How I Pack Small with NTS Video Director Nam Tran
Packing can be a challenge. It’s often hard to anticipate everything you will need – or simply want – while away from home. After all, even the most iron-clad of itineraries are subject to change. Some approach this chaos with the mindset of more-is-more (aka checking an overweight large bag), while others have honed the art of the carry-on. One such carry-on artist is none other than Never Too Small’s very own Video Director Nam Tran.
Nam travels often enough, both to shoot NTS episodes and for fun. And when he does, he always (well, almost always) opts for a carry-on. These days Nam’s bag of choice – or “the goldilocks bag” as he put it – is the 30L Bellroy Lite Travel Pack. Durable and padded enough to protect his camera gear and lightweight enough to double as a day pack, the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack has replaced the hiking bags and shopping totes that Nam used while in search of the perfect solution. Weighing in at only 950g, the bag with many pockets has a spot for just enough to get Nam through his travels without cutting into his precious allotted weight limits for the plane.
We had a chat with the carry-on artist himself to learn more about his travel habits and secure the complete and coveted list of everything he packs.
Never Too Small: How often do you travel?
Nam Tran: It really depends on the shoots we have. I’d say every 2 months or so. In the past few months I've gone to Sydney twice, Gold Coast, and now Japan. Next year, I’ll be heading to Europe to film a few Never Too Small episodes – stay tuned.
What’s the longest trip you’ve ever done with a carry on?
I’d say about 10 days. It was in the spring time so I didn't really need to bring any bulky warm clothes. T-shirts and shorts take up hardly any space. If I’m travelling for more than three or four days, I typically book an Airbnb with a washing machine. Dryers are a bonus.
Do you always go carry-on no matter what?
For short trips, I definitely do my best to. But sometimes, I have to carry bulkier gear like a drone. In which case I might have to check a small suitcase. When I do have to check in a suitcase, I take the opposite approach and try to cram as much stuff into the checked suitcase as I can so that my carry-on backpack is super light.
How do you feel about travelling with people who have checked luggage?
That's tricky, most people don't mind checking in their bags. So if we’re travelling together, I still have to wait around at the carousel for theirs. At least there aren’t two sets of luggage to wait for.
Does your Bellroy double as a daypack once you arrive?
Yeah, for sure. I chose the 30L Bellroy pack just so I could use it as a daypack too. I just take my clothes, toiletries and camera kit out and leave them in the hotel. If I end up buying something I just chuck it in the tote bag that I pack.
Have you ever arrived somewhere and felt you totally missed the mark in what you packed?
YES! But I've gotten better at packing over the years. For a 30L bag you basically have 30 units to play around with. A large camera kit can take up 20 units which doesn't leave you much for the rest of your stuff. I used to get the ratios all wrong and would prioritise my camera units and not have enough space for a jacket, etc. Over time, I started to notice that I didn't use some of the gear in the camera kit. So that freed up some extra units for a jacket, a small towel, or something else useful.
One pair of shoes is impressive! What is your go-to pair and why?
For a while my go-to shoes were all-black adidas Ultraboosts – they are comfy and the black helps them to blend in if I have to go somewhere a couple of notches above casual that requires a button-up shirt. Recently, thanks to COVID and the rise of sneaker culture, you can get away with wearing sneakers anywhere and everywhere (which works for me because an extra pair of shoes would take up half of my bag units!).
You mentioned that you enjoy picking up a clothing item or two while at your destination. Are these typically things you couldn’t get at home?
Actually, quite the opposite. I don't bother buying basic shirts, socks, pants etc when I'm at home. I just save all that for when I travel. Sometimes I even bring my old socks (and occasionally underwear haha) with holes in them, buy brand new sets, and throw the old ones out. Saves doing laundry on the trip and then I have new sets for home. As a bonus, when I'm in Japan, the items are typically things I can't get at home, or are a size that fits me better.
Do you have a particular favourite item that you’ve bought?
I can be boring and say my iPhone but I think for most of the year, the Uniqlo Ultralight down jacket is the hero. It's so small and can be worn in so many ways. Plus, it’s “puffy”, so I can use it to wrap my camera or lenses during shoots.
Favourite place to travel?
I lived in Fukui for 5+ years. It's a small town in Japan about 4 hours west of Tokyo by train. It has mountains, beaches, great food, and a real friendly town vibe. I make an effort to visit it every time I'm in Japan.
What are your top Fukui recommendations?
Need to eat “sauce Katsu”. Juicy battered pork drizzled with a sweet glaze served over rice.Wash it down with Kokuryu Sake, a 200+ year old brewery that's still on top of its game today. And end the night at a quirky local bar called “Flat Kitchen” where the owner, Aki, is part chef, part barista, part comedian, and an all round nice dude.
Nam’s Complete Packing List:
- Camera kit – for filming NTS episodes
- Lumix S5IIX – I shoot in 6k open gate for maximum flexibility
- Laowa 12mm f2.8 lens – allows me to capture really small spaces
- Rode Wireless Pro – recent buy, had the previous version which required 3 cables to charge everything, now i can just use 1 cable
- Zeiss 50mm f1.4 lens
- 2x Smallrig VB50 Vmount batteries
- Batteries and charger
- H&Y Variable ND/CPL Filter
- Air blower
- Anker GaNPrime USB adapter & USB C Cable – This charges everything and also powers the Lumix S5IIX when im filming the interview section of the episode. I also use this to charge my Macbook Pro
- Bellroy Travel Wallet – for passport, cash and cards
- Airpods Pro – has noise cancelling, which is great on flights
- Airtag
- Macbook Pro 14” M1 Max – love this Mac, it's small, but has all the power for me to edit 6k files on the go
- Ricoh GR3X – point and shoot photo camera
- Uniqlo Ultra Light Down jacket – I’ve had this for almost 10 years. It has lost some of its down filling, but I usually wear another shirt or jacket over the top so you can notice it at all
- Zip lock of toiletries – I prefer a zip lock to one of those toiletry pouches because it’s small, light and clear. I can see everything even when it's closed too
- Small towels – sometimes public toilets don't have paper towels or a hand dryer and I hate walking out with wet hands
- Snacks – a must have! Sometimes I don't have time to have a proper breakfast before a shoot. Or I don't have time to go out for lunch, so it helps me get through the day. Also great for short domestic flights that don’t come with a meal
- A couple of T-shirts – I like shopping for clothes when I travel so I always end up buying more clothes. So I only need a couple for the first few days of travelling
- Socks and underwear – I pack enough for each day I'm travelling, but if it’s an extended stay, I only bring a maximum of 4 pairs of each. I always look for Airbnb’s that have a washing machine, and even better, a dryer
- A button-up shirt – Every now and then, I get invited to an event or opening night so a button-up shirt helps me to not stick out as much. It also is another layer of clothing in case it gets cold
- North Face shell jacket – Small, light so barely takes up any space. Also waterproof and windproof
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