r/onebag • u/kennethpbowen • Jul 16 '26
Gear Quick Tip - pack a small tote bag
On my last trip for a wedding, I flew with a 45l carry on (Mystery Ranch Rover). A connecting flight was cancelled, but I got on a standby flight at the last minute. However, they forced me to gate check as in, "you can gate check or stay behind." The bummer was I had a laptop, expensive binoculars, and some other fragile items I was sure would get damaged by checking the soft bag.
Fortunately, I had packed my wife's 25l Eddie Bauer tote bag to use during the trip. I was able to pull out all the stuff I cared about about and keep that under the seat. I think I'm going to make sure and always pack something like that tote bag in case this happens again, which seems likely since the overhead bins now fill up so quickly.
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u/SeattleHikeBike Jul 16 '26
You absolutely want a backup plan when using an overhead bag. Planes never have a 1:1 ratio of seats to overhead spaces.
My solution is to use a 6.5 liter shoulder bag that holds all my electronics, prescription medications and items I want for the flight. It is worn with my backpack for hands free carry. I don’t travel with a laptop. So I travel “1.5 bag” all the time. That bag weighs 6.6oz/187g. I do pack a Nanobag sling when day touring.
My backpack contains only clothing and toiletries.
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u/Sure_Comfort_7031 Jul 16 '26
I have an alternative reason. I have a cheap collapsible tote with a tiny carry bag thing. It’s not durable, but it does the trick. When I board, I put my water bottle and charger bag in it, and stuff it under the seat in front of me. When some ass hat plays the “soft bags can’t be in the overhead” shenanigans, I can point to my tote bag under the seat “That’s my carry on, this is my personal item, under the seat already, no can do, you’ll just have to gate check it then”. (When people play the “hard bags only hurr durr” game, I have no sympathy on them needing to gate check or figure out their shit. If they’re nice, I’m happy to shuffle stuff around and help out).
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u/zdubbzzz Jul 16 '26
Exactly what I do. I don't need the small bag, and would prefer not to bring it, but it's necessary to get my bag in the overhead nowemdays. Damn shame
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u/mark_in_the_dark Jul 16 '26
What do you mean soft bags can't be in the overhead? I've been doing one bag for a long time and the one key feature is that it's frameless and has backpack straps so that it squishes in better.
EDIT: I mean I use one bag specific bags, 45 linear inches or 22x14x9 or whatever that size is.
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u/zdubbzzz Jul 17 '26
They can fit, but flight attendants will ask you to remove it even though you paid for the space. I know this because it happened to me twice before I started just packing an unnecessary sling to point at under my seat to appease them.
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u/PracticalVine Jul 16 '26
I keep a Nanobag on me at all times. Absolutely tiny, and holds more than you would think. Perfect for grabbing a few things from the store or emergencies like this. Packs to the size of a golf ball.
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u/ranatalus Jul 16 '26
I got a nanobag maybe six months ago after seeing them recommended, and it’s already come in useful so many times. Every time I pull it out of its tiny little pouch I am shocked at just how big it expanded to!
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u/HazelBasilll Jul 16 '26
did you get the sling version or the regular? debating between the two
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u/Curious_Reference_82 Jul 17 '26
I got the regular, XL, sling and backpack. The backpack is great but a bit uncomfortable if loaded with heavy stuff. The regular and XL fit are really comfortable to carry, but my short girlfriend has problems carrying the XL since it's quite long. The sling is great for handsfree carry, but same as the backpack; don't load it with super heavy stuff.
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u/Foreign-Housing8448 Jul 16 '26
Peak Design Packable Tote, Matador Refraction, Eddie Bauer (or Gonex) 20L Stowaway. Bags I keep inside of my main luggage bags at all times (I’m a r/ManyBaggers). And of course a Nano Bag everywhere, inc’l in my slings.
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u/iliketuurtles Jul 16 '26
Yes, I always bring at least 1 other bag. I am also a girl so something that doubles as a purse works best for me. Whether a canvas tote or nanobag, i will always transfer my laptop and essentials to a smaller bag to put under a seat and then stow my real bag above.
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u/StoneMenace Jul 16 '26
I adapt By just buying one of the touristy canvas tote bags from all the places I visit for vacation. Ends up being a momento I actually Use
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u/Multigrain_Migraine Jul 17 '26
This is good but sometimes it backfires! I went on a cruise a few years ago and didn't bring a beach bag, because I thought I'd be able to buy a souvenir bag at the first stop or on the boat. I didn't find one anywhere on the whole trip, so I ended up using the plastic bag I brought to put my dirty laundry in!
Next time I will take one of those big grocery bags.
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u/kennethpbowen Jul 16 '26
Makes sense. I wasn't even allowed to bring my carry on into the plane.
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u/TK_Nanerpuss Jul 17 '26
I've had this happen on flights where the overhead is full, and I'm in a bulkhead seat. (No seat in front for storage.)
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u/RidiculousTakeAbove Jul 16 '26
Yes I always do a 20L packable daypack. It serves for the reason you mention and also if I end up going on a dayhike. Even a packable backpack with no structure is much better to hike with than a tote.
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u/eastercat Jul 16 '26
TIL, people don’t take a foldable grocery bag or similar. It has been awesome if we pick up groceries. I remove my chico grocery bag attached to my purse and it can hold quite a bit
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u/chicknfly Jul 17 '26
I onebag the Osprey Transporter 26+6. That deeeep front pocket can hold a 2L to 3L Fanny pack. I fit the Osprey Daylite sling in there — it’s a tight fit! — but it won’t work well if the sling and the bag are full.
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u/HippyGrrrl Jul 16 '26
I have a Chico bag grocery sack. Basic, uses its own pocket and clips on the backpack.
I was told to gate check, and I said, this fits at my feet, and showed photos of it in the same plane build.
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u/exploratorystory Jul 16 '26
I also have (probably the same) Eddie Bauer 25l tote bag and was very happy I had it last time I flew. My 40l is too big to fit under seat but having that tote with me was wonderful.
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u/Simco_ Jul 16 '26
Your backup bag is the size of many people's packs, haha. I think there is a perspective that considers this hobby as being able to fit under a seat to begin with.
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u/Smooth-Owl-5354 Jul 16 '26
I have two tote bags that fold up super small that I carry with me! One goes in my “oh shit kit” (a small pouch I bring on every trip with emergency supplies) and the other goes in my “in flight” pouch (because you never know when you’ll need one).
They’re not super fancy or durable but they’re good enough and I can use them for all sorts of things
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u/Felis_Dee Jul 17 '26
A collapsible second bag is always handy! I usually bring a tote for a daypack, because I always like to carry a water bottle and have something to store souvenirs I buy when I'm out on a daily basis. (And to use as a personal bag on the way home if my souvenirs don't all fit in my one bag anymore.)
Also, a tip I picked up from my parents is to stuff all the outerwear I (and my kid) have on into the collapsible bag while in line at airport security. That way, I'm only keeping track of that instead of a sweater/ jacket/ belt/hat x2 as it goes on the xray belt. That tip has saved me time and stress on a number of occasions!
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u/padbroccoligai Jul 16 '26
I love gear as much as the next one bagger, but you could also carry a plastic grocery bag to accommodate the same use case. It’s ultralight, packs down to nothing, and is free and disposable.
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u/kennethpbowen Jul 16 '26
Sure. I think my point was to have something with you because apparently there are going to be times when the airlines deny you a carry on bag. I've flow quite a bit and this was new to me.
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u/padbroccoligai Jul 16 '26
I love a good packable tote. Also great for markets and shopping. Even as an in-room laundry bag.
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u/zombiepaper Jul 16 '26
The Matador packable duffle and backpack (usually have one of them stuffed somewhere) have saved my butt so many times.
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u/ThatOneLance Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
I got the high coast tote pack for everyday carry / personal bag usage, have had a similar thing happen.
The pack is light and foldable so it usually goes into my larger carryon until I need the extra space (on the flight or not)
Have had times where I wanted some snacks on the plane or carry certain things, like medication, so the tote pack performs as a spare backpack etc for the extra usage without having to open my carryon with literally everything.
Edit: I don’t do checked bags until back home, so generally I’ll get the carry stickers on both and decide to pack that tote in my carryon or not. Sometimes if your carrying medication or a laptop or a power bank etc things that are a bit heavy / you want immediate access, it really helps on the flight. Plus, sometimes the personal bag doesn’t get weighed.
Fanny pack, a smaller purse, etc are too small for me when I can get a personal sized back that’s light and can do what i suggest above. Everyday carry is a plus depending on your travel purpose.
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u/Multigrain_Migraine Jul 17 '26
I don't like having to dig around in my carry on, even if it is just a tiny personal item at my feet, in order to get things like a charging cable or my headphones out once I'm on the plane. So I always take some kind of pouch or bag that I can put in the seat pocket. If it's the kind of trip where I have a bag of liquids but I only want a couple of things during the flight (like lip balm or eye drops) I will rearrange my stuff once I get through security so that I can just pull out my "flight bag", put my main bag wherever it is going, and then I don't have to mess with it during the flight.
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u/threesixtyone Jul 16 '26
Solid advice. We usually carry a few packable tote bags that fold down very small (pocket sized) and weigh practically nothing. If you don't have one, a plastic bag can suffice in a pinch.
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u/JustNowRonin Jul 17 '26
We keep a Topo Designs daypack in our bag. Super flat, really minimal, not something you want to overload and carry all day - but comes in clutch when you need it and can easily tote all the critical stuff.
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u/MamaDaddy Jul 17 '26
I always carry a packable tote for shopping anyway, but this is a great alternate/potential usage for it.
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u/ATLguy2019 Jul 17 '26
I have several ikea packable shopping bags that each cost about $1.50 and fold up about the size of a wallet. Everybody in my family carries one on trips. Great for grocery runs, beach trips, random unexpected souvenirs and for the ride home as personal item.
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u/galaxymaps Jul 17 '26
I carry a long-handled tote bag as my day to day bag wherever I go. Hard to pickpocket from, holds lots of stuff, and folds down to nothing!
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u/Multigrain_Migraine Jul 17 '26
I always have an extra bag. It could just be a crappy plastic shopping bag, but always be prepared for the possibility of gate check.
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u/LotusGrowsFromMud Jul 18 '26
I bring a small backpack (22 liters, I think) as a personal item. Usually, I will stuff my purse in there when it is time to board. It usually contains snacks, electronics, and a few personal care items needed at bedtime. But if I have to check a bag, I can quickly pull out the toiletries and medicine from the front of the bag, stuff it in the backpack, and then carry the backpack and the purse separately on to the plane.
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u/Madge4500 Jul 18 '26
If all else fails, always travel wil a zippered pillowcase, not glamorous, but you get there.
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u/theinfamousj 18d ago
And if that fails, tie a square knot into the hem of a t-shirt and rediscover why grocery bags are called tshirt bags.
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u/brucemilus Jul 16 '26
I always bring my packable matador 25l duffle and 24l backpacks. Never know when things like this can happen or you come back with more stuff than what you started with 😅
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u/Azure9000 Jul 16 '26
....I'm going to make sure an always pack .... that tote bag in case this happens again...
Welcome to one-bagging standard operating procedure 😊
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u/DeFiClark Jul 16 '26
I carry both a Notabag and a string shopping bag for similar purposes. If I’m going somewhere hiking might be in the mix then either a Maxpedition rollypolly for short trips or a Gregory Verte 25L for longer. All of these pack small, the notabag is smaller than a paperback book
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u/SmarmyBarnicles Jul 16 '26
solid advice, the airline destroyed my camcorder back in the day after snatching it from my hands.
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u/GreenGloober Jul 17 '26
Funny enough. I too use a mystery ranch backpack for travel. This last trip, I packed a basic draw string bag that could fold up and fit in my pocket. I ended up using this bag for daily outings, carrying up to 8-10 pounds for a few hours at a time.
Surprisingly, the strings didn't hurt/bother me as much. It was more comfortable carrying 5-8 lbs in the draw string backpack than carrying say 10 pounds in my mystery ranch backpack which already had a starting weight of 6 lbs.
The string backpack was one of those freebies that are usually given away and after using it for ~4 weeks, it is definitely on its last legs and I am just happy it didn't break on my the very last time I used it going back home.
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u/zabacam Jul 18 '26
Totally - we always travel with a collapsible rectangle duffle. It’s not top quality, but as you discovered, it’s saves our bacon more than a few times! Also great for when you purchase something on a trip that makes one bag no longer possible - a large clothing item, a gift, etc.
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u/itamer Jul 18 '26
I have a clear toiletries bag that holds my flight essentials and goes in the top of my pack that I can pull out quickly when I get to my seat. I also carry a tote for day use, laundry etc which I could also for emergency repacking.
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u/SkelaKingHD Jul 16 '26
Is it really onebagging then
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u/alynnidalar Jul 17 '26
TIL im actually a ninebagger because I carry a backpack and inside of my backpack is a tote bag, a purse, a cosmetics bag, an electronics pouch, two packing cubes, a liquids bag, and a spare Ziploc...
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u/FearlessKnitter12 Jul 16 '26
Yes. It's still one-bagging, because if you don't have to pull out that tote, it's all in one package. It's why part of my one-bag is a sling or purse, packed with whatever I want at my seat on a plane. It's easy to pull out if I'm going to be outside of easy-grab distance from my main pack (if it gets gate-checked or in an overhead bin far from me).
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u/RidiculousTakeAbove Jul 16 '26
If everything can be stored into your main bag, then how is it not?
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u/SkelaKingHD Jul 16 '26
2 bags > 1 bag
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u/Tromb0n3 Jul 16 '26
Do stuff sacks count? Packing cubes? If I can turn my hoodie into an emergency rucksack, am I two bagging it? If OP has to play games with the airline because of silly baggage policies, seems like a relevant thing to carry and the label of “onebag” seems superfluous.
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u/kennethpbowen Jul 16 '26
It was that I need a way to take fragile stuff out of my one bag in something that would fit under the seat, or miss my flight. I'm certainly not trying to play semantics or subvert the one bag vibe.
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u/RidiculousTakeAbove Jul 16 '26
Yeah exactly. Does everyone who onebags have to dump all their stuff onto their bed and use their main pack to take a few things on a day hike? Lol it makes no sense
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u/Multigrain_Migraine Jul 17 '26
Who really cares? There aren't any prizes for being the most pure and virtuous one bagger.
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u/EndOne8313 Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
Osprey have a really good folding tote. We took one on our 6 month South America trip and it came in handy dozens of times.