One Bag, One WorldOBOW Bloghttp://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2009-07-04T04:44:37ZSquarespaceAn Aussie finds the ultralight Holy Grailhttp://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2009/7/4/an-aussie-finds-the-ultralight-holy-grail.htmlBrad2009-07-04T04:34:04Z2009-07-04T04:34:04ZA journo from Down Under finds light travel bliss and pens one of the best articles on the subject I’ve ever seen:

Is it possible to travel for six weeks with 7 kilograms of luggage in one small bag? I’m a person who takes a bootload of gear for a weekend away but on a recent 40-day trip to nine European countries I achieved the light traveller’s Holy Grail.

It took lots of planning but it was worth it. I was smugly self-congratulatory as my bag measuring 45cm x 30cm x 18cm and I fitted unobtrusively into crowded trains and buses; as I effortlessly tossed it onto luggage racks; as I bypassed taxi queues to stride easily through city streets; as I unpacked and repacked in five minutes flat. Not once did I wish I had brought more stuff…

Travelling light makes you feel independent, liberated and, well, superior. But it takes a stern approach and a willingness to accept strict limitations in your attire. Here are 10 steps to success. - read more, includes packing list

 

]]>Friendly Firefox advicehttp://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2009/7/3/friendly-firefox-advice.htmlBrad2009-07-03T18:41:34Z2009-07-03T18:41:34ZDo not “upgrade” your browser to Firefox 3.5 - yet. The version I downloaded this week is wretched. Wait for them to fix it.

]]>Most interesting bags you've never heard ofhttp://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2009/7/3/most-interesting-bags-youve-never-heard-of.htmlBrad2009-07-03T13:26:00Z2009-07-03T13:26:00ZToday we’re thinking outside the nylon box, er, bag. Many of these bags are heavy, most are leather, and some are tactical. Several are American-made, some are cheap, and some are ridiculously expensive. Still, they’re the most interesting bags you might never have heard of:

DULUTH TRADING AWOL BAG

SADDLEBACK BRIEF & SUITCASE

FILSON WOOL FIELD BAG

BARBOUR TARRAS IN LEATHER

BAILEY WHALEMOUTH

THE “RED STATE AERONAUT”

MAXPEDITION FLIEGERDUFFEL

BAD DUFFEL #3

OCCIDENTAL


ENGLISH RESERVE FROM CHAPMAN

Traditionalists will definitely want to check out the Chapman site. The quirky division of product lines (ranges in the Queen’s English) is typical for the UK but  the determined surfer will be rewarded with some interesting finds. I started one-bagging many years ago with an English-made bag very similar to the one pictured above. It was sold through the old Banana Republic - when it was an off-the-wall catalog and not a mall store.

]]>The lightly newshttp://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2009/7/2/the-lightly-news.htmlBrad2009-07-02T15:27:33Z2009-07-02T15:27:33ZNo news in this story — if you’ve been reading OBOW that is:

A combination of consumer demand, design modifications and innovative materials has allowed manufacturers to switch gears to produce smaller, lighter and ergonomically friendly products, says Alan Krantzler, vice president of Tumi luggage brand’s product management.

“The No. 1 trend in the industry right now is about lightweight,” he says. “It’s always been a consumer demand, but it has become increasingly important.” - read more

The story points out European preferences for sleek hard-sided luggage and also makes this very good point:

“People want a carryon that could be a weekend bag, a gym bag and be able to put a computer in it,” says Krantzler, who also oversees merchandising. “People are looking to spend money smartly. They don’t want to give up quality but want value.”

No doubt, the trend is toward lighter and smaller.

]]>Reason to go light #678http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2009/6/30/reason-to-go-light-678.htmlBrad2009-06-30T18:58:08Z2009-06-30T18:58:08ZA couple of weekend injuries remind me once again why I travel lightly. First, I pulled some back muscles in a whitewater accident on a North Carolina river. Then, within two hours of arriving at home, I slipped and fell on our stairs in a pair of slick socks. The result is lots of pain and temporary disability. I worked today for only a couple of hours and stopped at a cafe to book some flights. If the lightweight Tom Bihn bag on my shoulder had carried anything more than my sub 3-pound netbook I would have suffered even more. Had I actually been traveling I would have been in major trouble. If your back’s not great, cut the weight! As I get better the posts will increase.

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