#Onebagging a conference
by Sunita
OK, not quite one bag, but the purse could go in the backpack in a pinch.
I haven’t tried this before but after our UK trip I was so taken with traveling light that I decided to try it for a conference. That pack holds two dresses, three tops, one pair of trousers, a sleep shirt, and the relevant undergarments. And a pair of sandals. I’m wearing trousers and a jacket and a pair of walking flats. The sandals went down at the bottom and the clothes into packing cubes, which left plenty of room for toiletries and other travel odds and ends.
I’m not the one presenting our paper so I left my computer at home and will rely on my phone and a small notebook. I could have fit it in but I wanted to try traveling without it again. Most of my work stuff is meetings anyway and there’s an app for the conference so I don’t need to haul the giant program around.
I did bring my ereader though. Of course. Some things are non-negotiable.
I’ll keep you posted on how it works out and tell you more about the clothes, which are all travel-friendly.
Lovely day in DC and we’re on time!
ReaderWriterVille 
Welcome to the one bagger fellowship! I don’t think I’ve checked a bag in 2 decades, except for when I moved here from Chicago and had to bring a large one since Michael wasn’t joining me right away.
I depend on the Victorinox brand for backpacks, because I am REALLY hard on my luggage. But the one I’m currently using I bought… Probably 2012? And it doesn’t look 7 years old. I got the smaller one without the laptop sleeve this last time because I tend to overpack heavy stuff (journals and laptop and pens and stuff).
I really liked reading Rick Steves back in the day before he got super popular, because he had things like suggestions for what to pack in a single carryon for travel to Europe. I found the philosophy and reasoning really helpful.
I’ll be interested to hear how you like it. Have a great time in DC!
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@Noonie: I have heard good things about the Steves recs back in the day. The #onebag and #heronebag subreddits are very useful for tips and products although like every group they tend to have their favorites. I picked up this Deuter pack because it had all the features I wanted in a light package, but it’s rarely talked about. But they have great suggestions about laptop and business friendly options.
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Your bag looks small enough to fit under the seat. (?) I’m short and have a hard time with the overhead bins in a crowded plane. Going to a conference next month – so maybe it’s time to lighten up!
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@Janet: yes, it fits easily under the seat. Most packs that are 25L or less will fit and you can get a lot into that volume. I even jammed my 28L hiking pack under the seat in a full international flight this summer. Packing cubes make a huge difference for organising and light compression.
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Where are you headed?
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@Nate: I’m at the political science annual meeting in DC. It takes up three hotels (the Marriott, Omni, and Hilton).
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I don’t know how you fit everything in Sunita. I’d struggle to fit my toiletries and makeup in the backpack I think! LOL
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@Kaetrin: Haha, most women carry a wider variety of makeup than I do. I relied on the hotel shampoo & conditioner because I knew it would be fine, but I always do take my hair products. I have a very minimal set of cosmetics I travel with, though.
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