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Back in April 2014 I emptied my backpack on the floor, took a photo and called it Daily Essentials Spring Edition. Twelve years later, Daily Essentials becomes a series. The first new edition comes straight from two weeks in Mauritius, October 3 to 16, 2026. Same idea as back then: everything that lives in my bag and goes wherever I go, laid out on one table.
Quick look back for context. In 2014 the list had a Gravis backpack, a Samsung S3, a Vaio ultrabook, an iPod with nothing newer than 1996 on it, Sido Superstarz headphones, a copy of Juice magazine and a New Era Dodgers cap. Some things changed. The habit stayed.
The Mauritius Edition: What's in My Backpack
AirPods Pro
My everyday earbuds for the plane, the beach and every beat I check on the go. Mine sit in a case shaped like a blue and white Air Jordan 1 with a tiny Nike shoebox attached, so even the earbuds wear sneakers.
Focal Listen Professional
The big black hard case on the right holds my Focal Listen Professional, closed-back studio headphones from the French brand Focal. The AirPods are for quick listening. The Focals are for real sessions, when I want to hear what a kick and a bassline actually do in a mix. Closed-back also means they keep the plane noise outside and the music inside on a long flight.
Focal Listen Professional on Amazon*
YETI Rambler Bottle with Chug Cap
The heaviest thing in the bag and the one I use the most. The YETI Rambler keeps water cold for hours, and the Chug Cap lets you drink fast with one hand. On a tropical island in October, that bottle earned its spot every single day.
YETI Rambler with Chug Cap on Amazon*
iPad
The iPad took over from the iPod of 2014 and then some. Reading, notes for beats, quick drafts, films on the flight. The sticker on the back gives it a bit of character.
UE Boom
A speaker belongs in the bag of anyone who makes beats. The UE Boom is a solid cylinder that plays loud enough for a balcony or a beach. Boom bap sounds right with a little bass under it.
Lee Child – Zeit der Rache (Jack Reacher)
In 2014 my reading was Juice magazine. This time it was a German paperback of Lee Child's Zeit der Rache, the fourth Jack Reacher novel, published in English as The Visitor. A paperback is the perfect holiday read: it needs no charger, and sand and sunscreen only add character.
Zeit der Rache: Ein Jack-Reacher-Roman on Amazon*
Swiss Army Knife
The classic red pocket knife. Opening bottles, cutting fruit, fixing small stuff. One practical tip for travel: a knife belongs in your checked luggage, airport security takes it out of your carry-on.
Jordan Toiletry Bag
The black Jordan toiletry bag in the corner has the elephant print on the side panels, the pattern that first showed up on the Air Jordan 3 in 1988. Everyday object, sneaker history stitched on. That is pretty much the whole idea of this blog in one bag.
The "I Have the Power!" Bank
My power bank has a He-Man sticker on it, sword raised high, so its name was obvious. Every kid who grew up with Masters of the Universe in the eighties knows the line. Tip in the other direction: power banks go in your carry-on and stay out of checked luggage.
Cable Box
A small copper-colored hard case that looks like a mini suitcase and keeps every charging cable in one place. Since I started using it, I stopped digging through the whole backpack for a USB-C cable.
Ray-Ban Bill and Ray-Ban Wayfarer
Two Ray-Ban cases, two pairs. The Wayfarer is the classic that has been around since the fifties. The Bill is a Ray-Ban model from 1985 that came back in 2021, a chunky acetate take on the Aviator. On an island with this much sun, I switched between them depending on the day. Together they replaced the Quiksilver shades from the 2014 edition.
widontplay Stickers
A small bag of pink widontplay stickers always rides along. Some of them stayed on the island.
Not in the Photo: MacBook Pro
One essential missed the shot. My MacBook Pro came along to Mauritius too, it just was not on the table when I took the picture. It is the successor of the Vaio ultrabook from the 2014 list and the machine for everything that needs more than a tablet.
Next Edition
Daily Essentials is back as a series. The next edition follows when the bag changes again, whether that is a trip, a season or a new piece of gear that earns its spot. If you want to see what is in your favorite producer's bag, or you want to show me yours, hit me up on Instagram at @widontplay_.
Affiliate links in this post are marked with *. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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