Men, if you carry a bag, what do you use?

What I found works for me is the soft Black nylon cloth "briefcase". Similar to what might be a laptop case. Mine has a shoulder strap that I can put over one shoulder or over my head/across my body. I can quickly swing it in front of me or off to the side as I move through crowds or am on a subway. It has big spaces for papers or guidebooks, my camera, and smaller pockets for pencils, change, umbrella, etc. if I am out for the day, or I can pack it full for travel between cities.

I have the MEI Voyager, like it a lot. I used to have Rick's bag which is also pretty good, but the MEI has better padding and a better waist belt. The company that originally made the MEI went out of business and a guy bought the rights to make the bag. I bought mine from his company, but it does take him a few weeks to make and send the bag.

I carry mine "messenger" style--slung across the chest. At 6'3, it might be too short for him.

The strap is removable so you could always replace it with a longer ond.

I used to carry the Civita daypack. But I just got (today) the Civita Shoulder Bag. I wanted to start traveling hands free.

The Shoulder Bag is shaped like the Civita Day Bag but smaller. If you're over 6', it might hang too short if worn messenger style.

I like it and feel it doesn't look "girly" at all. And it's on sale for $20.

Frank, it's for my son who is 6' 3".

How do you carry it? Slung across chest?

What about the Appenzell Day pack? I wonder if that would be too big?

I have an Eagle Creek 'Convertabrief' that I bought in 2000. The one I have is slightly different from the one they sell now (and it was cheaper back then too) but essentially the same. Other than the strap breaking recently (and being replaced by the fine Rick Steves strap) it's been a great bag for me, used daily (to work and back) since November, 2000.

Because of the security issues I have never liked day packs. I use the Eagle Creeks vagabond pack. Its like a messenger bag but smaller. I have also used the soft briefcase or computer bag style of sholder bag. I have never had security issues and I also look more like the locals going to and from work. I bought mine in Paris after I realized I hadn't packed my vagabond once. Alas it was not cheap.

I guess to pick up on Tom's comment, the same briefcase/bag that I travel with I also take to work every day. I also have never liked "backpacks", I don't know, maybe just screams "tourist", but also if you sling them in front, it just looks silly, if you put it on your back, you will share your items with the nearest thief. From a practical standpoint, most backpacks are more like stuffsacks, the briefcase offers better organization.

I still use the same basic REI convertible pack I've had for 20 years. Main pack is a single, rectangular section that has backpack-type shounder straps (with sternum and waist belts); all the straps tuck away, as in Rick's and other convertible packs. I bring a padded shoulder strap for those times when I don't want to look like a "backpacker" (checking in to a nice hotel, for example). There's a matching day pack that zips off and also converts between small backpack and shoulder pack/attache case. The large pack is the maximum carry-on size. This system has worked perfectly on dozens of trips to multiple continents...I don't need anything bigger, fancier or more complicated.

Timbuk2 messenger bag, worn cross-wise. It's the same bag I use every day going to and from work (I'm a bicycle commuter), and it's a great bag for travel: lots of room, plenty of pockets, solid (there's an optional cross-strap that will anchor it if you need the load to be dispersed a bit). And they're available in myriad color combinations, from blah black to crazy, bright mixes. And they come in five different sizes, with lots of accessories available to make them more personal.

Mine has been on trips near and far, and still works like a charm.

I use a civita for a day bag. It folds up smaller than anything else I've seen.

I use the ebags weekender for all my stuff. I also bring a civita daypack for daily stuff. When I have my weekender, the daypack is inside. I try never to carry more than one bag at a time, it's more convenient and more secure to only worry about one item.

"screams tourist"?, But Eli...those were French tourists, you see? No, really, I was not implying that all people carrying backpacks are tourists, just that when I carry one, it makes me feel like I am sticking out, mainly because I rarely, if ever, use one. (I don't wear shorts either...but one look at my legs explains why) My briefcase is comfortable, conservative and useful; so that is what I go with....but I am very interested in the Timbuk2 messenger bag mentioned.

Like Brad, I like my daybag to fit into my carry-on bag. One bag to worry about at a time.

I never wore the Civita day bag as a backpack. Always carried it slung over one shoulder (like Rick does in most of his videos.)

But I got tired of constantly having to hold onto it so I switched to the Civita Shoulder Bag. It's small enough to roll up and fit into my carry-on bag, large enough and scruffy enough not to be confused as a purse, yet not so fancy as to draw a lot of attention. Additionally, I wear it back side out so no one can tell what type of bag it is nor see the label and across my chest, messenger style, rather than dangling from one shoulder.

I'm sure locals would not carry a bag like that...but...now I have both hands free to fight off windmills or pickpockets--whichever ones I should encounter.

(Another little trick with this bag is that I keep my valuables in a small case that is carried in the shoulder bag. At the bottom of the bag is a little ring designed so you can clip the security wallet that comes with the RS bags to it. Instead, I use a carabiner and clip the small case to this ring. So, even if a pickpocket should get into my bag, they couldn't just grab it and run. They'd have to try to unzip the interior case to get to anything good. Chances are they'd give up. And did I mention I keep the zippers of the shoulder bag ssecured with carabiners as well. Gee, do you think I've security conscious? ) And yes, I wear a moneybelt.

Eli - my husband has two that he loves - both are messenger bags. One is Timbuk2 and the other is Keen. He is a mt. and road biker so his came from bike shops but I think they are also sold at REI.
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I like my Civita day pack and I usually wear it as a backpack. However, I use tiny locks to secure the zippers.

Your son might be interested in one of the Pacsafe shoulder bags. They come in three sizes.

Because Rick Steves is 6 foot 3, I would imagine any of his products would work for your son. Rick uses his own products!

I got the R.S. Convertible Carry-on just before a Nov 2007 trip to Italy. I've used it on several trips of varying lengths ever since. I plan to bring it to Spain and Portugal in the Spring also. Along with it, I have a standard backpack for under the seat on the plane and for any day trips that I would consider a backpack.
I just wear the R.S. bag as I board the plane and hand carry the smaller backpack.

I also like my Civita bag.I put twisty ties on the zippers to protect it.

I ordered a backpack for him. He didn't like the idea of the messenger bag, but will put a small padlock just for extra safety.

Just remember, if you put a padlock on it and TSA needs to get in, they will destroy the padlock and not reimburse you. That's why many people go with disposable zip ties.

However, If you use a TSA approved padlock in the USA or Europe, you have a 50% chance of them using the key they are issued to open the lock. The other 50% is them being lazy and just cutting the lock off.

Of course, that only pertains to checked luggage. If you're carrying on, they'll just ask you to unlock it.

And I think Eli meant what kind of "daybags--such as messenger bags, backpacks, etc--men carry, not their luggage.

I've used my Black Diamond Bullet daypack with fantastic results. It's a 16L pack with one main pocket and a tiny front pocket. I put a tab of velcro on the zipper to secure it through busy crowds and while traveling.

I got it in black and it blends in great. $40 and lightweight to boot.

Frank is correct. This is to be used as a day bag, not checked luggage. Last time we used a safety pin on one of the zippers as an extra precaution. We usually have nothing of value in them, but wanted an extra piece of hand luggage to bring goodies back.

I think hubby is going to use a messenger bag because he's taking a small laptop for business. Thanks for sharing what you use. I trust this thread will be helpful to others.

Eli

I go to Europe every summer for a month, plus travel around on the mainland (the 48 states) and I have been using RS black nylon day bag for many years and have never had a problem with it or thieves. I am 6"3" and shorter than RS but it works fine for me. Here in Hawaii I carry the newer RS hemp day bag. I carry either bag every day and wouldn't be without one. I rarely use both straps, using them like you see RS doing. However, when I get in a situation like a crowded train/subway, I ware it in front using both straps. /Try to go to someplace where you can try on multiple bags and see what feels good to you. aloha

I am getting a messenger bag for hubby. He has a netbook and needs to carry it in a bag. Anyone else carry one of these around? He asked me to check into Pacsafe Metrosafe 300.

I traveled this summer with the Veloce' shoulder bag listed on this site. I have a small Fujitsu Lifebook that I took with me and it fit perfect in the bag. If you have a larger notebook, it might not, but I wouldn't want to carry a larger notebook anyway. I only used it for laptop transport when changing locations. During touring days I left the laptop at the B&B.

It was very convenient to be have it in front of me...then I wasn't worried about anything being stolen. After a few days I felt weird without it on. Like everyone, I know I looked touristy, but so what, it was WAY to convenient to give up!