What's in your boxing bag?

 

This is always an interesting conversation - what is in your 'boxing bag? 

ESSENTIALS:

lightweight pack/bag

logbook (I like Moleskine for the thick pages)

signature stamp(s)

ink, markers, pens

gloves, preferably dark

clues

FIRST AID:

for letterboxes: various sizes of zip bags, small logbooks, felt pieces

for people: bandaids, etc.

NICE TO HAVE:

a rag and water mister for stamp cleanup

small portable surface for stamping in wet/mucky conditions

digging tool, such as small trowel or spoon

compass (I use my cell phone)

personal traveler stamp (in case you meet another boxer on the trail!)

To carry the amount of ink I want to carry, I fashioned my own box. I have used a modified fishing-fly box in the past, but this time around, I found this:

found at Walmart

After ditchin' the gun cleaning stuff, I added a sticky-backed thin craft foam to the inside, and added divider made from lightweight craft wood glued in place.

It can hold 9 of the Archival Ink mini pads, or 12 Distress Ink mini pads. 

I use the Archival on the trail, and I am thinking the Distress may be better 

for events or inside gathers where waterproof isn't as much of an issue.

I especially like the lid as a place to set stuff while stamping in - 

because it is curved, stuff won't roll or slide away. 

Especially nice when inking up in the car.

I also like to add a piece of felt over the ink pads to muffle any noise, and it doubles as an ink rag in a pinch. Happily, this box also holds a stick pen - how convenient! On the trail I am all about convenience and getting stamped in and out before anyone notices what is happening. 

As a side note: I was using the ink tin storage boxes that are designed to hold these mini ink pads, and I loved the look of them. But, they are not as sturdy as I would like. I also had to sacrifice carrying one of the ink pads to accommodate my sig-stamps, plus there was no room for a pen. Moreover, with how I shove my stuff into my pack when out on the trail, I didn't think the tin would hold up as well as a harder plastic. Since the tin boxes don't have a secure closing mechanism, I was afraid the ink pads would end up riding in the bottom of my bag, perhaps without their lids.

Now, about that portable stamping surface - I learned quite quickly that I didn't like to set my logbook down onto the wet or mucky ground to stamp in, and that I wasn't very good at squatting down and balancing my logbook on my knee while juggling ink, etc. So, I took a cheap cutting board, cut it in half so it could fold into the size of my logbook, and glued craft foam on one side. It is not pretty, but has been indispensable, and has lasted from my early boxing days.

the plastic side goes on the wet trail,
the green side protects my logbook,
and is rigid enough to be a stamping surface

One last note about the boxing bag itself - I am loving my LeSportSac backpack. As most boxers, I have tried many different packs and bags to schlep my stuff on the trail, but this has been the best, by far. It is lightweight,  slips on and off easily, and has a large top opening with an easy zipper. It seems to 'fit' better in urban parks and jogging trails where hard-core hiking packs or utility bags with handles can sometimes seem a little out of place. I never get a sideways glance with this fashion-type, but well-made, pack. The only downside is that it is a bit on the pricey-side - I was lucky enough to find mine at an outlet store for a fraction of the cost. 

Well, that's it - I like to keep things rather minimal. But, I always like to hear what others are carrying - what do you find indispensable to carry in your boxing kit?