Let's talk about the perfect bag...

[Sweetpea2011]

We're heading to California on a road trip next summer, packing as light as we can since there will be four of us in the car and we're hoping to camp our way back up the coast, so will need to bring tent/sleeping bags/pillows etc.

I'm searching for the perfect summer bag to carry. The kids are teenagers now so I am not the pack mule I once was at the parks, although I will likely still carry a handful of snacks (granola bars/nuts) in case someone desperately needs to eat (we are a family of "hangry" people when the blood sugar dips). DH will be carrying the camera bag, so I mostly want to carry a cute bag, cross body, that will hold a water bottle, wallet, sunglasses, maybe my hat on rides, lip balm, a comb, and perhaps the odd souvenir or two. I don't want it to be too big or I'll be temped to fill it and then my shoulders will get sore!

I carried a back pack a few years ago in Disneyworld, but found it a real pain to swing around my body to get something out. So cross body, maybe colourful, with a wider strap, something that says SUMMER! CALIFORNIA! DISNEY! WAHOO!

Any suggestions?? If you have any other packing must haves for a road/camping trip to California (we're coming from BC) then please share as well.

Thanks!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I really like using the Vera Bradley hipster. I fit a whole bunch of stuff in it. I have a couple in Disney designs, regular Vera Bradley designs, and a brand now plain black one that I'm planning on taking to Paris this summer. I also like that they are fabric, light weight, and easily washable.

 

[Sweetpea2011]

Thanks! I'll look into those. I carried a Kipling bag on our Europe trip two years ago and loved it. But it's a navy grey and I want something a little more summery for this road trip. Enjoy Paris. It's hands down my favourite place to be.

 

[nikkislaght]

if you cant find anything Disney enough... you could maybe use the one you have .. but use fabric paint to make your own Disney design,. I have done that before... or you could go more abstract and use Mickeys colors and just splash the paint on...

 

[Susiesark]

I also use the Vera Bradley Disney hipster. It surprisingly holds quite a bit. I've seen some on EBAY this week at great prices.

 

[jenjersnap]

The ebags Piazza Day Bag. It holds more than it looks, has a water bottle carrier and is water resistant. It was truly the perfect bag for my last couple trips and I own lots of cross bodies, including two hipsters.

ETA: the current colors aren't very summery though, hopefully, they will get some bright colors in!

 

[Sweetpea2011]

Thanks for the ebags suggestion, there's lots of cute stuff to browse on there! Not sure about shipping costs to Canada though

This one is really adorable, and I love the colour

 

[jenjersnap]

Ebags sells through Amazon too, perhaps that would be easier?

 

[Sweetpea2011]

Good to know, thanks. I'll check out amazon.ca and see if they have similar bags.

 

[MommyJKM]

This thread from last week has some good suggestions on favorite park bags and what to bring:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/what-do-you-pack-to-carry-all-day.3376028/page-3#post-53021901

After posting on the thread I realized my go-to crossbody comes in a bright purple so I ordered that this week. http://www.michaelkors.com/kempton-large-nylon-crossbody/_/R-US_32S5SKPC9C?No=27&color=0670
I love that it's long enough for me that I don't have to take it off on all rides.

I also ordered this beautiful red MJ one that was hard to find last winter - I have it in Black but love love love this red! The bag is pliable and holds a ton of stuff but is lightweight and nylon not leather. So if you have a weird round item, it will fit (My niece loves EOS Chapsticks and they don't fit well in my MK bag)
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/MARC-by...dge-Red/prod171540178/p.prod?eVar4=RR_OOS_PDP

Here shows the bag on a model so you can see the sizing.
http://www.lyst.com/bags/marc-by-ma...ossbody-bag-start-of-color-list-rock-lobster/

Bag shopping is fun! Enjoy

 

[tygersclaw]

hmmmm besides a standard backpack, what is a good suggested bag for men to use??

 

[MommyJKM]

hmmmm besides a standard backpack, what is a good suggested bag for men to use??

My husband is our backpack sherpa but when we are without kids he uses one similar to this...http://www.coach.com/coach-mens-lea...?dwvar_color=QB/SD&cgid=men-bags-new-arrivals

Crossbody works for men too

 

[Oodalally13]

I love those sling/cinch bags. I have cute ones I've bought in the kids backpack sections (tropical colors, hello kitty) and a very manl gym bag I've girlified. The one I have now I got at kohls and it's really big with 2 zippers on the front, mesh pockets for water bottles on sides and a zipper organizer pocket inside. I took one of those Mickey head weights from off mickey balloons and painted it with pink sparkly nail polish and attached to one outside zipper with zip tie. Also attached a Mickey luggage tag to it with zip tie. I find that whenever I'm travelIng somewhere I always attach a luggage tag with zip tie to my purse/bag.

 

[Nonsuch]

hmmmm besides a standard backpack, what is a good suggested bag for men to use??

ScottEVest
I've used small backpack or fanny packs, but switched to a Scott E Vest a few years ago.
Pants pockets are kept empty and everything (wallet, phone, keys, small camera, glasses...) is securely zipped into dedicated pockets.
Tropiformer jacket is the most lightweight and has removable sleeves.

 

[ThumperWabbt]

I use an Under Armour sling bag, and it's amazingly comfortable to carry. I can also hand it off to the Spouse Thingy and he doesn't mind carrying it...he's not thrilled with the color, but the bag itself he also likes. I know it can be had in black, maybe on the UA site.

 

[iKristin]

I still love my Baggallini and carry it every time I go to the park. It's super water resistant! What more could you ask for there lol. I have taken mine on splash mountain multiple times with a large camera and my phone inside and never had an issue. It's now 6 years old and still going strong. Plus it's a bright color I also love the small zipper & elastic compartment on the strap at your chest. Great for holding your tickets/annual pass/cash/fast passes!

http://www.ebags.com/product/baggallini/messenger-sling-bagg-crinkle-nylon/47360

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I love this thread. I love seeing what everyone uses and it's so great to get ideas from everyone!

I just got this little beauty and can't wait to try it out at the parks in March. I carried a backpack last time and I'm another one who doesn't enjoy slinging it around my body to get stuff out so I think this crossbody will work out very well. And it's super cute. And you can never have too many bags, IMO.

http://shopharveys.com/disney-medium-streamline-tote-bff/

 

[Lizzzys]

Thanks for the ebags suggestion, there's lots of cute stuff to browse on there! Not sure about shipping costs to Canada though

This one is really adorable, and I love the colourView attachment 1701

I always ship stuff to the hotel we'll be staying at in the US when I'm going down Just put your confirmation number beside your name and the hotel's address. I do the ALL the time and never have a problem. It's like Christmas when we arrive! lol

 

[Gisele]

I love this thread. I love seeing what everyone uses and it's so great to get ideas from everyone!

I just got this little beauty and can't wait to try it out at the parks in March. I carried a backpack last time and I'm another one who doesn't enjoy slinging it around my body to get stuff out so I think this crossbody will work out very well. And it's super cute. And you can never have too many bags, IMO.

http://shopharveys.com/disney-medium-streamline-tote-bff/

Me too. It's fun to see what people like to use.
I like the tote to which you speak of. It is nice and roomy. Love the red interior lining and the long shoulder strap. Two thumbs up and a churro!

 

[DharmaLou]

my last 2 trips I used a Vera Bradley Hipster but switched it out with a drawstring backpack, too.