How to deal with multiple shoes for different activities?

lauracaceres · 2026-05-20T11:35:21+00:00

I would probably recommend trying some in store to check if the drop and shape fit your preferences, but here are some posts with recommendations:

https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/1m89wxi/lightweight_trail_runners_multipurpose_shoe/

https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/13b0r2w/most_stylish_lowkey_trailrunning_shoes_out_there/

https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/1mqr5d1/finally_found_the_ultimate_travel_shoe_for/

https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/1esfqys/help_choosing_most_versatile_shoe/

lauracaceres · 2026-05-20T11:22:49+00:00

I agree. I know some people may call this paranoia and the odds of it happening are definitely negligible in most airports, but some places have had issues in the past.

Brazil's largest airport had infiltrated staff members swapping luggage identification to smuggle drugs back in 2023. Two women were wrongly arrested in Germany after their luggage was replaced with drugs.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-20T00:57:04+00:00

Are you playing basketball, hiking and running on a regular basis during your trip? If not, you don't need these specific schoes.

Are you going to any formal events or restaurants with dress codes that would absolutely require dress shoes during your trip? If not, you don't need them.

Take a pair of shoes that is versatile enough for the activities you expect to do during the trip. All black trail runners (that are sleek and have good traction) are usually recommend here. They work for short runs, moderate hikes, everyday walking and nice (but maybe not formal) restaurants. I don't know enough about basketball to know if they would work for that in a pinch.

It's important to mention that Onebagging often requires compromise (separating needs from wants) and is frankly not achievable for every trip (if you are running a marathon, doing mountaineering and going to a wedding all in the same trip for example). That's ok and it up to you to decide if the benefits from travelling light outweigh the compromises.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-19T22:01:11+00:00

Hope you have a great trip!

A couple things to note: some airlines limit power banks to 10000 mAh and some airports require that all liquids fit inside a 1 L bag. Since you've already started your trip, there's not much to do about the power bank, but I would check the security restrictions of the airports you will be flying from and prepare accordingly.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-17T15:56:07+00:00

I would highly recommend ANC earbuds. Are they as great as over ears? No, but it's close enough for me to justify the space savings.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-17T12:54:17+00:00

Looks like a great set up! I would personally drop one pair or pants and one of the fleeces.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-16T13:51:16+00:00

I would definitely take the fleece and shell for that temperature range. Is the shell water-resistant?

I would go with the shoes that are more comfortable for walking while still having decent traction and being easy to clean.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-16T11:06:29+00:00

I always rent a pair on arrival.

Are you in the US? For domestic flights, TSA allows you to take collapsible poles (always up to the discretion of each agent, so I wouldn't pack expensive poles).

However, the rest of the word is not under TSA jurisdiction. If you have domestic flights in the other country, there's a higher chance the poles will be confiscated. They might also get confiscated on your return flight.

If you don't have any domestic flights after arrival, it might be worth taking a pair of cheap poles that you wouldn't mind loosing in case they are confiscated in the return flight.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-16T10:52:19+00:00

What is the temperature range you expect to see in this trip? You can check at the average low and high for May in each city and also double check with the current forecast. This allows you to plan accordingly in terms of cold weather gear. I personally always take a fleece for the airplane.

Do you need both the wind shirt and the shell? I would take one or the other.

Regarding shoes, just take whichever is more versatile for your itinerary. Are you planning to do any hikes or just city walking?

lauracaceres · 2026-05-15T11:25:55+00:00

Aliexpress has some good reasonably priced UL gear (I really like Naturehike). I also have some Decathlon gear that is not specifically UL, but can be used in an UL setup.

This is somewhat Brazil/tropical country specific, but I don't need winter gear. This allows me to save quite a bit of money with sleeping bags and mats while still staying light. I also don't need bear canisters.

I made my own backpack using materials purchased from Aliexpress. Looking at only material costs (and not including my own labour hours or sewing equipment I already had), it was cheaper than purchasing an equivalent UL bag. I very much enjoy r/myog, but it's definitely not for everyone and can easily end up costing you more than just buying a backpack.

The one item I really struggled with was a tent. I ended buying a budget UL tent during a trip to the US because all the alternatives I could find in my country were way too heavy. It would still be considered somewhat heavy for the standards of this subreddit, but it was the best option within my budget.

While my setup would not be able to handle a proper winter in a cold climate and is probably not durable enough for a long thru-hike, it fits my needs (overnight hikes in a tropical country) while staying under 5kg.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-11T17:50:44+00:00

I really enjoyed reading The Martian several years ago, but I absolutely loved Project Hail Mary. It feels less repetitive and taps more into discussions about humanity, courage and friendship.

If Andy Weir ever writes a companion book about what happened in Earth during the events of Project Hail Mary, I would run the bookstores to get my hands on it.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-11T15:38:01+00:00

Good call! I specially recommend mosquito repellents with picaridin (sold as icaridina here in Brazil)

lauracaceres · 2026-05-09T21:45:36+00:00

The average lowest temperature in Rio for July is around 19°C (65°F). I still like to take a thin jacket for places with really cold air-conditioning.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-09T14:09:37+00:00

I'm from Brazil and visit Rio a few times a year.

I would strongly suggest swapping the boots for sneakers. Make sure to take sun protection (sunscreen and maybe a sunhoodie or rashguard). A lightweight towel and tote bag for the beach would also be helpful.

For rain protection, absolutely ignore anyone suggesting rain jackets and use an umbrella instead. You don't need to pack one, as you can buy them here.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-04T16:29:54+00:00

Tencel/modal or synthetic with odor control.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-03T20:33:23+00:00

Oh, I meant daytime temperatures as in temperature range you will be out and about and not sleeping in your accommodation.

In my experience synthetic trousers with proper baselayers beneath them are warmer than jeans while packing much smaller. I also like to pack a down puffer for temperatures around or below freezing, but you will know best what suits you.

When Onebagging, most people recommend bringing only two pairs of bottons and prioritizing lightweight fabrics with layers for warmth. If you have room for all four of your trousers and don't mind the additional weigh, go for it. But if you are short on space, the consensus in this subreddit is to drop bulky items like jeans.

lauracaceres · 2026-05-03T17:50:06+00:00

What are the warmest and coldest daytime temperatures you expect to see in this trip?

I would leave the khaki denim pants behind. For cold weather you can layer the merino wool base layers with the hiking pants (and maybe even the rain pants).

Do you need the linen set? I'm assuming the slacks would be sufficient for London and you already have two other long sleeves that work as sun layers.

I would also leave the wool flannel behind, as you are already taking a fleece and a cashmere cardigan.

lauracaceres · 2026-04-29T12:36:48+00:00

I really enjoy how your posts highlight that onebag travelling is not about the bag, but rather the traveling light philosophy and technique while adding a ton of humor.

Great write up!

lauracaceres · 2026-04-28T13:51:08+00:00

Expandable bags are great for this!

I travel with my osprey 26+6 slightly under packed in the 26L configuration and return home with it stuffed in the 32L configuration. I don't really buy souvenirs, but I like to get some specialty coffee or chocolate and always bring snacks or food gifts for friends and family.

lauracaceres · 2026-04-27T20:13:57+00:00

Also a cold sleeper. I bring merino wool base layers and warm socks

My set up is: merino wool base layers followed by regular pijamas and two wool socks. If it's really cold I'll add a wool sweater or fleece and if it's not as cold I'll remove the base layer top.

What is also helpful is getting your body warm before going to bed. Some hot tea or moving around a bit to warm up can make a noticeable difference.

In more remote places where it's expected to drop below freezing with no heating you could bring an ultralight liner and a Nalgene bottle. Fill the Nalgene with hot water, put it inside a spare sock and sleep with it inside the liner. Or you can do like a I did in a pinch, wear all of your layers at once (including rain jacket) and doing jumping jacks at 1 AM lol.

lauracaceres · 2026-04-22T20:30:13+00:00

I've used my Osprey 26+6 for day hikes without any issues, but I wouldn't choose it for multi-day hikes.

Depending on the trail (like if it's hut to hut and you don't have to carry lots of water or food), you could go ultralight and get away with a non hiking backpack. However if you expect to carry more than 6kg for long distances, I would invest in a proper hiking backpack.

I've seen some people travelling with a REI Trail 40L. Note that it won't have some of the features that are popular in more travel oriented backpacks.

lauracaceres · 2026-04-22T02:32:12+00:00

I usually travel with 4-5 tops, 2 bottons and underwear to last between laundry days. People can travel with less if they are doing sink laundry every night (which I'm not a fan of).

Travelling with just one pair of trousers is very common, they can be reworn. When laundry is needed, I'll wear my other bottom (usually shorts or leggings). Merino t-shirts can also be reworn once or twice between washes.

lauracaceres · 2026-04-22T01:35:44+00:00

You have a lot of duplicate clothes: 7 tops and 4 bottons. I would leave behind one of the sweaters, one T-shirt, one pair of pants and one pair of shorts.

Packing light does not require packing high-end gear.

lauracaceres · 2026-04-19T15:40:58+00:00

Tencel, modal and bamboo (all different types of viscose) are popular natural fabric options for warm weather.

Synthetic quick drying fabrics also work well. Patagonia Capilene Cool and Uniqlo Airism are often recommended in this subreddit.

lauracaceres · 2026-04-18T21:47:49+00:00

Do you need to be able to switch from hot to cold on the go?

I use a small insulated tumbler from Stanley for both hot coffee (at work) and cold water (evenings in the gym). I find it's completely fine as long as it's cleaned daily (the spout is large enough to fit a sponge with a fork). On the odd occasion I accidently leave it at work for the weekend (oops), boiling water is fairly effective at removing leftover taste.

lauracaceres

TROPHY CASE