best bag to carry daily needs without looking like a tourist

Honestly, any daypack or messenger bag will make you stand out a bit as a tourist. Does it really matter if you look like you are touring a country out side of the US? I like to travel with a bag that works the best for me...lately I've been using a pacsafe shoulder bag that will hold my camera, money, etc. Carrying a purse like you normally use will work, but it could be heavy. you might look into a small tote bag, but make sure you can secure it. As a tourist, you could be targeted by pickpockets. Just your clothing will make you stand out. We don't have the fashion sense of Europeans. Go enjoy your travels and don't let something like "not looking like a tourist" be of a concern! you are only on vacation for a short time!

You will look like a tourist because tourist tend to carry bags. We have used a small day bag, book bag size, for years without any problem. Heavy is determine by what you put in it. I would avoid bags with a big label. One of my frequent expressions is, "You cannot avoid looking like a tourist, just don't look like a stupid, American tourist." We have often been mistaken for English or German tourists which is fine with us.

Beth, here's a different viewpoint: Good for you! I share the same desire when we travel in Italy. I suggest a messenger bag, as those are extremely popular in Europe. They're also less likely to pose a security problem than would a daypack. It doesn't really make any sense, but we were prevented from going into a cathedral in Bologna because we had a daypack, while those with messenger bags of the same size as our daypack or bigger just had to open it up for the guard to peek inside and in they went. When we pointed that out to the guard, he just shrugged and wouldn't let us in. So again, good for you!

Grocery store bag. I like the kind that are the thin material and fold up on themselves. They can easily be carried in a pocket or purse when not in use.

I bought a lightweight and compact backpack-like bag from REI. I can't find the exact model on their website but it is made out of lightweight material and you can roll it up easily. I used it to hold maybe 2 bottles of water, a guidebook, and some snacks when I visited Spain and France last year. Sometimes I put my camera bag in there as well. i didn't look out of place because most everyone else was carrying some sort of bag as well. I usually strung it on one shoulder and held it like a messenger bag so as to prevent a quick grab and run robbery.

When I travel, I use cross-body purses (nothing special, just bags I've found at department stores). The one I'm using now is a Franco Sarto bag, 11" x 11" when empty. It has enough room for a map, water bottle, point-and-shoot camera, plus things I have with me all the time like lotion, wallet, cell phone, etc. Keep only your daily money in your bag. Wear a moneybelt for the rest of your cash, cards, passport, and other important documents. Just as we can easily spot tourists in the U.S., Europeans can spot tourists in their cities. The natives will know you're not from around there no matter what kind of bag you have. The most important thing is not to look like a target for pickpockets. Be careful what you keep in your day bag and pay attention to your surroundings, especially on crowded public transit.

Like Michael I tend to prefer a messenger bag - my wife, an over-the-shoulder purse. Certainly a fanny-pack, day-pack, and/or a backpack will mark you as a tourist. But as mentioned, so will your clothes and mannerisms. I probably have 4-5 messenger bags. Many locals do carry a messenger-style bag. One reason might be because they don't own a car. So unless you leave your items in your motorino, you tend to carry "stuff" with you as you might be away from home for hours. And in Europe, there is not the "phobia" of the man-bag. I rarely go anywhere when in Rome or Italy without a messenger bag slung over my shoulder. They are also quite easy to pull around in front of you when you enter a crowded area. In Copenhagen, I more often use a backpack - it's a different environment and I'm also on my bike many days. So different bags for different areas. I do not use a backpack as my primary around-town bag when traveling/walking. As mentioned, many are too easy for theft opportunities. I also have a messenger-style camera bag that locks. Carrying a bulky camera bag certainly identifies you as a tourist, but so does pulling out that camera! After living/visiting us in Europe, both my sons now "carry" messenger bags in the States. You have to find what works for you. Comfort and Security seem to be the primary requirement for travelers. I'd suggest supplementing your choice of bag with a "personal" security system like a money-belt or neck pouch - depending on what you are wearing and the time of year. We've only had once incident in years of travel - which you can read about here - but we were prepared and able to continue our vacation. Good Luck!

Whatever you do you will look like a tourist. You could try looking like a tourist who has nothing worth stealing... The messenger bags which close with big strips of Velco are good because you cannot open them without making noise - I think most pickpockets etc would move on and look for something easier.

I also prefer a messenger bag that can be worn cross-body, I find it distributes the weight of the bag;s contents better.

I like the Le Sport Sac brand of purses. They are made of lightweight material with little hardware so are light to begin with. Several of their bags are large enough to hold a water bottle, guidebook, etc. but are not huge or backpack style. I've also had good luck with cheap light purses from stores like Target. I usually get one with a long enough strap to wear cross body and a zipper on top.

Pockets.

Don't focus on "not looking like a tourist." Like everyone else says, it doesn't work anyway. Besides, plenty of Europeans get their pockets picked too. Pickpockets want cash, credit cards, cameras & jewelry. Leave your jewelry at home. I don't even bring a watch. Never carry anything in your pockets - that's why they're called pickPOCKETS. Secure your cash & credit cards with money belts or neck wallets. You won't hear many stories about people losing money from neck wallets or money belts. Carry your camera in front of your body. Then relax and enjoy your trip.

Here's a thought: So many people are saying "Oh, you can always spot the tourists." Has it ever occurred to anyone that you're only able to spot the tourists that actually look and act like tourists? You could have walked right past a tourist and thought they were a local. I think it's safe to say that everyone who looks like a tourist is one, but I don't think that makes it true that all tourists look like tourists. I've been mistaken in Italy more than once for a local, both by Italians and tourists. It's something I get a kick out of even though I realize it's not particularly important to many other travelers. To each his own. Happy travels.

The reason a small backpack/daypack are often refused into a hurch or museum, but a messenger bag of similar size is not is because they are afraid you will put on your back, and knock up against stuff.. it is something people with backpacks do sometimes, I personally have had a backpack in the face while sitting on a bus,, the person didn't mean to,, its just it was on their back, they turned, and I got the face rub. With a messenger type bag most wear in on their front hip , so more likely to be aware of it hitting or rubbing up against something. I do realize many remove their daybags and wear them in front in crowds, but not everyone does, and a museum or churh cannot take that risk. My bag is lightweight and strong, wide long adjustable strap, flap that closes over zippered top and flap clicks shut. Love it. Derek Alexander. I have looked at pacsafe bags, they are just too heavy empty , can't imagine them full, except perhaps the smallest ones, but I like to get a few things in there , so smallest is too small for my needs.

Pat, thanks for the perspective on the daypack versus messenger bag. That never occurred to me. I thought it was more likely a terrorist thing, with the assumption that a backpack would be more likely to have explosives. But you make a very good point. I've gotten a backpack in my face more than once on the bus.

I use a cute pacsafe bag for my daily essentials. I keep my moneybelt out of sight. I also have those thin grocery bags that are great for carrying guide books, water, rain jacket, etc. They fold up to almost nothing and come in lots of colors. I wouldn't worry too much about looking like a tourist. You probably can't help that.

What is a "messenger bag"?