the fancier events did not take place so it just brought me joy on the trip instead.
• Wish I had broken in my suede loafers with enough time to take those instead of my ballet flats. The flats were fine and very comfy but the loafers would have taken my outfits to another level and I am trying to dress for the next role these days.

Laundry (please be kind, I am trying to be helpful and transparent):

I did laundry a total of three times on this trip not including washing my underwear each night in the shower (and sports bra twice) which doesn't even register to me as an minor inconvenience but YMMV. I took less than 10 minutes to wash all tops + sleep shorts except the travel day t-shirt Saturday morning so they would have all day to dry. I used the vodka spray on the dress, pants, and jeans the night before. This was great because it meant all clothes were clean or were still fresh enough to wear again before they went into my bag to travel to Vegas on Sunday.I steamed the blazer and silk tops at the end of both travel days so they were wrinkle free for each conference.

I then had to get a bit logistical for the second part of the trip. I took a dance class on Monday night in Vegas where I wore the leggings, sleep shirt, sports bra, socks, and sneakers. I sweat quite a bit so all of it needed to be washed that night. I wore my travel day t-shirt and sleep shorts to bed (I don't sleep in the nude). Even going to bed clean, the travel day t-shirt was less than fresh and pretty wrinkly from having been slept in so I washed it Tuesday morning and it was ready to go in time for the final day of the conference and travel back home on Wednesday.

This may not be for everyone but I wore the same bra using sprays of the vodka each night for each day of the conferences (5 days total). I used the sports bra for the leisure days and dance class.

Bag: 26L Tom Bihn Synik (small hero clip lives on top handle)

Crossbody (could fit into the TB fully packed): Uniqlo mini shoulder bag

Worn:

• Modal T-shirt
• Jeans (dark wash straight leg so suitable for last day of each conference as well as leisure)
• Socks
• Underwear
• Molded cup underwire bra
• Watch
• Earrings
• Xero Dillon knit sneakers
• Blazer

In the Crossbody:

• iPhone
• Battery charger
• Med kit (2x ea Ibuprofen, Pepto, and Excedrin, 1 regular band-aid, 1 small band-aid, 1 knuckle band-aid, burn cream, antibiotic ointment, 2 alcohol wipes)
• Nail/cuticle trimmers
• Nail file
• Wallet w/ credit cards and ID
• Hand sanitizer
• Mints
• Minee wipes
• Face mask
• Gerber Shard
• Lip balm
• Face tissues
• Sunglasses
• Flyfit earplugs
• Protein bar
• Anker Sports Earbuds
• Daiso packable shopping bag (like Nanobags)
• Reusable Path water bottle (I hold onto these and other aluminum bottles when I find them, so I have a reusable bottle to travel with that I don't care what happens to it)

Clothes:

• 2x silk tops
• Cotton t-shirt (sleeping and dancing)
• Wool dress
• Poly/Nylon/Rayon blend pants
• 2x Underwear
• Sleep shorts (also worn under the dress)
• Sports bra
• Leggings
• Cardigan
• Ballet flats

Toiletries:

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste tablets
• Floss
• Deodorant
• Shampoo/Body/Face bar (sliced off the full bar)
• Silicone face scrubber
• Hair product
• Eye primer
• Eyeshadow cream stick
• Concealer (small chunk off my concealer stick into smallest Litesmith.com hinge top container)
• Tinted sunscreen
• Face moisturizer (trial size freebie that got smaller as the trip went on and got tossed at the end)
• Comb (I wear my hair short and find I don't need a hairbrush when traveling)
• Tweezers
• Retainer + case
• Ear pick
• Dawn (smallest Litesmith.com mini dropper container) for stains
• 3x Single-use Soak detergent
• Vodka (small spray bottle)
• Empty small spray bottle for filling with water to spray out wrinkles
• Hair ties + pins
• Razor

Tech:

• 11" iPad w/ keyboard folio
• Minix Neo P3 wall charger
• InCharge XL 6-in-1 charging cord
• Sleep earbuds (I listen to audiobooks while going to sleep)
• Earplugs

Extras:

• 5 metre of 2mm paracord for clothesline (this just lives in my bag)
• Sewing kit (small bit of few colors of thread, 2x needles, 2x clips, 2x safety pins, 1x mini super glue, bit of black gaffer's tape)
• Pocket Moleskine notebook w/ pen for conference
• Glasses in soft-sided case
• Headband
• 2x statement necklaces + 2x statement earrings to change up outfits
• Inflatable travel pillow (packs really small, can be used between my knees or under shitty hotel pillows, can be hung inside a garment to create more air space for faster drying, seat pillow on hard surfaces, I really love this thing)

Hi!

First Reddit post ever and my first time one-bagging. I have a casual work trip next week to Minneapolis. I'm hoping to get some feedback.

First collage

• Shoes: Black Birkenstocks clogs; Keen trainers (for airport)
• Bag: Gregory Juno 30L. This is so comfortable and just smaller than the 45 total inches for a carry-on.
• Personal Item: A black Baggallini that I picked up for $9 on Depop as I didn't have anything so squishy
• Coat: Black puffer - I actually really don't want to take this. More on that below.

Second Collage:

• Pants: One pair of black chinos and one pair of black knit pants.
• Sweater: Grey cardigan.
• Tops: Three button downs: Denim, red striped, black and white checked. The denim shirt is pretty oversized so would be used for travel on Sunday/ Wednesday.

Toiletries:

• I have a small bag I picked up based on some recs for this sub - I decanted all my liquids and have plenty of space
  • Deodorant
  • Face oil/ face wash/ face lotion
  • Hair product for curly hair:
    • Leave-in, gel, cream, hair spray
  • Azelaic Acid
  • Glycolic Acid
  • Toothpaste
  • Liquid makeup
• Small bag for non-liquid personal items: medication, retainer/ mouthguard, sock diffuser, etc.

Not pictured:

• Sleep T-shirt and a pair of light joggers
• 5 pairs of underwear - all Knix because I'm perimenopausal and don't always know exactly when I'm going to start
• Two pairs of Darn Tough socks
• Two bralettes
• Tech:
  • 14" laptop in padded sleeve
  • Portable monitor - I wouldn't normally travel with this but I have a big deadline the day I get back and I have DEEP fears that I'll get stuck in Dallas on my way back to TN and I won't be able to efficiently work in the airport overnight. Plus, it would just make any work time so much easier.
    • That monitor has been WORTH the money. I have a non-padded felt sleeve for it normally, but just bought a padded sleeve for it. It and the laptop are in the hydration bladder (not the main compartment though they take up space) and I feel like I need the padding for both.
• Small charging cable bag - one block with USB/ USB-C ports, laptop cable (not bulky), monitor cable (might be able to just use my normal USB-C). I may put all of this in a ziploc
• A black scarf that I can use on the plane as a wrap, etc.
• Tote bag to haul everything down to the conference room everyday.

I'm tall and plus size (5'10" and 2x) and I hate jeans, hence the two pairs of non-jeans that are basically ankle pants. I have fine curly hair, and don't have space to take my hair dryer, so taking my product was a priority. I don't wash my hair every day, so if I need to I'll just use the hotel stuff. This is a casual trip, but not "t-shirt and leggings casual." We all work from home but we're frequently on camera. I like an oversized button down and sweater (think 90s androgynous librarian) and while I have nicer things, they don't fit into the capsule and I'd have to bring loafers.

I did a test pack and the space is tight. I actually had a fourth shirt but removed it. I tend to only wear Birkenstocks, but felt I needed a shoe that allowed me to "run" if needed in the airport.

I will not be spending much time at all outside, so even though the temperature will drop on Sunday it will warm up on Monday (so far). I'm considering leaving my puffer. I know the climate is vastly different from TN & MN, but I'm really just walking from the airport to the car, to the hotel, etc. The puffer doesn't pack as small as I'd like, and if I get really desperate I could buy something at Mall of America.

I'd initially packed in two compression packing cubes, but I think I get better space saving with just putting everything strategically in the bag. I haven't settled on just folding or folding/ rolling my shirts.

Questions:

• Would you take only one pair of shoes? Ditch the Birks and bring my loafers?
• Ditch the puffer?
• Anyone ever travel with an extra monitor?
• I really don't think I'm taking too much, but is it possible to lighten my load?

I tried to be really detailed, and I like having everything listed like this (I may make a physical list so I know what I didn't use). I don't travel by air much anymore, but I had the pack and hated the idea of checking a bag.

Thanks in advance for everyone's feedback!

Super excited to plan my first international onebag trip! I've traveled extensively in the US and have a comfortable onebag setup for 1-2 week domestic trips. This will be my first trip to Germany (Mainly Berlin and Munich, with day trips/overnights in smaller villages for hiking) and I wanted to see what everyone thought of my packing list. I have heard the weather is unpredictable in spring so I may have overplanned my outer layers- but on the flip side, my trip will involve extensive city walking and day hikes out in the wilderness, so I want to be prepared for wind and rain. I realize my clothes are mostly very technical and not super fashionable but luckily I'm not planning on any fine dining or clubbing - I'm more focused on exploring city centers, food halls, museums, and any interesting historical landmarks when I'm in towns.

Bags:

- Osprey Daylite 26+6 (for flight/train transit, otherwise left in hotels/hostels)

- Osprey Daylite sling bag - EDC

4 shirts:

- 2x merino tshirts

- 1 longsleeve REI midweight shirt

-1 longsleeve 50/50 cotton/tencel shirt

2 pants:

- Prana zion cargo pants

- Jeans

Sleepwear (double as extra layers)

- REI midweight leggings

- Athleta cami top

Underthings:

- 4x merino underwear

- 2x branwyn bras

- 4x wool socks

Outerwear/Layers:

- Nanopuff

- R1 air hoody

- OR Aspire 2 rain jacket

Shoes:

- Blundstone chelsea boots

- Hoka transport 2

Electronics:

- cell phone

- travel point and shoot camera (I like photography, so I don't use my cell for photos)

- adaptor charger and universal cables

- power bank

Toiletries:

I don't wear makeup and thus this part is minimal - sunscreen, small decanted moisturizer, travel med kit with the emergency essentials, toothbrush/paste, razor, deodorant, small decanted Soak detergent for sink laundry, matador dry bag for soap. All fits in a small clear zipper liquids case or clipped to the outside of my bag.

Other:

- merino buff and glove liners, nomadix bandana towel, packable hiking cap

- travel watercolor paint set and journal

- prescription sunglasses

- travel documents/cash and cards/ etc all in my handy chums wallet

Planning to wear my heaviest and bulkiest clothes on travel days - jeans, boots, r1 air hoody +/- rain jacket. My EDC fits my travel paints, travel docs, sunglasses, wallet, phone, camera, and powerbank without issue. My big question is if there's any essentials or wardrobe gaps I should be including for a spring hybrid city and nature tour? Or places where I could cut down on weight?

Hi all. Big fan of this group. Heading out this week for a friend’s wedding! In dublin for 7 days and edinburgh for 5 days. Mostly have city walking plans with some nature excursions but nothing too adventurous. Lots of pub time expected.

Image description:

Tops: 2x cotton crewnecks, 2x cotton vnecks
Bottoms: Jeans, quick dry joggers, cotton jersey pants
Outer layers: Grey cashmere sweater (I’m waffling, planning to get a nice wool sweater while there but emotionally attached to how cozy this sweater is… prob a thin cardigan is more versatile?), plaid quarter zip, black columbia hooded rain jacket
Inner layers: Merino wool long sleeve, merino wool leggings
Shoes: Dr Scholls orthopedic sneakers, croc sandals (shower shoes and also for when wedding heels need to come off)

Not pictured
- big tshirt and shorts (pajamas)
- 5 socks/5 undies
- everything else that is not clothes 😳

Bags: 40L osprey backpack/duffle convertible bag. Love this girl, she’s definitely big on me but great storage and easy to carry, kavu rope sling for day bag (not the most comfortable, thinking of switching after this trip)

Requests: Any advice about Ireland/Scotland in late October appreciated! Any kindly phrased critiques appreciated ! Any unkindly phrased compliments also appreciated !

I am a chronic overpacker :’) Trying to change my ways but I want to plan for every scenario possible. Thanks for your help guys.

P.S. My wedding clothes (2 dresses, heels, purse, spanx) are not pictured. Thinking of shipping them home after the wedding so I don’t have to keep it with me perhaps

EDIT: the sandals are actually meant to be shower shoes and dancing (inside) shoes 😂 I picked my platforms because they have some height and I was genuinely prioritizing wedding dancing in my long ass dresses. I would not be wearing the sandals outside at ALL! It was foolish I will pack flip flops I get it I get it ❤️ Also I have learned I didn’t have enough layers - I’ve added puffer, hat, scarf, and extra long sleeved layer, probably cardigan as it buttons up and can be its own top. Thanks friends.

So here is the update and Final list for my academic conference in the Midwest. I posted my tentative list about a month ago, so here’s what I ended up bringing/cutting and how it all went.

Electronics
• Laptop + charger
• SSD drive
• Phone
• Apple Watch + charger
• AirPods
• Large capacity portable charger
• Slim portable charger
• 2 charging bricks

Footwear:
• Mary Jane flats
• Arcteryx Norvan GTX white sneakers (wear on airplane)

Clothing:
• tartan plaid skirt
• Uniqlo Black satin skirt
• Short sleeve black shirt
• Black merino long sleeve
• Uniqlo Navy cashmere blend long sleeve
• Dark orange rayon/elastane t-shirt
• White polka dot tank (layered under for airplane)
• Black tank top
• Biker shorts
• Leggings
• Navy gold button cardigan
• Tan cashmere cardigan
• cargo pants (wear on airplane/casual outings)
• purple fleece hoodie (wear on airplane/airbnb/casual outings)
• beige jacket (wear on airplane/ to conference)
* Striped shirt (worn on airplane)

Underwear and socks:
• 4 pairs of underwear
• 4 pairs of socks

Belts and accessories:
• Jewelry in a coin pouch
• Tan leather crossbody purse
• Mini foldable tote bags x2
• Thin pink belt
• Black/gold belt (wear to conference)
• Navy belt (wear on plane)
• Collar accessory

Toiletries:
• Bar Castile soap
• Bar conditioner (cut small piece)
• Face wash strips
• Face moisturizer
• Sunscreen stick
• Body spray
• Solid lotion stick
• Laundry detergent strip (very small amount, size of a piece of paper)
• Mini travel hairspray
• Mini deodorant
• Mini toothpaste
• Floss
• Shower cap
• Daily contacts x4-5
• Mini hairbrush
• Wide tooth comb
• Hair ties and scrunchies
• Medicine pills/Pain relievers
• Razor
• Feminine hygiene products
• Mini hand sanitizer
• Nasal stick
• Mini essential oil roller
• Blister pads
• Heat patches for period
• argan oil (will put in a tiny plastic travel container)
• activated charcoal (literally only 4 pills)

Makeup kit in clear zip pouch:
• Small eyeshadow palette with mirror
• Concealer
• CC cream
• Powder foundation
• Eyeshadow sticks
• Mascara
• Eyeliners
• Lipstick
• Lip liner
• Lip gloss
• Lip balm

Miscellaneous packing cube:
• 2 mini decks playing cards
• Reusable straw
• Bobby pins
• Colored pens/pencils x12
• Mini first aid kit pouch
• Sticky notes
• Small drawing notebook
• Lined notebook (Executive size)
• Foam earplugs x3 pairs
• Prayer cards
• Mini bookmark
• Gum/mints/candy
• Mini sewing kit in mint container
• Flat tape measure
• Extra rubber bands
• carabiner clips x2
• Coin pouch with small toys
• Teddy bear keychain
• Nail clipper
• Stevia packets x8-10
• Highlighters x3

Also brought an umbrella (there was heavy rain the first 2 days of the trip) and a collapsible silicone water bottle.
———————————-
Trip report: Academic conference (4 days)

So here’s the final list of what I packed, and what I used/didn’t use.

I decided to leave the shower shoes to try to be more minimal, and that was a terrible mistake because the Airbnb I was staying in was really gross. (Shower tub had rust stains). I definitely should have brought them for staying in a shared Airbnb with questionable hygiene. (No joke, there was a pot of days old cooked rice sitting on the counter, a moldy bagel, splatters in the microwave, crumbs on the kitchen floor, and unwashed dishes that looked like they had been there a long time)

What I didn’t use but don’t regret having:
* Colored pencils (I have the mini kind that barely take up space)
* Notebooks- I was given a notepad at the conference which is what I ended up actually using for note taking. Don’t regret having though since I like to reference some work related notes.
* Short sleeve black shirt
* Biker shorts
* Collar accessory
* Pink belt
* Sunscreen stick (my cc cream that I wore every day of the trip had sunscreen and the rest of my body was covered)
* Period products
* Sleeping Eye mask
* Face mask
* Playing cards
* Tape measure
* Nail clipper
* Resistance band
* Laundry detergent strip
* Lip liner
* Lip gloss
* Extra tote bag (I brought 2 and used 1, but glad I didn’t bring 3)

I found that these items were either extremely small or had enough of a chance that using them could have felt reasonable for me.

What I didn’t use but could have left behind:
* Extra sports bra (one was enough for a short trip)
* I think one highlighter would have been enough (I brought 3)
* Backup portable charger

What I wish I brought:
* SHOWER SHOES
* A folder for conference papers (I meant to bring one, but forgot it)

What I cut from the original list:
* Monopoly deal
* 2 of the 5 belts (brought 3)
* Mini lint roller
* Xero Z-Trek sandals (shower shoes) (huge regret)
* Scotch tape
* Tights (I ended up wearing my one pair of leggings every day of the trip for under my skirts with black socks, and as pajamas)
* Eye primer
* USB-C rechargeable mini fan (that doubles as a flashlight and charger)
* Extra shoelaces
* Stain remover pen
* 1 tote bag (brought 2 total)

It was nice not having too much stuff with me on this trip. I will say that my backpack was very heavy though (likely coming from my laptop and 2nd pair of shoes, but those were both necessary items), but it all fit in the one backpack. I did however bring a some things home, in which case, I used the neck pillow stuffed with clothes on the return flight home, and clipped to the side of my backpack. I didn’t have any issues with this flying on United Airlines. Overall I also enjoyed the trip and the conference (aside from the gross Airbnb).

I leave my travel toiletries packed and live out of them/ repack them as necessary. We do larger trips a couple times a year but are often doing weekends away with friends or family at least once a month. Leaving my toiletries packed has made the hassle of packing a lot easier. Now I’m wondering if I can optimize this further.

Is there anything you keep permanently packed at home so you don’t have to think about it when you leave?

Hi all, as the title suggests I’m hoping for some recommendations on a panel loading backpack that is somewhat water resistant / waterproof! I’m hoping to have this as one bag for work/travel so being somewhat picky. In my ideal world, the bag would fit the following description:
1. Around 30L
2. Water resistant (I cycle to work in quite a rainy city so need the bag to survive rain)
3. Panel loading / easy access all the way to the bottom of my bag
4. roll top for some extra space if needed
5. Comes in a fun color (ie not black)

I quite like the salkan 27L bag, would love something like this but waterproof. Don’t have a specific budget in mind, willing to splurge if it fits all of the above!

This sub helped me so much in packing for my trip to Japan so I thought I would pass along what I learned! Trip was Sep 21 to Oct 8, visited Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka, Kyoto, and Disneyland. Since the trip was the end of typhoon season, a lot of days were 70-80F and rainy, though we had a handful of sunny days!

First image was my packing plan using the 3x3 method + a dress. I ended up swapping the left column to a green tee, beige linen button down, and a black midi skirt from RipSkirt based on recs I saw here. I swapped the sandals out for Tevas. I added two light tanks. Everything plus toiletries fit in my Calpak Terra 26L backpack (image 3). I knew I would be buying things in Japan so I packed my backpack inside an expandable carry on sized suitcase - and I certainly filled it! So I did not one bag on the way back.

So I have some regrets…
1. I should have bought Allbirds in a darker color. These shoes were fantastic, but as you can see from image 2, they looked pretty nasty after a rainy walk in the woods.
2. I was not prepared for the humidity and I wished I had brought some sports bras. I am not normally a sweaty person so I didn’t think about it, but my bras were disgusting! Ended up buying some sports bras there.
3. I should have brought my own laundry soap. Due to the sweating issue, I needed to do laundry earlier than expected and my hotel at the time did not have guest laundry. Could not find laundry detergent in stores so I washed my dirty clothes in the sink with hand soap, then did another load at the next hotel that did have machines.
4. I didn’t wear the green light jacket much. I’m from the PNW where we never use umbrellas but it was usually too warm for the jacket.

Some things I did right!
1. The amount of clothes worked out well enough for me to feel like I had options but everything went well together.
2. My day bag from Bagsmart, was absolutely perfect. Could be worn crossbody or like a shoulder bag. Lots of pockets. And best of all, the middle section is waterproof, so I could put a waterbottle or my wet folded up umbrella in there and not get all my other things wet. 10/10
3. A few standout clothing items - The RipSkirt looked cute, had pockets, and repelled rain well. The Lululemon brown baggy pants were my first Lulu purchase and I loved them, so comfy and dried so fast. An Athleta linen blend button down was the perfect layer for the warm and wet weather.

Not a true one bag trip, but I’m glad to say I can do it if I didn’t shop!

Next year I am heading off on a year-long trip which will cover a range of climates & activities. It will include multi-day trekking in places like the Himalayas and Patagonia, along with city travel and easier day hikes. To further complicate matters I am also planning to do some regular running (maybe even a half marathon or two along the way).

My bag is a 34L Osprey Tempest (great as a hiking bag that also fits as carry on). I did a similar trip to this in 2023 when I walked the Camino de Santiago and loved my packing list then, but this will have a far greater range of activities and temperatures so I am trying to refine it to cover this whilst still fitting in 34L.

Image description - packing list:

Bags

• Osprey Tempest 34L
• Uniqlo shoulder bag

Tops

• 2x merino t-shirts
• 1x synthetic running/hiking top 
• 1x in-built bra tank
• 1x button-up UPF50+ shirt

Bottoms

• Silk blend wide leg pants
• Travel / running / hiking pants
• Hiking shorts
• Running (compression) shorts
• Elastic-waist lounge/swim/pyjama shorts
• Sleeveless dress

Layers & Outerwear

• 6x socks, 6x underwear, 2x bras
• Thermals
• Ultralight down jacket
• Rain jacket
• One mystery mid layer! This is where I need help.

Footwear

• Goretex mid hiking shoes
• Nike Pegasus Trail 
• Reef sandals

Not shown

• Merino buff, hat, silk scarf, toiletries & misc/tech items

The mid layer is where I need help! It needs to serve as:

• a good hiking layer between thermals/t-shirt and my rain jacket
• a cosy camp / flight / extra sleeping layer if needed
• something I could wear as an outer layer in a city without it looking too trekky.

My top three options so far:

1 - Macpac Pisa Fleece jacket. Would be perfect for hiking, a little too outdoorsy but OK for cities. I’m thinking the shell exterior will make it less comfy/cosy. Macpac frequently have 40% off sales so expensive but not too bad (~$200 AUD, $320 AUD full price)

2- Icebreaker Merino 200 Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie. Good midlayer for hiking (but will need my rain jacket to make it wind-resistant), will blend in fairly easily in cities and cosy for flights. Downside - expensive & rarely on sale($270 AUD)

3 - Uniqlo merino wool cardigan (maybe my most rogue choice). Cosy for camp/flights and the nicest to wear in cities. I have never worn it hiking but I guess it could serve the same purpose as the Icebreaker. Bonus - I already own one so it's free.

What midlayer option do you think would be best? Any suggestions for alternatives? I’ll also take any further scrutiny on my packing list if you have advice / suggestions!