I'm looking to buy a new purse or pack to carry on trips to Sicily and Naples/ Amalfi coast areas. I want something light that will carry small camera, a guidebook, glasses and sunglasses, phone and minimal personal stuff (lip blam, kleenex), money as well as documents.Anybody find something they are happy with? I notice Magellans advertizes slash-proof bags (adds weight). I've witnessed purse snatches and been warned by Italian friends who've been ripped off on the bus. I've not seen or heard of slashing. Is that happening enough to guard against?. The pocketbook I've travelled with for years (Travelsmith) is falling apart and I thought I'd explore a bit before getting it again. - gedlin

I've been really pleased with my Ameribag.

It's microfiber, which makes it very light, and the shape (sort of tear-drop) helps distribute the weight. It also fits nicely against your body, keep the zipper away from prying hands. I don't know if it can be slashed easily, because in the 5 years I've had it, no attempts have been made.

I really like my Ameribag. I used it on last trip after I got my pictures back from the trip before and saw how dorky I looked with the black fanny pack! There was a thread on this also (something about dorky fanny packs) and it was mentioned in that thread by one of our Italian members that the Italians wore their fanny packs across their chests.

That would be the same idea as wearing the Ameribag across your chest. It looks fine and holds a lot more than a fanny pack.

Also, when the specter arises of the toilet with no lock, no seat, and no toilet paper, it is very simple to put the Ameribag over your chest and pretend that all those other things didn't happen.

Earline

I've been looking for something to replace what I have, too. So far, I'm leaning toward this one from Ameribag: Ameribag Metro Geneva

I have one of those slash-proof bags, which I took on my trip last year. I didn't really order it for the slash-proof feature, it just looked like the right size to hold my stuff. The problem I had with it was that it was a little bit bulky and could only be worn over the shoulder - not as a backpack. So, I'm on the hunt for something new...

-Krista

Earline and MargM -- are you talking about the healthy back bags? -

I have a Donner bag in black. It holds a lot of stuff and has lots of convenient pockets. I really like the two side pockets that will hold a small bottle of water. Not very stylish unfortunately.

I saw the Donner bag at REI and was tempted, but it seemd heavy -- do you find it so?

Gedlin, yes, I have the healthy back bag.

gedlin, me too.

Here's a website: http://www.sitincomfort.com/healbacbagfr.html

Krista,

I love the Norm Thompson old style microfiber Save Your Back Bag. I bought the new style but am sending it back. You can get the old style on ebay. It has two sides that are the same, just straight zippered sides NOT the zipping arch side with the mirror. There's not one on ebay right now or I would post a link. You can carry it as a shoulder bag or as a backpack. If you want to try out the new style I have a beige or red one I would be happy to mail you and if you like it you can have it. (Even though you posted in my month of May before me. )


Ginger

quote:

Originally posted by gedlin:
I saw the Donner bag at REI and was tempted, but it seemd heavy -- do you find it so?

I had a leather Fossil bag before so it seems lighter than that bag. It is definitely heavy when I load it up. It is not 'back friendly' since I balance it on one hip. For me it works well.

I've been tempted once or twice by one of the healthy back bags but I have questions about how secure they would be slung to the back. I know you can wear them to the front but so far I haven't been up to switching from shoulder bags. Just habit.

When you wear it slung to the back with the strap over the chest, there is no way a pickpocket could get into the bag because the zipper is flat against your back and they couldn't cut the strap easily at the best of times and with it over your chest it would be almost impossible.

Ginger, you are so sweet to offer, but I am definitely in the market for a black bag. I think I may try out the Metro Geneva model and if that doesn't work out, I may keep an eye out on eBay, as you suggested. And, I can't believe I posted before both you and teachick for the month of May - all I can say is that in May 2004 great minds were thinking alike!

Earline, that's good to know that it is secure. I've always carried bags slung across my chest, but I'm now interested in something that can be worn as a backpack. I guess because I seem to be carrying more weight these days - bottle of water, camera, cell phone. It used to be that it was just a couple maps and some lip balm, but times have changed.

The only thing that I typically don't like about a backpack is that in warm weather it can make your back hot and sweaty, but if you can wear it either as a backpack or slung over your shoulder that should do the trick, right?

-Krista

It isn't nearly as big as a back pack, so you don't have that huge flat area in the middle of your back that gets all hot and sweaty. It has a small footprint.

Also, on the washing thing. The instructions said to spot the areas you wanted to clean with soapy water and then rinse each spot, but that left rings on it. On the lighter green bag it was really noticeable. So the next time it needed washing, I just sprayed the spots, threw the whole shebang in the washer, hung it up to dry and it came out perfectly -- no water marks around the spots.

You guys have really piqued my interest in that Ameribag. I am also in the market for a new travel bag and am leaning toward this microfiber one that you all seem to love. Hence, my limited questions...

Do you have a difficult time handling all the travel papers that one must have handy? This bag looks like it would be hard to position a packet of travel documents in there...

How do you keep everything from bunching up at the bottom of the bag? I don't have lots of things to wag along for a day of sightseeing, but by the time David hands me his sunglasses and, well, you get the picture...will this look like a bunched up wad on my shoulder?

I adore the fabric, as I have had other things that have worn equally as well as you all claim this does.

I guess I'm having a hard time picturing how this bag works, with compartments and such. But I love the concept...oh, heck, I'm just going to order one and check it out...

Thanks to you all, this is a most helpful post,
Jennifer

I cheated and actually had TWO purses. The Ameribag for my "stuff" and one of those small, flat purses on a long string that can go across your body. That is where I kept my documents, credit cards, money, etc. It was in the spring, so I always had a jacket or long sleeved shirt on, so I would wear it under that and it wasn't noticeable.

However, there is room in the Ameribag for all your documents because it has 3 or 4 pockets on the inside and two on the outside -- one with a velcro closure and one with a zipper. I divided my stuff up because you can actually get an awful lot in the Ameribag and then it gets a bit heavy. I'm trying to remember the look I get from my chiropractor when I walk into his office with a purse hanging over my shoulder!

I don't know about the Ameribag, but the Save Your Back Bag has a zillion inside and outside pockets. I know I am a dork and a fashion don't but I am one of those people who can't do without a waistpack. I own several Coach waistpacks and love them for they're versatility and good looks. They also have many compartments. I carry my passport, money, make-up, and various other things in this.


Ginger

I agonized over this one too.What I want might not be the same as what you want,but I went with Magellans ( pacsafe) metro safe 200.http://www.magellans.com/store/Wallets__Purses___Totes___DaypacksLB322?Args=

I wanted one that was unisex ,so either one of us could use it.I also got 2 rick steves's civitas and I REALLY like them because they take up no room & look very handy.

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=0&CatI...580&siteID=210054840

It looks huge in the picture,but they are soft and very flat & not big ( but expandable) in person.I imagine that we will use them alot and versatility and how wonderfully packable they are impressed me along with the cheap price.I like it better than the metro safe,but one of us will carry the more valuable things like cell and camera in that one.I do think the cross over the shoulder is the better way to go for safety ( see pacsafe pic) so all of ours are that style.

I've had the Rick Steves Civitas bag for years, but as a backpack. Biggest advantage is it's lightness, can rol up to no sace in the ocrner of a suitcase. Great for carrying a picnic lunch, extra sweater, etc. But is is NOT waterproof or even water resistant. So although it is very useful I would not want it as my main thing to use every day. - gedlin

quote:

Do you have a difficult time handling all the travel papers that one must have handy? This bag looks like it would be hard to position a packet of travel documents in there...

How do you keep everything from bunching up at the bottom of the bag? I don't have lots of things to wag along for a day of sightseeing, but by the time David hands me his sunglasses and, well, you get the picture...will this look like a bunched up wad on my shoulder?

It's quite amazing what you can fit into the Ameribag 'Healthy Back'bag. The interior pockets are very well designed. There is a narrow one for a pen, right up to one that is the same width as the lower part of the bag, and everything in between. You can even fit most collapsible umbrellas along the longest side. There is definitely room for travel documents.

I'm planning to buy a new one soon and pack it away in case they are no longer available when (if) my current one ever wears out.

quote:

But is is NOT waterproof or even water resistant.

Thats a very good piece of information,but I still think it will work well for us with our other bags( because of many of the reasons why you like it).But then we are not going on a typical trip either and I am also one of those odd birds who has not used a purse for years as I hate them,so I will only be carrying things when we absolutely have to.I also only walk in rain when I absolutely have to,so even it would probably do fine with my dash in ,dash out with umbrella style

Yes, if it threatens rain I load the bag with a poncho (a great one from Magellans), and then just throw the poncho on over everything. For me, this is the way to go in a small town or the country, but for the city I prefer some kind of purse. -gedlin

I bought one of the PacSafe Metro Safe bags at a travel shop the other day. It looks like a big purse, so not too unstylish. However, because it's got that steel mesh throughout it's a bit heavy. I'm also wondering if the strap around my neck will bug me after wearing it all day. This is my first time to Europe. I'm hesitant to wear a backpack because that seems to be an open invitation to pickpockets. And I really don't like the look of wearing a backpack backwards, across the chest.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

Ponchos from magellans are great. more expensive than some but do a great job covering you and what ever you are carrying up!.

I've been using the healthy bag for years but this last trip to Paris, by the end of the day, my shoulder killed. I'm not sure if it wasn't laying right or I had too much heavy stuff in it. So now for London, I'm debating again between bringing the unfashionable backpack or trying again with the old healthy bag, or buying something new.