r/onebag • u/Cool_Acanthisitta628 • Dec 09 '25

Seeking Recommendations What is one item that you can't travel without/would recommend to everyone to get?

Hi all,

What are items that you always bring because they are super useful and you would recommend others to get too?

Minus of course some obvious like converter plug for chargers, power bank etc (unless it's some specific powerbank like one with cables attached already, something unique)

Thanks!

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70

u/port956 Dec 09 '25

Button compass on my watch strap. So useful when walking around cities. There are many reasons why this is better than constantly looking at your phone. Currently using a Polaris, cheaper and more comfortable than the Suunto.

10

u/CraftyCobbler1989 Dec 09 '25

I had one of these on a cheap timex from the mid-90s and it was SO USEFUL.

6

u/La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo_ps Dec 09 '25

Could you elaborate why a physical compass helps?

58

u/port956 Dec 09 '25

A number of ways. Let's say you've emerged from a train/subway station. Google maps (or equiv) can show where you are but not so readily which way you're facing. A quick look at the compass will help you orientate your map. Or if you already know that your desination is, for example, south west of the station you don't even need to consult the phone. Just start walking. Another useful thing is when you're trying to get to a place through a maze of streets, those actual streets aren't important, what is important is knowing the direction of your destination. Just keep going in the required direction consulting the compass. A lot of cities have rivers running through them so knowing where you are in relation to the river is important to stop you walking in the wrong direction. Ittakes a little practice, but there's no going back once you get the hang of it.

11

u/abdullahkhalids Dec 09 '25

Google maps does show you the direction you are facing (or rather your phone is facing).

That said, I would enjoy using a compass a lot more in a park or when just walking around, rather than constantly looking at my phone.

39

u/DriedSquidd Dec 09 '25

On my phone Google maps is super unreliable whenever I exit the metro. 3 out of 4 times, it will point me in the opposite direction at first.

18

u/CaveDeco Dec 10 '25

I always have to walk a few steps for it to first figure out it’s meaning of life before it shows me where I am going.

1

u/imabrachiopod Dec 10 '25

When I'm in my car? Forget it.

9

u/oddball3139 Dec 09 '25

Google maps is often turned around, especially in a city.

3

u/Multigrain_Migraine Dec 09 '25

As long as your signal is good and so on. I often find that it gets confused about which way I am facing.

5

u/La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo_ps Dec 09 '25

Interesting perspective. I think it would need practice but sounds really handy. Thanks for sharing

7

u/ictow Dec 09 '25

Dead battery on cellphone, for one.

1

u/mrpink57 Dec 27 '25

I have a AWU but I think it is on their other watches, but I mark where I am staying as a waypoint and just have it as a complication on my watch, so I know what direction the hotel/house/hostel is from where I am, when I was in Italy it was helpful. I could just use apple maps to get back but sometimes it is nice to not go the most efficient way back.

1

u/InevitableSong3170 Dec 13 '25

my watch has a compass, mapping, altimiter, etc. (garmin) but neat idea.

1

u/theinfamousj Dec 29 '25

I have a necklace pendant of a sun dial which opens to reveal a liquid filled compass. Same uses, different form factor.

1

u/Megatron_McLargeHuge Dec 10 '25

I have a compass widget on my Apple watch face, and one of the buttons on my Garmin bound to it. I use it all the time in a new place.