What bag do you carry in the parks?

[littlbugmom]

I am desperate for a new bag! The one we've used in the past in not very comfortable for me and a backpack is not for me at all.

I'd like to bring our camera (canon eos) and not have to wear it around my neck.
My son is diabetic so we need to pack his meter, snacks, water, emergency supplies, etc.
Also packing my phone, meds and misc essentials.

Been looking at the Travelon Messenger but I'm worried the camera won't fit.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rue&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_7&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Any suggestions? I carry the bag most of the time because son is with me when the family splits up but dh will also take his turns.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We used to just bring a back pack or a Patagonia Atom bag into the park when it was just us and our two older girls. Now that we have another baby, we are all about the JuJube Be Right Back diaper bag back pack.

 

[abinormal]

I used a Jujube be right back also and loved it. But I don't know for sure about the supplies - I'm a new D mom, daughter was dx just a few weeks ago.

 

[21hearts]

I used to use a small Vera Bradley bag for my id, phone and keys. Then I'd have my daughter's bag under her stroller.

But now she has a wheelchair with a nice bag that fits the back perfectly. On our last trip (first trip with the wheelchair) her bag held her medical stuff, snacks, water and my personal items. The chair went everywhere with us and was never unattended so I didn't worry about my personal items.

 

[Hikergirl]

I don't think that bag will fit all you listed plus your camera. I would also worry about the opening and not being able to get the camera in and out without a struggle. Its hard to tell though without any measurements listed.

I have a lowepro passport sling messanger that I normally travel with. I have my DSLR and 2 lenses in it plus some misc stuff. If you aren't carrying lenses then you'd have more room for other types of items.

Last trip we took I opted for a backpack, which worked great.

 

[bigbabyblues]

My husband has a messenger style camera bag that holds his DSLR, flash, several sets of batteries, and at least 2 extra lenses. I *think* it might be the lowepro mentioned above.

 

[wiccan92]

The backpack might be your best option that way the weight of the bag is on both shoulders and not one and you can fit the camera and other necessities.

 

[maxiesmom]

http://www.amazon.com/Baggallini-Me...sr=1-28&nodeID=7141123011&keywords=baggallini

That is my park bag. I have tried others, even ones well reviewed, and keep going back to the baggallini messenger. It is very comfortable and holds a lot.

 

[littlbugmom]

http://www.amazon.com/Baggallini-Me...sr=1-28&nodeID=7141123011&keywords=baggallini

That is my park bag. I have tried others, even ones well reviewed, and keep going back to the baggallini messenger. It is very comfortable and holds a lot.

I like the look of that one!

 

[chr1s]

I'll be going in October with my parents, sister, niece, nephew, my wife and our yet to be born 5 month old. Here's what I'm planning to bring.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/htkg/?pfm=Search&t=tactical diaper bag

 

[ElenaRN]

Backpacks have worked best for us. We had a Columbia back pack style diaper bag that I loved. Now I have the Lesport sac IASW mini back pack. I wish it were a tad bit bigger, but it fits all my essentials. My kids still use a stroller so I throw a ziplock in the bottom with diapers/wipes so that doesn't take up room in my bag.
I'll have to reassess when we lose the stroller.

 

[littlbugmom]

Well, I ordered the Travelon. It's too small. If I only take what is absolutely necessary, everything fits but just barely and with zero wiggle room. Getting the camera in and out would be a pain in the butt.

DH just came home with a SwissGear Messenger bag he thought "looked about the right size".

I've been looking for weeks for the exact bag I want and pulling my hair out.....nothing.
He just casually picks one up from some random store......and it's perfect. LoL

 

[wiccan92]

Has anyone tried a sling style backpack? I'm not so sure that it would fit the camera well but I'm thinking it would fit the essentials okay.

 

[littlbugmom]

Has anyone tried a sling style backpack? I'm not so sure that it would fit the camera well but I'm thinking it would fit the essentials okay.

That's what we've used in the past and I don't like it. It holds everything beautifully but much like the backpacks, I don't like wearing it on my back and I don't like having to basically take if off to get anything out of it. I usually carried it like a purse on one shoulder but that was hard to do day after day in the parks. I'm hoping the cross body style will work.

 

[imthemamahere]

Has anyone tried a sling style backpack? I'm not so sure that it would fit the camera well but I'm thinking it would fit the essentials okay.

Yes! The last two years, I've been walking around with the "healthy back bag" because a chiropractor told me I'd be in less pain if I changed the kind of bag I carried and how I carried it. (I've got sloping shoulders that can't seem to hold anything up, so anything that goes over one shoulder has to be held there with a scrunched shoulder and a hand on the strap, and I was sore and achy all the time just from carrying my old heavy diaper bag around.) I don't know if it's advertised as a sling bag, but it pretty much is, by shape and carrying style. I bought the bag because it's SUPER lightweight and comfy to sling crossbody, slides easily to the front to reach into, but is not easy access for pickpockets (unlike a typical backpack), the "small" size, though it's shaped like a teardrop, is actually nice and big - something like 17 inches tall and about 5 inches deep. I've almost never filled it to capacity - unless I stuffed my son's winter coat inside. I've carried my Canon dslr camera in that bag with a reasonably-sized lens mounted on it, though not with a telephoto lens or with a flash mounted. Those could easily be put in along with the camera, as there's plenty of room, just not quite enough while they're mounted to the body...

I recently bought 2 different bags that I can wear crossbody because I was a bit uncomfortable with my HBB over my extremely puffy winter coat. The bag itself wasn't ever uncomfortable on its own, but the poof of the down coat I bought this winter changed the fit and feel. I like both new bags, but I will definitely switch back to my HBB once winter coat season is through. I miss the way it fit on my back/side instead of down around my hip area, where most crossbody bags ride. All in all, I love my HBB. I have the distressed nylon, which is machine-washable and nearly indestructible, and it comes in both basic and fun colors.

Ha, now that I'm thinking about it, I might have to see what new colors are out this year - I just might treat myself to a new HBB in a fun new color.

Anyway - happy shopping!