sensible carryon/daypack? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**pinknic38** · 10-11-2007, 04:01 PM

So I am having issues finding a good carryon bag/something I can tote with me during the day, that isn't my pack.

I am not trying to bring a purse (I have a wristlet that I keep all my ids and debit cards and tickets and money and whatever else small in), but I am just trying to find something sensible that I can throw my wristlet, ipod, a journal, a camera, maybe a nalgene bottle and some small snacks, and some sunglasses in, you know, the general stuff. I don't want something that's going to be a hassle to carry in addition to my backpack. so I'm not really sure what route to go.

any suggestions? at this point I don't care what it looks like (but I object to a fanny pack... I spent too many vacations as a young child in the 80s with a mother who had a day glo mickey mouse fanny pack and may have scarred me for life), but I want something where I am not going to easily get it stolen and can easily be toted around with my pack when I'm in airports, or trying to get to my hostel.

**pinknic38** · 10-11-2007, 04:05 PM

might I also add that while I don't care wha it looks like (in general), I am also trying not to look like a major tool while I am traveling

**joe7f** · 10-11-2007, 04:29 PM

My sister uses the 65L Eagle Creek Voyager

That worked well for her. Apparently my larger (85L but discontinued) Transcontinental pack can be stuffed in the overhead compartment (Marc has the same one and says he can).

--Joey

**aliz** · 10-11-2007, 05:26 PM

i took a messenger-type bag that I made, and it was perfect.

I prefer it to a backpack as you can leave it on all the time, you don't have to take it off to get stuff out or sit down or whatever. even sitting down having dinner or on a train i would still have it over my shoulder and just sit it on my lap or next to me. When I was wearing my big pack I wore the shoulder bag at the front and I could still get out tickets, camera etc without taking off my pack, as opposed to the zip-off daypacks. You can also wear it on the front of your body when in crowds and not look geeky :D I would sleep with it next to my pillow in hostels. this thing was attached to me for two months! I also collected pins along the way to decorate it.

**maracle** · 10-11-2007, 08:28 PM

I have a daypack with a waist strap, if you're going to be on your feet all day or hiking a lot the waist strap will really help. Even if you've only got 10 pounds in your pack, if its on your shoulders all day you'll be more tired and sore.

I think the main consideration is whether you're going to spend more time in urban areas where you may be getting breaks for transit, eating, etc, or if you're going to be outdoors all day.

**LiveFreeorDie** · 10-12-2007, 05:47 AM

Just get a small backpack (assuming your main pack doesn't have a detacheable daypack). You can always wear it in front of you when carrying your main pack on your back, in the meantime you have a daypack which is a necessity anyway. Nalgene bottle can clip to the outside and you're all set. I don't think there is anything more versatile and it will easily fit under the seat on the plane. I like the ability to be able to wear it on your back when hiking around during the day or just on one shoulder kind of under your arm when in the city and have worries about pickpockets, etc.

**pinknic38** · 10-13-2007, 12:40 PM

thanks for the input guys! I should prolly look into a pack that has a detachable daypack, prolly my best bet in the long run

**pinknic38** · 10-13-2007, 01:44 PM

ah! I was looking at messenger bags online and found this little gem online, I think it may be "the one" (heh). it's water resistent too and comes in 9 different colors. not too girlie so if a guy wants one, you can get it in khaki or black. I think I might play neutral and do the khaki one, the other colors are way too bright. anyhoo, here's the link. seems like the perfect daypack.

http://www.amazon.com/Baggallini-Mes...307883&sr=1-81

**aliz** · 10-13-2007, 06:40 PM

yeah, that looks pretty good. it's like the backpack and the shoulder bag got together and that is their lovechild.

polarbear · 10-13-2007, 08:43 PM

i was looking at messenger bags as well for my trip in 09, i personally was looking at this
http://www.backcountry.com/store/TBK...aVnIpz#reviews

think its to large? i mean thats alot of cu inches. what do you guys think?

**pinknic38** · 10-14-2007, 10:25 AM

I like it but if you look on amazon.com for "messenger bags" you can find something similar for as little as 20 bucks. the thing with me is, if I carry a big bag, I WILL fill it. I will somehow convince myself I need all this useless stuff to tote around with me and then suddenly my daypack is heavy and I am cranky because my shoulders or back hurts. so if I make myself carry a smaller bag, I can just shove the essentials in there, which for me are the following:

-camera
-journal/pen
-a few granola bars or something to snack on
-my nalgene (which the great point was raised earlier that it can just attach to the strap
-all my important stuff (money, id, passport, tickets, etc, which all go in my money belt anyway)
-a map or guidebook if I need one
-ipod

I think I do need to invest in a little compact umbrella though. I always chance it when I travel and I have been lucky so far but I think my luck will run out someday.

also forcing myself to carry a smaller bag won't encourage frivilous spending on souvenirs, because I do that, a lot. but if I realize I won't have room or will only have room for just that one thing, it makes me reconsider.

Wayner · 10-17-2007, 07:08 PM

I got a camelbak cloudwalker and thought it was perfect for carrying around a change of clothes and some other stuff. It's a little more than $50 usually though.

**jengt** · 12-09-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinknic38

ah! I was looking at messenger bags online and found this little gem online, I think it may be "the one" (heh). it's water resistent too and comes in 9 different colors. not too girlie so if a guy wants one, you can get it in khaki or black. I think I might play neutral and do the khaki one, the other colors are way too bright. anyhoo, here's the link. seems like the perfect daypack.

http://www.amazon.com/Baggallini-Mes...307883&sr=1-81

Hey Nicole, did you get this bag? I need something to carry with me on my Costa Rica trip next month. I think I found a good backpack but I'm looking for a smallish daypack kinda thing too.

Thanks!
Jen

**pinknic38** · 12-09-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jengt

Hey Nicole, did you get this bag? I need something to carry with me on my Costa Rica trip next month. I think I found a good backpack but I'm looking for a smallish daypack kinda thing too.

I did get it, and it's a wonderful bag, especially for the price, and it's waterproof. It's perfect to slip in maps, guidebooks, camera, ipod, whatever you need in there. not bulky, and comes in a large variety of colors. I ended up getting the khaki one. I like the way it sits too, it rests on your hip almost but when you carry your pack you can turn it around and it hangs in the front. very nice! I recommend it!

**jengt** · 12-09-2007, 04:48 PM

Thanks Nicole. I put it on my Christmas list.

**pinknic38** · 12-09-2007, 07:33 PM

no prob! yay! matching bags!!