Carrying Medication in a Backpack

Can you bring a sling bag for your personal item, plus a backpack? I did this on my last flight. I wore the sling bag on the front. This is the bag I used: https://a.co/d/2MuYtZ3

Are you concerned about someone stealing meds from your backpack on a flight or on the bus? If somebody wants to steal from you, meds won’t be what they are looking for.

I’m traveling with a carry-on suitcase so I can bring only one other personal item. I like the bag you recommended; It could be a good choice for when we’re sightseeing.

As for theft, I’m more worried about a backpack being slashed open when walking though city streets. No worries really about the plane or the bus.

I’m more worried about a backpack being slashed open when walking though city streets.

I carry my meds in a backpack and this is one scenario I don't worry about.

My backpack has a trolley strap and sits on the handles of my carry on. It's two big to use as a day bag.

Contact the airline(s). Many allow you to carry a third bag if you can prove that it is necessary medication by presenting a note from your doctor. It’s one more thing to carry but it might be worth it in your case. I’ve done it several times without a problem.

Frank, I appreciate your reassurance. Maybe I’ve been more in need of perspective than a bag recommendation.

That said, if your backpack is too large to be a day bag, what do you use?

Wanderlust, very interesting. I didn’t know that was a possibility.

As for theft, I’m more worried about a backpack being slashed open when walking though city streets.

I think this is extremely unlikely to happen. Pickpockets try to be discreet. They are trying to get money, not prescription meds. They don’t want to draw attention to themselves.

I bring a daypack for the flight. For day-to-day use, I carry a cross-body purse.

That said, if your backpack is too large to be a day bag, what do you use?

My backpack is a standard size personal item...40 x 30 x 17 cm. Way too big for what I need for daily use.

For day use If I'm wearing a jacket I use the pockets. If no jacket, I just got an Eagle Creek packable waist bag. I can wear it as either a waist bag or a sling. It holds what I need.

I also have a sling like the one mentioned above but found it bigger than I needed.

It depends on how much you need to take with you during the day.

If you are worried about your backpack being slashed, look at travelon and pac safe backpacks. I have a travelon backpack that I have used periodically for travel. It still looks like new. They are also well organized bags. People poo poo this avenue, but if this is your fear, disregard those opinions. If you have meds that take up a lot of room, this is a solution. Then you don't have to carry it on your chest, which I always thinks flags a person as having valuables, but that is just my opinion, not built on any hard facts.

I also use this Sherpani bag as my PI and I use it at home. I love that I can use it as a backpack, tote or crossbody bag. It carries all I need in my personal item, including a change of clothes. Again, I don't know how large your medicines are so I can't determine if it will work for you.

I carry both these bags as on the add a bag strap rather than on the handles. They work great and it is much lighter to move my wheeled bag (2 wheels) in this manner.

The other solution would be to put your meds in a bag attached inside any non-antitheft backpack so if your bag was slashed, the robber is unlikely to slash two bags and it would still be attached to your backpack anyway, which would certainly get your attention.

Hi Malinda,

Once you’re with the RS tour, you won’t have to worry about your medications in your bag since the bus usually picks you up very close to your hotels. So, it’s more the process of getting from the airport and any pre or post tour days.

This is the personal size bag that I used this year - Sherpani Camden Bag. It has backpack straps, a crossbody strap and small tote handles. That would give you a lot of options. I only used it on the plane and between hotel locations. During the day, I just use my small Baggalini purse (placed inside the Sherpani bag during transportation). I did keep my toiletry kit in the Sherpani when I was traveling pre-tour and going between locations because I also have a couple of medications- one for cholesterol that I can’t skip. I didn’t want to risk losing that one.

https://sherpani.com/products/camden

Wray, that’s funny that we both mentioned Sherpani at the same time! I actually cut off the backpack straps of mine since I use a Cotopaxi 35L as my carry-on now. I just used the crossbody strap on transportation days pre-tour and the small tote handles when heading to the bus outside the hotel during the RS tour.

Jean, As "they" say, great minds think alike...

I think you have two issues here:

1) Safety of medications, and probably the underlying fear of what would happen if those meds were stolen (or even lost)

2) A good daybag that meets your needs and is smaller than your backpack

For item #1, bring copies of your prescriptions, just in case. Even if you lost your meds, you could have them filled. There are pharmacies on every other street corner.

For item #2, find a bag that you can pack into either your carryon or backpack. Maybe a belt bag or crossbody that is easily packable. It just depends what you need to have with you during the day. These bags are very popular: https://a.co/d/94wcwtp

I brought one on my trip in June, but didn’t end up using it. It’s big enough to hold a water bottle, but not a lot of organization inside.

Frank, Wray and Jean. Thanks so much for the bag recommendations.

You’ve all given me great advice that I greatly appreciate!

Travel4Fun, your post captures my concerns completely. That’s a great idea about bringing copies of my prescriptions. I’ll ask my pharmacist for this.

Malinda, I totally get it. Years ago my father in law came to visit and somehow managed to lose his pill box. In my house. It was a bit of a scramble to get his very serious meds refilled, but it was possible.

After turning the house upside down, we ended up finding his pill box behind my living room sofa, behind the drapes. On a different floor from his room. I have no idea how it possibly happened. But it was very stressful for him.

On my last trip I had a rolling suitcase I carried on, a backpack that fit under my seat, and a crossbody bag I flattened and put in the suitcase to use as a day bag once I'd reached the hotel. Carry your written prescriptions separately from your medications if you're worried about losing your backpack or the contents, maybe in the suitcase or in your under-clothes waist belt or whatever you use for your passport. I think slashing doesn't happen as often at the backpack manufacturers want you to think. But I did leave my crossbody bag hanging on the hook in a restroom stall once!! (Luckily the restroom attendant called me back).

Marty, so many good ideas in your post!

Travel4Fun, I feel your father-in-law’s anxiety.

Thank you to everyone who commented. I truly appreciate all of your thoughts. I feel like I’m set now so I’m going to turn off comments.

Well, I thought I could turn off commenting. I must be thinking of Facebook.😊

Don’t know if this was already suggested, but I carry a duplicate set of meds and keep them in two different places. On the off chance I loose one, I have a backup.

For prescription meds I wanted to mention that I bring an extra 2-3 week supply, just in case. One never knows what could delay the return home.

I travel with a carryon sized suitcase and a backpack for my personal bag. I have a small crossbody purse that I can put in the backpack during travel. I’ve also started using a waist bag while in flight to keep my reading glasses and other things I want convenient and no one has ever told me to put it away. https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/82300011/stowaway-packable-waistpack?sp=1&color=Onyx&size=ONE%20SIZE&sizeType=
I am discreet about how it’s positioned on me. I also bring a packable day bag for the days I want to take a jacket or whatever, or want some to put things in that I might acquire during the day. Previously I’ve used an Eddie Bauer packable daybag. https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/82300168/stowaway-packable-20l-backpack?sp=1&color=Onyx&size=ONE%20SIZE&sizeType=

Last year I bought this daybag and like the fact that it’s so lightweight and packs up so small. I really like it and plan to take it again on my trip later this year.
https://www.amazon.com/4monster-Packable-Backpack-Lightweight-Resistant/dp/B07C3KNS5C/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3E66IOQTD6P09&keywords=packable%2Bdaypack&qid=1690208274&sprefix=Packable%2Bday%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1&psc=1