What should be in your bag

Short answer: A pair of socks, a set of underwear and a thin t-shirt. Three things in a small pouch, and they cover most mishaps on an ordinary day. Swap the contents every two or three months so they suit the season.

Why these three

They are the garments that get wet or dirty first, and they cannot dry on you during the day. Everything else you can get through a day with. A pair of dry socks and clean underwear make a wet or difficult day far more comfortable, and a thin t-shirt takes care of the rest.

The pouch

Use a small fabric pouch that closes rather than a plastic bag. Fabric lets air in, so the contents do not smell stale from lying there for months. Put the three things in the pouch and leave it at the bottom of the bag so it is always with you. See bamboo underwear for men.

Socks

An extra pair of socks is what you will need most often, because feet get wet from rain, sweat or puddles. Dry socks make a big difference to comfort, and they take up almost no room in the bag. Choose a pair thin enough to roll up. See bamboo socks for men.

Underwear

A set of clean underwear is the rescue if the day runs longer than planned or something goes wrong. It takes little space, and it copes with an overnight stay, a sports day or a wet trip home. Put it in the pouch as the bottom layer, so you know where it is without rummaging.

The t-shirt

A thin t-shirt is light and quick to pack, and it can take over if you have got sweaty or wet. Choose one that takes up little room and goes with everything. It can also be a middle layer on a cold day. See bamboo t-shirts for men.

The swap

Swap the contents every two or three months so they suit the season. A thin t-shirt in January does not help much if you get soaked. Choose something warmer in winter and something lighter in summer. Also check that the pouch is still dry and has not picked up a smell.

Why not trousers too

Trousers take up too much room compared with how seldom they get wet. If you worry about wet legs, a rain jacket or a pair of light rain trousers is a better solution. The pouch should be small enough that you never leave it at home because it takes up too much room.

How much room it takes

The whole thing is a roll about the size of a fist. Roll the items tightly and place them in the pouch so you barely notice it in the bag. The smaller it is, the more likely it is that the pouch stays in the bag every day, and that you have it when trouble strikes.

A simple rule of thumb

Three things in a small fabric pouch: socks, underwear and a thin t-shirt. Swap the contents with the season and leave the pouch in the bag. If you carry it every day, you have a small insurance against most everyday mishaps. It is a small habit that costs almost nothing and that you seldom regret.