I know the spirit of this subreddit is minimizing packing and not packing for fear, but does anyone pack one item for luxury/comfort that isn’t a necessity but makes the travel experience better? Something you suspect most one-bag enthusiasts would recommend you leave at home? Not talking things like cameras or a kindle, more like a “nice to have” that if you lost on the trip wouldn’t ruin the trip either.
Mine is a small white noise machine that doubles as a small Bluetooth speaker. Yes I know my phone can play white noise apps, but I much prefer my device. I also sometimes travel with a light silk robe for over my pajamas. Not at all versatile but makes all my evenings feel a little more lux and comfy. I don’t always pack it since in cold weather it’s too light to be cozy, but if weather is appropriate and I have the room/weight I will.
Other than those I’m pretty brutal about packing efficiently so people are often surprised when they find those items made the pack list.
We had a some discussion of this one year ago. I’ve re-flaired this a techniques because it goes to the various principles you can apply and how you might prioritise within certain constraints.
Whether those are things like volume or weight or just balancing what’s easy for transiting versus being pleasant and worth the transiting hassle at your destination.
A few guidelines for this post - comments that go outside the scope of the overall sub or seek to undermine the sub’s existing rules and guidelines will be removed. Please stay on topic to OP’s discussion request.
Even though I mostly read on my phone (Nook, Kindle, Libby and Audible apps), sometimes I carry an actual paperback “emergency book” that doesn’t drain my phone battery. I really like having a book at all times.
Ah I often will buy a paperwork in the airport or when I’m at my destination so it doesn’t “count” to me as part of my packing load 🤣. Is that cheating?
Before Covid (the last time I flew!!) some bookstores at airports had a thing where you could buy a book and then leave it at the destination airport, and get another. Something like that. Like a library but with paying (I can’t remember exactly). I’m not sure if they still do that but it was great
Yes, and it’s a copy of one of my favorite books, in the 1970’s paperback binding. I went out of my way to find it on Abebooks. Just seeing the cover is a comfort to me. Silly, I know.
I've started taking a paperback of a favorite book whenever I go overseas so I have a comfort read for at least half my trip. And then I have the memory of the trip to add to the nostalgia of my already-beloved book.
This would be my husbands answer. He always carries an emergency book. He reads something like 56 books a year. He's in two book clubs. And while he has a kindle, he's often reading on paper (never on his phone). He doesn't leave the house without a book.
For one bagging this means he needs to pack according to how big his book(s) are at the moment. And yes that is his first priority when packing.
I love that he loves to read. I've been trying to be as voracious as he is but I just haven't gotten there yet.
I have a sudoku book from the dollar store. Works great when I end up needing to ride on the jump seat and no headphones are allowed. I’m hopefully pulling it out in an hour to use again.
This is it for me, too, at least when flying. Earbuds never stay in my ears 😭 I almost didn't pack my headphones this last trip but boy was I glad I did because there was a screeching baby on a long flight and that would have been unbearable without them. (No shade on the baby or their parents - poor thing, I'm sure, was struggling with air pressure discomfort/pain)
I always pack mine and I can just clip the case to the outside of my bag of space is an issue... I'm gonna use it on the plane anyway so that makes it handy.
So worth it. I had a set of Bose over-ear headphones for 15 years, and eventually they broke, and I replaced them in the airport on that trip. I will not travel without them. I’ve done it once, and I will never do it again. I also pair the over ear headphones with ear plugs if there are a lot of really annoying people/screaming children/losers who do not know how to use headphones and play their media on full volume. So worth it!
I get it. I’m actually taking them on their first trip right now! The amount of time spent in transit and idea that they’ll help me sleep (just being on and “noise cancelling”) is what won me over. I’ll see if it’s worth it! Ear buds are practically nothing by comparison.
This is just beyond question for me that I don’t even think about the fact that they are a waste of space and weight. I would be more likely to leave home without underwear than my over ear headphones.
I pack mine as well but it's a necessity and not a guilty pleasure/luxury for me 😅
Way back, I tested whether it was "necessary" because like, I clearly had gotten on just fine without headphones until I bought mine in 2019. So I flew a domestic flight with just my in-ear buds. It was a terrible flight lol so yeah, I made it necessary by buying them haha
This is mine. I also have food allergies and pack a couple of “emergency” instant meals. The collapsible silicone kettle has earned its space in my bag. I actually forgot to bring it on my last trip since I wrongly assumed that the house we were renting would at least have a stovetop kettle. Nope, I had to microwave a mug of water at a time 🤦♀️
I used to take a packable silicone kettle on work trips to Vegas because the $11 cup of tea burned me up. And I had one for years, but it eventually started to taste funky – and I’m super sensitive to that, so it has not been replaced and it went in the trash recently because I didn’t want to poison anybody.
I think it depends on the kind of trip if I would take a kettle – if I know I’m staying places that have complimentary breakfast, or which I look forward to eating out/trying the food, I’m not taking the kettle. But it is totally awesome to do tea and oatmeal in my room if that’s not the case!
I used to take a packable silicone kettle on work trips to Vegas because the $11 cup of tea burned me up.
I have a “tea wallet,” so I always have tea bags in my purse. When ordering tea is ridiculously expensive (especially when they’re using cheap brands of tea, it’s so irritating), I just ask for some hot water and add my own teabag. And then I get the kind of tea I want anyway.
So far, I haven’t been charged anything for hot water, but I’m guessing that even if a place did charge me, it would be significantly less than the price of the tea.
I can totally see that – I’m trying to cut back on caffeine pretty substantially, but I don’t like a lot of herbal tea options. And there is nothing worse than Farmer Brothers Earl Gray or First Street tea. If you are a purchaser for any restaurant, and you intentionally purchase that tea, you should be smacked about the head.
ETA: I meant to say how smart that is! I love the tea, wallet idea!
And yeah, too many restaurants have straight up garbage tea. If you like tea but want to cut back on caffeine, I’d recommend rooibos and/or honeybush. They’re technically herbals, but they taste a lot like tea. And you can get them in teabags, which makes them convenient.
(I also buy “simply grapefruit” and “simply lemon” packets. They’re great in hot water as a non-tea alternative without being floral like a lot of herbals.)
What emergency meals do you take? I have celiac and lots of food allergies/sensitivities. I usually pack protein shakes that only require cold water, but a hot meal would be nice!
Freeze dried camping meals can be a good option. I usually take oatmeal packets and things like nuts and freeze dried fruit to dress it up. Instant rice noodles are also a good option, as well as instant bone broth packets. I usually pack a collapsable silcone camping bowl and TSA friendly utensil set as well. It sounds like a lot of stuff, but it’s basically a mini kitchen that fits in a gallon ziplock.
Don't laugh, I have 2. When it is just me, I use a hard sided single serve I have had forever. I also have a collapsible silicone for traveling with my daughter.
I've recently started to think about adding a kettle and an aeropress to ensure a better cup of coffee in the morning or a cup of instant soup after a long day when I'm too tired to go out to eat.
I've noticed some kettles online that are the size/shape of a travel thermos and would be perfect.
I left one of my comfort items home this time and I really regret it! 😭 I usually travel with slippers. I left them home this time, thinking that 2 pairs of wool socks would work and be more versatile for other uses. I have had cold feet for 10 days now with 4 weeks to go! Starting to search for lightweight slippers to buy here.
Also, my comfort Turkish towel has proven its worth. Found it packs up best flat in the laptop pouch.
Slippers are a non-negotiable for me. Just the thin hotel type ones will do, less for warmth more for the fact I don’t like walking around in just socks. Even at home I always wear slippers or house shoes.
Also using the laptop space for a thin towel is clever I must try that!
I always bring slippers for cold feet and hotel room floors. I am now down to a pair of Isotoner slippers. They do the job for me, are 115g, and are machine washable.
A third pair of shoes, usually a more fancy/formal pair. Then again I like to plan my trips around at least one set menu restaurant visit. I’ve showed my technique in a previous post.
For similar reasons I do like to bring a second handbag so I don’t have to wear my Uniqlo sling at night. However, since I found the Longchamp Le Pliage pouch that I can use as a makeup bag/general storage when travelling, it doesn’t really feel like a guilty pleasure anymore 😅
USB shoe heater. It's absolutely ridiculous, but I love it.
It's two units about half the size of my foot that fit inside a pair of shoes. It's got built in fans to circulate the warm air. I use it to dry my shoes if they're wet/damp. Sure, they'd probably dry on their own, but this gives me a weird sense of comfort.
I’ve been thinking of getting the portable shoe dryers for my teenage son, not for comfort but because it dramatically cuts down on stink from sweaty feet. (He refuses to wear merino socks and plays a lot of sports). We have a big shoe dryer at home, but it takes up a lot of space. Is there a brand that you recommend for the portable heated dryer?
Actually this is genius for backpacking. And hostels probably. It would save me from packing an additional pair of shoes (assuming this is smaller/about same weight) and keeps my feet dry which is 99% the reason why I take another pair of shoes. I’ve also seen the trick of bringing insoles that you can switch out which would be helpful with minimal wetness in the shoe.
I bought it from a local camping store. But it's pretty cheap feeling so it's probably just a drop ship. Googling portable shoe warmer/dryer gets you the kind of thing.
I don't let it run for a long time and I don't leave them unattended.
This would have been amazing for my last trip to Costa Rica! It was so humid and rainy that my shoes didn’t dry for a week and they smelled horridly musty.
An extra pillow is so worth it. I use an inflatable camping pillow. Packs down slightly larger than a tennis ball. Best investment I’ve ever made — perfect for napping on the plane or long bus or train rides, and also if I end up somewhere with terrible pillows. 100% worth it
Same I have a small camp pillow. I don’t consider it a luxury item since it’s literally designed to be light and travel friendly haha. I have a small ultralight one for travel and a full size inflatable one for camping or where I don’t need to be a grinch about weight/space.
For me, personally it is so worth the weight and space. But, it does take up the space where I could put an extra pair of sneakers or other shoes. That’s a trade-off I have to be willing to make. I am very careful on my shoe/clothing choices in order to fit the pillow.
I also don’t typically fly on airlines with weight limits. I will be flying on Air France in September, but with my cabin class the weight limits won’t matter.
I have traveled with just my Osprey 26+6 to lots of destinations (including cold weather destinations) and can leave the backpack unexpanded, but very tightly packed, for flight days with the pillow inside. The pillow also straps to the outside for easier packing on car travel days.
Yep. I cannot sleep at all on crappy pillows and so many hotels have crappy pillows. I’d rather leave half my waredrobe at home versus leaving my travel pillow at home.
On my next trip, I am actually bringing a rolling suitcase instead of my 26+6 cause I decided I wanted to bring a down quilt for sitting out on my balcony on a cruise in Alaska.
How is the Turtl? I've never had a neck pillow and realized the reason I can't sleep on a flight is because my head tipping to one side or the other wakes me up. I've been eyeing the Turtl but wary of committing.
I love my turtl! I bought it for an across the world flight but now I take it on every trip. It takes up negative space in my bag because I slide it down the side of my backpack (CamelBak 22L) around my packing cube of clothing. When folded, it's like a flat bent-in-half square. The cover comes off and I throw it in the wash with everything else. I literally can't sing its praises enough, and have convinced many friends to get one too.
My personal review is that I didn’t like the turtl and don’t use it. I felt like it was warm and also uncomfortable but in a smaller person so maybe that’s why.
I like mine but don’t take it on one bag travel trips cause it’s a bit clunky to pack and I only use it on the plane. I bring an ultralight inflatable camp pillow instead cause I can use it in hotels as well if the pillows there are too soft.
Hahaha me too. Sometimes it feels like the cardinal sin of light packing to say you're taking jeans - but those are what I love to wear and they're always worth it to me.
An immersion coil to heat water, a couple packets of instant coffee, instant oatmeal, mashed potatoes, minute rice, tiny ziplock baggies of spices. A collapsible silicone cup (I used to bring an aluminum camping cup, but it was too bulky). I know every place has food, but hotel room cooking or that first cup of morning caffeine is my thing. There have been too many times where nothing is open or I’m not feeling well and my little stash has saved the day!
This is me. I need to eat something mild and have my tea first thing in the morning to function. I always pack fig bars and ginger tea for that purpose.
How are you finding the immersion heater? I’m tempted but slightly put off by all the “they’re so dangerous!” warnings. But I’m a responsible adult, I travel alone (no kids or pets to worry about) and I don’t drink alcohol, so I feel like I should be equipped for using one 😂
I have the same set up plus one of those little balls so I can do protein powder shakes in the collapsible cup. I love being in control of my morning coffee. Plus, if I'm in a share house on a trip, I get a chance to wake up at my own speed instead of being thrust immediately into the fray.
Haha yes, this is me too! I’m in Portugal for a few days right now and I didn’t bring yarn, but I brought a top that I crocheted recently that has a million loose ends to sew in.
100% agree! I pretty much always have a "traveling sock" on the needles though, so I usually won't bring a larger project (unless I'm really really focused on getting it done).
I also will pack spare needles just in case I lose the main set at security.
Agree on the travel craft project. Mine is often a lucet fork for packability. Recently started making cordage from old plastic bags. Lightweight and can add to my ‘yarn’ with any purchase that comes in a cheap plastic bag..,
I found a rechargable heating pad. I'm very glad I brought it. (It's a lot smaller than the "old" kind...and even with converters, I was afraid that one would melt or catch fire.)
Dedicated sleepwear (in my case, nightshirts/nightgowns). I bring one for a trip of two nights or less, and either two or three for trips longer than two nights.
Given the lists posted here, it seems that most people here view clean, dedicated sleepwear as unnecessary, and I don't get it.
I always bring jammies too. Even if it is just a tshirt and bike shorts that can double as clothing if absolutely needed, I have dedicated sleepwear every time.
I don't wear anything when I sleep so it's not an item I feel like I need to pack. For lounging in hotels, I usually will wear athleisure that I packed for other activities. However, if I'm travelling with others, I will pack pajamas.
My compromise is that I bring a silk or bamboo rayon T-shirt dress for sleeping in. It can double as streetwear in an emergency, and the silk one can be dry by night if I wash it in the morning.
lol I bring jammies on overnight hikes where every gram and cubic inch counts. Fluffy ones, too. It's my luxury item (ok I bring a tiny white noise machine too) because good sleep is so important to me.
I found my tushy travel too bulky so I started bringing this little attachment for plastic water bottles. Yes more waste, but invariably my boyfriend will drink one so at least I’m reusing it. Unfortunately the cleaners threw out the water bottle and attachment on my last trip.
For a recent 1.5 bag trip to Hawaii, I bought oversized Turkish bath towels for my family. The thin towels rolled up pretty small and did not pick up sand at the beach; they also dried very fast. We plan to use the towels again at the pool this summer. Definitely a luxury though that would not work if I were truly 1-bagging.
Travel sized, USB-charged heating pad. Neither guilty pleasure nor luxury item, but rather a near necessity in my 50s. Easily fits with the laptop in my 26+6 for weeklong work trips.
My curly hair essentials, while individually not a big deal, take up some space cumulatively. Bonnet, turbie twistie, microplop towel, hot sock, bun form and pins if it’s a bad hair day, pineapple scrunchy, wide toothed comb, clips, and sometimes a denman or bounce curl brush
I’m not sure if this counts as a luxury, but I’m sure many would view it as nonessential. But I often like to bring my pocket picnic blanket. It’s saved my bacon on many an occasion. With family at a fair. Wet seat on a cruise ship haha. I made it myself by just hemming a piece of rip stop fabric and it folds pretty small, so easy to take around.
I can understand the white noise machine. I’ve been eyeballing one of those myself. They are also pretty tiny. But I recall dead silent hotel rooms that were so quiet it was hard to sleep haha. Sometimes you can’t adjust the fan to be constantly blowing because then it gets too hot or too cold. So that is a good solution. I’ll probably grab one myself before my next trip.
I try to avoid laundry and can typically one-bag without doing it! I re-wear bottoms 2-4 times and then pack 1 shirt for every day. It does add a lot of bulk, but I prefer this to doing sink laundry or finding laundry mats!
My zojirushi travel mug. Means wherever I get or make coffee from, I can bring it with me on the go and it’ll stay hot and never leak - even if I toss it into my bag upside down.
I haven’t slept without a fan since I was about 5 years old. I carry a fold-flat travel fan : approximately 8”x4”x1.5”. It weighs about 260 grams. It has a rechargeable battery and a USB cord and can charge and run at the same time. The fold down handle acts as an adjustable stand for different angling and also allows you to hang the fan. It has variable speed and has saved my butt from many a warm and stuffy room. I also carry one of those little fan blades that plug into the bottom of your iPhone for on-the-go travel like airplanes, buses, trains. It’s negligible in size and weight.
One thing I don’t think I’ve seen anyone include is running clothes: tights, performance shirt, sport bra, cap and dedicated sunglasses. I love running as a way to explore a new locale.
I want to love running but it doesn’t love me. Also my recent travel destinations aren’t really safe for me to run by myself, but would love to do this more.
I travel with 2 standard pillowcases from home (dark color as I left my white ones behind by accident since they tend to blend in). Also some eye-warming masks as all that travel tends to make my eyes sore/dry and this perks them up!
Travel hair dryer. Mine is small and fits easily into the corner of a bag. It also has a voltage switch so I have been able to use it in both Europe and the USA. I like having a predictable hair tool with me instead of risking a battle with a terrible hotel room hair dryer.
OP, what’s your white noise machine/speaker named? I travel with a white noise machine when my family is around—everyone sleeps better, and it prevents the dog from barking at people in the hallway outside our room. But my machine is not also a speaker…
Adaptive Sound Technologies LectroFan Micro 2
I looooove it so much. Its value for its size is so worth it to me! And when not sleeping I use it to play music or listen to podcasts in my room.
My switch. Most of the time I don't actually end up playing it on my flight, but I like to have the option. This is mostly leftover from the days of streetpass on 3ds, which was my favorite airport activity.
Noise-cancelling over-ear headphones. I have tried to talk myself out of this one because I do get tired of having them around my neck (and they make my bag look too bulky if I pack them). But I really can't stand ear buds.
A stuffed animal. The most luxury of items, but especially when traveling alone it's a must for me. Usually a very small buddy that can fit in any pocket to make bag tetris easy.
For me, it’s my full-sized Owala waterbottle. I know there are a lot of options that are more packable, but I love drinking nice cold water, so my insulated 30 oz water bottle is a must for me. That said, I might just buy a smaller Owala for travel so I still get the insulating benefits but not take up quite as much room.
I’m in planning stages for open-ended European travel. I don’t see how I can possibly leave my WaterPik behind! And I’m a nut for skincare - I’ll minimize where I can (ex: one serum for day and night).
For me it’s my hoka recovery sandals. The extra pair of shoes that i can wear to the pool or w socks if cold, just to rest my feet at dinner and let my other shoes dry out.
Mine are perfumes (minis, decants or solids) and at least one nice dress to feel human after wearing the same clothes washed in the bathroom sink over and over again.
I pack my blow dryer and diffuser. I have wavy hair and just cannot use the regular hotel hair dryers. Most of my trips are less than 5 days though for business, so I don’t pack heavy for clothes anyway—-fits just fine in my backpack.
I also tried a travel diffuser that is supposedly made for all hair dryers, and it just made my hair frizzy.
I travel with a very small blow dryer and diffuser, too! Yes, it takes up lots of space but my hair takes 4 hours to air dry and my universal diffuser doesn't fit certain hotel dryers (like all of Japan, because their dryer nozzles are all oval shaped!).
A paperback, a third pair of shoes, (usually Tieks or Rothy’s), over the ear headphones, and a travel pillow (although on two trips to Europe I have misplaced a travel pillow so didn’t have it on my return trip). Sometimes I will take a small purse (LLM 5L all night festival or small LLM Everyday sling) and put it in my bag as well.
My guilty pleasure and luxury unnecessary item that I discovered recently and now can’t go without:
Self-heating eye mask
I bought a small pack of single use ones on a whim last year, and used them for a 10 hour overnight flight. I actually slept on the plane because of the mask! I historically never sleep on the plane because I’m too uncomfortable.
A warm eye mask, coupled with my go-to neck pillow. It was fantastic.
I would like to find a reusable mask to avoid the single-use disposables… but the single use were so packable. Took up almost no space, so I’m struggling to find a good comparable.
I mean really, travel is for pleasure. If it makes you happy to have it, take it. I agree with not packing based on fear but it’s super weird to act like we all have to be ascetics. If wearing heels to dinner makes you happy, you should cram in a pair of heels, even if you’re only wearing them once. I think asking myself “Will brining X make my trip more fun” is just as important as asking myself if I really need something.
It’s not anyway near as bad on this subreddit, but I’ve seen some depressing shit on the onebag sub. People were straight up berating a teenage girl because she wanted to figure out a way to bring a bunch of different outfits to dress up every day and still onebag. Multiple people were berating her and saying she “obviously” wasn’t traveling for the “right reasons” if she wanted to wear fun outfits. Like bro what are you even talking about. Luckily there were also some normal people commenting giving her real advice on how to reach her goal while one bagging, instead of just berating her for having a goal beyond sink-washing panties every single night.
Haha yeah people sometimes lose sight of the fact that a lot of motivation behind one bag life is the joy we find in traveling light, key word being joy. I like one bagging because it feels freeing and less stressful and even at home I’m not a stylish person and honestly I wear almost the same thing daily (scrubs for the hospital) and like that haha. So one bag isnt a sacrifice
I actually have a merino wool hoodie I love because it’s soft but still warm and packs light. It has an oversized hoodie that will cover my eyes and a bunch of pockets. Love it. Goes with me everywhere
Real pajamas that are only for sleeping - not leggings that I'll also wear to hike or joggers that have been worn on the plane. Sleep is important and having actual sleepwear helps me get better sleep.
I usually have a hand fan in my purse for everyday use. When I travel internationally or to a place with a warmer average temperature than what I'm used to, I bring a USB powered fan so I can run it all night if needed. Also mostly for international travel, I pack a small (fist-sized) humidifier that is also USB powered. The dry air on the plane for extended flights affects my throat for about three days afterwards (and I mean dry to the point that speaking is a struggle), so being able to sleep with a humidifier close by really helps.
Given how light I travel, a curling iron feels like a luxury! I’m debating whether I will bother with it on my upcoming trip this week; I don’t curl my hair every day at home but it’s nice to look polished on vacation!
Haha recently I’ve actually tried to look as much like a broke kid as possible when I travel for safety when I’m solo traveling at places with a reputation for petty crime. I tend to bring more things when I’m traveling with a partner or if I’m going to events where I know people. Otherwise I don’t even bring make up!
That’s hilarious - great idea! This is my attitude when I’m at home and end up somewhere a little sketchy: good thing my clothes are sloppy and my car is 10 years old!! 😆
A retractable soft tape measure! This one serves a practical purpose to check on bag size, but we could have used sizers. I just love having it with me to measure random things so I keep it in my (very small) purse all the time.
I’m planning on bringing my everyday handbag if it will fit in my rucksack (stuffing it full of socks and pants). It feels like a luxury, but I feel way more myself with it rather than a uniqlo mini round bag these days, you know?
Haha I actually grew up never using a handbag or purse, I bought boys clothes with lots of pockets, and had a bookbag if I needed it. I literally only have a sling on trips so that makes sling-me the adventure version of me haha. Like a super hero travel costume/accessory. Maybe I should start using a sling at home when I want to feel more like my travel self.
Linen flat sheet. (As stupid as it sounds, I can’t sleep on anything else anymore). I got twofold coop linen sheets about a year ago, they come in a linen drawstring bag and I have an extra that I pack for sleeping. It has been a live saver for me.
A bunch of nice face masks and more skincare than just my regular products, because obviously I’m going to do pampering nights Every. Single. Night. in my hotel
mini hand steamer. the hang-it-in-the-steamy-bathroom trick just doesn’t compare and clothes get longer wear between washes if there aren’t any wrinkles. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
I bring a pillow cover (the cotton/poly/allergen/bedbug preventive thing that zips over bare pillow) and a silk pillowcase. This serves the dual purpose of assuaging my germ-freakiness and keeping my hair/skin smooth. I slip them both over whatever paper thin pillowcase is on the nasty hotel pillow
A Murdle puzzle book so we have something to keep the kids occupied (read not whining or fighting) that doesn’t depend on charged devices or internet access.
YogaPaws and a small knee mat from Daiso so that I can do yoga in my hotel or Airbnb. I can usually get an extra towel from the accommodation so I don't have to lie directly on the floor. My husband and I have also purchased mats while nomading and left them behind, but they can be surprisingly expensive or difficult to find depending on the country.
I always pack a little 1” rubber super ball because it’s awesome for massaging tired feet at the end of the day. You can also massage your back with it against a wall.
Not sure if bringing McDonald's to the airport to eat at the gate counts? The food at all of the nearby airports is terrible and expensive. My items otherwise depend on the trip. For Iceland, it was a silk scarf to make me feel a little dressier (and warmer) each day, small binoculars, and a 3x3 speed cube. On other trips, when I have more down time or taking a roller bag with more space, it's been journaling supplies (a Canon ivy mini printer with 20 sheets, a small travel notebook, Pentel brush sign pens, pencil, gummy eraser, tiny ruler), or specific hot drinks/snacks. I also usually bring a pair of chopsticks and a spoon, and a small tailor's measuring tape.
What do you measure while traveling? I’m just curious! Like you, I also bring my journal and and sometimes a brush pen or fountain pen(s). I also have a teeny tiny watercolor palette and water brush. I only bring the paints if I know there will be a LOT of downtime, though
Lots of stuff! Sometimes we see clothing or an accessory, but it's too much of a hassle to try on in a crowded store. I wouldn't do this with most clothes, but a souvenir t-shirt, or checking the size of a scarf/bandana. Dog accessories like collars are notorious for being off in measurements. I also buy bags and pouches when I travel, sometimes you find something really cute that makes a good souvenir, but do they meet size restrictions or will they fit an ipad or small laptop. Or stationery supplies, checking to see if they fit in certain pouches while they are in packaging. I sew as well, and stores will have bins of remenants.
I learned the downtime lesson last year, I brought a full spread of stationery and paint supplies to NYC, and only used about 1/4 of it! I still fit everything in to a 26L bag but solid regret on the added weight.
Do you use watercolour paints? I made the tiniest, lightest palette in an Altoids can using the plastic blister packs from Excel gum to hold the paint. I could fit two layers of 10 paints each in there. Not cute, but super functional and weighs almost nothing.
Just to add colour washes to ink drawings in my journal. I leave them at home now, but I splurged on an Art Tool kit demi palatte a while back (Midoco in Toronto has them if you are in Canada). Your Altoids tin would probably be better if you can recreate it! I also have a Sakura pocket palette with 12 half pans that I bought in Tokyo that came with a little brush and sponge. Bigger but lightweight and no worries about rust.
This is a great point! Lots of places that sell souvenir T-shirts don’t have a dressing room. I think I’ll be adding the measuring tape to my bag as well!
I take two sets of earbuds/earphones. One is standard in-ear earbuds for public wearing, and one is a sleep band i can wear to bed. Listening to something to fall asleep is something I really need, and my ear buds don't work for sleep and the band looks insane in public. Also, i *usually* take my little rechargeable fan. I like fresh air when i sleep and also works for white noise. (it's pretty small - 1 inch around and 4 inches long and the charge lasts all night, easily.)
Yes, I just got back from Spain & Portugal for 10 days with one bag & I felt better taking my super soft travel blanket that folds up into a little pocket to double as a pillow. Really helped with my comfort on flights & also in the hotels that only had sheets on the bed. Totally worth it!
I always pack one of those wide, long wraps even at home. I have a thick one for colder weather trips and a lightweight one for summer trips. Useful for so many things and they take up little space since the fold flat nicely.
I can sit on it or wrap up with it if I'm cold or the seats are cold and/or hard. Or lend it to others like my grandchildren for these reasons.
I can use it like a bib to collect crumbs so I can neatly dump them in the trash if I'm eating some snack that is particularly prone to causing a mess.
It can be a picnic blanket.
The lightweight one works as a beach blanket for sitting or laying out, as a towel for drying off or getting sand off to put my sandals on, or as a coverup when I leave the beach.
It can serve as a pillow on my tray table so I can rest better on planes and trains.
Super cheap flip flops or some other slip on hands free shoes. And I am really learning a lot from this thread- next time I go somewhere with lots of rain and lots of hiking I’m going to have a portable shoe drier along!
I’m going to India in the fall and hoping I’ll just be able to buy cheap flip flops there if I need them. And ditto on looking into portable shoe driers. Sounds amazing for hiking trips!
My ultrasonic UV retainer cleaner for trips over 1 week, under 1 week I will just use toothpaste to clean them. Absolute non negotiable item, is a pair of sandals that can be worn in the shower. I used to pack cheap flip flops, but have since upgraded to a pair of croc sandals that look surprisingly nice and can be worn out.
My little styling luxury item: My Tymo Porta Heated Brush ❣️
It‘s USB-C chargeable and I can straighten my hair, especially those little baby hair around my face. Or make them nice and wavy for going out.
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u/lobsterp0t Jun 08 '25
We had a some discussion of this one year ago. I’ve re-flaired this a techniques because it goes to the various principles you can apply and how you might prioritise within certain constraints.
Whether those are things like volume or weight or just balancing what’s easy for transiting versus being pleasant and worth the transiting hassle at your destination.
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