The perfect Women’s travel kit
For one bag travel
Since landing in the UK in 2019 and having Europe on my doorstep (which is huge coming from an Australian), I’ve spent my fair time on airplanes.
Over the years, I have slowly realised how to bring the smallest bag possible without making a lot of compromises on what I can bring with me and I’ve become obsessed with one bag travel to the point where I will spend hours on YouTube after searching “One bag travel”.
The gear mentioned in this blog is not cheap, but I consider them to be an investment. They are items I have accumulated over time and has let me create what I think is the near perfect kit for a European getaway.
The Bag
The Peter McKinnon x Nomatic 35L travel bag with the 21L cube pack
This is a BEAST of a bag and when it’s on my back I look like a hobbit. But, it actually fits everything, has so much organisation that I dare say it could be the perfect travel bag.
The real gem of this bag is the 21L folding backpack. This is actually something worth frothing over as it holds all the camera gear I need, is small, so convenient and just honestly the perfect day pack. It’s surprisingly comfortable and is just convenient to throw in your camera, a jumper, some souviner’s, water bottles. And it fits perfectly inside the main bag. I’ve looked at other systems including the Peak Design travel bag and whilst that bag does make me salivate over the organisation, I can’t go past the Nomatic folding backpack. And the fact that it sits within the main bag is just a winner in my eyes.
Toiletry Bag
Being a girl, I take a lot of stuff with my in my toiletry bag- make up, face products, hair products. It’s annoying and yet essential. I have found 2 bags that cater for different needs- 1 to carry almost all of my face and hair products, and a smaller bag to carry a more simplified and slimmed down kit depending on where we are going/ what we will be doing.
First up is the Nomatic toiletry bag 2.0 (regular size). I love that it folds flat, I can see everything laid out and has enough compartments to organise my stuff.
The second is the Peak Design small toiletry bag. It’s smaller than the Nomatic so I use this when room is a bit tight in my bag. It’s nothing special but I like the small form factor.
Packing Cubes
These are a lifesaver. If you have never used packing cubes, do yourself a favour and get some. There are too many companies to count that do packing cubes in all shapes and sizes. The ones I have gone for a the Peak Design packing cubes (small). I have 2- one for tops and one for bottoms and it honestly is mind blowing how much these things can stuff in them
Clothing
For shirts, I can’t go past the Merino tops from Unbound Merino. I’ll admit- merino clothing is definitely a luxury and not essential to travel. However, they certainly let you travel for longer with less. I spent a lot of hours scrolling the internet for decent quality merino shirts for women that don’t look like a potato sack and are quite flattering. Enter Unbound Merino. This is a Canadian company (I believe), so you will get hit with import tax BUT it is worth it. Merino is magic and I am able to slim down my wardrobe to just 3 or 4 t shirts, depending on the length of the trip. They pack down small, don’t crinkle and don’t smell.
Now merino is expensive yes, but like I said, this is an investment. The items in this blog intend to be used for many years to come and allow me to travel with carry on without sacrificing comfort or looking like a potato sack.
For trousers, I can’t go past ACAI outdoor wear MAX stretch skinny outdoor trousers. They are stretchy, comfy and water resistant. They look good dressed up and dressed down. These trousers are all I wear all day and night and I can’t recommend them enough.
Camera Gear
My go to camera, my baby, my love is the Sony a7IV. The ultimate hybrid camera, beautiful photos, SLOG 3 videos. Small, ergonomic, never worry about battery life. The love of my life.
For a city break this is usually paired with the Sony 35mm f/1.8. For a more landscape-y trip I would take the Sony 24-70mm GM for more versatility
Recently have picked up the Fuji x100v, I am yet to take this on a trip with me (other than a quick dash to Australia in February) however I do plan on taking it for strictly city break trips to lighten my bag.
Miscellaneous
A few bits and bobs I take with me-
A universal travel adaptor. These are available on Amazon and it’s all in one block, something like 78 countries in one. Fast charging USB-C, USB-A, normal plugs. Everything electrical you could ever wish to plug into a wall, these things have it
USB-C card reader. This plugs into either my Samsung tablet (if I take it) or my phone to download images and edit in Lightroom on the go.
Collapsible water bottle. Such a space save, helps me avoid buying copious amounts of plastic water bottles on my travels
Dry bag. This is a random one but if I am taking a spare pair of shoes, I throw them into a dry bag, into my bag to avoid dirty shoes ruining the contents of my bag.