Packing for 2 weeks in a Synapse 19?

[Nadia]

While waiting for my Synapse 19, I day-dreamed of using it as my one-bag luggage for a trip this summer, with the Side kick tucked inside when moving around and taken out on the plane and as my day bag once at destination. The trip is 16 days, with the first week being for work (but I do not need anything too formal, due to my field), and the second week sightseeing with family. It is a trip to Japan (Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo) which means it will be quite warm, probably always above 25C and possibly reaching 30 C. I made a list while waiting for the famous bag and tried it when the beautiful S19 arrived.

TLDR: It works with what I was planning to bring, but there is no room for anything else. All space is used. No souvenirs, no just-in-case. My take home message is: I'll probably be using my Aeronaut 30, because Japan = nice paper and notebooks, food, etc (Muji!), I cannot think of not bringing back souvenirs.

So here it is:

What the Synapse looks like with all my stuff and the SK inside



Cue the crappy picture taken in low light. I tried to keep stuff close to their designated pocket



I filled the bag with the following:
-Bottom pocket
in a packing cube (A30 aether small, violet on pic, would probably use something smaller/more squishable)
4 pair of no-show merino smartwool socks (+1 wearing)
5 pairs of underwear (+1 wearing)
1 bra (+1 wearing)
Sleep mask

-Main pocket
1-In a packing cube (A30 aether large, carbon on pic)
1 long sleeve (+1 I'm wearing on plane)
3 short sleeve
1 pant (+1 wearing)
1 skirt
Pajama
Also wearing: cardigan or thin jacket (it's 28 C!)
Note: only one pair of shoes, obviously I'm wearing them *

2-Muji "hangable" small toiletry bag (dark blue on pic)
Toothbrush (foldable)
Floss
Hair brush (foldable)
Razor
Q-tips
Ear plugs
Sewing kit
Elastic hair band

3-Side kick bag (sitting on top for retrieval, as others have suggested on this forum)
Kindle
Epipen
Reading glasses
GF snack
Pen
Wallet
Passport
Phone (used as a camera also)
Muji large cotton bag (Bose noise cancelling earbuds in case, Kindle cable, Iphone cable, USB plug)

-left pocket
Clear 331 bag (shampoo in a small muji travel bottle, 100 ml toothpaste, travel size deodorant)
Medication bag (the small stripped muji cotton bag) (Prescription meds, Tylenol, Gaviscon, Tylenol sinus and cold, Reactine, Alcool wipes,Various band aids, Q tips,,Sterile cotton pads, Ricola throat candy)

-right pocket
Plastic cutelry
Foldable grocery bag
Foldable dirty laundry bag
Foldable plastic water bottle (I'm still debating which one to bring?)

-water bottle pocket
Umbrella mini
Sunglasses

-Small front pocket
Kleenex

So one can travel abroad with the synapse 19 even for 2 weeks (there is laundry involved but this will happen even with an Aeronaut 30) but all the souvenirs have to be in your head!

* I was testing if my large shoes (size 11 ) fit in the bottom pocket, they don't. My son was looking at me and asked what are you doing. I said "some people can fit shoes in there, I was testing" He said "why would people want to pack shoes?". It seems we raised him well for carry-on travel.

[SKIMT]

This is amazing!!!

I’ve worked to continually cut my packing contents for years. Packing in a s25 for any length of trip has been doable...but going down to a s19 has remained elusive.

Impressive! Thanks for sharing.

[nimikor]

Nice packing list and photos @Nadia. I'm impressed that you are able to get business attire in there with all your other stuff. I agree that one bag international travel with the S19 can be done but it takes a lot of discipline to not pick things up along the way. I like to use my Halcyon S19 when I am doing recreational travel but my packing list has about half the amount of clothing as yours. I also add tools and supplies for laundry to my list. For business trips I use my trusty WF since I usually need dress shoes and a suit. I have a new SA that I may try on my next trip abroad to see if it can releive my S19 on those recreational trips where I don't want to be as restricted. Enjoy Japan!

[Nadia]

SKIMT I wondered if I could "go down" to a 19 L, and it seems I could, but this is still an untested packing list! Would I get annoyed at having to unpack all pockets or to remove the side kick to get to my clothes? I don't know. Would I be sad I can't bring anything back? Probably (but I could fill my husband's 38 L carry on!). I am "impressed" too by the capacity of the Synapse 19, it's amazing, but I don't know if I have the guts to actually do it

[Nadia]

Nice packing list and photos @Nadia. I'm impressed that you are able to get business attire in there with all your other stuff. I agree that one bag international travel with the S19 can be done but it takes a lot of discipline to not pick things up along the way. I like to use my Halcyon S19 when I am doing recreational travel but my packing list has about half the amount of clothing as yours. I also add tools and supplies for laundry to my list. For business trips I use my trusty WF since I usually need dress shoes and a suit. I have a new SA that I may try on my next trip abroad to see if it can releive my S19 on those recreational trips where I don't want to be as restricted. Enjoy Japan!

nimikor, I am definitely not bringing any "business" clothes or shoes, which would necessitate at least an A30 in my view (or your WF). My skirt (the more "appropriate clothing I am bringing) can be rolled, as well as the nice tops (but they are nowhere near a business shirt and jacket in size). I don't know that anyone could bring a nice suit in that 19 liter bag. Or if it was winter, not sure I could pack everything also.

Thanks for reminding me that I forgot my laundry soap in the list! It's just an additional 100 ml bottle in my clear case but it's important.

[SKIMT]

I don't know if I have the guts to actually do it

You can do it! You are inspiring me to keep trying. I told my wife, who also packs in a s25, and she said one word: “wow!”

Light packing is an addiction.

[conversa]

This is a great list. I did 3 weeks in Europe with a Synapse 19. Mid trip, I sent a small box of souvenirs back home via snail mail. It was fun to receive it when I got home.

[Nadia]

This is a great list. I did 3 weeks in Europe with a Synapse 19. Mid trip, I sent a small box of souvenirs back home via snail mail. It was fun to receive it when I got home.

Great idea! I checked and the synapse 19 is within the dimension of a personal item on Air Canada. This means that I could bring a whole carry on size bag of souvenirs on the way back


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[melminimalist]

You can do it! You are inspiring me to keep trying. I told my wife, who also packs in a s25, and she said one word: “wow!”

Light packing is an addiction.

Yes it is! I keep trying to see how small I can go. I even recently tried the no bag challenge for a weekend getaway.

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[fredlet]

Can you bring an expandable duffle to carry back souvenirs?
Like this?
Travelon Convertible Crossbody Duffel, Black, One Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ICD5U4S..._F5YJAbWC37Y43


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fredletsTravels.com

[Nadia]

Can you bring an expandable duffle to carry back souvenirs?
Like this?
Travelon Convertible Crossbody Duffel, Black, One Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ICD5U4S..._F5YJAbWC37Y43


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fredletsTravels.com

The last 2 times we went to Japan, we ended up buying some sort of duffel to bring back all the food, clothing and souvenirs So I should be proactive and put one of these in my husband's carry-on

[fredlet]

The last 2 times we went to Japan, we ended up buying some sort of duffel to bring back all the food, clothing and souvenirs So I should be proactive and put one of these in my husband's carry-on

You can use it as your personal item as well or a purse type thing. The organizer part isn’t lost when you expand it.


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fredletsTravels.com

[backpack]

I have extensive experience with non TB cheap bags on travel, their rate of failure is very high. It is especially a concern if one is checking the bag.

Tom Bihn foldable duffle is the new and amazing Yeoman Duffel which folds into a Size 3 Travel Stuff Sack.

The very sturdy Yeoman Duffle comes in 4 sizes, it has been a lifesaver during a local move, last year

Blog post very rich in pictures and links about the Yeoman Duffle, including pictures of the Yeoman Duffle folded in the size 3 Yarn Stuff Sack https://blog.tombihn.com/yeomanfreudianslipreviews

[imperator]

In reflection on my international trips, photos are the keepsakes I get the most out of on a daily basis; particularly those offhand street scenes that are uncomposed. I still have many from a trip to eastern Europe over a decade ago on my scrolling desktop background and slideshows on my computer. While I did buy a watch on my last international trip, the only souvenirs I bought were for the kids. I enjoy the photos much more.

One of the virtues of 1-bag travel is how easily it can be made into 2-bag travel on the fly, without requiring checking fragile items.

[carrot]

Nadia, I wanted to thank you for your helpful packing list, as I just finished putting together my own list for a similar style of trip. It came in handy when trying to decide what I should pack in my own S19!