Definitely the Ultra-Sil Nano Dry Sack from Sea To summit. You can use it to wash clothes, keep items safe from liquid at the beach, use it as a pillow at the airport, use it as emergency shopping bag, the list goes on....And its so light you barely notice you packed it
I wasn’t traveling but I once saved a prom dress because I keep safety pins in my purse. My friend’s daughter was getting ready for prom and her dress broke a zipper! I also keep an empty ziplock bag. Life pro tip: it can be used as an emergency barf bag. It’s been years since a migraine made me sick but you never know when a ziplock bag will come in handy.
One shot super glue, I have used it to repair sandals, and even a tyre sidewall enough to get us home. Also a black bin (Trash) bag. The cheaper nastier the better as they can pack up real small, used to sit on wet grass, as a rain jacket and even for rubbish.
I keep a couple of larger binder clips with me to keep the light-blocking curtains closed at hotels. They take up less space than clothespins. The other item to use to keep the curtains closed if you don't have any kind of clip with you is one of those pants/skirt hangar with clips that one usually finds in the room closet/wardrobe.
a clothes pin is also useful for standing up your toothbrush if you don't want the brush part to touch some gross counter or something. Just clamp the part of your toothbrush that connects the brush to the handle with the clothes pin and use the two parts of the clothes pin that you squeeze together as legs/feet of some kind.
A TSA approved lock is not always better. I spent more than $30 for a very nice TSA approved lock and TSA destroyed in Vegas when I was flying to Seattle. They even put the pieces in a bag with a letter saying that they had to check the bag and were sorry for breaking the lock. There was no one to complain about so I lost my lock. So what is the point of having a TSA approved lock if they are going to break it anyway? I now use zip ties. If they break it, I carry a whole bunch inside to replace them. Lesson learned.
Same as you, I use zip ties. Let’s face it, if someone wants to steal, they’ll take the whole bag or slash the side - so for me, a zip tie is more about stopping opportunists and making sure no one can plant something in my bag without me knowing. I never leave spare ties in my checked bag - I carry them in my carry on. I don’t want someone to be able to enter the bag and re-tie without me knowing, so I also try to use unusual colored ties (not the common white or black).
@@albedo0point39what do you use to cut the zip ties? Scissors aren’t allowed in carryon, I don’t think? Do you have to ask for scissors when you get to the hotel?
The silicone travel pouch for hair irons is great for everything you said about oven mitts. BUT you can also use it to help open up hard to open bottles. And it's flat.
If you use a ziplock bag as a packing cube, close it almost all the way and roll it up to push all the air out. Then close it completely. I used this while traveling in my teens to pack a ton of clothing. You need some good quality bags tho. I also use hairties to secure my belts, since the belt loops are often not enough to keep the end from flapping around. If you match the colour of the tie to the belt it won't be obvious or at least much more sleek than a normal rubber band. Just wrap it around the belt twice or so before you loop it through your pants and then put the end through. I also used this on my leather watch strap when it broke during travels in Serbia, it was extremely in the way so I just went to a drugstore to buy some tiny brown hair ties. If you don't want to buy an entire pack just ask any woman in your life if she can spare one lol.
A lanyard to put my rental apartment keys on. Then I thread the lanyard through a loop on my jeans and put the keys in the pocket. That way they are always attached to you, in case your purse gets stolen. A pinch of favourite seasonings into each section of a pill organizer, for cooking at your rental apartment. A bright red or blue lid from a yogurt container, to put your jewelry on at night so you’ll see it when checking out , and not leave it behind. A small carabiner to keep your day-bag zippers “locked”. Also use a yogurt lid for a soap dish. A teeny ziplock bag of table salt to gargle with if you feel a sore throat coming on. A dollar store eyeglass repair kit....they are tiny.
Zip ties are fine for checked luggage - TSA have their own ties and they’ll just cut yours off and replace with theirs if they want to get in. I always zip tie my checked luggage - and I try to find unusual color ties to do it. That way I know if someone has been inside, since it’s unlikely they’d be able to replace with the exact color. I carry a nail clipper in my carry on so that I can cut the tie off myself.
Binder clip impressed my wife when I used one to attach her big hat to the outside of her backpack. Attached with nite ize geartie! She left it on there permanently :)
The clothes pin and the binder clip serve the same purpose. I have used a binder clip for all the examples mentioned here, especially for closing mosquito nets, and curtains. You can clip three or four clips into each other and take up almost no space So going a step further from this video, I carry a little "bag o' crap" - a term I'd love to copyright - which is made up of learnings from many trips over the years. A small pouch that carries a multitude of "tools" that can fix a lot of problems. Mine personally includes: . An old hotel key card... which I can put into a hotel keyslot if I need to keep the power on in a room to charge stuff (ok, and the aircon, but that's a personal choice). I've also cut these spare cards up to balance wobbly tables etc . Binder clips. As above . A very small tube of superglue. Was once used to fix a friend's broken dentures in the middle of Kenya on safari. Don't ask how they broke.....But always gets used . A small roll of velcro tape. All loose straps, cables, and any dangly bits instantly taken care of . A packing strap with clip. Essential. To fix and secure broken suitcases and bags, or for just keeping things together. Has been used to tie logs together for a raft, emergency suitcase binder, and as a personal belt (on more than one occasion when I forgot to pack one. My fluorescent belt might not be dashing. But I can be seen in dark areas :) ) . A couple of replacement zip pulls (for when the zip pulls on your bag breaks) . A selection of paperclips, map pins, a small stapler loaded with one set of staples, elastic bands (and ranger bands).....(can be put into a small pill organiser as mentioned in the video) . A spoon (amazing how often this gets used) . Duct tape....although funnily enough, I've never had to use this so far. But I'm glad I carry it . Sugru. One packet. Absolutely brilliant. Needs a little time to cure, but can be used for so many things This is small enough to carry in every backpack or suitcase...and to be transferred to your daypack when you are out and about. And will fix pretty much anything you encounter......
Silicone jar openers (aka round floppy rubber thingies) will, indeed, open stubborn jars, but can also be used to plug tubs & sinks that lack (or have leaky) stoppers.
@@PackHacker SO many times for different purposes. It’s an idea to carry medium and small ones (2-3 of each). They take up no space. Another useful item is paracord (say 4-6’). Ive used it for clotheslines, fastening gear or suitcases together and even for suspending my iPad from the airplane seat in front.
Tiny hardware clamps are rubber coated and smaller than clothespins for hanging laundry & a myriad other uses. 'Cable Cuffs' are made for keeping rolled cords together & come in micro-mega sizes. I use small size for cable mgmt, water bottle retention; Lg ones can hang a backpack, etc.
I always use a hairtie for a minimalist wallet. Just wrap it at couple of times around your cards. It easily fits 4-6 cards, and you can put money notes in there aswell.
S hooks Carabiners I use a plastic wrapped steel cable with a loop on each end to tether my wallet to my bag. Pad lock if stay at hostel rooms (storage locker usually doesn't come with lock) Satin pillowcase to detangle hair and as laundry bag
I cannot find an answer to my question anywhere. lol I don't carry a lot of liquids, so can I put my other things, like a razor or rubber bands in my clear liquid bag? Or do the couple of liquid things I bring have to be on their own in that quart bag?
Um, an LED lightbulb (which most are now and that one was) doesn't get very hot and if it's blown, it wouldn't be hot very long anyway, but the rest of the tips were cool (pun intended). I'll definitely be adding binder clips to my travel stuff.
These are all great items to keep with you. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to break out the “everyday emergencies” kit which includes all of these items, plus a few more. Duct tape is fabulous for temporarily repairing fallen hems as well as holes. Also, you can make duct tape storing keychains by wrapping duct tape around a long enough Bobby pin or a bolt with a hole for a cotter pin (clevis bolt, I think it’s called).
for anyone that wants a biodegradable, vegan dental floss, check out the Mother Earth brand! My teeth are pretty close together and it's super strong, doesn't rip or tear with use and no beeswax or plastic!
Okay I have seen the binder clip tip everywhere, but does anybody else feel like. Just let thieves know exactly how much cash is on you every time you pull it out of your pocket?
What’s one item that came in handy during an emergency while you were traveling? 🚨🧷🧦
Definitely the Ultra-Sil Nano Dry Sack from Sea To summit. You can use it to wash clothes, keep items safe from liquid at the beach, use it as a pillow at the airport, use it as emergency shopping bag, the list goes on....And its so light you barely notice you packed it
A+ for a great response, Lucas! The Ultra-Sil Nano Dry Sack is a versatile piece of gear. Thanks for sharing!
- Austin
I wasn’t traveling but I once saved a prom dress because I keep safety pins in my purse. My friend’s daughter was getting ready for prom and her dress broke a zipper!
I also keep an empty ziplock bag. Life pro tip: it can be used as an emergency barf bag. It’s been years since a migraine made me sick but you never know when a ziplock bag will come in handy.
Coming in clutch with the safety pin! That's why we look for YKK zippers when shopping for prom dresses 😉. Thanks for sharing, Kat!
- Austin
One shot super glue, I have used it to repair sandals, and even a tyre sidewall enough to get us home. Also a black bin (Trash) bag. The cheaper nastier the better as they can pack up real small, used to sit on wet grass, as a rain jacket and even for rubbish.
I keep a couple of larger binder clips with me to keep the light-blocking curtains closed at hotels. They take up less space than clothespins. The other item to use to keep the curtains closed if you don't have any kind of clip with you is one of those pants/skirt hangar with clips that one usually finds in the room closet/wardrobe.
Great tips, Stephen! Thanks for sharing!
- Austin
I have done this too!
a clothes pin is also useful for standing up your toothbrush if you don't want the brush part to touch some gross counter or something. Just clamp the part of your toothbrush that connects the brush to the handle with the clothes pin and use the two parts of the clothes pin that you squeeze together as legs/feet of some kind.
That's a great hack - thanks for sharing!
- Austin
A TSA approved lock is not always better. I spent more than $30 for a very nice TSA approved lock and TSA destroyed in Vegas when I was flying to Seattle. They even put the pieces in a bag with a letter saying that they had to check the bag and were sorry for breaking the lock. There was no one to complain about so I lost my lock. So what is the point of having a TSA approved lock if they are going to break it anyway? I now use zip ties. If they break it, I carry a whole bunch inside to replace them. Lesson learned.
Same as you, I use zip ties. Let’s face it, if someone wants to steal, they’ll take the whole bag or slash the side - so for me, a zip tie is more about stopping opportunists and making sure no one can plant something in my bag without me knowing.
I never leave spare ties in my checked bag - I carry them in my carry on. I don’t want someone to be able to enter the bag and re-tie without me knowing, so I also try to use unusual colored ties (not the common white or black).
Zip ties and locks only keep out amateurs. More crafty thieves will just separate the zipper teeth with a ball point pen.
Why in the world would you spend $30.00 on a TSA approved lock?
Thieves are going to have the master keys that open TSA locks.
@@albedo0point39what do you use to cut the zip ties? Scissors aren’t allowed in carryon, I don’t think? Do you have to ask for scissors when you get to the hotel?
@@sonnybaker8100 Nail clippers! Never had a problem packing them.
The silicone travel pouch for hair irons is great for everything you said about oven mitts. BUT you can also use it to help open up hard to open bottles. And it's flat.
Great tip, Laura! Thanks for sharing!
- Austin
If you use a ziplock bag as a packing cube, close it almost all the way and roll it up to push all the air out. Then close it completely. I used this while traveling in my teens to pack a ton of clothing. You need some good quality bags tho.
I also use hairties to secure my belts, since the belt loops are often not enough to keep the end from flapping around. If you match the colour of the tie to the belt it won't be obvious or at least much more sleek than a normal rubber band. Just wrap it around the belt twice or so before you loop it through your pants and then put the end through. I also used this on my leather watch strap when it broke during travels in Serbia, it was extremely in the way so I just went to a drugstore to buy some tiny brown hair ties. If you don't want to buy an entire pack just ask any woman in your life if she can spare one lol.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing, Clay!
- Austin
A lanyard to put my rental apartment keys on.
Then I thread the lanyard through a loop on my jeans and put the keys in the pocket.
That way they are always attached to you, in case your purse gets stolen.
A pinch of favourite seasonings into each section of a pill organizer, for cooking at your rental apartment.
A bright red or blue lid from a yogurt container, to put your jewelry on at night so you’ll see it when checking out ,
and not leave it behind.
A small carabiner to keep your day-bag zippers “locked”.
Also use a yogurt lid for a soap dish.
A teeny ziplock bag of table salt to gargle with if you feel a sore throat coming on.
A dollar store eyeglass repair kit....they are tiny.
Thanks for sharing those awesome hacks, Shelagh!
- Austin
So true, gargling with salt works for me when I have a sore throat.
For duct tape I've wrapped a considerable length around an old library card, works a treat!!
An old library card is another great way to hold your duct tape. Thanks for sharing, John!
- Austin
Zip ties are fine for checked luggage - TSA have their own ties and they’ll just cut yours off and replace with theirs if they want to get in.
I always zip tie my checked luggage - and I try to find unusual color ties to do it. That way I know if someone has been inside, since it’s unlikely they’d be able to replace with the exact color. I carry a nail clipper in my carry on so that I can cut the tie off myself.
Good info! I got a bag of @100 zip tors in various neon colors/ inexpensively.
My favorite use for binder clips is eliminating curtain gaps in hotels.
Clothes pins work too! Ha
I wrap my duct tape around an old gift card. Keeps it nice and flat. Saved me when my shoe blew apart five miles down a trail...
Great tip, Serafin!
- Austin
Zip ties will let you know if your bag got searched before you open it though.
Another for zipper pulls instead of safety pins are the keyring loops (the metal spiral part)
Binder clip impressed my wife when I used one to attach her big hat to the outside of her backpack. Attached with nite ize geartie! She left it on there permanently :)
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing, Enrique!
The clothes pin and the binder clip serve the same purpose. I have used a binder clip for all the examples mentioned here, especially for closing mosquito nets, and curtains. You can clip three or four clips into each other and take up almost no space
So going a step further from this video, I carry a little "bag o' crap" - a term I'd love to copyright - which is made up of learnings from many trips over the years. A small pouch that carries a multitude of "tools" that can fix a lot of problems. Mine personally includes:
. An old hotel key card... which I can put into a hotel keyslot if I need to keep the power on in a room to charge stuff (ok, and the aircon, but that's a personal choice). I've also cut these spare cards up to balance wobbly tables etc
. Binder clips. As above
. A very small tube of superglue. Was once used to fix a friend's broken dentures in the middle of Kenya on safari. Don't ask how they broke.....But always gets used
. A small roll of velcro tape. All loose straps, cables, and any dangly bits instantly taken care of
. A packing strap with clip. Essential. To fix and secure broken suitcases and bags, or for just keeping things together. Has been used to tie logs together for a raft, emergency suitcase binder, and as a personal belt (on more than one occasion when I forgot to pack one. My fluorescent belt might not be dashing. But I can be seen in dark areas :) )
. A couple of replacement zip pulls (for when the zip pulls on your bag breaks)
. A selection of paperclips, map pins, a small stapler loaded with one set of staples, elastic bands (and ranger bands).....(can be put into a small pill organiser as mentioned in the video)
. A spoon (amazing how often this gets used)
. Duct tape....although funnily enough, I've never had to use this so far. But I'm glad I carry it
. Sugru. One packet. Absolutely brilliant. Needs a little time to cure, but can be used for so many things
This is small enough to carry in every backpack or suitcase...and to be transferred to your daypack when you are out and about. And will fix pretty much anything you encounter......
Awesome tips, Andy! Thanks for sharing!
- Austin
If you don’t have luggage tags, use colored foil. I use Ferrero Rocher wrappers. Wrap those around your handle, and you’ll know if that’s yours.
Silicone jar openers (aka round floppy rubber thingies) will, indeed, open stubborn jars, but can also be used to plug tubs & sinks that lack (or have leaky) stoppers.
Great tip, Douglas! Thanks for sharing!
- Austin
A cotton bandana. Lots of uses.
Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙
-Eric
MAN I LOVE THIS CHANNEL
Thanks for the support 😃
@@PackHackerno no, thank YOU for these pack “hacks” they are really helpful!
Zip ties are also great for repairing broken zipper pulls and as emergency laces if one breaks ‘at the worst possible moment’.
Great hacks, William. Thanks for sharing! Have you used a zip tie for a quick fix on the go before?
- Austin
@@PackHacker SO many times for different purposes. It’s an idea to carry medium and small ones (2-3 of each). They take up no space. Another useful item is paracord (say 4-6’). Ive used it for clotheslines, fastening gear or suitcases together and even for suspending my iPad from the airplane seat in front.
Paracord is another great item to keep on hand. Plus, it's fun to practice knots. Thanks for the awesome tips!
- Austin
Paracord can also do that. With Paracord and a carabiner you can also keep your bag from ever touching a restroom floor.
This was such a great video! Definitely got some good packing ideas from here. Thanks as always!
We’re happy to help, Richard!
-Eric
Wrap duct tape around your water bottle or thermos. It works really well for the wide duct tape.
I’d love to see you guys cover tips to traveling with kids. We try and keep ours to one bag, but it always seems like they need extra items.
Hey Ryan! I'll pass your suggestion along to the team. Thanks for the comment!
- Austin
Ya, I’d love some of those tips too! I also thought you meant you keep your kids in one bag the first time I read your comment! 🤣🤣🤣
@@matt6740 🤣🤣🤣
Tiny hardware clamps are rubber coated and smaller than clothespins for hanging laundry & a myriad other uses. 'Cable Cuffs' are made for keeping rolled cords together & come in micro-mega sizes. I use small size for cable mgmt, water bottle retention; Lg ones can hang a backpack, etc.
Great additions! Thanks for sharing!
- Austin
I always use a hairtie for a minimalist wallet. Just wrap it at couple of times around your cards. It easily fits 4-6 cards, and you can put money notes in there aswell.
Thanks for sharing your insights 🤙
-Eric
S hooks
Carabiners
I use a plastic wrapped steel cable with a loop on each end to tether my wallet to my bag.
Pad lock if stay at hostel rooms (storage locker usually doesn't come with lock)
Satin pillowcase to detangle hair and as laundry bag
Very helpful. Thank You.
Glad it was helpful!
I use clothes pins to identify which towel is mine and is my wife’s. I’ve simply put our initials on them.
Simple, easy, and useful - that's what it's all about! Thanks for sharing, Larry!
- Austin
Can you cover travel-friendly tools like multi tools, flashlights, or other gadgets
I'll pass your suggestion along to the team. Thanks for the comment, H Boomer!
- Austin
He did! If that was due to your request, then thank you!
They make heat proof tubes for your hot iron and they are much much smaller and lighter
shout outs NZ money!!!!! 😄great channel!!
Thanks for watching 🤙
-Eric
Awesome hacks!
Thanks for the support, Connie Beal!
Do you have a video on the "Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 20l daypack"
Hi Hannah! We haven't reviewed that bag, but I'll pass it along to the team for consideration. Thanks for the comment!
- Austin
I cannot find an answer to my question anywhere. lol I don't carry a lot of liquids, so can I put my other things, like a razor or rubber bands in my clear liquid bag? Or do the couple of liquid things I bring have to be on their own in that quart bag?
When I've travelled, I've always put other things in my liquid bag like my contact lens case, hair ties and floss, so it should be ok!
I have non-liquids in my quart bag often. I think as long as all liquids are in there, that is all they care about.
I use an alphabetized list of things when I travel! From aspirin to zip ties & any double-purposed thing in between!😉
Small carabiner clip
Always a useful item to keep on your bag. Thanks for sharing, cato!
- Austin
Wow a $20 New Zealand note. Where did you score that from?
Came here to see if there was a comment about the NZ notes! Nice to see a Kiwi connection. :)
Our team has done a lot of traveling! Thanks for the comment!
- Austin
@@PackHacker Ahhhh travelling, yes wouldn’t it be great to be able to travel again soon. Damn this Covid, totally over it. Cheers from NZ 🇳🇿
Um, an LED lightbulb (which most are now and that one was) doesn't get very hot and if it's blown, it wouldn't be hot very long anyway, but the rest of the tips were cool (pun intended). I'll definitely be adding binder clips to my travel stuff.
These are all great items to keep with you. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to break out the “everyday emergencies” kit which includes all of these items, plus a few more.
Duct tape is fabulous for temporarily repairing fallen hems as well as holes. Also, you can make duct tape storing keychains by wrapping duct tape around a long enough Bobby pin or a bolt with a hole for a cotter pin (clevis bolt, I think it’s called).
Great tips, Kota! Glad you see the value in these items as well. Thanks for sharing!
- Austin
Hope i win the giveaway, have air products and follow this guy for a long time.
for anyone that wants a biodegradable, vegan dental floss, check out the Mother Earth brand! My teeth are pretty close together and it's super strong, doesn't rip or tear with use and no beeswax or plastic!
In the safety pin part, what is that black pouch :)?
Looked like the Gravel Explorer Plus toiletry bag
@@IIIIIIIlII yes that the one, thanks!
use a duck tape as a makeshift wallet if mine gets lost or stolen? ah yes, I often lose my wallet, but none of its contents
2:08 rlly took my by suprise to see my country's money 🤣
Nice! We have a good collection of currency here at Pack Hacker HQ.
- Tom
Okay I have seen the binder clip tip everywhere, but does anybody else feel like. Just let thieves know exactly how much cash is on you every time you pull it out of your pocket?
I go to Africa and several African countries do not allow ziplock or disposable grocery bags in country. Just an FYI.
If you take meds in pill packer wrap a rubber band to insure your pills don’t spill in transit
Good tip, Joe!
- Tom