Alternative to Backpack AND Fanny pack??

[moopdog]

I will have our double stroller with a large basket underneath for most days at the park, so we can throw a backpack under that usually. But for the days when we're just going for a couple of hours I really don't want to have a back pack (and I don't want to offend anyone here) I will NOT wear a fanny pack - I think it has something to do with my too-practical MIL .

Anyway, isn't there an alternative to these two items??

Thanks~!

 

[dejavu]

I'm with you I detest fanny packs. We solved this by taking a small purse with a short thin shoulder strap on it. It "hit" just about 3-4 inches below your armpit and had a sling shape to it,it had a zipper compartment inside where we stowed our tkts and some money and a CC. Then we had room for sunglasses. lip ointment,etc.. It was small, lightweight, easy to carry & easy to stow on even the wildeest rides, like RNR roller coaster and Sp. Mt. Best of all, even with the heat it wasn't hot to carry.

 

[cepmom]

I don't like to wear a backpack (makes my back too hot and sweaty) and I don't care for the fanny bag either (although I do kind of like the convenience of them). This year I got a smallish messenger bag from Old Navy that works perfectly for us. It is big enough to hold what we need ~ camera, small wallet, passes, sunblock, small baggie with bandaids etc) and is easy to wear all day.

BTW ~ I hear you on the MIL thing.....mine uses a fanny bag daily and I can't get that image out of my mind!!!!

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

I am also not a fanny pack fan BUT I did buy one and used it like a purse to hang off my shoulder at Great Adventure yesterday! I could hang it on my ne Maclaren stroller which I LOVED then take it with me to go on rides, it held my camera, phone, deodorant (never without it) keys to car, change purse and the front pocket held my personal items. It really worked great. I got black do DH would do some holding also.

 

[moopdog]

Okay... but do you guys bring water bottles? If so, where do you store them... if NOT, how do you manage without?! I got the impression - you HAVE to bring your own water for fear of dehydrating and spending too much $$.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We've been struggling with how to carry our gear into the park.

I don't like fanny packs, but I'm going to use one. It's the most safe place for cash, room keys, and tickets. I can't loose it if I'm wearing it, and no one can easily steal anything from it.

I think we're going to use a backpack for our cameras, film, rain ponchos, autograph books, hand wipes, etc........But we're going to carry the backpack rather than wear it. Dh and I can take turns carrying it.

Each of us has a bottle strap water carrier for our bottled water. That goes over the shoulder. The only thing my kids will carry is their own water.

 

[Drizzo67]

I'm not so keen on fanny packs as well. I have a really wonderful messenger bag I use with an adjustable strap. I wear it across my shoulder not just over my shoulder.

I have used fanny packs before. I have a nice one that I bought in a camping supply store. It has a place to hold a water bottle on the side of it. I guess it's used for hiking. You may want to look into that type. NOT SO MILish. LOL.

 

[bicyclemark]

check out your local bike shops for a messanger bag. Most of them have provisions for a water bottle and there is plenty of room.

 

[aubriee]

I don't like to wear a backpack (makes my back too hot and sweaty) and I don't care for the fanny bag either (although I do kind of like the convenience of them). This year I got a smallish messenger bag from Old Navy that works perfectly for us.
BTW ~ I hear you on the MIL thing.....mine uses a fanny bag daily and I can't get that image out of my mind!!!!

Oh this is funny! I'm the M-I-L that hates fanny packs. I have a baggalleni messenger bag and two other smaller messenger bags (a Lorenz and a Lewis& Clark) that I like, as well as a small WDW backpack I bought at WDW last January. I'm taking my son and D-I-L to WDW in Sept and my D-I-L told me a couple of weeks ago that she had just bought herself a cute fanny pack for the trip. I told her no way was I going to be seen with her in a fanny pack. She then asked what she should carry if not a fanny pack and I showed her my bags and back pack and told her to take her pick or else we would go shopping. She fell in love with the Lorenz messenger bag and also took the WDW backpack for my son. (So I guess I'm using the Baggallini or Lewis & Clark messenger bags.) She liked the Lorenz bag so much that she told me I may not get it back after the trip. She was later laughing about her M-I-L with the good taste as well as what she called her temporary 'brain infart'. Last weekend I ran into her and her sister shopping and she had the Lorenz bag on. Her sister said she loved the bag and asked where I had gotten it. When I told her I won it on e-bay, she said she wished her M-I-L had my taste. My D-I-L put her arm around me and said 'Well you can't have mine!' I reminded her I wanted the bag back after the trip and she said "we'll see, I might trade you my fanny pack for it."

The Baggalleni bag has a mesh pocket on the side for a water bottle, by the way and can be worn as a messenger bag or a back pack. With all it's pockets it holds more than the backpack, but is smaller.

 

[lmartin2711]

My DH doesn't mind carrying the backpack as long as I put frozen water bottles closest to his back. The night before I always put two bottles in freezer and two in frig. That way we have two ready when we need them and the two frozen ones will melt down for later. I carry a small digital camera bag that I keep my money and the tickets in. Works for us!!!

 

[Giggles]

Okay... but do you guys bring water bottles? If so, where do you store them... if NOT, how do you manage without?! I got the impression - you HAVE to bring your own water for fear of dehydrating and spending too much $$.

My family has water bottles (sports type) that we hood a caribeaner to and clip that too our belt loops, purse, back pack, what ever. We got ours at Target (they are an Eddie Bauer brand, very light weight, only about $5). Then we just fill it up around the parks. My family gets dehydrated very easily, so water bottles are a must, and with the clip, it keeps our hands free.

 

[disneyred]

My family has water bottles (sports type) that we hood a caribeaner to and clip that too our belt loops, purse, back pack, what ever. We got ours at Target (they are an Eddie Bauer brand, very light weight, only about $5). .

Just a bit OT here... these water bottles mentioned here (Eddie Bauer), I assume are similar to the sport ones like Nalgene ones.... I have never used them but see them in the stores everywhere... I always wonder, can you fill it AND then freeze it overnight with these kinds of bottles?? has anyone ever tried??
thanks.

 

[tinkernelllec]

OK, I dislike the look of a fanny pack also, but i found one at walmart that is black and small, but big enough for a few diapers/wipes in ziplock bags, camera, tickets and any other "essentials". It even has a mesh pocket for a water bottle. It also has a ring on it for keys, that you can put the keys in the zippered part so they are not dangling. My DS 5, thinks it's the coolest thing, because I only get it out for excursions such as a park or zoo, so he asks to wear it most of the time...........fine with me!!!!

 

[Redbudlover]

Fanny packs just don't carry enough - and though I like my back pack a lot, I bought a great messenger bag from the Container Store this past spring. I needed something that would hold off the pickpockets supposedly trolling the streets of Amsterdam and I just love it! It has a zippered compartment in an adjustable shoulder strap that zips on the side closest to your body so you can tuck your money, CC, and ID into it. you can wear it over your shoulder or across your chest. It has plenty of room for maps, guidebooks, tissues, a small umbrella, fold up ponchos, and has a space for a phone and for water. it is great, light and water proof. And it is easy to get to your money when you need it.
Redbudlover

 

[jenelope]

I bought an Eagle Creek Guide bag a couple of years ago for a Disney trip. I wanted to be able to switch stuff from my backpack to something smaller for days that I didn't need to carry as much. I ended up using it for every day of my trip because it was so convenient. Lots of little organizer pockets and a nice, roomy center section.

Eagle Creek makes a ton of shoulder bags and pouches. I'm thinking about adding this cute little guy to my ever-expanding collection of EC stuff. I don't really need it, but it looks so handy! I think I'm an Eagle Creek addict.

 

[Redbudlover]

Your guide bag looks a lot like the bag I bought to take to Amsterdam where I read you have to be careful of pickpockets. I just love it and used it every day. I too liked the size - smaller than a big backpack with plenty of room. I also liked that I could sling it under my arm when i felt I didn't want it out in the open for thieves. Great bag.
Redbudlover

 

[Savin4Disney]

I happened to read on here about Ameribags. So I started looking for one. They are not cheap!!! but they are for people with back and shoulder problems. People claim they are great. I finally found one in blue for 34 on sale. Normally they run much higher.

Right after I bought it I threw out my back. Let me tell you I LOVE this bag. I could not even carry a purse my back was so bad. So this was perfect. I can't wait to use it in the world.

Only 100 more days!!

 

[SnoweyWhite]

I will have our double stroller with a large basket underneath for most days at the park, so we can throw a backpack under that usually. But for the days when we're just going for a couple of hours I really don't want to have a back pack (and I don't want to offend anyone here) I will NOT wear a fanny pack - I think it has something to do with my too-practical MIL .

Anyway, isn't there an alternative to these two items??

Thanks~!

My last trip I carried a KAVU Keeper (over-the sholder-tote), and it worked out great. If you have to carry stuff for the whole family, it may not be practical, but it worked great for me. Here is a website where you can see what they look like: http://www.kavu.com/index.php?SCREEN=item&department=4&item=636&clog=OTdnYWpsdHI3ZA==. Also, they have other bags that are larger, so you can scan the website for ideas.
Hope this helps.

P.S. If you don't want to buy one online, you can usually find them at outdoor stores (Usually at stores that also carry The North Face and Patagonia brands).

 

[Redbudlover]

I happened to read on here about Ameribags. So I started looking for one. They are not cheap!!! but they are for people with back and shoulder problems. People claim they are great. I finally found one in blue for 34 on sale. Normally they run much higher.

Right after I bought it I threw out my back. Let me tell you I LOVE this bag. I could not even carry a purse my back was so bad. So this was perfect. I can't wait to use it in the world.

Only 100 more days!!

Hi, I have a bad back also - I used my messenger bag a lot but it did bother my back. My backpack didn't but it was too big and hot. Where could I find this Ameribag? It could make a huge difference to me. Thanks
Redbudlover

 

[pennilessinpa]

Each trip we swear that we are going to carry less, but the first time I don't bring the ponchos it pours. The time I forget the tylenol, we get terrible headaches, etc.

I hate having to wait in line at bag inspection - that is my reason to bring less, but I just can't seem to get around the backpack filled with stuff for the five of us.

I tried fanny packs (not enough room), backpacks, beach bags, and even (last year) a rolling back pack. I wish there was a better alternative.