One Bag Packing

Test Packing

I prefer to bring a single bag on any trip, whether it be a weekend in Vegas or two weeks through Europe. This becomes problematic because I also like to bring quite a bit with me. In order to fit everything and to make sure that I don't have too much, I have a packing list that I update with each trip. That list gets changed based on what I used and didn't use on my last trip. Then I can determine what I can leave behind. Finally, I do a test pack a couple days before leaving.

In this case packing a couple days early made me realize I did not have everything ready to go. That lead me to update my list and get everything out and ready for packing.

Final Pack

The first step for this trip's final packing job was getting all of the clothes together and rolled so that they can fit in the smallest space possible. This also allowed me to see everything spread out and paired down.

Once all of the clothes are out in front of me, I then gather together the electronics. This consists mostly of computer, camera, headphones and cords.

Once I had everything spread out and ready to go, it was time to throw it in the bag. Grab the camera and shirts and pack them all into the packing cube. Remarkably I am able to fit all my clothes except a sweater and socks into the packing cube (if I had to I could get the socks into the cube).

Into the Bag

Once everything is laid out for the multi-week trip and is paired down to its smallest packable parts it is easy to see just how everything can fit into a single bag. There is a real beauty to distilling 2 plus weeks down into a single bag.

A Basic List

So really what was I able to pack into this bag? Here's a generic list...

  • 4 t-shirts
  • 4 wife beaters
  • 4 socks
  • 4 boxers
  • 1 sweater
  • 2 shorts
  • 1 bathing suit
  • 1 dress shirt
  • 1 pair of flip flops
  • Headphones
  • Nikon Camera
  • 2 Nikon Lenses
  • 1 Macbook Air
  • 1 iPad
  • 1 bluetooth speaker
  • All assorted cords and cables

That's a rather basic list but it fits everything I need for 2 plus weeks.

When it comes down to it the question you have to ask is how much weight are you willing to carry? In my case the answer this year was 21 pounds.

Drew Leader-Picone1 Comment