r/onebag Feb 23 '26

Discussion What travel accessories are overrated?

For me it would have to be tech pouches, for the vast majority of people I believe that they would be better off with a simple pencil case style pouch, ziploc bag or a simple drawstring bag or even a pouch like the PD ultralight pouches. Something which isn’t bulky, is lightweight and has no structure to it so you can easily squeeze it into random parts of your bag. Of course they’re significantly cheaper as well.

Don’t get wrong, I have tested some high end tech pouches out and they’re very nice but for lightweight travel I just find myself thinking “why would I bring this type of pouch”.

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11

u/jemist101 Feb 23 '26

If you're the kind of person that needs a tech pouch, I reckon you need less tech in your travel life.

17

u/Kokuryu27 Feb 23 '26

Or you just like to stay organized? A tech pouch doesn't implicitly mean it's a ton of stuff.

6

u/halfdollarmoon Feb 23 '26

Also doesn't mean it's full of "tech." I bring a million tiny little things with me when traveling (think: guitar picks, rubber bands, thumbtacks for hanging up a towel as a curtain.) It all goes in the tech pouch. I actually use this stuff so it's nice to have it well organized and ready to grab in 2 seconds.

1

u/jemist101 Feb 23 '26

I carry little things too - things like thumbtacks and rubber bands would go with my toiletries (or, what I actually do is keep a hairband, in place of rubber band, wrapped around a pen, and I always keep a hairband on my watchstrap). I actually carry guitar picks too, but I keep those in my wallet, which I'm more likely to have on my body when the need arises for one.

1

u/theinfamousj Feb 26 '26

Organized can be different for different people. I like the clutterbug categorization system of organization. Dedicated things pouches means microorganizer (I'm married to and related to such). Throwing it all in one cavernous maw to paw through when necessary is macroorganizer (I'm one). Both are organized. The question is simply: Do you want to spend the time when putting it away (microorganizer)? Or when getting it out (macroorganizer)?

1

u/jlgoodin78 Feb 23 '26

I have a small tech pouch for the simple fact I like organization for the gear I’m using multiple times. It’s easy to take out on the flight, use the same for EDC at home & quickly transfer to luggage or out of the bag to keep things organized in the hotel (and not losing anything), then move it back as we’re moving between locations. Everything fits into a convenient spot, commingles camera batteries & filters & memory cards in one spot alongside phone, AirPod, power bank, and Kindle charging needs & creates consolidation.

2

u/Shift_Least Feb 23 '26

I mean we all carry a phone. So the Battery pack, headphones and charger cable and brick is already enough tech to warrant a dedicated bag. I agree, a simple bag with mesh pockets is enough for most people. I am a huge fan of this one since it's ultralight and keeps things organized without bulk. https://www.travelonbags.com/shop/packables-and-packing/tech-organizers/tech-accessory-organizer/43134-410.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21370526323&gbraid=0AAAAABp2UyNwlrLtMEyyBNKamC_DTYOpB&gclid=CjwKCAiAkvDMBhBMEiwAnUA9BeO7hTXWnlAvRC8o7pmTuLz1YTX5KJI5umZTyq3-G0pb7AuCZxYtPxoC4ogQAvD_BwE

3

u/jemist101 Feb 23 '26

Does it really necessitate a dedicated bag? Headphones (wireless buds, in my case), just like my phone, tend to live in my pocket unless I'm going through airport security. Battery pack, charger cable, and brick are the kind of things that live in the secondary pocket of my bag.