Backpack help

[rosiep]

I have been scouring the internet looking for the perfect backpack.

Last year I bought a Baggallini messenger bag and I loved it. It was particularly useful because it had a zippered pocket on the strap - perfect as a handy place to store KTTW cards for easy access. The only drawback was that after a full day in the park my shoulder was killing me. It's a great everyday bag but not so great for touring the parks.

So, here I am searching for a medium sized backpack ( I usually use a child's pack as I am petite) with a zippered compartment on the strap and mesh side pockets for a water bottle. Design isn't as important to me as function.

Can anyone help????

 

[HFred]

LL Bean has all of their backpacks out now (back to school time) with a lot of different options and sizes so you could find one that fits your petitness. I was just in a store yesterday and many of them had the water bottle side holder. Try them! Their backpacks are really sturdy and last forever!

 

[rosiep]

LL Bean has all of their backpacks out now (back to school time) with a lot of different options and sizes so you could find one that fits your petitness. I was just in a store yesterday and many of them had the water bottle side holder. Try them! Their backpacks are really sturdy and last forever!

Thanks. I'll checkout their website. The feature I am most interested in is the zippered compartment on the strap.

 

[aubriee]

I normally use cargo shorts at WDW, so try not to carry anything into the parks (maybe a wristlet if my shorts don't have pockets). However, for work I like the Vera Bradley backpacks (the 14"x11" size). This one:
http://www.verabradley.com/product/...etals/c/638/sc/876/p/1001486.uts?fromSearch=1

I have several and they are very comfortable to carry and wash very well in the washing machine.

 

[ToddyLu]

I too have a VB small back pack which I love. My Mm uses hers in the parks and I use mine for carry on. I prefer the mini hipster fo parks. VB always has them on sale in certain colors---and I'll be they will have good deals soon for school.

 

[Infamousmare]

My mom bought us FUL sling packs for our first visit to WDW and I've used it every time I've gone. I like that I could wear it across the front or back of my body, there's a small pocket on the strap that's the perfect size for holding my Key to the World card (and makes it super easy to access!) and it had just enough room for a few necessities without being bulky or cumbersome. There is no pocket for a water bottle; however, I attached my bottle to the strap and let it dangle (I also attached my kids' mouse ears this way, too, when they were tired of wearing them).
http://ful.com/details.cfm?name=Peabody

 

[tzeitel]

My mom bought us FUL sling packs for our first visit to WDW and I've used it every time I've gone. I like that I could wear it across the front or back of my body, there's a small pocket on the strap that's the perfect size for holding my Key to the World card (and makes it super easy to access!) and it had just enough room for a few necessities without being bulky or cumbersome. There is no pocket for a water bottle; however, I attached my bottle to the strap and let it dangle (I also attached my kids' mouse ears this way, too, when they were tired of wearing them).
http://ful.com/details.cfm?name=Peabody

Their mini backpack (called the Ditty on their site) also has the pocket on the strap I have a similar sling but it has a phone pocket instead of a zippered one. I love it but don't want to carry a sling all day in the parks - I might just have to get their backpack.

 

[kifuller4]

My mom bought us FUL sling packs for our first visit to WDW and I've used it every time I've gone. I like that I could wear it across the front or back of my body, there's a small pocket on the strap that's the perfect size for holding my Key to the World card (and makes it super easy to access!) and it had just enough room for a few necessities without being bulky or cumbersome. There is no pocket for a water bottle; however, I attached my bottle to the strap and let it dangle (I also attached my kids' mouse ears this way, too, when they were tired of wearing them).
http://ful.com/details.cfm?name=Peabody

I really like this bag! And it's on sale for $20.

 

[rosiep]

Their mini backpack (called the Ditty on their site) also has the pocket on the strap I have a similar sling but it has a phone pocket instead of a zippered one. I love it but don't want to carry a sling all day in the parks - I might just have to get their backpack.

http://www.amazon.com/Unisex-Adult-Ditty-Mini-Backpack/dp/B003V1XECQ

I just ordered one. While it doesn't seem to have a mesh pocket for a water bottle it does have the zippered strap. I can't tell you how handy this is in the parks. Will report more upon it's arrival.

 

[tzeitel]

http://www.amazon.com/Unisex-Adult-Ditty-Mini-Backpack/dp/B003V1XECQ

I just ordered one. While it doesn't seem to have a mesh pocket for a water bottle it does have the zippered strap. I can't tell you how handy this is in the parks. Will report more upon it's arrival.

I did not even think of Amazon! Now I have to get it - I have gift cards burning a hole in my pocket (ok, in my Amazon account ).

 

[moenjoejr]

Ok, so I am torn on whether to get a backpack or a sling of some sort. I was set on the baggallini and now I don't know after reading your post. THe last time I was in WDW was pre kids so I had just a fanny pack I think and it was fine for me and DH. Now I have 3 kids (9, 5, 5) and I want to make sure I am able to carry the necesseties to the parks without straining myself.

WIth backpacks, can they go on rides with you? Can the baggallini's?

 

[Forevryoung]

Ok, so I am torn on whether to get a backpack or a sling of some sort. I was set on the baggallini and now I don't know after reading your post. THe last time I was in WDW was pre kids so I had just a fanny pack I think and it was fine for me and DH. Now I have 3 kids (9, 5, 5) and I want to make sure I am able to carry the necesseties to the parks without straining myself.

WIth backpacks, can they go on rides with you? Can the baggallini's?

Yes they can all go on rides.

I've been using the baggallini messenger for 7 trips. I really love it as a park bag no matter who I am with or what season it is (I've stuffed an extra fleece in there in January).

What I don't like- the way it looks in pictures (i have a larger chest but I'm not "pooh sized").

My baggallini really needs to be replaced and I've agonized about what to get- I hated the Vera Bradley hipster that everyone else loves. And I never found a two strap backpack that I loved.

So I just ordered a replacement baggallini messenger. That's how much I love it as a park bag!

 

[rosiep]

Ok, so I am torn on whether to get a backpack or a sling of some sort. I was set on the baggallini and now I don't know after reading your post. THe last time I was in WDW was pre kids so I had just a fanny pack I think and it was fine for me and DH. Now I have 3 kids (9, 5, 5) and I want to make sure I am able to carry the necesseties to the parks without straining myself.

WIth backpacks, can they go on rides with you? Can the baggallini's?

Yes they can all go on rides.

I've been using the baggallini messenger for 7 trips. I really love it as a park bag no matter who I am with or what season it is (I've stuffed an extra fleece in there in January).

What I don't like- the way it looks in pictures (i have a larger chest but I'm not "pooh sized").

My baggallini really needs to be replaced and I've agonized about what to get- I hated the Vera Bradley hipster that everyone else loves. And I never found a two strap backpack that I loved.

So I just ordered a replacement baggallini messenger. That's how much I love it as a park bag!

I'd have to say if I were carrying stuff for 4 people I'd want a backpack for certain. I do agree that the baggallini strap is unsightly in pictures...but then again so are the BP straps.
If going with a backpack, do try to use the smallest possible size because even though there is space to take the larger ones on every ride, they're cumbersome and a bit of a pain.

 

[rosiep]

Drat!!!


I was really hoping I would love the FUL mini pack, but alas, it was too small to hold enough for 2 ( but would have been perfect for one person), and the straps did not sit right on my shoulders. I can't explain it, but I kept wanting to tug the straps lower in the front. The were adjustable...but it was the padded part that needed to come down a bit. Oh well. No harm no foul. Amazon return with free shipping.

The quest continues.

 

[tzeitel]

Drat!!!


I was really hoping I would love the FUL mini pack, but alas, it was too small to hold enough for 2 ( but would have been perfect for one person), and the straps did not sit right on my shoulders. I can't explain it, but I kept wanting to tug the straps lower in the front. The were adjustable...but it was the padded part that needed to come down a bit. Oh well. No harm no foul. Amazon return with free shipping.

The quest continues.

Bummer! I was reading some reviews and they say the same thing about the straps being weird. That even with the straps as tight as they can get them the bag still sits funny I found this one backpack that looks pretty cool - super light and looks like it fits tons (they have a video review )

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CKMTWW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

It is on sale until today! 20% off - I am still debating on getting it and probably will until 11:59PM

 

[rosiep]

Bummer! I was reading some reviews and they say the same thing about the straps being weird. That even with the straps as tight as they can get them the bag still sits funny I found this one backpack that looks pretty cool - super light and looks like it fits tons (they have a video review )

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CKMTWW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

It is on sale until today! 20% off - I am still debating on getting it and probably will until 11:59PM

I gave in today and bought a child's Hello Kitty Peace pack. It's medium sized and has two mesh pockets for water. It's slightly bigger than I was hoping for, and alas, no zippered pocket on the strap...but I can live with it for two weeks.

 

[CampbellScot]

The Atom sling bag from Patagonia is great. I also used a Baggallini and loved it but it KILLED my shoulder by the end of the day. The Atom has been wonderful. It looks very small but it actually holds quite a bit. I think it's on ebags and zappos on sale.