Suggestions for fanny pack alternative?

[quiltymom]

We just decided to make another trip to the World two nights ago, and I'm into planning big time! :yay: It's never to early to get prepared, now is it?

I need help in finding an alternative to a fanny pack, otherwise known to me as a second hip, tummy, rear end, etc. (you get the picture!). The problem lies in the fact that I cannot carry anything on my sholders due to weak back muscles (thus, the fanny pack) and need to be hand's free for my camera or to hold a hand or two but want to look a bit more fashionable.

It would have to hold a small point-and-shoot camera, extra batteries, wallet, tissue pack - ya know, fanny pack size. DH carries the backpack, but I need a bit of freedom from that.

I checked out the Baggallini site but didn't see anything I could use. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

[Aurora63]

If you can't carry anything on your sholders, I don't see anything else you could carry except for a fanny pack. Unless you went with a sling-type back pack (the strap goes over one sholder and across your chest, connects to the bag at the bottom. If you can do that, that's what I'd recommend. Check ebags, they have a lot of options.

[quiltymom]

That's what I'm afraid of. I'll check out the ebags site and see what they have. Maybe I'll be lucky and find something stylish!!

[Kies99]

Try searching in the running section of a sporting goods store or a BASS shoe store. They have larger bags called "waist" bags. These usually have one or two bottle holders on the sides and can carry larger objects in them but still be comfortable about the waist. Also looks a little more stylish than a generic fanny pack.

[Cindy's Mom]

Have you ever seen those little Coach purses 0 that are flat, about 6 inches across and 8 inches wide. Everyone wears them across shoulders? Well those things have hooks. What I do is open the strap a put if around my waist with the pouch hanging in front of me or on my hip. The lady at Coach told me that is what they are designed for and yet no one wears them that way. (confused), no similies.


EDITED TO ADD: here is a link:

http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=8718&category_id=846

[ZoZo]

I had a lot of luck using a small crocheted purse instead of a fanny pack. It holds approximately the same amount of stuff, but has a long strap that goes across your body. It's not a messenger bag (much smaller than that) but is worn across the body the same way. I got a surprising amount of stuff in mine! Plus, it's a more attractive alternative to a fanny pack.

(BTW, I got mine at Target. It was only about $10!)

[quiltymom]

Have you ever seen those little Coach purses 0 that are flat, about 6 inches across and 8 inches wide. Everyone wears them across shoulders? Well those things have hooks. What I do is open the strap a put if around my waist with the pouch hanging in front of me or on my hip. The lady at Coach told me that is what they are designed for and yet no one wears them that way. (confused), no similies.


EDITED TO ADD: here is a link:

http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=8718&category_id=846

Wow! Imagine being stylish AND practical at the same time. Thanks. I'll check out the store next time I hit the mall.

I do like the crocheted bag idea, but I can only wear minimal weight even with the strap going across my body. It's a bummer. I have an adorable handbag that I use, but holding something in my hand all day won't work. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

[Va-bear]

Someone posted a link to these VERY inexpensive bags last night and I am ordering some ASAP!

http://www.abcdistributing.com/home/catalog/cat_item_pg.asp?P=9&G=421

I have a congenital back disorder and cant carry too much either. Waist packs actually pulled too much on my back. I started carrying the waist pack like a purse or across my body and that felt better. I think changing positions a lot was good - but that going across the back like that helped to distribute the weight. The nice thing about these is they are cheap (not out much $ and if you do like it can always upgrade later..) and not too big (so you cant be tempted to overload it..) (I also got a baggellini dirt cheap on Ebay..but think my DH will carry that more - or I will pack VERY lightly.) GOod luck!!!

[OhioFamily]

If you can't carry anything on your sholders, I don't see anything else you could carry except for a fanny pack. Unless you went with a sling-type back pack (the strap goes over one sholder and across your chest, connects to the bag at the bottom. If you can do that, that's what I'd recommend. Check ebags, they have a lot of options.


I have one of these and absolutely love it :lovestruc
It puts no stress on the shoulder's or back and I sometimes forget that I have it on

[LuluLovesDisney]

Have you ever seen those little Coach purses 0 that are flat, about 6 inches across and 8 inches wide. Everyone wears them across shoulders? Well those things have hooks. What I do is open the strap a put if around my waist with the pouch hanging in front of me or on my hip. The lady at Coach told me that is what they are designed for and yet no one wears them that way. (confused), no similies.


EDITED TO ADD: here is a link:

http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=8718&category_id=846

I have one and I love it!!! I can wear it across my shoulder at dinner and within seconds I can change it to a waist pack for the parks. Love it!!!

[Cindy's Mom]

Wow! Imagine being stylish AND practical at the same time. Thanks. I'll check out the store next time I hit the mall.


Now that I think of it, I got it at the Coach outlet in Orlando about 4-5 years ago. You may need to may a trip there (poor thing) LOL (still no similies)

[Dashzap]

Have you ever seen those little Coach purses 0 that are flat, about 6 inches across and 8 inches wide. Everyone wears them across shoulders? Well those things have hooks. What I do is open the strap a put if around my waist with the pouch hanging in front of me or on my hip. The lady at Coach told me that is what they are designed for and yet no one wears them that way. (confused), no similies.


EDITED TO ADD: here is a link:

http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=8718&category_id=846


How heavy is the bag when empty? I got rid of all my leather coach bags years ago because they weighed a lot even when empty...

[rubbergypsy]

when i went to toronto in october i found great fanny pack bags in roots, you can view them on roots.com, i think they are called roots flats bags, i know you can see them on the canadian site, prob us too. the one i bought is great, can't wait to use it soon in feb

[Va-bear]

Have you ever seen those little Coach purses 0 that are flat, about 6 inches across and 8 inches wide. Everyone wears them across shoulders? Well those things have hooks. What I do is open the strap a put if around my waist with the pouch hanging in front of me or on my hip. The lady at Coach told me that is what they are designed for and yet no one wears them that way. (confused), no similies.


EDITED TO ADD: here is a link:

http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=8718&category_id=846

That does look REALLY nice. I am going to the outlet malls in Williamsburg tomorrow - wouldnt it be great if I could find a good deal on one?! Wish me luck.

[rubbergypsy]

http://usa.roots.com/style.aspx?catid=132&dptid=7&saleGroup=&template=1
here is the link

[Cindy's Mom]

How heavy is the bag when empty? I got rid of all my leather coach bags years ago because they weighed a lot even when empty...

It very very light. Its not leather, its cloth, but water resistant (sp). I know what you mean about how heavy Coach is, I just bought a purse that is also much heavier empty that other bags are completely filled up, but I still love em.

[snowwite]

Someone posted a link to these VERY inexpensive bags last night and I am ordering some ASAP!

http://www.abcdistributing.com/home/catalog/cat_item_pg.asp?P=9&G=421

I have a congenital back disorder and cant carry too much either. Waist packs actually pulled too much on my back. I started carrying the waist pack like a purse or across my body and that felt better. I think changing positions a lot was good - but that going across the back like that helped to distribute the weight. The nice thing about these is they are cheap (not out much $ and if you do like it can always upgrade later..) and not too big (so you cant be tempted to overload it..) (I also got a baggellini dirt cheap on Ebay..but think my DH will carry that more - or I will pack VERY lightly.) GOod luck!!!
Be careful. I had bad luck with ordering from that company before. ABC does not have the best reputation. I also worry about getting pickpocketed if all my stuff is behind me. Probably not a big concern at Disney but I use my bags on other trips too. I have one from LL bean that is kidney shaped and goes over one shoulder and is comfy.

[Va-bear]

Be careful. I had bad luck with ordering from that company before. ABC does not have the best reputation. I also worry about getting pickpocketed if all my stuff is behind me. Probably not a big concern at Disney but I use my bags on other trips too. I have one from LL bean that is kidney shaped and goes over one shoulder and is comfy.

Thanks for the info - I had never heard of ABC but figured it was fine. But, did end up waiting to order because I thought it was odd that they wont tell you the shipping charges util AFTER you order? :confused3 Glad I waited...wont do it now.

But the Ebay Baggellini arrived - it looks SUPER. And it has tons of pockets, inlcuding one that is agaist your back - so great for safety/money.

Thanks again!

[englishteacha]

Lakeside Collection has the same bag set as ABC Distributing. The website is www.lakeside.com.

I found a neat fanny pack (if you can call a fanny pack neat!) at Target yesterday for $2.50. It has 2 small pockets and a center water bottle holder. It's very small, but my camera fits in one of the pockets, and the other one will hold some batteries, park tix, band aids, etc. It was with the walking stuff near the dollar spot as you entered the store.

[quiltymom]

Wow! Lots of good stuff! I'll have to see if there is a Coach outlet at Potomac Mills.

I did check out the roots bag and it is great! I also saw this one:

http://usa.roots.com/Product_Detail.aspx?styleID=14160007&dptid=2&catid=37&subcatid=&stylecolor=14160007_9900&saleGroup=&WT.svl=14160007

If the like doesn't show up, it's the under the equipment and travel gear at the bottom of the page - the padded tour pouch.

I'll have to check out Target tomorrow. I need to go anyway, so now I have an even better excuse to go!

[rubbergypsy]

i ordered the abc bags yesterday and it did not even bill me? do i pay when they come in?

[Va-bear]

i ordered the abc bags yesterday and it did not even bill me? do i pay when they come in?

I've never ordered from that company so I cant really help. Another poster said their reputation isnt the greatest. I would think if they havent billed you you could try cancelling it? Maybe someone who's bought fomr them can give you more. Hopefully, it will be fine - I would love to hear what you think of the bags. Good luck.

Va.

[snowwite]

Thanks for the info - I had never heard of ABC but figured it was fine. But, did end up waiting to order because I thought it was odd that they wont tell you the shipping charges util AFTER you order? :confused3 Glad I waited...wont do it now.

But the Ebay Baggellini arrived - it looks SUPER. And it has tons of pockets, inlcuding one that is agaist your back - so great for safety/money.

Thanks again!

I havent seen a Baggelini but everyone os talking about them. Do you have a picture?

[Atotty]

I had a lot of luck using a small crocheted purse instead of a fanny pack. It holds approximately the same amount of stuff, but has a long strap that goes across your body. It's not a messenger bag (much smaller than that) but is worn across the body the same way. I got a surprising amount of stuff in mine! Plus, it's a more attractive alternative to a fanny pack.

(BTW, I got mine at Target. It was only about $10!)


I have one of these, too, that I bought at a dept store. Used it in San Francisco and it was grreat. Only drawback, couldn't fit my dig camera in it.

[sskem96]

There are so many people wearing fanny packs at WDW that I don't really about how I look in one. I NEVER would have considered wearing one ever until I saw how many people wear them there and I was wishing I had one instead of my backpack. I bought a nice fanny pack at Wilsons before Christmas (DH asked for a wallet and accessories were B1G1 1/2 off, so it was only $12!). Hopefully it will work well for our trip!

[mattoxtr]

We used a Mickey drawstring bag we got in the gift shop. It worked great. I even used it when we went to NC last summer. I will use it again when we go back to WDW in Dec.

[java]

I am getting the Vera Bradley hipster(she has new patterns that won me back) and these are the Lightest bags I have ever used. They are like nothing. The hipster is pretty cute too! (I think around $50) But they also have a bunch of other sized ones- I just thought that size was a perfect extra disney size(I too have the backpack wearing dh! thank God for them!)
Oh and on the FANNY PACK did anyone notice that the Cowboys were wearing Fanny Packs during the game*at least I think it was the cowboys.... DH says they were hand warmers but I saw fanny pack!!!

[TnTWalter]

i did quick search on google for 'hands free purse'....

there are many websites that came up but look at this cute pirate one...
http://www.laneigepurse.com/html/unique.html
so those still looking search 'hands free purse'

Other ideas...
http://www.fannypack.com/default.asp a cool fannypack company [looks brand new]

search 'hip purse' found this...
http://www.bisadora.com/5lehippu.html

A search for 'belt bag' found others like this...
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/25347197/c/12271.html

Trish

[TnTWalter]

Trish

[quiltymom]

After reading on another thread about how great this bag was, I broke down and purchased it:

http://www.ebags.com/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=endecasearch&n=0&Ntt=jansport+daypack

I used the MouseSavers code (I'm not sure it it would override the current sale price) and registered for a new checkout service (sorry - I cannot remember what it was, google checkout?, although it's been all over the tips and budget boards) and saved an additional $10.00.

I know that I didn't want a backpack, but I thought I'd give this a try. It's extremely lightweight empty, a bug bonus. It also has a small handle on the top which I can use to carry it, rather than on my back.

I gave it a test run last week when I brought my kids down to DC to see the cherry blossoms. I packed in it what I would bring for a day at the parks and it worked well. It has a zip pocket on the back that was perfect for my camera, extra batteries & card, an inside zip pocket that held my small wallet, and plenty of space for the other misc. items I needed.

The verdict? I loved it. It has an elastic drawstring that was very nice; if I needed to get into the bag quickly I didn't have to loosen it if I didn't want to. The small handle on top was just the right size for me to get my hand into to carry, although I would've liked it to be a bit bigger. I also removed the mirror on the flap - I cannot figure out why it's there. The only thing I wished it had was a pocket for my cell phone. It was nice having the backpack straps so I could throw them over the stroller handles.

Some of the other hip bags looked very cute and fun, but they were way out of my price range. So, this bag looks like the winner for me. Has anyone else purchased it?

[mazrod]

You really should check out this website: lacintura DOT com ~ for some seriously cool fanny pack alternatives. high quality 100% leather and leather combinations that you can not only wear like a fanny pack but also a shoulder bag and messenger bag as they expand from 14-48 inches. Much better for your back and shoulders! You can dress 'em up or dress 'em down as you like. they are hand-made limited edition pieces that you'll LOVE having at Disney or wherever else you want your hands free and your belongings safe. I've been wearing them for years now and have done just about everything- travel, horseback riding,motorcycling,roller coasters, out for elegant meals, charity events- it's the purse that has lasted me the longest and the most used in my closet. they're a tad pricey but not as bad as the Gucci bag and they sit better on your hip (i swear they make my hips look smaller! who ever saw a fanny pack do THAT?) and for me they've been worth every penny.

[scorpad99]

Someone posted a link to these VERY inexpensive bags last night and I am ordering some ASAP!

http://www.abcdistributing.com/home/catalog/cat_item_pg.asp?P=9&G=421

I have a congenital back disorder and cant carry too much either. Waist packs actually pulled too much on my back. I started carrying the waist pack like a purse or across my body and that felt better. I think changing positions a lot was good - but that going across the back like that helped to distribute the weight. The nice thing about these is they are cheap (not out much $ and if you do like it can always upgrade later..) and not too big (so you cant be tempted to overload it..) (I also got a baggellini dirt cheap on Ebay..but think my DH will carry that more - or I will pack VERY lightly.) GOod luck!!!

I have them, and they suck, the snap doesnt stay closed, and its not such a good deal after the s&h , dont waste your money!

[norman09]

You can use Coach coin purse....This square shaped purse can be used to store either coins or paper currency. Make an extra-large purse to store larger documents...for more you can use below link..

http://www.coachoutletstores.org/ (http://www.coachoutletstores.org)