This Is All I Took for a 3-Day Trip to Belgium

3 Days, One Bag, Real Travel Gear

Author

Johannes GearUpYourLife
February 17, 2026

Hey, Johannes from GearUpYourLife here… 👋

Today I wanted to take you with me and show you what I personally pack when I travel away for three days over Valentine’s weekend, because my girlfriend and I are heading to Ghent in Belgium, a city I’ve actually never visited before.

And now that we’re finally switching the content style and I’m able to film with a clean, proper camera, it also allows me to talk more about these real travel moments and setups from now on.

Before we jump in, one quick note:
You can either tap the main images to see the full packing list in one place,
or click on the blue-highlighted products throughout this email if you want to explore a specific item in more detail.

And one more thing… I want to apologize again that the first fully filmed video is taking a bit longer than usual.
But it will definitely be worth it, and it will finally be live on Thursday.

But for now, let’s start with the exact setup I usually bring for a short weekend escape.

Bag And Core Packing Setup.

For short trips like this, I usually stick to just two options:
either a simple backpack or a foldable daypack like the black Tortuga you see in the center.
It holds 19 liters, folds down easily, and stands out mainly because of its quality and carrying comfort.

Next to it are two packing cubes in size M.
The green one from Thule is probably my personal favorite thanks to its extra compression feature,
while the gray Level8 cube is the one I mainly use for underwear.

Above those, you’ll see the Tomtoc tech pouch with all my tech essentials for the trip,
and right beside it my current favorite hanging toiletry bag from Tripped 
part of a 3-in-1 set, though for this weekend I’m only using the hanging version.

And finally, one item that doesn’t go inside the backpack but gets clipped to the outside:
the TRTL neck pillow.
Since we’ll spend about four hours on the train and it doesn’t take up any space thanks to the clip,
I really like bringing it along for trips like this.

Tech Setup

Since I’m still writing and working a bit while traveling, I’m taking my MacBook together with the Satechi 7-in-1 On-the-Go hub.
You can also see the Anker Nano power bank, which I almost always bring for city trips.

On the left side is the Anker 3-in-1 charging cable, not only one of your absolute favorites, but also a real essential for me.
Right next to it is a simple black Tile tracker that I just keep inside the daypack (and I actually have another one attached to my keys).

You’ll also notice the Epicka universal travel adapter.
I’m mainly bringing it because Ghent is relatively close to the UK, and the last time I stayed in Calais, France, my hotel unexpectedly only had UK sockets — so this time I’m playing it safe.

Not visible in the photo are the Anker Nano wall charger and the ESR 3-in-1 charger, which I unfortunately didn’t have in the shot but will still bring with me.

Clothing And Wearables

Since this is only a two-day trip but the weather is still incredibly cold, I keep things simple.
Inside the Level8 packing cube, I packed a second pair of Merino.tech socks and two regular black underwear pieces… nothing special, just the basics.

In the Thule packing cube, there’s a full set of Merino.tech thermal base layers (pants and long sleeve) plus a regular Merino T-shirt for layering.

You can also see the black Outdoor Research rain jacket, a simple black pair of jeans, and a gray sweater,which I won’t pack, because I’ll just wear them during the trip.

On top of that, I’m already wearing Merino socks and Unbound Merino underwear myself.
That one is definitely on the more expensive side, and honestly not necessary for most people .. for the majority, Merino.tech will do the job perfectly well.

My Toiletries Setup.

I keep this part very simple… although I’ve noticed my girlfriend usually brings a lot more, so maybe don’t use this as the perfect example 😅

Of course, we start with the absolute basics:
a simple toothbrush and toothpaste.
When I travel longer or need to save space, I usually transfer the toothpaste into a smaller container.

In addition to that, there’s a deodorant and a foldable comb (which you unfortunately can’t see in the photo).

On the right side, you’ll find the Gravel silicone bottles.
I filled them with shampoo for the three days, conditioner for my girlfriend,
and we’re also bringing an extra soap bar stored inside the Matador FlatPak soap case.

And that’s basically it.
The only things that would have been useful are a moisturizer and a lip balm 
but to be honest, I simply forgot to pack them this time.

My Favorite Category — The Extras.

This time I actually packed a bit less than usual, mainly because the AeroPress didn’t make the cut (a very hard decision 😅).

We start with the Fomin lemon soap sheets, which are always one of my go-to items for quickly cleaning my hands while exploring a city or sitting on a train.
Next to them is the HeroClip from Gear Aid, something I almost always carry to attach gear or keep my daypack away from dirty bathroom floors, such a simple but incredibly useful tool.

Of course, my Nanobag is also here.
For trips like this, it’s perfect whether it’s carrying water, soda, or spontaneous souvenir shopping.
I usually just put it in my pocket before leaving the apartment and forget about it until I need it.

You’ll also see two travel hangers, which are especially helpful for hanging up our jackets, particularly when they get wet.
Alongside the neck pillow, I’m also bringing my MZOO sleep mask, which I use almost every night at home and even more when traveling, especially on flights.

Then there are two very small essentials:
the Wuben G5 flashlight and the tiny Pillar Go container, which is so small you can barely see it.
Inside, I keep painkillers, something for nausea, and a small electrolyte sachet… just the basics for short trips.

And finally, for travel within the EU, I only bring the small ESR MagSafe wallet attached to my phone.
Since I usually carry just three cards ( my health insurance card, ID, and credit card —)this minimal setup is more than enough.

Alright guys, I really hope you enjoyed this edition.

I’d genuinely love to hear what you think about this format,
so if you have any ideas, feedback, or things you’d like to see improved,
feel free to just reply and let me know.

And since there wasn’t a new GearUpYourLife video on the main channel this week,
there is at least something even better:

And with that, I hope all of you had a great Valentine’s Day 
or a fun Carnival celebration, especially if you’re from regions like I am,
growing up close to Cologne.

Safe travels,
Johannes

PS:
If you haven’t seen the latest video on the main channel yet,
you can still catch up here: