I’m wondering about those of you who commute to work now and then. For some reason I have a hard time minimizing what I carry with me. I don’t have a car, so when I leave the house I need to have everything I might need on my back. It leads to me carrying all kinds of crazy things, like a multi-tool and a flashlight. Do any of you have a minimalist setup for your bike or bus commute?
I always have a multi-tool and flashlight with me. They aren’t crazy things, they constantly come in handy. OLight makes excellent tiny rechargeable flashlights that are very bright. Mine is the size of a peanut shell, smaller than my pinky finger. Leatherman makes a variety of multi-tools, I usually carry a very small one (Squirt PS4) in my pocket. I have larger Leathermans and knives, and larger flashlights, which I can switch out as needed.
https://www.olightstore.com/
https://www.leatherman.com/home
Thanks for the perspective, and the link.
I have the Squirt, but I usually carry the Night Eyez multi-tool to cut down on weight. I figure I have big tools at the office if I need them.
Do you carry anything else similar? I sometimes bring a compass, which seems a little paranoid to me.
That’s funny, I was going to mention my compass but didn’t want to sound paranoid! I have a poor sense of direction, so I keep a little hunter’s compass handy. There are decent ones to hang on zippers and some that pin, avoid the tiny novelty ones. (I also have an orienteering compass for hiking.). The Apple Watch Ultra has a GPS “compass” in the face, but for that price I can just keep buying a new hunter’s compass every time I lose one and still come out ahead.
I also have a tiny toiletries kit, about the size of a slice of bread. Usually a food-bar and water. Bandana, of course.
I have a clip on compass. I usually put it on a wrist band. I don’t like pulling out my phone when I’m walking around. I’m old, and there are too many snatchers around.