Skip Navigation

How much stuff do you carry around daily just to cope with weather, other people, hygiene etc.?

I got annoyed recently when I wanted to leave the house and noticed my bag was half full just with stuff to deal with weather. In Tokyo, I usually carry an umbrella with me, maybe sunscreen, sunglasses, a mini towel etc. Others have fans, "neck fans" (not sure how they are called). Maybe a water bottle also counts.

All of this is "weather stuff" for me. I asked a friend what she carries around, and we started to think about some other categories as well. So I wondered how much of the stuff we carry around is actually about the thing we want to do wherever we go, and how much is just to cope with the environment? Also, I would be curious how this looks like in other places around the world. Things probably vary by gender, age, season as well.

Some categories are:

  • weather stuff
  • personal hygiene stuff
  • safety stuff
  • not being annoyed by others stuff
  • infrastructure fail stuff (e.g., preparing for when trains get delayed)
87 comments
  • Phone,keys, wallet generally. If its going to rain I bring an umbrella. If its hot I put in cream. If im bringing a bag I bring a bottle of water

  • Swede living in a suburb to Stockholm, 36 year old man, living alone.

    Weather stuff:

    I put an unbrella in my backpack during autumn, I wear a hat during winter.

    I have sunglasses in my car and my new pair in my backpack, I wear regular glasses all the time.

    If it is really hot I carry an insulated water bottle, on special occations I have carried a thermos flask with hot mulled wine (glögg) when it is around christmas, very cold and I won't be driving.

    Personal hygene:

    Nothing really, well I have some paper towels in my car for emergency nature calls in the woods...

    Safety stuff, nothing really, if I am going for a long trip, I will get some supplies, gloves, band aids, dressings, disinfectant, stuff like that.

    Oh, as a bit of a planespotter, I allways have ear defenders in my car, as well as a big pack of extra ear plugs for any friend going with me who forgot their own hearing protection.

    Annoyance filter, during autumn, winter and spring I allways carry my Bose QC35 II, suring summer I switch to some IEMs, currently using my Jabra Elite 3. I allways have my iPhone with me as well.

    Infra fail stuff:

    I carry my work phone to advice my work about delays, else my phone has all apps I need, finally I have biked from the suburbs to the center of Stockholm and back again, so I know my way around, should all public transport fail and I can't get a taxi, I would just start walking.

    It would probably take 3-4h to get home, but I'd get there

  • I always carry a water bottle with me, no matter what the situation.

    In a daily outing bag, I also always carry bandages, Vaseline, nail clippers, pepper spray, phone, glasses cleaning cloth, a portable charging bank/handwarmer, and a small stuffed animal (for emotional support).

    I should start carrying sunscreen, but I 100% always spill things in my bag— be it ink, drink, or anything else.

    For anyone reading this: purchase an Owala water bottle!! I don't recommend brands often, but as someone who used to be chronically dehydrated AND always spilling shit: get an Owala. It has a lid that opens with a button push, a very good carrying handle that doubles as a button-guard when down, an easy to clean lid with removable/replaceable parts, and you can choose between swigging it or sipping it up without a straw!! I hate putting my mouth on straws, so that was a great option (even though I only swig lol— but the straw is inside the waterbottle). I've had mine for 2 to 3 years now, and apparently they're popular now. Seriously, 100% recommend them. Only real downside is they are a bit too large for some cupholders and they can't hold hot liquids, but that's it.

    Stay hydrated.

  • Keys (house, car, bike), phone, wallet,.. swiss army knife, handkerchief.
    And during the pandemic a fabric face mask.

    It all fits in my pockets

    Then dependent on the weather I will bring sunglasses or an umbrella.
    I check Buienradar (Dutch rain forecast app) to see whether I'm going to need that.

    And sometimes, depending on what I will be doing, earbuds

  • Deodorant and mints. That's it.

    I'm a very simple person and if there's rain I get wet and I don't really care about it. Not saying everyone is resistant to colder climates like me, I can appreciate that my immune system probably gives me an advantage.

  • I hate being without stuff I need, so I always carry around a backpack. I just always keep stuff in it so I don't forget it. At the moment the core kit is:

    • At least 1L of water, usually 2L+.
    • Hand sanitiser for the inevitable moment the public washroom is out of soap.
    • Re-usable shopping bags in case I buy something.
    • An energy bar or two in case I have to stay at work late.
    • Nail clippers (having a broken nail at work sucks).
    • Band-aids.
    • A mask in case anywhere requires it, but this one has definitely seen less use over time.
    • Deodorant, because sometimes I forget to apply it before I leave in the morning...
    • Hand lotion for winter when my hands crack.
    • And finally, a charging cable for my phone.

    If it's likely to rain and I'll be outside longer than 15m I will add an umbrella to the mix.

  • Kubotan, water, phone, keys, wallet, skincare products, a book, tissues, tobacco / skins / filters, lighter, mini umbrella.

  • My musts for going to work, which is about the only place I go really...

    -Earbuds -contact lens case -glasses in case my contacts have an issue -eyedrops -blood glucose meter (am diabetic) -spare AM medication dose in case I forgot -gum -umbrella -water bottle

    I usually have all this in a backpack. Sometimes I'll have my switch with me, too. Or a book. Depends on my mood.

  • Phone and house keys. I'm a 35 year old male from the UK. No need for anything else.

  • Sunglasses, cap, jumper, coat (which one varies depending on time of year). Then phone, keys, loose change and a plectrum in my pockets.

87 comments