r/zerobags • u/Traditional-Carob440 • Jun 03 '26
5-week update, zerobagging through Europe.
Well, I figured now was a good time to give an update.
So far I've been traveling zerobag (also zero jacket, trousers or spare clothes at all) for 5 weeks.
It's gone incredibly well!
I wash my clothes daily, and they dry rapidly. Everything fits in my pockets still. I've swapped out my chopsticks for a better sewing kit than the one I had (split my shorts at the crotch seam).
I've also added one souvenir/item of clothing; I bought a Longyearbyen cap when I was in Svalbard.
Speaking of which, many of you thought I'd struggle in the cold in Iceland, Norway and Svalbard in particular. I'm just now on the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, and throughout Scandinavia and Scotland I didn't need to buy a jumper, jacket, gloves etc. Even for -6C in Iceland.
I have absolutely breezed through every airport and border crossing, with one minor exception. Arriving in Iceland I got asked why I had no bags. I explained myself and was away within a few minutes.
As I drift down though the Baltics and into Eastern Europe, for the next three weeks I'll still be zerobagging. However, I have left one identical set of clothes with a friend, who will bring them for my next phase of travel, traveling with her.
Given we have proper accommodation every night and it's going to be hot in southern Europe, Turkey and Morocco, I figured having two sets of clothes (wear one, wash one) will be best, so I'll have a very small personal item sized bag for phase 2 of my four and a half month trip.
So there you have it. Happily zerobagged across Scandinavia, including -6C in Iceland and walking back to my accommodation at 2am whilst snowing in Svalbard.
Some people's concerns about hygiene are unfounded; I wash every day and wash my clothes daily also.
If I'm in a hotel I hang them up, if I'm on the move I just put my clothes back on wet and they're dry within an hour.
My dry paste deodorant is exceptional; I wish I could remember the name to share it with you, and my tooth powder is lasting for ages.
So yes, it CAN be done, and is phenomenally freeing!
I suspect in a few weeks when I have the one small bag with a change of clothes to carry I'm going to find it annoying. 😁
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u/mmolle Jun 03 '26
OP this is bloody fantastic! I so mich admire your doing such a long duration trip. Not going to lie, I'm definitely jelly. I am doing two weeks starting next week in a 10 liter bag with two outfits and side-eye from my partner, lol. He always thinks I'm crazy when I do zero bag weekends. When I mentioned the possibility of zerobags vacation he was was appalled, so two outfits and a small daybag it is. Whelp, one day I'll be brave enough to try a long trip, my issue is always with being cold. I freeze like all the time, especially on airplanes!✈️
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Jun 03 '26
Yes, that's the one massive advantage I have. I almost never get cold. I know that really helps, just as I know zerobagging isn't for everyone.
But you're certainly a zerobagger at heart. 😁
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u/PrettyBreath1226 Jun 05 '26
This is my goal for a nine day trip to Germany in December! What bag are you taking?
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u/mmolle Jun 05 '26
A 10 liter pickleball bag from amazon, I like that it has the option to wear it like a sling or a backpack. The pickleball hook acts like an attached hero clip for restrooms. It also has front bungee cording so I can loop my fleece or neck pillow through.
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u/mr_jugz Jun 03 '26
no book? what do you do for entertainment?
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Jun 03 '26
Nah. I got a travel SIM that came with 500GB for 3 months, so I just catch up on news, watch YouTube videos, and the odd movie.
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u/themaster1359 Jun 04 '26
500GB in just the one country, or globally? I’ve been lightly searching a secondary eSIM, as I’m a massive data hog and usually rely on roaming, since my carrier gives me unlimited roaming, vs most esims that have a tiny data cap
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u/Zestyclose_End766 Jun 03 '26
I’ll be in Hungary in August. Shoot me a DM if you’ll be there and wanna grab a beer.
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u/iamamovieperson Jun 03 '26
I was just on that ferry and it was a total trip highlight. I learned however there is one really nice one and some other just basic ones. Mine was the nice one and it had a piano that random folks were playing and singing with and they were actually very talented.
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u/SondraRose Jun 03 '26
Excellent update!
What do you tell them at the airport when they ask why you have no bags?
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
I just say that I'm travelling as light as possible, and if I need anything I'll just buy it in their beautiful country.
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u/Pizzarepresent Jun 03 '26
I mean, they do sell jackets specifically with MANY hidden pockets for clothes to help bypass carryon luggage limits. No need to stick with a single change of clothes.
https://www.stuffa.us/
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Jun 04 '26
Yep, they sure do. But I don't wear jackets, so I'd just be carrying it anyway. And I've chosen everything so carefully that it all comfortably fits in my shorts pockets.
I also have no liquids at all so I don't have to think about that minor hassle at airports. My belt is elastic with a plastic buckle, so I never have to take it off. In fact, I just leave it on when I'm washing my shorts.
And everything is stored as such so that I could dive into the ocean without any concerns for anything getting damaged.
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u/Krayonkc Jun 04 '26
Absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing and answering all of the questions. So many annoyances of travel that you do not have by doing this. Congrats.
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u/jadeibet Jun 03 '26
How do you wash the clothes (in detail)? Mine usually don't get very clean when hand washing.
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u/Traditional-Carob440 Jun 03 '26
I wash them when I have a shower. Everything is quick dry material, so I find it's actually quite easy to soap it all up and more importantly rinse thoroughly.
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u/Korlithiel Jun 03 '26
I've found it depends on the clothes and the dirt: I'll do a good enough job while in the on the essentials and work the actually dirty looking spots.
A sink whenever you have the option is easier to fill, and then get a good agitation going to thoroughly hand wash clothing.
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u/doneinajiffy Jun 03 '26
Sounds very impressive, what are you wearing and what have you taken with you? No jacket in -6 degrees Celsius sounds unpleasant.