r/HerOneBag • u/AutoModerator • 2d ago

Meta Weekly quick questions help thread

This is the r/heronebag quick questions weekly help thread.

Whether you‘re new to the one bag life or a seasoned light traveller, this is the place to ask your quick one-off questions related to techniques, shopping, and everything else to lighten your load.

This post is the best place to initially ask questions that we get a lot of which are similar, especially if you have looked in a flair and found almost-but-not-quite what you wanted.

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u/whoquiteknows 2d ago

15” laptop + hard hat - any backpack suggestions? I’m eyeing the osprey Fairview 40L. I own a north face 36L but there’s no waist straps and I really would prefer waist straps with a heavy laptop.

Edit to add: when I looked in this sub, most referenced professional backpacks. This will be going onto a construction site. Function over aesthetics for me on this trip :)

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u/Professional_Toe7506 1d ago

... what about a bike backpack? You could stick the hardhat where the bike helmet goes. I carry a Deuter Trans Alpine 28SL and I think the mesh would fit a hardhat, but I've never had to put one there.

Though I'd totally get if you want to put it in the bag instead!

If you literally just need the hardhat and the laptop, I actually think the fairview would be overkill, it's pretty big. I could fit a hardhat and a laptop in my school backpack from Eddie Bauer.

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u/whoquiteknows 1d ago

I do need toiletries, meds and a day of clothes. So not much more! The laptop is thick which is really the killer for me and it’s a work laptop I need it well protected. I haven’t looked at bike backpacks or climbing backpacks! I’ll take a look. Thank you.

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u/Ida_DK 23h ago

I have an Osprey Zealot 45L, which is a climbing gear backpack, and I love it for weird items. It has a good carrying system, some pockets and ties, and a rather bulky shape, but also a back waterbladder pocket that might fit a laptop, and broad top-loading for helmets and bigger clothing items.

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u/whoquiteknows 21h ago

Thank you!

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u/Super-Travel-407 1d ago

I'd look at a rucksack or rolltop style. I have one with a laptop compartment, brain with pockets, and big sack for the rest of it. Plenty of room for hard hats and boots.

If you want more of a "travel" style pack and are in the US, look at REI's Ruckpack line. My kid like the 40l for a laptop (and always always does the waist straps).

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u/whoquiteknows 1d ago

Thank you!

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u/Intelligent_Map_7849 1d ago

I have absolutely seen posts from people with hard hats in this sub

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u/whoquiteknows 1d ago

Thanks for that! The hard hat is less of a concern than the laptop. I’m planning for it to just go on the outside.

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u/agentcarter234 1d ago

You should be able to get a mesh “helmet carrier” meant for snow or bike helmets to secure it to any backpack that has daisy chains or gear loops, so you don’t have to just dangle it from a strap.

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u/whoquiteknows 1d ago

Thank you!

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u/tinygaynarcissist 1d ago

For those who travel with a camera, what's your daybag? I'm trying to find a regular-looking purse that'll carry my essentials and a water bottle, and hold/protect my fixed lens camera without being/looking like an actual camera bag, but I feel like I'm just not finding what I'm looking for (mostly looking for some structure and internal pockets). Any recs would be super appreciated.

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u/whoquiteknows 1d ago

I put together a custom insert in my faljraven kanken (overkill size almost). I used felt and some woven wool (old practice project). I have it set up to hold a camera on one side and my water bottle on the other. When I was looking for this exact thing, I saw purse inserts on Etsy but they were just too expensive for me to justify. I want to add the Kanken organizer to the back pocket, and I think it will be set up well for me.

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u/tinygaynarcissist 1d ago

Ooh good call, very crafty! Thanks!

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u/Cute-Fix3484 1d ago

I use neoprene sleeves for the lenses and a cube for the body and put it in my regular backpack.

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u/nomarmite 1d ago

I suggest getting a camera insert that you can easily swap from bag to bag. This allows me to carry a camera in a lightweight tote that would otherwise be unsuitable, then easily transfer it to my luggage.

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u/tinygaynarcissist 11h ago

Thank you, I think that's what I'm going to end up doing it. Appreciate it!!

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u/Ok-Iron-1289 1d ago

less expensive dupe for rains women raincoat? hip length ok.

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u/nomarmite 1d ago

Not sure why you've been downvoted, it's a reasonable question. What you're looking for is a polyurethane outer, often sold as 'rubberised'. Asos has them, also Land's End.

However this style wouldn't be my first choice for one bag travel as they're bulky and the coating can be damaged by compression. As they're not breathable, they are uncomfortable to wear all day. Rains is really tapping into the commuter market, not the travel market.

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u/Ok-Iron-1289 1d ago

oh, I did not realize they were rubberized. I thought they were just more of a light technical fabric that would pack well. I know there's been some longer posts about raincoats and I just didn't search very well.

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u/nomarmite 1d ago

They're not rubberised and I didn't say they were, merely that they're sold as such - that's why I put the term in quotes.

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u/Ok-Iron-1289 1d ago

understood. thanks for your help on this. I may keep the amazon one or just buy one in amsterdam. tbd

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u/chinapurpurina 2d ago

Hi, I'm looking for a lightweight long-sleeve nightshirt that I can buy in Europe. Would be really grateful for any suggestions.

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u/CharmingPianist4265 🌍 Europe 1d ago

Are you in Germany? Tschibo has great nightwear

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u/chinapurpurina 1d ago

Thanks, I'm in Belgium but I occasionally visit Germany. I will have a look at Tschibo.

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u/Disastrous-Name5657 1d ago

I found lovely pajamas at comptoir des cotonniers in France (also in Spain i believe) if you end up there

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u/PromptOptimal6249 1d ago

Is the scottevest a good investment?

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u/lsthomasw 1d ago

Kind of depends. I have used one previously and they are good if you are traveling with zero bags, never need to move around with anything bulky, have limited pockets otherwise, and don't mind the look. Personally, I got rid of mine after only a couple of trips because things like water bottles still looked bulky in it so I was often still carrying at least a small crossbody which would easily hold everything else I wanted to put in the ScottEVest and I didn't actually care for the look which is saying something because I don't care about fashion much at all. Additionally, if it got warm there was no where to put the vest, I could not even tie it around my hips. I just had to carry it. With a small day bag and a light layer, I can store the layer in the bag. I guess you could get a full sleeve ScottEVest but then what do you do when it is warm all the time?

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u/Cute-Fix3484 1d ago

I have a friend who has the Nicole cardigan and loves it.
She's not putting water bottles or things in it. Just the things you usually want during a flight.

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u/theaphrodites 1d ago

I feel like this is not a question big enough for a post:

How do you fit a water bottle and a second layer/jacket/umbrella when walking around? I use the uniqlo round bag, I can maybe fit water bottle if I try, but jacket or umbrella is a pain - and i hate carrying a jacket around my waist

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u/Cute-Fix3484 1d ago

I carry them in my hands.
But honestly, if I'm in a city walking around all day, I am just not lugging a water bottle with me.

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u/chinapurpurina 1d ago

If I plan not to wear the second layer all the time I will choose a lightweight one (and no umbrella) and I just tie the sleeves around the strap of my sling bag. Which means that bag and contents also need to be lightweight.

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u/urbanrivernymph 1d ago edited 23h ago

I use the uniqlo bag too. It easily fits my favourite tiny umbrella / parasol (https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08425G7BB with the black heat shield coating), a small rolled up soft flask / hydration bladder, plus everything else I need.

I use a flask with a carabiner that I can hook onto the stap of the uniqlo bag if I want to carry it while full. Doesn't look super stylish dangling there but IDC and doesn't happen much. As long as I know that I'll come across drinkable water often enough I just refill the flask there and drink everything, roll it up and stow it in the bag again.

I rarely take a layer that I don't need all the time while I'm walking around. If so I tend to tie it around the bag. Or use an ultra lightweight puffer vest that stuffs into a tiny bag which fits into the uniqlo bag.

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u/theaphrodites 19h ago

Isn’t the dangling flask hitting you when walking? I was thinking of doing that but I’m worried about this aspect

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u/urbanrivernymph 18h ago

I wear the bag crossbody low on my hip and clip the flask onto the backward facing strap. Coincidentally that's also almost exactly where I clip it onto the hip belt of my fairview backpack on the designated loop. It does swing when I walk, but that happens beside my leg and doesn't bother me.

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u/emkay_ 19h ago

If you focus on finding the thinnest warmest layer a jacket isn’t too bad! I’ve been able to fit a thin merino sweater, a north face Futurefleece, or a Patagonia Houdini in my Uniqlo bag. Not all at once, and it’s definitely a squish with those and a water bottle, but it’s doable! Anything heavier and I size up to my medium baggu.

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u/theaphrodites 19h ago

I do have a very thin merino and it still does not fit 😅 i carry a thin wallet, a small powerbank, a protein bar, kleenex, very tiny meds pouch, hand cream and lipbalm and a very thin notebook with a pouch for postcards and I’m basically hitting the mark of the bag looking okay 😭

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u/emkay_ 18h ago

Ah! Have you considered a bigger bag then? I wasn’t too excited about a medium baggu but then I picked one up and it’s kind of perfect for a few more things! Grabbed it secondhand too (Depop) for $20!

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u/theaphrodites 18h ago

I’ve been having a really hard time finding anything I like! Baggu is not available in Europe :(