I just returned from a couple weeks in Ravenna and Florence. I needed to pack very light because I knew I was going to be lugging home art projects that I made during my travels. I decided to try one of those micro size Nanobags (cross body) that you can find on Amazon. It was my most used item! It is so small that it easily fits in a small crossbody (Baggallini triple zip which I also loved) or in a pocket and I carried it with me everywhere. It held a lot-wine, groceries, mosaics, you name it. It doesn’t look like much and it I wasn’t sure it if was worth the $15.99 I paid but boy am I glad I had it. I even used it as a plane carryon on my way home. It has earned a permanent spot in all my future travels.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3249 posts
Would you mind posting a direct link to the one you bought? Thanks!
Posted by
OP
Northern New York
123 posts
I’m not sure if this will work but I’ll give it a try. My tech skills are sadly lacking.
Nanobag Ultra-Lightweight Sling Cross-Body Bag
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3249 posts
Thanks Cindy, that was a better set of key words to search on, so I think I found it: https://a.co/d/hIIGW0E
Posted by
OP
Northern New York
123 posts
That’s it! Thank you! I bought the blue sling. Worked like a crossbody to distribute the weight.
Posted by
northern CA
3078 posts
I was just about to post a reminder to people who have been talking about getting a spare light bag not to overlook the hiking and camping stores -- there are plenty of 20 or 22 liter strong yet light bags that fold down to roughly the size of a large egg.
As another side comment, a woman down the block here has a great sense of humor -- she has a double-size beach bag in the tote style of the nanobag that CindyP points us to, and the side of the bag reads "just the essentials"
Posted by
The Great Pacific Northwest
32 posts
Yay! I have been preaching Nanobags for travel for a while now & am happy you've found them. I recommend them to anyone I know is traveling & gift them a lot. An absolute necessity to anyone who wants to travel light, imho.
I've traveled with the Nanobag backpack for going on 5 years now. I have stuffed that thing beyond recognition & it's only now starting to show a little stress at a seam. I buy direct though & not from Amazon & have gotten S-hooks & shipping for free. https://nanobag.com/products/reusable-shopping-bags (hope this link posted correctly)
I can't imagine traveling without one. Depending on the bag/backpack/sling you buy they hold 12-25 liters & pack down to the size of your thumb. What could be better? Love, love them.
Posted by
Arlington TX
750 posts
Cindy, after someone on the forum recommended it not all that long ago I bought one of the sling bags as well to replace the folding bag (IKEA) I had been using for years. I’ve downsized my travel purse to really small, for me anyway. I couldn’t believe how tiny and lightweight the Nanobag really is. And I love that it’s a crossbody sling.
Your trip to Florence and Ravenna sounds amazing. I was flabbergasted at how beautiful those mosaics in Ravenna are in April when I was there for the first time. Are you going to do a trip report, maybe?
Posted by
California
53 posts
I became a Nanobag convert during our trip through the Dordogne region last spring! My wife teased me at first about my "tiny little nothing bag."
But by day three, she kept borrowing it. What really surprised us was how it turned into our perfect market companion.
We'd stuff it with cheeses, small bottles of local wine, and farm-fresh produce. No worries about weird weight distribution or awkward bulges like you get with regular totes.
One afternoon in Sarlat, we somehow crammed our picnic lunch, a small bottle of wine, two water bottles, and even a ceramic souvenir into this almost magical pouch. The real test? We got caught in an unexpected downpour.
I tucked our market treasures inside my jacket, and the bag compressed down so small it fit in my pocket. Honestly, it's now a permanent part of my travel kit.
Back home in the Bay Area, I even use it for grocery runs. Funny how something so simple ends up being so useful.
Posted by
OP
Northern New York
123 posts
I’m so glad that others are enjoying their Nanobags as much as I am. It will definitely be coming with me on all future trips.
Lyndash-I have to admit I’m not the best at writing trip reports but if you or anyone else is interested in hearing more about the week long mosaic workshop I’ll be happy to share my experience.