Aeronaut

[wmperry]

Aeronaut packing list from Cozumel trip

We just returned from a month-long trip to San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico. On the way back I packed one of our Aeronauts with the clean clothes and got a ridiculous amount in without straining the bag. I thought I would share the packing list.

This is a combination of clothing for me (6'8"), my son (6'3"), and my wife (5'8") so none of the clothing is particularly tiny!

6 L T-Shirts
1 L rash-guard
5 XXL T-Shirts
5 pairs of men's shorts
3 men's swimsuits
1 L men's sweatpants
4 M men's briefs
5 L men's boxers
5 (size undisclosed) women's underwear
1 dress
1 female 1-piece swimsuit
1 pair of men's travel pants (very thin)
2 pairs of women's capri pants
9 pairs of men's socks
3 women's socks
2 women's strap tops
7 women's tops
1 light women's sweater
1 L men's windbreaker

Here it is all spread out on the bed after we unpacked. Sorry it is a bit blurry, but it was almost 2:00am by the time we got home, so *I* was a bit blurry when I took the picture.

All of my son's shirts as well as 2 of mine fit into 1 small packing cube in one of the end-compartments. Rolling is a godsend for traveling light.



Our other aeronaut wasn't packed quite so full, but contained the shoes and quite a lot of other clothing.

[MtnMan]

Does anyone pack a Tom Bihn backpack (like a Smart Alec or Synapse) inside of an Aeronaut, to be unpacked and used while "on the trip"?

[SurlyFrog]

I currently stuff a Smart Alec inside my Aeronaut while traveling. It works, but is a bit "clunky." I place the Smart Alec on the bottom of the bag, a large packing cube on top of it and secure them both with the straps. My Dell Latitude D630 with extended battery goes inside a size 2M cache and sits on top of both of them. A Snake Charmer, Moleskin, and Medium organizer pouch fit around these items in the main compartment. A 3D clear organizer cube sits in a side compartment with my carry-on liquids. Some other stuff typically fits in the ends as well. It's a bit of a tight fit - but it definitely works.

I've just ordered a Large Cafe Bag and a Ristretto which I'm going to try to use instead of the Smart Alec for this very purpose. I expect one of these bags to work better because they are sized about the same as the main compartment of the Aeronaut and don't have a heavily padded back. I also intend to remove the shoulder strap and use the Absolute strap on my Aeronaut for carrying the small bag around my destination, thus saving some more room.

In case you are wondering the reason behind ordering both bags, I currently travel with one of two very differently sized laptops and am doing some experimentation to see which - if either - bag can work for both.

Regards,
--SurlyFrog

[MtnMan]

@ SurlyFrog:

Sounds great, and it's a free country! Have at it.

I'd love to see some photos posted of what people unpacked from their Aeronauts.

[Nana8]

hi lauragayle!

i have an earlier iteration of this camping chair / stadium chair from crazy creek. it is truly a back saver when you're sitting on the ground for 3-4 hours each day. i put a cushion inside for added comfort, but i have that at my destination rather than packing it in my aeronaut. this camping chair packs wonderfully inside my aeronaut.

I know you are very attached to your chair, maverick, but I have found something here at MOA (Mall of America- oh how I hate going there!) that might take up less space, be lighter and is super simple for travel.

There is a store there that carries hand made items from under developed countries - sweaters, mittens, hats, scarves, etc. Here I found a very large woven circle. I learned that the purpose of this is to ease the strain on one's back when sitting on the floor. The idea is that you place it around your body under your arms and then around your knees. It works well if you are sitting cross-legged or with your knees pulled up toward your chest. I have seen it used at HS football game on the bleachers as well.

[maverick]

I know you are very attached to your chair, maverick, but I have found something here at MOA (Mall of America- oh how I hate going there!) that might take up less space, be lighter and is super simple for travel.

There is a store there that carries hand made items from under developed countries - sweaters, mittens, hats, scarves, etc. Here I found a very large woven circle. I learned that the purpose of this is to ease the strain on one's back when sitting on the floor. The idea is that you place it around your body under your arms and then around your knees. It works well if you are sitting cross-legged or with your knees pulled up toward your chest. I have seen it used at HS football game on the bleachers as well.

wow - thanks, nana8!

i think i've seen people using something like what you are describing. i am still in search for the perfect solution. i have diagramed what i think would work well - basically a smaller version of my meditation chair. it wouldn't be as portable, but i think it would be more comfortable. maybe i'll make it one of these days, or get a custom furniture maker to help me bring it together.

of course, i'd need tom to make a bag that would hold it!

[Nana8]

M-

I love your design and would certainly purchase a couple when you get them made! The concept is simple yet grand/sleek and look very comfortable! Please keep me posted!

[maverick]

M-

I love your design and would certainly purchase a couple when you get them made! The concept is simple yet grand/sleek and look very comfortable! Please keep me posted!

hi nana8,

the concept is based on this meditation chair. this is what i use at home. i've taken it with me on a couple of trip where i've driven to where i'm going and have planned to be there for more than a couple of days. i get strange looks from folks in the elevator, but that's alright. it is truly a joy to use.

they also make a travel chair - called the wandering monk, but i find the seat to be too small for me to sit comfortably for any length of time.

[Nana8]

VERY NICE! We have been looking for something along these lines for use at home and this appears to be perfect! Thanks you for the links!

BTW-we never worry about folks in the elevator!

[leviathan]

I'm back out on tour, living out of my Aeronaut (and Smart Alec). I'm on the road for 43 days. With proper rationing, this pack should get me back home with only having to do laundry once:
- 9 t-shirts
- 12 pairs of boxer briefs
- 12 pairs of socks
- 1 blazer
- 2 dress shirts
- 2 vests
- 2 button up casual shirts
- 1 pair of PJs
- 1 pair of dress pants
- 1 pair of jeans
- 1 light jacket
- 1 heavier jacket
- 1 pair of work gloves
- 1 pair of knitted fingerless gloves
- toiletries
- beard trimmer

When I left home I had on another t-shirt, another pair of jeans, plus boxer briefs & socks, bringing all those totals up by one. I only need one pair of shoes for this trip, so that's easy. And in my Smart Alec, along with my laptop, camera, and other techy accessories I have 2 hoodies.

[kacey]

Aeronaut packing list

My aeronaut has been with me everywhere... but perhaps the most impressive packing list was from the summer of 2008 when I spent 2 1/2 weeks in Indonesia and Japan. There was a trekking component as well as a dive trip so packing was a bit of a challenge since I didn't want to have to check my bag. Here's some of what was packed:

3 pairs pants (converts to shorts)
2 long sleeve shirt
1 skirt
3 socks
7 underwear
1 pair shorts
1 fleece
1 long sleeve T
hiking shoes
silk sleeping bag liner
travel pillow
toiletries (all the standards - including sunscreen)
flippers
hiking poles
mask
snorkel
bathing suit
towel (Adventure towel)
hat
travel guide (2)
iphone/charger
3 t shirts
2 tank tops
small backpack for day use
water shoes
1 dress
2 sarongs (purchased)
2 pieces pottery (purchased)
Various other souvenirs

Yes, a combination of packing cubes were used.

[Yonkdaddy]

I've had my Aeronaut (Black/Iberian) for about 6 weeks and it's finally packed for its first voyage: an 8-day family vaca to the Florida Keys. Here's my list:

Main Compartment
Large Packing Cube:
4 x short sleeve sportshirts
3 x "Technical T-Shirts"
2 x ordinary T-shirts
3 x shorts
1 x yoga pants

Small Packing Cube:
5 x sport sox
5 x undies
1 x boxers

Packing Cube Shoulder Bag:
1 x Boardshorts
1 x Swimsuit
1 x rashguard

Around the edges:
SoundMatters FoxL V2 Speakers
Shaving Bag
First Aid Kit
Tilley Hat
Point & Shoot in Mini Padded Organizer Pouch, clipped to Small OP with my iPad Camera Kit, spare camera battery, spare SD card, and chargers for 2 different digital cameras
Patagonia R2 fleece (for the cold plane)
My iPad in its DODOCase
Magazines

Side Pocket 1 (in an End Packing Cube):
Sanuk "sandals"
Teva sandals

Side Pocket 2
3-1-1 bag (of course in a 3-D Clear Organizer Cube)
Chargers/auxiliary batteries for my iDevices (packed in a Waterfield Medium iPod Travel Case (Sorry Tom))
Bose QC15 Headphones
Monster Beats Tour Headphones
Sunglasses
Eyeglasses


This isn't quite a "One-Bag" trip, though... I've got my Eagle Creek ORV Trunk containing:
SCUBA Bouyancy Compensator
Regulator Bag
Mask
Fins
Snorkel
Dive computer
Divelog/C-Card
Dive boots/gloves
Shorty Wetsuit
Skinsuit
Save-A-Dive kit
Miscellaneous accessories

[Yonkdaddy]

Aeronaut at a 6-Day Conference - with a Blazer

Heading out on a 6-day conference, with an interesting load in the Aeronaut... after all, gotta keep fit while on the road! (accompanied by my Checkpoint Flyer's maiden voyage)

Main compartment
Large Packing Cube
4 dress shirts
2 dress t-shirts
1 workout tshirt
2 pair chinos

Small Packing Cube
5 pair briefs
5 pair sox
1 pair workout shorts

Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
1 pair cycling shorts
1 tech t-shirt
Polar Heart Rate Monitor
1 pair cycling sox

Around the edges
SoundMatters FoxL Bluetooth Speakers
Clear Quarter Packing Cube as Shaving/Medical Kit
Sea To Summit Ultrasil Packable Day Pack (for the gym)
Platypus 1L waterbottle

After packing in the main load, I will use the following technique to fold my blazer and will lay in on top of the load... just folding the jacket in thirds instead of in half. Don't know just how it will work out but practiced it while packing & left the jacket in the bag for a whole day... came out unwrinkled! I have used this folding technique many times in my old rolling luggage and it works very well.

YouTube - ‪Jacket folding - light travel one-bag packing technique‬‏


End Compartment 1
1 pair cycling shoes for spin classes
1 pair Nike trainers for TRX workouts

End Compartment 2
3-1-1 bag
TRX Suspension Trainer

In the Checkpoint Flyer
Thinkpad laptop
iPad
Bose QC15's
WaterField iPod Travel Case containing all my iPhone/iPad chargers, external batteries, cables, etc.
magazines
pens/pencils/etc.
specs & sunglasses