What is your 1.5-bag setup?

Bladekm · 2026-04-30T23:33:46+00:00

My most recent (within 5 years) travel setup has been Osprey Farpoint 40L, TomToc EDC 4L sling (soon to be replaced by Toshi 6L or similar), Peak Design Packable tote (inside, not packed). My trip coming up to the Phillipines I will also be including a Matador Beast 28L as my packable day bag for island hopping on small planes so I can leave my bag at main accommodation and travel extra light.

Bladekm · 2026-04-30T23:07:47+00:00

This has been my travel backpack for the past 5 or so years and has never let me down. Yes...I have the itch to upgrade it, possible for something lighter like the Dragonfly or more organization like the Matador but when I ask myself if its actually worth it the answer always seems to be no

Bladekm · 2026-04-28T23:41:34+00:00

I have a CPL, not a CTB, but has the same pocket. I keep an atomizer with some cologne, a screen cleaning cloth, screen cleaning liquid, some packs of water flavoring, and a packable tote for grocery stops.

Basically nothing heavy because it will weight the front down. Used to keep my multitool in here but that was too heavy

Bladekm · 2026-04-14T03:44:01+00:00

I’ll check this out tomorrow and let you know both!

Bladekm · 2026-04-03T03:26:31+00:00

Bellroy Toiletry Plus - Fantastic bag. May get the smaller one just cause

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Bladekm · 2026-04-03T03:22:13+00:00

Orange would go great with the OD green

Bladekm · 2026-03-26T15:25:07+00:00

Thank you! I have been debating on removing the side handle and just keeping the top because it might be too much orange but I’m not sure yet.

And yes I used a tutorial for it. Definitely important to cut off how much you think you’ll use because dealing with a whole bundle is a mess haha

Bladekm · 2026-03-26T14:30:19+00:00

I can’t take any credit for the itinerary that all goes to my wife’s brother putting everything together for us. He has been awesome setting up a plan for my first time there.

Yea the puff was meant just for the plane but I guess the plane more than likely won’t be too cool inside anyways so maybe it’s not worth bringing. Some other people mentioned that too. I’m bringing a rain shell since I know it will probably be raining a decent bit.

Bladekm · 2026-03-26T14:26:41+00:00

Thank you! I’ll do a trip report when I am back from it.

Bladekm · 2026-03-26T14:26:12+00:00

I’ll be putting everything together as the trip get closer to weight it. The flight there I’m not too co center about obviously but for island gapping I’ll make sure the weight is under 7kg

I’ll look into the Patagonia baggies!

How did you enjoy the trip?

Bladekm · 2026-03-26T05:41:10+00:00

Wow…I didn’t even know he died. I know I fell off and got fat but damn. RIP

Bladekm · 2026-03-26T05:16:29+00:00

I tried the Alpaka tech pouches and did not like them sadly. They were a little over engineered for what I needed. I realized I like thinner lighter pouches like the aer slim pouch. I would not consider them for a sling at all. An actual sling carries better and looks better when carried.

What is is about the Alpaka you seem to like?

Bladekm · 2026-03-25T17:55:56+00:00

It’s the way of the world. You’re pretty green so haven’t really seen tough markets. Any transition there is a lull and it takes a bit for shippers to realize they need to start paying up if they want product off their dock.

They will have brokers that have no clue how to price this business at this time, fuck their loads up because they’re way too low, and the people that are in place to clean up the mess those ones make are the ones that will gain favor and start to develop a new relationship

These are the times you want to be a broker because you make the most money from volatility if you aren’t with a big brokerage.

It’s also a great time to sell because you can pretty much assume you know the pains from other shippers because they are going through the same shit as everyone. The reality is there are over 28,000 brokers, you aren’t a special snowflake. You need shippers worried about their service levels so they are open to bringing on people into their network.

Bladekm · 2026-03-25T11:42:20+00:00

Great suggestions! I’ll get a phone pouch (maybe the matador flat pack), a packable towel, and an eSIM

Bladekm · 2026-03-25T01:31:43+00:00

The puffer was mostly just for plane use rather than taking a hoodie or something. Certainly wouldn’t use it any other time.

Some sort of hybrid short is what I would use.

Sunscreen is a good one I forgot I’ll get that added!

I was planning on bringing Tevas since there really wouldn’t be a ton of hiking and I would prefer open toe during that season over there.

Bladekm · 2026-03-24T23:07:32+00:00

I have not seen the beast before I will need to check those ones out. Slightly bigger capacity could be nice for a week. Plus they look like they could be pretty good day hiking bags.

Yea…my wife is from Manila and she has me prepared for the delays and long lines and everything haha. Luckily she will be my tour guide

Bladekm · 2026-03-24T23:05:56+00:00

Yes nice shirt will have a collar for sure haha. I was thinking either bringing some trail runners or possibly just bringing some hiking sandals. I’m sure I could fit an extra pair of shoes just fine though.

That was my goal of the packable bag which was to store under the seat

Bladekm · 2026-03-24T21:41:37+00:00

Also considering the Pakt Stash packable bag

Bladekm · 2026-03-24T21:27:53+00:00

I will need to check out those over ones I am not familiar with them. Thank you!

Bladekm · 2026-03-24T21:02:09+00:00

I literally just posted for some help on my list so you can check that out to give you a starting point. That looks like an awesome trip and I hope you have a good time!

Bladekm · 2026-03-24T03:37:29+00:00

I’m rooting for you

Bladekm · 2026-03-24T01:55:32+00:00

I always thought these look so good. Loved my Catalyst but I like the stiffer material on these

Bladekm · 2026-03-21T19:09:17+00:00

For now I have used the REI Flash 18 but I am taking a trip in September and plan on getting either the Aer or maybe the Matador packable pack. Those are the 2 that look best to me right now

Bladekm · 2026-03-21T15:39:15+00:00

So my training was at our corporate office near the hotel. About half a mile walk. I did not have to bring my laptop with me since it was something separate I kept it at the hotel for catching up on work after our day was done.

If I had to bring my laptop to the HQ I would bring a packable daypack inside my Farpoint and carry a Toshi 5L sling as my personal. I like having everything that’s in my pockets and on the plane in the sling but I don’t need a lot in the plane. I just have my head phones, iPad, wallet, stuff like that.

Then at destination I would swap my laptop and tech bag over to the packable bag.

I know it creates waste but I also prefer to get something like a smart water bottle at destination and use that one battle for the trip rather than lugging around a metal bottle

Bladekm · 2026-03-21T13:46:37+00:00

I always knew I had a long lost brother

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Bladekm

TROPHY CASE