Going on vacation and we will be doing tons of site seeing - I am thinking a cross body bag might work best?
Guessing I need to carry a bottle of water, wallet, phone, period stuff (ugh!!!), maybe a small umbrella?
Does anyone have something they like?
cherry / 128 posts
Maybe a cross body bag that converts to a backpack? They are some cute ones on Zappos!
http://www.zappos.com/convertible-backpacks
Edit: Amazon too. Now I want to buy one!
pear / 1648 posts
As long as you don't need to carry a bunch of baby stuff, I just use a standard large crossbody purse for this. Tignanello make my favorite but they seem to have discontinued the ones I own (Pretty Pocket and Pretty Chic). I was able to order another Pretty Chic on Ebay for a good price a few weeks ago, though.
This is the bag (tons of pockets and fits both water & small umbrella) but I got it cheaper on Ebay:
https://www.amazon.com/Tignanello-Pretty-Protection-Saddle-A279958/dp/B01M1LDUEE
pineapple / 12566 posts
I find cross body bags and backpacks to be very uncomfortable for long periods of time, even if they aren't very full. I often use a Longchamp Le Pliage tote for travel as a shoulder carry is much more comfortable for me.
apricot / 444 posts
Although I carry a cross-body on a day-to-day basis, I love that backpacks have come back "in style". I find them so much easier to use while traveling. I find after a day of site seeing with a cross body makes one of my shoulders sore...especially with a water bottle.
honeydew / 7622 posts
I use a Fjallraven backpack as my everyday bag. Love it. http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/fjallraven-kanken-backpack/3537484
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I prefer a cross body backpack to a straight crossbody when sight seeing. I usually browse ebags and zappos for ideas.
coconut / 8472 posts
I like backpacks for things like this. I have this stowaway pack from LL Bean that folds up really small into it's own pocket, it's great for travel - https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/86674?page=stowaway-day-pack
squash / 13208 posts
@YogiBeachWife: @ShootingStar: @youboots: @annem1990:
I guess I wonder if backpacks are safe - my friend told me they are easy for pick pocketers and she prefers a bag to keep close to her (we will be in Portugal if it matters)
eggplant / 11824 posts
I have the same backpack as @ShootingStar: - it's SO light and a great size and packs up super small, I just personally don't like backpacks at all so I rarely use it.
I have a plain canvas Coach cross-body that I like for traveling, because it feels safer than a backpack and the strap is wide and soft so it doesn't cut into me anywhere.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@Mamaof2: I have a PacSafe backpack, it's got little hooks on the zippers that make it so you can't unzip it from behind.
There's always the risk, though, of someone cutting the material and going in that way, no matter what kind of bag you have.
coconut / 8472 posts
@Mamaof2: I just don't put my wallet or money in places where someone could just reach in and snag it.
pomelo / 5866 posts
@Mamaof2: I have a very small crossbody that flips (not zips) open easily but I usually like to just wear a super light jacket with multiple pockets for my phone, credit card, ID and a bit of cash. I have to use a carry strap for my water bottle or bug my husband to hold it for me or share. I love it though bc everything is in my jacket and I tie around my waist if hot.
A decade ago I used Pacsafe fanny pack for international travel. I felt very SAFE but unstylish with it. It was really good quality and felt like it would last forever....if I could just find it!
honeydew / 7504 posts
I got pickpocketed from a cross-body, so a backpack would totally freak me out. I'd use a cross-body again, and just be more aware of where it was on my body. When I got robbed, I was on a crowded train and the bag had shifted around to the back of my hip. I still would feel much more secure with that than with backpack. But reality is, I'd probably do something like @808love: suggests and just wear a jacket with pockets to hold my stuff.
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
My go-to travel bag has been a Pac Safe crossbody. It finally disintegrated after being used for ... a decade? It was big enough for a guide book, water bottle or umbrella, and other small essentials. It never felt uncomfortable on long days out seeing things. Definitely would not do a backpack!
honeydew / 7622 posts
I'd just keep my valuables in my DHs wallet with his back pocket buttoned shut. I have a large SLR camera that's in a shockproof case at the bottom of my backpack so a cross body is not really an option. If I were super worried I'd wear one of those lightweight under clothes crossbodies- I've done this before when carrying cash and passports.
pomelo / 5866 posts
@littlebug: Oh no!! That's a bummer. I have to watch out for that.
Oh and yes, make sure your jacket pockets have zippers if you go that route. Also inside pocket or shoulder pockets are helpful!
olive / 64 posts
My go-to for years has been this Kipling crossbody with tons of compartments and zippers. It'll definitely fit all of the things you mentioned and then some!
http://www.zappos.com/p/kipling-alvar-crossbody-bag-slate-grey/product/7850717/color/91742
kiwi / 578 posts
My favorite is a generously sized leather Furla crossbody bag. It's big enough to hold everything, and the leather of the bag and strap are thick enough that they can't be easily cut through. I just switch shoulders so that they don't get tired. I have something similar from the Coach outlet store (less than $100 with coupon) that is a little smaller with a narrower strap that is my second choice bag.
ETA I recently got DH a buffalo leather bag inexpensively ($60) from Amazon that is great and they had several crossbody options with wide straps. The leather smelled odd and took a few days to defunk before DH started using it, so that could be an option too!
persimmon / 1427 posts
I just bought this bag for an upcoming trip:
http://www.zappos.com/p/baggallini-gold-helsinki-bag-black/product/8616950/color/3
Its lightweight, stylish, and has great compartments.
I had similar criteria to you (I wanted a bag big enough for a water bottle, mini umbrella, and other essentials.)
I looked at several smaller crossbody bags, but they just weren't big enough for a water bottle!
nectarine / 2243 posts
For serious travel I typically take two bags. I have a bagalini crossbody and also a longchamp tote. The longchamp can be fully folded and takes up zero space by also looks decent enough to go to dinner with and carry essentials and a light sweater. I've even carried my heavy dslr in it in a pinch. It's not great for all-day hauling but it's really versatile.
If it's a high-crime or touristy area I use a mini carabiner to clip the two zippers together and flip the bag so any exterior pockets face me.
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