Lightweight ideas, hints and tips

[Wapping]

Excellent coat hanger tip. I have used safety pins before.

The multi-port chargers are now really good. Shove on the European twin prong bit and, armed with some decent Anker leads, away you go.

 

[Guru Gora]

Cubes, 100 pc agree, brilliamt.

I've used this for years, anything plugs in, and it plugs into anything.

Mines still fine after about 7 years.....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Worldwide-...P2PMHK/ref=psdc_2454167031_t5_B0BQ3DVHDB?th=1

 

[Monsieur]

A most excellent and enjoyable thread!

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

I take at least 3 multi port chargers with me when I’m away on work trips including at least one that also converts a UK type 3 pin plug to local because the stand for charging my iPhone and Apple Watch needs one.

 

[Arsey]

I take at least 3 multi port chargers with me when I’m away on work trips including at least one that also converts a UK type 3 pin plug to local because the stand for charging my iPhone and Apple Watch needs one.

Why do you need at least 3 ?
That Minix that I use above let’s me charge watch, phone and 2 iPads at the same time.
Or if I was away on bike I can charge helmet, phone, watch and iPad simultaneously.

Meanwhile,
I’m sure the Eagle Creek cubes are good but I just use these

Edited to add-we’re away in Brittany winging it next week and won’t have a huge space for luggage so just ordered two sets of these

Looked at Eagle Creek but very limited stock and 4 to 6 week delivery !

 

[G&T]

You honestly don’t need a porch off your tent. Really you don’t.

What the hell goes in those little bags biker mates have off their engine protection bars! Nutty bars!

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

Going back to the lightweight packing point; I always take my personal pharmacy that contains about a dozen each of Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Imodium, anti histamines and throat lozenges. There’s also a tube of superglue for repairing cuts that might under normal circumstances require stitches but insulating tape from the emergency tool kit works for less serious cuts

The emergency tool kit? Cable ties, fuses, gaffer tape, insulating tape and self amalgamating tape all get taken along with the standard tool kit and a 6” Bahco reversible adjustable spanner.

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

Why do you need at least 3 ?
That Minix that I use above let’s me charge watch, phone and 2 iPads at the same time.
Or if I was away on bike I can charge helmet, phone, watch and iPad simultaneously.

Meanwhile,
I’m sure the Eagle Creek cubes are good but I just use these

Two in my hotel room to cover having my laptop, iPad etc charging on a table over night and a second one by the bed.

One for my office to keep my company laptop plugged in during the day plus charge my head torch and hand torch batteries over night.

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

You honestly don’t need a porch off your tent. Really you don’t.

What the hell goes in those little bags biker mates have off their engine protection bars! Nutty bars!

I used to keep extra tools and tyre repair shit in one of the bags I had on my 1190 engine bars and the other one had a first aid kit, disposable gloves and a Leatherman in it.

 

[Khulu]

I'm an Eagle Creek man myself (Wapping's fault!)

Don't you LC guys carry a litre of coolant top-up too?

 

[Wapping]

Why do you need at least 3 ?
That Minix that I use above let’s me charge watch, phone and 2 iPads at the same time.
Or if I was away on bike I can charge helmet, phone, watch and iPad simultaneously.

Meanwhile,
I’m sure the Eagle Creek cubes are good but I just use these….

Looked at Eagle Creek but very limited stock and 4 to 6 week delivery !

Those, as copies of the original Eagle Creek bags, certainly look pretty good.

 

[Wapping]

I'm an Eagle Creek man myself (Wapping's fault!)

I have my father to thank….. he used plastic bags.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Was I toasty warm, was I fu**. It was held in March and Oct , almost certainly the poorest night kip I have ever had.

That made me smile. I did a November one in the Lakes some years back. Similarly, an absolutely awful night on the tops, shaking with cold until daylight, frost on my bivvy bag... never considered a Polaris event since !

 

[Kitsilano]

I do the odd bit of travelling for work....

@ Arsey - master of the understatement!

I have found that despite their bulk, certain variants of the SKROSS adaptors have been the only ones to have the most functional conversion-to-continental Europe pins, and also USB interfaces (see example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/SKROSS-1-3...tronics&sprefix=skross,electronics,61&sr=1-22) but I do like the lower profile/weight of the MINIX that Arsey identifies. SKROSS can be too heavy and pull-away from some power sockets.

I finally found the 'lightweight-smart-casual-but-supportive-city exploration-footware' with Sketchers range (for example: https://www.skechers.co.uk/collections/mens/arch-fit/) and there's currently a 20% discount coupon from the corporate site.

Non-M/C luggage: I have become a fan of the 'Victorinox' brand for luggage: they come with a '1+10-year' warranty and have happily and promptly replaced wheels broken by airline baggage handlers. I am forcing myself towards carry-on only (4x wheels for ultra airport mobility) and have just discovered the 'Victorinox' 'Crosslight Boarding Bag' combination of backpack/carry handle non-frame bag (37 Litre capacity) that is functional for smaller aircraft overhead lockers, where soft-sided luggage has more functionality than hard-sided cases with wheels. See: https://www.victorinox.com/uk/en/Pr...d-Messengers/Crosslight-Boarding-Bag/p/612423.

Some airlines allow a backpack AND a carry-on sized suitcase and so this model allows for the pass-through of the backpack to fit over the extendable handle of the 4-wheel carry-on and you can board with both. Again, I recommend Victorinox: https://www.victorinox.com/uk/en/Pr...-60-Softside-Frequent-Flyer-Carry-On/p/605406. Perhaps just keep in mind that a wheeled-carry-on is going to weigh about 4kgs before anything goes inside (although airlines currently, seem to have universally stopped checking the weight compliance of carry-on baggage).


Packing cubes and/or plastic bags (to pack street shoes, avoiding soiling, and to segregate dirty clothes). Victorinox have a 'Packmaster' that enables the flat-packing of ironed shirts that can survive travel and be ready to wear: https://www.victorinox.com/uk/en/Products/Travel-Gear/Accessories/Medium-Pakmaster/p/604999.

Hope these bits and pieces - in whole or in part - might be of help!

 

[Arsey]

@ Arsey - master of the understatement!

I have found that despite their bulk, certain variants of the SKROSS adaptors have been the only ones to have the most functional conversion-to-continental Europe pins, and also USB interfaces (see example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/SKROSS-1-3...tronics&sprefix=skross,electronics,61&sr=1-22) but I do like the lower profile/weight of the MINIX that Arsey identifies. SKROSS can be too heavy and pull-away from some power sockets.

I finally found the 'lightweight-smart-casual-but-supportive-city exploration-footware' with Sketchers range (for example: https://www.skechers.co.uk/collections/mens/arch-fit/) and there's currently a 20% discount coupon from the corporate site.

Non-M/C luggage: I have become a fan of the 'Victorinox' brand for luggage: they come with a '1+10-year' warranty and have happily and promptly replaced wheels broken by airline baggage handlers. I am forcing myself towards carry-on only (4x wheels for ultra airport mobility) and have just discovered the 'Victorinox' 'Crosslight Boarding Bag' combination of backpack/carry handle non-frame bag (37 Litre capacity) that is functional for smaller aircraft overhead lockers, where soft-sided luggage has more functionality than hard-sided cases with wheels. See: https://www.victorinox.com/uk/en/Pr...d-Messengers/Crosslight-Boarding-Bag/p/612423.

Some airlines allow a backpack AND a carry-on sized suitcase and so this model allows for the pass-through of the backpack to fit over the extendable handle of the 4-wheel carry-on and you can board with both. Again, I recommend Victorinox: https://www.victorinox.com/uk/en/Pr...-60-Softside-Frequent-Flyer-Carry-On/p/605406. Perhaps just keep in mind that a wheeled-carry-on is going to weigh about 4kgs before anything goes inside (although airlines currently, seem to have universally stopped checking the weight compliance of carry-on baggage).


Packing cubes and/or plastic bags (to pack street shoes, avoiding soiling, and to segregate dirty clothes). Victorinox have a 'Packmaster' that enables the flat-packing of ironed shirts that can survive travel and be ready to wear: https://www.victorinox.com/uk/en/Products/Travel-Gear/Accessories/Medium-Pakmaster/p/604999.

Hope these bits and pieces - in whole or in part - might be of help!

After years of Samsonites, some lasting 20 years and some lasting one trip , I moved to Briggs and Riley about a decade ago, for both carry on wheelie bag and flight case.

I bought the International Carry On which is legal size to go in overhead lockers on long haul aircraft, if I’m a passenger but fits perfectly in a slot in the flight deck.

Not cheap BUT comes with a lifetime warranty, which is utterly brilliant.
There’s a metal barcode stamped inside so you dont even need to keep a receipt.

I use this on all my work trips , including the longest which is a 9 day Singapore/Sydney .
Plenty of room as the case expands .

Only yesterday I took both to K2 Global in Maidenhead, who are the leading luggage repair/replacement service in the UK.

They replaced both wheels on the wheelie bag as the bearings had gone making them very noisy.
They also changed a foot on my flight bag that had sheared off.
The wheelie bag could also do with a new handle as the telescopic bit is sometimes reluctant to extend and retract.So a new one was ordered and they’ll email me when its in.
All this was done free of charge and took an hour.
Only wish I’d gone to Briggs and Riley 30 years ago as I would never have needed to spend another penny ever again.

 

[Kitsilano]

@ Arsey

Can't take any issue whatsoever with your Briggs & Riley (!)....it has now been updated to a 'Spinner' version (4 sets of wheels) which is superb....and also, is now 'expandable'. Not cheap but as you say superb value for literally life-time peace of mind. (I don't ever have to worry about my case fitting into the slot on the flight deck - LOL!).


https://briggs-riley.co.uk/products...0FRKW9zkym7Hynd7W8psEeLCUhVdG1WxoCOzEQAvD_BwE

 

[Guru Gora]

https://www.goplaces.co.uk/products...Oxv5ZxCTKkae04zNVe4RXBVUmLMTNP_hoCSwcQAvD_BwE

GO10% brings this to 35 quid

 

[Kitsilano]

Yes, a good find (but that's a small size, just BTW).

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

BA economy allows me to take one item of hold baggage weighing up to 23kg plus a cabin bag weighing up to 23kg and a laptop bag shoved under the seat in front. If I’m clever about it I pack PPE and other work related crap I need in the hold luggage, fill the cabin bag with clothes in cubes then anything left over goes in the hold baggage and I’m easily under the weight limit. I don’t bother because I can use my corporate card to pay £70 for additional hold luggage and not have to take it through security and look after it when I’m sitting around between connecting flights. If I’ve got to collect one bag from the carousels I might as well collect two

Sadly I work for a company that uses Concur for travel bookings and it flags up what it considers to be unrealistic fares then thinks that sitting in an airport lounge for 10hrs is ok. I can work around that by narrowing the parameters when I’m booking flights and book single tickets each way even though paying less overall would get me a flexible booking and extra hold baggage.

 

[peter56]

Up to £600 for a small suitcase Crazy