My focus on the wrestler’s “backpack” wasn’t on the backpack use, but as a container for my “bundle-wrapped” clothes, where it is ideal.

The Kiva key-chain pack you mentioned is much tinier and lighter – I have the Rick Steve’s version (at least I am pretty sure they are the same, Kiva manufactures for Rick Steves). But the key-chain daypack isn’t useful for square bundle-wrapped clothes due to the tear drop shape of the key-chain daypack (I know, I tried, the clothes won’t fit in there without bending the corners).

The wrestler’s “backpack” is, however, an ideal square piece of cloth, not too big and not too small, for packing bundle-wrapped clothes, to prevent soiling etc.

The one I have is solid cloth without an unnecessary zip pocket. The current ones seem to be mesh, which will keep the clothes together but won’t prevent soiling. BTW, to keep the shape “square” to match my clothes, I don’t tighten the drawstrings.

When I used the wrestler’s “backpack” on my trip home from Thailand, I was able to pack a bike messenger style bag much more effectively – the bundled clothing went in on its side, and when I had to root around in the messenger bag, I didn’t jumble up my clothing.

I’ve enjoyed your latest posts. Keep up the good work. Thanks for the email about the Steves “one bag” and I look forward to your review.

Thanks for the comment and links. I have a KIVA “Keychain Backpack” clipped to my Air Boss, here’s a link: http://url.ie/qzv

With the travel vest, however, this has been rendered pretty much pointless. I still bring it with me, however, for afternoon hikes or shopping. It’ll carry a fair amount of stuff as long as it doesn’t weigh a heck of a lot.

Kevin

“Bundle wrapping” is terrific. The more I try it, the more I like it. On my flight to Thailand I used the shirt pouch that came with my Costco wheelie, but it was a little too big – which meant the ends had to be folded down or jammed.

Since I had also taken a wrestler’s “pouch style” gear bag with me (to use at my jiu jitsu tournament), I tried using this for my bundle-wrapped clothing on the way home. This minimalist item is nothing more that a square sack of thin cloth with strings that both close the mouth of the bag and serve as rudimentary shoulder straps. Although not much as a back-pack, in this case “less is more” and this rather flimsy pouch turned out to be the perfect size for holding my bundled clothing, without adding any bulk of it’s own.

I couldn’t locate, on-line, the exact version I use (which has solid cloth instead of mesh, and no zipper front pouch), but you can get an idea of what to look for from these websites:

http://www.wwsport.com/ASICS+M.....tTabID=120

http://www.usawrestlingproduct.....tSackBlack

I have also seen these at sports stores.

I am going to take a look at the traveler’s vest concept. If it adds some warmth as well, that would be ideal. I am currently using a Marmot Driclime hiking/running vest, and it has a couple of pockets, but no zippers, and things fall out.

I found it very helpful to take along a 16 oz Nalgene water bottle on my transpacific flight. The flight crew was willing to fill it up (the water you get in their small cups simply isn’t enough) and of course when I passed through security initially, and during my stop, I could refill it at the water fountain. A Platypus “IV-style” bottle collapses for better storage, but the narrow neck is harder to fill.

Thanks for the great TSA links!