Packing scientist

Canada’s Globe and Mail interviews a “globetrotter museum planner”:

You must have packing down to a science.
I do. And by the way, there’s no such thing as perfect luggage, only a perfect packer. I travel with just a carry-on, whether I’m going for three days, three weeks, or three months. The essence of packing carry-on is that you have to be willing to give up freedom of choice. The clothing you take should be pre-planned. I rehearse every minute of every trip before I go, and the packing follows. Every trip has a colour scheme. - more here

(Thanks to OBOWer Maria for the heads-up)

WiFly future

This New York Times headline is why you may want keep a weather eye open for those netbook deals:

Airborne Wi-Fi May Soar Despite the Doubters

One interesting stat revealed by the story - half of all business travelers polled said they took red-eye flights because flying in the daytime rendered them incommunicado. Back to the netbooks. If you’re flying  first-class you can use that 17’ widescreen, but if you’re crammed in coach a netbook is the ticket.

Update on September 1, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

Wall Street Journal Middleseater Scott McCartney offers this on the FlyFi.

Cool Tools on slick Rick

Cool Tools has a review of the current Rick Steves Convertible. I’m sorry to say I’ve had one of these around for months and haven’t spent any time with it. Sooner or later…

Heavy leather review

Update on August 31, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

Saddleback Leather

NPR on Lipinski's luggage bill

You can listen here to an NPR story on the problem of oversized carry-on bags and one possible solution - Congressman Lipinski’s luggage bill. Here’s what ohmygov.com thinks of it:

Trying to cut down on carry-on clutter is definitely a legitimate concern for anyone who regularly travels by air; the question is just whether or not it is a legitimate concern for congress. The greatest concern, especially at times like these, might just be how much this whole plan would cost. Lipinski’s bill would require TSA representatives to inspect and check any baggage that would exceed the federally mandated regulations, all at taxpayer expense of course.

Most people can agree that the waiting involved with boarding a flight is already interminable, adding on the layer of federal agents inspecting and checking baggage would probably result in more stops and starts than a Minnesota recount. In the wake of 9/11, most travelers embraced the added security as “the price you pay” for feeling and being safe on a commercial airliner, but there is such a thing as overkill. Lipinski’s bill would surely qualify for that label. - more here

Update on August 31, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

Cast your vote for or against the Lipinksi bill here.

ExOfficio belt is on the money

The unassuming, lightweight ExOfficio ExO Money Belt is a surprisingly functional addition to the light travelers bag of tricks. This light – very light – nylon web belt is checkpoint-friendly (not metal), has a zippered money compartment, and, best of all, has an a pass-through clasp buckle that makes the length of the belt sleeplessly adjustable.

Comfort is the secret weapon

Not having to remove the belt at checkpoints is nice. Being able to stash several hundred in Euros is occasionally helpful. But being able to discreetly let this belt out an inch after “chicken or pasta” on that long flight is priceless. Just lift the buckle to loosen then close it when comfort is achieved – very nice! Also, the light weight means you don’t have to tighen it as much as you would a heavy belt, the very weight makes it harder to keep your pants up (remember, I’m hip-challenged so I know of what I speak!)

Checkpoint friend

Removing a heavy leather belt at each metal detector is a pain. And if you’re hip-challenged like me it’s even less fun. I know that some security people will make you remove any belt, but most don’t care as long as there’s no beeping. I sailed through every checkpoint. I have a new friend.

Looks

I chose the chocolate/brown/black (“Pattern” in ExO nomenclature) version. It works with black or brown shoes. There’s also a gray heather version. The plastic buckle is not terribly sophisticated but I don’t think it’s ugly. I doubt that anyone notices. It doesn’t work as a dress belt for me but is appropriate most of the time.

Durability

 CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE. NAVIGATE IMAGE WITH ARROW KEYS

I was initially put off by the belt’s light weight and plastic hardware. Not to fear: I’ve probably worn it 30 times and it’s no worse for wear. The buckle seems durable too. It is light but is seemingly made of the same stuff as the plastic buckles found on most luggage – and how often do those break? Belts of all kinds are notorious for showing wear. A favorite leather belt can get ugly in months. I believe the ExO will last for a long time, especially if you only wear it for travel…

Tighten up on your good thing

…which I don’t. I’m wearing this belt at least a few days every week. Comfort and adjust ability are the reason this is my standby, everyday belt now.

Money walks

The zippered money comportment is 28” long. It is very narrow – you need to fold a US bill in fourths to make it fit. This means you can fit several bills in it. I can see tucking several hundred dollars in it for emergency cash in large bills. It would only hold enough singles to buy a snack though. The zipper and pull are very thin. You don’t notice they’re there and they don’t affect comfort at all.

ExO Money Belt - highly recommended

The power of Nokia

A new 3G netbook with a purported 12-hour battery life:

Powered by the efficient Intel Atom processor, the Nokia Booklet 3G delivers impressive performance with up to 12 hours of battery life, enabling people to leave their power cable behind and still be connected and productive. Delivering the rich experience of a full-function PC inside an ultra-portable aluminum chassis, the new mini-laptop weighs 1.25 kilograms, measures slightly more than two centimeters thin, and has the features one would expect from the world’s leading mobile device manufacturer. A broad range of connectivity options - including 3G/ HSPA and Wi-Fi - gives consumers high speed access to the Internet, including Nokia’s broad suite of Ovi services, and allows them to make the most of every moment and every opportunity. - Nokia press release

Paper vs. touch screen

anglotopia.netIn the analog vs. digital debate, another test case: Paul Croughton of the Times of London pitted an app-rich iPhone against a lowly guidebook. A sneak preview of his conclusions:

In fact, none of the London guides on the iPhone beats having a guidebook with you. Yes, phones are smaller and lighter, and using them means that you don’t instantly look like a tourist (although you might still be a target for pickpockets if you’re waving an iPhone about). But the apps can be fiddly and time-consuming, and they drain your phone’s battery something rotten. Which means you’re then stuck in a new city with no guide and no phone. And not even Apple can save you then.

Some of the more specific apps, however, are worth having, especially those that use GPS technology to personalise the information you receive. So, next time I travel, I’ll pack a guidebook, but I’ll browse the iTunes store to see if there’s a nifty little app that tells me where the nearest cab rank is, which platform I need to find on the subway and how to ask “Can I recharge my phone in your restaurant, please?” in Cantonese.

Read the full account of his test here. And what have your experiences been?

Update on August 25, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

A list of 19 London iPhone apps from Anglotopia.

NO OBOW APP…YET

Remember analog?

Implicit Simplicity’s analog PDA:

The basics of the system are the same. Printouts from Google Calendar and Google Tasks gives me a “wear and tear” couple of A4-sheets which fold nicely into my back pocket. Extremely portable, nobody will steal it and it doesn’t matter if I lose them or I get caught in a downpour.

I do a similar thing to save weight, printing out double-sided small-print sheets instead of taking guidebooks and big maps. But still - if you have good eyes and nimble fingers - there’s nothing like an iPhone or a Kindle to replace the most stuff and save the most weight.

Update on August 24, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

An analog tip from OBOW reader Maria - be sure to mix this technique with a dose of graciousness or it could go quite wrong:

Print a copy of the TSA (or equivalent depending on country) government official website listing what is allowed in a carry on bag. Every once in a while you will get a TSA agent that likes to have their own version of the rules. Here is an example of how it helped to have a copy / print out from the official website:

A friend was stopped for bringing her knitting needles in her carry-on bag. She then showed her printed pages indicating that knitting needles were allowed - and was then able to bring them instead of having them confiscated and thrown out.

Jacket folding video from Till

Here’s our first exclusive OBOW video - thanks to Till. It’s a demo of a jacket folding technique he found here. Try it out and let us know what you think. Enjoy.

(Video has no sound)

Update on August 14, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

Look for more OBOW video content soon. I established a YouTube account long ago but did nothing with it. Thanks to Till for spurring me into action.

Tactical Tailor Soft Suitcase review

OBOW Reader Review: Tactical Tailor Soft Suitcase (Small)

A.K.A ” The Red State Aeronaut”

First impressions

I’ve been looking for a ~2000 cu. in./33 litre convertible carry-on style pack to complement my MEI Executive Overnighter for quite some time now,and while reading through OBOW (as I often do… travelling one bag has evolved into something of a obsessive hobby for me) I couldn’t help but to be intrigued by Brad’s post from July 3^rd, and specifically the ‘Red State Aeronaut’ (you just gotta love that handle Brad coined). I started investigating, one thing led to another - and I ordered one, sort of on

a chance.

What I have been after is something in layout, well, like the Tom Bihn Aeronaut, but in a size more suitable to the increasingly tighter airline restrictions that we are facing. I wanted it well made, preferably out of Cordura (durable and I like the look). The choices out there are somewhat limited. I really like the new TB TriStar but at $240 I just can’t justify the expediture at this time (I definitely understand about getting what you pay for, but $240 is $240).

Well, in digging around the TT website, the first thing I discovered is that this ‘red state’ product is actually made very close to home - just outside the Tacoma, Washington area (I live just north of Seattle), a definite plus for me (Tactical Tailor makes all it’s products here locally, just like the aformentioned TB. Nice to support a local business). The company is oriented towards the armed forces, law enforcement etc. so there’s not a lot of products of interest to travellers, but what they have (this bag is about it) is interesting.

The bag,, officially and simply called the Soft Suitcase actually comes in 3 different sizes of which the smallest is the only one of interest to one bag travellers. Here are the sizes (lifted from the website):

Lg 36”L x 12”W x 20”H 8640 cubic inches

Med 30”L x 10”W x 17”H 5100 cubic inches

Sm 23”L x 7”W x 12”H 1930 cubic inches

• End compartments 23”L x 3.5”W x 12”H*

• Main compartment 23”L x 16”W x 12”H*

• Weight (empty): 2.1 lbs*

(*These are my at home measurements)

I purchased (naturally) a small. The bag only comes in ‘military’ colors - namely mil spec camouflage, olive drab, tan, and black. No fancy colors. I ordered tan, just because I’m not crazy about solid black and camo or OD is hardly subtle (unless you are into that sort of thing) for a traveller. The color is actually quite handsome and the bag is made from 1000 denier cordura and dirable strapping, nicely stiched and finished, no sloppy edges or loose threads. All zippers are YKK brand coil types, double pull, and have a large enough hole at the base of each pull to slot in a TSA travel lock for a minor measure of security.

The backpack straps are nicely if simply designed, not as comfortable or ergonomically designed as those on my MEI EO (or, even those on my RS convertible carry-on) but perfectly functional, and actually adjustable at both the top of the straps as well as at the bottom. In fact, if one so desired they can be removed entirely and the back compartment used as magazine storage, etc.

As said, the layout is like the Aeronaut, but a lot simpler. For instance, the internal dividers between the end pockets and the main compartment are not capable of being opened, to incdrease the main compartment size, but for what I envision using it for, that will not be a major issue. It fits both my medium packing squares (Eagle Creek and Victorinox) and also most all of the different size packing cubes I have (I tend to use the Rick Steves brand cubes, they are very light and ‘moldable’) in the main compartment. The end compartments are generous enough to hold pairs my shoes (sz 8.5) in each end.

but not boots unless they are low cut, and separated one per compartment. There is also a nice zip pocket on the front of the bag, that can be used for small item or boarding pass storage (although only in over the shoulder or handle carry mode, not when on the backpack straps. More on that in a moment).

I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, but there are a couple of things I do wish it had (in fact I’ve done some ‘home modifications’ ):

1) There are no tie down tension straps in the main compartment although there are some external straps cleverly mounted under the main strap handles on the top of the bag, to snug things up some . I’m currently looking around locally to see if there is anyone I can find who perhaps can stich some straps inside the bag.

2) It needs some sort of grab handles for the ends of the bag to ease removal from a overhead stowbin (thats the modification I was able to do, with some matching strapping and heavy duty snaps from another hobby. They should be strong enough to pull it out of the overhead stowbin.)

3) There are no specific attach rings or loops to allow attachment of a shoulder strap. I’ve been able to improvise by using one of the attach points for a backpack strap and one of the end pocket zippers but the potential strain on the zipper is a unknown at this point. I tend to use over the shoulder straps very little and often leave it at home and use one the backpack straps of my bag for quick jaunts across the airport, etc. Nevertheless it would be nice if the bag had dedicated D rings attach points.

Other than that, so far I am very happy with this purchase, and look forward to using it.

Happy travels ~

Paul

Update on August 8, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

Thanks, Paul, for an awesome job on this!

“Suit-Able” for folding

Thanks to OBOW and FlyerTalk uber-poster Till for this useful tip:

“Suit-Able” – The Three-Step Suit Jacket Folding Technique

CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGEI cannot take credit for inventing this very simple technique. I read about it in a German Men’s Health magazine about ten years ago and have used it with great success ever since. The benefits of this technique are that it needs no bundle, no envelope or garment bag or any other extra gadget. It can be used for packing suits in an ordinary suitcase or in a one-bag shoulder bag. A jacket thusly folded might be just a bit too big for the footprint of the one-bag carryon. But, no fear! You simply put it as the last piece on top of what you have already packed in a compartment and soften out the edges, wrapping them a little over the pile of clothes beneath it. It will stay smooth because the jacket’s lining is slippery and will not allow the other contents to catch on and wrinkle the jacket. Just give it some space, preferable its own compartment. You can also wrap the pants around this bundle core. Or you could even wrap a tie around the jacket first and then the pants. Cuff links are best stored in the interior pocket of the jacket where they will always be close at hand.

Step 1: Lay the jacket on a flat clean surface. Lining down. Jacket wide open. Collar and lapel turned up (this is important). Buttons on sleeves are pointing upwards. You should get the triangular shape seen in the photo. It works best with jackets that do have a back vent or two but others are fine, too. Make sure you smooth out the fabric under the shoulder and in the triangle between shoulders and collar. The smoothing out will take 10-20 seconds.

Step 2: Fold one side over towards the center. You will feel a natural resistance created by the shoulder pad that will tell you how far to fold. Then fold over the other side. It does not matter which side you start with. The jacket will now look as in picture Step 2b.

Step 3: Fold the jacket from the bottom up towards the collar. Again you will feel the natural crease line. This line is about where the elbows of the sleeves are. This will result in a bit of the collar standing over as you can see in the picture.

Voila, you just folded a jacket very neatly and it will travel rather well like this. The usual methods of unpacking the jacket first, airing it out, steaming in the bathroom or with an iron (without touching the cloth) still apply. Enjoy!

A Burrito in the overhead compartment?

Till recently mentioned the curiously named Patagania MLC Burrito carry-on garment bag in the Lightest Carry-On thread. Here it is and it looks only a little like a tortilla-wrapped snack. As I’ve mentioned before I used to travel almost exclcusively with a garment bag. It’s a nice solution for the lazy packer. I’ve heard one of the made-in-the-USA luggage companies is working on a carry-on garment bag too. Please chime in if you know of any other garment bags of note. 

Update on August 5, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

Here’s a much lower-priced alternative from Campmor, the High Sierra Tri Fold:

And a much higher-priced one from Tumi - the Alpha, for a certain kind of male I guess:

And of course there’s the totally tubular Skyroll which we reviewed here.

Astronaut undies

NASAAs the space shuttle Endeavour prepared to return to Earth yesterday, bringing Wakata home from the International Space Station where he has been since March, he revealed that he had been wearing the same pair of prototype undies for a full month, all in the name of science.

Designed to resist the rigours of long-duration space travel, the anti-static, flame-resistant, odour-eating, bacteria-killing, water-absorbent smalls have been put through their paces as part of a project aimed at ensuring that when it comes to packing for long-duration trips to the Moon and Mars, future space travellers will need only minimal space in their suitcases.

“Eventually we’re going to do exploration, we’re going to go to the Moon, we’re going to go beyond the Moon someday — and little things like this will seem like really, really big things when you’re far away from Mother Earth,” explained Mike Suffredini, Nasa’s space station programme manager.If Wakata’s colleagues noticed that he had been skimping on his laundry, they were polite enough not to let on — and he refrained from bringing it up in conversation. “I haven’t talked about this underwear to my crew members,” he admitted during a space-to-ground press briefing. - Times of London

Read the story and you’ll find there’s nothing special here - essentially the same technology that your ExOfficio undies use (silver-impregnated synthetic fibers). Also google “VisaEndurance” for more info.

From an earlier MSNBC story:

The clothes, developed by Yoshiko Taya and colleagues at the Japan Women’s University in Tokyo, were tested by JAXA astronauts during two previous shuttle missions and won rave reviews. In addition to odor control, the clothes are designed to absorb water, insulate the body and dry quickly. They also are flame-resistant and anti-static — as well as comfortable and attractive.

Takao Doi, who flew with a shuttle crew last year to deliver Japan’s Kibo laboratory to the station, exercised as much as his crewmates, but his clothes stayed dry.

“The other astronauts become very sweaty, but he doesn’t have any sweat. He didn’t need to hang his clothes to dry,” Yanagawa said.

Even more on this scent-illating subject from Just Style:

Each article was finished with a special nanotech fabric developed by Toray that can repel static, wick away water, kill bacteria, neutralise odours, and “prevent fouling, or permanent odour infusion.”

The space underwear also comes without any seams, and has easy fire-retardant hook-and-loop fasteners developed by the Kuraray Fastening Co.

The two companies say they are now working on a commercial product for the Japanese market, though they say they will be sold as comfort clothes rather than threads for astronauts.

More lightweights with wheels

 Walkin Bags are a new lgihtweight alternative if you simply must have wheels. Their website is not so intuitive but bounce around for a while and you’ll get the picture. They have a very simple roller that weighs only four pounds and a seven-pounder with a built-in folding seat.

 

Post/list contest coming

OBOW will run a best tip or best packing list contest soon. I have a few little goodies to give away so start thinking and compiling. More to come…

Not lost

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. Some things I’m working on:

• Pictures of the Tom Bihn factory in Seattle
• Reviews of ExOfficio belt and Tilley travel underwear
• Traveling this weekend with the TB TriStar

BY MOODY75 @FLICKRA quick free WiFi airport tip: At SeaTac check out the arrivals lounge on the lower level (where the Voyager round-the-world plane and an old biplane hang from the ceiling).

OBOW in Seattle

ME @ TB It’s been quite a trip - I’ll tell you about it some time. Suffice it say I’m in Seattle and I’ve visited the Tom Bihn factory and the Filson flagship store. I’m trying out a cool ExOfficio beep-free belt and Tilley’s travel undies and socks. Excitng, eh? More to come…

And your shirt wouldn’t be tucked in either if all your sleep for the past 36 hours (maybe two hours worth) had come on the plane or in a parked car in the economy lot. Atlanta weather was the culprit.

This is not a blog post, it’s a cry for help.

Left behind laptops

This is weird. And disturbing.

Last year Dell computers commissioned a study that found that 12,000 laptops are lost each week at U.S. airports. Los Angeles leads the pack with 1,200 laptops reported lost or stolen at LAX weekly. Incredibly, most laptops are left behind at security checkpoints, with only 33 percent ever being recovered (17 percent before the flight, 16 percent after).

Now, part of our shock about these numbers comes from the absent-mindedness of travelers who lose sight of a valuable piece of luggage — and one that they probably need to conduct their business or lives at the other end of their flights. But another thought comes to mind: Why don’t the TSA screeners call after people who have left their notebook computers behind — are they themselves too busy? do they assume such left luggage is dangerous and immediately dunk the laptops in a bucket of water?

…”We get belts,” says McFarland who works in Bob Hope’s lost and found department. “Everyone leave their belts, cell phones, clothing items, thumb drives, keys, watches. I’ve read about the laptops, but I don’t get those — TSA has them.” (LA Weekly)

This Yahoo Tech blogger was skeptical and claims he has verified these astounding numbers:

That’s not a mistake in the headline. I checked it twice…

Blame it on the harried and fragile mental state of the modern traveler, so rushed to get to his flight on time that key belongings are left behind. TSA often tries to alert passengers that they’ve left something behind — and it’s much more than just a bunch of laptops; wallets, belts, keys, and everything else is often forgotten — but that people rarely make it back once they’ve left the checkpoint.

Notes LA Weekly: “TSA screeners will page travelers by name when their identities are known. Still, [one] employee says, travelers will often later admit they heard their names on the public address system after leaving the security checkpoint — but somehow didn’t make the connection that they were being asked to recover lost items.” The story calls modern travelers universally “spaced-out.”

You need GoToob

Here’s the vaunted GoToob line mentioned by by Till in a Forum post. They’re squeezable and 3-1-1 compliant.

Update on July 8, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

And Humangear’s capCap is pretty cool too.