Are you a pack rat and proud?

No, I’m generally a move fast and travel light kind of person. The only time I take a back pack is when I’m working or if I am actually staying away somewhere. i often just take my phone and nothing else.

I think it stems from my childhood. My mum is an everything including the kitchen sink kind of person and the memory of being weighed down by numerous bags on days out as a child when you wanted to just run around and play has stayed with me. I may take it to the other extreme though 😂

I know you didn’t ask me but on a non working day I take car keys, a phone and an inhaler, they go in a pocket. O a work day I have to take a laptop and a book but that’s all I take in addition and they go in a bag.

I can’t imagine wanting to take a toothbrush anywhere outside my own private bathroom.

I love a good back pack but often end up with an assortment of bags. I have one that's great for three waterbottles (yeah, thry should carry their own but inevitably....), one that fits my house key, phone and a bit of cash, then maybe a small backpack with whatever I need. Then I need to find something and I've put it back in the wring place or a pocket!! I'd lovely a fancy leather backpack with lots of pockets but I dot work so I can't afford or justify one lol

Oh yes, laptop, notebooks, reading book, thermos flask, water bottle, extra layers, hat, gloves, scarf, power bank, charger, make up, snacks, tissues, hand gel, mini pencil case...

What do i need if i go out for the day? I don't need anything if i go out. Lots of places to eat around, i generally never need to change my clothes if i go out. I don't brush my teeth when i'm out. I don't take books to read or wear glasses so...

It genuinely baffles me why people need to take so many things out with them.

Nope I can't stand feeling encumbered. If I'm going out for the day I MIGHT take a small crossbody bag but otherwise I just put my phone and keys in my pockets and off I go.

I had enough of carrying a big bag around when my children were little so now I either don’t use a bag or just a small one with my phone, lip balm and keys in it.

I have resigned myself to what the Americans charmingly call a "fanny pack", which I find childishly amusing, but it is SO handy for work! I mean, my enormous coat pockets are brilliant in the winter, but not so much in the summer. My "fanny pack" means that I have everything work-related on my person at all times. People at work laugh at me for wearing it, but they find my organisational fanny pack a godsend at times!

Other than that, I never carry a bag, and all of my coats are carefully assessed before buying to ensure that I can fit my phone, purse and keys in them.

I think it's safe to say that yes, I'm an absolute pack rat if my spare room is anything to go by. 😂

If I was out for long periods like OP I think it says sense. Probably the equivalent of all the stuff I keep in my office pedestal just in case.

No. And I hate adults with backpacks, especially on public transport! Unreasonable, moi?

@NoMoreSpaniels totally resonate with your post. I only clicked on the thread as I also have no idea what a pack rat is ... and still don't.

@packratandproud do you brush your teeth at Costa ?!

I'm 100% all or nothing

I go to work with a backpack with:

Laptop
Notebook
Water Bottle
Coffee Cup
Hairbrush
Deoderant
Umbrella
Glasses
Sunglasses
Tupperware of Teabags
Keys
Tissues
Passport

Pouch containing:
Laptop Chargers (2 of cos I sometimes forget one of them so there is a backup)
Work mobile phone
Other chargers
Travel Cutlery
Pens
Headphones for work (large over-ear type)

Small parts box with sections containting:
spare battery pack
safety pins
plasters
painkillers
airpods
lipbalm
throat sweets
5 way charger (phone, watch AirPods etc)

And then if I go to the pub after work:
mobile phone and keys only (no wallet) maybe tissues and lip balm in pocket if there happen to be any in there from before 😆

no bag for me. I don't know how people can be bothered carrying all that stuff around. I think i'm like that because when the kids were young i felt like a pack donkey but now they are older i don't carry anything really.

I'm another all or nothing. I'm either no bag at all, phone and keys in my pocket, or a backpack that Mary Poppins would be proud of, and not much in between.

Haha, "pack rat" - not heard that phrase before! I used to be, before I had DCs, and also when they were young. Always had a massive bag of stuff, to cover all eventualities. But in recent years I've rediscovered the joys of travelling light, and using a tiny crossbody bag. Admittedly, I'm not talking about lengthy days out.

Funnily enough, DD2 has a reputation for her well-equipped handbag. If you need a safety pin - she's got one in her bag. Paracetamol? Of course! Phone dying? Borrow my portable charger! Her friends think it's hilarious.

We’re a rucksack family. We live near a massive moorland national park so we do a lot of hiking and camping - and we don’t drive (medically disqualified) so rucksacks were essential for taking kids on holiday and any other major excursions.

We did have a bit of hassle when the school tried to insist we buy the kids those rolly suitcases instead of rucksacks for the Y6 London trip. Neither of the kids were prepared to countenance it, rucksacks are better and safer.

DH’s family nickname is “Twatsack” owing to his habit of turning around with his massive Bergen on his back and sending people flying.

I use a backpack for work. Ive got a laptop & wireless mouse in there, notebook. Then normal things like a packet of tissues, a water bottle, usually a cereal bar or something. I often have a spare pair of tights & plasters too.

I try and avoid lugging lots of stuff in general but if I ever want or need to, I definitely prefer an appropriately sized bag. I hate having too much gubbins stuffed into a too-small bag so that things fall out every time I go to get something.

No, I would hate to cart a load of stuff around with me everyday. I carry my phone, keys and bank card. I don’t need anything else.

This one!

Yes, I have a large backpack that fits everything and I love it! I carry all sorts, even a first aid kit! It’s goes loads of pockets too; and they’re all stuffed