Packing light with my new GORUCK GR1 for a four-day trip to Orlando this past weekend. In the photo:
- Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder (two t-shirts, one dress shirt, pair of shorts)
- Cinch sack for use as a daypack
- Eagle Creek Pack-It Cube (three pairs of socks, three boxer briefs, flip flops, gym shorts for use as PJs, extension cord and a snack from Trader Joe's for a friend)
- Bag of sweet potato chips from Trader Joe's for a friend
- Kindle Touch
- Toiletries in a quart-sized ziploc bag
- Eagle Creek travel umbrella
- iPad 3 in Zaggfolio case
- Pouch for iPad w/ SmartCover and small notebook
Packed in the GORUCK's pockets:
- Cables and chargers
- Pens and iPad stylus
- Snacks (peanuts and M&M's)
- Zagg Sparq iPhone battery
On me:
- Jeans
- T-shirt
- Dress shirt
- Shoes
- iPhone
- Pen
- Pocket notebook
- Wallet
That's it. Total pack weight was 17 pounds. I could have gone lighter. (Normally, I don't carry two bags of chips from Trader Joe's with me.)
On this trip I had some of the easiest experiences I've ever had going through security and never felt any fatigue from carrying my gear. After getting back to Arlington, I immediately went from the airport to the office for several hours, walked around to do some shopping afterward with my pack on my back (with spare room in my GR1 to carry groceries), met a couple friends for dinner, and then went to a friend's apartment before finally walking home -- about 8 hours after geting off the plane. I never would have done any of this if I were using a suitcase instead of a pack (or if I were carrying a less comfortable/bigger pack).
The GR1 also easily fit under the airplane seat so I never had to deal with the overhead bins.
This was my first time traveling by plane using my GR1 but will not be my last. I could easily travel out of this bag for weeks at a time -- especially after learning techniques from my 17-day adventure with no luggage last year. Can't wait to continue my international adventures with this pack.
The GR1 was an expensive bag but worth every penny. The more I use it, the more impressed I am by it. I can see this quickly becoming my all-time favorite piece of travel gear.
The GR1 was an expensive bag but worth every penny. The more I use it, the more impressed I am by it. I can see this quickly becoming my all-time favorite piece of travel gear.
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing. I got a GR1 about a month ago, and just got back from my first plane trip too. I definitely have to get an Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder.
Thanks for the post. I'm saving up for this pack. Heard good things about it.
Never heard of Eagle Creek. Gotta check their products out.
What size Pack-It Folder is that?
Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 18.
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