Manly shoulder bag

Where will you use this? Why isn't a backpack practical---curious why your wife would say this.

You could always compromise and sling a backpack over your shoulder with one strap.

Or if younwant a cross-body bag, get the TimBuk2---one of the original messenger bags,designed for guys (bicycle delivery people).

Personally, I prefer the Veloce bag to the Civita, because the Veloce looks more like a piece of luggage to me than a "bag." I have used it as my personal item on planes. I also really like the Gator, which is built like a rock. It has several cool features which make it a great personal item as well. These two are my favorites if I don't try and take a little extra stuff (as a photographer, sometimes my personal item gets rather full!) Both bags, Veloce and Gator have videos explaining their features which will help make a decision. Good luck.

I us a Patagonia Half Mass (bike) messenger bag as a travel shoulder bag and as my carry-on "personal"/computer bag. The "half mass" size is smaller than a full messenger bag but bigger than a guide book bag.

I have also done walking trips using a guide book bag in combination with my day back pack to carry guide books. The guide book bag give you access to guide books without having to take of your backpack while hiking. (Keep you maps in a waterproof map case and on heavy rain days protect your guide book in a plastic sack).

I'm not sure if it will be big enough for you, but you might want to check out the Eagle Creek Guide Trek.

I am not fond of backpacks when I am traveling because it's inconvenient to access it when I'm on the go unless I wear it on one shoulder. If I wear it as a backpack, I have to take it off to access the contents. For a daybag, I prefer a cross-body type bag like this.

My DH carries a laptop bag as his personal item; it holds a lot if you leave out the laptop :-)

Why is a backpack not practical? We are also seniors, and carry backpacks as our primary luggage. I use the RS Appenzell, and DH carries a slightly smaller pack. This year he bought an Appenzell (he's been coveting mine for years) so he may "upgrade" to that. It holds plenty for any length trip - if you're willing to do laundry occasionally, and needn't weigh you down. My packed bag regularly weighs less than 14 pounds.

I won't weigh in on either, but a consideration is whether you want to have to check your bag at museums or not. I am gauging the size of my day bag by the restrictions of the Prado Museum in Madrid. They make you check anything bigger than 40 x 40 cm....which is slightly smaller than 16 x 16 inches. The Timbuk2 top measurement is slightly under 17 inches. Backpacks are always supposed to be checked.
My take on backpacks is that they invade other's space when it is crowded, there are more zips to lock or attend to and you can't see what that guy behind you on the metro is doing. Countless times I see semi closed backpacks just asking for a light fingered person to help themselves.

I'm curious what you'll be carrying in the bag.

For example, it's very common in Europe to see men carrying bags to hold oversize wallets, keys, cell phones, et cetera. This is an example:
http://www.eastpak.com/be-fr/the-one-black-pEK045008+00+999.html

Is that what you're looking for? Or are you trying to find a bigger bag to carry your clothes, toiletries, shoes, and so on?

I carry a small black leather bag. It is the same size as an ipad because will fit in the back pocket. And is about 5" deep. Will hold an umbrella, small water bottle, and a compact camera plus a few other small items. Has a padded shoulder strap and will ride on the hip or as a cross body bag. Works well. Was bought in the leather market in Florence.

I tried and rejected the Timbuk2 and other messenger type bags. I don't like the single large flap to get to the interior. I carry the Civita but the backpack, not the shoulder bag. I usually sling it over one shoulder but, if we stop at a market and fill up where having it on one shoulder becomes an issue, it's a comfortable back pack. It's surprisingly roomy. Mine is 5 or 6 years old and I wear it every day to the gym as well and i'ts held up nicely. With the three compartments stuff like hand sanitizer, little papers with addresses and other things you don't want to fish for are easily reachable, large items can stay in the large compartment.

Thanks, everyone, for your insightful replies. I needed a personal item on the plane and to carry around our stuff (snacks, water, rain jackets, phones, etc.) while sightseeing in Italy this fall. I decided to go with my initial feeling and just ordered the Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag in medium. If it doesn't fit the bill, I'll let you know.

Understanding that you have already decided to order, you might check out the "Co Pilot" by Tom Bihn. tombihn.com It carries a lot and is organized into a lot of compartments for keeping things separated and thus, handier. It isn't cheap, but it is uncommonly rugged and practical.

I got back from third Europe trip and second carrying the timbuktu2 med. I looked for an alternative before my trip and nothing looks better. Good choice.
I turn it face in on public transport. Tie it on top of my wheelie bag for long schleps.

...tried and rejected the Timbuk2 and other messenger type bags. I don't like the single large flap to get to the interior.

My Patagonia Half Mass messenger bag (many years old version) does have a large flap (with velcro and snap buckle fasteners. But it also has an exterior zip compartment built into the flap and has an interior zip compartment.

after spending many months tripping around europe and the USA , I could not do without a smallish messenger bag, for all of the usual things, as mentioned. after owning and trying various sorts, the main criteria for me is weight. it is amazing how heavy they become after hanging around your neck for day after day, so try and find a light weight one. and one with good zippers as they get used a lot. I have often looked at expensive ones ( eg nice leather etc) but they weight too much.
back packs get too hot, and give no confidence that they are 'protected' whereas a messenger bag can be carried in front, side or rear. and you don't hit things when you turn around.
i wouldn't worry about not looking manly, as they are so common, with men.
hope this helps
ps, they sell all sorts in europe, so don't worry if you are travelling there and have to buy one there.

I wasn't thinking about a day bag - I thought you meant for packing. Yes, Maria suggested, a backpack can be too unwieldy as a day bag. DH uses his Civita bag, slung over one shoulder, and I use a small cross body guide bag.

LL Bean carries two sizes of the Timbuk2 bag and an LLBean brand bag. I would suggest a smaller bag. You are probably taller and stronger than me. I am concerned about the bulkiness of a messenger bag hanging on one side. I suggest trial packing and walking two miles with it prior to taking the bag on a trip. See how well your neck/shoulder handles a load carried unilaterally.

I carry a shoulder bag every day and have done so for several decades even though back when I was a student I used backpacks.
For travel the past year or so I've been using the Civita Shoulder Bag, which is smaller than the bag I carry for work (lately I've been using the free-gift-with-membership Sierra Club green canvas shoulder bag with small laptop interior divider).
Civita advantages:
•It fits in my RS Convertible Carry-on when I'm fully packed so I don't have to carry anything else beside the carry-on in transit.
•Since it has no flap (unlike a messenger) and the main zipper doesn't open all the way (unlike a daypack) it can be used like a tote when necessary -- a poster tube or baguette can stick up out of the top.
•the middle compartment can hold whatever handheld gizmo you aren't holding in your hand zippered securely, leaving it easier to rummage in the main compartment without worrying about accident. Enough room left there for your RS guidebook pages.
•the RS-style bulgy outer pocket lets you hold your snacks similarly separate from whatever you keep in the main compartment
•the rear sleeve is perfect for holding whatever map or brochure or paper ticket you need right this moment
•the Civita fabric is lightweight and soft; the mesh side pockets hold more fruit and your drink, again keeping the main compartment clear for your scrunched sweater and hat or whatever small packaged item you shouldn't have bought but did.
Disadvantages:
•the Civita fabric is lightweight and soft, not suitable for camping or rough use -- if you're rubbing up against nature, you have to protect the bag from scratching and snagging
•the rear side has some light foam built in for padding, which has its pluses but prevents the bag from really scrunching up into nothing when empty, and foam sometimes gets creased or folded unevenly -- if I was less manly and more crafty, I would sew some kind of access customization to this foam.

The strap on the Civita shoulder bag is the perfect length to make trying to throw it over your head cross-body style tempting, but then too uncomfortable if you actually do it.

For context, my daily personal item used to be a reusable cotton grocery sack, like a pillow case with a string for a handle. Fit in my pants pocket when not in use.

avirosemail, I was planning to use my Sierra Club freebie as my "personal item" this trip. The only flaw, for me, is the back pocket is not deep enough to hold a file folder (with all our trip info.) I suppose I could use the inside pocket, but my former travel bag (now pretty much defunct) had a wonderful back pocket, so all the trip info was getattable without my having to open the main compartment.

Quality control on freebies is usually not so good, even if coming from the blessed Sierra Club -
I've had friends whose bags fell apart (strap snap, zipper pop, etc.) at inopportune moments when using freebies,
so for out in the wilds of urban Europe I like to have a more dependable item.
If that strikes a chord with any of you on the RS forum, let me repeat my plug for JandD here in central California, whose bags are bulletproof and watertight (metaphorically). They are great for camping and trekking, might be overkill for travel.
If you're someone who drags things around and throws things thataway while looking in another direction, do consider the heavier construction.

So i had to check out J and D cuz that was a new name for me. Checking their website, look at sales and seconds..... they have 2 styles of messenger bags with some color flaws available for $40.

Wow, doric8, you're right -- that 'Andrew' messenger bag on sale is a real steal right now, especially if your daytime plans involve hurricanes or rapids. Description says it employs the same fabric as used to make whitewater rafts, and that's just one of several layers.

A backpack isn't practical for me because you have to stop to get things out. As an avid photographer, I would be stopping every 2 feet. Also it is easier to steal things from. In a crowd you'd have a hard time feeling someone unzip it. Finally, a lot of sights ban backpacks but allow shoulder bags. I use one for hiking where hands free is important, but in cities or towns I'm always surprised by the number of tourists I see in day packa. These bags make very little sense to me, but to each their own.

There are thousand of manly options - messenger bags are popular among men so this isn't a niche product. Timbuktu is nice, fossil has some that are a little more stylish, the outdoor companies like Patagonia have sportier ones, tech companies have laptop bags that if you skip the laptop are just shoulder bags. What do you like?

I use a Patagonia mini mass. It will hold my iPad, a point and shoot camera, glasses, lunch items, a packable rain coat. It gets a bit crowded but I don't like to carry a lot when I am out and about.

Oh yes, the European 'Man-Bag' question.

I prefer to travel with a day-size backpack as my under-the-seat carry-on. It's large enough to carry everything I want//need on the plane (something my Civita isn't capable of) while small enough to fit under the seat without taking up all my leg room.

However, backpacks of any size are generally a nuisance while sightseeing. It doesn't seem to matter what size a backpack is, museums (and Churches) will make you either check the backpack in their cloak room or where it on the front of your body. Too make things even more confusing, one venue made my companion check her Civita Backpack while they allowed my Civita shoulder bag.

Therefore, I also travel with a Rick Steve's Civita shoulder bag in my suitcase. It's compact enough when empty to be no problem fitting into the suitcase. And it's right-sized to fit the daily necessities while sightseeing. And it's masculine enough to fit right in on travels to Europe. Of course, once you get to Europe and see the other tourists around you, any thoughts of fashion usually leave your mind anyway.

Red Oxx "Gator" bag has worked great for me since 2006. Been to Australia, South America and all over Europe. Holds a lot and is almost bullet proof.

Just what I said in my post. The Gator is small, so it fits under the seat if necessary, holds a lot, is intelligently organized, built like a tank. One of my favorites!

IMO, a shoulder bag with a thicker shoulder strap at least 2" wide looks more "manly".

Agree with yatesrb and Ray about the Red Oxx Gator bag. It is indestructible. We have carried if for about 9 years now with no issues . It holds a lot so you have to make certain that you really want to/can carry that much around for long periods of time. It can be worn as a shoulder bag or crossbody.

I received my medium size Timbuk2 Classic bag and loaded it up with two water bottles, two light windbreakers, snacks, a RS Italy guide book and some other misc stuff. It's quite roomy and held all that with ease and was not too heavy. Looks like it will work for my wife and me and it beats a backpack, IMO.
I know this is a little like a commercial; however, I only bought the bag after doing a lot of research. I'm not affiliated with the company in any way. Since we can't post pictures and in case anyone is interested the bag can be seen at:
https://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Classic-Messenger-Multi-Medium/dp/B00E1O3MVA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495811898&sr=8-1&keywords=timbuk2%2Bclassic%2Bmedium&th=1&psc=1

Hi, messenger shoulder bag is the best option.

Thanks all for the suggestions -- I will keep my eyes open on my frequent strolls through thrift stores to find a gently-used bag in my price range (single digits)