no1mad 

Reading through the other thread, I found it enlightening and refreshing to find so many that either don't mind or actually like to go for a stroll. Which got me thinking about what kind of stuff one typically carries and how they would do so.

Personally, I've just started this week a new regimen of riding to the other side of our town with my wife to the c-store she prefers to patronize on her way to work and then I walk back home. Currently, I travel light for me- keys, phone, ID w/minimal cash and no plastic, and mp3 player. When it gets warmer, I'll have to incorporate hydration and trying to sort out the best hands free option and include some light utility space for small purchases made along the way, as there is a small number, but wide variety, of retail shops, plus the Post Office, Insurance agent, bank is half a block away, and favorite grocer is the last stop before entering my neighborhood.

That's me.... what about y'all?

gerv 

A good backpack and shoes.... that's what you need. I have a cheap-o cotton backpack I use to walking. It's the best way to carry loads. But if you are just taking a few items, those ultra-light daypacks are starting to become popular.


https://www.rei.com/product/827110/rei-flash-18-pack

Roody

I take my backpack, whether walking or riding. When walking, I take out the pouch with tools. That leaves wallet, phone, map, papers, something to read, and any other things I need that day. In spring and fall I might bring a jacket, and in winter an extra insulating layer.

I love my backpack and it's always with me. I feel naked without it. I put it by bedroom door so I could grab it if there was a fire.

I have carried a backpack for at least 30 years and I've never had a backache. Maybe the pack serves as a counterweight to my belly.

kookaburra1701

When I walk, I usually have a destination/purpose. If I'm just going to go out for exercise, I ride my bike. I walk to the grocery store (.5 miles away). If I have something bulky on my list, I bring my handtruck, and lock it to the bike rack while I'm inside. My car is very small ('94 Sentra) and I can actually take home more stuff-by-volume with my handtruck than I can with my car.

chewybrian 

Cargo shorts--Dog treats, bottle of water, granola bars, apple, windbreaker.

ReptilesBlade 

I wear walking shoes, shorts, a t-shirt and carry my hiking staff and at least 1 liter of water. I have a back pack and a messenger bag I use if I am running an errand and need to carry things. I use whichever one will work best at that time but overall I like the backpack better.

Juha

If I leave the house on foot (not biking), I almost always carry one of my backpacks. I can choose from a collapsible lightweight flimsy 10-liter bag to full blown equipment for self supported hiking. Come to think of it, I ditched my last briefcase decades ago. Most often I carry a conservative looking black Target laptop pack. The bigger hiking equipment backpacks would be way more ergonomic to carry, even with smaller loads, but they're too big and bulky for everyday use. The flimsy collapsible backpacks are particularly nice for bike tours/trips, they take little space in panniers.

What's inside varies a lot. Several times a week I carry some groceries on my way home. Papers, my reading glasses (in a case), a book, sometimes my office laptop. A 0,5 liter bottle of Pepsi Max. I carry my wallet, keys, bus pass etc. in my pockets. If we're hiking then it's food, drink, utensils, change of clothes, raingear, binoculars etc, in one of the larger backpacks. We have no multi-day hiking trips in plans (we have a small baby now), so actual camping stuff stays home for a while now.

--J

wolfchild

I am a big fan of Camelback backpacks. They come in all sizes and shapes. I find them well made and comfortable. Other then my personal essential items, I always carry a reusable grocery bag inside my backpack.

wahoonc

I don't carry much, when I walked longer distances and carried more I used a small back pack or a huge waist pack. Actually preferred the waist pack.

Mine is a Jansport, they don't make the specific model anymore closest new one is the Coletrane. I carry the usual pocket stuff, wallet, keys, cellphone, possibly an MP-3 player. For longer purpose walks, apple and a bottle of water, light jacket if conditions dictate.

Aaron

zeppinger

Non-cycling related thread! Quick! CLOSE IT!!!!

plustax

I usually hate carrying stuff when I walk. Most walks its nothing.

Roody

A fanny pack would probably be perfect for, ahem, walking. But even for a big dork like me, a fanny pack is too dorky.

storckm

I like to have empty pockets when I walk, unless I think I'll need to carry something. I might bring a backpack or put things under the stroller if I'm pushing the children in it.

no motor?

Wallet, keys, phone and a backpack for trips to the store.

ukoro

Usually when I'm just walking for the sake of wandering or scenery, It's wallet and keys. If I am going to be gone for a few hours walking, I would definitely get my backpack (man-purse) with a waterbottle and other necessary things depending on the outing and weather. (Bandana, Food, Sunscreen, Cell Phone.)

Every chance I get I mention these because I recently had such a hard time finding a decent pair of shoes, these are insanely comfortable: https://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/...K1444/?cc=BKGY

Good shoes make a big difference.

gerv 

I'm gonna disagree with you here. Your Sentra should take about 3 times what you can move with a hand cart (depending on the cart...). One problem with the Sentra though is that you may also carry a lot more than you actually need. This is probably a factor behind the vast amount of food that gets tossed out in North America.

kookaburra1701

The main problem is volume. For example, I could not fit the box my futon came in into my Sentra because of the way the seats are designed. I could move it easily with my handtruck, even when it's completely assembled. The box was longer than the car was wide, and none of the dimensions were less than 18" (the space between the back of the cabin and the back of the front seats.)

But yes, before I started grocery shopping on foot, I bought waaaaay more than I needed, and wasted quite a bit of food (and gained quite a bit of weight.) Now that every surgary thing I splurge on means that much more I have to schlep back home, I'm slowly but surely shedding pounds.

zeppinger

I have never understood why hatchbacks and wagons are not more popular in the US considering our demand for maximum space. One way to get around stupidly designed cars is to buy an aftermarket roof rack and just tie your futon down to it. What a hassle.

kookaburra1701

I've thought about a roof rack, but at this point I think I'd get more use out of a BAW trailer.

zeppinger

Agreed. It just seems silly to me that a 2,500 pound Nissan Sentra (I used to have a 97) cant move a 45 pound futon a few miles.

Sixty Fiver

I usually carry a MEC rock climbing bag that has space for a hydropack... my back issues limit how much I can carry so the smaller backpack is just right.

It also gets used when I go cycling and am travelling light and either expect to spend time off the bike or don't have a bike that will carry panniers.

smellincoffee

What I carry while walking depends on where I'm going. I usually have a bottle of water somewhere on me (refilling wherever opportunities present themselves), and if I'm playing the tourist (as I often do, even in my hometown) I'll have a camera in my pocket. If I anticipate buying anything, I have a small canvas tote bag that can be folded up in my pocket. Sometimes I carry a small-but-powerful pocket flashlight, or a pocketknife. When I go for short neighborhood walks, the only thing I'll have on me is keys and MAYBE a bottle of water. Sometimes I listen to my mp3 player when jogging, but I like my morning walks to be a period of reflection and silence, aside from the cheery "good mornings"..

BarracksSi

I carry as little as possible. I don't need to take much of anything to work (not even a laptop, and I only need my iPad once in a while), so I'll just carry a gym sack with some workout clothes if that's part of my plan for the day.

If I plan to shop for anything, I'll take a shopping bag.

I don't carry water. If I get thirsty, it's because I didn't drink enough when I was at work or at home, especially the night before.

no motor?

My GF has one of those, and it folds down small enough to fit in a pocket yet holds enough for the average trip to the store to pick up a few things.

wahoonc

I don't recall the exact reason I bought the waist pack but I have used it for cycling on more than one occasion.

Aaron