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Field notesFebruary 20266 min read

An advisor's packing list

The eleven things we travel with, after twenty years on the road.

I

Isaac

IC Vacation · Advisor

After years on the road, what you carry shrinks. Not because you need less, but because you learn what actually gets used. Here are eleven things that travel with us every time.

The list

A hard-sided carry-on with four-wheel spin. One cashmere layer that works on the plane and at dinner. Noise-cancelling headphones — non-negotiable on any flight over four hours. A universal adapter with USB-C. A flat leather pouch for documents. One good pen. A physical notebook. Compression cubes — three, always. A reusable water bottle with a filter. A pocket torch. And a doorstop — the single most underrated hotel-room accessory in existence.

What you carry shrinks. Not because you need less, but because you learn what actually gets used.

The philosophy

Pack for the trip, not for possibility. If you have not worn it on the last three trips, it does not come. If you are deciding between two options, take the one that works at both the airport and the restaurant. Versatility beats quantity, always.

The best trip is the one where you never think about what you packed.

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