"Always Pack List"

[melminimalist]

While I try to never pigeon hole myself into a set amount of items for a trip, there are some things that I pack every time especially as their usefulness becomes apparent. These items have become something of a "always pack list". I got the idea to do a separate post on this subject from the buff discussion in "12 day visual packlist...". Curiosity has led me to post what I always pack and wondering in kind, what do y'all pack every time, intentionally or otherwise?

Always Pack List

Merino wool buff
Double port USB charger
Spork
Empty plastic water bottle
Mini pen
Mini notebook
Combo lock
TB pocket travel pillow
Sarong
Bose earbuds
Ear plugs
Eye mask
Ultra-sil reusable tote bag



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[Frank II]

I have a master packing list in a Google Doc in categories that probabaly has 100+ items on it. It is everything I could every imagine taking. For each trip I copy and paste it into a new document and label it the name of the trip. As an example, I leave in 10 days for a lenghtly trip and I've called it "Spring 2018."

Once pasted, I go through each item and ask myself if I need it this trip or can I leave it out. I will do this 3-4 times over the course of a few weeks to make sure I only take what I really need.

As I find new items, or better ways to do things, I keep updating the master list.

[Traveltech]

I also have a master list, and because I am a bit compulsive, I have the weight of each item and approximate value. That way I’m not surprised with an overweight bag at the airport.

Interesting to read your “always pack list” @meiminamalist . Mine is quite different. I keep a bag of toiletries packed. I also have a TT with misc. charging cords, headphones etc. ready to go. Other “always pack” items are kindle, travel binoculars, 1-2 merino wool tees, a sarong or scarf, and some sort of Scottevest jacket to wear during travel.

[G42]

I use the Evernote app to keep both a master pack list and location/event specific pack lists... after each trip that's unique for what I packed, I update/notate my list for next time.
Most of the basics that always go with me are merino socks & t-shirts, certain toiletries, and 'just in case' things like a small headlamp w/batteries, mini duct tape roll, emergency whistle, etc. I keep those items always packed (including duplicate sets in multiple bags) just for convenience sake.
I've had 50%+ travel for work before, so I'm pretty good at knowing which of my clothes can travel well for certain climates... and generally only buy things that travel well...

[DeBru]

Such a wonderfully simple idea to have a master list! I have a bunch of different lists labeled for the type of travel, and sometimes separate ones for each family member’s needs, it can get a bit overwhelming. I’m definitely going to give the master list a try.

[twosandalz]

That's an interesting question. I assumed my list would be much longer, but when I reviewed the packing lists I keep from trips, these things are what they all had in common:

Wallet, phone, charger
Soap, deodorant, toothpaste, lip balm
Jeans, scarf
Knitting
Water and food
Stuff to mitigate leg and ankle problems

All other clothes, personal care things, electronics, etc is dependent on the season, length of stay, mode of conveyance (car, motorcycle, plane), type of housing (tent, hotel, or spare room), and activities at my destination.

Also I love seeing that other people keep packing lists too!

[spooneb]

I, too, keep my trip-specific lists in Evernote and usually just copy/paste the most recent one and modify it for the next trip. I should make a master list; here are the things that would be on it:

• Travel pill case*with medications
• Noise cancelling headphones
• Kindle*
• Kindle charger
• Apple Watch
• Watch charger
• Battery pack
• iPhone
• iPhone charger
• Power cube
• Sunglasses
• ZipLoc bags
• Bounce sheets
• Sporks
• Poncho
• TB clear 3D cube as 3-1-1
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Shaving cream
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Lip balm
• Eyeglasses cleaner
• Handi-wipes
• Salux
• RePete packable sling bag
• Wallet with license, TSA ID, cash & cards

[GoStanford]

I also use Evernote to keep track of my packing list. I have a different list if I'm traveling with family versus traveling by myself for work.

The list changes as our needs change. The most recent addition to my own list has been an eyeglasses cleaning cloth.

[kathryn]

I love posts like this--except when they manage to convince me to buy/pack more things LOL

I have a small Snake Charmer that stays packed with more travel-related always pack items... I pulled it out to make this list, and realized I've acquired some duplicates, so I need to thin out before my next trip:

• Eye mask and ear plugs
• Tissues
• Mini towel
• Picnic blanket
• Fork/spoon/chopsticks utensil kit
• Spork
• Corkscrew (without a foil knife, so it can fly)
• Cork minimalist wallet
• Sewing kit (I have 2 at the moment--not sure why)
• Mini scissors (short enough to pass airport security--so far)
• Assorted zip ties and gear ties
• Flashlight (again 2 for no apparent reason)

Since my charger/cord bag usually has a headlamp in it, the two flashlights seem especially unnecessary.

Also, some things seem to be missing: I usually have duct tape in here, a whistle/compass, as well as pen and paper. I'm thinking they got shifted to my camping gear for a trip last fall and I forgot to move them back.

My toiletry (currently non-TB) and charger (mesh 3DOC) bags are pretty much always packed, and just move around between bags as needed, so I don't keep a list for them.

In terms of clothes, I have a couple of favorite t-shirts that I wear all the time at home and also take when I travel. I have a multi-color large, thin scarf that I also always take because it matches almost all my travel wardrobe. My current always pack travel pants are a pair of black jeans from Uniqlo.

And, I never leave for a trip without a fully charged and freshly loaded Kindle!

[carrot]

This is actually interesting to me, because I don't have any "always" in my packing lists. I aggressively curate every time I pack to make sure what I'm carrying is perfectly tailored to each trip and I rarely ever take the same kind of trip in a year.

For example last year I (mostly with my SO):

• island hopped in Hawaii (with Pilot and a small duffel)
• drove to a cabin for a weekend (with Co-Pilot and a medium duffel)
• camped on a farm (with Co-Pilot and a big duffel)
• rode a supported week-long bike camping event (with S19 and a big duffel)
• flew, then drove, to go backpacking in Tetons for the solar eclipse (with Co-Pilot for the flight/drive and a big duffel containing my backpacking pack)
• went on a cruise visiting multiple islands (with Pop Tote and a rolling duffel)

No two trips were the same and barely even the bag. But a Tom Bihn bag made it to every trip!

Probably the closest to an Always Pack for me are:

• inflatable travel pillow
• buff
• earbuds
• flashlight
• usb battery pack

But even then, they don't always make the list!

[Auntie Em]

My master list is a spreadsheet that automatically syncs between my Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It has two checkbox columns called “Take” and “Packed”. I keep the list sorted so that the items I want to take that aren’t packed yet are on the top.

Other than the usual toiletries, my phone, and the iPad, the item that makes it on every trip is a large shop bag. Those are just too useful! It doesn’t always get used, but it’s available to be a personal item if I want to take or return with something extra that won’t fit in my normal personal item. I’ve also used it a lot to collect and carry laundry or food at my destination.

[kmw]

Beyond the standard toiletry and tech basics, my more unusual Always Pack items include:

Travel Tray
white noise machine
mini flashlight
headphone splitter
a few binder clips
couple of carabiners
rubber bands
compact foldable shopping bag
plastic bags (zip top and grocery size)
cocoa butter stick
tweezers
mints (for motion sickness)
lemon drops (for dry mouth when water/bathroom opportunities are slim)
microfiber turban towel (unless trip too short to bother showering)
Handeze
measuring tape (when dealing with airplanes)
dust masks
sun umbrella (even though the travel size is frankly pretty janky)
mini notebook
bandana
eyeglass repair kit
earplugs
eye mask

[rbc3585]

I bring mints everywhere with me for motion sickness too!

Beyond the standard toiletry and tech basics, my more unusual Always Pack items include:

Travel Tray
white noise machine
mini flashlight
headphone splitter
a few binder clips
couple of carabiners
rubber bands
compact foldable shopping bag
plastic bags (zip top and grocery size)
cocoa butter stick
tweezers
mints (for motion sickness)
lemon drops (for dry mouth when water/bathroom opportunities are slim)
microfiber turban towel (unless trip too short to bother showering)
Handeze
measuring tape (when dealing with airplanes)
dust masks
sun umbrella (even though the travel size is frankly pretty janky)
mini notebook
bandana
eyeglass repair kit
earplugs
eye mask

[roadpotato]

My core edc will always be in the pack list for an extended weekend or a longer term traveling. I just throw in my passport if I'm going international and leave the mini Victorinox and Gerber dime because - those pesky mini knives... Basically I can lose everything but that if need be and they all just fit in a tiny bag (sort of similar to the sidekick but with a lil bit of room). The rest of the staple items I'll add on will depend on the type of traveling I'll be tackling.

[kmw]

I bring mints everywhere with me for motion sickness too!

Haha, landsman! *fistbump*