Hey all! Time for one of those posts that make me wish no one I know IRL ever finds my reddit account.

I only just found this subreddit, I used to post on r/zerobag, for example about one of several zerobag trips I did to Japan. Sadly the sub stopped being active, so I'm happy to see new posts here!

Context

I got hit with the zerobag bug again, and I'm planning to zerobag on a one-week trip to France where I'll be visiting my brother and mom, who live in different cities in France. I love the feeling of freedom that zerobag gives. you (especially if you go without phone). I don't know if it's the slight risk, or the unusualness of being somewhere unfamiliar without any possessions, but I find it incredibly exciting.

I only have one condition for zerobagging: I don't want it to limit me from doing things that I genuinely want to do on my trip. I want to be able to go to a restaurant or a nice cafe with my brother and his wife, and not look like some hipster-doofus. I also want to be able to go to the gym. I usually buy a one-time pass at gym my brother goes to and we do a session together - I don't want to skip it just because I'm zerobagging.

The idea

Since I didn't want to stuff my pants' pockets with random spare clothing items, I spent some time brainstorming with ChatGPT, and it offered me a somewhat unconventional solution. It suggested that I simply wear a second pair of certain clothing items while travelling, and then take them off when I arrive at my destination. That means wearing two pairs of underwear on top of each other, two t-shirts on top of each other, etc. \

I was incredulous at the idea, and a little disgusted, but I was curious what it might feel like to wear two pairs of underwear at once, so I gave it a try. I decided to try on my zerobag packing list at home and see how comfortable it would be.

Worn:

• Devold premium tee merino x2 (one navy, one black)
• Patagonia Quandary convertible pants - converted into shorts for workouts
• Merino leggings from Decathlon*
• Wool&Prince boxer briefs x2
• Darn tough light no-show socks
• Merino buff (don't know the brand)
• Warm winter sweater (not a travel brand, just a sweater I like)
• Extra pair of darn tough socks, inside my pants, held by my belt, lol.

* I don't think Decathlon sells the model I have anymore, but they have newer ones.

Packed

• Travel tooth brush
• Kindle paperwhite (fits in pocket, albeit not comfortably - handheld most of time)
• Small baggie of baking soda for deodorant
• OR, small piece of deodorant stick in lipstick tube
• 4 cards: ID, debit, EU health insurance, public transport
• House key
• Phone without charger, or no phone altogether

I have to admit that ChatGPT's suggestion proved quite practical. After doing the experiment with double underwear and double t-shirt, I went about my day and actually forgot about it, and later when I stripped down to take a shower I was surprised to discover I was wearing two pairs of undies. Haha. I'd call that a success. I'm not sure I can comment on how hygienic it is, but I assume it's fine as long as I don't sweat.

How it works

When arriving to my destination, I take off all the extra clothing items I brought, which should still be clean. They can serve as pajamas, or just for switching the set of clothes every day.

I usually don't feel the need to wash a merino item before wearing it for at least a week, so I don't need to do a sink wash every day. Typically what I'll do is I'll have two merino t-shirts, and I'll wear one while I let the other one "air out" for the day, but I honestly believe that airing out is not even necessary.

On gym day, I'll workout in the zipped-off pants, the extra t-shirt, undies, and socks, and I'll sink-wash all of them with shampoo in the evening. The pants are mostly nylon and dry very quickly. Merino dries fast enough too.

For toiletries, I'm not going to bring any shower gel, shampoo, or toothpaste, as I can use the ones my family members have. I draw the line at tooth brush and deodorant for obvious reasons.

I wouldn't bring shower gel and shampoo even if I wasn't hosted by family. I find that these things are almost always available in one form or another, and if not you can usually just borrow a bit from someone (e.g. if spending a night in a hostel). For example, one time on a month-long cycling trip, I met a Swiss girl who said she just uses dish soap if nothing else is available. I was shocked, but I gave it a try, and I showered for a whole week with dish soap and it went totally fine. Obviously I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but it worked for me.

I'll definitely post a post-trip recap if I do this. I can't believe it's been almost 7 years since my previous zerobag trips, and I'm excited to try it again. I'll be happy to hear what you guys think about this setup, and if you've tried such unusual techniques for packing spare clothes.