Back when I worked HVAC in the 90’s I carried a army green flight line bag. I built it over 10 years using several philosophies.
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You can’t carry everything, and less is more.
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Carry what you need to diagnose 90-95% of issues you expect to run into.
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Carry what you need to fix 40-80% of problems. (depends on field and variety of tools needed), if you did 2# correctly you should know exactly what you need to go get to finish the job.
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evaluate everything based on cost to carry and possibility of use. Example I carried couple dozen crimp connectors. I didn’t need then often, BUT they also cost nothing to carry with no weight and fitting in a tiny side pocket.
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Is that sleeping position really so bad as long as you’re relaxed and not stressing anything?
It’s pretty bad for your neck. You can alleviate that by putting your pillows such that you dont have to turn your head to breathe.
If it hurts, stop doing it. Otherwise its fine
I’ve slept on my stomach for as long as I can remember, and have never had any neck problems. That’s just me though, don’t want to say it’s fine for everyone.
Maybe someone from the ultralight, EDC, or onebag communities may have some insight on lightening that tech bag. Heck, I’d even take a stab at it if you post contents somewhere and let me know.
It’s actually all work stuff.
I carry a Milwaukee hard bottom tool backpack. This is just going off memory.
Contents: Laptop Logitech Anywhere 3 Pro mouse iPad (never use, but it fits in the fishtape pocket) Klein Scout Pro Jr 3 Klein RJ45/RJ11 crimps Klein RJ45 pass through crimps Klein punch down tool with 110-block and 66-block cut, and 66-block no cut blade Milwaukee 5 in 1 long shaft screwdriver Milwaukee #1 Phillips Milwaukee 3/16 flat head Milwaukee 5/32 flat head Klein 5-in one socket screwdriver Klein Gravity Snips Klein 24 to 16 gauge strippers (rarely used since I’ve got my snips, but they have a crimped on the back) Klein crimper Klein lineman’s pliers Klein digital clamp multimeter with spare set of alligator clip leads Fluke tone and probe set with voltage filter, and a busted ass wand, plus RJ45 network filter Fluke banjo for RJ45/RJ11 Small box with dividers with beanies, bell caps, and waterproof b-caps
3-4 3’ patch cables 7’ Patch cable 25’ Patch cable Serial cable with a couple brand specific connectors HDMI cable HDMI to DP adapter VGA cable AUX cable USB A to B cable USB C cable USB micro cable USB mini cable Various USB drives Pens Milwaukee Markzall markers
Not even all my tools. Just what I keep on me at all times. The rest stays in my truck.
I’ve got a separate tool bag with my less used hand tools, small drills, tape measure, bits, security screwdrivers, etc. plus Packouts with the bigger tools I use even less frequently like band saw, sawzall, hammer drill, plus hardware I might need like screws or connectors. A ladder, 100’ fishtape, push rods, flex bit, various crap I “might” need… a dolly, etc.
Ironically I’m not even in the field much anymore, but every time I ditch stuff I end up regretting not having it on me cause I’ll go check on a shit or have to go fix something and I just prefer to be over prepared than under prepared. Hell I’ve even got a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit (has been useful), tow cables, straps, a travel pillow, travel blanket, hand warmers, a small with waters… Shit my middle console is a medicine cabinet with aspirin, bandaids, floss, a travel toothbrush, various charging cables. Probably a bunch in forgetting. Coozies in my glove compartment cause bottles rattle in my cup holders… lol
Guess I misunderstood [tech bag] as something else. Might be going more in depth than you even planned so take my spiel with a grain of salt. If it’s work stuff that’s a bit harder but you could try separating some of that stuff out into a secondary bag. Sounds like you’ve thought pretty hard about ditching certain things, I’d just encourage continuing to assess, maybe even making an inventory of your stuff and recording how much you use each item in a certain period of time. Consider within your budget what you could replace for lighter/smaller options, ex I used to EDC a full size multitool until I realized a small one gives me most of what I need daily and only carry the big one during certain work days. Hopefully some of that helped.
My pocket EDC is a Milwaukee box cutter with a fold out screwdriver (Phillips and flat head reversible bit) and it serves me well. Used to just carry a box cutter but so many times I’d need a screwdriver and not have one physically on me
Get the tirant ultra instead of Milwaukee box cutter, save some weight
Doesn’t appear to have a screwdriver on it
Didn’t realize the Milwaukee box cutter had a screwdriver. Hmmm maybe the roxon multitool although it doesn’t have titanium
I traded my standard Milwaukee box cutter for a new one they put out that has a fold out screwdriver and bottle opener. It’s very useful. Definitely don’t regret buying it
You need to strengthen your core to avoid back pain.
I injured my back 6 months ago with bad form and core exercises and stretching have helped it heal. You also have to remember to engage your core for it to support your back. Still, I have to be vigilant not to flair it back up. Knee and lower back injuries can take years and years to finish healing and they never heal completely.
Not just that
Shoulders and neck too
And of course, a good posture to keep it from getting worse
I keep saying I need to get back into the gym… I should really get back into the gym.
Who needs a gym? Just put your bag on and do squats. Deadlift a 2U server. Improvise.
You might be on to something.
Pulling cable, no joke, was a great forearm workout.
Give resistance bands a try
No, they have abysmal bandwidth!
The ones for your legs are pretty wide
Squats and back extensions are the golden combination against back problems caused by desk jobs.
Agree! I got a yoga mat and that was the key for me to start exercising. Even a quick workout is better than no workout.
do like sumo does. do SHIKO!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLvHesbDZUQ&t=30s
you don’t need a gym for core strength
literally do pull-ups with bicycle kicks. if you also rotate the bicycle kicks so your legs so to the left or right side of you it’ll increase the amount of energy you’re using giving better results.
it’s hard… but gets easier. strength>bigger muscles.
example video - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gR1vUVuKyxA
Don’t forget to make Liu Kang noises while you do it.
There’s always the classic sit-ups/crunches. And bridges will work your legs a bit too.
I found this really helpful, and you can do it at home.
https://media.ccc.de/v/gpn20-90-rckengesundheit-fr-nerds
The lecture is in German, but you can still see the exercises.
I have a little incline bench and some adjustable dumbbells, that and my body weight (on a yoga mat for dead bugs and glute bridges) have been getting me in shape. You can do a lot of exercises with just that small investment and space commitment. Definitely do the core and back workouts you need (I used to have chronic upper back pain too).
My posture, my backpack
Lick my workout and my core
pretty sure people get kicked out of the gym for licking the workout
Magnesium glycinate helped me with my back pain, can’t take it every day but intermittently it works for me, take for 2 days and pause 1-3 days or longer until i notice my back is kinda stiff and also helps me sleep especially when i have to switch from night shift
Also stretching. Or yoga, but stretching is easy.
Literally the thing that is best for all this shit is just stretching your muscles. I stretch every night before I sleep and I’m over 40, not feeling weird back pain that late 20 years olds complain about.
People act like you hit a certain age and your whole body starts to ache and you sleep worse. No, that’s the sum of bad choices. Shit, I made bad choices but then I made good ones and now I’m fine.
