Can you recommend a good backpack...

[agotta]

Something that we can slide the water bottle in the side and big enough to hold maps, cameras etc.

Amanda

 

[mmeb144]

I checked at Wal-mart, off and on, and finally found a smallish size slingpack that works great. I put my camera, autograph book, water bottle (or coke), money, etc. in there with room to spare. It set me back around $9. I love it! I haven't seen any lately. My DH wants one!

Try checking ebags.com. They might have something cool.

Marie

 

[cricket429]

Our Walmart has them too. Was there yesterday and they have lots of them in different colors. Am thinking of picking one up as the size looks perfect. Not too big, not too small.

 

[VA_mouseman]

I'm a strong advocate for a good lumbar bag (aka 'fanny pack'). Backpacks are shoulder killers, and not to mention the 'sweat pit' that develops between your back and the pack itself.

We used the LL Bean 'Approach' lumbar bag. Solid construction, four outside mesh pockets, two large internal sections. Very nice!!

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...langId=-1&categoryId=36670&sc1=Search&feat=sr

The LL Bean name speaks for itself in terms of quality and customer service. The price is hard to beat too ... $29. A larger and a smaller version are available as well.

 

[mrford]

I like the Ameribag. I just bought an extra small version and think it is the perfect size to take into the parks. It is very good on the back. Here is a link.
Go through the link on Mousesavers.com and it gives you 20% off.


http://www.ebags.com/ameribag/brand_search/index.cfm?brandid=243&end_keywords=ameribag

 

[slp87]

I don't have a specific brand, but when buying a new one for the parks, I like to make sure it's really lightweight with lots of pockets. Some of those backpacks are heavy before you ever load them!!

 

[Harambe]

It's a little pricey, but very well constructed - it is the one strap LL Bean bacpack - very "back friendly". It is plenty big enough for all your stuff during the day. It doesn't have a mesh pocket for water bottles. DH is the official carrier, and he loves it.

This year, I want to pick up some of the water bottle carriers for the parks. Since I don't do too many rides, guess who gets stuck holding 4 water bottles all the time?!?!?!? Anyone know where you can get them?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I bought a larger than necessary camera bag because that was the only "man purse" my husband would carry.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Before my honeymoon last year, I went on a quest for the perfect. My wife will attest. I bought 5 or 6 bags! hehehe

I bought versions of the bag that was linked onto ebags, I had a sort of man purse kind of thing (one was from Banana Republic, and another was a gift).

But the one that I loved the best, and has now been dubbed my "Disney bag" was a free gift from the Disney Movie Club, and I actually saw another guy with the same bag at the Magic Kingdom!

I thought they'd have it on DisneyDirect.com, but they don't. But it's just a medium sized bag with a drawstring at the top. There's a flap that then comes over the opening after the drawstring has been closed. There's one pocket inside (I put all of our cash, credit card, admission, and room keys in there) and one pocket outside. Otherwise, it was spacious enough for me to take a change of clothes, a pair of flip flops for the water rides, and a camera, sunscreen, and park maps.

 

[Renysmom]

MrFord -

How small is the extra small bag you mentioned? Is it the size of the one pictured? I bought a great leather backpack from Ebags (Clava brand) but it is too large to bring I think, plus it is leather. I don't want something too small, something to carry bottle of water, cell phone, 2 digi cameras, snacks.

Thanks,

Kelly

 

[DizBelle]

I checked at Wal-mart, off and on, and finally found a smallish size slingpack that works great. I put my camera, autograph book, water bottle (or coke), money, etc. in there with room to spare. It set me back around $9. I love it! I haven't seen any lately. My DH wants one!

Try checking ebags.com. They might have something cool.

Marie

What, exactly, is a "sling pack"?

 

[phanomouse]

I would have to agree and disagree with Mouseman... Good lumbar support is key when thinking about what your going to be lugging around the parks. But what I disagree with is that backpacks are shoulder killers, they don't have to be you just need to be smart when picking one. I am an avid mountaineer and so I admittadly have a collection of packs that is larger then anyone one needs. I also have done gear testing for pack manufacturers and I have used the good the bad and the horrible. I recommend trying a camel back. You can go to there website (www.camelback.com) and use their product selector. I would say to choose day hiking and where it asks how long you'll be out just choose the minimum unless you are really concerned about having a ton of water. It will allow you to choose the size of load you would want to carry, etc. Get the names of a few that you like then go to an outdoor recreation store or biking store take the things you think you would be carrying in the parks and try them on. You can get backpacks with great suspension that are breathable and will last you a life time... added bonus the water bladder fits into the bag without taking up a as much room as a bottle.

 

[phanomouse]

oops mistake

 

[mmeb144]

Here's a picture of a sling pack from Lands' End. It's gotten an interest from my DS, 12.

http://landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,,1...00.html?sid=8039112119270146081&CM_MERCH=SRCH

Marie

 

[ashjohnson80]

<html>
<img src="http://www.verabradley.com/Images/products/18829_me.jpg"><br><br>
<img src="http://www.verabradley.com/Images/products/18744_me.jpg"><br><br>
Vera Bradley backpacks are awesome, they are a little expensive but they are washable and are super comfy to wear and I love them, lots of room inside too.

 

[VA_mouseman]

But what I disagree with is that backpacks are shoulder killers, they don't have to be you just need to be smart when picking one.

Excellent point. My problem is probably because I used an old backpack on my '01 trio to WDW and had bad memories from it. So, I opted for the lumbar route on my '04 trip.

For those who prefer backpacks, Phanomouse raises some excellent points.

 

[schrodstrip]

Speaking from an adult grad student/treck accross campus everyday girl/...my recomendation is the smaller the bag the better. What do you need to carry? Water/maps/cameras? Everything else can be sent to your room. The more pockets you have, the more time you spend digging for where you put things. I love the bags that fit crosswise, meaning that they cover one shoulder and open on the other side at your waist. They are also easy for pulling out a maps or water without taking the thing off. Also, don't spend the big bucks. Lands End bags are the bomb for those that use them 365 and have special features to accomodate us/students. For a week vacation, I would reccomend something cheap.

 

[kellyandkids]

Silly question here, but I haven't been back to the parks since my now teenage son was a baby in a stroller. We're going in May (finally!) What do you do with your backpacks when everyone in your group is riding a "thrill ride" (test track, space mtn., etc)? Do you keep your backpacks on? I can't picture doing that in those kind of rides. We would have room keys, cameras, everything in them. So I don't see just leaving them somewhere until we get off.

 

[agotta]

My Dh usually carries ours but we take it on all the rides. Keep in mind we don't stuff it full of stuff. Just our camera maybe my wallet, maps and things.

Amanda

 

[buzz5985]

We bought a great back pack at Target a few years back. Has a "camel" built into it with the straw. The camel holds 2 liters of water. and the backpack will carry ponchos, vidocamera, 35 mm, digital camera. plus snacks.