I’m always looking to improve my setups, and my Dopp kit is no exception. I think I have it pretty well down but I still struggle with my deodorant and beard balm. Let’s see what y’all are working with so we can all improve where we need to!

My first real “bag” was a Chrome Mini Messenger that I carried all through college. At times, I had that thing really loaded up. In time, I came to have neck and back issues, which all went away when I stopped using it. Actually using the capacity that the bag offered hurt me.

I still love a sling. I have the Bellroy Venture Sling 9L and I put a notebook, iPad mini, mini keyboard, and a 12 oz coffee tumbler in there sometimes, but that is about the maximum load I think a single-strap bag can or should accommodate. Even then, I have to switch shoulders after walking for an hour.

At the end of the day, carry what you want, but every time I see a post like “messenger bag to carry my home office around with me” (which is basically daily) I want to scream. A backpack, you want a backpack.

I recently bought myself and my partner a PD Packable Tote each. I got one in each colour, Charcoal and Raw. The Charcoal Tote is marginally smaller than the Raw one when both packed down and in use. Thought this comparison might be helpful for someone!

me @ myself: the bag is not on its way CALM DOWN you fool!

also me: … but I should probably check the tracking number just in case

-.- Every. Damn. Time.

I read here very very often that people rather want to have a not hiking looking backpack to not stand out as tourists. Small backpacks to not stand out as tourists, to blend in with the crowd.

What is the problem for you guys to be seen as tourists? I do not understand, enlighten me :)

I mean, everyone with a sling looks like a tourist, everyone with a mini daypack (the ones that compress small) on their back looks like a tourist. Everyone who just stops to take a picture looks like a tourist. Anyone who spends time at tourist attractions is a tourist. If you go to SEA as a westerner, you look like a tourist. You bring your own clothes from home so you don’t look like a local.

So what’s the deal?

Second time one-bagging! Going to Denmark, Poland, Croatia, and the UK staying in towns with plans for the occasional hike.

First pic is all that’s going in the backpack and second is what’s to be worn on body. Going to be replacing the book with a kindle and the umbrella with a rain jacket.

Let me know what you think and please provide any recs!

I know this is a mostly backpacks subreddit but I need to vent and warn you all about the terrible quality and customer service that is Monos Travel. I recently purchased a Monos carry-on because it was on a hefty sale and had very good reviews. It was half the price of the travel pro carry-on I was eyeing, so I thought why not get this?

I took it for a test drive to visit some friends in SF for a few days. Just as I packed the carry-on closed, the handrail was stuck. I was running late for my flight so I had to roll my halfway-stuck carry-on through the airport. At the end of my trip, I once again faced the same issue. When the carry-on is full and the compression system is used - the handles get completely stuck. I was so unsatisfied with this experience, especially because I paid $280 CAD!!!!

I thought it would be easy to get a return on this faulty product or a warranty replacement, but Monos customer service has had me running around in circles for 3 weeks now. They have one of …

Bag: Patagonia Refugio 26L (2022 version)

• Love how light this bag is for how much volume it has. Only 26 oz and even less without the laptop sleeve. Love the dedicated laptop sleeve that’s removable when unused.
• I’m 5’5 so the size fits me perfectly.
• Fits under the seat for all the flights I’ve ever flown.
• There is almost zero internal organization, but I use mesh zip pouches to make up for it.

Contents (top-down, left-right):

• Electronics pouch (charging cables, mouse, work badge…)
• Dell Precision 7560 + charger, 15” thick workstation laptop - this thing alone weighs ~ 6.5 lb
• Packing cube with all my clothes
  • 3 t-shirts + 1 worn (replace with button-ups for formal work)
  • 2p pants + 1 worn
  • 1p shorts
  • 4p underwear + 1p worn
  • 3 socks + 1 worn
  • An extra packing cube for any dirty clothes that I didn’t wash
  • Belt worn
  • Jacket worn
  • Hat worn
  • Shoes worn
• Documents & notebook
• Tape measure
• Eating utensils pouch
  • Titanium spork
  • Travel chopsticks …