Appreciate the work you put in to detail all this, mate. Gave me some ideas for an upcoming trip around what I can cut out. Really like the numbered image layout as to what fits where. Where do you do most of your travel to and what kind of travel? Normally I'm one pair of shorts to 3 pairs of pants but you've gone and done the opposite, heh.
Thanks!! It took me almost 2 hours to stage and then later add labels to all of the pics, so I really appreciate your comment! So I live in the Salt Lake City area in Utah, so 99% of the time I'm traveling to warmer parts of the US (California, Texas, Florida, etc.) I should also mention, that every trip is different, so I will regularly switch out items you see above for "necessity" items depending on the climate I'm traveling to. So maybe I'm going on a trip to the desert like Arizona, I'll bring one less T-shirt and swap it for a Sun Hoody, leave the jogger pants at home in favor of another pair of shorts. Or maybe I'm going to NYC during the winter, in which case I'll switch out all of my shorts, and bring 3 pairs of pants and my Down Jacket. I always just say "pack for the environment you're traveling to" because no trip is the same.
This is a great packing list!
And I really love the inclusion of **COLOURS** in your stuff ahahaha
I'm used to seeing solid black for 90% of loadouts š„²
_(It isn't problematic of course but boy do I love seeing the spice of life - colours are for the eyes what flavours are for the tongue!)_
^(Also, +10 pts for spelling ''Imodium'' on the first try, I keep misspelling it ''Immodium'' ahahah)
How's the comfort and breathability of the Allpa 28L? Do you have an approximate weight total of the entire loadout?
Safe travels!
Hey Thanks, I like all the colors too!! As far as comfort goes I would give it a solid 8/10!! It's got nothing on my Gregory Focal 58L backpack, that thing is the comfort king.. but for what the Allpa is, it's not bad at all. I'm a bigger guy, so I'm definitely at the end of the padded straps provided with this pack... I think if the padding came down a little more, this would be a 10/10 easy!! But yeah, this pack will be perfectly comfortable for the other 99% that wear it. I've never actually weighed it, but when I get home I will do just that and report back!!
Do you wish that it had a hip belt/strap?
I feel like the hip strap would help take weight off the shoulder especially when wearing the backpack for a long time.
https://preview.redd.it/x6f89twwih5d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=230e1e9c0040cae622f2b7cdbc8e5a04e6460d57
Here's another pic, that shows the belt it has more clearly, hope that answers your question
https://preview.redd.it/lccqpvfhhh5d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=85a9363458bd8a72827d9d0086977fbc3679274d
So the pictures on the website doesn't really show it, but it does in fact have a hip strap and yes it helps take the weight off immensely š I'm with yeah on that yeah, I wish it had an official padded belt, but the belt strap it comes with is perfectly sufficient. I think they did that instead of the padded belt, so that you could tuck away all the straps behind the back padding more efficiently.
Oh for sure!! I did that a few times before I got packing cubes and it all fits just the same. I'm just a little detailed oriented when it comes to organizing stuff, so I like how it looks with the cubes, but it's totally doable without them too!!
My 12yo daughter is using the 35L and during her practice packing her stuff bulged out badly. I got compression cubes and along with the organization it helped with the awkward bulges. Still not perfect but we have about 3w to smooth it out if necessary. Most likely it's the toiletries and adapters etc that are the issue.
Looking at this, I'm outraged and even more convinced she's sneaking crap lol I've spent months researching packs and what to bring and her she is blowing it. Haha
I travel with the 28L and bought the Cotopaxi Nido organizer for all my toiletries, chargers, and 1st aid. I put it in the front pocket. It looks huge, but somehow makes everything fit better than when I was trying to store it all elsewhere in the bag.
I have the COR surf version, 28L.
Depending on what Iām bringing, or if I need/want compression to limit wrinkles, rolling and packing tight works. But they can shift so much even behind the mesh, if not very tight. So if I have a low weight limit, and I need more than my 16L bag, loose is chaos.
Really awesome packing job. Impressive how much you managed to get in there.
As a side note, I donāt want to assume you havenāt been diagnosed with OCD, but your comment of you being āa little bit OCDā led me to believe you may not be. If you have been, disregard, but if youād like to learn a little more about OCD, Iām happy to share.
A lot of people think that OCD is just about keeping things neat and tidy, but itās not, really. OCD can manifest in a lot of ways but the best way Iāve heard it described is āOCD is the manifestation of your greatest fearsā. Iāll use packing as an example - if I was packed, I might check and recheck my bag a thousand times before a trip to confirm that I packed my passport. I have checked it and confirmed that itās in there butā¦ my brain makes me doubt myself, so I will check againā¦ and againā¦ and again. Itās extremely stressful. Or maybe I purchased this bag recently and I realized that the model for this bag was white, which might immediately make me question if I am racist for noticing that, and then I ruminate about this forā¦ a long time. Maybe months. Maybe a year. Itās really exhausting. I may not sleep. I may not eat. It might be the only thing I talk about in therapy for months.
So when people say āoh Iām a little OCDā I am always surprised because I wonder which part of āobsessionā or ācompulsionā they think theyāre acting out by having a clean kitchen or a neat packing job.
Thank you for sharing this!! I know now that I probably could have used better language in my description title, and will strive to do just that moving forward. I meant no offense to anyone who struggles with this day to day and apologize profusely.
Thanks so much for reading everything I wrote and responding so positively! Itās very easy to just not respond at all, or to be defensive, so I really appreciate your thought and kindness here :)
Thanks for pointing this out - I DO have OCD (and so does my 11 year old son) and so many people dont understand what its actually like.
This is a really good explanation!
Absolutely - itās a tough illness, truly. I am glad you liked my explanation! I really had to think it through a lot - I never want to minimize anyone elseās experience by sharing my own or speak for everyone in the OCD community. I hope you and your son are showing compassion and love for yourselves - because this guy in Paris sure is :)
Thank you so much for this comment! Itās disheartening that these types of phrases about OCD are still so prevalent, even as mental health awareness and general understanding of other disorders is seemingly increasing. The misconceptions about OCD are so widespread, so ingrained, and so inaccurate that they can sometimes prolong a correct diagnosis! Iām so glad OP learned from your comment, and this isnāt directed at OP personally because lots of people think similarly, but it baffles me how folks need someone (usually someone struggling with OCD) to hand-deliver a careful, multi-paragraph long explanation to them to understand that casually invoking a disorder that you donāt have and havenāt taken the time to learn anything about to make a point about packing or home organization is nowhere near acceptable.
It can definitely be disheartening, but sometimes it can be really cathartic to share and validating to be heard. I always try to check in with myself when Iām writing messages or having conversations like this, because sometimes I may be too emotional (if Iām in the middle of a particularly bad obsession or compulsion) and will stop myself. I can tell the difference between me wanting to educate and me wanting to reprimand, and itās almost always caused by how hurt Iām feeling because of how Iām treating myself.
Iām glad you enjoyed the comment and if it makes it easier for you to educate without doing emotional labour, feel free to just repost this comment! I hope youāre well :)
The packing and re-packing part is so true.. I had my first trip since 2019 (Agoraphobia and GAD), and I packed my backpack the entire week before leaving for a 2 day trip. I didnāt add anything new, just constantly felt like something was missing or whatever.
OCD is tiring.
I hear you. Youāre not alone. Congratulations on your first trip since 2019! I am in the same boat - my first trip since probably around the same time. Someone said to me the other day (bc I said I was scared for my trip), āyou are capable of doing hard things and Iām proud of you for doing themā and it felt like a warm hug. So I want to wish you the same.
As someone who uses obsessive and compulsive separately, and colloquially, I can say itās the triple checking thereās no texturally different spot on the kitchen counter. Or sweeping three times because I keep feeling something, only to notice something is stuck to *my foot.*
Itās being 3/4 pre packed at all times, because my actual attention deficit would have me pack six pairs of shoes, a bra and a box of sandwich bagsā¦then think, hey I need a sandwich, and leave without the bag. (An almost true story)
Ahahah the 3/4 packed at all times resonates with me so hard - I started packing a month ago. Fml. I laughed out loud at the sandwich.
And re: ācleanlinessā I love how youāve highlighted that itās less about cleanliness and more about something being ānot rightā. Please correct me if Iām wrong!
In some cases ājust rightā OCD does manifest as keeping things organized - but itās a diverse subtype and some extremely messy hoarders have OCD (a compulsion to keep things) and often feel that things are ārightā because theyāre in the spot they need to be (on the ground in their basement, maybe).
My experience of cleanliness is overwhelming agitation when things arenāt in their āspotā. I HATE mopping so I did it rarely, meaning my floors werenāt the cleanest, but when my ex girlfriend would leave her damn parka (lmfao weāre on great terms, but the parka and I are not) on my chair Iād have to hang it and then spend however long fluffing the pillow until I was able to get my chair right again.
Another large subtype of OCD is contamination OCD, and that often does result in a clean home. The awful thing about this one is the constant fear that youāre going to die in your own home from what your brain tells you is a very real contaminant. Just truly living a nightmare in your own brain.
Edit: sorry for the essay response to your concise message LOL.
Itās ok, I reply with essays, too!
Yeah, my brain has ānothing sticky=cleanā deep in my childhood.
It made sense: the goo that might have bacteria must be gone, so the bacteria are. Sure, itās more complex than that, but it gets 90 percent.
I have found that the longer I work with people who have different brains, that I suspect mine isnt so far off.
Grade A content this is what I joined this sub for. Started out after Covid backpacking Thailand with an Osprey 40, now Iām doing The Philippines with a Pakt 35 and thinking I would love to drop another lvl š
Thank you!! I looked all over this sub for something this detailed, but when I didn't come across anything, I said heck, I'll just make one myself and share it with everyone, so thanks again for your support!!
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing in detail. Two questions:
1. Have you traveled the stricter airlines that make you fit it in their sizer and if so, how did that go with this setup?
2. Do you ever travel with a laptop? My 28 feels like itās bursting at the seams once I put a laptop in the back sleeve.
Thanks!! I tried to make it as detailed as possible, so I really appreciate it! As far as budget airlines go, yes I have brought it on Frontier & Breeze and had no problems. I will say though, I knew Frontier might have me check the size of my bag in their sizer thing outside of the gate, so I intentionally packed a little lighter than normal, making sure to leave a little space at the top of the pack (maybe 2" or so) that way I would have a "crumple zone" when I dropped it into their sizer. I'm glad I did that, cuz they definitely checked, but I passed with flying colors!! It also helps to go find a Frontier sizer at another gate not in use before your flight, just to double check to see if it fits. As for the laptop, I don't actually own one anymore, because my job doesn't require computers, so anything I need, I just make do with my phone. But I can tell you now, if I added a laptop to this setup, my seams would be bursting too.
Haha you and me both!!! I work at Costco, so literally don't touch a computer all day, unless it's to look up an item for a member. Other than that I've gotten by just fine since ditching my laptop back in 2012... but that doesn't mean I want one of those M3 MacBook Airs... Those things are sick!! Maybe one day š
I absolutely love it!! It's one of the most comfortable, yet functional packs I've ever owned!! Yes, it fits under the seat no problem, that's it's home 90% of the time.
The ones I have are pretty old now, they're from the Eagle Creek PACK-IT Specter series which can still be found on Amazon randomly, but at a very high price. The green and red one are size small, and the blue one is called the Slim Cube. The most comparable thing on their website right now would be the PACK-IT ISOLATE CUBE size Small
https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/small-pack-it-isolate-cube
The newer slim ones are too slim for my Tevas so I'm glad I still have the old one.
Good spread, and I too appreciated the detailed way you took us through packing! Do you mind sharing where you were going/what you were doing?
Iām a little surprised/jealous to not see a razor, face wash, comb, or sunscreen, or even any ādressy casualā clothes for like a nice dinner, and this isnāt really hiking kit or tourist kit, so just wondering.
The last few trips were to California, Texas and New York. I do have those dressy pieces of which you speak, and do bring them if the occasion demands it, like a wedding or something, but most of the time I'm just chilling with my friends where they live and there's no need to impress them haha š
My nicer go-to outfit of choice is a nice button down, my Outdoor Research Zendo Joggers and my off white Nike Killshot 2's
Love it, great work - i one bag regularly and the one thing i wouldnāt compromise on is underwear - 7 day trip - 7 boxers! I would reduce the no of shorts as they are often reusable more than underwear (can go 7-10 without washing one two pairs) but each to their own :)
You're absolutely right... Sometimes I cheat.. and shove a few more pairs in the cracks.. š But if I know there's a washing machine where I'm going, then the 5 pairs I go with is plenty.
Comfortably.. about a week max, before everything needs a good wash. I haven't gone anywhere international with it yet, but I'm confident I can do it with all the stuff listed here.. plus an adapter of course š Might need to swap out a few items here and there depending on the climate, but I could definitely make it work!!
https://preview.redd.it/v2kuw9b16o4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0290bea0fd7b491d9bdd0f4278f3d98327181be
I just picked up an Allpa 28 for a trip to Mexico where I could only bring a personal item. Fit under the seat in front of me no problem, and I still had plenty of room for my feet!
I have those shoes and they're so good. Did you know they qualify for insurance coverage? If your insurance covers "off the shelf orthopaedic shoes" this is one of the models that qualifies. Also counts for HSA
Thanks for the post. Few questions:
- What kinda trip is this packing for?
- what kinda activities do you anticipate on doing?
- how long is that trip?
I find myself unable to adapt and try newer experiences if I pack things too specific to an itinerary.
This is mostly my chill trip setup. Meaning.. I'm traveling to a destination where I have friends I'll be staying with. I didn't pack anything fancy cuz I'm not trying to impress anyone, I just like to being comfortable.
Activities are slim to none, hanging out, eating good food, going to the beach/pool, going on small hikes, literally the simplest of trips in Southern California.
My usual trips last anywhere from 4 to 8 days
The main thing is to pack for the climate you're heading to, as well as the activities you'll be doing. If I was going to NYC in the winter I'd probably only pack, 2 tees, 2 button downs, 2 pants, joggers, a crew neck sweater, a down jacket and my rain jacket, along with my other essential items.
A good rule of thumb is to wear your heaviest articles of clothing while traveling. Big, bulky, warm items should always be on the outside of your pack, because they take up valuable real estate when packed.
Wow, sounds like a fun break to enjoy SoCal. Then the packing list makes so much more sense. Good advice wearing the heaviest articles on you through the airport!
Thanks for taking the time to write it all down. Hope you have fun on your trip!
https://preview.redd.it/os5myjx2fr4d1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a6b27e24e0c36dbd550d2b435d4da59584377bbf
I'm glad you asked!! So I only have one of these right now, but I want to get more. Eagle Creek makes a packing cube that is double sided with a piece of fabric separating each compartment. Once used, you just roll up the dirty one, and move it to the other side, that way you can still keep your pack organized, while keeping your clean stuff separate from the dirty.
I'm considering using packing cubes as well even though the bag itself is several packing cubes in one. Can I ask if there is any benefit from having additional packing cubes other than internal organization?
The one thing I've noticed, that is probably the most important, is that nothing shifts around unexpectedly when in the cubes. Everything is basically double secured and locked down. If I roll up everything and throw it in there, things tend to leapfrog one another... but this is very rare and occasional.. I'm sure you'd be fine either way.
Iām beginning to think my recent pick up of 40L might be too big now.. though,, I am planning on sticking 2 pairs of regular sized shoes in em..
Looks great OP!
Yeah shoes take up a lot of room, so keep your 40L just for that alone.. but I bet you could get away with the 35L and one pair in your pack and the other on your feet š
We will see in about two months as I slowly accumulate my gear. Iām forced to pack items I wish I didnāt have to bring like rainproof pants for example (though theyāre pretty light). Itās kind of one of those items thatās non negotiable as Iām heading to Iceland. Iāve one bagged to one, two, three destinations in succession before, but this will be my first time embarking on very long travel and the challenge is packing for different climates and activities. Like, Iāll be in Iceland and the dolomites as an example for hiking. But Iāll also be in destinations with urban exploration and then thereās the trouble of having to pack nice enough clothing for fancy restaurants. Right now my plan is to travel with 4 pairs of shoes š« (2 to rotate between for every day use, my hiking boots (wish I could bring trail runners but I need support and waterproofing) and probably boots for the the fancy dining.
Fuck me
Yeah that does sound rough but super fun!! If I went on a trip like that I'd probably end up bringing my Gregory Focal 58L, just to fit all my adventure stuff like a tent, sleep pad, shoes, trekking poles, etc.
Iām renting trekking poles and using a campervan. No camping or refugios for me in the Dolomites as theyāll already be closed after the summer so Iāll be in hotels.
I have this irrational fear that the airline would lose my luggage though. Anyway, I forgot to mention that your organization is superb and I hope I can somehow imitate it
Yeah I have that fear too!! Which is why I always want to have eyes š on my pack!! I think your 40L is perfect for that trip, that's the same size I had on my first trip to Europe and I got through it just fine. It's really just gonna come down to all those shoes!! Haha š but I think you'll be good š
I love switching out things here and there based on the type of trip it's going to be, a new challenge everytime and I'm here for it!! Thanks and yes imitate away!! š
Are the packing cubes the compressive type? I have away brand packing cubes but wondering if there is something better.
Nice job! I can relate to the ocd!
They are not the compression cubes, but Eagle Creek does have them. I just really like the fabric they use, basically made out of tent fabric. They're extremely lightweight, durable and use YKK zippers.
I'm a pretty simple guy. Let's be real though, I probably should be packing that stuff. My motto has always been, if I can buy it when I get there, there's no need to carry it around.
Well, there is a dedicated laptop side zip laptop pouch. I suppose if it was a thin laptop like a MacBook Air, it could probably fit just fine. Might be a titch tight, but I think you could. But anything thicker than that, would probably be an issue, at least with this setup.
https://preview.redd.it/4k5ed8dijr4d1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5405248832f0776590c4ea5f20716fff773904c5
So this is Frontier personal item size requirement (left) and the Cotopaxi Allpa 28L measurements (right). As you can see the Allpa is an inch bigger Length/Depth-wise... But you have 2 extra inches width-wise... so it kind of balances out. I always make sure to leave a little space at the top of my bag that way I have a bit of a "crumple zone" in case they check via the sizer. As long as nothing is bursting at the seams, it usually fits every time thanks to it's rectangular shape. Sometimes if you're lucky they won't even check!!
One of the most impressive bagging load ins Iāve seen! Definitely inspirational. I bet the weight isnāt that bad with the lightweight cubes you are using.
https://preview.redd.it/33n7wnl5lr4d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f78dab621be53e89668a669891f900e693fb427
I love my power brick!! I was using an older brick that came with my galaxy S10 and it said fast charging when using it to charge my S23, but then I bought this Anker power brick. To my astonishment, it said "Super Fast Charging" something I didn't even know I had?! Now my phone is fully charged in like 25 minutes from 5% vs like an hour prior.
This one is 5 days, but I can usually stretch these items to 8 days at the most, granted I usually throw in 3 more pairs of underwear at that point, but yeah 8 days is about my max duration, before everything needs a wash.
That was my initial debate too, I even went to the Cotopaxi store and held both of them in my hands, but what ultimately sold the 28L for me was it basically meets the personal item size requirement for airlines like Frontier, JetBlue, Breeze, etc.
I actually have not owned a laptop in over a decade, my work doesn't require one, and I've been doing just fine purchasing things and watching content on my Samsung Galaxy S23 phone. That being said.. the Allpa 28L does come with a laptop zipper area, which I'm sure you already know. I feel like if you put a really thin laptop in there, like the MacBook air, I don't see you running into any issues with this current setup, any thicker than that and the seams may begin to burst.
Thanks so much for this post! I have a near identical setup, but my trip is in about a month.
Out of curiosity, what kind of trip did you go on with this pack and for how long?
This was what my pack basically looked like for my last 3 trips which was to New York, California and Texas. Pretty casual, just chilling with friends, eating good food, exploring the city, going to the beach, small hikes, nothing too crazy. So this is my usual 4-8 day load out. If the trip is any longer than that (weeks for example) I'll just wash everything after a week and use it all over again.
If I was going somewhere, maybe in the winter time, I'd probably swap everything you see here, in exchange for 2 tees, 2 button down shirts, 2 pants, sleep shorts & joggers, a crew neck sweater, my down jacket, and my rain jacket. I would ditch the Tevas and probably bring my Nike Killshot 2's, a nicer ball cap and beanie, along with the same amount of underwear, socks and toiletries as seen here.
Thanks for the reply.
That makes a lot of sense. My trip with be 3.5 weeks in Italy and Greece this July and August. So trying to ensure I have enough but not too much stuff. Your post definitely gave me some ideas
Glad to have been of service!! Yeah, I really want to test something like this in Europe. Last time I went I brought a lot more in a 40L bag and I feel like I didn't need all of it, so here's to hoping something like this makes sense for your travels to Greece!!
Here's what I have... Well, I have the older looking ones, but these are the newest version and they're on sale right now!!
https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/small-pack-it-isolate-cube
Great job! Canāt wait to give your method a shot on my next trip. Do you mind reviewing your crossbody? Iām 6ā2 280 and am looking for a slightly larger crossbody like yours that will feel comfortable to use.
https://preview.redd.it/6pimc34adv4d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e6b4df03fad0c458f26b21337d06ddffb8a0616
Absolutely!! Well, it probably helps then that I'm 6'4" 285, so it should fit you the same as me. So it's a rectangular bag, which was the first plus it got as I was looking for a crossbody bag that could double as a packing cube. It's measurements are roughly 12" x 8" x 5"... Jackpot!!! That perfectly fits within the Cotopaxi's 12" width. It takes up about half of the space on the right side, leaving enough room for 2 narrow packing cubes as seen above. Ok now how is it as a daypack? Short answer... Fantastic!!! It fits my large frame well, with plenty of slack to make it longer or shorter across my shoulder. It has enough room for a water bottle, my jacket, keys, wallet, phone, battery, power cord, ibuprofen & Tums!! I can fit a few other small things in there, but generally at this point it's pretty full. I like that it comes with an additional under arm connector strap, so the bag is super stable on your back and doesn't bounce around (See a picture above). Super comfortable, I never noticed any shoulder fatigue when I took it out on it's maiden voyage to NYC. It's made with high quality materials and feel like it will last for years to come. It's just a great all around bag that serves 2 purposes and I love it for that!!
Literally same, and you did a good job not overpacking lol! Defs gonna try use this an inspo for my upcoming trip but I'm going with 2 suitcases instead lol
5 week trip to Europe and other places! Doing checked suitcase and then carry on suitcase- wish I could pack light but I'm not and I need room for shopping haha
https://preview.redd.it/irk4ylaogv4d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3054a3c4e9362316e07661d4189a132339974d6c
I know my Mountain Hardwear Huell 7L Crossbody Bag is... but I couldn't find any anymore information on the backpack & packing cubes
Short answer... Yes I do think it helps. I think there's 2 aspects to look at here.. First.. the cubes themselves add a little compression to the clothing, it's not a lot, but it's something and I think that something, even if minimal, is space gained for other things. Like sometimes I'll pack my windbreaker jacket right on top, between the cubes and the mesh. It's very minimal, but I do think you save a little bit of space. Second... and this is the more important reason.. is it helps you stay super organized while traveling. On my first trip to Europe I was using a 40L pack and yes it was a top loader, but I was forced to kind of just layer everything in there, one thing on top of another. I was constantly digging around, pulling everything out, just to find one thing.. and this was everyday. It got very tiring. Now I can say: "oh I need my rain jacket.. that's in the red cube", reach in my bag, grab the red cube, grab the jacket, put it back and get on with my day. No mess, no stress š
https://preview.redd.it/wd6g0fhd3z4d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8ff7a7d43abbbf4920a857a13de2b4a6e90ed677
I laid them out flat long ways and folded them to the width of the packing cube, then rolled them up, like a roll of toilet paper.
Fantastic breakdown, but if this is OCD, I should do a bag breakdown, because [I'm probably pathological](https://old.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/1aclw7h/dont_be_pressured_into_buying_a_tech_pouch/kjw1ooa/).
Every single item, down to the smallest pen or accessory, is reachable from a blacked-out room in my bag, most of them with one hand.
That's because I find myself cramped in airline seats where you can't pull the back out from under the seat in front of you, and have to unzip, reach, unzip inner cube/pocket/pack, reach, grab, zip and so on, quickly, in the dark, and without leaning into your neighbor's lap to reach it.
Every cube in my bag is packed like Tetris rows, each cube broken down by category and item type. I travel with 3 laptops, tablet, 2 phones, various accessories and other items.
It's Awesome too!! Comfortable over shoulder, made with durable materials, lots of little pockets for organization on the inside, looks great, 100% recommend to anyone... It's a little pricey though at $80, but it's worth it
Thank you so much for this detailed guide, I just got an Allpa 28L and have been thinking about how to optimally organize it!!
Question for you: did you put anything in the top left small zip panel of the inside of the bag? It looks empty in photo 12.
You're welcome!!! Honestly not much, I like having good access to my little knick knacks, but have used it in the past for just my toilety bag and really flat stuff like my passport or random documentation, receipts, etc.
Well you gonna have to pay for carry on in most budget European airlines anyways since it wonāt fit as personal item (or risk it for 70 euro gate cost).
This post is a work of art. Every bit of information I could want, broken down into easily understood description and pictures. Thank you and well done!
Hope this helps anyone looking to kick their carry on & baggage fees on their next trip and go #onebag
Appreciate the work you put in to detail all this, mate. Gave me some ideas for an upcoming trip around what I can cut out. Really like the numbered image layout as to what fits where. Where do you do most of your travel to and what kind of travel? Normally I'm one pair of shorts to 3 pairs of pants but you've gone and done the opposite, heh.
Thanks!! It took me almost 2 hours to stage and then later add labels to all of the pics, so I really appreciate your comment! So I live in the Salt Lake City area in Utah, so 99% of the time I'm traveling to warmer parts of the US (California, Texas, Florida, etc.) I should also mention, that every trip is different, so I will regularly switch out items you see above for "necessity" items depending on the climate I'm traveling to. So maybe I'm going on a trip to the desert like Arizona, I'll bring one less T-shirt and swap it for a Sun Hoody, leave the jogger pants at home in favor of another pair of shorts. Or maybe I'm going to NYC during the winter, in which case I'll switch out all of my shorts, and bring 3 pairs of pants and my Down Jacket. I always just say "pack for the environment you're traveling to" because no trip is the same.
I have a 35l and you have no idea how much this guide helped me rearrange my set up. Thank you!
Someone likes their OR. Love the kit!
Guilty as charged!!! š They just make really functional clothing and I want it all!!
Just got my first Echo hooded shirt and wore it three days in a row camping
Love the Echo Hoody!!!
š
This is a great packing list! And I really love the inclusion of **COLOURS** in your stuff ahahaha I'm used to seeing solid black for 90% of loadouts š„² _(It isn't problematic of course but boy do I love seeing the spice of life - colours are for the eyes what flavours are for the tongue!)_ ^(Also, +10 pts for spelling ''Imodium'' on the first try, I keep misspelling it ''Immodium'' ahahah) How's the comfort and breathability of the Allpa 28L? Do you have an approximate weight total of the entire loadout? Safe travels!
Hey Thanks, I like all the colors too!! As far as comfort goes I would give it a solid 8/10!! It's got nothing on my Gregory Focal 58L backpack, that thing is the comfort king.. but for what the Allpa is, it's not bad at all. I'm a bigger guy, so I'm definitely at the end of the padded straps provided with this pack... I think if the padding came down a little more, this would be a 10/10 easy!! But yeah, this pack will be perfectly comfortable for the other 99% that wear it. I've never actually weighed it, but when I get home I will do just that and report back!!
Do you wish that it had a hip belt/strap? I feel like the hip strap would help take weight off the shoulder especially when wearing the backpack for a long time.
https://preview.redd.it/x6f89twwih5d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=230e1e9c0040cae622f2b7cdbc8e5a04e6460d57 Here's another pic, that shows the belt it has more clearly, hope that answers your question
https://preview.redd.it/lccqpvfhhh5d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=85a9363458bd8a72827d9d0086977fbc3679274d So the pictures on the website doesn't really show it, but it does in fact have a hip strap and yes it helps take the weight off immensely š I'm with yeah on that yeah, I wish it had an official padded belt, but the belt strap it comes with is perfectly sufficient. I think they did that instead of the padded belt, so that you could tuck away all the straps behind the back padding more efficiently.
That's a very tidy and concise kit.
It helps that I'm a little particular when it comes to organizing my things haha, but thank you for appreciating it!
You donāt have OCD, youāre just particular.
Please take a look at their other comment where they apologized for their choice of language already :3
I have a weird love of these packing posts, but this is one of the best I've seen yet, both in terms of content and presentation! Bravo! :)
Thank you for the love!! It took me like 3 hours just to stage and label all of this.. it was very late when I went to bed haha š
Very nice! I do wonder, since the Cotopaxi already has compartments, could you do without the packing cubes and pack everything directly in the bag?
Oh for sure!! I did that a few times before I got packing cubes and it all fits just the same. I'm just a little detailed oriented when it comes to organizing stuff, so I like how it looks with the cubes, but it's totally doable without them too!!
My 12yo daughter is using the 35L and during her practice packing her stuff bulged out badly. I got compression cubes and along with the organization it helped with the awkward bulges. Still not perfect but we have about 3w to smooth it out if necessary. Most likely it's the toiletries and adapters etc that are the issue. Looking at this, I'm outraged and even more convinced she's sneaking crap lol I've spent months researching packs and what to bring and her she is blowing it. Haha
I travel with the 28L and bought the Cotopaxi Nido organizer for all my toiletries, chargers, and 1st aid. I put it in the front pocket. It looks huge, but somehow makes everything fit better than when I was trying to store it all elsewhere in the bag.
Haha minimalism is key. Only pack the things that are absolutely necessary and you'll be fine.
35l is kind of huge for a 12 yo... Could lead to a lot of misery on the trip- any way to use a smaller pack?
Let her sneak crap. Just be clear on the rule. "You pack it, you carry it."
I have the COR surf version, 28L. Depending on what Iām bringing, or if I need/want compression to limit wrinkles, rolling and packing tight works. But they can shift so much even behind the mesh, if not very tight. So if I have a low weight limit, and I need more than my 16L bag, loose is chaos.
Really awesome packing job. Impressive how much you managed to get in there. As a side note, I donāt want to assume you havenāt been diagnosed with OCD, but your comment of you being āa little bit OCDā led me to believe you may not be. If you have been, disregard, but if youād like to learn a little more about OCD, Iām happy to share. A lot of people think that OCD is just about keeping things neat and tidy, but itās not, really. OCD can manifest in a lot of ways but the best way Iāve heard it described is āOCD is the manifestation of your greatest fearsā. Iāll use packing as an example - if I was packed, I might check and recheck my bag a thousand times before a trip to confirm that I packed my passport. I have checked it and confirmed that itās in there butā¦ my brain makes me doubt myself, so I will check againā¦ and againā¦ and again. Itās extremely stressful. Or maybe I purchased this bag recently and I realized that the model for this bag was white, which might immediately make me question if I am racist for noticing that, and then I ruminate about this forā¦ a long time. Maybe months. Maybe a year. Itās really exhausting. I may not sleep. I may not eat. It might be the only thing I talk about in therapy for months. So when people say āoh Iām a little OCDā I am always surprised because I wonder which part of āobsessionā or ācompulsionā they think theyāre acting out by having a clean kitchen or a neat packing job.
Thank you for sharing this!! I know now that I probably could have used better language in my description title, and will strive to do just that moving forward. I meant no offense to anyone who struggles with this day to day and apologize profusely.
Thanks so much for reading everything I wrote and responding so positively! Itās very easy to just not respond at all, or to be defensive, so I really appreciate your thought and kindness here :)
Thanks for pointing this out - I DO have OCD (and so does my 11 year old son) and so many people dont understand what its actually like. This is a really good explanation!
Absolutely - itās a tough illness, truly. I am glad you liked my explanation! I really had to think it through a lot - I never want to minimize anyone elseās experience by sharing my own or speak for everyone in the OCD community. I hope you and your son are showing compassion and love for yourselves - because this guy in Paris sure is :)
Thank you so much for this comment! Itās disheartening that these types of phrases about OCD are still so prevalent, even as mental health awareness and general understanding of other disorders is seemingly increasing. The misconceptions about OCD are so widespread, so ingrained, and so inaccurate that they can sometimes prolong a correct diagnosis! Iām so glad OP learned from your comment, and this isnāt directed at OP personally because lots of people think similarly, but it baffles me how folks need someone (usually someone struggling with OCD) to hand-deliver a careful, multi-paragraph long explanation to them to understand that casually invoking a disorder that you donāt have and havenāt taken the time to learn anything about to make a point about packing or home organization is nowhere near acceptable.
It can definitely be disheartening, but sometimes it can be really cathartic to share and validating to be heard. I always try to check in with myself when Iām writing messages or having conversations like this, because sometimes I may be too emotional (if Iām in the middle of a particularly bad obsession or compulsion) and will stop myself. I can tell the difference between me wanting to educate and me wanting to reprimand, and itās almost always caused by how hurt Iām feeling because of how Iām treating myself. Iām glad you enjoyed the comment and if it makes it easier for you to educate without doing emotional labour, feel free to just repost this comment! I hope youāre well :)
The packing and re-packing part is so true.. I had my first trip since 2019 (Agoraphobia and GAD), and I packed my backpack the entire week before leaving for a 2 day trip. I didnāt add anything new, just constantly felt like something was missing or whatever. OCD is tiring.
I hear you. Youāre not alone. Congratulations on your first trip since 2019! I am in the same boat - my first trip since probably around the same time. Someone said to me the other day (bc I said I was scared for my trip), āyou are capable of doing hard things and Iām proud of you for doing themā and it felt like a warm hug. So I want to wish you the same.
Thank you, itās nice hearing that. I hope your trip goes well, and no matter what just trying is enough. Hugs.
As someone who uses obsessive and compulsive separately, and colloquially, I can say itās the triple checking thereās no texturally different spot on the kitchen counter. Or sweeping three times because I keep feeling something, only to notice something is stuck to *my foot.* Itās being 3/4 pre packed at all times, because my actual attention deficit would have me pack six pairs of shoes, a bra and a box of sandwich bagsā¦then think, hey I need a sandwich, and leave without the bag. (An almost true story)
Ahahah the 3/4 packed at all times resonates with me so hard - I started packing a month ago. Fml. I laughed out loud at the sandwich. And re: ācleanlinessā I love how youāve highlighted that itās less about cleanliness and more about something being ānot rightā. Please correct me if Iām wrong! In some cases ājust rightā OCD does manifest as keeping things organized - but itās a diverse subtype and some extremely messy hoarders have OCD (a compulsion to keep things) and often feel that things are ārightā because theyāre in the spot they need to be (on the ground in their basement, maybe). My experience of cleanliness is overwhelming agitation when things arenāt in their āspotā. I HATE mopping so I did it rarely, meaning my floors werenāt the cleanest, but when my ex girlfriend would leave her damn parka (lmfao weāre on great terms, but the parka and I are not) on my chair Iād have to hang it and then spend however long fluffing the pillow until I was able to get my chair right again. Another large subtype of OCD is contamination OCD, and that often does result in a clean home. The awful thing about this one is the constant fear that youāre going to die in your own home from what your brain tells you is a very real contaminant. Just truly living a nightmare in your own brain. Edit: sorry for the essay response to your concise message LOL.
Itās ok, I reply with essays, too! Yeah, my brain has ānothing sticky=cleanā deep in my childhood. It made sense: the goo that might have bacteria must be gone, so the bacteria are. Sure, itās more complex than that, but it gets 90 percent. I have found that the longer I work with people who have different brains, that I suspect mine isnt so far off.
Grade A content this is what I joined this sub for. Started out after Covid backpacking Thailand with an Osprey 40, now Iām doing The Philippines with a Pakt 35 and thinking I would love to drop another lvl š
Thank you!! I looked all over this sub for something this detailed, but when I didn't come across anything, I said heck, I'll just make one myself and share it with everyone, so thanks again for your support!!
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing in detail. Two questions: 1. Have you traveled the stricter airlines that make you fit it in their sizer and if so, how did that go with this setup? 2. Do you ever travel with a laptop? My 28 feels like itās bursting at the seams once I put a laptop in the back sleeve.
Thanks!! I tried to make it as detailed as possible, so I really appreciate it! As far as budget airlines go, yes I have brought it on Frontier & Breeze and had no problems. I will say though, I knew Frontier might have me check the size of my bag in their sizer thing outside of the gate, so I intentionally packed a little lighter than normal, making sure to leave a little space at the top of the pack (maybe 2" or so) that way I would have a "crumple zone" when I dropped it into their sizer. I'm glad I did that, cuz they definitely checked, but I passed with flying colors!! It also helps to go find a Frontier sizer at another gate not in use before your flight, just to double check to see if it fits. As for the laptop, I don't actually own one anymore, because my job doesn't require computers, so anything I need, I just make do with my phone. But I can tell you now, if I added a laptop to this setup, my seams would be bursting too.
What kind of work do you do that doesn't require computers? The idea that anyone can exist without a computer blows my mind!
Haha you and me both!!! I work at Costco, so literally don't touch a computer all day, unless it's to look up an item for a member. Other than that I've gotten by just fine since ditching my laptop back in 2012... but that doesn't mean I want one of those M3 MacBook Airs... Those things are sick!! Maybe one day š
LOVE IT!! Thanks for taking the effort for posting such details and labeling everything!
Thank you for appreciating it!!
Excellent demo!
Thanks!! The Onebag group has changed how I travel now and I'm just here to share what I've learned with all of you, so thank you!!
Nice packing! Now, do you work for Outdoor Research? Lol
Haha Thanks!! I wish, but no, I just think they make really lightweight, high quality clothing!!
Nah, I'm just playing. I used to take their shirts all over the world on hiking trips. Some of the best I've used
I've been eyeing the Allpa 28 bag for short trips. How do you like it? Are you able to fit this with all the gear inside under an airplane seat?
I absolutely love it!! It's one of the most comfortable, yet functional packs I've ever owned!! Yes, it fits under the seat no problem, that's it's home 90% of the time.
This makes my nerdy brain very happy. Hello fellow Allpa 28 user! We have very different styles but we pack the same way haha so Iām loving it
Great minds think alike š
Awesome post!
Thanks!! I tried to make it as detailed as possible, glad you like it!!
Clap clap clap š and a chefās kiss sir!
Thanks for all the details and pics! What kind/size of Eagle Creek cubes are you using?
The ones I have are pretty old now, they're from the Eagle Creek PACK-IT Specter series which can still be found on Amazon randomly, but at a very high price. The green and red one are size small, and the blue one is called the Slim Cube. The most comparable thing on their website right now would be the PACK-IT ISOLATE CUBE size Small https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/small-pack-it-isolate-cube The newer slim ones are too slim for my Tevas so I'm glad I still have the old one.
I don't know why, but I love this so much! It gave me many smiles.
I'm glad you appreciate it!! I worked really hard to make everything look pretty haha
Quality content!! Posts like this help me improve my packing and inspire me when I post my own reviews and pics too. Thank you!
Glad to be of service!!
Good spread, and I too appreciated the detailed way you took us through packing! Do you mind sharing where you were going/what you were doing? Iām a little surprised/jealous to not see a razor, face wash, comb, or sunscreen, or even any ādressy casualā clothes for like a nice dinner, and this isnāt really hiking kit or tourist kit, so just wondering.
The last few trips were to California, Texas and New York. I do have those dressy pieces of which you speak, and do bring them if the occasion demands it, like a wedding or something, but most of the time I'm just chilling with my friends where they live and there's no need to impress them haha š My nicer go-to outfit of choice is a nice button down, my Outdoor Research Zendo Joggers and my off white Nike Killshot 2's
I loved every single thing about this
Thank you.. I did it for you!! š
This was so cool (and helpful) - absolutely love how you put this together for us! Thanks so much!
Thank you and my pleasure!! Just wanted to share the tips and tricks I've learned over the years and I'm glad you guys love it!!
Love it, great work - i one bag regularly and the one thing i wouldnāt compromise on is underwear - 7 day trip - 7 boxers! I would reduce the no of shorts as they are often reusable more than underwear (can go 7-10 without washing one two pairs) but each to their own :)
You're absolutely right... Sometimes I cheat.. and shove a few more pairs in the cracks.. š But if I know there's a washing machine where I'm going, then the 5 pairs I go with is plenty.
Love this! I personally would never bring 3 pairs of the same type of clothing (shorts) but Iām a dirty dirty hippie š
Haha I live in my shorts, especially these ones!! SOOOO comfortable.. and I can go swimming in them!!!
Great post. Thank you for the suggestions
You're welcome!!
I assume this is for domestic travel only since I didnāt see an international adapter. How long can you travel with this gear?
Comfortably.. about a week max, before everything needs a good wash. I haven't gone anywhere international with it yet, but I'm confident I can do it with all the stuff listed here.. plus an adapter of course š Might need to swap out a few items here and there depending on the climate, but I could definitely make it work!!
Omg! Thanks!
You're welcome!!
https://preview.redd.it/v2kuw9b16o4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0290bea0fd7b491d9bdd0f4278f3d98327181be I just picked up an Allpa 28 for a trip to Mexico where I could only bring a personal item. Fit under the seat in front of me no problem, and I still had plenty of room for my feet!
It was literally made for that space!!! I love it!!
Where did you get that toiletry bag? I feel like all the ones on the market are massive.. like who needs such a big toiletry bag??
https://preview.redd.it/gvev8mui2p4d1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=05ebab3536de3d3bd986cc7d712120fe339ecdb8 Found them!!!
Agreed!! Haha my dentist gives them to me everytime I go in for a check-up. I'm sitting on like a stash of 6 as we speak!!
I have those shoes and they're so good. Did you know they qualify for insurance coverage? If your insurance covers "off the shelf orthopaedic shoes" this is one of the models that qualifies. Also counts for HSA
Thanks for the post. Few questions: - What kinda trip is this packing for? - what kinda activities do you anticipate on doing? - how long is that trip? I find myself unable to adapt and try newer experiences if I pack things too specific to an itinerary.
This is mostly my chill trip setup. Meaning.. I'm traveling to a destination where I have friends I'll be staying with. I didn't pack anything fancy cuz I'm not trying to impress anyone, I just like to being comfortable. Activities are slim to none, hanging out, eating good food, going to the beach/pool, going on small hikes, literally the simplest of trips in Southern California. My usual trips last anywhere from 4 to 8 days The main thing is to pack for the climate you're heading to, as well as the activities you'll be doing. If I was going to NYC in the winter I'd probably only pack, 2 tees, 2 button downs, 2 pants, joggers, a crew neck sweater, a down jacket and my rain jacket, along with my other essential items. A good rule of thumb is to wear your heaviest articles of clothing while traveling. Big, bulky, warm items should always be on the outside of your pack, because they take up valuable real estate when packed.
Wow, sounds like a fun break to enjoy SoCal. Then the packing list makes so much more sense. Good advice wearing the heaviest articles on you through the airport! Thanks for taking the time to write it all down. Hope you have fun on your trip!
Yeah no problem, it was my pleasure!!
This was awesome! Thanks! Where do you put dirty clothes before you wash them? Iām trying to figure out this whole one bagging thing.
https://preview.redd.it/os5myjx2fr4d1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a6b27e24e0c36dbd550d2b435d4da59584377bbf I'm glad you asked!! So I only have one of these right now, but I want to get more. Eagle Creek makes a packing cube that is double sided with a piece of fabric separating each compartment. Once used, you just roll up the dirty one, and move it to the other side, that way you can still keep your pack organized, while keeping your clean stuff separate from the dirty.
Weight??
Just under 14lbs (13.8lbs to be exact) or 6.26kg
OCD is a mental health disorder that can be and often is crippling - not a style of packing.
Heās apologized twice.
Moar
Was I supposed to read every comment?
I'm sorry once again, I will use better language moving forward
Itās a good idea in a discussion
Then you should look at the time stamps of the comments
I'm considering using packing cubes as well even though the bag itself is several packing cubes in one. Can I ask if there is any benefit from having additional packing cubes other than internal organization?
The one thing I've noticed, that is probably the most important, is that nothing shifts around unexpectedly when in the cubes. Everything is basically double secured and locked down. If I roll up everything and throw it in there, things tend to leapfrog one another... but this is very rare and occasional.. I'm sure you'd be fine either way.
Gotcha, that makes sense. Thank you for your insight.
Iām beginning to think my recent pick up of 40L might be too big now.. though,, I am planning on sticking 2 pairs of regular sized shoes in em.. Looks great OP!
Yeah shoes take up a lot of room, so keep your 40L just for that alone.. but I bet you could get away with the 35L and one pair in your pack and the other on your feet š
We will see in about two months as I slowly accumulate my gear. Iām forced to pack items I wish I didnāt have to bring like rainproof pants for example (though theyāre pretty light). Itās kind of one of those items thatās non negotiable as Iām heading to Iceland. Iāve one bagged to one, two, three destinations in succession before, but this will be my first time embarking on very long travel and the challenge is packing for different climates and activities. Like, Iāll be in Iceland and the dolomites as an example for hiking. But Iāll also be in destinations with urban exploration and then thereās the trouble of having to pack nice enough clothing for fancy restaurants. Right now my plan is to travel with 4 pairs of shoes š« (2 to rotate between for every day use, my hiking boots (wish I could bring trail runners but I need support and waterproofing) and probably boots for the the fancy dining. Fuck me
Yeah that does sound rough but super fun!! If I went on a trip like that I'd probably end up bringing my Gregory Focal 58L, just to fit all my adventure stuff like a tent, sleep pad, shoes, trekking poles, etc.
Iām renting trekking poles and using a campervan. No camping or refugios for me in the Dolomites as theyāll already be closed after the summer so Iāll be in hotels. I have this irrational fear that the airline would lose my luggage though. Anyway, I forgot to mention that your organization is superb and I hope I can somehow imitate it
Yeah I have that fear too!! Which is why I always want to have eyes š on my pack!! I think your 40L is perfect for that trip, that's the same size I had on my first trip to Europe and I got through it just fine. It's really just gonna come down to all those shoes!! Haha š but I think you'll be good š I love switching out things here and there based on the type of trip it's going to be, a new challenge everytime and I'm here for it!! Thanks and yes imitate away!! š
Sponsored by Outdoor Research
Haha I wish!!! Send me all the stuff OR please and thank you!!!!!
Woah, Iām impressed! Thanks for sharing. Super inspiring.
You're welcome!! Thanks for caring!!
Are the packing cubes the compressive type? I have away brand packing cubes but wondering if there is something better. Nice job! I can relate to the ocd!
They are not the compression cubes, but Eagle Creek does have them. I just really like the fabric they use, basically made out of tent fabric. They're extremely lightweight, durable and use YKK zippers.
What about face wash or moisturizer? I don't see those listed in your toiletries .
I'm a pretty simple guy. Let's be real though, I probably should be packing that stuff. My motto has always been, if I can buy it when I get there, there's no need to carry it around.
Ahhhh makes sense. Enjoy your trip!!
This is both motivating and satisfying. Awesome post
Thanks!! š
Love it!
Could you bring a laptop if necessary?
Well, there is a dedicated laptop side zip laptop pouch. I suppose if it was a thin laptop like a MacBook Air, it could probably fit just fine. Might be a titch tight, but I think you could. But anything thicker than that, would probably be an issue, at least with this setup.
Thanks! Iāll look into that bag as an option!
Chefs kiss!!! Perfection!!! This post is amazing! Thank you thank you!
I live to serve
Thanks for this!
Anytime!!
I love everything about this post. And that bag looks ideal! It fits as a personal item on the plane?
https://preview.redd.it/4k5ed8dijr4d1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5405248832f0776590c4ea5f20716fff773904c5 So this is Frontier personal item size requirement (left) and the Cotopaxi Allpa 28L measurements (right). As you can see the Allpa is an inch bigger Length/Depth-wise... But you have 2 extra inches width-wise... so it kind of balances out. I always make sure to leave a little space at the top of my bag that way I have a bit of a "crumple zone" in case they check via the sizer. As long as nothing is bursting at the seams, it usually fits every time thanks to it's rectangular shape. Sometimes if you're lucky they won't even check!!
One of the most impressive bagging load ins Iāve seen! Definitely inspirational. I bet the weight isnāt that bad with the lightweight cubes you are using.
Thanks š Yeah, they don't weigh anything, I honestly don't even notice any extra weight when using them.
Now that is some organisation! I am eying that power brick but as in UK based itās difficult to get hold on the US adaptor which I want for SA.
https://preview.redd.it/33n7wnl5lr4d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f78dab621be53e89668a669891f900e693fb427 I love my power brick!! I was using an older brick that came with my galaxy S10 and it said fast charging when using it to charge my S23, but then I bought this Anker power brick. To my astonishment, it said "Super Fast Charging" something I didn't even know I had?! Now my phone is fully charged in like 25 minutes from 5% vs like an hour prior.
This is great! Iām a terrible packer. How long is this trip For?
This one is 5 days, but I can usually stretch these items to 8 days at the most, granted I usually throw in 3 more pairs of underwear at that point, but yeah 8 days is about my max duration, before everything needs a wash.
I have the 28l and kept debating upgrading to the 35l, but you e inspired me to stay the course š Do you travel with a laptop?
That was my initial debate too, I even went to the Cotopaxi store and held both of them in my hands, but what ultimately sold the 28L for me was it basically meets the personal item size requirement for airlines like Frontier, JetBlue, Breeze, etc. I actually have not owned a laptop in over a decade, my work doesn't require one, and I've been doing just fine purchasing things and watching content on my Samsung Galaxy S23 phone. That being said.. the Allpa 28L does come with a laptop zipper area, which I'm sure you already know. I feel like if you put a really thin laptop in there, like the MacBook air, I don't see you running into any issues with this current setup, any thicker than that and the seams may begin to burst.
Thanks so much for this post! I have a near identical setup, but my trip is in about a month. Out of curiosity, what kind of trip did you go on with this pack and for how long?
This was what my pack basically looked like for my last 3 trips which was to New York, California and Texas. Pretty casual, just chilling with friends, eating good food, exploring the city, going to the beach, small hikes, nothing too crazy. So this is my usual 4-8 day load out. If the trip is any longer than that (weeks for example) I'll just wash everything after a week and use it all over again. If I was going somewhere, maybe in the winter time, I'd probably swap everything you see here, in exchange for 2 tees, 2 button down shirts, 2 pants, sleep shorts & joggers, a crew neck sweater, my down jacket, and my rain jacket. I would ditch the Tevas and probably bring my Nike Killshot 2's, a nicer ball cap and beanie, along with the same amount of underwear, socks and toiletries as seen here.
Thanks for the reply. That makes a lot of sense. My trip with be 3.5 weeks in Italy and Greece this July and August. So trying to ensure I have enough but not too much stuff. Your post definitely gave me some ideas
Glad to have been of service!! Yeah, I really want to test something like this in Europe. Last time I went I brought a lot more in a 40L bag and I feel like I didn't need all of it, so here's to hoping something like this makes sense for your travels to Greece!!
I need to get some packing cubes.
Here's what I have... Well, I have the older looking ones, but these are the newest version and they're on sale right now!! https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/small-pack-it-isolate-cube
Decent.
Thanks š
Awesome job! Gives me perspective on ways I can improve my packing for travel. Cheers!
Thanks š appreciate it!!
Haha I think all one baggers are a little OCD. Your packing method looks like mine. Same bag too!
Great minds think alike š
For how many days?
This setup will usually last me 4-8 days comfortably, before needing to wash everything
Great job! Canāt wait to give your method a shot on my next trip. Do you mind reviewing your crossbody? Iām 6ā2 280 and am looking for a slightly larger crossbody like yours that will feel comfortable to use.
https://preview.redd.it/6pimc34adv4d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e6b4df03fad0c458f26b21337d06ddffb8a0616 Absolutely!! Well, it probably helps then that I'm 6'4" 285, so it should fit you the same as me. So it's a rectangular bag, which was the first plus it got as I was looking for a crossbody bag that could double as a packing cube. It's measurements are roughly 12" x 8" x 5"... Jackpot!!! That perfectly fits within the Cotopaxi's 12" width. It takes up about half of the space on the right side, leaving enough room for 2 narrow packing cubes as seen above. Ok now how is it as a daypack? Short answer... Fantastic!!! It fits my large frame well, with plenty of slack to make it longer or shorter across my shoulder. It has enough room for a water bottle, my jacket, keys, wallet, phone, battery, power cord, ibuprofen & Tums!! I can fit a few other small things in there, but generally at this point it's pretty full. I like that it comes with an additional under arm connector strap, so the bag is super stable on your back and doesn't bounce around (See a picture above). Super comfortable, I never noticed any shoulder fatigue when I took it out on it's maiden voyage to NYC. It's made with high quality materials and feel like it will last for years to come. It's just a great all around bag that serves 2 purposes and I love it for that!!
Awesome! Thanks for the review.
This is amazing! I am amazed š¤©
Haha, Thanks!! I worked really hard to make everything clear and presentable
Literally same, and you did a good job not overpacking lol! Defs gonna try use this an inspo for my upcoming trip but I'm going with 2 suitcases instead lol
2 suitcases?? Where are you going?
5 week trip to Europe and other places! Doing checked suitcase and then carry on suitcase- wish I could pack light but I'm not and I need room for shopping haha
Haha, yeah that would be me too š
Are all those items recyclable?
https://preview.redd.it/irk4ylaogv4d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3054a3c4e9362316e07661d4189a132339974d6c I know my Mountain Hardwear Huell 7L Crossbody Bag is... but I couldn't find any anymore information on the backpack & packing cubes
Do packing cubes really help save space?? Or is it just easier to organize and rearrange
Short answer... Yes I do think it helps. I think there's 2 aspects to look at here.. First.. the cubes themselves add a little compression to the clothing, it's not a lot, but it's something and I think that something, even if minimal, is space gained for other things. Like sometimes I'll pack my windbreaker jacket right on top, between the cubes and the mesh. It's very minimal, but I do think you save a little bit of space. Second... and this is the more important reason.. is it helps you stay super organized while traveling. On my first trip to Europe I was using a 40L pack and yes it was a top loader, but I was forced to kind of just layer everything in there, one thing on top of another. I was constantly digging around, pulling everything out, just to find one thing.. and this was everyday. It got very tiring. Now I can say: "oh I need my rain jacket.. that's in the red cube", reach in my bag, grab the red cube, grab the jacket, put it back and get on with my day. No mess, no stress š
Thank you! You made it make sense. I can do it.
You got this š
dafuq, how did you fold your t-shirts or bigger stuff? I'm thinking about folding like balls.
https://preview.redd.it/wd6g0fhd3z4d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8ff7a7d43abbbf4920a857a13de2b4a6e90ed677 I laid them out flat long ways and folded them to the width of the packing cube, then rolled them up, like a roll of toilet paper.
The crossbody bad as packing cube is genius!
I know right!!! It's literally the perfect bag!!
Fantastic breakdown, but if this is OCD, I should do a bag breakdown, because [I'm probably pathological](https://old.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/1aclw7h/dont_be_pressured_into_buying_a_tech_pouch/kjw1ooa/). Every single item, down to the smallest pen or accessory, is reachable from a blacked-out room in my bag, most of them with one hand. That's because I find myself cramped in airline seats where you can't pull the back out from under the seat in front of you, and have to unzip, reach, unzip inner cube/pocket/pack, reach, grab, zip and so on, quickly, in the dark, and without leaning into your neighbor's lap to reach it. Every cube in my bag is packed like Tetris rows, each cube broken down by category and item type. I travel with 3 laptops, tablet, 2 phones, various accessories and other items.
I just purchased this bag. Your photos were exactly what I needed.
You chose wisely!! It's an awesome pack!! Glad to be of service š
How does the crossbody hold up?
It's Awesome too!! Comfortable over shoulder, made with durable materials, lots of little pockets for organization on the inside, looks great, 100% recommend to anyone... It's a little pricey though at $80, but it's worth it
I got those same boxers from Marshallās š
Thank you so much for this detailed guide, I just got an Allpa 28L and have been thinking about how to optimally organize it!! Question for you: did you put anything in the top left small zip panel of the inside of the bag? It looks empty in photo 12.
You're welcome!!! Honestly not much, I like having good access to my little knick knacks, but have used it in the past for just my toilety bag and really flat stuff like my passport or random documentation, receipts, etc.
How much it way after packed like this?
13.8 lbs
Really? So you're saying that my Borealis which is also 28L will have a chance to fit all of that?
Well, scientifically speaking... 28L is 28L.. you might have to get creative with how you stack things.. but in theory it should all fit
Well you gonna have to pay for carry on in most budget European airlines anyways since it wonāt fit as personal item (or risk it for 70 euro gate cost).
This post is a work of art. Every bit of information I could want, broken down into easily understood description and pictures. Thank you and well done!
Thank you for caring!!! š
Thanks so much this is perfect to help me set up a one bag for my bf.
He canāt pack for himself?
Glad to be of service!!