It’s back, everyone’s favorite segment of the year. What’s in your bag.

My haul is a bit of old and new, notably a new bag. I might have had a bit too much fun and ruined my bag at Procigar 2016 earlier this year, so gone is my BBP Industries backpack, replaced by the Tumi Tahoe Dale. After a few months with the Peak Design Everyday Messenger I noticed shoulder pain and decided to move back to a backpack. I want something that could be big when I needed, but not so obnoxious otherwise and the Tumi has served me well. The zipper style is certainly a bit award at first, but I’ve learned to love the bag and it’s many deep pockets.

Charlie Bag 2

Inside the bag is:

  • MacBook Pro 15” (2013) — Same laptop, new shell and decal. That battery still hasn’t been replaced.
  • Kuzy case — While I certainly like the protection of the Speck more, the matte and rubberized finish of the Kuzy are preferred.
  • Canon 1DX + 24-70mm f/2.8L USM II — Brooks and I bet about which camera was lighter, this rented 1DX or the 5D Mark III with battery grip. Turns out, it’s the 1DX. The winner got to use the bigger camera and boy is it completely overkill in the hands of this amateur. But bets are bets and this is Vegas. The 24-70 f/2.8L USM II is a much faster and slightly lighter version of what I believe is the single best lens to cover the trade show.
  • RØDE Stereo VideoMic X — We upgraded the microphones to find something sturdier, not sure that’s the best idea so far.
  • Duracell 9V Battery — At some point during the trade show I will forget to turn the mic off.
  • SD Cards + CF Adaptors + Pelican Case — Would be really nice if the 1DX took SD cards. I know, not a pro.
  • Moleskine Reporter Notebook — Back again.
  • Pilot Envelope Address Writing Gel Ink Pen — These mainly just get stolen now.
  • Uni-ball Signo Broad UM-153 — My preferred pen.
  • Montblanc Meisterstück — A gift from my father I finally got ink for.
  • Gerber 22-41830 EAB + LENOX Gold 20350 — Actually had to throw mine away in the Houston airport last year, but I quickly replaced it.
  • Jetline Super Torch — The unofficial official lighter of the trade show coverage of halfwheel.
  • Davidoff Double Blade Cutter — My favorite cutter to date.
  • Apple/Anker Lighting Connector — More than one, less than Patrick.
  • Shure SE535 — Still going strong, now using the Shure replacement cable.
  • Butane Gas Gold Man Jet Torch — For when you need a gift.
  • Boveda + 2.5 Gallon Bag — Cigars go bad very quick here in Vegas.
  • halfwheel stickers + business cards
  • Bottled Water — Somehow, getting progressively healthier.
Davidoff is the official sponsor of halfwheel's coverage of the 2016 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show.
Avatar photo

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.