As the start of a new year’s tradition, I’d like to take inventory of what I carry around in my backpack, which I have with me almost everywhere I go. I’m constantly iterating and changing what I carry around, so I hope it’s interesting to see this vignette of what I’ve found to be the best or most effective items to have with me all the time. With the things in this backpack I can be productive pretty much any place on the planet with a wifi or LTE connection.
- Kensington international adapter, I like this one because it has two USB ports, but every adapter I’ve used seems a little janky.
- Plantronics BackBeat GO 2 with charging case, as I mentioned in my headphones post.
- Kindle Voyage. Love love love.
- 64gb USB stick.
- Lockpick set.
- Apple Thunderbolt / VGA adapter. (I can probably stop carrying this around.)
- Samsung Level Over, as I mentioned in my headphones post.
- Macbook power adapter, and Moto Hint bluetooth headset.
- Audrey Hepburn deck of playing cards, and business card holder. The last few items are on a Gridit holder, which I like but seems to drop items as I walk around.
- Macally double USB charger, which I like because the plug pivots, and it can charge an iPad at full speed.
- Thunderbolt to thunderbolt cable, which is great for transferring between computers, and Belkin audio cable splitter, with an old Beats cable wrapped around which I use with the Samsung headphones.
- Retractable HMDI cable.
- Garmin chest strap heart rate monitor, for running.
- Miscellaneous retractable cables: Jawbone UP24 charger (not using the UP at the moment, just the Basis), 1/8th inch audio cable, ethernet CAT5e, USB mini type B.
- Ultimate Ears 18 Pro Custom, with a gold cord taco.
- Jetpack notebook for taking analog notes.
- Some bag balm in a little plastic holder, an Aveda Blue Oil that I find relaxing, and some Advil for when ouches happen.
- TP-LINK TL-WR702N Wireless N150 Travel Router, which works so-so.
- Chargers for the two watches.
- Mpow Streambot Mini Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Audio Music Streaming Receiver Adapter.
- Apple Magic Mouse, still the best.
- Moto X second generation, with walnut back and orange highlights.
- Not pictured, iPhone 6+, because it took the picture, space grey of course.
- Miscellaneous swag and trinkets, and a T-mobile SIM card.
- Maison Bonnet sunglasses and cleaning cloth.
- Lamy Pico Pocket Ballpoint pen.
- Brand new passport! No stamps in it yet. Unfortunately picture was taken when I was still in the mustache competition.
- Basis Peak watch, which I like a lot overall.
- Garmin Forerunner 620, for quantifying running along with the chest strap in #13.
- Westone ES49 custom earplugs, for if I go to concerts or anyplace overly loud.
- Bucky eye shades, like an eye mask but has a curve so it doesn’t touch your eyes. I don’t use this often but when I do it’s a life-saver.
- Retina Macbook Pro, 15 inch, with a few stickers and the custom W light cut-out.
- The bag that holds everything pictured: Old School Laptop Rucksack. I wish it had a few more interior pockets for organizing things. It’s starting to get pretty worn, I probably need to treat the leather on the bottom.
- Not pictured: Incase dual USB 2.4 amp car charger, a Belkin car mount, and a retractable lightning cable. (They were in the car when I took this.)
So if you add it all up, there are about 53 unique items I’m carrying around all the time. I’m curious how this total number changes over time as well. If you have any recommendations for a better, lighter, or more functional item than what I’m carrying please leave it in the comments!
The question has to be asked, what do you use the Lockpick set for?
I’ve been contemplating carrying one of those with me everywhere too. They’re kinda handy when you get locked out of places, or when people don’t want you entering and you decide to enter anyway.
See, that’s what I want to know, is Matt going places other people don’t want him going into or is he just getting locked out of his own place all the time? lol
Mostly for practice when I think of it, I took a class with Beau where we learned basic lockpicking a few years ago. I have used it a few times when there’s a missing key, and once to some notoriety at the start of an Automattic grand meetup when someone was locked out of their luggage, but I’m not a pro yet.
Hey, you’re Matt Mullenweg. People should be handing this stuff to you at a wave of your hand. No need to carry it around. You need a Rock ‘n Roll rider to have this stuff waiting for you at every destination.
As for headphones, I’ve been very pleased with my August EP650 Bluetooth Wireless Stereo NFC Headphones. $53 at Amazon. They fold up nicely and hold a good charge.
Thanks for the show and tell.
Hey Matt,
You should check out http://www.everydaycarry.com – A startup that makes doing these types of posts its business.
it’s kind of like the list I used to use when I was a Boy Scout; straight from the official BSA manual.
I’ll throw in Karma (https://yourkarma.com/) as a suggestion. Heard great things about the old model from Andrew Nacin on Twitter, and the newest model (on pre-order) comes with LTE.
Hi Matt, where could I get/buy Jetpack Notebook? I don’t see it at WordPress Swag Store. Thanks
Wow, you actually carry all that around with you? I’m stunned…
Hmm. You need mints/gum, carmex (or some variation of it) and maybe one of these for doodling in your Jetpack Notebook: http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Sketching-Pencil-Zippered-Carrying/dp/B000UJFTJ8
Also, a friend who is a music producer highly recommends the Sennheiser brand for headphones (not sure for noise canceling but definitely for sound quality).
Great kit for professionals who travel a lot. I posted the blog link on Facebook for my dozens of friends in Houston and beyond. My studies at UH would have been very different if I had had those tools available at the time I studied there. 😉
Bag balm is very important for someone who has high level activity… hehe.
Nice sharing..
Happy new year brother…
Huh. Somehow I expected a few more Ws in there. So how much does your bag actually weigh?
I’m thinking you need a hip belt with that there rucksack or, rather, a rucksack with a hip belt. Good for aging joints, now that you are approaching your mid-thirties. Ha!
Are you not a Nexus 7 or iPad user?
No battery pack? I’m a fan of the IntoCircuit Power Castle, which has a huge battery.
BTW – I had a similar post a few months ago about my doctors bag: http://paulsufka.com/everyday-carry/
Thanks for the really cool share! Any music production / jazz practice software running on that Macbook? A few sax pics would be cool this year… Happy early Birthday, Matt “The Motivator”! 🙂
I’ve been a bit bummed since Jamey Aebersold removed everything from Spotify! That was so nice before. Very open to suggestions.
Band in a Box, Matt! I also thought you purchased a music education software company… Anyway, you have to use the Real Tracks for the full effect, not just MIDI. Didn’t know about the Aebersold move, LOL. I’ll just send you the file with 500+ standards. There is also a file with “tons” of II-V-I exercises, licks, etc. Gotta get you a WX5 and a mini, curved soprano for the road. A sharp eleven you are! Very thankful for WordPress!!! Happy Birthday!
You continually carry around a lockpick set that you’ve used “a few times”… I smell a fish! You criminal you! Shan’t be giving you my address or letting you hold my briefcase that’s for sure! Lol 😉 P.S. Where can I get a lockpick set? …just in case Jeffro let’s me look after his luggage one day…