I have had 3 different difficult commutes over the years and through them, I have learned some of the essentials to carry with me. One key thing you learn from having a difficult commute is that you never want to forget anything you might need, but also any added weight can make things tough.
1. Travel Mug
A good leak proof travel coffee mug is a must. Especially if you need coffee as much as I do. The model from Klean Kanteen offers a great Leakproof Cafe Cap 2.0. It’s also BPA free and has an easy to clean stainless steel interior. I found this works very well for biking and hiking and can keep things hot or cold for hours. If you want something cheaper the Eco2
is a great option as well.
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2. Portable Power
This one will depend a lot on what you need to carry and whether your cell phone can make it through a full day. I use the PNY 10400 power bank which is quite heavy. I would probably look for something light unless you need that much power to get through the day. If you want something cheaper or light check out the Ravpower stick
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3. A Toothbrush
This is a great thing to have even if you brush your teeth before you leave. You never know when you will want to brush your teeth.
[4. Snacks
This can be a difficult one. The easiest things to carry tend to be dry snacks, but sometimes when you get dehydrated, this is the last thing you would want. I like to carry a back of Belvita Breakfast Biscuits with me because they will keep you full for a long time. I also like granola bars and almost always have one of those in my bag.
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It can also be nice to have some powdered drinks on hand in case you get thirsty but are in the mood for something refreshing other than water. I am a big fan of Propel Packets, and they take up almost no space in your bag.
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5. Instant Coffee Tubes
I am a big fan of instant coffee tubes for my afternoon cup of coffee. My favorite one is Tasters Choice Hazelnut, but I also like Starbuck’s Via Latte. The biggest problem here is finding a source of hot water. What I used to do was carry ceramic mug to heat some water in a microwave and put it in my travel mug, since you can’t microwave stainless steel, but this was heavy. Now I have access to a hot water dispenser so it no longer an issue.
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6. Good Backpack to carry it all in
The one I use is from High Sierra. At times I wish it were a little bit more compact, but it works well for the most part. It’s nice because I can fit everything I need in it and it keeps everything organized.
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