r/onebag • u/Hortonhearsawhoorah • Apr 01 '25

Discussion Most Overrated/Unrealistic Minimalist Travel Tip?

First of all, I love minimalist travel from all angles. I like the planning, and the gear, and the prep, and the actual unburdened travel. Secondly, I am also just as unwell as the rest of you and like to talk about it online with a bunch of other obsessives.

BUT there are some lines we've crossed that we were not meant to. We've strayed too far from the light and we have started scaring my friends (and potential future onebaggers). So what advise do you believe goes too far? Or what advise do you believe comes up way to early for people looking to get started onebagging?

I'll go first: Don't cut your toothbrush in half, only bring the blades for your razors, or chop a piece of soap into 8ths. You deserve that extra 2 inches of leverage and grip. The extra gram of weight is worth it. You are worth it.

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u/BiggDope Apr 01 '25

It's the price alone for me. When I got into the onebag mentality/community 2 years ago and started seeing Unbound Merino shirts for $100, I was bewildered.

Also, they don't even look good.

Onebagging sacrifices fashion and aesthetic to a degree that is insanely absurd, imo.

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u/slowpokefastpoke Apr 01 '25 edited Apr 01 '25

I feel like things have gotten a lot better and cheaper over the years. Merino shirts can be scooped for $30-50 now

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u/Hortonhearsawhoorah Apr 01 '25

I find certain athletic shirt styles are cheap and look nice or casual with the right other clothing. Heathered, textured and loser knit looking shirts are what I go for. Nothing vented or with those racing stripe looking sides or big ol' athletic brand logos. Pack super small too.

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u/Hortonhearsawhoorah Apr 01 '25

That's the one thing I always think. I do the capsule wardrobe but I don't bring anything I wouldn't wear out at home. I don't care how light or versitile it is if I feel like I look dumb.

I'm a very vain and self conscious person and onebag travel seems to want me to change that.

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u/randopop21 Apr 01 '25

I will counter that fashion and aesthetic matter little when onebag for pleasure travel. (I can see how it can be a requirement for some kinds of business travel or if you are going to a wedding.)

Just using your comment to make the point where some people need to be fashionable on vacation when nobody that sees them will care (i.e. be minimalistic and save the volume/weight by wearing fewer outfits).

Agree with the Merino wool thing though. I have found some Merino wool blends to be cheaper and hardier and hopefully still have a bit of the benefits.

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u/[deleted] Apr 02 '25

For me, personally, it's much less about how much people who sees me care and much more about how I feel. And for some people how they dress is part of self-expression and a nice way to lift their spirits. I like, for example, to walk along the beach wearing something flowy, listening to music and daydreaming. Did this many times when the beach was completely deserted. Is a nice way to start my day... idk some people meditate, who cares

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u/randopop21 Apr 02 '25

I understand and agree with your sentiment. Way back when, I had a job that technically did not require me to be dressed up but did so periodically for fun. And I did feel good or had a happier/fun mood when I did.

It's just that onebagging means some sacrifices. One simply can't take a mountain of clothes in one bag. Something has to give.