Backpacks? What to carry in the park

[lissawynn]

I take a large fanny pack or my Vera Bradley backpack(small) and carry all my items in a Ziplock bag. I just take the Ziploc out so security can see it and put it back in my bag.
I usually carry bandaids, antibiotic ointment, camera(in its own Ziploc bag), 2 $.99 ponchos from Wal-Mart, Advil, and a laminated card with all our ps numbers. I also bring a small change purse for my cash, insurance cards, etc. I also bring a 2 gallon Ziploc to put my bag in while on water rides.
On my honeymoon trip I carried too much stuff in my bag. Experience, as to what we actually needed, has allowed me to really cut down on what I carry.

 

[kwdietrich1]

Kis and Nelleigh,

What model of the Mountainsmith lumbar pack do you use. I've checked out several online like the Cairn(blue and black) and Blaze (red and black) as well as the daypack (black) So far I'm leaning towards the cairn. I would appreciate any input you might be able to offer.

I need to carry a digi camera(which the case could fit on the belt), a small palm sized camcorder, ponchos, eyeglasses, sunglasses, a place to hang pal mickey, water bottle or refillable mug (can't leave the hotel w/o some piping hot coffee!),small meds case, tissue pack, wallet, tics, room key, small brush, mini umbrella, contact lens kit, cell phone andmaybe a guide book??? oh, and yes the kitchen sink , just kidding. Do you think all of this would fit in one of the models?

Thanks in advance :

 

[Kristina]

I am torn between a backpack and a fanny pack. I would like a fanny pack but it is so easy to just snap the buckle or whatever you call it, that I might lose it. I'd like something that was harder to remove from my waist, does anyone know of any brands like this?
I did a search for the healthy bag backpack and I really like those, with the zipper close to your body. I hopefully won't carry to much other than the usual wallet, contact lense solution drops and case, glasses in case, ponchos, small hairbrush, some lippy, camera, tissues, pre-cut moleskin, maybe some wet wipes and a few snacks, oh and a water bottle, although that I will have on some sort of landyard hopefully. I am thinking also of wearing something around my neck for our tickets and perhaps some money also.

 

[Atotty]

I didn't know Walmart had such a thing.

Thanks

 

[uberPlanner]

IMO - Mountainsmith Day Pack was too large. When it arrived, my DW gave me the look. I returned it.

We ended up sticking with the Mountainsmith Tour. Perfect!

 

[KIS]

I don't know if we have the tour or day pack of the Mountainsmith. I bet you can't go wrong either way.

KIS

 

[seanmci]

I was just checking these out online but I think I need to see these in person. Do they look big and bulky? I know we have to think about what is practical but I don't want to look like i'm preparing to summit K2. lol I too am curiouse as to which size will be just big enough.

 

[KIS]

It's a little smaller than a normal size daypack.

It's shaped slightly different because it is made to be ergonomically correct. The lumbar belt part is what makes it look a bit unusual. The belt part could be considered bulky compared to other straps. They are about as significant as padded shoulder straps on a backpack. Once you properly put it on for a trial run (filled and walking for about 15 minutes or so), you will see that those straps are quite elegant, comfortable and worth their thickness. It's actually made not to twist over and pull on your lower back. Since the pack won't tip, you may not care to use the shoulder strap.

There is a shoulder strap. You could conceivably lug that pack on one shoulder alone, but it weighs down.

The third way to wear it without purchasing the extra on your back shoulder straps, is the one I prefer. I'm quite accustomed to backpacks and felt odd not having something on my back. You can further stabilize it with the shoulder strap that is attached near the top of the pack, sort of like you wear a purse using one shoulder. You just close the latch and wear it over one shoulder after adjusting that strap for the dimension across. This is in addition to the belt, of course, which bears the main heft of the pack. Mind you, the pack does not require this extra strap to be worn properly, but I prefer it. I find the load lighter this way

Overall, it is much more easy to carry than our usual Eddie Bauer backpack (it's from '97 and I'm sure EB has also evolved).

I hope this explanation helps you.

KIS

 

[disneymom3]

mjatgoofy--I have one of those backpacks too and LOVE it! I actually "had" to get it this last trip as my backpack/purse I had broke from all the zipping and unzipping going through security! (By the way, I see you are from MN too!!)

We have gone through the security checks lots and lots and always carry at least one bag since we have three small children, one of whom was very recently potty trained while on our last trip. Never has it been a problem at all until this last trip. The CMs have always been very pleasant and very fast but this one at AK! Oh that woman. She was a grouch for one thing, but probably because all of the guests were mad at her! She was slow as molasses and looked in every nook and cranny of every single bag. She even made me take the stuff out of the mesh pocket in one of our bags even though you could see through it. Our family members were in another line next to us and literally were through the line for more than 10 minutes while we still waited. The woman in front of us was convinced that this CM was an airport security wanna be. The only thing I could figure was that WDW was instituting random THOUROUGH checks and this poor CM was stuck with the duty that day.

 

[kwdietrich1]

Kis:
Thanks for your explanation! Now I just have to decide which version I want. I really need to find a sporting goods store that has them in stock so that I can try them on. I tried to look for fanny packs a few weeks ago, but I guess it was too early in the season, because I did not find any. I'd rather try them on before buying.

 

[Vavasmon]

We just returned and carried both a backpack and a large fanny pack each day.

The fannypack had money, wallets, tickets, cell phone, sungalles, and my pager (I can't escape it). It also had the digital camera and extra battery. (It is a lager model I just bought from REI - I love it!!)

Tha backback is an LL Bean Turbo Transit with 5 separate sections. I tried to keep at least 3 sections empty when we entered the parks. It often held jackets or shorts (we had variable weather early in the trip), sunscreen, rain gear when needed,, my DDs autograpgh book/pen, park maps, our itinary/pses, and sometimes a partial cahne of clothes for the three of us. DH and I take turns with it - we usually use the 1 shoulder method to improve air flow in the warmer months. We love the sections when something is wet (think thunderstorm). It can also holds shoes for water rides or gloves and hats if applicable. It has been used at theme parks around the country (we love coasters). It also holds mugs/cups and a water bottle. We try not to put anything valuable in it (sometimes the camera was in it). At Disney you could always take it with you on the rides (this is not true in many major theme parks).

Security was fast at all parks except the AK. At the AK they were very concerned abpout food being brought in )I assume beacuse of the animals). I alway had all sections open and ready for inspection. The empty sections were fast to check.

 

[KIS]

I went to a different campstore this evening and happened to see the Cairn pack. I think it's the smaller version. It's hard for me to know how many water bottles and how many ponchos you'd want to fit into that thing. We have the older, larger version.

I went ahead and purchased the backpack-type straps for my husband. I'm not convinced they are necessary.

Has anyone else used the Mountainsmith shoulder straps with the day or tour lumbar packs? If so, what was it like?

KIS

 

[msr709]

Can anyone post the link for these? TIA!

 

[kwdietrich1]

Kis:
Was the campstore a local store or a chain store? If you don't mind sharing, I would like to know to see if there is one in my area. I basically will carry only one water bottle. The Cairn was the model I was looking at online, but I really don't have any clue as to what it will hold, if it will be big enough or too big. I really would like to see one in person. Is the day pack larger than the Cairn? I want something large enough so my DH doesn't have to carry one, but not so large, I fall over! LOL.

P.S. Here's a list of what I want to carry: 2 ponchos, 1 water bottle, digi camera (either on belt or inside) palm sized camcorder, contact stuff, eye glasses, sun glasses, hand wipes, hand lotion (terribly dry hands) wallet, tics, Pal mickey (okay I could hold him or put him on a bottle strap), a few cosmetics, I would love to carry a guide book, (although it may not be feasible,) a mini mini umbrella, cell phone, pens, tissues, gosh, I'm not sure what else, can't remember what I took with me into the parks last Christmas! Well you get the gist!

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

http://www.petcarecentral.com/kj-00581.html

This is what I use and it came in VERY handy- it was the perfect size and comfortable (obviously you can leave out the portable doggie bowl.

Mesh on the front for items that you need to see and grab quickly, a couple other pockets and a bigger-than-you-think main storage area.

Heres what we put in it
Mini Mickey Book
sunscreen
granola bars
water shoes (if headed to kali river rapids, or water parks)
wallet
park tickets/passes
ponchos
and it held our 2 refillable mugs from the resort instedad of drink bottles.(this way we didnt have to return to the room after breakfast to drop off the mug)
Excedrin
compressed washclothes from the Disney Store- just wet and it expands to wash a child's face, or cool you off, keep a plastic bag handy to put it in afterwards.
If we didnt have water shoes or ponchos we have plenty of room to tuck souvineers into.

Oh yeah, petco sells these and other places online sell for less money (as low as $16)

 

[KIS]

kwdietrich1:

I purchased last year's model or something. I did see the Cairn. It was akin to the smaller of the two that were available when I purchased one in early/mid Feb.

I purchased the larger of the day/tour. I think mine was the day, but I can't recall.

The Cairn was about the size of the tour.

We got the larger size because we're fitting two adults and one child's ponchos, water shoes, two-three bottles of water, autograph book, pen, cards, mini-mini-mini-mini flashlight, travel binoculars (for shows) ear plugs (for shows), mini-mini sunscreen lotions, some moleskin, antibacterial wipes, toilet covers (I've never been to WDW and don't know if we'll need these or not), one package of goldfish crackers, two rolls of coins for pressed pennies.

I purchased our Moutainsmith at Campmoor, an established local home grown type store in the suburbs of NYC in New Jersey. Yesterday, I went to another overgrown, home grown one on the same strip of highway, (My theory for them being all together is that it was once the gateway area to more rural areas. That one was called Ramsey Outdoors. It had the Cairn.

Does that help at all?

I wonder if the website for Mountainsmith might list the dimensions. If so, you could try to approximate the volume involved and see if it looks reasonable.

With our load, everything just fits into the larger bag. Without the man's, woman's and child's water shoes, there'd be room for souvenirs.


KIS

 

[kwdietrich1]

Kis:
Thanks! It does help. Unfortunately, we don't have a Campmoor around here. I checked online and the cairn is about 1000 cubic inches and another model the Blaze I think was 780 cubic inches. No measurements for the Day/Tour pack. I'll keep searching. I'm going to try our local Gander Mtn store. They are kinda pricey there, but atleast I might be able to get an idea, that is if they carry them.
(about the toliet covers, they do have them in the restrooms, but frequently run out. I think it would be a great idea to bring them along!

Thanks so much!

 

[KIS]

Good luck with the exploring.

We bought the Day lumbarpack. It was 1150 cu. in.

The Campmoor store is very local. They do have mail order and a website, however.

I just checked it out with the hopes of giving you the cu. in on the old Tour model, but I see they are not carrying it anymore.

Anyway, it is hard to see them online.

Do you have REI or EMS campstore chains in your neck of the woods?

KIS