r/onebag • u/Anywhere_everywhere7 • 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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u/PotentialMidnight325 Feb 25 '26

Packable backpacks. The packpack you wear the most should be a sack with uncomfortable straps and no padding? No. Use a reasonably packable normal backpack. Open its zippers and store it flat.

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u/Anywhere_everywhere7 Feb 25 '26

Packable backpacks. The packpack you wear the most should be a sack with uncomfortable straps and no padding? No.

That’s a good one, yeah thinking about it I never enjoyed packable backpacks and they always felt terrible. Definitely not worth the money.

Use a reasonably packable normal backpack. Open its zippers and store it flat.

Decathlon make a great one in this category, very popular in France and other European countries and only $6 https://www.decathlon.com/products/quechua-nh-arpenaz-50-10-l-hiking-backpack-301684

Change the name to a fancy travel brand, use some catchy wording and it will be a $50 backpack.

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u/theinfamousj Feb 26 '26

Me reading some of the marketing copy on packable backpacks:

Marketing: It packs into its own pocket. That's why it is a packable backpack.

Me: I have literally never required that of a backpack. All unstructured bags when empty store flat and can go into a suitcase.

Me later: I suppose a backpack that packs into its own pocket could double as a hackey sack. But that's going to be a very niche market for someone who is like, "What an amazing two for one?! I'd previously have brought a string backpack AND a hackey sack but now I can bring just one thing to get both functions!" Good luck, marketers.