Twin boys. Toddler daughter. Hospital Tech Support. Writer. Runner. Gamer. Creating in public again.*

Civic Access

Since starting the new job, the one thing that leaves the house with me each day is the Civic Access Pouch 2L. CAP2 for short. All photos were pulled from their website.

The CAP2 holds everything I’ll be using that day, like my badge, keys, wedding ring, Field Notes, AirPods, and a dozen other little things. This pouch is easily the best pouch I’ve ever used. From the amount it holds, to the way it zips up into a cube to travel with, and then to the way it opens up with a slant and displays what’s inside of it. That slant is what sets it apart from the competition. When opened up at my desk, it looks as if it always belongs there, holding each time that needs to be accessed.

Inside the Bag

Inside of the bag: for tech is my AirPods Pro, the Retroid Pocket Mini, charging cables and brick, SD card adapter, SanDisk Portable SSD, and an Apple AirTag. For non-tech items, I have my wedding ring, hospital badge, work keys, Field Notes, pens, highlighters, microfiber cleaning cloths, fingernail clippers, and alcohol wipes.

Leash and Anchor

I recently modified the pouch so it can be worn like a sling when walking, and then allowing the strap to be removed and put in the top zipper when I arrive. This is thanks to Peak Design’s Leash and Anchor clips. Those Anchor clips make it so a the Leash strap can be removed instantly and stored away in the top zipper. A feature that this pouch wasn’t designed for, but is now one of my favorite perks to the CAP2.

How To Pack For Destin

Backpack and Duffle

The two bags that were used to pack for this trip are The GoRuck GR1 21L and the GoRuck Kit Bag. Each bag has four main items inside of it (with many other items inside of those). Pouches, bags, and cubes. That’s the secret to packing efficiently. The amount of items that I’m able to seamlessly fit into these pouches makes traveling a breeze.

Inside of the Kit Bag

Hats, boxers, and socks are inside the Transit Packing Cube. Running shoes, flip flops, and Crocs are in the Peak Design Shoe Pouch. A week’s worth of shirts and shorts are in the Tom Bihn Packing Cube. And all of my shower and shaving items are in Gravel’s Toiletry Bag.

Inside of the GR1

All of my tech (iPad mini, Gameboy, Kindle, chargers) is inside of the Civic Access Pouch. I was able to fit my entire coffee setup inside of the GR2 Field Pocket (Aeropress, manual coffee bean grinder, and French vanilla coffee beans). A resistant band for working out is inside of the small Shadow Pocket. And then last, is a Simple Water Bottle.

How to Pack For Rustic Sky

Last year, on Newsletter 64, I wrote How to Pack. This can be considered Part Two. This letter will just be a simple breakdown of how I packed for the trip. I’m a collector of bags and pouches, and I believe that’s the key to packing efficiently. Being able to bring just the right amount is always a fun challenge. This time around, I was intentional about leaving behind more than usual. Here’s a list of everything.

For a weekend trip, I packed very light. One bag. The Goruck GR1 21L. Inside of this bag was three pouches, a classic green Stanley Thermos, and a book.

For my clothes, everything was inside of the Evergoods Transit Packing Cube (8L). Shirts and shorts on one side. Boxers and socks on the other.
For toiletry, I used the Gravel Explorer Mini. Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, cologne, and Gravel’s travel bottle.
For my other gear, I used the discontinued Alpaka Pencil Case Pro. Gameboy, AirPods, phone charger, wallet, Field Notes: Expedition, and Bellroy Micro pen.