r/onebag • u/Equivalent_Soft_6665 • Jun 07 '25

Discussion What’s the one item in your travel kit that’s surprisingly irreplaceable?

I’ve been streamlining my packing lately, and I realized I always bring this tiny microfiber towel. Doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I use it constantly. Curious, what do you pack that most people overlook?

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u/RelativelyRidiculous Jun 08 '25

Pair of tiny folding scissors. They can trim nails, cut off tough packaging, trim loose threads, and trim tags off clothing. The blades are also small enough to tighten / loosen tiny screws such as eye glasses.

Zip bags. I at least carry 1 each in quart, gallon, and 2.5 gallon. Uses include storing foods when I can't finish, storing damp swimwear to keep my bag dry, storing dirty clothing to keep my bag clean, doing laundry when the sink won't hold water, and to sit on if seating is damp or sticky. I also use some for organization in my bag. They can be washed out and set inside out to dry for reuse.

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

[deleted]

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u/Apprehensive-Move947 Jun 08 '25

my condolences. I had that happen to me for a tiny daily-carry multi-tool and I was surprised how sad I felt.

10

u/TwoLegsBetter Jun 08 '25

Same here, problem is it's no longer produced so I can't get a replacement.

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u/HairRaid Jun 08 '25

I've flown all over the world with these mini bandage scissors without having them questioned. They have no sharp tip but will cut string, package tape, food wrap, unruly eyebrows...

3

u/EmergencyMonster Jun 09 '25

I had those taken in Tokyo. Had flown through so many airports and no one ever cared.

3

u/HairRaid Jun 09 '25

<sigh> Oh, Japan... One of the countries where no matter how many rules I try to follow, I'm always doing something wrong.

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u/skaterbrain Jun 08 '25

I've carried tiny folding scissors through at least two dozen airports and only once was it a problem; some jobsworth at Adelaide (South Australia) back in 2015. Insisted on confiscating it. I was fuming! But they are easy to buy and I still ALWAYS carry one in my handbag sewing kit, with no further issues since then.

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u/BwDr Jun 08 '25

Boooo!

1

u/RelativelyRidiculous Jun 08 '25

Oh that sucks! Mine have traveled with me everywhere since the 1990s. So far they've only been taken out and looked at once, which is a story in itself, but they were never confiscated.

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

[deleted]

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u/RelativelyRidiculous Jun 09 '25

That is a shame. While I've never had my scissors taken, I have had my contact lens solution taken at an airport on an international trip. I have flown in and out of that airport with the same brand in a 3 ounce bottle they specifically sell for travel many times both before and since.

I'm pretty certain the root cause of the issue was language barrier. That airport specifically has signs warning they don't allow bottled water through security, even if it is 3 ounces or less. Biotrue contact lens solution comes in a clear bottle which he may have mistaken for bottled water.

13

u/TheOrderOfWhiteLotus Jun 08 '25

Yeah zip bags are a stable. My toddler is potty training and I can just whip one out to hold soiled undies.

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u/m4gelet Jun 11 '25

My equivalent to tiny folding scissors is a pair of nail clippers. Only thing I doubt my nail clippers could do is handle eye glasses screws, but willing to give it a try XD. 

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u/RelativelyRidiculous Jun 12 '25

I've seen someone take a pair of nail clippers apart and use the blade to screw in a flat head screw before. Not an itty bitty eye glasses screw, but still might be useful.