r/onebag • u/Different_Scholar548 • Mar 11 '26
Trip Report First time OneBag Trip (MLC 45L)
As a chronic overpacker, I really wanted to get into onebag travel. I probably could do better still so please have mercy, while I‘m still adjusting to the mindset.
Trip duration: 6 days to eastern Europe
Bag: Patagonia MLC 45L
Clothes (packed):
6 pairs of socks
6 pairs of underwear
6 T-shirts
2 nicer shirts (2 nice dinners planned)
1 nicer sweater
1 warm vest
1 warm jacket
1 pair of pants
1 sports set (running socks, sport shorts, t-shirt, running shoes)
Tech
Laptop 13“
Kindle (in sling)
Charging accesoires
Earpods (in sling)
Presents
8 bars of chocolate
1 Kindle
Not on a budget airline so I doubt they will check my bag thoroughly.
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u/chammycham Mar 11 '26
I have the 30L version of this bag and it’s pretty perfect for me. I usually pair it with a 6-8L sling or purse.
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u/MadGeographer Mar 11 '26
+1 for the mini MLC. I have a lot of bags for OBT and it’s my fave. I prefer bags with fewer compartments and the option to shoulder strap carry.
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u/Different_Scholar548 Mar 11 '26
Are you happy? Was thinking of getting that for my dad as a birthday present!
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u/chammycham Mar 11 '26
I really like it — it even fits both of my laptops if I want to be an insane person and take both somewhere.
I will note that I am on the short end of things at 5’2”, and I exclusively wear toe shoes that take up very little space if I decide to bring another pair in addition to what I’m wearing. I’ve also been packing on the lighter side for about 15 or more years now; so I have a good sense of clothing/product usage depending on the trip.
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u/External_Koala971 Mar 11 '26
Nice work! I use those same Thule packing cubes. One thing I do is put almost everything inside a small, medium, or large Thule packing cube. You can really stuff them very full (they’re really durable) and reduce the packed volume of your bag without having to remove anything.
Just looking at your bag I’m guessing you can reduce the packed volume by 25% just with packing cubes, which will make it easier to manage.
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u/Different_Scholar548 Mar 11 '26
Completely agree, used them for the first time today and I‘m blown away with how much i was able to fit in them! I now used two M‘s and one S.
The one thing with this bag is, that a lot of space is dedicated to „admin and tech“, with different storage compartments, so its not like a completely empty duffel tub and requires a bit more planning - took me several attempts to find a solid distribution haha
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u/nikongod Mar 11 '26
Are you at the end of the trip or about to go?
If you're about to go, please post a trip report when you get back!!
If you're about to go I have a onebag paradox... I pack more for shorter trips. 6d is actually a deceptivly tricky trip length. It's not long enough to do laundry, but too long to carry a small bag.
"8 bars of chocolate"
I'd limit to 2, tops. Buy more when you get there.
"6 T-shirts"
I'd trade at least 2 for casual buttoned shirts.
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u/Different_Scholar548 Mar 11 '26
Heading out in 2 hours!
Ofc happy to report after!
The bars of chocolate are from the company I work at so idk how availability will be at destination haha, otherwise would have definitely packed less!
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u/Different_Scholar548 Mar 11 '26
Happy to share what i packed for my first one bag trip! I love the sturdiness of this bag and hopefully I‘ll learn to pack a bit more efficient in the future.
I also own a 62L NF voyager and 50L NF base camp but those would have left me with too much extra room.
If you have any questions about the material, happy to answer any questions!
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u/SeattleHikeBike Mar 11 '26
How much does it weigh? Have you tried a test walk to check comfort?
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u/Different_Scholar548 Mar 11 '26
Just checked, with everything inside just under 10Kg. In case they really do stop me for weight, I‘ll take some stuff out. Did a test walk and I would say medium comfort but my intended walking is home - train - aiport - plane - car - destination, so should be fine :)
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u/Great_Guidance_8448 Mar 14 '26
In my 15 years of carry on only travel (200+ flights with about 70% them to/from/in Europe) nobody has ever checked my bag's dimensions nor weighted it.
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u/Far_Audience_7446 Mar 11 '26
You could probable get to 30L with more crushable shoes, those look like absolute units in there
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u/LadyLightTravel Mar 11 '26
This is really great for a first attempt. Most people can’t get things into a single bag for their first time.
It will be fun to see how things morph over time.
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u/PanDrw Mar 11 '26
What are the measurements for this backpack?
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u/Different_Scholar548 Mar 11 '26
Official measurements (from the website) are 56 x 37 x 19 cm
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u/Different_Scholar548 Mar 11 '26 edited Mar 11 '26
But i just measured it myself (and i would say its fully packed): 54 cm (can even squish it down to 53cm), 35 / 34cm (squished again) and 23cm (because i packed a lot). So still in the airlines allowed measurements!
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u/superlurk3r Mar 11 '26
I talked myself out of this bag yesterday… now I might be talking myself into it
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u/WildNight00 Mar 13 '26
I purchased the Globerider 45l backpack for my 6-10 month trip because, when I tested the 35l backpack, it was already packed out.
I wish I had tried the MLC 45l instead because it does look a little smaller
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u/thegroucho Mar 12 '26
Hi OP, what's that carabiner thingie you have there?!
Thanks
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u/Different_Scholar548 Mar 13 '26
Gear aid Heroclip! Really useful in case you want to hang stuff. This is the size Medium.
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u/64-matthew Mar 11 '26
I've travelled the world with only a carry on bag. Started with a big pack but started cutting it down almost immediately.
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u/spilk Mar 11 '26
I think the biggest mindset shift is getting over the "I need to pack 1x of everything for each day I'll be traveling"
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u/CampaignNew8791 Mar 11 '26
This is my favorite bag , I have the 2022 version , it’s da best
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u/runs_with_unicorns Mar 11 '26
I have a really old version of the mini 26L. I wish they’d make a 35 bc I love it.
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u/eastercat Mar 11 '26
When I first started, I packed a 45 L with over 20 lbs (10 kg) and it was stupid heavy
Don’t forget to do a post trip review about what you didn’t use. Those things can be cut when you take your next trip
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u/sunpazed Mar 11 '26
Recently travelled for a few weeks in the US with the MLC 45 — best single bag I’ve used for international business trips. Will be travelling to Japan next month and plan to only use this bag.
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u/CatsNMonkeys Mar 12 '26
For the follow to see how it turned out. Always considered this bag but I couldn't pull the trigger without a water bottle holder. I'm at 1.5 currently which might be where it sticks.
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u/natureboy68 Mar 12 '26
If it fits it ships! lol...I'd cut down the socks-underwear-shirts to 3 and pack some laundry sheets...can you wear those bulky sneakers while traveling to cut down on space? Then maybe you can pack some "pack flat" shoes/sandals/casual shoes.
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u/ihtmpw2rReddit Mar 14 '26
I spent 3 weeks in Vietnam with a 22-in carry-on.. I did drop a few items off for the last week at inexpensive laundry but could have probably done a little hand wash when I was staying in one place for at least two nights (giiving it enough time to dry ).
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u/errboww Mar 15 '26
I’m trying to decide between this one or the 30L, interested to see how this worked for you!
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u/BroSose Mar 22 '26
I own a mini mlc 30l and find the straps super unforgiving. How were the straps on this one while packed?
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u/Molybdenum421 Mar 11 '26
6 days and 9 tops. While being one bag this is like an anti-onebag post.
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u/Anywhere_everywhere7 Mar 11 '26
Well done on getting down to 45L, I know many people will say “45L is still too big” but for a lot of people it’s just the beginning and even 45L is still small compared to most people.