Messenger bags and back aches?

[scrapbookingmommy]

We are getting ready for our first trip in April and I have a question about messenger bags vs. backpacks vs. fanny packs.

I am a person who gets horrible shoulder/backaches and headaches from carrying around a backpack for too long. I have read a lot on these boards about the messenger bags and wondering if they might work for me or am I going to run into the same problem as I do with a backpack? I don't really want to wear a fanny pack but will if it is the best option (call me vain - I know). :blush:

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

[Robindianne]

Hi Scrapbookingmommy,

I bought this last year and it really felt nice. Plus it doesn't hold too much so it can't get as heavy as a backpack. http://laughingplacestore.com/Product-5820.asp

If you enlarge the picture you can better see the size. There are more than one in the pic so it looks bigger than it is. Also, it's a good back rest cause the back quilted and really padded against your back.

Good luck.

[ANiceNurse]

After reading about messenger bags on these boards, I bought one at AKL and used it in the parks this week. It was great, no shoulder pain, backache or headache, and although it's not a big bag, there's lots of different pockets and plenty of space for everything.

[pepe of ohio]

Only problem I've seen or can think of, I bought one a few years ago from AK, is that they are kinda hot. Its almost like having a vest on, and when its hot in WDW, you want nothing around your upper body to stop any breeze from cooling you off. They hold alot and to me if you have the room, you start putting stuff in it that you won't need, like a big suitcase. More room, more unessential material. I layed out the stuff I need from day to day, no matter where we were going, and looked at the pile, tried to justify every item to narrow it down and then went and bought a small hit type fanny pack just to accommadate my small pile. You'ld be surprised at how little stuff you can get by with on a stay, and your hips or waist can carry more without any noticeable strain. On a ride, you flop it to the front of you and its safe and camera ready.

[daisyduck123]

Hi Scrapbookingmommy,

I bought this last year and it really felt nice. Plus it doesn't hold too much so it can't get as heavy as a backpack. http://laughingplacestore.com/Product-5820.asp

If you enlarge the picture you can better see the size. There are more than one in the pic so it looks bigger than it is. Also, it's a good back rest cause the back quilted and really padded against your back.

Good luck.


When I was in Disney in January...I saw this bag in the gift shops.
It is way overpriced at the above posted website.
In Disney, I think it was $28.00.

I have the same one but it says "Mickey Mouse Club" on it.
I love it!! It's what I carry in the parks.

[Robindianne]

I agree daisyduck. I know I didn't pay anywhere near what Laughing Place charges. Mine was from a gift shop just outside Epcot and they said I was the first person to buy one as they'd just gotten them in. I have to say, it can get hot if you don't trade off wearing it. It's not heavy but kind of thick. I liked it so much I am using it next time.

[scrapbookingmommy]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I may just give the messenger bag a try. With two little ones in tow I know we will need a fair amount of "stuff" with us while at the parks. Plus I will have a stroller so if we are walking I can always put the bag in the stroller to give my back a break if it needs it.

[Leash]

I bring a very small messenger bag with me everytime I go to Disneyland. It fits all the essentials but nothing else so it can't get too heavy. I have a lot of back problems and a backpack is not an option for me so I tried the bag I have and it works great and doen't hurt at all.
For our trip to DW I am concerned that I may need to carry a little more since we will have a lot more to do so I am looking at getting a slightly larger messenger bag. That way I still have the nice across the body strap but have a little more space. Some of the good ones I found all have water resistant coating which should help if it rains and come in a lot of colors:

http://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=102

http://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=142&osCsid=

http://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=68&osCsid=

[MNborn]

Is the messenger bag TOO big for someone who doesn't plan to carry a lot. I'm thinking I'll only need room for my tickets, billfold, small camera, maps & schedules and maybe a couple other small things. What do you think?

[Jen D]

We got a really great messenger bag at the Animal Kingdom. It is khaki with the an AK logo. It is very, very lightweight cotton but very strong. They have a backpack with similar lightweight khaki material. We love it, DH even uses it here at home. It is light and comfortable and you wouldn't want to overstuff it but we had no problem fitting still camera, camcorder, wipes container, spare diaper, etc.

[Rella Bella]

After trying lots of different options, I swear by my fanny pack. :cheer2:

I gave up trying to look 'cool' for the convienence! It holds what I need, but doesn't swing around, isn't hot and I don't have to take it off for rides. Plus I feel secure like it's not on my back where someone might try to get into it.

[scrapbookingmommy]

Is the messenger bag TOO big for someone who doesn't plan to carry a lot. I'm thinking I'll only need room for my tickets, billfold, small camera, maps & schedules and maybe a couple other small things. What do you think?

I just received my messenger bag from Ebags yesterday and I don't think it would be too big at all. It flattens out nicely so if you didn't have a ton of stuff to carry it wouldn't be cumbersome yet it has a lot of different compartments to hold things. Did you take a look at the picture on Ebags.com? If not go to that site and do a search for "Baggallini Messenger".