Daybags

I prefer an over the shoulder bag. I don't need to take it off my shoulder to remove the guidebook, map or camera, just swing it around to the front. Space is limited, but it suits me.

Like this:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302861417&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774985&bmUID=1261679506621

I'm still using the Civita daybag. It's the lightest and most packable daybag I've found, other than that I don't love it. I've used other bags in the past that I liked more but they aren't as light or packable.

Typically, it will have some combination of a jacket, lunch stuff, snacks, monocular, tiny flashlight, swiss army knife, plastic fork, gum and/or my tiny tripod for my tiny camera (around my neck on a thumb drive strap).

Like you, I have tried lots of different styles- including the infamous waist pouch! Now I usually use a small messenger bag by Bagallini- it holds a jacket, umbrella, camera (sometimes), pen, pad, small first aid kit and sewing kit, hand and stain wipes, brochures, maps, or guide book pages, kleenex (to use as tp if needed), chap stick( I'm an addict), and sometimes a bottle of water. Sometimes I also carry hubby's jacket and umbrella.

I use a little LL Bean daypack (backpack style) that folds into its own front pocket when not in use. I always carry water and the camera(s), my handheld GPS, and little things like ibuprofen, sunglasses, Charmin-to-go, maps or guidebook, individual packets of powdered drink mix, and maybe a snack.

Frank II,

My "daybag" tends to vary depending on the circumstances at the time. I have a choice of three different options:

> Vest: For most day touring, I primarily use a lightweight travel vest, made of a micro-fiber type material. It's not intended to be "loaded up" but so far it's been great for things like spare batteries for the Camera, an extra Lens, a small water bottle, my Tilley Hat and on occasion a compact Umbrella.

> Civita Pack: If I'm going to be on a longer day tour on a Bus or whatever and need to pack a bit more kit (Coat, Rain Poncho, extra photo gear) the Civita daypack works well. It's light, easy to carry and with a rolled up coat inside it works as a reasonable substitute for a pillow.

> Eagle Creek Daypack: If I need extra carrying capacity and some degree of "water resistance", I can empty out my EC Daypack (which usually stays partially loaded during trips as it's my primary carry-on). It has very robust construction and rubber lining inside (although I've found that in severe rain, some leakage via the zippers does occur).

I constantly fine-tuning my packing and travel methods, but these are the methods I'm using at the moment.

Cheers!

I am 5'1" tall - 68 years old. I use a day back pack 15" x 19" x *10. It is easy for me to carry on my back all day.

*expanded

I carry a small messenger style bag (dimensions 10 x 7 x 4.5). The main compartment zips fully shut and I can add a small combination lock in case I am in an area known for pickpockets.

It is big enough to hold a guide book, camera, small journal, and long-sleeve shirt or light jacket inside the main compartment with enough room to spare. I can carry two water bottles in external water bottle pockets. Last month I also carried cold medicine in the front pocket and a tote bag that packed down small enough to be carried on a key chain.

Like most people on this site I like to travel light, and for me this includes not carrying much around with me. (My husband doesn't even carry a day bag most days).

Back in '04 I traveled with a slingback style messenger bag that had a cell phone pocket on the strap, and that was my favorite day pack for everyday use and travel. The cell phone pocket was perfect for carrying my wallet with that day's money. It was about the same size as the bag I listed above. Sadly, my dog chewed the strap and I had to replace it, and it is no longer manufactured.

I carried a Timbuk2 messenger bag, size small this past year. I was pleased with it.It velcros and clips, so nobody is getting in. It is also reflective. The bag is waterproof, so if it rains, so what. There is a stabilizing strap that can clip on the bag and around the waist, but I never used it. I like a bag without a tone of compartments; I freak out if I can't find my things right away. Last year, I used an eagle creak, over the shoulder bag and had a few meltdowns a day because I would have to search 9 zippered compartments to find my coin purse. The timbuk2 bag has 2 compartments, a main one and a zippered one that is sewn into the bag.

With my money belt around either my waist or my husband's with the important stuff, I like to carry the Messenger purse by Vera Bradley. Before you dismiss it, it's got great inside pockets (independent from the bottom of the bag), is very roomy, can be carried across the body for added security, and has convenient outside pockets for the things I don't mind "losing" but like to have handy (Kleenex, lip balm, etc.). I have it in the understated pattern and since it looks like a normal purse, I don't stand out very much.

As for must haves, it's becoming a tradition that I wear my "travel" hat, so always have that (it's cute, don't worry). I need some guidebooks and usually end up taking Rick's with us, but always wrap it in brown paper so it doesn't not look like a guidebook. Have to have a camera, which my husband carries in the inside pocket of his jacket (have not been to Europe in the summer, so always have had some jacket on us). There is also water, picnicking stuff, hand-wipes, umbrella, small flashlight, sunglasses, iPod, and my itinerary in the bag.

I have on most of the time (depending on what country or city I'm in in Europe) my hidden pocket
and/or the money belt. Outwardly what "they" see me have on is that "notorious" Eagle Creek waist pouch/fanny pack, in which there is no currency; if I need an umbrella for the day, it's in my jacket pocket.

I don't use any version of a shoulder pack, small rucksack, or anything like that, don't carry any water bottle, and usually do not carry a guide book.

Basically, the must-haves are film and my 35mm camera--I know it's terribly old, if not archaic.

Frank II - I use a Osprey Astro messenger bag. In the bag I carry a reusable water bottle, guide books for the city or country I'm visiting , a light jacket or windbreaker,camera, extra batteries, extra SD card, Kindle, Itouch, snacks, lunch, and various stationary items. The most importnant thing I carry in my bag, is whatever my wife doesn't want to carry in hers.

I also carry the RS Civita bag. It is very light. With a large main compartment and 2 small zippered areas, it is easy to find things. One of the small zippered areas is large enough for my guidebook and my small notebook. The smaller zippered area has my handwipes, kleenex, lipgloss, wipes for glasses. The main compartment is big enough to carry my raincoat, extra sweater and a picnic lunch. I hook my umbrella into one of the outside mesh pockets with a carabiner. When I fly, I pack the empty bag, so I have an extra bag for any extras that I purchase during my trip. I use carabiners to clip on my water bottle, and I use a small carabiner to attach the zippers together for the larger compartment (this one has to be unscrewed, so it takes a few seconds to get into the bag but it makes me feel safer). I do carry it in front of me when I am on the metro.

On the days I am flying, I use a small pac safe purse that holds my passport. It has a long handle so I can wear it across my body over the shoulder. It has several outside pockets that fit the boarding pass. It is great for having the passport easily available in the airport. It is small enough to put inside my carryon bag during the flight yet large enough to carry handwipes, kleenex, lipstuff. Happy travels.

The Timbuk2 Metro Messenger is great for a daybag. It’s stylish and just the right size for two guidebooks, a small phrase book, camera, hand sanitizer, tissues, bottle of water, snack, and anything small I might buy while out. I sling the strap over one shoulder and under the opposite arm. For me, I swing the bag itself to the back for comfort. I don't carry anything in there I can't afford to lose. As for money belts and comfort, I would recommend trying the neck pouch worn like a messenger bag (over the shoulder and under your opposite arm) under your shirt. It’s easy to access and can be swung around the back for maximum comfort. It beats the in-your-pants money belt hands down in any number of ways and is just as secure.

Edit : I use a shoulder bag. It is smaller than a Messenger bag.

Thanks to everyone who answered.

I wasn't interested in finding out for me as I have two different daybags I use depending on the trip/ocassion.

I was interested to see what people carry and their favorite method of doing so.

There are some things that everyone carries and others unique to the individual. As are the type of bags. It seems like an fairly even split between backpacks and messenger/shoulder bags.

Since no one has mentioned this kind of bag so far, I'm duty-bound to mention the tote bag. This is my preferred daytime carrier. The one I have is sturdy canvas with zippered top, leather handles, and also a long strap for over-the-shoulder carrying. It's quite large enough to hold all the usual tourist detritus. I have never cared for a back pack as my day-time bag. This pleases both my practical and aesthetic senses.

I carry an LLBean "Stowaway" Backpack that folds up into itself for easy packing between cities. I put my raincoat, bottled water, hand sanitizer, wipeys, sunscreen, extra baggies, sporks, tide pen and a few other randoms I'm sure I'm not thinking of.

I also always carry a PacSafe Slingsafe 100 purse I wear across my body. I have literally been moving through crowds (specifically in Prague) where I felt someone tugging my purse (but b/c of the style they couldn't) to open but no dice. My guidebooks and maps for the day slip very nicely into a back pocket of the purse for easy access (and when raining my arm covers it).

I usually carry the point-in-shoot camera (he carries the SLR) and hang it off the purse in a little water resistant bag that has a carabiner (so it attaches to the strap of the purse).

I wear a smallish multi-pocketed cross body bag with room for my small digital camera, coin purse, and odds and ends. My husband carries the Civita bag with water bottle, umbrella if needed, pages from a travel book, and whatever else...nothing very heavy. Wears it in the front when in crowds or on public transport. Important stuff in our money belts.