This is a series of posts about ‘how to live out of a backpack’ as a nomad, minimalist, operative, expat, traveler or for everyday life as a lifestyle.
One does not need a home full of things to live. Just like ancient times, all we need is what we can carry on our backs.
-John Cain
Whenever possible or most ideal, I tend to do selective sink washing of the clothes I wore for that day sometime before bed. So, maybe just the socks, boxers, pants or a shirt then let it dry overnight.
When this isn’t feasible or I just cant be bothered to when I’m about to be on the move, I pack the dirty clothes back in their reserved pouches.
That seems normal, but I make sure they’re packed right-side out, which also seems normal.
What’s not normal is that all my other, clean clothes and underwear are packed inside out.
This is my very simple but perfectly effective way of differentiating my clean and dirty clothes – while maintaining my OCD level of neat packing.
You can do the old sniff test or take a wild guess from a close visual inspection, but this way works for me. Alternately or for the less neat-freaky packer:
Why not pack the clean clothes right-side out (like packing normally) and the dirty ones inside out?
Because unless you’re prone to getting your clothes stained on, the real filth and stank come from our bodies and onto the inside of our clothes.
So if the dirty clothes are packed with the clean clothes in this way, it will minimize the transfer of dirtiness while keeping them visually apart.
I find this especially useful with my socks and underwear, of which are packed together.
[Featured Gear: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Brief and Triple Aught Design Transport Cubes.]
How to Live Out of a Backpack:
Pack Your Clothes Inside Out
TOMMY27
02/12/2019 at 12:18 AM
Compartmentation-Used/Unused/Clean/Dirty/Reusable/Recyclable etc.????
I have used the method of “Dirty Day Packs” for years ie.
Instead of seperating used clothes into similar items or colors simply put each days dirty clothes in plastic or zip lock bags until able to wash them-only down side I have found is if left for any length of time dirty clothes.especially underwear,tends to get “funky” and give off ammonia like smell and is more prone to staining.
I was coming back to the US from a ten day trip overseas in Europe and detained by US CUSTOMS.After a two hour check the Agent said to me “I have been doing my job for eight years and your bags are the most squares away I hav eever seen!!”To which I replied”You should have seen them on the Outbound leg!!!Is that a compliment??I’ll take as one !!!It’s the Ex(WHATS EX about it ??)Army OCD in me,ha hA -Happy trails.
TOMMY27