Modular packing ideas to streamline carrying
As a bag designer, I’m fortunate enough to have access to more bags than I can use. This does however mean regularly swapping between them, depending on daily tasks or professionalism level required. To help deal with this, I run with ‘inception packing’…
For anyone that hasn’t seen the movie, Inception plays with the idea of dreams within dreams, layering the ideas like a series of Russian Matryoshka dolls.
My Inception packing runs on a similar theme; getting smaller bags to pack inside other bags. And it’s not just a pencil case, but rather pouches that group a set of contents together for quick access and fast transfer. Think of it as the Bento box style of packing for your tech gear, with sets within sets.
For example, I run with a quick tech pack module which contains an iThingy cable, standard USB cable, mouse, cleaning cloth and a couple of flash drives. Perfect for swapping a bag from leisure mode into work pack, and able to work in any bag from a sophisticated laptop backpack to a simple tote number.
This is especially helpful as a freelancer, pick up and move on as needs be.
There are other methods, for example the previously mentioned ‘grid it’, that would take more energy to setup than I willing to give (and many users report frustration at getting it to work as well as the pictures show).
Inception packing is more OCD than just pulling stuff from one bag into another, but much less than the grid it compulsive organisation. Now the trick is to incorporate appropriate extra pouches into a commercial bag without looking like a diaper bag!
Of course this modular approach is not new. There’s some sweet systems throughout the carry world, with backpacking and travel being some of the main applications. They range from versatile see through packing cubes to complete modular travel bag systems…
Is anyone else willing to identify as inception packers?
Do you have a novel application of it?
Or is it just me?
– James Jeffrey
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We are believers in the multi-tasking zippy pouch! While we do make some very specific modular cases for bike commuting and travel (Tool Shed (http://goo.gl/R5JHw) & packing cubes we’re launching in Aug), we’re big on multi-functional zippered pouches that users can use as they see fit. We find that women are particularly into this design solution; it gives them the flexibility to optimize a system for *their* needs. We like this approach a lot because the pouches are not uni-taskers. One man’s shaving kit is another’s power brick storage is another’s bike tool kit. We’ll say it out loud, “We’re inception packers.”
Three uses we didn’t see coming:
*Tool Shed (http://goo.gl/qOpVx) as knife roll
*2Way (http://goo.gl/igQYV) w/ hole cut out as an on-strap, use-while-riding-a-bike point and shoot camera case (inspired a future product – stay tuned!)
*M Clear Flex Pack (http://goo.gl/D3HIf) as global tech kit: extra battery, converter, adapter, WiFi card, etc
I just wanted to let you know how much I love you guys. I’m currently rocking the Maverick, but I also still have my old Timbuk2 backpack. It might be the old HAL, but I don’t remember. Anyway, I always keep up with what you do, and will continue supporting you guys as long as you keep making great bags. BTW, I was hooked on the company by an article that was written on the blog Consumerist. It used to be a Gawker site, but went independent a while back. I still haven’t had a problem with my bags to ever warrant having to use your great guarantees, but it’s great to know that it’s there.
GP – So stoked you’re a fan & are happy with your Timbuk2 pack! We’re working hard to develop new packs that you’ll *want* to wear for year and years. Definitely let us know if you have any feedback and cheers to our friendship!
A Japanese bag maker SLOW (http://www.slow2008.com/) produces celspan nylon based big 3-way overnighter bag & bag-in-bag pouches. I put my laptop into one of those pouches and sometimes move it into another bag. You’ll get picture: http://www.beyes.jp/img/item/main/img_303940/303940_c.jpg and http://www.beyes.jp/men/item/303896 (the latter is in Japanese).
Ooohhh, they look nice! Great find Masayuki. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, I do this all the time—just didn’t have an awesome name for it. I routinely switch out bags, from briefcase to daypack to messenger bag to carry-on, depending on what I’m doing and where I’m going. But I have a little pouch with electronic cables and batteries, and another sil-nylon pouch for the random miscellaneous things I need (you know, pen, migraine and allergy meds, toothbrush, etc.) and I can swap those two bags in and out of my bigger bags. I also make use of Eagle Creek Half- and Quarter-Cube Pack-It pouches for clothes and accessories while traveling. Makes it easier to transition from airline flight to field trip to night on the town.
I do this. Before, I would just throw everything in my bag and use the random pockets here and there, but having smaller pouches/containers to group things, is so much better.
I use a set of the small zipper bags from BAGGU and they work great.
FYI, a limited assortment of Timbuk2 bags will be available @ Anaconda stores in AUS later this year. http://www.anaconda.com.au/Stores
i pack like this whenever i go backpacking (hiking & camping.) i have a 55 liter backpack, and i stuff socks, underwear, tees, long sleeves, etc. into their own pouches (waterproof) or ziplock bags. helps every stay organized and dry. it’s nice cuz i can press down on the bags, take the air out, and make everything as compact as possible. also a nice way to make sure i pack the heavy stuff high and centered.
This is totally the idea behind the new Teenage Engineering Unit Portables bag
http://en.unitportables.com/
Edit: Unit Portages is the company that makes them, TE just happens to sell them on their web store.
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