Recently got back from a few weeks in Colombia and wanted to share how my onebag setup worked out.
I used the Boundary Supply Errant Duffel in X Pac (about 35L) in backpack mode, and while it wasn’t perfect, it held up well in some rough conditions. The weather and logistics changed constantly on this trip, from below freezing departures and cold nights in Bogotá to humid days in the Amazon basin, which made it a good test for adaptability.
Photo 1 shows the fully packed bag on a boat on the Amazon. The X Pac fabric made this setup practical, easy to clean, and fine to set down on wet or dirty surfaces.
Photo 2 shows everything laid out, and photo 3 is how I compartmentalized the contents.
For clothing (photo 4):
- 7 t-shirts (including 1 long sleeves)
- 2 pants
- 3 shorts (gym, swimsuit, and hybrid)
- 7 underwear / 7 socks
- 1 Uniqlo down jacket
- 1 Uniqlo rain jacket
- 1 rash guard and linen towel
My clothes mainly come from Uniqlo, Decathlon, Seagale and Lululemon. Since I wasn’t sure about laundry access, taking 7 of each felt like a safe option and ended up being about right. Temperatures ranged from below 0°C to over 30°C with high humidity, and I used everything at some point.
Footwear was kept simple with one pair of trail runners and flip flops. That combination worked well for walking, beaches, and everything in between.
Photo 5 shows the electronics: Kindle, over ear headphones (great for the long flights), phone, and chargers. I brought a rash guard and diving computer since I went diving and surfing.
Photo 6 shows the toiletries, compact and basic.
Photo 7 is the Bellroy Lite Sling 7L reorganized for a long flight. It turned out to be a convenient personal item for long travel days: big enough to hold essentials while keeping things easy to reach.
I carried the Errant Duffel as my “personal item” on most flights within Colombia (Avianca, JetSmart,...) and never paid for a separate carry on. Technically, it’s larger than the typical limit, but since it did not look too stuffed, it never got flagged (lucky). However, it wouldn’t fit under most small plane seats.
Notable places visited: Bogotá, Medellín, Tayrona, Palomino, Minca, Leticia, and Puerto Nariño, with short day trips into Brazil and Peru.
Photo 8 shows a few souvenirs from along the way.
The Duffel worked overall, especially given the mixed environments, but I’m thinking about switching to something better suited for onebag travel next time I need a similarly sized load-out. I need to add that the external access to the "shoe-pocket" of the duffel is super convenient when travel involves getting wet and dirty often. I would simply throw my swim suit or dirty t-shirt in there before moving accommodations. I already have other bags I am happy with when I travel more minimally. Right now I’m looking at the Matador Globerider 35 (nice size) and the Able Carry Max 32L (xpac), but definitely open to suggestions from anyone who’s used them or has other recommendations.
Hope this can be useful to some, cheers!
The Patagonia Black Hole 32 is my ultralight minimalist overhead bag. I use packing cubes so the opening style works for me.
The REI Trail 40 is my maximum overhead option with a load transferring harness. The front panel opening is huge. On sale for $104 for a few more days.
One thing I forgot to mention in the body of the text is that the Errant Duffel also has an external access for a shoe pocket. I never used it for shoes but always put my wet or very dirty clothes in there on short travel days. It was super useful and very practical.
We have Gravel in common.
Obviously I've been very influenced by this sub. I think the toiletry pouch is excellent although it encourages me to take a bit more than smaller ones.
Context comment: trip report and packing list after a month in Colombia.
Looks like you have a Matador daypack too, any thoughts about that?
I should have added this in the main body: I have so much to say about the Matador Freefly 16. I think it's both very frustrating and very clutch. It has been extremely useful, I used it for a week-end trip in a national park at some point, I can use it to go to the beach, hiking etc. It's super convenient but the zippers are very frustrating to use. Moreover, you have to really be thoughtful on how to pack the bag so that it doesn't poke your back. Here is a picture of the Freefly in use.
https://preview.redd.it/7orb71bumg8g1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8bcc7b265e7325195d581399527da4673d82b046
What was it like traveling with the Evergoods CAP2? I use mine every day :). But not for travel cos it's too thick and bulky
I wish EG would make a UL (or at least somewhat lighter) CAP2. I use it as my dopp kit currently anyway because it's just that nice to use. Considered cutting out the divider to lower the weight and increase capacity/flexibility, but it would be a real shame to cut into.
Yeah exactly. But you just gave me an idea, I'll see if I can fit my tech and toiletries into it.. could maybe replace having 2 separate pouches. Then again it's so nice that I feel bad about using it as a dopp kit lol
I actually have 2 CAP2, the blue from the photo and a black one (with the smooth zipper). Most of the time I use them at home to organize stuff. I was happy to find a use traveling this time with the big headphones but I have to agree that it's bulky and often not needed. Super nice item though, no regret buying it. I am also often looking for use for the CAP1 but in the end having a sling makes often more sense. The CAP0.5 is my most used. I'm happy I got it in orange because in a big black hole like that Errant duffel it's more convenient to get. And it works very well as a small but protected tech pouch for my use-case.
wow that's cool! I haven't tried the CAP1 or 0.5. But yeah the orange looks beautiful!
I just tested CAP2 to replace my toiletries pouch and tech pouch.
What do you think?
https://preview.redd.it/9wbyw0f0cj8g1.png?width=3214&format=png&auto=webp&s=1a98f82bb893e4bd8b9abb6cbe7cf3cf48647f53
I feel like you could use gravel's transparent pouch for liquids (or any ziplock style alternative) and use 1/4 of the space. Also for me the cap2 misses some nice way to hang to be used as a toiletry bag, the fact that it uses so much surface when open is counterproductive if you have little space next to a sink.
But totally approve trying different ways to use it!
Completely agree about the hanging, sometimes it's a lifesaver in tiny bathrooms. There's some cool ultralight stuff from Osprey and Sea to Summit, with small detachable mirror also. I intend to buy something like that some day.
Just checked the gravel pouch, looks solid, I actually have something similar. I just tested throwing all those small toiletries in it. Yeah it's a bit smaller and lighter than CAP 2, but there's so much gaps between the little bottles of cream etc.. Really hard to pack it efficiently. hmm i think it's saving 30% space not more.
I think I stick with the evergoods cos it's much easier to use things out of it - and has extra space in case I buy some bigger bottle of sunscreen and want to bring it back.
In any case I would always support using what you have instead of buying something new. At least perhaps after a trip with it you'll know whether it worked or what you would actually need instead.
Good point! Thanks for the help and have an awesome sunday :)
Also love that lobchby. How do you like the tomtoc 3.5?
I used the Lochby mainly as an EDC sling for months (bought matching leather strap). I love the looks and style. But sometimes it was ended up overpacked and not enough space(I think like 1.5-2L).
I really like the Tomtoc 3.5, using daily now and as personal item on the plane. X-Pac is heavier, sure, but the extra weight makes no difference to me, good to know my stuff is protected when it rains.
The organization is excellent, long keychain, looks good in black. No complaints - except that the seatbelt material of the strap is pretty slippery, so if you ride a bike the sling tends to rotate around the body as you move. For walking it's perfect quick access.
Hope that helps, let me know if you need more info
The advantage was that I was confident in having my bulky headphones and my kindle in there in transit. So I felt that they were sufficiently well protected from the elements and being crushed by the other things in my bag.
The Matador packable backpack and Bellroy Lite Sling are my constant travel companions as well!
At first I was annoyed at the idea of taking 2 "packable" edc bags but the freefly is not a good personal item.
Looks like Decathlon sandals.
Did you plug the two drain holes in the heel? I really wanted this pair for showering but having the holes and I’m kind of defeats the purpose of keeping your feet out of dirty water.
Do you really think these holes make a difference? I reckon if water comes through these holes, it would also come over the sides? Just purchased them too a week ago - I thought these were some sort of drainage holes… 😄
My understanding is they’re made to be pool sandals so the water from your body will drain down your leg, onto the sandal, and out of the hole.
However, it works both ways so if you step into a small puddle, the water will go up the hole. And yes to your point, if you step into a deep enough puddle, the water will just go over the sides, but that’s true for any scandal or non-waterproof footwear.
I personally wanted to try plugging these with similar type of material and using an aqua seal and see if they hold up well, but I’ve been putting it off for some time and think I’m probably better with another model.
Uh I did not even notice those holes (new fear unlocked?). But this is definitely the thing I would like to change from my kit the most. Simply due to size. These are 45 and they are a bit too long but the 44 were a bit too small. My trail runners are 44.5.(14 in American measurements).
I did almost the exact same trip last year and ended up regretting bringing so many clothes - did laundry twice and barely touched half my shirts. The X-Pac fabric choice sounds clutch for the Amazon though, regular duffel materials would've been miserable in that humidity.How'd you handle the altitude changes between Bogotá and lower elevations with your packing strategy?
The main point of reflexion was the layering system. In the end I'm happy I got the down jacket and the rain jacket. With a long sleeve under, and a merino buff, I was warm enough during the coldest moment. At the same time, the down and the rain shell both disappeared inside one of my 3 packing cubes when I was simply wearing shorts and t-shirt (so long that I also wear the shoes, otherwise they wouldn't fit).
What is the blue organizer pouch on the photo no. 5 please?
It's an evergoods cap2, a specific model with aqua guard zippers and ecopak fabric. I like the colour but the zippers are less smooth.