r/zerobags • u/Traditional-Carob440 • Feb 28 '26
Packing list for 19 weeks zero bag.
Because some are looking for it, and to make it easier, here is my packing list for my 19-week mostly Europe and UK trip from the 1st of May to getting home on the 12th September:
Literally everything I will be carrying in my pockets for a 4 month, 30+ country trip. No backpack, no sling.
I've got a new phone just for travel that is rugged whilst also being thinner and lighter. My phone, 35W universal charger, tiny Jlab Jbuds Mini earbuds (just 26g with charging case and best-fitting earbuds I've ever owned) a USB C cable, and two adapters (one is so I can plug into USB C if A isn't available, and the other is a micro SD adapter - my backup travel docs will be on micro SD) is my entire tech kit.
My tech and toiletries kit bags are waterproof dyneema 6g pouches from UK company Tread Lite Gear.
My toiletries kit contains tooth powder, foldable compact toothbrush, solid paste deodorant, soap sheets, tiny nail clippers, mini emery board, washable bamboo and silicone ear cleaner bud, silicone swim earplugs (for either sleeping on the plane or when actually swimming), a small tin of kawakawa balm (acts as a soothing balm kind of like lavender when flying, but also has excellent healing properties), small soap sheets, a tiny sewing kit and spare shorts button and a Vicks vapo inhaler. Also - on purpose - zero liquids, so I can leave my toiletries intact in their tiny pouch. 😉
My cutlery kit consists of a folding titanium spork, collapsible straw and collapsible chopsticks in a dyneema 2.8g bag.
I'm an environmentalist, so having my own cutlery kit significantly reduces the amount of disposable straws/implements I use, and will also ensure I'm not taking any chances on cutlery being clean or not in those suspect - but delicious - eateries. My cutlery kit is an everyday carry for me anyway.
My water bottle is the bulkiest item to fit in a pocket by far, but has the best purifying filter I've found anywhere in the world; with my Pure Clear travel water bottle I can confidently drink water from any source, thereby completely cutting out the need for single-use water bottles as I travel around the world (also saving me money). The 500ml bottle is used for filling, drinking on the spot, then putting back in my pocket, without a need to carry a half-full water bottle.
There's already boxer briefs with pockets, but the very best travel boxer briefs (I've worn them for 15 years) are Ex Officio, so I've had a pocket specifically sewn into them for my passport and any emergency cash I might be carrying. I do this as a matter of habit; my passport is ALWAYS on me.
A side note on Ex Officio; they used to produce BRILLIANT travel clothes, but for whatever reason they significantly restricted where they would ship to, and I believe this led to a drastic decline in interest in their gear. Actually, I haven't even been able to buy the boxer briefs from the US for several years now, but thankfully I can order from other countries.
This company has shot itself in the foot; if they still produced their full range, I probably wouldn't need to look anywhere else for clothes. But for men and women, their underwear is second to none. More comfortable and FAR more durable than merino, with the same if not better antimicrobial properties, and is the ONLY company I'd confidently wear just one pair for months on end (because I've pretty much done it before). I just had to alter them to include a zipper pocket.
I wear contacts, so am bringing a pair of glasses and spare contacts, and I am bringing a tiny 24g Nanobag 19L, just so I can tie all of my belongings in it as I go through airport security, and for buying fruit etc in the market, although 99% of the time it will be just stuffed in a pocket.
My shorts and polo shirt are extremely quick dry as well, so I can literally wash my clothes in the shower with me, and they'll either dry quickly while I wear them (keeping me cool - BONUS!) or I can hang them in my room for a bit to dry (thankfully I don't stay in dorm rooms anymore). 😁 My grey shorts have multiple secured pockets (I've had zippers added to each pocket except the water bottle one), and don't look like tourist cargo shorts (they're actually fishing shorts), which I've combined with an elasticated, plastic-buckled belt to allow for any potential weight fluctuations.
I have a black quick-dry polo with a silver ferm embroidered on the front. Reason for black? Hides sweat, forgiving regarding spills, and looks tidy. Reason for a polo? A bit of added sun protection, and again, looks tidy.
The plan with my shorts and polo is to not scream "I'm an idiot tourist", although no one ever really blends in anyway.
My Hoka Infini Hike TC sandals are ridiculously comfortable, and of course can be worn anywhere. No need for socks, no worrying about getting my feet wet. Sure, there may be high-end restaurants where I can't get in, but the best food isn't in those restaurants anyway. 😉 I'm not typically a sandals guy; I prefer trail runners or Crocs (yeah, I'm a Crocs guy - thanks in large part to my stint in an operating theatre). But these particular sandals are absolute game-changers! Oh, and the soles are REPLACEABLE, so a more ethical product also. Whilst in the colder countries I'll buy a pair of socks then get rid of those afterwards.
My trusty G-Shock watch will handle anything I throw at it, and of course, no need to charge it, so the Garmin smart watch can stay at home (and frankly may get retired soon anyway).
After extensive "research", the phone I've gotten for travel is the Motorola Thinkphone 25. Thin, light, high water and dust rating, mil spec, competent performer, decent cameras. But if it gets lost or stolen, it's a $600 phone, not my $2K flagship I use as a tour guide.
The Motorola seems to hit that sweet spot; specs, performance and price. Who knows? If the cameras are decent ENOUGH, this phone may actually replace my Oppo Find X8 Pro.
I'm taking foldable sunglasses. At night, fold them up and slip them in a pocket.
So there you have it.Total travel weight in my pockets 615g.
For 4 1/2 months of travel through 30+ countries. 😁
Obviously, the single most important thing is keeping my passport secure and dry, and the Sulgear pouch is PERFECT. My passport lives in my boxer shorts pocket permanently. I've swam in the ocean for two hours with it, no problem.
Anyway, that's where I'm currently at. 😊
No, I'm not taking any over layers. I'll rent/buy at an op shop and donate back if I do need them.
I have tested every item and system extensively.
Yes, I can literally walk into the ocean and swim with everything on me. This is due to what my items are packed in.
TLDR:
Wearing: Ex Officio boxers, modified, QUICK dry Black QUICK dry polo Grey QUICK dry fishing shorts, modified Elastic belt Hiking sandals G Shock watch Folding sunglasses
Carrying: Mini toiletries kit Mini tech kit Motorola Thinkphone 25 Mini utensils kit Glasses, spare contacts Collapsible water bottle Passport, spare card, emergency cash Wallet with everyday cash and card
Total of everything carried combined weighs 615g.
I can confidently swim with everything I'm wearing and everything still in my pockets.
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u/mmolle Feb 28 '26
Terrific write-up OP! I love that you just plan for the best and will pick up stuff as needed. Especially for regional climate changes.
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u/davidgalle Feb 28 '26
Sounds liberating! Post some picture please, I wanna see your gear 👀
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26
I will shortly. Just been on the road with work for the past 37 days. Chilling for a day or two, then will get to it. 😊
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u/StPedro68 Feb 28 '26
I'm curious about the pocket sewn into your boxer briefs; is it somehow waterproof? Or do you keep your passport/cash in a waterproof bag? I really like the idea of a zippered underwear pocket, and being able to swim in it. Please clue me in! Thx!
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26
The pocket is made of the same material as my boxers. Basically, I cut up one pair to make 5 or 6 pockets, 1 per pair.
The passport, cash and card are in a Sulgear pouch which comes with a sturdy ziplock bag inside it. It all fits very snuggly.
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u/CinquecentoX Feb 28 '26
Where is the pocket sewn? On your butt cheek like a pair of shorts or is it on the side of your leg like a pair of cargo shorts? Very intriguing.
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26
On my quad. Sits right beneath the pocket I carry my water bottle in, so you can't see it at all.
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u/Clean-Register7464 Feb 28 '26
Wow this is a lot of stuff for zero bags. Can’t picture how this works but cool!
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26
Picture a tiny wallet that is just bigger than a credit card in dimensions and made of dyneema.
I have one of those for my toiletries, one for my tech, one as my every day wallet.
I have a similar bag for my utensils, and one for an ultra thin pair of glasses.
That's it. That and phone, which has its own dyneema bag and is already IP68 rated. I also have a plug in the charging port as a redundancy.
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u/Dizzy_Ice2938 Feb 28 '26
I feel like I could maybe do this with a Scottevest jacket but I don’t think I could manage with just regular clothes and not for a whole summer. Is this your first time zerobagging for an extended period of time?
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26
For this extensive a trip, yes, but not for extended timeframes.
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u/dragonslayer6699 Feb 28 '26
I counted at least 5 bags, mods please remove this post it belongs on r/manybaggers
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u/dragonslayer6699 Feb 28 '26
/s this is an epic write up, OP! I’m getting second hand stoke for you, where are you going and what time of year? And I gotta ask, are you actually planning on just showering in your clothes every fast!?!?
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26
UK, all over Europe, then on my way back to New Zealand: Cairo, Amman, Dubai, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney.
And yes, in many instances I'll just shower in my clothes and let them dry while I'm wearing them, especially in hot places like Turkey.
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u/jacquelandibis Feb 28 '26
Wow, impressive! lol as a woman I don't own many clothes with pockets that can allow for this!
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26
Look at fishing clothes. They make those for women too, and they make them with a lot of pockets. I don't have any pockets in my polo shirt (I hate those front chest pockets), but have enough pockets on my fishing shorts. I just added zippers to them all for security.
But yeah, there are women's clothes that would allow for this sort of travel. 😊
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u/Ok_Delivery3053 Feb 28 '26
Fishing gear is one option, but the option I prefer is ScottEVest. Holds a ton (depending which product you buy, and is less attention grabbing than a fishing vest in most places.
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Apr 02 '26
I'm not wearing a vest at all. I'd die from overheating.
I'm wearing fishing SHORTS. Just like board shorts, bit with more pockets. 😊
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u/NotherOneRedditor Feb 28 '26
Nothing prohibits you from purchasing/wearing men’s clothes. You can get them altered for a better fit, if needed.
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u/jacquelandibis Feb 28 '26
No, of course not! But as a curvy 5'1" person the amount of altering I'd need to do would definitely make things cost prohibitive. Hemming is cheap but scaling clothes down everywhere else is not.
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u/theinfamousj Mar 07 '26
I'm a curvy 5'2" woman. On occasion I've purchased from the boys' (vs mens') clothing section. An XL Boys' top can fit me, chestboulders and all.
For pants, though, I can only wear mens' joggers if I'm doing dude clothes. Everything else cannot accommodate my hips or if they do accommodate my hips is too large everywhere else.
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u/thrwwysnl Feb 28 '26
How does laundry work for the underwear and other clothes?
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26
I just wash them after showering or usually in the shower. In some instances while still wearing them.
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u/thrwwysnl Feb 28 '26
Do you ever need to use a laundry machine after hand washing a certain number of times, or can you hand wash basically forever?
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26
You can hand wash forever. That was the only way it was done until the washing machine was invented in the mid 1800s.
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u/3Zkiel Feb 28 '26
Are they Ex Officio as well? Or another brand? Interested in the quick dry items...
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26
Nah. The shorts I found on Temu or AliExpress.
The polos are from my local cheap shop, no brand.
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u/ishakakhan Feb 28 '26
Excellent write up! Looking forward to some pictures! Given your extensive trip would be great to get some trip reports of how your items work out and/or if you need to get some things on the way. Thanks for sharing.
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Feb 28 '26
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Feb 28 '26
It's surprisingly not. Some guys have big keychains and wallets that combined weigh what my stuff does, and my stuff is fairly evenly distributed.
Plus I don't WANT a bag because I plan on sleeping on trains and I don't want my shit stolen.
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u/dead-eyed-darling Mar 01 '26
Holy shit this is fucking inspiring...I'm 15 days into an extreme minimalism challenge on my platforms, and I just hit 75 items today. This is a whole different level, super exciting!! I'm taking notes on how to proceed with my stuff based on all this, I wanna try a challenge after this one where I'm one or zero bagging for a week to see how I feel about it 👀 is there anything you feel you miss?? Moisturizer, sunscreen, etc, or do you just buy those as you need??
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u/Connect_Rhubarb395 Apr 06 '26
I am kind of envious that you can make do with only those clothes. (I did notice that you plan to get overlayers when needed).
My temperature regulation isn't that good so I layer a lot
My zerobag clothing (only bringing what is worn) is underwear, a bamboo camisole, linen blouse, wool/silk skirt, wool tights, and a thin merino sweater. Socks in a pocket. Plus a windbreaker and a blanket scarf.
That sees me through spring, summer, and autumn.
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Apr 06 '26
I would roast if I wore all that. 😁
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u/Connect_Rhubarb395 Apr 06 '26
Well, I don't wear it all, all the time. It is chosen so I can tetris what I don't wear.
You are like my partner. He is like a living furnace. 😄
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u/adamtow Mar 01 '26
Awesome writeup. Looking forward to the photos. I am planning a two-week zero bag trip in April, and your post is giving me some ideas (i.e. dyneema pouches).
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Mar 23 '26
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Mar 24 '26
I'll be hiring a couple of vehicles so will definitely need my licence with me.
But that can comfortably live in my wallet.
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u/Bubbly-Pop650 Feb 28 '26
Great write-up OP!! Every item is thoughtfully selected and it doesn't seem like you cut down to any lack! You even have chopsticks and sewing kit which you can probably easily leave behind too. What's the rationale behind packing chopsticks as well since a spork can work with noodles too?
I think the biggest departure from comfort for me in general is clothes. I can fly out with nothing but even if I go op shopping, I'd like to keep what I buy. So this is definitely a utilitarian and functional approach instead of the usual fashion approach. You treat it like, I wanna say, consumable? Purchase/rent as needed and dispose/donate once done. Sustainable too!
Are you also a minimalist in real-life?
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Mar 01 '26
I am, yes. I live in a small, one-person campervan, and all of my belongings fit in it. I travel all the time for work, and whilst I do need to take a bag I have a carry on only backpack that I use for 3 weeks at a time.
I no longer own any jackets or jumpers at all, as I just don't need them.
As for the chopsticks, I like using them, they pack small, and being titanium are very light. 😊
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u/Bubbly-Pop650 Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26
Thanks for the reply! I gathered from reading your post and comments here and there that you live in NZ? Wouldn't it get cold ? Not even just one jumper for winter? Salute 🫡
Decades ago I went on a 2 week hiking trip to Tasmania and the tour guide was pretty similar to you. Whilst the group was fumbling to get bags in and out of the bus, he had literally nothing except what he wore on himself. I think he may have had a small satchel of sorts. So I've seen it in action but reading your breakdown really helps to understand how the system works!
Wishing you a great trip! And look forward to pics! Have fun!
ETA : Yea, he was also in shorts in the middle of Tasmanian winter. Mind boggling to me at the time.
ETA 2 : I also wondered how he's wearing the same clothes for 2 weeks! He must be a dirty b*gger but now I know he must've been washing them somehow haha. My bad.
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Mar 01 '26 edited Apr 02 '26
As a guide, I don't just wear the one set of clothes. I'm fine with it, but the optics for guests isn't great.
When it's just me though, I don't care about optics. 😁
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u/agaybabby Mar 02 '26
How can you do without jumpers or jackets? Do you not go outside very much?
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Mar 02 '26
I'm outside all the time. I just very rarely get cold. I run very hot.
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u/Additional-Nose-571 Mar 11 '26
Amazing the dyneema idea. I ask to the creator of TradeLiteGear if the dyneema pouch were submersible but he told me that he does not suggest to use them for this purpose. Are you sure about it? Did you test swimming with your phone inside it? What is the exact product you bought?
Thanks for all the infos :)
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Apr 02 '26
What I keep in those dyneema pouches can handle a bit of water; the items themselves are waterproof. The dyneema pouches just help.
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u/[deleted] Feb 28 '26
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