A daypack dilemma

[Libby]

Good plan!

I'll definitly look for one that I can zip up. ;D

[Eagle]

Libby, you might also check www.tilley.com as they have several Messenger Bags, etc. in their product line. Of course, anything Tilley is a bit on the pricey side, but excellent quality. Not sure where you're located, but they have stores across Canada - perhaps you could look at them in person?

Cheers!!!

[Libby]

Those Tilley bags are beautiful Eagle, but way out of my price range. The one I liked on that site cost more than my Tatonka pack. ;D

Anyone know any Canadian online stores that sell these things other than MEC and Onlinebags.com?

All the ones I tried on today were just too big.

[WillTravel]

On my last trip I used a nice Samsonite travel bag for day use - I don't know if it's a messenger bag or what - but it does feel very comfortable, latches up very securely, looks relatively small (I can wear it under my coat if I really want to) and now I use it instead of a purse all the time.

I got it at Office Depot and the price was very reasonable. I'm sorry I can't find a picture of it online.

[kena]

I'm also on the lookout for the perfect messenger bag. The one I currently use is close but not perfect, and it's getting kind of dingy looking after several years of use.

I prefer a messenger bag when travelling in cities. I can easily secure it with one hand when I'm in a crowd, I can access it without taking it off, and it just looks more elegant I think.

My criteria are:

- Not sporty or military looking. Preferably black and sleek.

- Very soft shoulder strap, ideally heavy cotton (current one has a stiff synthetic strap and it chafes when I wear it with a sleeveless shirt or tank top. That's its main problem.).

- Big enough for my travelling basics: bottle of water, umbrella, light cardigan, guidebook.

- Zips, or has a large inner pocket that zips to put my valuables in (camera and day's allowance). Has a pocket in the flap or on the front for organizing my girly things (lipgloss, hand cream, a tampon for emergencies, a couple of packets of herbal tea, etc...)

I'll let you know what I can find... Worse comes to worse, I'll sew it myself!

[Libby]

That's exactly what I want Kena, but have yet to find.

I'm not going to panic just yet. I'll be visiting Halifax in a few weeks time. I'll check it out then

[googleygoo]

I have a Timbuk2 messenger bag that I use almost daily. I love it because it's waterproof, and the material is fairly sturdy. The strap is wide, so it's not uncomfortable to wear. They also sell a wrap-around padding that you can put around the shoulder strap if you need extra support. I know Timbuk2 can be pricey, but occassionally you can find good deals on eBags.com. One drawback, at least with my model, is that it doesn't have zippers. But for my purposes, the 2 clicky straps are fine.

Jansport also makes some messenger bags that seem pretty decent. A friend of mine uses it as her bookbag for law school and seems to hold up well. I think hers actually has a zipper.

I'm so used to my messenger bag that I think that's what I'll use instead of the day pack from my Continental Jouney. But we'll see... as I haven't actually tried to pack everything and walk with it yet!

[Eagle]

Libby, you might want to have a look at the Rick Steves Veloce Shoulder Bag, as it might fit your needs. I believe it's new and it looks like a very versatile product (can convert from shoulder bag to backpack or whatever).

I'll be at the RS Travel Festival next week, and I'm sure these will be on display so I'll have a look at it (all his merchandise will be 20% off that day).

Cheers!!!

[Libby]

That's very close to what I want Eagle, but the price is just too high. By the time you concert prices, add in taxes/duty and shipping and handling I'd be up over $100.00.

I found a nice one at ebags.com and it was on sale for 29.99 US. For Canadian orders they give you a total of shipping/handling and duties before you place your order and that $29.99 bag cost nearly 80 bucks! I cancelled the order.

[Eagle]

Libby, I was hoping the RS Veloce bag would be just the one you're looking for, and would solve your dilemma. I estimated a "landed cost" of about $75.00 Cdn., but it could be a bit higher depending on shipping costs (they use UPS for shipping, which is unfortunate - the costs for shipping to Canada apparently range from $6.00-28.00 US). It appears it has fairly robust construction, so the cost seems quite reasonable.

They also have a new Civita Shoulder bag at a considerably lower cost, but this might be too "light" for your uses? It uses the same microfiber construction as the other Civita model, rather than the heavier Cordura nylon in the Veloce bag.

Good luck in your search for the perfect bag!

[Libby]

Thanks Eagle

One of the problems I have with shipping costs is that I'm so far away from everything! The only company that doesn't cost me an arm and leg to order from is LL Bean. ;D

[Eagle]

Libby, I wasn't sure where you were located, as that area is "blank" on your profile. That could definetely be a factor in the shipping costs.

Again, good luck with your search.

[Libby]

Eagle,
I'm in northern Nova Scotia.

[kena]

This bag, from LL Bean, seems nice:

www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=30113&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4520&cat4=2913&shop_method=pp&feat=dp50

Not too heavy, seems to zip, decent capacity, microfiber so it shouldn't chafe. But I'll be looking at bags in real life before I commit to anything, since I'd rather buy something I can try on first.

[Libby]

Kena,
I looked seriously at that bag, but as you say it's better to see it in real life and I don't have time to order it, hate it, send it back and find something new.

I'm off to the city next weekend. I'll hit MEC and a few travel stores. I'm sure I'll find something there