Ameribag aka Healthy Back Bag

[robinb]

Does anyone here have one?

I am currently using a bum bag for things around town and I was thinking about buying an Ameribag. I would probably get an extra-small since I don't like really big bags for everyday. For instance, I have a perfectly nice Coach bag that I don't use.

Then ... I was thinking about what to bring to WDW. We usually carry a camera (in a small bag), ponchos, a water bottle, a change of clothes for my DD, my cell phone, my palm pilot, sunglasses and other small items. We have a regular backpack for this stuff, but I'm thinking maybe a medium Ameribag might do the trick.

And then there's the XL mesh one for the gym. {sigh}

I tried a small one on in a local store and it was nicely balanced.

 

[RNMOM]

Yes, I have an Ameribag that I have used off and on for the past three years. I have a small black nylon one. I actually bought it through Eddie Bauer but it is made by Ameribag.

I like it a lot but wanted a bag with a long shoulder strap for a change and bought a leather one this winter made by Stone Mountain.

The pockets inside are incredible and you can sit it upright on it's end if you have a bottle of something to drink inside, as I often do.

I really have no complaints with it at all.

 

[ChiTownZee]

Is there someplace online that sells these? I'd like to take a look

 

[JESW]

What kind of bags are these? Are they like back-packs with two shoulder straps? (I see a lot of Mom's using that type as diaper bags so they can keep their hands free) Or are they the kind that go over one shoulder? I am looking into a bag like that. I think I saw them at ll beane. Could you possibly post a picture of the type you mean?

Jill

 

[robinb]

It's a fairly large kidney shaped bag with one wide strap. It looks a bit like a "messenger bag". You can hang the bag comfortably on your shoulder or you can put the strap over your head and wear it on your back. The design is supposed to make it easier to carry stuff without hurting your back. We have a stroller now, but our backpack gets pretty heavy at WDW and we have to carry it on on the rides and the lines.

The product website is www.ameribag.com . They are the same ones sold be LLBean and you can get them on ebay or from www.sierratradingpost.com . STP often has free shipping promotions and their prices are pretty good. My friend buys from them all the time and she loves their customer service. I will also look at Eddie Bauer and see if they still carry one like it. We have a regular store in our mall and an outlet mall store within 45 minutes of home.

 

[JESW]

Yes, those ARE the ones I've been looking into! Can't seem to find any in the stores so I'll have to go the mail order route. Thanks for posting the link!

Jill

 

[disykat]

I have a leather one. I wouldn't carry my leather one at WDW, but I would carry one of the lighter ones.

I love mine. I carry a big purse EVERYWHERE I go since I have to have epi-pens with me. It made a huge difference when I started using the ameribag - no more sore shoulders.

I found that ordering it on line was cheaper (even with shipping) than I could find it here.

 

[robinb]

I just bought a red nylon medium one from Sierra Trading Post (www.sierratradingpost.com) !

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It was only $39 and I used code "19846" in the "Key Code" field to get free shipping!

I went to a local store and gave it a "test drive". There are lots of pockets and my Britta water bottle will fit in the long pocket on the side. I also looked at the Tech, but it didn't open as easily and I didn't think I would ever use the lower compartment. I did like the extra strap on the Tech as well as the bigger water bottle pocket, but the regular one was a lot cheaper!

 

[CarolA]

I have a Save Your Back bag by norm thompson that I LOVE> It converts to a backpack and is just great. I can haul it thur Europe with two guidebooks in it.
http://www.normthompson.com/shoppin...RODUCT&iMainCat=45&iSubCat=26&iProductID=3636
That should take you to the bag. I have the small one in black. I also have the large one in beige, but it is WAY to big.

 

[nativetxn]

I think I need to order me one of these. They would be great for travelling.

Thanks for the links Robin and CarolA

 

[bobcat]

I bought one of these for my last trip and I love it! I have the small in black nylon and it is the perfect size. I can fit everything into all the pockets and I have a hard time changing back into my purse afterwards. In fact I used it on a trip to Gettysburg in early May and still haven't changed back into my purse. It is amazing how much you can fit into these.

AAA also carries them and you can sometimes get a special price on them. I had to have my AAA office order it for me from a larger office and now they carry it. I bought travelers checks from them last summer and received a $10 off $25 purchase so I was able to get an even better deal.

 

[Poohbear123]

But, since I saw this thread, I have been trying to decide WHICH one I need and WANT! Do I get the Leather, or Microfiber? They also have a Nylon one! Which one, Which one?

 

[robinb]

I got the nylon one because I liked the color. I think the microfiber one might be a little lighter weight. I also think the leather one will be too heavy and hot for park use, not to mention needing to condition the leather, etc.

 

[catsrule]

I have this one, from LL Bean....

I got the large one. It holds alot, but my shoulder still gets sore if I am carrying it all day, but I also have fibromyalgia which contributes to this.

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

I have four of these (medium tech bag, extra-small microfiber, small nylon and medium nylon). They're great for organizing your stuff, but I find that if I just have a few things in it, the strap tends to slide off my shoulder. You can fit a lot more stuff inside than you think would fit. I bought mine at eBags. Right now they're having a 20% off sale, but they sometimes offer free shipping too. You can often find codes for eBags on sites like ebates.com or couponmountain.com.

 

[robinb]

TwoOldPoohs,

Since you have a regular medium one and a Tech bag, I have a couple of questions about your Tech Bag ...

(1) Do you use the bottom pocket for anything? Doesn't it make the bag unstable when standing up?

(2) Do you find it harder to get into the bag since the zipper is shorter? Are the inside pockets different? I know the outside ones are.

 

[Poohbear123]

Thanks Robinb! Ebags sounds like the way to go!

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

robinb,

It's been a while since I used the tech bag. I don't think I ever had the need to use the bottom compartment. I don't recall having problems getting into the bag due to the zipper. It has an extra strap you can put around your waist, which gives it some more support, but that's what makes it a bit more difficult to reach inside, I think, since it holds it steady in one position. If I can remember where I put it confused: that's an entirely different subject!) I will take a closer look at it and try to answer your questions more fully.

 

[Poohbear123]

From Ebay of all places! It was about 10.00 cheaper than ALL the Other Web sites! It arrives in 2 days!