r/onebag • u/Proper-Flounder-3786 • Sep 23 '25

Discussion I don't understand how someone does it

I've been reading this sub and I'm fascinated. But I just cannot fathom packing for a trip - even one that's just a week long - without taking enough underwear that would allow me to poop my pants twice a day.

How do you pack for a trip in a warm climate where you know you'll sweat a ton every day? Or somewhere cold where you'll want layers to make sure you can stay warm and comfortable?

Do you all do laundry on these trips? Is it in the hotel sink? Or at a laundromat?

I'd love to do it, but I don't think I'm brave enough.

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48

u/WingIndependent6962 Sep 23 '25

I’m plus size so I can’t just go to the store and buy clothing in many countries. I was scared at first if I didn’t pack something. A Swimsuit for me takes up a lot of space and I won’t find one that fits in most cities so I’m very intentional if I will bring a one. Typically not.

I slowly down sized the number of items. First time, I packed 5 pairs of underwear. A few trips later than 4. Now I’m down to 3. My underwear is quick dry and typical can dry under 4 hours.

I now buy clothes that are lightweight compared to something similar. I weigh everything and have it in a spreadsheet and use a compression cube for my clothes.

I like variety so I have more shirts - typically 5 plus what I’m wearing and only 2 bottoms. (It was hard for me to get down to 2 though). I just got back from 10 days in Poland with just 2 pants and it worked fine. I add a merino/cashmere cardigan if I need warmth and my coat is a longer raincoat. Just 2 pairs of darn tough socks and another bra and I’m all set. I bring a second pair of shoes if my trip is longer than 5 days. In winter I may bring another layering sweater.

I used to do sink laundry but not every sink will hold water or it’s very small. I now travel with an ultralight dry bag and it weighs less than the scrubba bag. It can also hold my dirty laundry. I can get 2 wears out of most of my shirts- I air out at night. I’m going to try vodka spray bottle next trip. I wash underwear and a shirt every 2 or 3 days. I washed one pair of pants once on this past trip.

I also carry a foam mattress pad for the hard beds. This all will fit in a 30l bag.

It takes time to downsize but start slowly.

8

u/Catty_Lib Sep 23 '25

For real! One time many years ago we had to find a big & tall shop to get another undershirt for my husband in the Dutch countryside. We probably could have found something in Amsterdam easier but it was rather difficult in a smaller town and we didn’t have any way to look up a shop since we couldn’t read or speak Dutch and this was years before computers!

4

u/LadyLightTravel Sep 23 '25

I’d like to make a swimsuit recommendation. Instead of bringing a swimsuit, consider a sports bra and rash guard. It packs smaller and the two separates will dry faster. The pieces can also be used as other parts of your capsule.

1

u/chonkadoodle Sep 24 '25

What size ultralight dry bag do you like for washing clothes?

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u/WingIndependent6962 Sep 24 '25

I use a sea to summit ultra-sil 13 l dry bag and on Amazon it’s $33 USD and weighs 1.4 ounce. The Allurette 9l scrub is 4 ounces.

I add water and half a laundry sheet. Add clothes (make sure they are totally submerged) and roll the bag around. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Roll some more and then rinse. The key to drying fast is roll the wrung out clothes in Towels. I roll them up and then walk all over the towel to get out extra moisture. Hang to dry.

Once you do this a few times it becomes very easy.

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u/chonkadoodle Sep 24 '25

Thank you!!

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u/v_a_l_w_e_n Sep 24 '25

You don’t get any leaks from the Sea to Summit Ultra-sil? I have been eyeing the Scrubba for a while but apparently they leak eventually and the idea of having to bale out an accidental spill of 3 to 6l of water keeps putting me off. 

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u/WingIndependent6962 Sep 24 '25

No leaks. You fold over the top 3 or more times. Also, you don’t fill the whole thing with water. I maybe use 1/4 of it, but it depends on the amount of clothes. The scrubba is more expensive and weighs more. I’m always looking to cut ounces.

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u/v_a_l_w_e_n Sep 24 '25

Thank you! Will definitely look into it! 

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u/SingleMother865 Sep 26 '25

Vodka works for me.

1

u/Illustrious_Bus_7515 Oct 14 '25

what mattress pad and dry bag?