Packing for traveling can be rough the first couple times, but the more you travel the easier it is at grabbing your essentials.  Your essentials are the items that you either, always use, always need, or always want.  Grabbing these items gets easier and easier and throughout time you begin to realize, “hey maybe I didn’t need to bring this extra hoodie”, or “dang I should have brought an extra charging cord”, and eventually you will just have everything in a bag and ready to go at all times.  I recently got the Away backpack for our three week trip we took and it is awesome.  In this blog I am going to go over what essentials I pack and where I place them. 

First, some information on the backpack.  The Away backpack comes in two sizes, The Backpack or the Daypack (clever names I know) with the holding capacity of 25.5 L and 11.6 L.  I purchased the bigger size because it catered to more things that I do and is still small enough to fit under the seat in front of me in a plane.  The entire backpack is made from a water-resistant nylon with leather trim, perfect for a light drizzle outside or setting your bag down on a damp surface.  There are 3 main zippers, a waterproof laptop zipper, a hidden passport pocket on the back and a collapsible water bottle pocket on the side.  The straps are padded making it comfortable to wear, and includes a secured Trolley sleeve on the back of the backpack to slip over the handle of your luggage making it the perfect plus one for traveling.  

Laptop Zipper

Let's start with the first zipper on top.  Now this zipper seams pretty straight forward, put a laptop in it, but what people don’t realize is that they can fit more than just your laptop.  In my laptop zipper I carry my laptop (duh), notepad, and coloring book.  Its always good to keep a notepad around just incase you need to jot a couple things down in a business meeting, or just write some feelings out.  The coloring book is a stress reliever/fun activity to do when you are lounging around in your Airbnb not knowing what to do.  I will also tend to throw an iPad in this zipper every once in a while depending on where I’m going. 

Main Zipper

Now my main zipper you will find a range of different items.  In my mesh zipper I keep a little travel bag with all my cosmetics including  Kopari lip balm, toothpaste, lotion, cologne, deodorant, Vicks stick, and Q-tips.  All the way at the bottom of the bag I have a Cotton On tote that I keep for times I need a bag at the grocery store or something to throw spare clothes in.  This zipper is also where I keep my book.  I am a huge fictional reader but Rayna recently put me on a self help book called, You are a Badass, How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life, by Jen Sincero (I am only on chapter 5 right now so i’ll give you an update on that later).  Next in my lineup is some article of clothing, usually being one of my ESSENTIALS pieces, rolled up next to my book along with a pair of socks (you never know when you need some extra socks).  ESSENTIALS created by Jerry Lorenzo, has quickly become some of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe and Jerry has become somewhat of a mentor and someone to look up to for me.  With all these pieces I will still have some room to throw in extra items like a hat, Polaroid camera or a portable speaker depending on what the event calls for.   

Second Zipper

My second zipper comes with two pocket sleeves, one big enough to fit a small notebook and the other able to fit a portable charger.  I have a range of pens from calligraphy to highlighters to basic writing utensils clipped in the small pocket and next to that is my journal/planner that keeps me on track with my daily schedule.  I will also keep a tide stick and sanitizer in the second pocket (a tide stick will save your life trust me).  In the zipper above these two pockets I will keep an extra mask, deck of cards and any other loose items I have that might roll around and get lost in the bag.  At the bottom of this pocket you will also find my laptop charger, extension cord and a first aid kit.  When traveling I tend to put my GoPro, external hard rive, snacks and a candle (which can make the Airbnb feel homier) in this zipper.

Front Pocket/Back Pocket

The front of my backpack has a small side pocket that I use to put all my electronics.  My Away suitcase came with a little pouch carrying an outlet adapter and a magic eraser.  I added my Apple charger, micro USB charger, and an auxiliary cord which all zips up and is on me at all times.  Depending on where I’m going I will throw a couple watch bands and SD cards in there as well. My back pocket is hidden behind the sleeve that slides onto the handle of my suitcase.  It is small enough to where I can put extra cash, jewelry, and my passport in and always know its safe against my back.  On the side of my bag is also a water bottle pocket that I put my water bottle in.

Overall this backpack has been the perfect companion for me and my travels.  Although it is not the biggest backpack, the multiple pockets allows me to fit just the right amount of essentials for a road trip while still being small enough for an airplane.  The backpack also works seamlessly with my Away luggage, with the trolly sleeve slipping over the handle allowing me to roll both with ease through the airport.  The Away luggage brand has quickly become a favorite here at OnBrand starting with the Bigger Carry On and accumulating the Mini, Medium and Large bag along with the Everywhere and Sling bag (all made for another blog post).  

Hopefully this post helped you or even got you thinking on the essentials you pack in your backpack.  Maybe it just got you thinking on taking a trip.  Be sure to check out Rayna’s blog where she goes in depth of the three week trip I originally bought the back pack for! Until next time.. 

With Love, 

Birdi 

Comment below on essentials you always pack!