Rick Steves sale this week: Euro Bag and Neck Wallet

Thanks, Mardee. I, too love my Euro bag. It goes on every trip with me here or in Europe. I love how it fits under the seat in front of me, but holds so much.

Can a laptop or large tablet fit?

Yes, I've carried my 15" MacBook Air in it on a number of occasions. It does not have an attached sleeve, but I just put mine in a zipped portable sleeve and that works very well.

Thanks, very much. My husband (has that MacBook Air) needs to use a different bag from his backpack which gets overloaded. I finally gave up my similar backpack for the RS Ravenna day pack which does not seem to be available anymore.

Another upvote for the Euro Flight bag - only negative, IMO, is main compartment zippered flap makes it easy for things to fall out if you aren't careful, although packing cubes help prevent that. But I use this bag all the time for weekend trips, etc. It holds a lot more stuff than you think!

I still can't make peace w the weird shoulder strap, tho

doric8, I just took it off and have never used it. the Handle on top works fine for me.

I agree! I just use the handle although I do keep the strap with it, just in case.

I know I'm barking up the wrong tree here, but the last of the Civita shoulder bags is going going almost gone in the bargain bin:

https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/civita-shoulder-bag

The only color left is black.

I'm ordering one now--it will be my third. The original version in camel brown, the newer one in graphite, and this clearance item in black. One of the best things about it is that the zipper doesn't open so far down the sides, so you can leave it open and use it as a small totebag, too.

It is a nice bag, Avi, but it doesn't have the capacity of the Euro bag. It's only 6.5L vs. the Euro Bag's 20L. But it would probably make a good day bag.

I have both the neck wallet and euro flight bag.
Here’s my review. Like the neck wallet just fine. Negative on the euro flight bag. It gets boxy when fully packed. I am middle-aged, somewhat short and busty. The bag is uncomfortable to carry, because I have to lean to balance it. I removed the shoulder strap and just use it for car travel now.

That’s my 2 cents - based on actual use in several different travel situations.

I’ve had the euro bag for years. And I’ve used it as a personal bag, definitely fits under the seat on board and holds a lot, but it is somewhat awkward with the low opening of the zipper. You really need to use packing cubes or ziplocks so odds and ends don’t tumble out. It stacks very well on your rolling bag but I eventually found it to be too blocky for airplane travel. I now only use it for car trips which actually for me means I use it probably 6-8 times a year and I’m really glad I have it. I’ll also add it is really well made, zippers, sewing etc. Very solid quality.

Lyndash, I usually pack my travel 'project' folder last, right in front and that keeps everything inside with no problems when opening.

I've probably had mine for around 15 years. Used it twice if that. It's awkward and too big for a personal item for me. The size might make it desirable for others, but I carry a smaller PI bag or purse. I still have the Euro bag as I want to like it...someday maybe. LOL. It would work as a personal item only...if the measurements jive, though. Although, again, still awkward to carry.

Mardee, as usual, has cost me money.

I read about the shoulder bag in this thread and became interested. I looked at it online, but it was hard to tell exactly what it was like. Then I realized it was Saturday and the store in Edmonds was open. Fifteen minutes later I was able to handle the bag and determine it was not for me. However, I find it impossible to go to the travel center without buying anything. I now own a Rick Steves Packable duffle. This would have been a great help in June when I bought 4 heavy Norwegian sweaters at the Fretek thrift store in Stavanger and then wondered how I was going to get them home.

Carol, that made me laugh! I'm glad you found something useful—and how lucky are you to just pop over to the RS store?! It's probably just as well for me that I can't. :-)

If it's any consolation, I've cost myself (along with the collective posts of the Packing crowd here) so much money, I could probably set up my own store.

It's good to walk the talk, and since the Civita is in the clearance bin anyway, I went ahead and bought the black one, which is now my third. I use the camel brown one for day trips, the graphite one for work, and this black one will stay in the dugout until the right hitting situation arises. The padding in the black one is stiffer than in the older one, will make it more confident in holding a tablet or similar.

Mardee is an acronym

Marketing
and
Retail
Development
Edmonds
Economy

"She" really isn't in Duluth.

:-)

Joe... I think you cracked the code!!!!!

Joe,
Are you implying that Mardee is really an AI computer used for advertising? Instead of Alexa or Siri, we have our very own Mardee!

[I prefer my Minnesota Mardee. (I am originally from Michigan.). Great Lakes Ladies unite!]

Joe, but I could be an AI computer based in Duluth, lol!!

SunBaked, definitely yes! Great Lakes forever!

Mardee,
I have been to Red Lake, Bemidjee, Itasca Mississippi head waters, and Detroit Lakes in the dead of Winter. Would like to get back there one day.