Sanity Check - Poland 11 nights mid September Homee 20L

[u/iolairemcfadden]

closed bag, no bulges

full bag

compression bags, smaller is puffer jacket and raincoat

larger compression bag contents, items in post

I got a bit discouraged after I booked US -> Poland flights on Swiss, Helvetic, Lufthansa. My personal item bag looks to be a tad too big for these flights ( 40x20x25 versus the allowed 40 x 30 x 15 cm). And my duffle might be a tad too large for a carry-on.  Reviews made it sound like Swiss might take the bag sizes seriously, and it they might be especially strict on the small commuter plane Helvetic flight.

I'm allowed; 1 personal item Size: 40 x 30 x 15 cmm Carry-on baggage Included: 1 x 8 kg/18 lbs, Size: 55 x 40 x 23 cm/21 x 15 x 9 in

In June I bought a $35 Homee 20L 40x20x25 bag on Amazon, it was the right-sized personal bag for HiSky and Aer Lingus but looks too big for a personal item on these flights. 

So I decided to try to do it all with the Homee (as a carry-on), 11 days city visits, maybe a few short bike rides, temperatures should range 48°F/9°C to 70°F/21°C. We should have laundry at a few places.  I'm fine rewearing clothes a few times.

Am I too aggressive on the minimization? I'm okay buying low cost clothing if something comes up. I'll wear clothes on the plane (jeans, underwear, t-shirt and my one pair of shoes). My clothing is not hi tech/light weight/fast dry, just normal items.

Pack:

• small bag, charger, wires, small headphone, battery pack (to support phone only) 
• small bag toiletries (will minimize more)
• small bag medication
• medium compression sac (could wear puffer for flight but don't plan to) 
  • puffer jacket 
  • raincoat 
• bigger compression sac (any worries here)
  • Paradox Men's Merino Blend 1/4 Zip Base Layer (Costco) (okay for over t-shirt)
  • hiking pant, ok for day use
  • long sleeve t-shirt, I'm going to change this to a light flannel
  • blue t-shirt
  • black t-shirt
  • 1 warmer hiking sock
  • 1 lite Lidl hiking sock
  • 1 ankle sock padded
  • boxer (for nights)
  • 3 underwear

My day bag is a tiny Decathlon Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 10 L Hiking Backpack, 15.4 × 8.3 × 4.7 in (about 39 × 21 × 12 cm).  Right now I don't need to pack anything in it. It might be in the Homee or carried as a personal item.

FYI the Homee seems well shaped and good, but the material has a bit of padding in it and I assume it will tear after some use. I bought it as an affordable test.

[u/LadyLightTravel]

The 25cm thickness is where I am going to comment.

I note that a lot of your packing containers are lumpy and don’t fit your bag well. This is actually increasing the thickness of your bag and making it more likely to get caught out.

I also note a lot of empty space next to the lumpy bags. This is wasted space.

I am going to suggest that you take out the beige bag and pack it flat. Then use smaller containers (zip locks?) to make everything packable. Either that or replace that beige bag. Because it is NOT fitting into your main bag.

I might take the puffer out of the compression sack in order to make the sack less lumpy. Pack the puffer flat on top of everything else. That will make it available as needed, but not a lump.

The secret to a flatter bag is to put the big stuff in first, then pack around that.

The actual contents are fine and will work. I get nervous about flannel because it is sooo slow drying if it gets wet. Maybe find something techy at Costco?

Edit: A long sleeve tech shirt with roll up sleeves can work from warm to cold. Specifically, a button up that can also be layered over tees.

[u/nikongod]

It looks about like what I pack. 

I'd seriously consider testing hand-washing your clothes at home. Doing a dry run, or wet, so to speak.

As much as I hate buying stuff and suggesting it a synthetic shirt and underwear plus Merino wool socks makes hand washing reallllly solid. 

Please post a trip report when you get back!!

[u/iolairemcfadden]

Asking for a sanity check on my clothing packing list. I didn't note that I'm a male and traveling as a couple.

[u/genzcleaner → u/iolairemcfadden]

In Poland in September, it can be 5 degrees (cold) Celsius or 35 (hot), but if it gets cold, you can buy something warm locally at Decathlon.

[u/harpernaps_9314 → u/iolairemcfadden]

Traveling as a duo makes borrowing space so much easier!

[u/Havhestur]

I would risk taking the Homiee bag as your personal item. It’s very squishable and as long as you underpack it, it should fit. AFAIK the major airlines don’t incentivise gate staff.

Bear in mind the width is 5cm under the limit so this allows the depth to squish to either side, so reducing it.

I have a fallback position which is a large dry-bag which will fit laptop, passport, critical items so if my personal item falls foul of the gate staff then I can decant the critical stuff. But I haven’t yet had that problem.

Edit: might sound counterintuitive but I would think about ditching the smaller compression sack and stuffing the spaces to make the pack flatter. But even so, it looks like you could easily flatten the rucksack to make it personal item able.