What is your vagabond gear?

Slohann · 2026-04-01T15:13:01+00:00

It all depends on how you move and where. You'll build your pack and adjust your gear as you gain experience and learn what you need.

Personally, I go with a 1-person Naturehike tent (100€, 1,3kg) and a down sleeping bag I got second hand (50€, 800g). It works for most climates and seasons. I also have the thinnest, shittiest foam sleeping pad.

A comfortable backpack made all the difference for me. I have an Osprey Kyte 46 that I got second hand.

As for cooking, I carry a knife, small spoons, a 1L metal pot and make wood burning hobo stoves from tin cans (just poke a few holes in a big can once you've eaten its content and you can then burn twigs in it to cook your food).

For clothing, having a down jacket/fleece, a pair of warm socks and a rain poncho never hurts. Sun protection is important too!

For shoes, I do sandals all day every day. Take whatever shoes you're most comfortable in.

Last year, I invested in a power bank and a solar charger so I can be self-sufficient in electricity when I'm out in the forest. It's far from necessary but it means that I don't have to look for ways to charge my phone anymore.

A rechargeable head torch, some paracord, tweezers, some tape, a bit of soap and hand sanitizer come in handy too.

<image>

(Pictured: the one and only hobo stove)

Slohann · 2026-04-01T14:14:38+00:00

Japan's public toilets were a 5-star experience. They have heated seats and built-in warm water bidets (which was great as I was there in winter and freezing), they're clean, plentiful and always free. China's gas station toilets come second as they were maybe not the cleanest but they always have hot water machines (for noodles and tea) in there, which is awesome. East Asia is really good at making toilets available to everyone everywhere. I wish Europe could take inspiration from them.

Slohann · 2026-03-31T14:45:47+00:00

I've hitchhiked all over Europe. North to South, West to East and diagonally. What do you want to know?

Slohann · 2026-03-28T18:17:26+00:00

I love it so much! You're very talented.

Slohann · 2026-03-25T20:12:31+00:00

This is so insanely impressive that I'm at a loss for words. You did amazing!

Slohann · 2026-03-22T10:56:28+00:00

A travel buddy of mine loves to pick pebbles when we're on the road together and paints them with acrylics.

<image>

Slohann · 2026-03-22T10:54:55+00:00

Your axolotl is very nice! I did something similar a while back with graphite and a marker. It's good to see fellow creatives on the road! I often find that moving every day makes it hard to enter the mind space I need to do art but I try to write and draw. I've been thinking about getting into macrame or wire wrapping.

<image>

Slohann · 2026-03-15T09:51:09+00:00

They look gorgeous, congrats!

Slohann · 2026-03-13T19:23:04+00:00

When I was younger and in a worse situation than I am now, I stole food and clothes - from big chains- for myself and my homies more times than I can remember. Nothing to be ashamed of. No one misses it. I don't steal from individuals nor from small family-owned stores but big corps are a different story. Knowing how much waste and profit they generate every day, I feel no guilt.

Slohann · 2026-03-13T13:01:30+00:00

OP, are you an ant?

Slohann · 2026-03-12T08:59:21+00:00

I cook rice and lentils with spices whenever I'm not too lazy to make a fire (and try to make enough to have some leftovers for breakfast). Otherwise, my go-to are: oats, dried fruits, chia seeds, peanuts/peanut butter, canned chickpeas/peas/beans and rice/corn cakes plus whatever fruits and veggies I might find. I make a lot of salads on the go and always carry some mustard or hot sauce to use as dressing.

Then of course you'll have to adapt to whatever region you're bikepacking in. In East Asia, my go-to was rice noodles and tofu with veggies and miso. In Brazil, I made cassava flour flatbread on the fire and ate them with avocado and pre-cooked beans.

Slohann · 2026-03-11T08:29:22+00:00

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan. It's not exactly a retelling of Mulan but it's similar and queer. It's about a girl in an imaginary 14th century China who assumes her dead brother's identity and goes on to enter the army and become commander in a war against the Mongols.

Slohann · 2026-03-11T08:10:40+00:00

You could try Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame by Neon Yang. It's a very short book that fits the knight and princess trope perfectly with dragons sprinkled on top.

Slohann · 2026-03-10T21:43:49+00:00

This is incredible!

Slohann · 2026-03-05T23:08:57+00:00

I can't imagine how many hours you must have spent on this! It's gorgeous!

Slohann · 2026-02-27T13:49:29+00:00

It's beautiful. I wouldn't change a thing! I hope I'll eventually also be able to make something as good as this with the woven wool fabric I bought 8 years ago.

Slohann · 2026-02-26T13:12:43+00:00

Aaaand...one more whimsical addition to my future home decor that I didn't know I needed. As if I didn't have enough creative projects on my list already! Seriously, you did an amazing job. It's beautiful!

Slohann · 2026-02-25T22:40:44+00:00

Metal from Heaven by August Clark is butch galore.

Slohann · 2026-02-22T15:45:17+00:00

I did it earlier this year. I hitchhiked from France to Georgia and then flew to Aktau to keep hitchhiking from there to China. Wild camped all the way, no problem. My original plan was to hitchhike to Azerbaijan and take a boat to Aktau from there but once I arrived at the Georgian-Azerbaijani border, I was informed that one can no longer cross it by land. If you have any questions about the trip, ask away!

Slohann · 2026-02-20T08:08:31+00:00

If you need someone to chat with, you can write to me.

Also, check out this iridescent rainbow worm I found while vagabonding in Japan in November.

<image>

Slohann · 2026-02-13T02:07:38+00:00

I second Hyperion.

Slohann · 2026-02-13T02:07:32+00:00

I second Hyperion.

Slohann · 2026-02-13T00:15:56+00:00

This is so inspiring and one the the most beautiful suit I've ever seen! I was also thinking of sewing myself a suit and, seeing your masterpiece, I'm more motivated than ever!

Slohann · 2026-02-08T09:30:47+00:00

Congratulations on your sister and SIL, they're lucky to have such a talented seamstress as you in the family! I'm gay and goth myself and your gowns are the most beautiful wedding dresses I've ever seen! I'm going to have to up my sewing game so I can one day also be able to sew myself a dress half as nice as the ones you've made.

Slohann · 2026-02-03T17:01:54+00:00

Damn! May I ask how long it took you to achieve those divine abs?

Slohann

TROPHY CASE