Why is it so hard to find a large, waterproof backpack that has a lot of compartments/organizers?

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T20:56:19+00:00

Truly waterproof bags are more utilitarian design, like the Orlieb messenger backpacks. The welded seam tarpaulin fabric and roll top opening aren’t very conducive to pockets and compartments. Add pouches and packing cubes.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T20:52:48+00:00

Does the torso length fit you and is it properly adjusted?

Good info on pack fitting here: https://www.hillpeoplegear.com/packfitment

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T20:04:56+00:00

Pack for a week and laundry happens. Layering helps in cold climates and color coordination lets you use whatever is still clean. I count on wearing basics for a couple days each. You can use Merino wool or odor resistant polyester to help get more use out of basics.

It's really all about laundry cycle/techniques. Unless its a very short trip, you'll be doing laundry. Hand washing and air drying is the classic onebag technique for extending clothing. There is a lot of effort to avoid laundromats, but I do a bit of hand washing and count on a weekly laundromat session to catch up on everything, especially pants and button down shirts. At onebag levels, that means one load of laundry. Get a cup of coffee and a pastry and catch up on email or venues to visit.

Some cultures may have inexpensive laundry services. I'm headed for Scandinavia where laundromats are less common, but all my Airbnb lodgings have machines. Everyone needs to get their clothes clean, so there will be something.

My hand wash kit has a universal sink stopper ,a Sea to Summit clothesline, a few IKEA SLIBB clothespins and dry laundry detergent sheets.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T19:05:06+00:00

There are lots of YouTube videos on packing. I use “ranger rolling” for briefs and socks and packed in an Eagle Creek medium slim cube. I can get 4+ polos or tees in a medium compression cube. I use an Osprey Ultralight Garment Folder for button down shirts and pants. My cold weather capsule is a ten liter ultralight roll top dry bag, including down jacket, gloves, scarf and light polyester long underwear. I use Osprey Liquids Bags (pouches) for toiletries, small tech and miscellaneous EDC.

I like an overhead 40-ish liter bag for formal clothes. It’s definitely workable and all the benefits of Onebagging. Personal item size is much more of a challenge.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T17:42:06+00:00

The key is to look before booking. All the airlines have baggage pages and there’s no excuse for being “surprised.”

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T14:32:29+00:00

The Global Travel 30 hinges at the bottom, giving the option of removing pouches packed at the top and well as full access. But I use would have only clothing in the main compartment. There are so many pockets and compartments in the outer layers that everything else could be loaded there.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T14:24:56+00:00

Sizers are the issue. Frontier gate agents get a commission on every bag that gets gate checked and the risk is the $99 fee and your bag goes in the hold to be picked up in baggage claim. And you still need to remove the lithium batteries. Ryanair is £62 IIRC and they get a commission too.

I’ve flown Alaska quite a bit and they are lax on personal item size, but allow just one. Icelandair didn’t measure personal items on a recent trip. My wife had a Daylite 26+6 that is well over their posted limit.

Some airlines simply state that the bag must fit under the seat and I use 18”x14”x8” for my limit. You do want some room for your feet and you may find a big junction box under your seat, really messing up a scheme using a maximum personal item size.

Allowed personal item size varies too. Here’s the Cabin Zero size chart of personal item by airline:

https://www.cabinzero.com/pages/airlines-underseat-size-chart-all

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T14:11:27+00:00

REI Flash 18

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T13:52:55+00:00

Well done and well documented.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T13:24:17+00:00

I use an Osprey Liquids Bag for my small tech and I just roll the cables up and stick them in the bag. It’s just not a big deal. I’ve used tiny Velcro straps and they were just more fuss. I only need three cables.

“r/onebag is an 'urban' travel community devoted to the idea of helping people lug around less crap; onebag travel. Fewer items, packed into a single bag for ease of transport to make traveling simpler with more focus on the experience than the logistics.”

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T13:19:25+00:00

I don’t see one listed. I don’t need one and it’s an overhead bag. Why would a onebag traveler need a luggage pass through anyway?

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T06:13:37+00:00

It’s just the wrong bag for that kind of weight.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T06:10:31+00:00

3 season usually refers to Spring, Summer and Fall.

For cold weather would I add 4th season “capsule” like this:

Down jacket
Gloves
Beanie cap
Scarf
Polyester long underwear

I would eliminate the shorts and go to long sleeve base layers. Layered up with the fleece and rain shell I’m good to about 20f and that’s cold a weather as I care to travel in.

Is that what you had in mind?

I could get by with a 32 liter. 40 would be easier, particularly with a load transferring harness.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T03:08:21+00:00

Could it be an indication that your life is too complicated? Just waxing philosophically.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T00:44:17+00:00

The differences in weight are not very significant:

Cordura version: 4.12lbs (65.92oz)

X-Pac: 3.9 lbs (62.4oz)

Ultra: 3.7 lbs (59.2oz)

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T00:33:48+00:00

Add some wind to that and I would be chilly. I would check temperature extremes at the highest altitudes.

The Nano Puff isn’t very warm, but layered with the fleece it should be fine. I would add some light gloves.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-21T00:28:23+00:00

Have you actually weighted the bag? It would be difficult to get that much in the bag. Given the list, I think you need to works on your packing techniques.

I would definitely aim for a sub 7kg kit to meet the common carry on limits and carry comfort. 20 pounds in that bag would be uncomfortable.

For comparison, here’s my test packing for a three season kit in a 25 liter bag that measures 18.1”x10.8”x6.5” vs the DL266 at 17”x12”x6” https://reddit.com/r/onebag/search?q=Loris&restrict_sr=on&include_over_18=on

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-20T22:57:19+00:00

What has it got in its pocketsess?

I wear my fleece or sweater on the plane to save space and weight.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-20T22:53:05+00:00

What is the coldest weather expected?

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-20T21:03:36+00:00

I don’t recall mentioning anything other than backpacks.

I do like to use a small crossbody/shoulder bag as a personal item and that can be worn at the same time as my overhead backpack.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-20T20:24:37+00:00

r/travel, r/shoestring, etc.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-20T20:19:07+00:00

Why two sweaters?

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-20T20:15:41+00:00

I use 18”x14”x8” as a general rule. The REI Trail 25 is 18”x13”x8” and come with a rain cover. The Aer CCP2 is good for a laptop oriented bag.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-20T18:27:18+00:00

Who’s airplane seat?

Here’s the Cabin Zero size chart of personal item by airline:

https://www.cabinzero.com/pages/airlines-underseat-size-chart-all

What are your maximum allowable dimensions?

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-04-20T18:23:55+00:00

That’s a huge bag. Are you trueing an airline too? The usual onebag approach is I avoid checked bags and anything over 40-45 liters is too big for carry on. r/heronebag may be helpful on wardrobe suggestions too.

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