Onebagging: a definition

What is one bag travel? Is there a concise definition? Does it mean the same for everyone?

These are questions I get asked quite often yet have never, in one place, answered. So, I’d like to give out what I believe “one bag” travel constitutes and what this website will use as its guideline.

First, let me say that everyone should travel and pack the way that is comfortable for them. For some it will be a very lightweight bag and others two or three full size suitcases.

Onebagging is most important when taking some type of mass transit: plane, train, ferry, boat.

One bag travel….the gold star definition……one bag, preferably non-wheeled, no more than approximately 22 x 14 x 9  in size and a total packed weight of 20-22 lbs (slightly higher in winter.)

That, I understand, may be difficult for some while others  may do even better (you get two gold stars.)

The next level, for silver star status, is the one gold star definition plus a small “personal” item measuring no more than 35 linear inches. I realize that in today’s world, so many of us carry a plethora of electronics that one bag may not be enough.Total weight should still be 20-25 lbs.

Then there’s the bronze star….a wheeled bag, weighing no more than 6 lbs empty, measuring no more than 22 x 14 x 9 including wheels and a personal item.Total weight still no more than 20-25 lbs.

I also realize that there are extenuating circumstances where none of the above can be followed.

Traveling is an individual experience and how we pack should be just as individual. Please don’t compare yourself to others or think someone is better because they take less. But if you’re here, I’m guessing your goal is to take less.  If that’s the case, then let us know how we an help. And for those who are already onebaggers, please chime in to share your experiences and tips.

One other thing….there is one caveat to one bag travel. And that’s travel by car. If not using some type of mass transit, and you’ll only have to go from car to accomodation and back, then packing heavy isn’t that bad. In fact, for car trips, I’ve even been known to take my 25” wheeled duffel.

Addendum….if you have a smaller bag that is used at your plane or train seat or as a daybag when your main bag is stowed, but normally carry that small bag inside your main bag, then you still have gold start status.

Comments

[Paul]

Nice break down. I usually go gold star, but I do hold in reserve the right to carry my iPad's case (which carries my in air necessities) as a personal item if I need the extra space in my bag. But then again is it a personal item if it fits in the seat pocket?

I find that my one bag habits kick in even for car trips. Not a bad thing per say, but it is amusing to "load up" the truck and then I have that moment where I realize how much space is still there and wonder what I forgot.

[K-eM]

Paul, I love your comment about "loading up" the trunk. I too tend to pack the same way for car trips as I do for plane trips with key exceptions.
-We take a cooler with food to save money and be able to eat when we want to.
-I take a larger personal item than I normally do for plane trips because car trips are often vacation and so I'll take a project to work on while we're traveling. That way I can be occupied and free to talk. A book isn't as social.

I get Silver status on the one bag list because I'm still working on getting my purse and its contents into my bag. Sometimes I manage it and sometimes it's not possible. But my goal is to go Gold all the time, so I'm working on figuring it out. That personal item always seems in the way to me.

Also, due to my physical constraints my wheel-less bag has to be 15 lbs or less or I just can't do it. Not enough upper body strength or stamina. When I have to take a computer, I just go ahead and take my small wheeled bag. The computer adds too many pounds.

As you pointed out, it's all what works for each individual.

[Alan B]

The "Olympic medal" scheme seems a reasonable way to assess success in "one-bagging," with the criterion for gold level clearly being what it takes to fly something like Ryanair or Spiritair without additional fees. Beyond that I might observe that one's size influences success. A 40 Regular blazer weighs less than a 46 Long; a pair of of size 9 shoes less than those that are size 13, etc., so for male travelers, someone 5'9" and 160 lbs. will carry several pounds less than a friend who is 6'4" and 220 lbs. As for the winter variance, probably most of the time that heavier jacket or coat will be worn rather than packed anyway. Frankly, I will be content to travel at the bronze level, still about HALF what I was packing when I became active on this board around two years ago.

[stevenshytle]

Those a great defintions. I am Silver that sometimes dabbles (and progessing towards) Gold.

As for car trave,l I tend to pack more as well, but I have found that I enjoy it less. There is something nice about light travel by car as well. It could be the number of bags of stuff from the rest of the family, multiple trips to the hotel room or the convenience of keeping track of less stuff. It has become not worth it. Vacations is for relaxing and being a pack mule has worn thin.

[Paula S]

Trouble is.....cars have an annoying tendency to break down sometimes......usually when I'm in them!!
Back in my heavy suitcase days a friend was driving me to the airport, the car got sick and I had to quickly switch to public transport, it wasn't fun. A couple of other experiences have taught me not to overpack for car travel.......juuuuuust in case. ;-)

[Forest]

I am gold packer with a small daypack weighing under 12 lbs. I am 6 feet and 190 lbs. When we car travel I pack the same bag for general stuff and add a small carryon that my clothes go in. Unless we take the camper which folds down and we try to use all of our one bagging expertise to NOT fill up.
My wife packs a Tom Bihn Western Flyer with about 20 lbs in it (she can get this bag to look like a beach ball).