The more and more I have been reading about the one bag travel philosophy, the more and more I want to try it. And I travel on a daily basis to go to work. My shortest commutes are half hour car rides and then one hour commuter train rides. Longest, domestic trips lasting from 2-4 days.
My current set up (which will go away soon because it is getting old) includes:
- a large back pack with 3 large main compartments, and 5-6 smaller including water bottle holders (essential for both of my commutes).
On the short commutes, I have my work laptop in one compartment, a large notebook in the other, a book, pens and pencils and miscellaneous stuff in the third, including chargers for my personal and work phones and a car USB adaptor
On the flights, I add to the aforementioned, my large personal computer in the back compartment (laptops) with a power cord and a mouse and a one into 3 power outlet cube (those hotels are an issue). A car GPS is added to the notebook in the middle compartment as is a small rigid zipped bag that I use to collect expense receipts. A pouch with emergency meds and a pouch with some running toys (GPS watch, Road ID etc) is added to the front compartment. Usually an empty aluminum water bottle is added to it on the holder and gets filled in after security.
This bag is two years old and it already has structural problems (like seams falling apart) so I have no problems saying good bye
Bag number 2
only for the flights:
A 21 inch "universal" expandable wheeled carry on about 12 years old that has done more than 100 flights and has been checked a few times and it is showing it. Traditional setup. Not a suiter. I carry in it: Running gear (a pair of running shoes and running socks, a tech shirt and shorts and a hat), an extra pair of work pants (business casual) and 2-3 long sleeve shirts. If I need a jacket it is on me. Socks and underwear (I usually stuff them in the running shoes), some solid toiletry items (toothbrush, hairbrush, razor, bottle opener), a T-shirt and a polo shirt. Maybe an extra book, if I am close to finish the one I am reading. I do carry liquids in a ziplock on the outside pocket, but that is about it. Most of the time this is packed like 50% max. In the winter I am throwing in a fleece. It is fraying really badly at some edges and I would like to replace it pretty soon. Also, I really do not mind ironing a dress shirt or 2 and I usually do. And what I pack in it is light enough for me to carry it by the handle most of the time (on stairs, escalators, in the plane) vs having it on the wheels. My backpack with the 2 laptops is heavier. And I do use that pretty much in my train commute set up when I fly, for my daily trips to the local office.
So, decision time for me. I would love to simplify my life and have a single piece that will fit all my stuff in my flying commute and an alternative that has to fit into that to fit my train commute stuff. Am I wishing for the sky?
I have been thinking about an aeronaut with a packing cube backpack, but I don't think that either will cut it... Now if there were a braincell size backpack that would fit my work laptop, my work notebook, a reading book, cords and stuff, and it could sit nicely into a aeronaut size carry one, while allowing space for my other notebook and the clothes, that would work. And yes the big one and preferably both have to be made out of 1050D. "cordura" will not cut it.
Am I asking for the sky, or am I stuck in the 2 piece world? If I am stuck there, I know what to do.
Thanks for reading this long thing and for any input.
My current set up (which will go away soon because it is getting old) includes:
- a large back pack with 3 large main compartments, and 5-6 smaller including water bottle holders (essential for both of my commutes).
On the short commutes, I have my work laptop in one compartment, a large notebook in the other, a book, pens and pencils and miscellaneous stuff in the third, including chargers for my personal and work phones and a car USB adaptor
On the flights, I add to the aforementioned, my large personal computer in the back compartment (laptops) with a power cord and a mouse and a one into 3 power outlet cube (those hotels are an issue). A car GPS is added to the notebook in the middle compartment as is a small rigid zipped bag that I use to collect expense receipts. A pouch with emergency meds and a pouch with some running toys (GPS watch, Road ID etc) is added to the front compartment. Usually an empty aluminum water bottle is added to it on the holder and gets filled in after security.
This bag is two years old and it already has structural problems (like seams falling apart) so I have no problems saying good bye
Bag number 2
only for the flights:
A 21 inch "universal" expandable wheeled carry on about 12 years old that has done more than 100 flights and has been checked a few times and it is showing it. Traditional setup. Not a suiter. I carry in it: Running gear (a pair of running shoes and running socks, a tech shirt and shorts and a hat), an extra pair of work pants (business casual) and 2-3 long sleeve shirts. If I need a jacket it is on me. Socks and underwear (I usually stuff them in the running shoes), some solid toiletry items (toothbrush, hairbrush, razor, bottle opener), a T-shirt and a polo shirt. Maybe an extra book, if I am close to finish the one I am reading. I do carry liquids in a ziplock on the outside pocket, but that is about it. Most of the time this is packed like 50% max. In the winter I am throwing in a fleece. It is fraying really badly at some edges and I would like to replace it pretty soon. Also, I really do not mind ironing a dress shirt or 2 and I usually do. And what I pack in it is light enough for me to carry it by the handle most of the time (on stairs, escalators, in the plane) vs having it on the wheels. My backpack with the 2 laptops is heavier. And I do use that pretty much in my train commute set up when I fly, for my daily trips to the local office.
So, decision time for me. I would love to simplify my life and have a single piece that will fit all my stuff in my flying commute and an alternative that has to fit into that to fit my train commute stuff. Am I wishing for the sky?
I have been thinking about an aeronaut with a packing cube backpack, but I don't think that either will cut it... Now if there were a braincell size backpack that would fit my work laptop, my work notebook, a reading book, cords and stuff, and it could sit nicely into a aeronaut size carry one, while allowing space for my other notebook and the clothes, that would work. And yes the big one and preferably both have to be made out of 1050D. "cordura" will not cut it.
Am I asking for the sky, or am I stuck in the 2 piece world? If I am stuck there, I know what to do.
Thanks for reading this long thing and for any input.
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