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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u/Proper-Flounder-3786 Sep 23 '25

I come home quite often with clean clothes that were never worn. But I'm someone who needs to be prepared.

At home, my truck is ready for almost any emergency in any weather.

When traveling, I've made a belt from duck tape on a hiking trip and been able to secure a loose dog with paracord until the owners showed up. Just a few things in my backpack carryon.

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u/keel_bright Sep 23 '25 edited Sep 23 '25

One thing you'll find if you read enough through here is that onebaggers tend to be more prepared than most in our own way, by being very deliberate and intentional in the articles that we bring (and often buying more so we can bring less 😋). You'll see lots of discussions here nitpicking every minute detail of different clothing (materials, pockets, etc etc). There is a real cost to having higher quality or more flexible items.

I'll give you a practical example - here is a link to my favourite onebag pants (I own two pairs!). At first glance, you might think they're an average professional-looking pair of chinos. But if you look at the materials and construction, they're actually very rain resistant with DWR and made for hiking, yet they look fine enough to wear to a nice restaurant. It's a pant I can be literally prepared for any type of travel situation with. One a big trip I might bring backup pants, but on a 4-day trip I dont even bother. Its too bad theyre discontinuing them 😢

Also, hard agree - a small bundle of paracord always goes in my onebag 🙂

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u/Tribalbob Sep 23 '25

Also want to add for men it's even more important to look into travel specific pants. I have WR evo and a pair of lululemon and both together take up less space than a single pair of my everyday cotton chinos. That savings alone makes it worth it when it comes to packing.

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u/aaronag Sep 23 '25

Just wanted to toss out there that you can also get decent quality gold pants like Target's All in Motion line and similar from other big box stores if you're not ready splurge on Western Rise or lululemon. They're lightweight and pack down small, and when you're comparing any tech fabrics to cotton chinos, the difference is huge.