My job means that I get to do quite a bit of travelling and I’ve been asked a few times now … what’s in your bag ? I have a set of bags I use which add together to make smaller kit bags.
Tech Bag
For all trips :
- I use a BuBmCase bag to carry most of my miscellaneous gizmo stuff in.
- I have :
- 2 x 8Gb USBs
- USB3 to MicroUSB
- USB2 to MicroUSB
- TFCard Reader with 64Gb Card
- OnePlus 10,000mAH battery for charging phones up
- 3 charger cables
- 2 Samsung foldaway 2A charger plugs
- Laser pen for impromtu Jedi fights
- Rennie … many uses !
- 5 pens of 2 different types
- A sharpie
- A Stanley pen sized screwdriver kit
Additional Kit bag
For longer trips I also take 2 x 3 inch square 1 inch deep pack cases
Pack 1
- Powerpack for laptop and mouse
Pack 2
- Bluetooth waterproof speaker
- Torch
- Monoscope
- MadBobPicks kits (free from SteelCon)
- Practice Padlock
Short Day Trips
For a day trip, I take my tech bag as well as a Rucksack – I have a few, my favourite is an eBay purchase similar to this. I like it because of the assortment of grab handles and the minimum pockets means I don’t end up carrying too much stuff. I don’t use a tow-along case as they tend to be more trouble than they are worth.
- I would rarely take a laptop for a day visit unless I need to work from the train, I usually use my work phone for that. If the laptop is needed I take Pack 1 from above also.
- Notepad – is a Pukka Project A5 Notepad. I don’t use the dividers but I do consistently keep with them.
- Pens – plenty of, I’m not the guy who cant take notes as his pen has run out.
- Plastic carrier bag (they now charge for these in the UK)
- Headphones – Sennheiser in-ear
- Food etc goes in a plastic carrier bag separate so there can be no accidental damage to electronics.
As you can see, I travel quite light. I put music etc onto my phone for noise cancelling out the train.
Longer Trips
I use a CabinMax Oxford for longer trips with smaller containers to keep my clothes together. I recommend trying out all the Youtube videos on how to fold clothes to find one that works for you without creasing everything up. On one side I put clothes and washkit and Pack 2 and the other I put Tech Bag. I then use the rucksack for laptop and Pack 1. That way, if I need to go to the loo on the train, I am leaving the backpack with clothes and not important tech and taking a small rucksack with phones and laptop.
Travelling Tips
- Virgin Trains are open from 20 minutes to departure. Go to coaches F and U (no joke). These are the unreserved seats and bag yourself a seat by the window at a table by the luggage end by the loos. You can then check the electrical socket works and get comfy before everyone else piles in around you.
- Websites : RealTimeTrains.co.uk – shows you a very accurate display as to how your train is doing down at track level. You can also be sneaky and catch the Euston trains before they are shown on the big screens and nice guards will let you on early.
- CabinMax goes above your head, your jacket hangs up behind you, the rucksack goes on the floor.
- Never use a mouse unless the table is completely empty.
- As you turn a laptop on, press the mute button so it is silent on boot-up.
- Never rely on a train’s wifi for a steady connection, it just isn’t.
- Longer journeys – you need to freshen up before you get off the train. In your rucksack take a couple of baby wipes and go to the loo 20 minutes before the final stop. Do your business, wash your hands use the wipes on your face and pits and then you’ll feel a lot fresher when you get off the train. (Also you saved yourself as most stations charge 30p for the loos!)
- Take relaxing music for a train, no major drum and bass as everyone hears everything … it’s annoying and I will tell you if you’re on my train !!
- Trains = Podcasts They’re great for trains and I can usually catch up on several hours of podcasts on one trip to London.
- Wait till the train has completely stopped before starting to get bags down etc. Pack your rucksack – fine, but leave the jacket etc till the person next to you has barged their way off.
Leave a Reply