the perfect cross body bag?

Check out Bagallini. They have several styles that might work. I use their messenger bag and so does hubby. It comes in several colors and "smooshes" to almost nothing when empty. They have others in fabrics other than nylon and in leather/faux leather. I've used other of their bags as my regular purse, too. They hold up very well.

If you can wait until you get to Europe, I have been using the Jack Wolfskin Overture bag almost every day (at home and during travels) since I bought it in Germany last year (JW is kind of like the European counterpart of North Face). It fits every single one of your requirements, although I notice they have changed the color options this year to ones that are a little, um, "louder" than the one I bought.

I believe Jack Wolfskin is only sold throughout Europe (including London, where I believe you are traveling to) and China, which is pretty cool because it made for a very nice souvenir.

Try the Kipling brand. They have a nice variety. I bought mine at a travel store, but I have seen them at Macy's too. They have a large number to choose from on the Kipling website. They had a ton of styles at the Macy's on 34th St. in NYC last week. I had to stop myself from buying another one.

Also check out lesportsac.com. Macy's also carries some of their bags. They are very strong and very lightweight.

eddie baurer has some really nice ripstock nylon bags

PacSafe bags..... meets your requirements...1. Lightweight and will fit in another bag..2. difficult to steal from. 3. in black, won't yell, I'm a tourist.

My daughter has this bag: http://pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=25

And I have this bag: http://pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=135

The metro safe 200 is smaller. would fit the Kindle with no problem and all pockets lock for security. I love my PacSafe bags.

I saw some nice bags at REI last night that fit that description. They kind of looked like the Jack Wolfskin bags as well.

Check out ebags.com. They have zillions of cross-body bags. I bought the Derek Alexander Hobo Bag and I love it. Not too big, lightweight, stylish. Ebags lists the weight for each bag as well as dimensions and lots of pics.

I agree with Toni, Bagallini makes a lot of styles of travel bags with should meet your requirements. You could also try Travelon. I've traveled with their cross body bags and have never had a problem with having anything lost or stolen. I have both Bagallini and Travelon and both are lightweight and will go almost flat to fit in your carry-on.

What a coincidence! I actually used my Pacsafe Slingsafe 200 for the first time today to try it out and I really liked it! It's only 10" x 11", has a crossbody strap, is compact enough to go into a backpack and will fit a Kindle. It is nylon though but I think it's nondescript enough to not scream out tourist. I hope so but I have a feeling I'll look like one anyway since I'll be holding a camera!! Check it out on pacsafe.com, there's even a video that shows you the bag's features.

I had the same question and found one in a sort of unlikely place. I was at a trade show for an athletic event and picked up a bag at an ethnic import booth. It is cross-body, with a fairly subtle tribal print. I can find a brand on it but it was made in Nepal. I see a similar style at Target in bolder colors but this one has a good zipper. (I've been pickpocketed before so I have learned zippers are key). At $20 the price was right. Happy hunting!

op here...

yes, i'm now at the point of just sort of hoping to find something that works. i've been fixating on something with both a zipper AND a flap--over the zipper--but this simply does not exist. trust me, i've looked. and i should have noted in the post that i ordered--and now sadly own--a pacsafe bag. the dailysafe 100. i'd return it if i could, but i ordered it from a very discount online shop. it has no external pockets (for things that you don't really care about, like maps and metro cards--i'm really most concerned about my camera, to be honest) and is so hard to get in to that i can't imagine it being practical. plus it is big and clunky looking and does that screaming 'hi i'm a tourist' thing i'm trying to avoid. i realize i will look like a tourist anyway, but i'd rather not do it with a nylon bag (can you tell i have nylon bag issues?) i've checked out that wolfskin brand posted above, and am leaning towards that more and more.

Just a note to say that a zipper alone will not protect you from a pickpocket. If you are in a crowded situation you will never know that someone unzipped your bag until it is too late. Sadly, I speak from experience. A secured flap over the zipper will help a lot.

My daughter and I used Pac Safe bags on several European trips and were never taken for tourists!

They're easy to keep clean, and hold quite a lot of "stuff."

Plus I loved the safety features, and not having to worry about soiling my bag.

None of these meet all your requirements, but may be worth looking into:


This looks like it has a flap over zipper. But it’s nylon:
Baggallini Across Town Bagg


(In fact, you might find something you like just scanning the Baggallini site. )


Dunno if you consider this too nylon-ish. Doesn't look like it has a flap-over-zipper but looks like it has a safety toggle designed to prevent theft:
Eagle Creek Urbanite

If you like organic cotton (looks like a few have flaps, but dunno about zipper):
Prana bags

If you like leather (tho it doesn't have a flap over main compartment):
Hobo International Hetty

I have a Sherpani Pica that I used in Ireland last year. It fits all of your requirements and doesn't scream TOURIST. You should be able to fit a Kindle in it. I know I was able to carry my P&S camera, a guidebook and a bottle of water in mine.