It has been a while since we posted here, and a good prompt finally landed: The New York Times' Wirecutter ran a solo-travel packing guide from a travel expert, and tucked into the “quick-fix supplies” section are two things we know a little something about: tape and reusable ties. Good instincts all around, but a couple of the picks are sized for the garage, not a carry-on. Here is how we would build the same kit, smaller.
Skip the full roll of duct tape
Wirecutter recommends a strong, sturdy duct tape and they are right that you want something sticky in your bag. The catch is that the link points to a full-size roll, and nobody wants to wrestle a fat roll of duct tape into a packing cube.
Two swaps that actually fit your luggage:
- JVCC REPAIR-1 - this is vinyl-coated cloth gaffers tape in handy 2" or 3" x 15 ft. rolls. It has a matte finish, tears or cuts clean, and (unlike duct tape) is designed to come off without leaving that sticky adhesive residue behind. That makes it the smarter pick for a hotel or rental fix you would rather not pay for later. It also comes in a dozen colors if you want the repair to blend in.
- JVCC REPAIR-2HD - when you need more muscle, this one is rewound from Polyken 223 duct tape for roughly 90 oz./in. of peel adhesion, in the same travel-friendly 15 ft. (5 yd.) length. Stronger hold and a shinier finish; you trade away some of the clean-removal benefit for grip.
Packing tip: you do not even need a whole roll. Wrap a few feet of either tape around a pen, an old hotel key card, or a trekking pole and you have a flat, weightless repair kit that disappears into a side pocket.
Our own take on the One-Wrap tie
Wirecutter points to Velcro One-Wrap Thin Ties as a reusable alternative to the plastic zip ties one of their travelers swears by, and we are fully on board with reusable hook-and-loop over single-use zip ties we just sell our own.
Our FindTape HL-QT Hook-N-Loop Quick Tie Cable Ties do the same job: reusable, interlocking die-cut straps that wrap onto themselves with no adhesive to gum up. They are US-made and come in heavier-duty 8" and 12" lengths, from a handy 12-strap pack up to bulk rolls so you can grab a few for the trip or stock up for the workshop. Throw a couple in your bag to wrangle charging cables, earbuds, and adapters, then peel them off and re-tie at the next stop. Because they are reusable, the same handful of straps rides along on every trip.
First aid that actually fits the bag
Wirecutter recommends a compact 298-piece kit, which is great if you have the room for it. For families or anyone who just wants the basics on a clip the Adventure Medical Kits Backyard Adventure First Aid Kit goes even smaller: a 2-ounce, pocket-size kit in a woodland-critter case with a built-in carabiner clip, so it snaps right onto a backpack. Inside are the essentials 20 fabric bandages, hand sanitizer, and triple-antibiotic ointment plus a little extra room for personal medications. It comes in a range of animal designs, which makes it an easy win for family trips, field trips, and summer camp. We only have a few of these left, so if the size looks right, do not wait.
Roll it all up small
The whole point of a good packing list is fixing problems without hauling around the hardware store. A few feet of REPAIR-1 or REPAIR-2HD, a couple of reusable cable ties, and a pocket-size first-aid kit cover most travel mishaps and still leave room for the souvenirs. Safe travels and as always, you will find the best prices and fast shipping on all of it at FindTape.com.