Travel with Ticket To The Moon

As a photographer, one is often traveling with heavy equipment. Every gram counts, every opportunity to optimize luggage is welcome. But not only the weight of the camera equipment plays a role, the organization and quality of travel companions are also crucial.

On a longer trip through Japan, I had the opportunity to extensively test some products from Ticket to the Moon.

So far, I primarily knew the brand for its hammocks, but its portfolio encompasses much more. It’s about well-thought-out travel accessories designed to make everyday life on the road easier.

My focus was on the Backpack Plus 25L, the Foldable Eco Bag, the Travel Cubes Set, and the Wash Bag. These products accompanied me through dense metropolises and quiet landscapes, and had to prove their practicality. The expectations were accordingly high, as there is little room for unreliable equipment when traveling.

Brand Background

The story of Ticket to the Moon, like so many brands with a clear vision, begins with a personal passion. In the mid-1990s, founder Charly Descotis discovered a material in Bali that captivated him: parachute nylon. This fabric is extremely light, yet robust and breathable. From this fascination, the idea of creating the perfect travel hammock was born.

Since 1996, the company has been manufacturing hammocks in Bali, earning a reputation for quality and durability. But the philosophy of Ticket to the Moon goes beyond just the product.

A central aspect is the idea of sustainability. The company aims to become a “Zero Waste” manufacturer. Many of the by-products arise from this ambition.

Material scraps from hammock production are not discarded but used to create backpacks, bags, and other accessories. This upcycling approach is not only resource-efficient but also gives the products an individual character.

Furthermore, the brand emphasizes fair working conditions and social responsibility at its production site in Bali, which is an important factor for many conscious consumers today.

Backpack Plus 25L

The Backpack Plus, with its 25-liter volume, was a constant companion for day trips during my travels. As is typical for the brand, it’s made from lightweight parachute nylon and folds down extremely small. This is a significant advantage when traveling with large main luggage and needing a flexible daypack for explorations.

The craftsmanship is consistently solid. The seams are neatly stitched, and the zippers run smoothly, suggesting good durability.

For a foldable backpack in this category, the features are remarkable. It boasts an astonishing number of different pockets and compartments, significantly easing the organization of small items like batteries, memory cards, a notebook, and personal belongings. There’s even a separate compartment designed for laptops up to 15 inches, as well as hidden pockets for valuables.

A special feature is the integrated chest strap. This is rather uncommon for foldable backpacks and helps with stabilization and carrying comfort when carrying more weight. However, it would have been desirable if this strap were removable, as it’s not always needed in urban settings and then hangs loosely.

As with most backpacks of this design, there is no back padding. This is the price for low weight and small pack size. One must be aware of this, as you can feel the shape of angular items against your back if you carry them. Therefore, thoughtful packing is required to ensure comfort. Despite this conceptually dictated point, the backpack has proven to be an extremely practical and reliable companion.

Foldable Eco Bag

In addition to the backpack, I also used the Foldable Eco Bag. This bag, also made from fabric scraps from hammock production, is a prime example of the brand’s upcycling ethos. It’s very lightweight and folds into its own attached small pouch, making it fit into any jacket pocket or photo backpack.

I primarily used it for spontaneous purchases or to carry an extra jacket and water bottle without having to take the entire backpack.

It’s offered in various sizes. The larger version of the bag, in particular, is very spacious. It’s excellent for carrying items like blankets or towels for an outing.

The material is not only robust but also dries extremely quickly, should you get caught in a rain shower.

You can carry it either with the shoulder strap or by two loops like a normal tote bag.

A small suggestion for improvement would be the addition of one or two snap buttons. This would allow you to close the bag somewhat at the top when needed, offering better protection for the contents from prying eyes or light rain.

Sizes M and L

L & M

Travel Cubes Set

Organization in my main luggage is essential for me as a photographer. Besides camera equipment, clothing for various weather conditions also needs to fit. Here, the Travel Cubes Set from Ticket to the Moon proved to be extremely helpful.

In line with the brand’s material choice, the packing cubes are very light and add hardly any weight to the luggage. The fabric is thin, but you quickly notice its durability.

A key quality feature is the high-quality YKK zippers, which feel smooth and robust. Especially compared to cheaper alternatives where zippers are often the first point of failure, this is an important factor for the longevity of the products.

The cubes are versatile. Of course, you don’t just have to use them for clothes. For example, I stored towels in one cube and smaller items like charging cables, adapters, and power banks in another, which would otherwise rattle around loosely in the suitcase.

Even after a trip, the cubes find further use. A smaller cube is perfect for everyday use to organize a thin jacket or, in winter, gloves and a hat in a backpack.

A disadvantage is the lack of a rigid structure, which can sometimes make packing less form-stable. Additionally, the cubes cannot be fully opened like a suitcase, which occasionally makes accessing the contents more difficult. For some applications, a slightly larger version of the cubes would be desirable.

An interesting feature is the included carabiners, which allow the cubes to be hung up. This is not only useful for camping but also in small hotel rooms, where you can simply hang them in a cupboard or on a clothes hanger to save space.

Wash Bag

A well-organized toiletry bag is indispensable when traveling. The Wash Bag from Ticket to the Moon is a thoughtfully designed companion. It offers a variety of compartments, including mesh pockets and waterproof, leak-proof pouches, enabling clear organization of toiletries.

The integrated hook, allowing the bag to be hung up, is particularly practical. This is a great advantage, especially in bathrooms with limited counter space. You can attach it to a hook, a towel rail, or even a hanger in the closet. The small end on the hook for hanging could be a bit longer for my taste to offer more flexibility, but it serves its purpose.

If you carry several larger shampoo or shower gel bottles, the bag reaches its capacity limits. However, for travelers with smaller travel-sized containers or solid toiletries, the space is sufficient.

A particularly clever detail is the removable, ultralight roll-up pouch. This can be detached from the main compartment and used separately for a short weekend trip. This way, you don’t always have to carry the entire toiletry bag. The included mirror is also practical.

Conclusion

After several weeks of intensive use on my Japan trip, the products from Ticket to the Moon left a very positive impression.

Common to all products is the consistently good workmanship and the choice of lightweight yet robust parachute nylon, making them durable companions.

The Backpack Plus 25L impresses as a flexible and well-equipped daypack, whose only conceptually dictated drawback is the lack of back padding.

The Eco Bag is a simple but effective helper for everyday travel. The Travel Cubes bring order to luggage, and the Wash Bag is a well-designed and modular toiletry bag.

The products are not revolutionary, but they are honest, functional, and well-thought-out aids that make traveling a bit easier. The concept of upcycling and fair production in Bali also give the products a likeable backstory.

For photographers and travelers who value lightweight, reliable, and well-organized luggage, Ticket to the Moon’s accessories are a convincing option.

Ticket to the Moon Online Shop

The backpack, Eco Bags, Travel Cubes, and Wash Bag can be purchased in the Ticket to the Moon online shop.