Essential Travel Packing Tips

My packing philosophy informed by a life of adventure.
0:00 Always pack a bathing suit
0:35 The greatest adventurer I know
1:28 Leave room for presents
2:14 Begin packing when you know your departure date
3:07 A packing experiment from THE PAST
4:00 Pack a multi-outlet extension cord & rubber bands
4:33 One luxury item
4:47 A rule when traveling by plane
5:12 The complexities of adventure packing
6:09 Support for The Spirited Man
6:30 The heaviest I've ever packed
7:41 What I packed on the biggest adventure of my life
9:37 How packing impacts travel
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ABOUT VAN NEISTAT:
A pioneer in digital filmmaking, Van Neistat made his first internet video, The Holland Tunnel, in 2000. He went on to collaborate with New York City artist Tom Sachs, directing a series of short films shown at the Guggenheim Museum in Berlin. Van has since directed dozens more films for the Tom Sachs Studio. In 2010 HBO aired The Neistat Brothers, an 8-episode series of short videos made entirely by Van and his brother Casey Neistat. Van Neistat’s directorial debut feature, A SPACE PROGRAM, co-written by Tom Sachs, premiered at the 2015 South by Southwest Film Festival and opened in theaters nation-wide in spring, 2016. In 2018 Neistat Directed the short film Paradox Bullets, co-written with Tom Sachs, narrated by Werner Herzog, and starring Ed Rushca. Neistat has written and directed commercial projects for Nike, Hurley, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, J. Crew, Twitter, Sleepy Jones and Frances Valentine. His work has been exhibited in museums throughout the world. He lives in Topanga, California.
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#VanNeistat #TheSpiritedMan #Travel #Packing

[@hippygram]

For my grandson’s recent 21st birthday I gave him a “ready to go” bag. A quality leather duffel bag filled with basic travel items, from a bathing suit😂👍 tee shirts, sweats, phone charger to deodorant. Enough for an impromptu 4 day trip stateside. I also included a few AMEX prepaid cards. I told him to keep it packed so he would always be ready for unplanned opportunities for adventure. Thanks for another great vid😁

[@imnithinpaul05]

what an absolutely incredible gift!

[@cericj99]

I also added coins and canvas shoes for easy packing

[@ScottyCo]

What an awesome gift!

[@stephendeben1590]

That’s the best gift a young man could ever get.

[@seancollier3781]

fantastic gift idea

[@jonathandspike]

When I saw the explanation of Qui transtulit sustinet, I knew more than ever that I was watching a master storyteller. Introducing it earlier in the video when talking about Chloe but not explaining it at that time, and then returning to it naturally through another story was incredible. Thank you for this, Van.

[@ScottyCo]

I like how your B-roll is evolving more over time. Every piece of archival footage is backing up or providing a visual to help us see it better. Awesome stuff 👍

[@RerollingOnes]

Yeah, it's not just: "this man has opinions" it's "this man has experience, based on this specific moment, captured on film" - incredible!

[@Fads]

I love how you can take a seemingly trivial topic (like packing) and turn it into an entire story with important lessons throughout - cheers for this one Van

[@rustbeltpipes]

I have two quotes about adventure forever tattooed in my memory: "It's not an adventure until everything goes wrong"-Yvon Chouinard "When nothing is planned, anything can happen"- Casey Neistat

[@FreeTimeFeats]

Cutting off the exasperated explainiation of not having sails was such a genius clip cutting decision. The emotional response my brain encountered when finishing the sentence with your hand throwing and panic was truth

[@MarkReviews]

"Undaunted Courage" is a biography about Lewis and Clark, and I swear most of that book was about what they packed and the logistics of getting around with all their stuff. It was incredible.

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

I used to have what I called a "jump kit", it was a setup preloaded with toilitries for two people for two weeks. I never had to pack it, as it never got unpacked. It was a kit from LLBean that has a hanger on it so that you could put it on a hotel bathroom door hook, and when you unzipped it, all of the internal pockets were exposed, and you could use it from the kit with out ever putting things onto the hotel sink. My wife worked at the same company, and on occasion, we would travel together, the only addition was a second tooth brush.

[@NikonFM2n]

For me the best way to pack is to FIRST MAKE A LIST so that you can check off the items as you collect them. Keep the list so you can recheck everything back and not leave anything behind at your destination/s.

[@chrisd5133]

The point about leaving room for presents...the presents he showed from Chloe were small gifts that can be tucked away easily in light baggage. Many times that's all it takes, small, handmade gifts from local artisans at the destinations you visit. Small art pieces, crafts etc. Many times these are the most memorable gifts you display or cherish forever. I remember when I was young, on overseas family trips, my mother lugging back all these giant, heavy things, some whoihc of course broke in transit. Much of that stuff is gone. But I have so many little handmade pieces from my various travels.

[@Mark_1988_]

Love it, I think my biggest takeaway from traveling the world is that one's adventure is someone else's daily life almost always.

[@jaseylove]

That’s so true, and with your own newness of perspective from experiencing this for the first time there can be a real sense of awe and beauty in the mundane.

[@nisanavraham591]

The absolute level of storytelling in each of Van’s videos is mind blowing.

[@jeannine1991]

I traveled through 7 countries in Europe for a month. I only had an international carryon and small backpack, which included a a DSLR camera. Best decision I could have made.

[@paulhumphrey1449]

աǟռȶ ȶօ ƈօռʋɛʀȶ ʏօʊʀ քօɨռȶֆ ȶօ ƈǟֆɦ ǟռɖ ɖօ ʏօʊ ռɛɛɖ ȶɦɛ ɮɛֆȶ ƈօռʋɛʀֆɨօռ ʀǟȶɛ? ʟɛȶ ʍɛ ɦɛʟք ʏօʊ աɨȶɦ ֆʊƈɦ ֆɛʀʋɨƈɛֆ, ǟȶ ƈʀɛɖɨȶ ʀօʏǟʟ աɛ օʄʄɛʀ ȶɦɛ ɮɛֆȶ ƈʀɛɖɨȶ ֆɛʀʋɨƈɛֆ ǟռɖ ɢɨʋɛ ʏօʊ ȶɦɛ ɮɛֆȶ ʀǟȶɛֆ աɦɛռ ƈօռʋɛʀȶɨռɢ ʏօʊʀ քօɨռȶֆ ȶօ ƈǟֆɦ օʀ ʋɨƈɛ ʋɛʀֆǟ. ɨʄ ʏօʊ ʀɛզʊɨʀɛ ֆʊƈɦ ֆɛʀʋɨƈɛֆ ʝʊֆȶ ƈɦɛƈӄ ʍʏ ƈɦǟռռɛʟ ǟɮօʊȶ քǟɢɛ ǟռɖ ɢɛȶ ɨռ ȶօʊƈɦ ʀɨɢɦȶ ǟաǟʏ.

[@blaiseutube]

When he said "I think that kept me safe" A Liberty mutual ad came on and it was so perfect that I thought it was part of the video!

[@deepdirt]

5:50 you had a little Larry David tick going on there for a second haha

[@matthaze]

I live in the Caribbean. A bathing suit is my normal to-go wear every single day. Even if I'm not jumping in the water. I 100% agree with your statement.

[@calamitouscheese8031]

It's so inspiring seeing people like Van and his community--all motivated and extremely driven people. To work towards traveling and living globally, I have so much respect for. I see equally the banality and complacency in getting a job at home and sticking to it. It's comfortable, predicable, etc. I wish I could bridge that gap in my mind to really learn and grow.. I drove across the US last year, but I felt like I didn't really permeate anywhere I was going.. didn't know enough people along the way, didn't put myself out there enough (despite not paying for accommodations, finding cool things, etc.) I've realized it's all empty if you can't connect with strange lands. I guess I'm rambling because I know I could be doing equally cool things, even having the means to, but I heir on the side of observing for some reason.

[@97itachiuchiha]

Have you gone on any adventures since this comment?

[@calamitouscheese8031]

@@97itachiuchiha took a job out west, living outside and backpacking as a guide at a wilderness program

[@gingermany6223]

An alternative to a bathing suit is packing running shorts. These can be used as bathing shorts if needed.

[@liamstrain]

Packing for Spain now - and very happy to have come across this episode. Lots to think about - I especially appreciate the point about intentional packing, directing the way an adventure may unfold.

[@brian-esss]

A photography teacher gave me the extension cord advice years ago and now I just keep them in almost every piece of luggage at all times.

[@gavin3988]

This has got to be one of the most polished videos that you've made, editing = mastered, but something about how simple/straightforward your message is that keeps me watching

[@mythcrab6047]

Awesome rules. I always pack for a buffer to be able to comfortably exist for at least 25% longer than the trip. I also bump your 1/4 mile porter rule up to 5 miles as I greatly enjoy walking and biking while traveling whenever possible.

[@sirhenrystalwart8303]

"What you pack influences how the adventure unfolds" is such an amazing insight. A really simple thought but it feels very profound.

[@NooneStaar]

1. Always pack a bathing suit (Can double as pajamas, underwear, etc.) - Someone always invites you swimming. 2. Leave room for presents 3. Begin packing when you know your departure date - Packing is the second step of an adventure, "perfect packing" means you've used every item, and you've packed everything you need. 4. Pack a 3-outlet extension chord 5. Pack rubber bands #64 size 6. 1 Luxury item will begin the enjoyment phase of your adventure When traveling by plane: Don't pack more than you can carry all by yourself for a distance of 1/4-mile. Adventure packing is the most sophisticated packing. The captain keeps the needle and thread (in modern days passport) The manner by which you pack has an impact on how the trip will unfold

[@ShouldHaveKnownYT]

Watching this on a delayed flight after overpacking and having to throw away random t-shirts in the airport lol. Thank you for the sage advice.

[@Arecorrerelmundo]

We try to travel the most we can, and this the most real, experienced, and fun to watch travel-pack-videos I've ever seen.. I love your videos, makes me feel in the past, like good old memories! 🙌🏼

[@romanspataro1688]

thankful for every video, Van !

[@gadoosher]

Beautiful as always.

[@Fishbone1975]

Well said at the end! Just perfect!

[@hasnaingillani2587]

loved this video, love hearing people talk about travel

[@lowbudgetstunts3423]

I absolutely love your videos. So simple and to the point, yet so well put together. I also love how you put a timer on your ad. Its the little things! :D

[@dandreafinancial]

so many great ideas. Thanks Van

[@SearchofSnowboarding]

Wow, this video could not have been more timely for myself; leaving for a month long adventure in Spain in a few days. This got me ready, thank you Van.

[@n8works]

This is a classic. Personal, useful, insightful. Nice work Van.

[@therontan2463]

I love how you’re unpacking your thoughts.

[@Murdoc2080]

Just love this.

[@pickandstring]

So good Van!

[@kaymmimacedo1446]

great vid as always thank u spirited man

[@nickk4010]

What's hilarious is this seems like the polar opposite of how Casey packs for an adventure haha.

[@AlexCio]

Love the details

[@ck7642]

Terrific video! It was very moving.

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Awesome job van

[@wildwally6493]

One of the best storytelling creators on this platform. Love your videos man.

[@jimobrien919]

Genius! Your vids get better and better!

[@martinsatelier7865]

Always there's a reward in this videos. I love that.

[@Sadsoft]

I look forward every Saturday to see your approache

[@Torresknows]

Thanks, Van

[@zar187]

the OG Roof Top Tent!! your the man Van!!

[@rvsam4u]

Great Great video! Inspiring

[@Mephiston21]

Best video yet Van!

[@JudsonGraham]

this really couldn’t have come at a better time, Van. i’m leaving my current job in Florida to go pursue filmmaking and adventure in the western US while living full time in my van in 3 weeks.

[@anakinsand1192]

This is a great video, please keep making this style of video concerning all sorts of topics

[@plantedinpr886]

Your style of organization is inspiring to me. Thanks Van :-D

[@jrisner6535]

One of your best

[@kenjohnson1028]

‘Always have a bathing suit’ is a legit life motto for me. I always have one in my car at all times.

[@themoelman]

struggle builds character... that which does not kill you can make you stronger :)

[@damiangonzalez7876]

I'm so happy to see your videos, somehow I've felt cool but weird because I would be "that guy", I've kept this weirdness hidden but now I truly started working on that, called artistic side call it being functional, call it whatever, you instead are yourself but you took it to the real level, on everything you do you continue to be yourself and that makes strange things become cool or very interesting.

[@ZennyB]

These videos are so great

[@youngnope4664]

In the Colin and Samir video you were in, they mentioned you being particular about everything. Can you do a video on the things you're very particular about and the things where anything is okay?

[@kalkkunaglu9517]

”And i could talk about hours about packing philosophy” just fell in love Haha

[@flyingdinosaur8871]

Great story

[@HunterMann]

Always brilliant, always dissent. Great video Van. Back when I lived in Berkeley I are used to shop at a great travel store that have travel books travel clothing luggage and such. They had a couple of free evening seminars on “how to pack for around the world trip“ it was cool because it was mostly about doing your world trip with two pieces of luggage one is a rolling case that will fit in the overhead the other is a smaller bag with your personal items camera and stuff that will fit under the airplane seat. This is the key to successful travel, you will never be checking your luggage so your luggage doesn’t get separated from you or lost or delayed.. One of the seminars was on how to pack your clothing. The number one rule was do not bring denim jeans no matter how tempting it is. They took up too much space in your luggage, they are heavy and such. They also taught us to roll all of our T-shirts which they take up less room than having them all folded flat, I look forward to someday by the Spirit of Man a pot of tea to chat for a while about travel. I’ve learned a lot from the videos and I think he could learn a few things from me, I want to travel with a big circus and Work tomorrow on a lot of movie and TV productions where I was given very short notice to go on the road for two weeks to two months at a time. You learn to Pack quickly and pack what you need. Packing for a movie shoot during the summer months when you’re working six or seven days a week you can’t afford the luxury of doing laundry or even going shopping for new clothes, so you pack a big duffel bag with 20 pairs of shorts and 40 T-shirts. The beauty of being on a film crew is it your behind the camera not in front of it so there is no dress code you dress for comfort address for utility great! Thanks again for such a great video, informative, entertaining, enlightening and not pushy, that’s so rare on KZbin thank you thank you thank you

[@markykaem2033]

Ur content is amazing

[@bullcrapptv]

I like this. Might need to download it and keep it with me.

[@Havenotats]

You are so very interesting Van, I learn from every video you post.

[@ACoustaDC]

Thoughtful.

[@ryanm4319]

We have so much in common, mainly that the Toyota always requires the most “packing” that isn’t technically packing. Spirited mechanical maintenance always makes for the best spirited adventures.

[@johnwashington5065]

I'm still here always great videos Van

[@chancekaufman8378]

i needed this..bouta go from california to atlanta

[@piter97hjap]

You're 200% correct about the truck

[@gloriagaribay8679]

💯my mother always said, “pack what u can carry”🎩🧸🎀💝

[@janyang]

I would LOVE te see a video about mastering adventures. Becoming a Master Adventurer!

[@machina_aeterna]

Greatness.

[@Duffinc]

Cool video, that was interesting

[@TheMaxg85]

I love the way you make videos Van. So informative and useful, as well as being super creative and resourceful, and also hilarious. To be honest, after binge watching your videos, I feel like I am quite similar to you in terms of the thinking in pictures especially, I just ordered the book by Temple. Also being somewhat creative and struggling with my demons. I can totally relate to the things that annoy you, as well as the things that make you happy and satisfied. It is very refreshing. I hope yoiu read this, I just wanted to say you are an inspiration to me man. Watching Caseys work initially, I can see where your brother learnt his skills as a film maker. Anyway, babbling on. Cheers Van.

[@simiyuhuchora955]

Kazi safi!

[@jghulzenga]

Now thats some good preachin'!

[@hutchinsonpatrick]

masterful, really - making art out of full-blown transit prep madness

[@mcmaschio]

Thanks Van for these uploads … not only are they so amazingly produced but teach me so much about creating videos 💯🔥

[@MehmetKoseDev]

Wow thats what i call quality content

[@Nooticus]

What an exceptional video. You can even make a video about packing so fucking inspiring. Legend.

[@pjbrewer56]

Nothing like being prepared or having the right tools for the job. Reminds me of having a flat on my mountain bike 20 miles from the nearest road.

[@dustyoldhat]

I'd love to see Van go on a long distance backpacking trip like the PCT or AT

[@teddgram]

So much of this video has unfolded in my own travels. I used to travel a lot for work. You learn pretty quickly to learn a routine : At the end of the trip, pull everything out of your bag(s) and go through every item. Did you need that? No, leave that at home next time. Did you use that? Cool, remember that for next time. Did you use that or need that but couldn't find it when you needed it? Then put in somewhere you can get to it quickly next time. Was there something you did need, but didn't have? Get that thing and put it in your list of things to bring next time. Learn to pack as densely as possible. Empty space is the enemy. Learning to pack densely also helps you to get the size of the bag/suitcase/whatever down to a small size making it more manageable. For airport travel, find the biggest carry-on suitcase you can get that has wheels. If you have so much stuff that you can't fit it all into that carry-on suitcase (one carry-on suitcase is the goal), get another carry-on suitcase. Don't bother with that suitcase you can hide a dead body in. When you get to the car rental and they give you the tiniest car in planet earth because that's all they had left, you'll figure out that the giant suitcase won't even fit into the opening of the trunk, let alone IN the trunk. Learned this the hard way. I could barely get the suitcase into the back seat of that car. Taking 2 carry-on suitcases instead of one large one can help you in another way, especially if you are bringing heavy items - if one of the bags is too heavy (meaning you are about to get hit with a heavy baggage fee), you might be able to re-distribute the weight between 2 bags to get them both below the heavy baggage weight. Also, if the plan is to check one of the bags and carry on the other, and you get to the airport and forget that you have something that you need to check in or lose it to the TSA (pocket knife, etc), you can stick it into the checked bag. Your motorcycle trip reminds me of my bike packing/bike touring trips. You are right - adventure packing is complicated. I've had to learn to start weighing everything. Weight on adventure trips has a physical strain "cost". The "value" of that item when having to carry it all becomes very important. If I can find a lighter version of something, I bring that thing instead. Same routine at the end of the trip though - go through everything, weed out the fluff.

[@mehmetkose1753]

oh, I exactly sat this on these rocks in my Berlin trip last summer 3:20

[@CarlosCorso1962]

This is one of the greatest POS I had the opportunity to watch

[@Kxji]

I can pack a whole week of clothing on a weekender bag, and usually when my gf wants to pack I'm the one who does it.

[@dylansousa5571]

Good video

[@pgn666]

TW200 is such a cool motorcycle :)

[@FeetSmellGreat]

I literally just got back from vacation. Couldn't upload this video like 4 says ago? Lol great video van

[@bluehondaccord]

Have a great weekend Van.

[@brettprice]

It's true. How what you pack can change the course of your adventure.

[@thebfroom4244]

Nice

[@greggoldman893]

Bring a towel!!! I never imagined a sock system previously, but…

[@markjamesgoddard2247]

Dude.. where does one pick up a pair of those spectacles. Brilliant channel by the way..👌🎸Benjiboy 🤛

[@hattiejohnson218]

zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance personified

[@nesbetty]

Always pack a multi-tool, duct tape and cable ties. You never know when you might need it.

[@NoName-iv3ec]

just tetris'd the equivalent of my mom's 700sqFt apartment in a 2002 nissan pathfinder ~1750 miles, fortunately didn't have to use a single tool i had brought. the most important part of traveling is always leaving space for presents and keepsakes. i always wind up leaving things i brought from home with people i meet or know and exchange space that way.

[@anthonydauer]

Take a trip just too learn another culture’s process. How they live. Plan to go to a grocery store at least once wherever you travel. Anthony Bourdain recommended going somewhere and staying. Our first trip to Jakarta we did this. Our second trip we had an itinerary for Bali, Yogyakarta, and wrapped up in Jakarta. It was great, but we didn’t really experience Indonesia. We just saw some sights. It was a little too close to National Lampoon’s Vacation and visiting the Grand Canyon.

[@gigidodson]

I have traveled a fair bit and the 1 packing tip i have is know what you require to be comfortable. I pack heavy, i pay for the extra bag in airports. Simply because I know from experience what i need to be comfortable for 3 months on the road in professional settings. That doesnt fit in a 50 pound weight limit.