My family and I will be traveling in Madrid, Barcelona, Paris and some cities in Italy and would like to look our best. We also need some nice bags to carry our various guidebooks and addresses and miscellaneous items. We would like to know if there are any inexpensive, durable and stylish bags that are small. Thanks for any answers!
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
Check out Bagallini's website. They offer a wide variety of bags. I have used some as day bags and others as my purse at home.
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
Not real cheap but quite hip, stylish, and functional for men and women are the messenger bags from Timbuk2. I use the smaller Metro Messenger…about $60 as I recall. Just like in NYC or San Francisco, you’ll see a lot of messenger style bags in the big cities of Europe. A cheaper option I’ll recommend is a small backpack style bag from Mont Bell…just bought one for $26. I haven’t used it yet but will while traveling this summer. It’s not über stylish, but it’s better than backpacks I’ve used before. The real selling point for me was the size and weight. You can check both of these companies out online. On my next trip, the Mont Bell will be the carry-on, and the Timbuk2 will be the day bag I use (packed empty in the Mont Bell for flying). Happy shopping!
Posted by
Bend, OR
576 posts
Sierra trading Post carries a lot of discounted Timbuk2 messenger bags. Last week my husband paid $75 for a Timbuk2 messenger bag that retailed for $150.
Posted by
Keizer, Oregon, USA
588 posts
Eagle Creek. Great prices at Sierra Trading Post.
LeSport Sac avaalable online and at Macy's. I have a collection of these bags in different sizes. They are still my favorite.
Posted by
Macungie, PA, USA
463 posts
i asked a very similar question and got some great feedback (and eventually found what i was looking for--i've noted it in an edit in the original question). my goal was 'something not made of nylon', and the bag i ended up with doesn't look fantastic online, but is really nice in real life--it is all leather.
Posted by
San Diego, CA
28 posts
I just bought a shoulder bag by Haiku. It is great, seems durable, and easy to keep clean and is stylish. REI has last years models on clearance right now. So I got a good deal too. I have yet to travel with it... but is seems like a great size. Just to be clear though I plan to keep all travel docs and valuables except perhaps my camera and iphone elsewhere. This takes the place of a backpack for me. I get tired of pulling it off my back constantly. Have a small messenger bag will allow easy access to water, maps, etc. Things I often end up carrying in my hands since I get to them so often.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
689 posts
You know, I was just in NYC and was looking at all of the women carrying big leather shoulder bags/purses, which everyone seems to have right now. I thought, as I crammed things in my small, stuffed purse, that those purses would be great travel bags--they'd easily fit a guidebook, bottle of water, and misc items, and they look great. This year it's pretty easy to be stylish and practical at the same time.