{"id":469,"date":"2015-03-18T06:00:22","date_gmt":"2015-03-18T06:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/words.deviating.net\/?p=469"},"modified":"2015-07-07T23:03:02","modified_gmt":"2015-07-07T23:03:02","slug":"my-travel-backpack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/words.deviating.net\/?p=469","title":{"rendered":"My Travel Backpack"},"content":{"rendered":"

Years ago, I posted in a thread on the DEFCON Forums where folk were discussing travel tech<\/a>. \u00a0What bags, what gear, what tools, and what must-have items made life on the road easier and better were all being shared. \u00a0In that thread, I posted a rundown of the backpack which I used for carry-on during all my flights. \u00a0An array of photos showed the backpack I used and the gear within.<\/p>\n

I just re-read the thread and now so much of it is quaint from a time gone by. \u00a0A paper book for “take off and landing” times when the Kindle wasn’t permitted was in there. \u00a0I used to keep my laptop with me in carry-on. \u00a0But, most of all, a lot of things look the same. \u00a0What has changed the most is my bag. \u00a0I’ve moved to an even slimmer and smaller carry-on, and that’s probably the best advice I can give to anyone who is preparing things like this… GO SMALL. \u00a0You’ll force yourself to fit into a smaller space and you’ll carry less gear.<\/p>\n

Even now, as I\u00a0type this post, I am seeing some things that are in my frequent-flyer backpack which are seldom used. \u00a0I could prune down even more, I bet. \u00a0This post may inspire others to pack smart, but it’s likely going to inspire me to pack even lighter than I used to. \u00a0\ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n

So, without further ado, here is what accompanies me on every single one of my 100,000+ flight miles each year…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_01\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I now use a bag from 5.11 Tactical, their MOAB Rush 10 backpack. \u00a0It’s a single-strap design that slings over the shoulder and can be adapted for left-side or right-side use. \u00a0The single-strap allows the person wearing to spin the bag to their front for\u00a0quick access to most pockets and it balances the load well, despite only resting on one side of my frame.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_02\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The bag has all the customary veclro areas for adding patches, which I have done. \u00a0Also the webbing straps allow for extra hooking of gear and other add-ons. \u00a0You don’t see it, but I always have a\u00a0Kleen Kanteen water bottle on the outside, for quick fill-ups once I’m through TSA screening. \u00a0Opposite that is an extra pouch that a friend gave me…<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_03\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This perfectly holds my Kindle.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_04\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The add-on pouch is super padded and keeps the Kindle (one of my most frequently-grabbed items) in the same spot 100% of the time. \u00a0I used to have a\u00a0Nexus 7 tablet in there and it also worked perfectly for that.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_05\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Also\u00a0through the outside loops of the bag are some markers and pens. \u00a0They are always useful and I keep them on the outside for fast access. \u00a0If I lose one, meh, they’re cheap.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_06\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The main pouch of the backpack contains four large things and one small envelope…<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_07\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The main pouch contains a ziplock bag of some spare clothes, a travel wipes packet, a black zipper pouch, and a gray 1st class complimentary sundry kit that I’ve augmented over the years.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_08\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The spare clothes include boxers, a t-shirt, and both white and black socks. \u00a0I can get through basically any “day after misrouted luggage” whether it’s a meeting, a casual time, etc. \u00a0There is also a waffle-knit long-sleeve thermal shirt from Colombia. \u00a0I can wear this under (or over) anything I’m wearing on my flights and be comfortable in cold conditions. \u00a0Whether a plane is chilly or I’m stranded in Denver for the night, this will get me through the worst of it even without a coat.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_09\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The extra garments squish down into that ziplock bag and don’t take much room. They live at the very bottom of my carry-on.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_10\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The sundry bag has pretty much what you’d expect…<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_11\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to the typical things, i also have a spare toothbrush if I’m with a companion, plus eye drops (artificial tears only, NEVER Visene because it’s awful) and nasal spray. \u00a0A tiny tin of moisturizer and powder are also helpful in rough flight conditions.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_12\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The black zipper pouch is entertainment\/relaxing\/etc gear. \u00a0Lockpicks and a few practice locks are in there. \u00a0A BlueTooth game pad controller for emulated old NES and SNES games on my phone is fun sometimes. \u00a0Keeping spare spoons, knives, and chopsticks is very helpful for in-flight dining or “stranded in a hotel room and eating stuff from the gift shop” dining.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_13\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The envelope in the large pouch is a self-addressed flat rate envelope and some smaller envelopes with forever stamps, in case I ever have to mail something home. \u00a0I also have a free pair of slippers from a previous flight (they fold super flat) and some printed-out policies and correspondence from TSA and airlines clarifying policies.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_14\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The main pouch has two small additional pouches.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_15\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A deck of cards (which I almost never use but can’t seem to stop keeping on me) is in one such small pouch. \u00a0The other contains a little case of which I spoke in my earlier post years ago on the DEFCON Forums…<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_16\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This used to be my “keep in the seatback pocket” case… it had basically anything I’d need while in-flight. \u00a0I rarely reach for it nowadays, however, and really just keep it in case someone else<\/em> in my travel party needs something. \u00a0From meds to make you sleepy or settle a stomach or ease pain to gum for ear-popping to power\/audio adapters, these are things that are good in a pinch but which I need less and less. \u00a0Nowadays, I just listen to my phone via earbuds or I read the Kindle or I sleep.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_17\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The tiny\u00a0pouch built into the shoulder strap has a few things I like to access quickly.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_18\"<\/a><\/p>\n

USB charging cables (one 10′ one and one 1′ one) are in there along with my earbuds and a wet wipe. \u00a0The LEGO flat bricks are part of an old joke. \u00a0If you saw a talk of mine from CarolinaCon you’d understand. \u00a0\ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_19\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This small top pocket is designed for glasses. \u00a0I use it for that and a couple other odds and ends.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_20\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunglasses are up there, yes, and also some spare floss and a lighter and a USB drive. \u00a0It’s also the dumping-ground pocket for loose change, which I empty out after each trip.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_21\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This bag has a TERRIFIC additional pocket in the rear. \u00a0I use it as a food stash.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_22\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to Cliff bars and similar things, I keep a small supply of heavy-duty ziplock bags in there. \u00a0I raid lounges for free things if I know I’m headed somewhere that might not have proper food options. \u00a0Yes, these little goldfish crackers or the carrot sticks are kind of crappy… but it beats being hungry when you are wheels-down in Moscow and checking in to a hotel at 2AM hours after everything is closed.<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_23\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The very front pocket is where all of my essential tech resides…<\/p>\n

\"travel_backpack_24\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In here we have:<\/p>\n