Travel Capsule — a compact, grab-and-go container for travel & everyday carry 🌍🎒
Travel Capsule was born from a real travel problem: when you’re on the move, backpack space is precious, and the things you use often should be quick to access, easy to close, and ideally hangable outside your bag so you don’t have to dig around every time.
In my case, the goal was very specific: carrying just enough ground coffee for 3–4 espresso shots ☕️ to use with my Outln espresso maker while traveling in Southeast Asia 🌴. But the design is intentionally versatile, so it can be useful for many other scenarios too.
What makes it different ✨
- Compact and practical: designed to fit anywhere (pocket, pouch, backpack).
- Snap-fit opening: no screw thread → open/close in seconds with satisfying click.
- Dual built-in hooks: clip it to a backpack, sling, or carabiner for fast access.
- Never lose the cap: run a small cord through the hooks and tether the cap to the body.
Use cases (not just coffee) 🎯
Besides coffee grounds, it works great for:
- tea / sugar / salt / spices
- small snacks (candies, gum, nuts)
- pills, vitamins, daily supplements
- earplugs, small accessories, adapters, SD cards
- a mini emergency kit (band-aids, swabs, etc.)
- solid toiletries (soap flakes, balm)
- ashtray (keep our world clean! 🙏🏼)
3 lid options 🧩
Choose the lid that matches your needs:
- Classic lid — clean, simple, and the most universal
- Hygrometer lid — fits a Makers Supply hygrometer (great for moisture-sensitive contents)
- Top marker lid — add a colored marker insert on top to identify what’s inside (text/label is for AMS)
TPU gasket: improving the seal 💧
⚠️ Correction: an earlier version of this description claimed the TPU-printed gasket made the capsule waterproof. That isn't accurate, and I want to be honest about it.
- A 3D-printed TPU gasket does not make the capsule waterproof. FDM prints are porous along the layer lines, and a printed flexible lip doesn't compress evenly enough to seal — this is well documented here: https://blog.prusa3d.com/watertight-3d-printing-part-2_53638/
- All lid versions should be considered splash-proof at best (rain, drops, outdoor use) — not sealed against submersion or prolonged water exposure.
- What I'm working on: I'm testing a real rubber O-ring or a simple elastic band (with silicone grease) in the closure, since a continuous non-porous gasket seals far better than anything printed. I'll update the model once I have verified results.
Sorry for the earlier overstatement — thanks to everyone who's printed it. 🙏
Easy, fast print 🖨️
- No supports needed
- Quick and clean printing
- The ring insert + top marker opens up tons of personalization options, so you can build your own “capsule system” for different contents. ♾️
- To add a text on the colored marker you need an AMS and just double click on the preset “coffee” text I used
Food contact note 🍽️
Yes, I know: using 3D-printed parts for food isn’t ideal due to layer lines and cleaning limitations. If you’re not fully comfortable storing anything edible directly inside, an easy workaround is to line the inner walls with a piece of aluminum foil, pressed tightly against the surface, before adding your coffee (or other dried food items).
Do you need the paracord end caps or a robust carabiner? Grab them from my models.
Updates
24 April 2026
- New version with reinforced hooks
Michele
