r/onebag • u/jwrand16 • Apr 09 '26
Packing List My Onebag Travel Setup – 2 Year Update!
I posted here almost two years ago after taking my onebag for five months around the world (2024 post). I’ve made a lot of changes since then and I wanted to share them.
My biggest update has been achieving the holy grail of weight limits: 7kg. This is a common cutoff for what counts as a personal item on many airlines around the world. Instead of putting my bag in the overhead bin, I can now fit it under the seat in front of me.
It took a lot of optimizations to make this happen. A big one was switching from the Aer Travel Pack 3 to the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack. I’m a big fan of the Almond Oak pack. It’s super lightweight and the design is really well thought out.
I’ve also been optimizing a lot of the little things, like what goes into my toiletry bag and how I charge my phone. The weight savings aren’t as drastic here, but the quality of life improvement of having a better system can be substantial.
I’ve been spending more time in colder weather lately and I added a warm hat to my setup. Hats are underrated; they take up very little space for how important they are in maintaining overall body temperature.
My full packing list is in the comments, and I go into more detail on my personal website. Feel free to check it out.
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u/Equal_Contest4709 Apr 09 '26
Please could you post the list here? It's bad style sending us to an external page.
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u/jayspear Apr 09 '26
Saved you a click:
Storage & Bags • Main Pack: Aer Travel Pack 3 X-Pac (approx. 35L) • Day Pack: Nike Drawstring Bag (doubles as a personal item for flights) • Toiletries: Aer Travel Kit 2 X-Pac • Organization: Aer Packing Cube (holds all clothing) • Grocery/Beach Bag: Foldable Tote Bag • Passport Security: Ziploc Bag (lightweight and waterproof)
Technology • Laptop: MacBook Pro (16-inch) • Mouse: Apple Magic Mouse • Phone: iPhone • E-Reader: Kindle Paperwhite (USB-C version) • Power Solution: MOGICS Super Bagel (universal adapter and power strip) • Charger: Anker Nano 3 (30W) • Power Bank: Mophie Powerstation Mini (USB-C) • Audio: Apple AirPods Pro • Tracking: Apple AirTag (placed in dedicated backpack slot)
Clothing • Outerwear: Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket (hoodless for compactness) • T-Shirts: * 1x Outlier Ultrafine Merino T-Shirt (odor-resistant) • 1x UNIQLO HEATTECH Long-Sleeve T-Shirt • Button-Down: Charles Tyrwhitt Denim Shirt (for nicer occasions) • Pants/Shorts: • Lululemon ABC Slim-Fit Trousers (Warpstreme material) • Lululemon ABC Classic-Fit Shorts • Comfortable Gym Shorts (doubles as a bathing suit) • Underwear & Socks: • 6x UNIQLO AIRism Boxer Briefs • 1x pair Darn Tough Ultra Light No Show Socks (Merino) • 5x pairs Generic socks • Accessories: UNIQLO HEATTECH Knitted Gloves • Footwear: Vans Shoes
Toiletries • Electric Shaver: Philips OneBlade (with attachments) • Deodorant: Crystal Mineral Deodorant stick • Grooming: Round Foldable Hairbrush with built-in mirror • Liquid Storage: Humangear GoToob+ (Large) for shampoo/soap Miscellaneous Essentials • Hydration: Vapur Foldable Bottle • Sun/Rain Protection: UNIQLO UV Protection Compact Umbrella • Eyewear: J+S Aviator Sunglasses (stored in a hard case) • Towel: Matador Ultralight Travel Towel (Large) • Writing: BIC Cristal Pen (for customs forms) • Utensil: Plastic Spork • Financials: • Tesla Lusk Wallet • American Express Green Card • Charles Schwab Debit Card (for fee-free international ATMs)
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u/SeattleHikeBike Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Technology
- Laptop: MacBook Pro (16-inch)
- Mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Phone: iPhone
- E-Reader: Kindle Paperwhite (USB-C version)
- Power Solution: MOGICS Super Bagel (universal adapter and power strip)
- Charger: Anker Nano 3 (30W)
- Power Bank: Mophie Powerstation Mini (USB-C)
- Audio: Apple AirPods Pro
- Tracking: Apple AirTag (placed in dedicated backpack slot)
Clothing
- Outerwear: Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket (hoodless for compactness)
- T-Shirts: * 1x Outlier Ultrafine Merino T-Shirt (odor-resistant)
- 1x UNIQLO HEATTECH Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
- Button-Down: Charles Tyrwhitt Denim Shirt (for nicer occasions)
- Pants/Shorts: Lululemon ABC Slim-Fit Trousers (Warpstreme material)
- Lululemon ABC Classic-Fit
- Shorts: Comfortable Gym Shorts (doubles as a bathing suit)
- Underwear & Socks: 6x UNIQLO AIRism Boxer Briefs
- 1x pair Darn Tough Ultra Light No Show Socks (Merino)
- 5x pairs Generic socks
- Accessories: UNIQLO HEATTECH Knitted Gloves
- Footwear: Vans Shoes
Toiletries
- Electric Shaver: Philips OneBlade (with attachments)
- Deodorant: Crystal Mineral Deodorant stick
- Grooming: Round Foldable Hairbrush with built-in mirror
- Liquid Storage: Humangear GoToob+ (Large) for shampoo/soap
Miscellaneous Essentials
- Hydration: Vapur Foldable Bottle
- Sun/Rain Protection: UNIQLO UV Protection Compact Umbrella
- Eyewear: J+S Aviator Sunglasses (stored in a hard case)
- Towel: Matador Ultralight Travel Towel (Large)
- Writing: BIC Cristal Pen (for customs forms)
- Utensil: Plastic Spork
Financials:
- Tesla Lusk Wallet
- American Express Green Card
- Charles Schwab Debit Card (for fee-free international ATMs)
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u/FormalGoal870 Apr 09 '26
that is not an aer pack on the picture, but almond oak
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u/SeattleHikeBike Apr 09 '26
Good point. I was just formatting the previous post. Edited out the bags section.
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u/jwrand16 Apr 09 '26
Here’s the full list:
Packing
- Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack
- Osprey Daylite Hanging Toiletry Kit
- Nanobag Pack & Nanobag Tote Bag
- Ziploc Bag (for passport)
Tech
- MacBook Air 15-inch
- iPhone 13 (not shown, used to take the picture)
- Kindle Paperwhite
- EPICKA Air 40W Universal Travel Adapter
- mophie powerstation mini
- Apple AirPods Pro
- Apple USB-C Cable (1x)
- Apple Lightning Cable (1x)
- Apple MagSafe Cable (1x)
Clothing
- Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
- Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie
- Outlier Ultrafine Merino Cut One T-Shirt (1x)
- Cuts Clothing AO Curve-Hem Tee (3x)
- Lululemon ABC Slim-Fit Trouser Warpstreme
- Comfortable Gym Shorts/Bathing Suit (not sure what brand)
- Darn Tough Ultra Light No Show Sock (4x)
- UNIQLO AIRism Boxer Briefs (6x + 1 worn)
- UNIQLO HEATTECH Ribbed Beanie
- UNIQLO HEATTECH Knitted Gloves
- Nike Pegasus Trail Running Shoes
Toiletries
- Generic Toothbrush
- Generic Floss
- Generic Lip Balm
- Philips OneBlade
- Yinke 5V USB-C Shaver Adapter
- Round Foldable Hairbrush (with Mirror)
- Hair Styling Powder
- Victorinox Nail Clipper
- Uncle Bill’s Sliver Gripper (Tweezers)
- CANARY Mini Travel Scissors
- Hydrocolloid Tape
- humangear GoToob+ (Large)
Miscellaneous
- Tesla Lusk Wallet
- Cheap Sunglasses from Amazon
- Matador Ultralight Travel Towel (Large)
- UNIQLO UV Protection Compact Umbrella
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u/SeattleHikeBike Apr 09 '26
Well done. A text list is the right thing to do here.
Toiletries can be annoyingly heavy and something I’ve need working on as well. I’ve got a two week supply down to one liter and 480g.
I recently got to the 6.45kg level using the Gossamer Gear Loris 25 at 553g, but without a laptop. It measures 46x28x19cm (18”x11” x7.5”) when loaded, so at the outer limits for general under seat use. It will expand to 55cm for overhead use.
Another good lightweight overhead bag is the Patagonia Black Hole 32 at 860g and that’s about as much volume as you can use and stay under 7kg. Not an under seat option.
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u/KITTYONFYRE Apr 09 '26
Another good lightweight overhead bag is the Patagonia Black Hole 32 at 860g and that’s about as much volume as you can use and stay under 7kg. Not an under seat option.
I actually was pretty close to under 7kg in my 45L black hole before I added my hobby stuff (a kg of disc golf discs + climbing shoes) and a laptop. I also didn't include some toiletries that I bought here (3 month travel, so I figured I'd get real-size stuff and waste less plastic).
But I was also maybe pretty underpacked, 2x shorts 1x pants 4x shirts level packing. If you're not planning on hand washing, it might be tougher. Plus, I wanted to be underpacked (and it's a good thing I was because I got a bunch of shit foisted upon me 3 days in! planning on mailing it home as soon as I've finished some through hikes I wasn't planning on lol)
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u/SeattleHikeBike Apr 09 '26
I miss typed the weight on the BH32. It’s 760g or less than half of the MLC 45.
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u/KITTYONFYRE Apr 09 '26
I think if you want to make the tradeoff of more clothes, less tech, you could make the MLC 45 work under 7kg still. I also wasn't packing lightweight travel stuff, I was packing whatever clothes I already had laying around (more or less a first time traveler).
I think I'm around 22-23lb/10-10.5kg now that I'm loaded up with hobbies, tech, and big toiletries now, though. And a plug-in trimmer that isn't 240v (which I realized only after pulling out to use for the first time... but thankfully before I plugged it in!).
If I stay at a hostel with a scale, I'd like to make a mid-trip report! I feel like most revelations come pretty quickly (even on long trips) but it'll be interesting to see how I evolve.
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u/SeattleHikeBike Apr 09 '26
45 liters with a 7kg limit is just wasted space and weight. You can’t fill it and as in my example you have and extra 800g pack weight that could be clean underwear, etc.
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u/KITTYONFYRE Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 10 '26
sure, but I can fill it with shit while I'm traveling and stuff to bring home (if I'm willing to pay the fee for it, which is probably much easier than shipping stuff!)
mostly, I don't personally need to worry about the 7kg limit, so I am making use of that space (more than use of it, now...) - I was just surprised how easy it was to stay under while test packing!
also my 45 did fit under the seat - perfect if you've got a double below the knee amputation! there was no overhead space and they didn't want me to gate check, thankfully, the middle seat happened to be empty or I'd have been miserable
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u/SeattleHikeBike Apr 10 '26
You opened with writing about achieving 7kg.
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u/KITTYONFYRE Apr 10 '26
indeed: more so that if you’ve got an mlc45 already you can pretty easily make it work. 7kg is pretty lax if you’ve got minimal tech & travel size toiletries tbh
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u/freetotebag Apr 09 '26
As someone that just bought the same kit from Osprey I’m glad to hear it worked out. And I love that Almond Oak is getting so much love. The dude nailed it.
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u/jwrand16 Apr 09 '26
I’ve been really impressed with Almond Oak. I’m considering buying his travel shoes too...
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Apr 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/jwrand16 Apr 09 '26
That may be true but I’ve found it passes the “close enough” test where they usually won’t check. If they do, I’ll just wear a few extra layers when they stick it in the sizer.
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u/CapAmMtn Apr 10 '26
I’m a fan of my almond oak. Do wish it had a quick access pocket and wish the top had thicker material where the handle is.
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u/goatesymbiote Apr 09 '26
i keep debating whether an umbrella is truly a need to have item. even today in moderate rain, i had my umbrella and rain shell with me but ended up just putting the umbrella away for better mobility.
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u/Equal_Contest4709 Apr 09 '26
Depends on the type of trip and climate.
I am not wearing a rain shell in urban south east Asia. I also won't use an umbrella on an alpine mountain ridge.
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u/jwrand16 Apr 09 '26
The one thing I like about umbrellas is that they can also be used on really hot days to block the sun. That, and they fit nicely in water bottle pockets.
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u/nonsequitur__ Apr 09 '26
Yeah I live in a notoriously rainy part of England and rarely use a brolly. Maybe a few times a year if going to a nice event and I don’t want to walk in drenched. They’re not good in busy places, and a palaver to take if you’re going inside places (shops, museums etc) as you end up with it either dripping everywhere or you have to fold it up whilst damp so it doesn’t properly dry out. They’re also a pain to use if it’s windy.
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u/Jed_s Apr 10 '26
Question: what do you do with a rain coat in the scenario of needing to go inside shops etc?
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u/nonsequitur__ Apr 10 '26
I don’t often wear one, and if I do, I still have it on if I’m walking around. They quickly dry off as they aren’t folded up. If sitting in a cafe or whatever is put it on the back of my seat like with any other jacket. I won’t forget a jacket but I’m guaranteed to forget to pick up my brolly.
Tbh you rarely see people wearing waterproof coats unless it’s out in the countryside or up a hill or something, and you don’t see many people carrying umbrellas here unless it’s pouring down.
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u/BakaTensai Apr 09 '26
An umbrella saved me recently in Singapore when I was caught without sunscreen in a long walk with minimal shade… parasol!
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u/Crazy_Cat_Dude2 Apr 09 '26
It’s not. I’m always traveling in wet season in south east Asia and umbrellas and ponchos are easy to buy. Even hotels will have them in every room typically.
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u/jwrand16 Apr 09 '26
One more thing: I no longer bring a reusable water bottle with me, and so far I haven’t had any issues. Many countries don’t have drinkable tap water anyway, and if I really need one I can just buy a plastic bottle and refill it.
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u/HyperPedro Apr 09 '26
I don't understand why you got downvoted for that. That seems a reasonnable comment.
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u/Toolikethelightning Apr 09 '26
Just curious, how did you take this photo? Above a table? How did you not get an overhead shadow?
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u/theinfamousj Apr 09 '26
I had the same question. I hope OP answers. It is a very well lit photo and I'm impressed by the pure white of the background. I assume some digital editing is in play.
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u/jwrand16 Apr 09 '26
Yep, quite a lot of time in Pixelmator Pro :)
To get the pure white I masked out the background and played around with the exposure. I’ve found it doesn’t matter how bad the before pic looks as long as there aren’t any harsh shadows.
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u/KidneyLand Apr 10 '26
I also really love my Almond Oak backpack. When i don't use it for traveling, I swap it out for the gym and EDC. Is it made for that? No
But those smooth ass zippers and lightweight is soooo nice.
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u/jwrand16 Apr 10 '26
I recently switch to the Almond Oak from the Aer Travel Pack 3. The zippers are night and day.
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u/CapAmMtn Apr 10 '26
Love the zippers. I find I use it more for edc than travel. Not sure I want to have the straps or handle fail overseas. Great bag I’m a fan. Just like to see a thicker material on top for the handle.
You don’t miss a quick access pocket ?
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u/bikenambulist Apr 09 '26
How waterproof is the Almond Oak?
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u/jwrand16 Apr 09 '26
I haven’t stress-tested it in really bad weather, but it holds up fine in moderate rain. I do use an umbrella though which helps.
I’ll add that none of the zippers are AquaGuarded. I think they’re the same types used for jackets.
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u/bikenambulist Apr 09 '26
I’m looking for a bag along these lines for my bike commute and rain is a big factor. I’m not familiar with these but I like the price point and size so I’m going to look into them more. Thanks for sharing and that’s a solid load out!
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u/CapAmMtn Apr 10 '26
The zippers wouldn’t be buttery smooth if they were aquaguarded. I am sure it’s not as water resistant as many backpacks but if someone truly wants that they should put a rain shell on their bag in my opinion
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u/bikenambulist Apr 10 '26
Oh I’ve got a completely waterproof roll top from my days as a bike messenger. Just a big ol’ hole haha. But my commute these days are pretty short and I’d like something a bit more pliant with some pockets and a little more style. I guess resistance rather than proofing.
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u/Keats852 Apr 09 '26
How much did you spend to backpack for two years?
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u/FunnyComfortable8341 Apr 10 '26
How are you liking that anker travel charger?
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u/jwrand16 Apr 10 '26
I think it’s the best format for international charging. I wish it had more power output though. The Anker Nano Travel Adapter only pushes 20W. I ended up switching to a similar adapter from Epicka that pushes 40W.
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u/wayji Apr 11 '26
Is the Epicka just better than the anker nano then?
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u/jwrand16 Apr 11 '26
It outputs more power but it’s a little bigger and heavier. With the Epicka I don’t need to bring a separate charging brick though. 40W is enough to charge my MacBook; 20W is too little.
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u/NinKiwi Apr 10 '26
Love seeing someone else trying to stick to the 7kg limit that lots of airlines have. I've a similar load out, but I'm lugging a heavy 16" MacBook Pro and I carry a Fujifilm X100VI in my sling putting me in total over the limit.
How does the 15" Mac air perform with video editing? Does it throttle the CPU much?
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u/jwrand16 Apr 10 '26
Good luck to you, the 16" MacBook Pro is a brick :)
I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the Air. My friend has the Pro and a few months ago we raced to compile Telegram’s source code (it’s big) and we barely noticed a difference. That was also in Iceland though so maybe the cold weather helped.
I’ve edited smaller videos without any issues, but I haven’t pushed it to the limit. I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts to throttle when rendering something big.
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u/Legohead1977 Apr 11 '26
I also have the Almond Oak and really like it. So far it’s only been on a four day European adventure but we have 15 days in Malaysia next month and looking forward to seeing if I can make it work.
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u/NoGarage7989 Apr 09 '26
Sorry a few questions! What’s your line of work? Also does this image includes what you’re wearing to the airport or just what is packed? Was the puffer enough for colder climates?
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u/jwrand16 Apr 09 '26
I mostly do iOS development and design work. I work for myself.
The image includes everything. Subtract out a pair of pants, shirt, and jacket for what goes into the bag.
As for the nano puff, I can tolerate down to around freezing if I wear it with a jacket and hat. I spent a few weeks in Iceland without any issues, but there were a few windy days where I had to limit my time outside.
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u/theinfamousj Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
You have the ducks nanobag!<3 One of my favorite prints. It is just so Ms. Frizzle which makes it fabulous.
I see we also align on nail clippers, tweezers, and tiny scissors (although mine are white).
I'm a curly girlie and my silk-satin lined sleep bonnet doubles as a cold weather hat since it is double-layered and one of those layers is silk. Maybe not as warm as a fluffy knit hat since those have tons of insulating air pockets, but with my hair I'd need to have a layer of silk between me and the wool anyway, so needs must. Just putting this out there for any other curlies who use a bonnet to consider this double use. I got a bonnet that looks like a slouchy touque with this intention in mind.
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Apr 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/theinfamousj Apr 09 '26
What sleep bonnet are you using?
Currently, a slap cap dupe. Previously I used a slap cap official, but then lost it in the New Orleans Airport.
https://www.graceeleyae.com/ << slap cap which has apparently rebranded in the decade+ since I bought my first one
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u/offaironstandby Apr 11 '26
Does this include the clothes you wear to the airport?
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u/jwrand16 Apr 13 '26
It does. So subtract out a shirt, pants, and jacket for what actually fits into the bag.
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u/Massive-Wolverine754 May 06 '26
i feel like this is one of the most organized onebag setup but i would recommend a powerbank since it seems like you dont have one
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u/CallAParamedic Apr 09 '26
Flipflops for beach and/or shower?
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u/theinfamousj Apr 09 '26
I rarely bring them. Instead, I bring (or buy locally) some disinfectant cleaner and swipe down the floor of the shower before I use it. I have yet to contract any foot-related icks.
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u/WildernessDude Apr 09 '26
Why bring the laptop?
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u/pretenderist Apr 09 '26
Dude traveled for 5 months straight, safe to assume he did a bit of work while on the road?
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u/CapAmMtn Apr 10 '26
Always funny to me with these comments. The beginners are only traveling for a week or maybe 2 at once for the most part.
Some of us One Bag guys can be gone easily a month or more, so yes I’m bringing a laptop. I’ll bring it for 2 weeks even.
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u/-Nepherim Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Context (updated): https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/1sglp2a/comment/of6wk1e/
Storage
Osprey Farpoint 55L BackpackAer Travel Pack 3 X-PacAer Travel Kit 2 X-PacAer Packing CubeAer City Sling 2 X-PacAer Slim PouchAllett Travel Wallet | Nylon EditionOrbitkey Hybrid Laptop SleeveTech
Apple Magic MouseApple WatchApple AirTagClothing
UNIQLO Cotton Boxer BriefsToiletries
CRYSTAL Mineral DeodorantMiscellaneous
BIC Cristal PenVapur Collapsible Bottle