One-Backpack Travel Stationery Kit: What I Actually Carry

The kit: a Paper Republic with Field Notes, a pen pouch, and a Kindle.

The minimum: one black pen, one brush pen and one highlighter.

Watch the full video.

As someone that travels with just one bag, what are the stationery things I carry with me so I feel like I'm not missing out on anything? Fountain pens, pens, pencils, all those things.

The notebook: Paper Republic with Field Notes

Let's start off with the basic stuff that I have with me on all trips that I go to. One of them is the Paper Republic with my standard Field Notes.

Nothing really changes. This is my go-to notebook. I still track some of my stuff in the master index and then have my catch-all.

I just wanted to make sure I have enough pages. That was going to last me the 3 days I'm going to be here. And I have my collections for any new information and reference information there.

It carries very well in a backpack. I have no complaints about this notebook at all.

If I were to be in a pinch and really needed to minimize the amount of stuff I was bringing, I'd just grab this guy, and that's probably all I need for a few days.

The pen pouch

I debated a lot on whether I wanted to bring the whole pouch, and I ended up just grabbing it. I had a little extra space.

I have a green Sarasa. This is the vintage edition. Very nice pen.

I really love the green color, and it is a great writer, and I just enjoy writing with this pen a lot.

I have my Kaweco Olivine. This is a Kaweco Sport. I have this one in a fine nib, and I currently have it inked with the Kaweco Palm Green.

This is my pencil of choice, and I recently modified it just a little bit. This is actually a Blackwing pencil in there. Writes very nice, very smooth.

Travels well. Don't need to worry about the point poking into something or breaking or anything, and I like traveling with that.

The next one is the TWSBI Eco. This is a fine nib as well. This one I use for more journal entries, or anything that maybe I just want to write a little longer.

I have the Zebra Mildliner. This is in the olive colorway. Highlights, something that I do often, or I just simply want to highlight some text.

This one is a recent addition. This is the Pentel Multi 8. What I enjoy is having all the different colors, and this allows me to just sketch something quick or color something quick without any issues.

And the Tombow Fudenosuke, for any hand lettering or any lines.

I did bring my Vanishing Point as well. This one was just in my pocket if I need to write something.

As a backup black pen, I did bring my Big Idea Design pen. It dries super quick, and it doesn't smudge at all. Great pen.

This one is my emergency ballpoint. It's the only ballpoint in this setup, and I have a Uni Jetstream insert in this one. Little modification, and it writes like a dream.

The minimum kit

If I were to be in a pinch and had to pick as little as possible, I'll probably end up just bringing my Big Idea Design black pen or the Vanishing Point. I'll have a hard time between these two.

But if it's a short trip, I think the Big Idea Base Line Bolt Action is a great choice. It travels easier, and again, just thinking about compactness and maybe being tossed around a little bit more.

So that would be what I will carry with me, as well as the Tombow and my Mildliner. These three will get me through everything. I can do some headings.

I can do some highlighting.

So these three would be my absolute minimum. Obviously I could probably just get away with having a pen, but I can enjoy a few days away from home with these three, no problem.

Best for a short trip: the Big Idea Design pen, the Tombow Fudenosuke and a Mildliner.

Work notebooks and a Kindle

I brought my Field Notes with all my YouTube notes and ideas and all of that. And I brought two of my work notebooks.

I didn't bring my calendar inserts because I didn't think I was going to need it. I just figured I could get away with not having that with me.

One is a notebook with all my work notes. The other one is a notebook where I just keep track of projects and some more big picture project notes, meeting notes, all of that.

I do have an inbox, a waiting list of things I need to follow up with others.

The last thing was my Kindle. This one is a Kindle Paperwhite. Reading books, having something to have a pastime.

Added a metal ring so I can put it in a tripod or my phone stand, and I can just sit it in front of me on the plane.

It's something that helps me pass the time, and this one has worked really well for me.

Verdict: one notebook cover, one small pouch and a Kindle cover a work trip in a single backpack. If space gets tight, the pouch comes down to three pens.

The gear worth a look

• Paper Republic: the go-to notebook cover that holds my Field Notes on every trip.
• Field Notes: master index, catch-all and collections.
• Zebra Sarasa Clip Gel Pen: the green gel pen, vintage edition.
• Kaweco Sport Olivine: the green fountain pen, fine nib.
• Kaweco Palm Green Ink: the ink in the Olivine.
• Blackwing 602 (Short) Set of 12: my pencil of choice.
• TWSBI Eco: fine nib, for longer journal entries.
• Zebra Mildliner Highlighters: the olive colorway, part of my minimum kit.
• Pentel Multi 8: eight colors instead of a bunch of color pencils.
• Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen: hand lettering and headings.
• Pilot Vanishing Point: the pen in my pocket.
• Big Idea Design Base Line Bolt Action Pen: the backup black pen and my pick for a short trip.
• Amazon Kindle: my Paperwhite comes on every trip.

Some links above are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Related reading

• What I Actually Carry My EDC Stationery In (And Why)
• My Everyday Carry Setup: Aer Day Sling Max Review
• Pocket Pen Case Setup: Every Tool I Carry Daily

Frequently Asked Questions

What stationery do you bring when you travel with one bag?

One of them is the Paper Republic with my standard Field Notes. I debated a lot on whether I wanted to bring the whole pouch, and I ended up just grabbing it.

What is the smallest travel stationery kit that still works?

The Big Idea Design pen, the Tombow and my Mildliner. These three will get me through everything. Obviously I could probably just get away with having a pen, but I can enjoy a few days away from home with these three, no problem.

Which pen is the pick for a short trip?

If it's a short trip, I think the Big Idea Base Line Bolt Action is a great choice. It travels easier.

Do you bring a Kindle?

This one is a Kindle Paperwhite. Added a metal ring so I can put it in a tripod or my phone stand, and I can just sit it in front of me on the plane.