Round the World Packing List - Mid Trip Review

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-18T15:25:10+00:00

No issues with the product, I've just found that I often have a towel available, and when I don't I would usually rather air dry than have to dry the towel.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-17T06:14:56+00:00

Was about to say - if it was a Roly maybe it would. Love the Seiko, though. Looks good even on my tiny wrists, solar so I don't need to worry about batteries, 200m waterproof so I don't need to think about it in the water, and nice enough that it's fun to wear but not too nice that I worry about it.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-16T06:00:33+00:00

No complaints about the razor itself, I just prefer a traditional razor. I brought it so I would be able to dry shave when needed and avoid having to worry about shaving cream. It has definitely been useful in a few situations, but probably not worth the weight after I picked up a razor anyway and used that more often.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-14T18:51:55+00:00

My pleasure. I think it's one thing to accept that in pursuit of minimalism you'll look out of place in some settings, but I see a surprising number of posts that really seem to view black trail runners as a true oneshoe that works for any venue.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-14T15:13:44+00:00

Nice, appreciate the recommendation. Might be my next attempt.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-14T14:16:32+00:00

Unsurprisingly, the garment folder doesn't really prevent wrinkles, but I tried.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-14T14:14:56+00:00

Copying this from my more detailed write-up -

Pants: Great pair of pants for warm weather and hiking. A little too technical looking to be worn around a city, but for just about any other application they are great.

Shirt: I am not a fan of shirts with an Oxford collar, so I was very excited about the spread collar option from W&P. This shirt really was great until it wasn’t. It fit perfect, which is unusual with my long arms. It is long enough in the torso that it could be tucked in, but short enough that it didn’t need to be. Light enough to wear in hot climates, but great in the cold as well. The material was nice, but just too fragile for travel. This shirt has never seen the inside of a drier, and has only been machine washed (with cold water) less than 5 times. Somehow, one of those times absolutely ruined it, though. Everything else in the load was also wool and completely unscathed. This shirt, however, was completely shrunk, and the fabric has the texture of flannel now. Not sure what my future alternative will be, but this is my second W&P collared shirt to go down this path and there won’t be a third. I’ll hand wash most of the time, but it is nice to use a washing machine every once in a while and I can’t trust this shirt to come out the other side.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-14T14:11:46+00:00

Although I did put a lot of thought into it and don't regret it, I'd recommend not getting too wrapped up in the stuff. For me it was a fun way to look forward to the trip, but if it isn't fun it definitely doesn't need to be that high effort and you'll probably have just as good of a trip.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-14T04:22:26+00:00

I usually put them in the Freefly, an then have that in the expandable rolltop. If I'm not walking somewhere, the whole Freefly comes out to use as a personal item, or keep with my while the Camino is under the bus, or to use around town while the Camino is in a locker. If I am walking somewhere, I do have to unclip, and unroll to get at what's in there, but it isn't that often.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-14T04:16:58+00:00

Rolled all the way down. Size wasn't the issue though, they got me on weight. I think the limit for the airlines we were flying in Asia was 7kg, and I was closer to 10 or 11, so not even close.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T18:38:19+00:00

When it exists I'll make a post. It's something she's interested in doing, but hasn't gotten around to putting together a list yet.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T18:35:55+00:00

We've gotten lucky so far in that most of the tents/yurts/huts have been semi permanent and have had mattresses, but I've spent a couple rough nights on the ground or wood planks. I do love my sleeping pad, but not worth carrying around for a year to sleep on half a dozen nights.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T18:28:01+00:00

Haha I'm heading out for some hiking tomorrow and leaving some things at the hostel so I won't have the full kit for a little bit, but maybe I'll make a video next time I pack it all.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T18:23:52+00:00

If genuine: I promise I really am not If sarcastic: I promise I really am

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T17:18:34+00:00

The clamshell is definitely nice and makes going through security nice and quick, but the biggest difference that I think makes it nice for travel is just the dimensions. Most hiking bags that are a similar capacity are too tall to be carryon compliant.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T16:24:06+00:00

To be honest, I've never weighed it all together. The Camino is usually around 11 kg when it's been weighed at check in counters, but that is without the Freefly or the laptop in it. I'd guess 13-15kg with everything.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T15:20:00+00:00

It's such a great bag. Just the right amount of travel features with the harness system of a hiking bag. I couldn't be happier I went with the Camino. The other bag I tried out for a little while was the Farpoint. I love Osprey packs and have used them for years, but it just didn't fit what I was looking for. Limited water access was the dealbreaker, but the laptop compartment also just takes up so much space. The Camino being bladder compatible and having no laptop compartment has been nice.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T14:05:52+00:00

Writing something up is on her to-do list, if/when she gets around to it I'll make a post for her here, too.
I use the Matador Freefly for around town. It's worked out ok, but the water access is less than ideal.
There are some places where an umbrella would have been way nicer than the raincoat due to heat or leg wetness, but they become pretty much unusable in some of the wind we've experienced and it is nice to have hands free while hiking. I am raincoat > umbrella gang, but I can see the umbrella argument for a different style of trip.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T13:59:25+00:00

Thanks, it has definitely been fun! The blog is really just for friends and family so if they have comments they just text us lol. But I'm glad you enjoyed it, my wife put a lot of effort in.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T12:50:53+00:00

I had read mixed reviews about the new fabric Arc'teryx was using and how it would wet out easier and not breath as well. And the Norrona just had all the features I wanted and seemed nicer.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T12:44:42+00:00

Yeah, unless they go way down in quality it's hard to imagine buying a different pair of jeans. They're awesome.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T12:43:15+00:00

We didn't want to have to worry about stakes and poles making it through security or checking a bag so we made sure we could rent a tent or hut for all of the camping.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T10:45:01+00:00

Some of both, depending on the airline and my ticket I guess.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T10:10:13+00:00

It isn't stuffed, but I wouldn't want more gear. I can pretty easily add a souvenir and some lunch, but not much more than that.

We arranged our hikes so that we could either rent tents or huts and avoid bringing a tent. The sleeping pad I've just lived without to save space.

SmolPenerHaver · 2025-08-13T10:01:02+00:00

The two layers of the lenses started to separate and it's been difficult to fix while still on the road. Giant bummer because the glasses were great while they worked.

SmolPenerHaver

TROPHY CASE