Summer is upon us and Mr. Thrifty wants to share with you his vast globetrotting experience.
Travelling in the summer presents some benefits and some challenges. On the one hand, you can travel a lot more lightly without winter gear. But on the downside, you need to plan for more frequent laundries, as your clothes will get nasty much more quickly.
Recognizing that there are many travel styles, we break it down by persona. In Part 1, we recommend gear (and strategies) for our more intrepid readers.
Part 1: For the minimalist traveller
Luggage and related accessories
Carry-on personal item: Uniqlo 3-way bag
Uniqlo’s 3-way bag (currently on sale for $19.90!) ticks all the boxes for a personal item carry-on. It’s light, durable, and cheap. And it packs a whole bunch of gear. It has hidden shoulder straps so can be used as a comfortable daypack too. It can even function plausibly as a business briefcase and comes with a shoulder strap.
Mr. Thrifty used it most notably as his sole carry-on while flying to Europe on now-defunct cheapie Wow Air to attend a black-tie event. The Uniqlo bag accommodated his laptop, toiletries, underwear, patent leather shoes, formal shirt, waistcoat, tuxedo pants, and bow tie. The only concession was that he had to wear the tuxedo jacket onto the plane.
The Uniqlo 3-way bag has 2 outer sections where you can store your liquids for rapid access while going through airport security. We’ve mentioned this fantastic bag before in our Ultimate Guide to Low-Cost Airlines.
Cabin bag: Red Oxx Air Boss
First discovered by Mr. Thrifty in the superb One Bag blog, the Red Oxx Air Boss has been at Mr. Thrifty’s side for upwards of a decade and shows little sign of wear.
Even if it did, the company offers a true lifetime warranty — just send in your bruised or broken bag and they’ll refurbish it to a like-new finish. An excellent investment (unlike an actively-managed mutual fund). Super lite, durable, and fits all major airlines’ carry-on specifications.
Cabin bag: Osprey Farpoint 40
A quality backpack is an essential item for the minimalist traveller.
Mr. Thrifty learned his lesson many years ago while in Ilha Grande, Brazil when night was falling, the sky opened up, he was rolling his suitcase from booked hotel to booked hotel and……yada yada yada……he vowed to travel with a quality backpack from that point forward.
After some trial and error Mr. Thrifty settled on the Osprey Farpoint 40, which is designed to fit the carry-on item specifications of all major airlines, and it has proven to be one of his best decisions. With its included carrying strap, the Osprey Farpoint 40 also doubles as a shoulder bag. Purchased four years (and countless trips) ago, Mr. Thrifty’s Osprey Farpoint 40 looks as new today as the date it was purchased.
Fear not, though, if your bag gets damaged because Osprey stands behind its backpacks with its legendary Osprey All Mighty Guarantee: Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. If Osprey is unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, Osprey will happily replace it.
Packing accessory: Gonex Packing Cubes & Amazon Basics Slim Cubes
Ever wonder how seasoned travelers like Mr. Thrifty are able to pack so much into a bag ? It could be the countless hours spent mastering these folding techniques. Or it could be the use of packing cubes. You will be amazed at how much more you can pack with these simple accessories. There are many packing cubes available and here Mr. Thrifty recommends going cheap – in price, not quality. For maximum benefit try and find something that matches the dimensions of your bag. A starter set like this one from Gonex will get you on your way.
For cubes that pair well with the Uniqlo 3-way bag, Mr. Thrifty recommends going slim with this affordable set from Amazon Basics:
Money Belt: Lanney Money Belt
Don’t leave your valuables in your backpack or, worse, a fanny pack. Any veteran traveler will tell you that a money belt that can fit under your clothes is essential to defeating pickpockets and giving you piece of mind. Look for one that also comes with RFID blocking features, to defeat the high tech thief. The well-priced Lanney brand has served Mr. Thrifty well in recent trips but there are also a number of similar options out there. We suggest a light colour that won’t been seen through clothing.
Umbrella: Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella
One of the few things that are permanently in Mr. Thrifty’s backpack, even at home. Normally, Mr. Thrifty would caution against spending much on an umbrella, as they are flimsy, easy to misplace, and are pretty useless in heavy winds. But the Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella has demonstrated its hardiness.
One note of caution: check in advance whether the local airport security considers it a restricted item. Mr. Thrifty’s beloved red Muji umbrella was confiscated by airport security screening staff in the Philippines. He still suspects that the staff wanted it for themselves.
Clothing and accessories
Footwear: Allbirds wool runners
Allbirds have become a true sensation over the past few years, and the reason is clear: the product is superb. Their flagship product is the wool runner, although they now offer several styles and materials.
Mr. Thrifty is on his second pair of the wool runners and has to be dragged kicking and screaming to any formal occasion where such shoes aren’t appropriate. More often than not, he skips such occasions. The wool is breathable in the heat as well as insulating in colder climates.
The only downside is that they get wet very quickly if it’s raining, but they dry quickly too. They can be tossed into the washing machine for a quick renewal. Extremely comfortable to wear on long-haul flights. Don’t hesitate to pick up a pair or two. You’ll thank Mr. Thrifty profusely, in due course.
Underwear / sleeping shorts: Saxx Underwear Men’s 2-Pack Shadow Boxer Brief Black/Navy (Large)
The Saxx brand originated in Canada, although we’re not sure they are still independent. Regardless, their boxer briefs are in a league of their own, featuring their trademarked “Ballpark Pouch”. Intrigued? Read some of the reviews from their Amazon listing.
And in keeping with our theme of carrying items that pull double duty, they make extraordinarily comfortable sleeping shorts. Heck, if you have the chutzpah, you might even pull off wearing them to the pool, as Mr. Thrifty might have recently done at the Jakarta Grand Hyatt.
Earplugs: Mack’s Silicone Ear Plugs
Have you ever spent a sleepless night in hotel room because of a snoring travel companion ? Chances are you were using one of those cheap foam airline-supplied earplugs. Bad move. The answer is silicone. Try Mack’s Silicone Ear Plugs and enjoy your night’s sleep (Mrs. Thrifty swears by them).
Body care
Shampoo/body wash: Dr Bronner’s Hemp Peppermint Soap
There’s no reason to use your limited liquid allowance for separate soap and shampoo. Mr. Thrifty recommends that you ditch liquid versions entirely and go with Dr. Bronner’s All-One Hemp Peppermint Organic Bar Soap.
This cool product pulls double duty and is concentrated so that it can last your entire trip (and if it doesn’t, refer to the next recommendation on how best to fill up your silicone liquid containers). Not only that, but you’ll emerge from your shower with a tingling sensation.
Soap / body scrub for men: Marlowe
For guys who prefer a more luxurious scent, we highly recommend the MARLOWE. No. 102 Men’s Body Scrub Soap with Sandalwood & Agarwood Scent.
Silicone liquid containers
Essential gear. These handy silicone travel bottles comply with airline restrictions (with a capacity of 90ml) and are sturdy. The last thing you want is a flimsy container that opens up in your bag. Go for quality here.
Here’s a thrifty tip: don’t travel with all of them full. Take advantage of the luxury liquid soaps provided in restaurants or 5-star hotels to replenish your containers while on the road. Heck, you may as well fill up in the airplane’s washroom itself! Mr. Thrifty has noticed some high-end brands like l’Occitane en Provence or even Molton Brown supplying airline washrooms (presumably for product placement benefit). Thanks, guys, it’s working 🙂
Another bonus of filling your liquids post check-in: you’ll save on weight, which could make the crucial difference at the all-important carry-on weight check. Liquids are some of the densest items you’ll be packing.
Moisturizer / sun screen: Bull Dog
This brand originates in the UK and is a bit hard to find in Canada, but you can pick it up on Amazon.ca. The size, at 100ml, is perfect for your carry-on. If you’re on your way to Europe, keep an eye out for the “Protective Moisturiser” version that includes a broad-spectrum SPF15 sunscreen. It’s not available in North America.
Deodorant: Degree Men Ultra Clear Black + White Solid Antiperspirant Deodorant
Don’t carry roll-on or gel deodorant – why detract from your liquid carry-on allowance? A solid also has no chance of opening up and spreading onto your other items. Deodorant gels can be particularly messy and require an unscheduled laundry.
Unlike other solids, it’s specifically formulated not to leave white marks which are most visible on the type of dark-coloured clothing Mr. Thrifty recommends for your travel outfits.
This product is available in many drugstores and as a value 5-pack on Amazon.ca. It’s sold under the Rexona brand in Europe.
Wipes: Cottonelle Flushable Wipes
Need we say any more? It will be a certainty during your trip that you’ll face the call of nature at an inopportune time and place. These Cottonelle Flushable Wipes come in a 2-pack so you can stuff one in your daypack to carry at all times. Having these handy will save the day. Trust Mr. Thrifty.
Another benefit for travellers — using wipes helps a bunch in prolonging the time between laundries….
Tech gear
Value mobile phone: Motorola Moto G8 Power
Mr. Thrifty recommends that you leave your fancy yet fragile iPhone at home and get a sturdy travel phone, which can ably double as a backup phone once you return home. Another benefit is that you’ll be lower key and less of a target for thieves.
Mr. Thrifty’s top pick in this category is the Motorola Moto G8 Power. This is the phone Mr. Thrifty himself uses (a previous model), and it’s still going strong after 3 years. Fantastic value, good specs, gorilla glass, and only $250.
Watch: Casio World Time (stainless steel version)
Even a minimalist can sport some style. The Casio World Time in stainless steel will win you street cred even with the serious watch crowd. Unbeatable value for about $30. Note that not the entire watch is stainless steel: only the band. The main unit is plastic.
Earbuds: Monoprice Enhanced Bass Noise Isolating Earbuds Headphones with Built-in Microphone
Monoprice is somewhat of a secret. They make a wide variety of consumer electronics, and are very strong in audio. This model is all of US$5.15 and has a 4.5 out of 5.0 rating with 330 reviews. Mr. Thrifty has a similar pair and can vouch for their high quality, despite the low price. Exactly the kind of product Mr. Thrifty adores, and adores publicizing.
In addition to outstanding sound quality, these earbuds can function as a hands-free earphone/microphone for your mobile phone or laptop. An in-line control module gives you the ability to play/pause tracks and answer/terminate incoming calls.
Note that they are not “noise cancelling” but rather “noise isolating” earbuds. The earbuds come with 3 sets of earbuds, allowing you to customize the fit of the earphones for maximum comfort and audio quality.
Laptop: Asus Chromebook Flip C214
With a modern smartphone, Mr. Thrifty has found that 90% of the function of a laptop can actually be done on a smartphone, including “serious business” like editing documents, spreadsheets, slide shows, and some limited graphic design. Mr. Thrifty doesn’t actually need a laptop to edit this blog, for example.
But for those who prefer to carry a laptop with a full keyboard, Mr. Thrifty recommends a Chromebook. And, in particular, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 which is ruggedized and water resistant to keep up with the intrepid traveller’s inevitable mishaps.
For those who haven’t heard of a Chromebook, they are stripped-down laptops that come with Google’s Chrome operating system. They bypass the Microsoft and Apple proprietary operating systems and apps, so the cost is much less than a typical Windows or Apple laptop. The ASUS is $360 at the time of writing, not the cheapest Chromebook out there but a fraction of the price of an entry-level MacBook Air.
There are limitations to a Chromebook: chiefly, that it pretty much depends on having a wi-fi connection (which is become increasingly less of a factor). And if you need to run apps that only run on Windows or Apple, you’d be out of luck. But with Google apps, you can export files to popular formats so you could work on drafts up to a very high level of completion, and then forward them onto your virtual assistant for final touches.
Plug adapter
This model of plug adapter is the most flexible for European-style plugs (it doesn’t have the round grounding interface on the back). A nice addition is having 2 USB slots easily accessible on the front. Available at Amazon.ca for $16.98 (as of last writing — check for current prices).
Note that this doesn’t work in the UK or other countries with British-style outlets like Singapore and Hong Kong. For those countries, Mr. Thrifty suggests waiting until you arrive at your destination and buying a cheap UK-specific adapter, which is widely available locally for under $2.
Portable phone charger / battery backup
This is one of those items which you’d think would be indispensable, but in Mr. Thrifty’s experience you’ll come to regret the additional weight in your backpack. Unless you are really travelling off the grid, you should be able to find an outlet relatively easily. Another reason is if you want the mental assurance of having a charger backup.
If you’ve decided that you need one, this model is highly rated on Amazon.ca, available for under $20 (with coupon) and includes a handy flashlight feature. Mr. Thrifty thinks that that function would be used more frequently than its recharging function. But again, you’d probably already have a flashlight function on your smartphone.