I just saw an article this morning about packing things for travel security and I just had to shake my head. I really do not understand some of the items being suggested.

Unfortunately there are too many of these posts out there in the interwebs. You can usually tell by the self-aggrandizing titles that an article is BS. The titles alone seem to make these people think they are THE expert on the subject. First thing is that travel packing is unique to each and every one of us, be it types of clothing, packing cubes (or not), toiletries, clothing, etc. and is usually learned through experience after carefully considering the usefulness of a product.

I have posted before that I found a few good reviewers on YouTube and I found some really bad ones. The good ones are not trying to SELL you a product; they are merely giving you information about their experiences with a product and you can make your own mind up. THOSE are the websites I look at and I click on THEIR product links since they gave me such great information instead of selling me something. That info is worth helping them out.

I do not pretend to be an expert – I simply put out there what I find works and what doesn’t. I will say what I like about items and why I use them. I only buy what products I believe in, but I have admittedly bought a few things that didn’t pan out like they were supposed to. Most of these things are a waste of money and will get used once and tossed in the closet or the trash where they really belong.

Sometimes, though, I will have a quick glance at these articles and see if there is anything that is worth even considering or perhaps there is something new I have not seen before. In and amongst these things, however bad an article is, you can sometimes find a few good ideas, but you find that each time you see something worth considering it makes the next article even less informative. There are only so many “new” things – just new versions.

In fairness, it also depends on your style of travel. For myself, most of my domestic travel is in my trailer so there really is no packing. If I do fly somewhere domestically, it is no different than if I go to Europe; I carry a travel backpack and that is it. No checked bags. I travel the same no matter where I go on a plane.

Now, to each their own, but many articles like the one I just saw are full of so many unnecessary recommendations about these gimmicks that are quite frankly useless and unpack-able it is ridiculous. For example:

• A bar to prop under the door handle to stop entry; do you really want to pack that? Really? Most rooms have a chair…
• A personal alarm? When is the last time you ran to check on a car alarm? Screaming and yelling is free and will get more attention.
• A plug to use on public charging that blocks data transfer.
• A giant first-aid kit.
• Portable carbon monoxide detector. You really want to go through extra hassles at security?
• Portable batteries packs.

First things first. If you look at the section of the TSA website about what you can and cannot bring one thing stands out: “The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.”

This is a ridiculous statement. If it is allowed, then it is allowed. How is it that you can pack things that are allowed on the website only to be told by someone at a security checkpoint having a bad day that you cannot bring them? WTF am I supposed to do with said item since I am leaving soon? This nonsense needs to stop; if you are abiding by the rules posted then there should not be an issue and should not be disallowed on a whim.

Second, this can end up being a lot of extra, and in my personal opinion, unnecessary stuff to pack. If you are backpacking it’s a lot of extra bulk and weight.

What I Pack When I Travel

I got tired of using a small backpack as a personal item because they can be cumbersome and too easy to overpack. I carry a CPAP when traveling so that is cumbersome enough. Not having a personal item means getting things out of your travel pack then having to pack it all away before getting off the plane. It makes life easier having a personal item, you also are carrying less on your back, and you have the things you need easily reachable.

A few months ago I decided to get an everyday carry (EDC) bag:

Go ahead and laugh but my pants pockets are not stuffed and I still have everything I need with me. It is an over the shoulder anti-theft RFID bag and it can be used as a personal item on a flight and as a day bag while out sightseeing. It is very small, yet big enough to carry just what I need:

• It has two water bottle pockets for 16 oz. bottles or even a travel umbrella.
• It packs my chargers & cables, a travel journal with writing instruments, hearing aid case & batteries, small packable backpack for day trip things like groceries & rain jacket, AirPods, sunglasses, lightweight mesh cap and room for some snacks.
• It is also big enough to carry my 11″ iPad Pro and still has room.
• I also have a very small rechargeable flashlight that also has a AAA battery backup as well as a hat clip. It is extremely bright so is good for blinding someone if you get attacked, has a flashing red or white beacon, and is about the size of a disposable lighter.

I only buy good-quality, name-brand products because they need to be dependable and hold up; I have not had an equipment failure yet. Do not trust your trip will go smoothly with sub-par gear. You really do get what you pay for so spend a little more upfront for something that can probably last a lifetime.

• I use merino wool as much as possible because it doesn’t smell even after a few consecutive days of wearing. It dries fast after washing and can keep you warmer or cooler. I only use detergent made specifically for merino wool.
• I use a travel pack as I stated earlier and it is all I have carried for many years. It is a 40L size, which is plenty big. I could actually downsize and I would be fine. Just because you have extra room doesn’t mean you need to fill it. However, with my 40L and the few things I pack I can actually fit my CPAP in my backpack once landed. I will get a travel CPAP at some point to make my packing even lighter, but this method works for now. I can also pack my personal item to minimize things around my neck.
• I use two-sided ultra-lightweight packing cubes. Dirty clothes go in the back compartment so it never changes size and your pack will always pack the same. I don’t see the need for compression cubes. They only mean you will just pack more you don’t need, and that is extra weight.
• I have compressions socks and tights for flying. I wear a pair of anti-theft travel pants, merino light hiking socks, underwear and t-shirt. Footwear depends on the time of year, but I usually use good-quality mid-height lightweight hiking boots.
• In my backpack I pack my second pair of anti-theft travel pants. They are expensive but well worth the investment for peace of mind. They are comfy, soft and water-repellent. In one cube I can pack two more pairs each of my merino underthings and t-shirts. My pants are tan and my t-shirts are all black so no need to think about wardrobe; I want function.
• I take basic toiletries since I can buy what I need wherever I am and it is less hassles with the liquids, which I take very little of if at all.
• Medicines travel in original prescribed bottles so there are no hassles. You also need to make sure your meds are even allowed in the countries you will be traveling. I have had pain prescriptions that are legal here in the States that are illegal in Europe. You do not want to take that for granted or you could be sent home. Maybe worse.
• Collapsible water bottle to refill.
• I have a carabiner/hook on my backpack and it is extremely handy for several uses. I use mine mainly for hanging my pack in the toilet while traveling to keep it off the floor, but I can clip my hat, wet items, or my collapsible water bottle on the outside.
• I keep a few little things in a medicine bottle – moleskin for blisters, a couple of bandages, a few safety pins, nail clippers, small rounded first-aid scissors and a few zip ties to repair a pack or a zipper.
• A couple of cheap plastic clamps to use on the curtains to keep light out.

My wardrobe may look small, and it is because it doesn’t need to be any bigger. Doing laundry in my room when I can, a drop-off at a local wash service or even a trip to the launderette every 5 days or so means you can travel indefinitely with very little. I can go indefinitely packing like this.There are numerous videos about minimalist packing and some people take so little even I wonder how they do it.

Personal Safety & Security

I posted recently about YOU and no one else is responsible for your own safety. That being said, don’t be hypersensitive – situations can happen anywhere and you cannot be scared by everything. Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. If it feels sketchy, it just might be a problem – not always – but can be. This is the best way to avoid major issues, but there are other things you can do as well.

• I use eSIMs in my phone. They are more secure since they cannot be swapped like a physical SIM card can. My plan with US Mobile is very inexpensive, has great cell service & customer service and my plan has international roaming included. (If interested the link above is also a referral code for me and I may get a referral reward if you sign up.)
• Another thing about my phone is I try to keep it in a secured pocket as much as I can when out in public when getting directions. I use maps on my watch to find my way. Of course, it is difficult when you want to take pictures but you just have to be careful.
• I lock my doors in my room and do not leave windows open when I am gone.
• Item trackers for my pack, shoulder bag and wallet.
• I leave all unnecessary cards at home. I carry two credit cards and a debit card.
• I also use contactless payments on my phone and watch when and where possible. It is safe & secure and nobody gets your card information. It can be used at merchants and even on some public transit.
• NEVER…I repeat…NEVER USE A DEBIT CARD ONLINE OR IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY! Only use it to get cash from a legitimate ATM from a major bank or in an airport or train station. If in doubt, don’t. And don’t use currency exchange or get money before you leave. These places cost a lot extra.
• My travel pants have several pockets that have a pocket within a pocket within a pocket, and each layer has a combination of zippers and a button flap to discourage and even stop pickpocketing. One pocket is big enough for my RFID-blocking travel wallet, so I keep my passport, cards and ID in it. With my new shoulder bag I can put some things in there but my passport will always stay on my person when in a foreign land.
• My travel pack has outer compression straps so I put the compartment zippers behind the compression flaps before compressing and buckling the straps down. This discourages zippers being opened by someone behind you while walking.
• I carry a couple of luggage locks in case I need it for my backpack and will use it in busy places or in luggage storage.
• My shoulder bag has an RFID pocket, zippers that clip to a metal hoop so they are uneasy to open and wires in the shoulder strap to keep it from being cut. The body of it is also slash-proof mesh inside the fabric layers.
• I also have a luggage cable lock to secure my pack to a secure item like a shelf or post to keep it from being taken.
• Portable chargers are now being stopped by airlines due to fire hazard. You have a charger so use it, and that leads to my next point…
• Public charging stations. No better way to lose your personal info or brick your phone by using a public charger. No need to buy a USB data blocker – just use your own charger.
• There have been stories lately about spoof cell towers so that is something to now be aware of.
• Not saying that ALL WiFi is problematic, but it can be. If it requires a password at your hotel they will tell yo and you will probably be fine but be cautious. If there is no password login then avoid it. Other options:
• I have not done this yet, but some people have started to take a portable router on their travels. This is different than a hotspot and is more secure. I do not use hotel WiFi because of potential for security issues and a portable router can help secure your devices.
• A VPN is a good idea to use while traveling as well. No device necessary, easy to use, and works most anywhere in the free world (so far). If you MUST get on public Wifi then this can be good to use along with not logging into sensitive websites like banking.
• Another small and inexpensive item some people are packing is a little travel door lock that is like a bar that goes around the latch before you shut the door. After it is shut, you slide another bar into the first bar and it keeps the door from being opened. I don’t now if I will get one of those but it is cheap and a small device that offers peace of mind.
• Let people know where you will be when. Better yet, share your location with them on your phone so they have that in case problems arise. Of course, this only works if you keep your phone with you and have it on.
• I have used TripIt for many years for my travels and I really like it. You can share your travel plans with people who aren’t traveling with you, or you can include others so they can help plan or see the itinerary and reservations. This could be handy in case of issues.

You want to pack as little as possible when you travel and I have never found a need to go crazy with security. I only stay in decent hotels in a decent location, am aware of my surroundings wherever I go, and secure my belongings best I can.

I know this was a long post but I tried to make it as comprehensive as I possible. I just get so sick of the nonsense posts offering garbage for advice. It is useless info that may not help your trip. If you have questions you can always send it to me in a comment and I can post an answer.

Until next post…

Shawn