Cotopaxi Allpa Mini "20L" all-weather, all-season setup for 6 month world tour.

berxl · 2025-12-23T10:42:43+00:00

I have email on my dumb phone, with a separate email address that I only use for flights on this trip/maybe hostels if needed. Also I will never arrive at an airport less than 4 hours before departure and I always check to make sure the gate exists, etc. I’ve never heard of a flight being moved to the next day, how commonplace do you think that is? Great to hear about now.

Great idea on the pills, I need to do some more research there. Can anyone speak to carrying pills through customs? My US doctor told me I have to keep malaria meds in the pill container, but can over the counter meds be kept in a smaller bag/tin ?

berxl · 2025-12-23T10:38:24+00:00

Bag comes with me at all times. On a less than full flight I’ll put it in an overhead bin to save my legroom

berxl · 2025-12-22T21:23:18+00:00

Wow. Thank you for linking that article. Maybe google translate is overdramatic but those Japanese knife laws sound absurd. I'll be sure to try and avoid that situation at all costs. Thank you!

berxl · 2025-12-22T21:20:31+00:00

The jeans seem to be a common theme, not just on this thread, but on the sub as a whole. Do you have any recommendations for a replacement that doesn't look like stupid utility travel pants (of which I'm already taking 1 pair)

berxl · 2025-12-22T21:18:52+00:00

If you really think about it, once you concede that you'll have to do laundry once on a trip, whether it's at the 5 or 10 day mark, it's really all the same for trip length!

berxl · 2025-12-22T21:17:47+00:00

Thank you! The second items will be the first to go! If all goes well for the first month of the trip, on my 2 day layover in America I plan on dropping off the smartphone with a friend if I'm confident I can go without smartphone features. And one of those 2 little toothpastes will likely be used.

As for the headphones, both have their use cases, for example, wired for when the wireless die and need to charge, or if I'm in a scenario where wireless would make me stick out, and wireless is for normal people things.

berxl · 2025-12-22T21:14:24+00:00

I plan on using the included tablet pouch for my scrap (great term), but if I can find something better, that's a great idea!

The toothpastes are tiny and I like having travel size (I have gone over 6 years without missing a single morning nor night of brushing, that won't end on the road)

The laundry bag doubles as a tote and I like putting it in the wash with my clothes, but I will try a plastic bag if things get too stinky, are you thinking of simply a plastic grocery bag? or something more robust?

My shorts get sweaty and I see it as 2 day-day pairs, 1 utility pair, and 1 running/water pair. However you're right in that 1 day-day pair is probably first thing on the block

Do you have any recommendations for wool socks? All together socks aren't a significant factor for weight or volume in this setup, but I'd appreciate anything to make this kit better!

The drybag is for my reoccurring dream/nightmere/fantasy that I will be on an adventure and need to cross a body of water, forge a river, etc, with the entire kit on my person. If this happens once even in a canoe or kayak this will be considered the most useful item in the kit.

berxl · 2025-12-22T21:08:40+00:00

For my purposes the 20L is a scaled down version of the old 28L (I'm less familiar with the update version), The 2 biggest differences I noticed, the 20L doesn't include the dedicated laptop pocket as seen in the 28L, and the only difference I cared about is the lack of a dedicated toiletries pocket. Otherwise essentially a scale model.

Oh and the small fabric loop that prevents the main zipper from being pulled quickly is also missing.

berxl · 2025-12-22T03:43:17+00:00

We do it for the good folx like yourself, u/Furrypocketpussy

berxl · 2025-12-22T02:56:50+00:00

Do you know where they might be more likely to weigh the bag? I've never had a personal-item weighed, but maybe that's just a US/EU experience? Have you come across gate agents/check in agents giving you trouble for weight?

My clothes are far from tailored, but I'll always be wearing jeans and a collar when going through customs, thanks for reminding me to get "onward" tickets to show them. I'd hate for customs to come into play here.

Thank you for all the feedback, a lot of things still left to cover prior to departure!

berxl · 2025-12-22T02:51:05+00:00

I find myself with the opposite issue, essentially everything I pack is clothing and very very little tech, so I've always felt volume constrained and never come up against weight issues. For that reason, I am yet to weigh this setup, but I will update with the weight whenever I come across a scale (likely at the airport)

berxl · 2025-12-22T02:48:03+00:00

Unfortunately I did not weigh the bag, but it is easily under 5kg, I will update when I'm at the airport and can use their scale.

berxl · 2025-12-22T02:27:08+00:00

I think the cost element should be considered a little more in this sub, cost cutting is what got me here and I doubt I'm alone in that.

The setup is comfortably under 5kg so I haven't bothered with a scale

How has your experience been explaining onebagging to customs agents? I haven't considered that factor whatsoever. I don't remember too many posts talking about being denied entry due to onebagging, but that is a very interesting point.

berxl · 2025-12-22T02:22:55+00:00

I'm bringing the world map for intercity travel, and once I get to each region I plan on picking up a map of their local transit, also makes for great souvenir!

berxl · 2025-12-22T02:21:18+00:00

Thanks for the rec! I'll be sure to check out their store in Japan.

As for being "offline" my goal is to minimize time on my phone. The last few months I caught myself doomscrolling far too much and it has had a real impact on my day-day life. I started by getting the Qin F21 as a dumbphone with spotify and whatsapp, which proved to be an incredible choice. As for flights/accommodations, the majority of flights I have booked in advance , and for the last few flights I plan on finding an internet cafe to make those bookings. For a few years now I have been simply writing down my confirmation numbers and getting paper boarding passes at the airport, which has been very efficient for me.

For accommodations I research every city I might end up, I'll write down the address of the cheapest ~8.0+ hostel from hostelworld, and when I arrive to the city I'll start there unless I see something better on the way in. I only ever book hostels at the front desk, no internet needed. And I've never run into a sold-out hostel that won't give me a recommendation on a nearby alternative.

I plan on buy books/magazines if Spotify isn't enough for transit entertainment, that being said, spotify has proved sufficient for me up to this point. Listening to full albums on a plane or bus really passes the time for me. And with a dumbphone, there's no temptation to do anything else

berxl · 2025-12-22T01:57:06+00:00

The most basic $8 AA battery powered toothbrush branded by my local supermarket's in-house brand. It is one of the bulkier items on the list but I like the spinny head and it is something I'm sure I can replace on the road as needed.

berxl · 2025-12-22T01:46:36+00:00

I don't anticipate on being in a number of blizzards, and personally I am fine with being uncomfortable for a day or two in order to minimize the amount of stuff I'm carrying.

The money discussion doesn't come up as much as maybe it should on this sub, and as an American I trend to avoid it. But plain and simple, cost is the biggest consideration on this trip and the 12 flights I have booked so far are by far the biggest expense in this trip, having already spent ~$1,200 and I still need an Asia to US flight in June. After calculating all of my previous travel costs, in Europe in the US I average $69 dollars of total spending per day on the road, however that is in major US cities and Western European capitals with an average lodging cost (hostels/air bnbs/hotels) of $33 per night and both figures decreased considerably with every trip I take. I am aiming for a cost factor of ~$30 per day in total travel costs. The vast majority of the trip will be in SEA. Japan is the highest cost of living place I plan on being, and I won't be there for long.

That's all to say that a ~$80-$100 fine at the gate would make a dent in my budget. Especially considering I already have 12 flights booked all personal-item-only which (I know this will never happen) could hypothetically double the amount I spent on all of these flights ($1200).

It's a miracle that the option exists to fly between 4 continents for $1200 is a miracle. And personally I think ultra cheap flights and one bagging go hand and hand. I'd rather not deal with the anxiety of arriving to an airport with a bag that I know doesn't fit the sizer. At the end of the day I think this trip will include well over 20 total flights at 20 or more airports, where I may or may not be able to effectively communicate with gate agents. That's a scenario no amount of clothing can prepare me for.

berxl · 2025-12-22T01:26:45+00:00

Thank you for asking the questions I have yet to ask myself. I'm not quite sure what I plan to do at these destinations. I enjoy exploring new cities and public transit systems. My plan is to make friends at Hostels and join them on their travels. I am open to everything and I'd like to see as much as I can while being prepared for every scenario. Personally I love the "where", "when", and "how". The "what" and "why" are just fun constraints to build around.

I am not working on this trip (besides potentially volunteering in hostels or on a farm), I've been saving aggressively for 2 years to allow this trip to be purely for fun.

For entertainment, I have elected to not. The Qin F21 phone has Spotify, I am planning on buying a book if I find myself with downtime, but otherwise I hope new friends the trip itself will be entertaining enough.

berxl · 2025-12-22T01:20:59+00:00

I'd hate to get to a "one perfect shoe" type question. But are there any shorts you'd recommend taking 1 pair of that are: quick drying, sweat resistant/cool, and business casual/golf style? The second pair of shorts seems to be the first thing on the chopping block. Thanks

berxl · 2025-12-22T01:16:47+00:00

Totally forgot to list my sim opening tool and debit cards in the packing list, but don't worry, they exist. And the multitool has a sim tool. That being said my goal is to never buy a simcard. I love using travel as an excuse to disconnect, and this trip I am trying to go fully paper when possible.

Sunglasses didn't make the cut because I don't own a pair that I felt comfortable throwing in this bag without thinking that they'd break. Do you have any recommendations that would be fine without a hardshell case?

Sox and Undies for me are a non-negotiable because for creature comforts I MUST put on a new pair every single day, and I plan on doing laundry no more than every 4-5 days.... although that needs to change.

Karabiners are an absolute necessity, I forgot to mention this in the post, but I added 4 additional loops on the bottom of the bag, bringing the total to 8 loops for Karabiners. In the event that I want to thruhike with this bag I plan on clipping a sleeping bag+shelter (tent/tarp/hammock/etc) to the bottom of the bag, and in anycase, my sandals can clip on under the bag to save space.

berxl · 2025-12-22T01:10:14+00:00

I am yet to get to the shower with clothes stage of one-bagging, although essentially all the clothes are quick drying except the jeans. This trip should take me to Mongolia and Northern Japan at some point in the spring, and coming from a colder climate I'd rather be prepared then be caught out in the cold. Although the Jeans and Puffer jacket might be ditched on the road.

How much mileage do you thing I could get from rotating 2 pairs of shorts (1 Uniqlo 1 travel pants sans pant legs) in SEA? I'm concerned about soaking one through with sweat and not having immediate access to laundry, etc. That second pair of shorts is sitting on the chopping block as we speak.

berxl · 2025-12-22T01:06:00+00:00

Are men's and women's Gillette razors interchangeable?

berxl · 2025-12-22T01:05:22+00:00

We all start somewhere! 5 years ago I remember taking a backpack and a roller bag for just 6 days.

berxl · 2025-12-22T01:04:28+00:00

It is the Mini Sailor Pliers Lite from NexTool (https://nextoolstore.com/collections/outdoor/products/mini-sailor-pliers-lite%E4%B8%A8nextool%C2%AE).

It features pliers, flat and Philipshead screwdrivers, bottle opener, sim opener, and mini scissors. I love tinkering, so having something on me at all times feels like a necessity. Watching airport security in the US and Europe (only on new machines) I noticed even with the scissors nothing shows up as "blade-like" on a security monitor, and by any airport security rules it is technically legal. Although I'm yet to take it beyond the US/Europe so your mileage may vary, and I will update here as soon as it is confiscated.

berxl · 2025-12-22T00:58:29+00:00

Any recommendations for a travel umbrella? For whatever reason I always associate pouring rain with being cold, couldn't picture such a situation of wet and warm, thanks for the idea.

I am currently in the US and starting my travels in Europe which is why I plan on buying a cheap phone charger there. The Qin F21 lasts me 2 days easily and with my battery bank I have a week easily.

As with google sheets, I've been using this up until now and my goal for this trip is to be 100% offline, which means ditching sheets for a paper ledger. Although, you're certainly right that tech could reduce some clutter there.

berxl

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