Zero Bagging For Three Days in Portland

I traveled to Portland for 3 days utilizing a 4 liter Uniqlo spherical mini shoulder bag. On prime of that, I did it in the summertime, when it’s more durable to zero bag. Everything turned out nice!

Overview

I based mostly my journey off of Rolf Potts “No Baggage Challenge”. Rolf traveled for six weeks utilizing a Scott-E-Vest and cargo pants as his “no bags.” An everyday Scott-E-Vest holds round 5 liters of things. Additionally, males’s cargo pants pockets can maintain round two liters. This meant that Rolf had round seven liters of drugs on his physique. Women’s clothes have restricted pockets. The quantity of the Uniqlo bag is round 4 liters. I had an additional one and a half liters of room in my cargo pants pockets. This offered a complete of 5 and a half liters of capability in comparison with Rolf’s seven liters. Based on this, I made a decision that carrying a handbag plus cargo pants qualifies for the feminine model of zero bagging.

I made a decision so as to add further problem to this journey in addition to the zero bag problem:

• I might rely completely on public transit and excursions from begin to end. I might not use ride-sharing except it was an emergency.
• I might keep in a hostel with a shared rest room. This meant my laundry wanted to be fast and simple. I might do my laundry within the bathe every night.
• I might proceed combining metropolis journeys with day mountaineering. This meant that I wanted garments that labored within the metropolis and on the path.

Zero bagging is more durable through the summer time while you aren’t carrying a jacket. In cooler months you should use jacket pockets for storage too. In summer time, every thing must be pushed into a handbag or sling. I made a decision that if I do that below harsher constraints then I had discovered many of the method.

Pre-Trip Preparation

Grooming

I want mascara as a result of my lashes have blond ideas. I scheduled a lash tint just a few weeks earlier than my journey. There was no want for mascara through the journey!

I didn’t want to clean my hair through the journey. I transferred a small little bit of dry shampoo right into a tenting salt shaker to save lots of area. The salt shaker is about 1/3 the scale of the bottle for my Prête-a-Powder styling powder.

Documents

I didn’t do something totally different with my doc administration. As ordinary, I uploaded PDF copies of all my paperwork to the cloud. I additionally saved them on my telephone with the GoodReader app. I added all of the journey particulars into TripIt for straightforward entry whereas in transit. This meant my journey info was saved in two totally different locations; the telephone and the cloud. I carried a bodily model of my RealID drivers license and my journey bank card. I even have digital copies of this stuff on my telephone. I’ve photographs of all my insurance coverage playing cards on each my telephone and the cloud. Yes, I’m a “belt plus suspenders” particular person in relation to essential gadgets! Murphy continues to be at work on this world.

Planning

Logistics in Transit

This was a home journey, so I used my RealID drivers license as a substitute of my passport. I saved it in my snap telephone pockets. The pockets solely holds three playing cards, so solely mandatory playing cards made the reduce. I slid a backup bank card and my Global Entry card into the facet pocket of my purse.

I deliberate to place my telephone in my bag after which throw it into the bin for TSA screening. I packed a Nanobag for any souvenirs when returning. If wanted, I may place every thing into the Nanobag for screening. This meant I solely needed to fear about one and just one factor within the chaos round TSA.

I added a digital Hop card to my telephone so I can use Portland’s mass transit. This was one much less card that I wanted to hold.

Sun Protection

I’ve a genetic predisposition to melanoma. As a survivor, I do know that I have to maintain my pores and skin coated up. I had scheduled a number of hikes exterior. The hikes meant I wanted to carry one thing light-weight and lengthy sleeved. I additionally use a big brimmed hat. Both of this stuff wanted to be included when planning the capsule wardrobe.

Laundry

Laundry is a essential a part of a visit utilizing so little clothes. I slept in my silk tank prime and did different laundry as wanted. I used my physique cleaning soap for cleansing. I carried one inflatable hanger to hurry up drying time. Since laundry is required so usually, having fast dry clothes is totally essential. Merino clothes can also be good for a zero bag journey, because it doesn’t have to be laundered as usually.

Weight

My packed purse weighed in at 1.34 kg (3 lb). This is once I realized that I can simply make the three kg weight restrict of the strictest airways. While I could not tackle a 3 kg problem, it’s good to know that I can. I also needs to be aware that the bag weight included my rain jacket. I can take away it if I wanted to make my bag even lighter. Without the rain jacket, my bag weighed precisely 1.22 kg (2.7 lb). I may additionally transfer my liquids and electronics to my pockets to cut back weight much more.

Things I Learned

A Test Pack Is Critical

I wanted to pack and repack my purse to grasp what I did and didn’t want. I seen which gadgets have been cumbersome after which sought to exchange them with one thing smaller. I decanted many merchandise down into contact lens instances. I additionally wanted to seek out the easiest way to pack my purse. Packing the fallacious manner would waste valuable area.

Packaging Matters.

This is likely one of the instances when small snack luggage are superior to the traditional quart freezer bag. The thinner luggage are extra versatile than the thicker heavier freezer weight storage luggage. Moreover, there’s much less extra packaging within the smaller bag, making it simpler to stuff into tiny areas.

Bulk Matters

For this journey I wanted to deal with bulk greater than weight. That mentioned, decreasing bulk additionally ended up decreasing weight. One key to avoiding bulk is to keep away from lumps. Folded gadgets pack smaller than stuffing them. This was very true of the rain coat, which wanted a low profile. Bundle wrapping my tee, tank, underwear, and socks meant they packed flat in to the garments pouch.

I went with a smaller single USB-C charger as a substitute of my common twin port one. All gadgets have been USB-C, which meant I solely wanted one cost wire. It is straightforward to cost one merchandise at a time while you solely have just a few electronics.

Clothing Weight Matters

I selected clothes that was very skinny and lightweight. The striped tee is skinny linen. My tank is light-weight silk. The cargo pants have been a skinny poly mix. My scarf was skinny silk. Most of the clothes was pull-on, with no zippers or closures. This made it thinner and extra compact. I can pack every thing into a really small pouch due to these options.

Tiny Specialized Items Help

As a lot as I take advantage of “normal” gadgets in my common travels, I wanted to depend on some specialised gadgets for this journey:

• A tiny deodorant capsule
• A particular foldable hat
• A smaller 5000 mAh battery pack

Wardrobe Curation Matters

With a capsule this small, each single piece needed to earn its place within the wardrobe. Absolutely every thing wants to combine and match and work with all the opposite items. I spent a number of hours determining the most effective capsule. I really take pleasure in doing this, so it’s a win-win state of affairs. Light packers know that doing the work forward of time pays off throughout journey time!

Dual Use issues

One actually must deal with twin use gadgets when packing this small. These are gadgets that may perform a couple of function:

• My Ecco Soft 7 footwear are good for gentle mountaineering however good sufficient to wear down. There is not any have to carry further strolling footwear
• My merino sweater was dressy sufficient to put on alone or as a heat layer.
• My silk scarf labored as an adjunct but in addition labored as a sleep masks and even a prime.
• The extensive flowing legs on the cargo pants made them look dressier and acceptable for upscale events. I additionally modded them for mountaineering.

I normally deal with nicer trying lively clothes as a substitute of standard athletic clothes. This meant I can take part athletic or dressy actions with the identical clothes. It additionally signifies that the clothes is fast dry and simple to launder. This is a theme echoed by most of my capsule wardrobes.

Frustrations:

I wanted arduous instances for fragile gadgets like retainers and solar glasses. One answer was to make use of clip on solar glasses that have been smaller than common sun shades. They additionally got here in their very own smaller case. My retainer case was already as flat as it could actually get. Sometimes it’s a must to settle for further bulk with medical gadgets.

My Capsule

My Portland capsule consisted of:

• Uniqlo navy merino cardigan (worn)
• Uniqlo olive spherical shoulder bag (worn)
• Sierra Designs sky blue rain jacket
• Quince white linen lengthy sleeved shirt (worn)
• Silk scarf of many colours (worn – tied to purse)
• Charter Club navy stripe linen tee (thrifted)
• Athleta navy Brooklyn cargo pants pants (worn)
• FoldableHats.com navy solar hat
• Ecco Soft 7 sneakers (worn)
• Target white stone and gold bracelets
• Target nickel free set of earring hoops
• Apple watch
• Target nickel free necklace
• Quince washable silk tank (sleeping)
• 32 Degrees briefs (x2) (put on one)
• Paplus compression operating socks (x2) (put on one)
• Title Nine Cuz She Says So work to exercise bra (worn)

What I packed

Liquids in snack baggie

• Contact lens case of moisturizer/basis
• Deodorant paste
• Contact lens case of blush/concealer
• Packet of hydrocortisone cream

I ordered deodorant paste minis from off the web. Unfortunately, the scent was so robust I couldn’t deal with it. I scraped the paste off of the applicator. I then formed and added some paste from my Native deodorant. The paste was smooth at first, however later hardened into its regular state. I had a deodorant that I knew would work for me. TSA nonetheless considers paste to be a liquid as technically you may unfold it. It is unquestionably softer than stable sunscreen.

Personal care in a snack baggie

• Ultralight bathe cap
• 1 packet of acetaminophen
• 2 Hydroseal bandaids
• Lip Sunscreen
• 4 Pepto Bismol tablets
• Prêt-a-powder dry shampoo in a tenting salt shaker
• 2 Benadryl blister packs
• Personal remedy (calcium & allergy)
• Folding toothbrush

I lately watched a video from Maggi Fuchs. it confirmed how she saved her tooth tabs and dental floss in her folding toothbrush. I discovered there was room in my toothbrush for 5 tooth tabs and two threads of floss. It was excellent for a 3 day journey! I saved the floss close to the hinge within the toothbrush. It was skinny sufficient that it didn’t have an effect on how the toothbrush closed. Bonus – every thing was protected when the toothbrush was within the closed place. By the best way, Maggi is a good gentle traveler and also you most likely would take pleasure in her work. Our journey types are very related. Check out her channel!

I decanted the Prêt-a-Powder dry shampoo right into a mini tenting salt shaker. The dry shampoo is available in a tiny bottle, however the salt shaker is about one third the scale!

Grooming Care in a snack baggie

• Eye shadow pencil
• Lip pencil
• Eyeliner pencil

Wash care

• Ethique face cleaning soap
• Dr. Bronners tea tree cleaning soap bar
• Korean towel reduce in half

Both soaps have been reduce into mini dimension for simpler packing.

I’ve allergy symptoms so I at all times carry my toiletries. I saved my soaps wrapped up in 1/2 of a Korean towel. The unfastened ethereal threads of the towel allowed the soaps to dry out when moist. I believe I like this storage answer higher than my sisal cleaning soap luggage!

Tech in a snack baggie

• Nitecore NB Air 5000 mAh energy financial institution
• Anker USB-C plug
• Ruxely magnetic Apple watch charger
• USB-C wire
• Croakies eyeglass retainer

I used an extended USB-C wire as a part of my package. Hostels and Hotels are infamous for putting electrical plugs in arduous to achieve locations. I by no means plug my gadgets immediately into unknown USB ports. There is an excessive amount of of a safety danger.

How I packed it

I made certain that my rain jacket packed flat into its personal pocket. This ensured that I can tuck it into the facet of my purse as wanted.

I used bundle wrapping to retailer my socks, sleeping tank, and underwear inside my tee shirt. This slid right into a small zippered pouch.

Below is a photograph of every thing I took in my purse.

• Top row: Rain jacket, clothes pouch, foldable solar hat.
• Second row: Clip on sun shades, inflatable hanger, cleaning soap in Korean towel, two N-95 masks for the aircraft.
• Third row: Jabra earbuds, retainers case with retainers, sunscreen stick, hairbrush, tech bag, Nanobag.
• Bottom row: make-up bag, liquids bag, grooming bag.

I positioned the make-up bag and grooming bag on the underside of the Uniqlo bag to kind a base. I then added the raincoat and clothes luggage. After that I slid the foldable hat and N-95 masks into the facet of the bag. I put the liquids bag within the inside facet pocket so it’s simply accessed. I then put the delicate glasses case between the raincoat and clothes. I additionally positioned the retainer case there to stop it from getting squished. After that I tucked the remaining gadgets into the 2 ends of the purse. My scarf was tied in a sq. knot across the purse strap. There really was room in my purse for the headscarf if I selected to place it there.

I closed my purse usually, which was an enormous shock. There was barely any room left. I anticipated that bigger souvenirs must go into the cargo pockets of my pants.

The Execution

Wow, it was liberating. I used to be involved that the heavier than regular purse would put an excessive amount of strain on my shoulder. Then I remembered that I had a number of methods to hold the bag. I discovered that if I shortened the strap I can put on the bag as a waist bag or bandoleer fashion. I may put on it as a backpack. Additionally, the shoulder holes in my Nanobag are massive sufficient to put on that as a backpack if wanted. I may toss every thing into the Nanobag and carry it that manner. That left me with 5 alternative ways to hold my stuff. Most of the time I simply wore the purse as a cross physique bag.

I spent my arrival day doing fundamental tourism. I had a tour on the BibleProject and from there took transit to the Oregon Historical Society Museum. I checked into the Northwest Portland Hostel at 5 PM. I moist down my packed linen tee and my packed silk scarf. I hung the tee as much as dry on my inflatable hanger. This ensured I might haven’t any wrinkles in my shirt for the following day. From there I headed off to the International Rose Test Garden.

That night I got here again and washed my linen shirt. My tee had already dried, so I changed it with my shirt on the inflatable hanger. I slept in my silk tank prime. I simply pulled on my pants for midnight rest room journeys.

I wore my linen tee and pants for my Columbia Gorge tour the following day. I packed my merino sweater, rain jacket, foldable hat, and a water in my purse. It labored effectively for mountaineering. Sadly, the Multnomah County SAR was doing a physique restoration at Multnomah Falls. This is a reminder that sure, you actually do want first rate gear even for gentle hikes! And in the event you get misplaced, keep put!

We safely returned to Portland that afternoon. In the night I visited a few of Portland’s meals carts. After that I needed to go to Powell’s City of Books. It is an efficient factor I used to be zero bagging. Otherwise I might have spent an excessive amount of cash on books!

The final day I packed every thing up into my purse. I went on a guided meals tour earlier than heading again to the airport.

What I Missed

Nothing, actually. It labored out nice!

Things that labored effectively

The digital Hopper card was nice! It’s a simple technique to journey round Portland.

I solely wanted a single plug and USB-C cable for every thing. The key’s to take a small variety of electronics. In this case I had my telephone, my watch, my earbuds, and my battery.

I’m blissful that I introduced a small packable rain jacket. It rained on the facet of Mt. Hood.

Annoyances

I didn’t carry a toiletry package. This meant that I needed to take a number of gadgets into the bathtub as a substitute of 1 single merchandise. I used to be nervous that I might drop or lose one thing. I discovered that placing every thing in my bathe cap saved me organized.

The thinner plastic of the snack luggage was an issue. My electronics bag developed holes inside the second day of the journey. I believe I want a small skinny electronics bag made out of Tyvek or related materials.

Portland was pretty heat, particularly on the primary day. I needed to take away my merino sweater and I had no place for it in my bag. I needed to tie the sweater round my waist. I didn’t suppose to maneuver issues in my purse into my cargo pants. Whoops. The lengthy sleeve linen shirt was sizzling. I want I had introduced two linen tees as a substitute of a tee and lengthy sleeve shirt.

The lengthy sleeve linen shirt was cumbersome, which meant that I used to be compelled to put on it on journey days. This is the down facet of “wear bulky items on the plane.” Also, the white linen shirt was overdressed for Portland aesthetic. Portland is a tee shirt and shorts city.

I didn’t want or use my make-up.

I didn’t significantly just like the style of my model of tooth tabs. I’ll go searching for a unique model that I like higher.

The Specialized Items Experiments

My foldable hat was a goofy trying however protected me from the solar once I was on Mt Hood. I’m glad I introduced it.

My repurposed deodorant labored excellently. I’ll undoubtedly maintain utilizing it for brief journeys.

Using the Korean towel for storage of my soaps labored very effectively! Rolling the moist Korean towel up in a shower towel meant it was nearly immediately dry. That meant I may shortly roll up the damp cleaning soap inside it for storage. The cleaning soap nonetheless dries out!

The small 5000 mAh battery was greater than sufficient for my wants.

The drawstrings on my extensive leg pants labored very effectively for mountaineering. I may cinch within the legs so I didn’t catch the pants materials on something.

The Return

I managed to get memento jam and a Christmas decoration into my purse. I didn’t want the Nanobag in any respect. The solely issues in my pockets have been my telephone and my electronics bag.

Conclusion

I solely used my 4 liter purse for journey. I didn’t want to make use of the cargo pockets or the Nanobag for overflow. This was a shock to me, as I really anticipated some overflow through the journey. With that mentioned, a 4 liter bag is pretty small.

Sometimes it’s good to take a low stakes excessive journey. It lets you uncover what you actually do or don’t want for journey. The data gained helps you in the event you ever have a weight or bulk restricted journey sooner or later. You will know the distinction between what is really wanted Vs what is needed.