What’s in my bag: Kevin keeps business and pleasure strictly separate

Kevin Hofer

9.10.2024

Translation: Eva Francis

In this series, editors show you what they pack in their bags when they leave the house – whether for business or pleasure. This week, we’re peaking into Kevin’s rucksacks and find gaming and sports accessories.

I’ve been a desk jockey ever since I started working as a tech editor. And the pandemic’s made it even more extreme, as I work from home on three out of four days and my «commute» is just ten steps – from bed to the desk. I sometimes find it difficult to separate work and free time. That’s why I have separate rucksacks – one for work and one for my private life.

My two rucksacks

When I’m not working or not going into the office, I don’t use my office rucksack, so I never unpack it. It’s some knockoff camera backpack I ordered from China a few years ago. Featuring separate compartments for camera, lenses and MacBook, it meets all my needs.

I only bought my private backpack this spring after my former one reached its end of life after more than ten years. It’s Vaude’s bike backpack Clubride III. As I cycle a lot and don’t need many compartments, this backpack by the German manufacturer convinced me.

I usually pack way too much for work

At about 1 hours 45 minutes, my commute to work is long by Swiss standards. So, I therefore work on the train. My work device is a MacBook Pro 16 from 2019, one of the last models with an Intel chip. Despite its advanced age, the device still does a great job and allows me to work while travelling.

If, for once, I don’t feel like working on the train, I always carry my Steam Deck OLED with me. I put on my JBL Tour Pro 2 to make sure the sound doesn’t get on anyone’s nerves. I bought them at a fantastic price, well under 100 francs. In terms of sound, I find them too bass-heavy, but the equaliser allows me to adjust the sound to my needs.

I also always have my Fuji X-T4 with me in case I want to take a picture. When it comes to lenses, I rely exclusively on fixed focal lengths. The budget lenses by Viltrox – AF 23/1.4 XF and AF 56/1.4 XF – as well as the macro lens Laowa 65mm f/2.8 cover my needs. I’d love to get a Nifty Fifty in the future, preferably the one by Fuji itself.

I also always pack an umbrella, charger, various cables and an external SSD. Not that I need all this equipment regularly, but I like having it with me.

My private rucksack – for sports, manga and shopping

I’m constantly changing what’s in my spare-time rucksack. In summer, I often carry snacks, water bottles for me and my sons and swimming gear with me. When I do food shopping, the Vaude offers space for anything we need as a family. My free time is rarely just about me. In the rare occasions when that’s the case, I focus on sport.

This spring, I fell in love with the trend sport of bouldering. That’s why I often have my climbing shoes and chalk bag with me. I also like having my skipping rope, which I’ve had for four years, and my water bottle with me at all times.

When I’m not doing sports in my free time, I love reading manga. As my wife’s annoyed by the many Tankōbon on our bookshelf, I’ve been consuming them on my Kobo-Sage eReader for a little over a year now. The 8-inch display’s ideal for Japanese comics. Right now I’m reading Berserk. I’ve had it on my list for a long time.

My smartphone, keys and wallet are rarely in my rucksack. I like having them in my pocket. In fact, I feel like something’s missing if I don’t.

Want to see all episodes of the «What’s in my bag» series? Here you go:

Kevin Hofer

Senior Editor

kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.ch

From big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.

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