What’s in my bag? 2024 edition

Every year I like to share the contents of my backpack. I travel a lot at WordPress VIP, so it often changes to reflect updated products as well as differences in my own thinking.

So, here I present what I’m carrying around in 2024 (albeit some of these will be dependant on the type of journey I’m making).

1. Native Union laptop sleeve. It’s a little snug but very well made and really protective for its slim size..
2. Apple 14″ M4 Pro MacBook Pro. This is my Automattic-provided laptop. When travelling, I also use a privacy screen with it.
3. For long flights I find the Trtl neck pillow a God-send. I have it clipped to the outside of my backpack for easy transport.
4. Midori Pulp Storage Pen Case. Made from Pasco (hardened fibre board), this is made of recycled paper and fresh pulp and is similar to plastic in terms of lightness and strength.
5. A traditional Moleskin A5 notebook with plain pages.
6. For the long slights, I need more than a movie to keep me entertained. In the past I’ve taken a Nintendo Switch, but now I use an Asus ROG Ally, which runs a full-blown version of Windows.
7. Hoxton travel pass holder. As my wallet but a rather splendid travel pass holder – whether for plane, train or bus tickets this keeps everything organised.
8. A slim leather wallet, which holds an Apple AirTag as well.
9. Hydro Flask water bottle. This one comes with a straw for much easier sipping!
10. The latest 3rd generation of AirPods, all in a titanium ESR case.
11. The MacBook 96w power adapter. I have a selection of plugs for wherever I’m travelling in the world.
12. My passport in a fetching leather WordPress cover.
13. Diff sunglasses. These have prescription lenses in them.
14. Boots Dry Eyes Eye Mist and some hand sanitiser, already in a bag ready for any flights.
15. Generic hand sanitizer!
16. Apple no longer sell their own MagSafe battery pack, so this is the Anker version. USB-C connection and has a back that folds out to that you can prop up your phone.
17. Collar and Cuffs windproof umbrella. Because I’m British and used to having to deal with the rain!
18. This rather splendid red packet contains two data-blockers from PortaPow – female USB-A to male USB-C and female USB-A to male USB-A. Use this for charging equipment when you don’t trust the source – the blockers ensure that only power is supplied and no data connection can be made. Essential for airports and hotels!
19. Nivea Hydro Care lip balm.
20. Qlipter is a rather neat carabiner that you can twist and configure in all sorts of ways. Handy for hanging bags off of, but I don’t think it’s made any more.
21. Mints for fresh breath! I have a tin of Smints which offer 2 hours of breath freshness per tablet, but I also carry CB12 chewing gum for after a flight.
22. Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition in the official fabric cover.
23. iBlockCube Travel Adapter. This is one of those where you various sliders on the side to modify the plug pings, for worldwide usability. On the other side is a plug socket (again, accepting all the different types), along with 3 x USB-A and 2 x USB-C sockets.
24. An Automattic face mask.
25. Sony WH-1000XM5 noise cancelling wireless headphones. These are WP VIP branded as a 7 year anniversary gift with the company.
26. The Aer Fit Pack 2 backpack. This is the latest backpack provided by Automattic to its employees. It has a very large front section and a useful shoe holder at the bottom.
27. Bagsmart small cable organizer. See the list below for what I pack into this
28. Manta Sleep Mask. Soft, comfortable and highly adjustable – I love these for long flights.

Not shown in the picture is an essential pack of tissues as well as plasters in a hard case. Always useful to have some to hand, if only to dress a sore foot.

Since last year I’ve seriously scaled down what I put in this bag because a) I didn’t touch most of it and b) I’ve finally managed to move away, entirely, from lightning connections and to USB-C.

1. Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magsafe charger for my iPhone. This snaps onto the back of the phone and has a kick-stand – it’s great to use at a hotel on your nightstand.
2. Defender Lumos LED Torch. Always have a torch! And this is a metal-cased, very robust compact one to always have to hand.
3. This zipped compartment contains the following…
   • A bag containing the following adapters…
     • USB-A to USB-C
     • Micro-USB to USB-C
     • Micro-USB to Mini-USB
   • A cleaning cloth
   • SIM card converter kit. A neat collection of SIM adapters, an ejector pin and even a sanding card for getting your SIM to the right size
   • A micro SD to SD adapter
   • Ethernet cable reel
4. 1 metre USB-C cable. This is the 60W woven cable that comes with current model iPhones.
5. Apple USB A to USB C converter
6. Multi-charger cable. Different tethered connecters makes this great for slipping in your pocket for whatever you may want to charge
7. 2m USB-C cable. This is the one that used to come with MacBooks, before they switched over to MagSafe
8. Apple Watch charger – this is the one that comes with the watch itself, complete with USB-C connection
9. 2 metre USB-C to MagSafe cable. This is the one that came with my MacBook Pro.

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