38 Hours with the Valour 38
Despite the “38” in its name referring to the case size, we couldn’t resist spinning the idea into a challenge: what would 38 hours off the grid look like with the Valour 38 on your wrist?
The truth is, you don’t need a blueprint for a quick escape. Just an overnight bag, a few essentials, and the resolve to leave your inbox behind. For some of us, it meant a long drive into the woods. For others, a short flight and a change of scenery. Either way, we agreed on one thing: packing light isn’t about sacrifice — it’s about freedom.
Departure
Depending on your definition of unplugging, your kit might look a little different. For a trip this short, we usually reach for our Voyage Tote — just the right size for 30L or less. The key is intentionality: bring what matters, and nothing that slows you down.
The Kit
Adventure doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful — but it does need to be intentional. A night under the stars in a van, or even just a hotel across the city, can reset your rhythm. With boots muddied and notebook pages filled, you come back lighter. Lighter in mind, lighter in pace.
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EDC Pouch
Whether it's our Olympus, Blackcomb or another gear pouch, we all agree that having a small pouch with essentials like our cables, flashlight, or multitool easily accessible is a key to a frustration free getaway. Note: Toiletries are extra. Some of us claim they can get all their personal care stuff in here with the help of hotel toiletries, but thats situational. -
Notebook & Pen
Our entire team at RZE is pretty 'old school'. All of us list a notebook and pen in our carry, even when we aren't 'getting away'. It's not uncommon for us to share photos in our group chat of ideas and notes, so during a 38 hour mental vacation, this is a must.
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Coffee on the Trail
While a couple of us are tea drinkers, the majority of us are coffee drinkers and 38 hours without is too long. Our preference is a hand grinder and an Aeropress, but we get it, to some adventurers that's too much - a Stanley and Nescafe shows up on our lists too. -
Outerwear & Footwear
Conditions vary, but principles don’t: sweater, water-resistant jacket, and solid boots. Some of us argue over underwear strategy, but we won’t get into that. The rule of thumb: pack light, pack smart.
Getting Out There
Thirty-eight hours isn’t a long time. Leave after your morning coffee at home, and you’re back in time to shower and reset the following evening. But it’s enough — enough to find a trail, clear your head, and remember that life happens outside the feed.
As a team scattered across the globe, most of our days are spent behind screens. These quick getaways are less about the gear itself and more about what it enables: a pause, a breath, a shift in pace.
