Light weight travel gear?

[vadsoom]

I'd like to hear anyone's recommendations on ultra-light gear for travel? Bags? Clothes? Anything... Name it! Thanks!

[Lugsalot]

I own a set of MSR microfiber towels that are compact and super absorbent. These are great to have if towels are unavailable or unclean wherever you're staying. Sea to Summit and REI also make microfiber towels; I got the MSR ones because they were on sale at the time.

[climberkid]

clothing wise... Anything from tad gear. www.tadgear.com I have spent way to much money on places like that (and so has my friend) but the clothes are completely worth it. Comfy and reliable and light

[Lugsalot]

Welcome to EDCF, climberkid! :highfive:

I agree with you about TAD's stuff; if I had more money, I'd buy some of their duds for certain.

[fshalor]

typical for me now:

- Arc'teryx Alpha SL hard shell (made from gore-tex packlite) (in backpack)
- Royal robbins pants (they dry really quick if you get wet) (worn) the zippered pocket in some of them fits a passport quite well.
- carry-on has spare columbia wicking shirt (one of the titanium line), some insport boxer briefs, and two spare pairs of light wicking socks.
- and usually a 100 weight fleece of some sort, north face or ems/tad gear. I'm so used to 27 deg C that plane temperatures freeze me.
- a microfiber hand towel. Have several, the MSR ones are great. A few from REI and the rest are whatever was on sale at campmor at the time I was filling out an order.

I also have a habit of keeping the "second paper towel" after I wash my hands in restrooms. Almost always have a bit on me, but make a point of doing it before hoping on a plane. Conpemplated going with a silk hanki of some sort, but I'm running a bit cheap at the moment.

Que hitchiker's guide towel reference. ;)

[bigfoot]

Small bottle of hand sanitizer and some handy/baby wipes. Oh, and some Airborne.

[Elric]

typical for me now:

I also have a habit of keeping the "second paper towel" after I wash my hands in restrooms. Almost always have a bit on me, but make a point of doing it before hoping on a plane. Conpemplated going with a silk hanki of some sort, but I'm running a bit cheap at the moment.

Que hitchiker's guide towel reference. ;)


That frood really knows where his towel is! :P

[ohmygoat]

Been using an Eagle Creek ORV Gear Bag and it's an excellent, lightweight, versatile travel bag. It's basically a duffel bag that has internal dividers which can be unzipped to adjust for what your packing. Also has some padding to provide some protection for your gear and a couple zippered compartments in the top flap. Can be carried by it's handles, shoulder strap or concealable backpack straps. Add some Eagle Creek (or whatever brand) Packing Cubes and there's more than enough capacity for a week's worth + of travel (depending on your travel and packing "style"), but it's also compact enough for a weekend. The outside dimensions may push the limits of "carry-on" but should squeeze by if not stuffed to capacity. Got mine (last year's version) for less than half-off from Sierra Trading Post.

Companies like Ex Officio make some really nice, albeit pricey, lightweight, quick drying travel clothes. Some "travel snobs" say that specialized travel clothes (ESPECIALLY convertible pants) make you look too much like a tourist, but I guess it's a to each his own deal. Colors and styles are constantly changing, shop outlet sites like Sierra Trading Post, Campmor, the REI Outlet, etc and you can save a bundle on discontinued colors, but functionally identical clothes. Shop "off-season' and the savings are even greater.

[gw812]

Check out http://www.onebag.com

[brianwhynot]

+1 onebag.com

I'm a big fan of the Cocoon Coolmax Travel Sheet (http://www.rei.com/product/690012?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na&mr:trackingCode=73335548-9A52-DD11-98CA-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA). It's lightweight, breathable, and a little bigger than a fist. The coolmax one is twice the price of a regular travel sheet but most of the time it's all the bag you'll need. Every time I see a kid with a full size sleeping bag strapped to his pack struggling to get on a train I am grateful.

I highly recommend getting a pair of full strap sandals like Teva or Keen make. I have a pair of off brand ones I got in Europe after my boots took on a life of their own. You'll look like a dork, but your feet will thank you.

Also, I like bringing an extra bag for knick knacks. A Chico Bag (http://store.chicobag.com/) or any other comes in handy.

[sammyz]

Having couch surfed professionally as a consultant for a fraternity I SWORE by my Cocoon Silk travel sheet (I personally didn't care for the coolmax variety) and full size MSR microfiber towel. I also spent most of my days wearing REI Adventure pants and Sahara tech travel shirts.

[Etienne1980]

Having couch surfed professionally as a consultant for a fraternity I SWORE by my Cocoon Silk travel sheet (I personally didn't care for the coolmax variety)


:iagree: I use a Cocoon Silk liner in my down sleeping bag. 120 g only...
What kind of travel are you talking about ? Hotel ? Backpacking ? How long ? :giddyup:
What gear do you need ?

[sammyz]

:iagree: I use a Cocoon Silk liner in my down sleeping bag. 120 g only...
What kind of travel are you talking about ? Hotel ? Backpacking ? How long ? :giddyup:
What gear do you need ?


I was a chapter consultant for my Fraternity, so I was staying in a different Fraternity house almost every night. The Cocoon silk was generally the perfect indoor blanket/grubby couch shield. I didn't really "need" as much in the way of gear but I developed a rather robust gear set up for my hopping from house to house every night. I was much more of a gear nut than my fellow consultants. A lot of what I was worrying about was car based. I had to find the perfect duffel bag that would also function as an organizer in my trunk, ways to power my gps, cell phone and Ipod for long car rides ect...

I also had my "in pockets" EDC and my "Bug IN Bag" as I called it which is what I carried from the car to wherever I was crashing every night.

[mrichelo]

Check out http://www.onebag.com



Thanks for that link. Very cool site, lots of great info.

Mark

[gw812]

NP. Followed advice on that site and finally ditched the electric razor/charger for a blade and shaving oil. Found a Schick razor with a built-in clippers on the other end. That plus the oil is a great combo. Thant and a few other ideas made it possible to be able to travel with/live out of a Maxped Malaga for up to 3 days with clothing changes.
One problem, though, the oil smells slightly like reefer... :idiot2:

[brianwhynot]

Which shave oil do you use? I picked up some King of Shaves at Heathrow a month ago. I like it, but it seems to clog my razor a bit.

Doesn't smell like reefer, tho.

[gw812]

Shave Secret; it's the one that is sold at Wal-Mart.
Yeah, it does clog up more. Usually more frequent washes through REALLY hot water seem to do the trick.

[Mr_Dave]

Shave Secret; it's the one that is sold at Wal-Mart.
Yeah, it does clog up more. Usually more frequent washes through REALLY hot water seem to do the trick.


I've been shaving with oil for about 4 years now. I use Mach3 razor with Cromwell and Cruthers' shaving oil (http://www.cromwell-cruthers.ca/cromwell-cruthers/shaving_product_home.asp). I've used the Schick with the trimmer on the bottom, but found the 4 blades to be too close together and it would clog up something fierce when shaving my head. Went back to shaving with the Mach3, kept the Schick Quattro handle in my gym bag toiletry kit for trimming the soul patch and such.

I've tried a few non-gel and non-foam shaving products over the years and I keep coming back to the Cromwell and Cruthers. It leaves my skin feeling clean despite being an oil, and doesn't dry out my skin. A small bottle of the stuff (15mL) will last me a few months so it's pretty inexpensive too.

[sammyz]

I've been shaving with oil for about 4 years now. I use Mach3 razor with Cromwell and Cruthers' shaving oil (http://www.cromwell-cruthers.ca/cromwell-cruthers/shaving_product_home.asp). I've used the Schick with the trimmer on the bottom, but found the 4 blades to be too close together and it would clog up something fierce when shaving my head. Went back to shaving with the Mach3, kept the Schick Quattro handle in my gym bag toiletry kit for trimming the soul patch and such.

I've tried a few non-gel and non-foam shaving products over the years and I keep coming back to the Cromwell and Cruthers. It leaves my skin feeling clean despite being an oil, and doesn't dry out my skin. A small bottle of the stuff (15mL) will last me a few months so it's pretty inexpensive too.


When I'm at home I opt for a Soap and Brush old fashioned shaving method, but on the road it isn't as practical. I use "Pacific Mountain Shaving Oil" after having tried several other brands and it is my absolute favorite of the bunch.

[priehl]

:D

Here's a little secret that has served me well for the last thirty years or so - you don't need ANYTHING but a razor. Shave in the shower or immediately after without drying your face.

[parnass]

:welcome: Welcome to EDC Forums, priehl.

[laurent]

:D

Here's a little secret that has served me well for the last thirty years or so - you don't need ANYTHING but a razor. Shave in the shower or immediately after without drying your face.


+1. A sharp razor and hot water is well enough.

[willofgod]

:D

Here's a little secret that has served me well for the last thirty years or so - you don't need ANYTHING but a razor. Shave in the shower or immediately after without drying your face.


Meh, doesn't work for me... sensitive skin and tough beard. Oil does work for me, though.

[laurent]

It's not exactly a travel bag, since it lives mostly in the trunk of my car, but it could be what something like a baise-en-ville (I won't give a translation, since it may be a lot more offensive in english than in french). I call it my sac-à-squat, my crashing bag. I use it for improvised nightstands at other people's places since I'm very mobile and nomad (I'm very proud that all my belongings can be put in the trunk of my car), and I've got it pretty tuned for my needs. Sorry for the ugly pictures, I was doing a lot of things beside photographying.

I consider I won't have the use of more than three days of clothes, so I've got three sets of underwears and t-shirts, with a scarf and a beanie for sleeping.

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9804/p1040027copyvr2.th.jpg (http://img254.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1040027copyvr2.jpg)http://img254.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

In a first little bag, I've got a Victorinox Signature, with a Fauxton, ear protections, a little Victorinox corkscrew's screwdriver (to open Fauxton), a 2032 battery for the Fauxton, a Bic firelighter, some painkillers, some cards (to quickly write infos or contacts on it) and some coins (in € and Swiss Franc).

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/2183/p1040028copylx2.th.jpg (http://img367.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1040028copylx2.jpg)http://img367.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

In this bag, I've got shampoo, some creams (no ! I'm not metrosexual ! I've just got dry skin) and a pack of paper handkerchief.

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/2505/p1040029copyyd0.th.jpg (http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1040029copyyd0.jpg)http://img362.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

In this bag, I've got my razor, my foldable toothbrush (I need to find a way to disinfect it between uses, but now I'm just throwing it and get a new after each travel), travel toothpaste, deodorant and soap. I forgot to take picture of my military spoon.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9807/p1040030copygq1.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1040030copygq1.jpg)http://img515.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

Some rhum, because I like to drink (even if this rhum is cheap and horrible), a N°8 stainless steel Opinel and a cool back-up flashlight, my old Infinity (almost blue, ten times less powerful than my Fauxton, but running on a lithium AA). Normaly I've got some dryed soup and Spam-like pâté, but it seems that we've ate it last time and that I forgot to resupply.

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/6091/p1040031copyxf5.th.jpg (http://img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1040031copyxf5.jpg)http://img523.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

My military quart, some coton enclosed sheets (we call that "sac à viande", "meatbag"), and some laundry gel. It can be useful if I'm away from home for more than three days, so I can wash a set of clothes.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3041/p1040032copyap9.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1040032copyap9.jpg)http://img152.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

Some paracord (to help my clothes to dry, mostly) and some water, because... it can be useful. I've got a list of things to remove if I need to take a plane (knives, laundry gel, etc.), and it's near the bottle in order to be obvious.

The result is a less than 6 pounds bag, less than 1 by 1 foot and under 6 inches in width that gives me a lot of autonomy.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5726/p1040033copycl7.th.jpg (http://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1040033copycl7.jpg)http://img221.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

It's obviously completed by my three levels of EDCing (my pockets, my EDCbag and what that stay in my car like camping gear).

Sorry again for the pics.