Questioning my packing plans

You might want to check out the Rick Steves Civita Day Pack and / or Civita Shoulder Bag. They are both on sale now and the day packs we have are great for hauling stuff while out and about.

TC, are you suggesting the Civitas as a carry-on, or for a personal item/handbag? Thanks!

Hi, emma--

Re: the bag. No, I don't really have anything I'm happy with as far as a handbag/shoulder bag. I'm on a constant hunt for the perfect bag. I thought the Bihn Co-Pilot was going to work out (it is a crossbody but I usually wear it on one shoulder) but I'm not sure now. I really didn't want to throw any more money at gear for the trip so I do wish I had something I could use.

Re: the Tube. I am planning to take the Piccadilly line to Piccadilly Circus and then Bakerloo to Lambeth North. I think I can also catch a bus.

Sandra,

The Aeronaut 45 is a large bag, and if loaded to the max, it's going to be a burden to carry for any distance, whether using backpack straps or the Shoulder Strap. The problem with all bags of that type is that they don't have any waist belt with torso range adjustment, which would allow the majority of the weight to be carried on the hips rather than the shoulders. Given your "back issues", the sedentary lifestyle and the propensity to be a "notorious overpacker", I'm not sure the A45 is the best choice.

A few alternatives to consider......

• use your Mom's 22" roller along with the Co-Pilot for carry on. If you could fit what you need into a bag of that size, it should solve the problem.
• if you'd prefer using a "backpack" style product, you could buy a suitable travel backpack that's equipped with a waist belt and torso range adjustment. Osprey Packs and Eagle Creek both have models in various sizes that should fit the bill. Use that in conjunction with your Co-Pilot.
• if you think you might need a bit more room than the Co-Pilot provides, you could perhaps use the 22" roller along with a slightly larger TB product such as the S19 or 25 Backpacks, Smart Alec, Brain Bag or something like the Night Flight Travel Duffel.

Good luck!

@Ken--I'll take a peek at those Bihn bags you mentioned. I do love the TB products as they are built to last!

@emma--Yes, there is a TJ Maxx near me. I hardly ever go in there (I kind of dislike shopping) but it is worth a try. Thanks!

Just took a quick look at the Medium Cafe Bag. My objection to that style of bag is that it does not zip. It has the flap that comes down and latches but I want to be able to zip the main compartment and be able to hold my hand over the zipper tab when I am moving thru a big crowd. A small pickpocket hand can still slip under the flap on that bag.

I use the LeSportSac Deluxe Everyday bag for a travel purse. I just dumped everything out of it and it weighs 9 ounces. I have no idea how many liters it can hold, but I did find a 10 cent Euro coin in the bottom, lol. You can sometimes see these at TJMAxx altho in my experience they are yucky colors. I've had good luck ordering thru Zappos as they have free shipping and free returns. This has been my go-to travel purse the last 3 years.

http://www.zappos.com/lesportsac-deluxe-everyday-bag-black?zlfid=191&ref=pd_brand_page

I also have used a LeSportsac Medium Travel tote for a personal item/tote bag. It also zips and I was able to put the purse, a pillow and a jacket in that and have it fit under the seat. It worked fine and I liked it as a "bus tote" on some of the Rick Steves tours I've been on but the handles are not long enough to do cross body. They are OK for over the shoulder.

Last Fall I took the Veloce Shoulder bag and it worked fine. It's a bit heavier than the Lesportsac Tote but I was carrying birding binoculars and wanted something sturdier than the LeSportsac.

I would use your Mom's 22 inch roller. I had good luck with Rick's 20 inch roller last fall and will probably continue to use it instead of the backpack style bag I've used in previous years. I would go ahead and do a test pack when you can.

Are both the pairs of glasses spares? Can you pack one in your suitcase? If you check the roller bag you don't need to carry your 3-1-1 bag around, you can put it in there instead of your personal item.

Sandra, We use the Civita Day Bag strictly as a personal item bag. The day bag is just that -- very good for the day but not even close to being large enough for use as a carry on if that is the only bag you take. But if you check a larger bag, it is a good personal bag to carry on with meds., phone, camera, cosmetics, stuff you need while on board, and other essentials. It can be used as a regular handbag, but that's not the best use of it -- better to have a separate, smaller purse. Go to the store section of this site and you can check out the size, weight, description, photos, and other specs.

Pam, this is so strange...I think I owned that LeSportsac Everyday Bag years ago! I accidentally gave it to the Salvation Army when I was cleaning out a closet and have been sorry since. I couldn't remember the details about the bag so never bought another. But I'm 99% sure that is the one!

The weekend bag is something I saw online and have been considering.

P.S. One pair of glasses is the one I wear when I take my contacts out (I may just wear them on the plane so I can sleep). The other are my progressive/readers (these were custom made for me so I would want to keep them in my carryon).

Rick Steves Euro tote (personal item size) can be attached to the handles of a roller bag for easy transport. Strap for over-the-shoulder carry. On sale now.

Also, for a one-week trip you could look for an adequate (not necessarily your "perfect") cross-body bag at a thrift store -- I bought a Baggelini for less than $10, and found one from The Sak in the "free box" which just needed a quick wash.

The Euro Flight Bag looks like a great deal!

I'm going to take a look in my closet tonight and see what's available. I think I've got an older lightweight Fossil nylon bag (similar to Baggallini) in there somewhere.

I wondered if that was the deal with your glasses. I don't have contacts but wear glasses and you may do better not wearing them on your travel day. Does the dry airplane air make your eyes feel scratchy?

Funny about the purse! I have 2 everyday bags and really after daily use and a bunch of international trips they do not look worn at all. The fabric is slightly water resistant. Not enough that I would say it is, but it does seem to repel light amounts of rain. I like the 2 large pockets as I can keep my iPad Mini in one pocket with a ziplock in case it does really rain and my other stuff in the other side. I do have to be careful because I can pack it too heavy...iPad mini, folded Marmot Precip jacket and ziplock, umbrella and ziplock, kleenex, chapstick, mints, money for the day, snacks, and sooo on!

My sister wanted to bring a carry on, shoulder bag, and purse. I told her that was too much. I also took a picture of me with all 3 bags (empty) and texted it to her. I looked loaded down. So, she took a 20" carry on and a small Pacsafe backpack camera bag that served as a purse, medicine bag, and camera bag. She was very mobile. Able to carry her bag up and down stairs, never needed any assistance. And in the end was very happy.

For a purse, I love my REI Tranquility bag https://www.rei.com/product/896255/rei-tranquility-shoulder-bag-womens
I looked at the TB medium cafe bag, but I like this REI purse much better.

It can be worn cross-body, has mesh pockets on each side to fit a small water bottle and an umbrella, a padded section inside for your iPad if you want, and lots of space and zippered front pocket too. And right now, it's on sale!!

I take my Civita daypack on the plane (using it as the tote bag) and I slip the REI purse into my luggage. Then when I arrive, I use the REI purse for everyday sightseeing - being able to wear it cross-body and have my hand over the zipper on top makes it quite secure.

Sandra, please, please pack light. You don't need to take lots of clothes, etc. I just take the roller bag and Civita as the tote with the REI purse for everyday and that will last me for five weeks. Have a great trip!

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/91563?feat=677-GN3&page=carryall-tote-bag

Hi,

I love this tote bag. I made one adjustment to it so I could carry it crossbody. I had a tailor add the ends of a loop belt on each side, I then attach a shoulder strap. I don't usually fill it. Just stuff my things I bring on the plane, Ipad, sweater/jacket, paperwork.

Mary

I've found that as I age, I'm able to wear my contacts fewer hours of the day. Sleeping in them is generally not a good idea. They are not the disposable type; they're the type you wear for a year and then toss. My eye doctor doesn't like the way the disposables fit my eyes.

I definitely plan to pack lighter than ever for this trip. In fact, I wavered about bringing the tablet at all, since I ordinarily do not take it out of the house and would probably not walk around London with it. I don't have a smartphone, so it would be helpful for keeping in touch with my husband and for use in my room. It might come in handy to carry it around, but I think it's too heavy.

By all means use your mother's roller bag and check it, even if it is carryon size. No use schlepping a bag around when someone else will do it for you, IMO. Do carry on the plane anything you can't do without and perhaps your PJ's incase your bag, rare, doesn't make it over the same time. Last trip I used a cotton reusable bag which would also hold my purse if I wanted it to do so. Then when I was reunited with my bag I put the cotton bag into the suitcase and just kept my purse out. That way you never have more than two items to worry about. The last time I was in Ikea, they had a great, inexpensive, duffle which folds into nothing. It had both shoulder straps and handles, zippers, was cute, light, but strong. It would hold an awful lot if necessary. It was less than $20.00. I'm using it on my next trip.

OK, my limited "two cents" ..... first, I have only used a 22" roller and was cruising through the forum to hear both sides of the spectrum between carry on backpack or roller as we prepare for a two week trip to England. I love my Eagle Crest roller and likely will continue to use it but after reading your post about TB I am very intrigued and think I want to try some of their products. I am very big on made in USA also. OK, with that said, use your mother's roller and then maybe invest in a TB backpack such as the Synapse 19. I have found over years a backpack is more comfortable and balanced than a cross body, especially if you back is bothering you. I currently have an REI compact carryon that counts as my "purse" when I travel - it is a modified back-pack/cross body - one big strap instead of two but rides like a backpack and very comfortably. The backpack will be less injurious to your back and you can carry more as well. The Synapse packs from TB are super nice and look comfortable. OK, as for your back ;-). Weight lifting and core strengthening. I am 55 and have rehabbed my weak back that was plagued with troubles by doing a whole body circuit training regime that emphasizes core strengthening three times/week. I have been running for 40 years so am not sedentary but back issues do crop up as we age. If you have never lifted weights it would be worth it to spend some sessions with a trainer to get started. :-). You will not regret it! Happy travels!!!!!!!

If you do check your bag, word to the wise, be sure to bring something to sleep in, something to wear the next day (and a coat if it is winter!) We arrived in Europe in winter to NO BAGs for the first 36 hours. I had a coat and something to sleep in, but not everyone did and it affected our comfort. I think everyone in my family learned a lesson about contingency planning. On our next trip, it will be all carry on again, but on that trip we were bringing things that needed to be checked so we all just checked our bags. When the bags did arrive, they were in perfect condition, delivered to our hotel, etc... so had we just taken a few needed things in our carry ons, we would have been just fine.