So I’m at the airport leaving for another trip to NYC.

Excited, I haven’t been back there since last November.

After doing my taxes again, I’ve tabulated that I’ve been on the road at least 300 days a year for the past 4 years, and with this, my luggage setup has evolved into a minimal, yet luxurious rig. No superfluity, yet it contains everything I need to feel at home anywhere.

So, as a change of pace from all the pick up chatter, I figured I’d break down the system so the next long trip you go on you can pack more efficiently, and maybe add a few things that you didn’t think about prior.

Check out the vid, where I break everything down!



So some things I didn’t mention in the video that are important.

On longer trips, I carry two of the Eagle Creek cubes, one for socks, and one for underwear.

I usually travel with 14 pairs of each, making me able to span about 2 weeks in between visits to the laundromat.

I’ve also increased the number of t shirts I have, trying to travel with about 10, reusing them once or twice, but needing extras especially if I’m working out every few days, and don’t want too much funk in the luggage.

Also, this is the only reason I travel with cologne, full "champagne shower" on day 13 wearing The Excalibur, usually masking the olfactory funk.

I used to travel with an extra pair of jeans, but after 2 years of never using them, I’ve ditched them from the rig, and never looked back.

At the new year, I upgraded to the 24” Briggs and Riley Luggage, prior only using the 20” and going full carry on style.

I literally traveled for 4 months with just a carry on and backpack, but I’ve yet to lose my luggage when I check it (knock on wood) and especially with the priority and free luggage that comes with being an elite flyer, I prefer to go the easy route and just check the larger bag.

I didn’t want to get the super large suitcase, as you have to pull it around cobblestone streets, and stack it in small Euro rooms, so size does matter. Also, anyone still using those old school “Euro Backpacker” bags, that shit is a total waste.

You can never get to anything, you fuck up your back because it’s so heavy, and there’s no way in hell your dress shirts are going to stay pressed.

Unless you plan on doing a hike with your luggage during your trip, go with the standard roller style bag.

Also, by checking the luggage, I'm able to take the liquids like cologne, and nice shampoo/condition/shower gel.  It's the little things that count on the road, and having a nice loufa and shower gel does more than you think for your morale after weeks away from home.

Quality Counts

The cool thing about living out of a suitcase is that if you ever want to purchase something new, you must get rid of something already in the setup.

It creates a very minimalist mentality, where you don’t buy stupid shit.

I’ve used this opportunity to slowly get rid of older crap, and upgrade to only having nice high quality brands. You’ll notice the shirts and electronics are all top notch, but when you are wearing the same shirt a few times a week, you can afford more quality stuff.

Or if I’m wearing the same pants for 300 days in a year, I think I can spend $200 on them…

One of the comments on the video says aspects of my setup aren’t “true minimalist,” and I’d agree.

For the first few years I definitely took a full minimalist approach. But when your LIFE is on the road, and you have other priorities as well, you can compromise a bit.

Hence the NECESSITY for dress shoes if you are hitting up the nightclub circuit. And with the increase in hitting the gym, I’ve added running shoes and protein powder. They don’t take up too much space, and instead of wearing Chuck Taylors to the gym, it’s much safer and a better workout to have true gym kicks.

The protein powder is also super nice if you can’t get a decent meal. Skip dinner and jam a shake instead to keep carbs down.

Lastly, I’m sure guys will notice what I call the “HIV stack,” my supplement set up while traveling.

Now, I like taking the approach to supplements in that they ONLY supplement what I can’t get in my diet. Especially while traveling, it’s not easy to get things like garlic, or fresh berries everyday, so I’ll pop a pill. But if I do get enough sunlight, I won’t take the vitamin D, or if I’m eating curry, I don’t need to take curcumin.

If you want a full list of my supplement regimen, check out

Brad's Diet Masterlist

An older article that explains my full supplement routine, as well as my morning smoothie, which, on the road, I obviously don’t get to enjoy.

But at least I can carry around a few packs of Green Vibrance, and some protein powder (with BCAAs) to boot.

Hit me up with any more questions, or things you think I might be missing.

It’s a constant evolution.

See you sometime in the airport lounge. ;)