Small travel bag suggestions

[Paul_B]

I saw an old thread on here but that was 2014 so I thought I'd start a new one. It's about what used to be called a manbag. I've never thought of getting one but now it's of interest to me.

I'm looking at something small, discrete and smart enough but practical with it. Synthetic and weatherproof, leather is out for me. It's to be used for travel, holidays and the like. Passport, phone, keys, wallet and book/kindle/tablet. Perhaps a travelers notebook too. It's to carry what I might need to fly on holiday into Europe mainland or a Mediterranean island plus carry when there. I have no idea what style I like: cross body/bumbag, very small courier bag/shoulder bag or other. I don't like very small rucksacks because I'm tall and they usually feel like they are too small and will fall off my shoulder. Tbh I don't like the round the waist bumbag but over the shoulder/ cross body is ok

Any suggestions? What do you use? I don't like anything that looks like it's army issue or could be. I think they call them molle packs where designed to attack to webbing on military style sacks then taken off for solo use. I just looking for the one, solo use and civilian looking too. Just not sure what's good or what size to get. Partly because I don't go on these package type holidays. Usually I'm on a bike touring or van camping so never really needed one.

 

[Broch]

I had an email from Aquapac this week; I get my dry-bags from them. The email includes this link; is it the kind of thing you're thinking of?

Elie Satchel - Waterproof Cases and Bags | Aquapac

The Elie Satchel offers 17 litres of storage space and is perfect for your commute or trip, whether on bike or via public transport. It has a removable padded laptop case and internal zipped pocket as well as an additional external pocket, perfect for keeping anything you need to have access to...

aquapac.net

 

[Wildgoose]

Watching with interest because I’m looking for the same.

Being tall is a good point to make, the straps on many of the cross body bags can be quite short, meaning they look weird and are impossible to access as designed.

 

[SaraR]

I saw an old thread on here but that was 2014 so I thought I'd start a new one. It's about what used to be called a manbag. I've never thought of getting one but now it's of interest to me.

I'm looking at something small, discrete and smart enough but practical with it. Synthetic and weatherproof, leather is out for me. It's to be used for travel, holidays and the like. Passport, phone, keys, wallet and book/kindle/tablet. Perhaps a travelers notebook too. It's to carry what I might need to fly on holiday into Europe mainland or a Mediterranean island plus carry when there. I have no idea what style I like: cross body/bumbag, very small courier bag/shoulder bag or other. I don't like very small rucksacks because I'm tall and they usually feel like they are too small and will fall off my shoulder. Tbh I don't like the round the waist bumbag but over the shoulder/ cross body is ok

Any suggestions? What do you use? I don't like anything that looks like it's army issue or could be. I think they call them molle packs where designed to attack to webbing on military style sacks then taken off for solo use. I just looking for the one, solo use and civilian looking too. Just not sure what's good or what size to get. Partly because I don't go on these package type holidays. Usually I'm on a bike touring or van camping so never really needed one.

Have a look for crossbody "guide bags" and especially the type that are taller than they are wide. They come in several sizes, too. My current handbag is a 4L (notionally) one from Marmot, before that I had a slightly larger one from MEC and I've also got a larger one from MEC that can fit a 1L Nalgene and a light jumper etc. They usually come in black and have an assortment of smaller zipped pockets, plus one large compartment and a big flap to provide weather protection. The strap is usually ca 4 cm wide webbing and the whole thing very sturdy but not heavy. You do need to check that the adjustable strap is long enough for you to wear it comfortably across your body, as it does vary from make to make.

I had two small ones from MEC that lasted about 8 years each of daily use until they looked a bit too worn to use as a handbag (still functional though!) and the Marmot has been in service since 2019 I think, and still looks like new.

 

[henchy3rd]

I use a cross the shoulder square man bag type thing with handy pockets with zips.. as I like my hands to be free.
Everything fits in it, phone/water bottle/keys/ sunscreen & anything else.
It’s just some cheap Chinese made thing of E-bay that’s lasted for years & it’s shower proof.

 

[Paul_B]

Saw this last night but the link I used only goes to another brand and women's sports! But here is the lundhags video. It's got very nice features but too big for my needs.

Lundhags Grett 15

 

[Jared]

www.trakke.co.uk have small messenger and sling bags, made in Scotland.

 

[Pavaise]

If you want something small these are nice, I’ve got one. It’s available in a few colours including Black.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tactical-Medical-Attachment-Waterproof-Wynex/dp/B076VBX63H

Price isn’t bad either for a bag this size. The Molle straps on the back are removable if required as is the map case on the inside.

 

[oldtimer]

The need you describe is common in the South of France where I spend a lot of time. All those things we would put in various pockets still have to be put somewhere when not wearing a jacket. For this reason, the sort of bag you want is readily available in France and Spain. I usually find plenty of choice in our local Decathlon in France. May i suggest you look at Decathlon's UK website or wait until you get to your destination.

I use either a satchel type or rucksack of the foldaway type around 15 litres. However, I have never found the perfect solution so I am following your thread with interest.

 

[SCOMAN]

I have one of these

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewellery, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

His prices have gone up recently but solid construction and can be shoulder, waist or chest carry with a rucksack.

 

[marcoruhland]

...weatherproof...

means what? ip54

in general i prefer ortlieb:
their 40l duffles are carry-on bags
duffle+K1471, metrosphere+K1480 ip67 or the rolling 34l rg+K12001

31l rack-pack+K62 is only ip64

if you do not need a waterproof bag the 30l savotta keikka ist really extreme tough

and if you search for a very small solution the 13l fishpond thunderhead sling is very smart and parctically waterproof sling and not only for fishing! the 20l filson dry-sling is more urban style

mr

 

[JB101]

There are loads of possibilities out there such as

Motorbike Leg Bag - Dry Holster | Lomo Watersport UK. Wetsuits, Dry Bags & Outdoor Gear.

Motorcycle leg holster dry bag with waist strap. These bags are designed to carry what you might otherwise keep in your pockets.

www.lomo.co.uk

alternativly have a look at photography messenger bags (such as those by crumpler ) and there are loads of these on the bay at good prices .
The bigger you get the more 'stuff'you end up carting about ,also consider this type

Waxed Canvas Satchels - Cheap Christmas Presents

I bought a bunch of these dirt cheap canvas satchels. I then: melted a 50/50 mix of beeswax and paraffin wax in a pot painted it on them with a brush until every inch was covered melted it into the canvas using a hairdryer stuffed the bags full of newspaper carefully sculpted them into the...

bushcraftuk.com

 

[Jared]

Osprey have a civilian looking chest rig

Archeon Chest Rig

The Archeon Chest Rig helps keep your essentials close with its unique front-mounted design, and pairs brilliantly with another backpack.

www.ospreyeurope.com

High on practicality, if a little unusual

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Sounds like you're just after a shoulder bag for men (or sac bandoulière in the south of France) They come in all sizes, colours & materials.

 

[Madriverrob]

I use a Game / Fly fishing bag , loads of options available at a range of prices .

Example :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shakespeare-Sigma-Trout-Bag-Green/dp/B00ILAD39Q/ref=asc_df_B00ILAD39Q/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=208032295378&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16341326045598836697&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007046&hvtargid=pla-420380869366&th=1

 

[nigelp]

sac bandoulière

I love that.

I have two of these bags from Decathlon. I use them for my binoculars and other ‘tracking’ tat and also as an extra pouch. On the reverse it has a belt loop. They are more on the compact size.

Multipocket Bag | TRAVEL - Black FORCLAZ | Decathlon

Keep your belongings safe on your travels with this versatile, multi-compartment belt pouch. Wear it around your waist, attach it to your backpack,…

www.decathlon.co.uk

 

[minds_eye]

I’ve run through a bunch of options but my beater for travelling is a Tom Bihn Daylight briefcase. I’ve got mine in the cordura / ballistic fabric which does the job nicely.

It’s smaller than usual briefcase type shoulder bags (just takes a 13” laptop), has several pockets but minimal structure meaning it’s easy to shove into another bag and that it wraps : conforms to my hip and therefore doesn’t stick out.

I picked up a flight bag, I think is the term for the tiny shoulder bags but always found I just wanted a bit more room for a bottle of mineral water, sun glasses and maybe a guide book. That’s where the Daylight is just about perfect (I now have three).

You’ve got a horizontal from pocket that’s great for travel passes etc, a front pocket that’s segmented (I carry sun glasses in one side and a notebook + pens in the other), a main compartment with a slip pocket inside that generally just has a water bottle and some snacks (but has enough room to shove a rain layer if needed), and a rear zip pocket that I tend to keep travel documents whilst in transit.

Crucially,for me, it has grab / carry handles - this was useful when it’s under a train / plane seat in front of you, or in a footwell, so you’re not dragging it out by the strap. I find it a perfect size for keeping the odds and sods you want during travel with you at your seat, whilst your carry on is in the overhead lockers.

Again, the big plus for me is its lack of structure means it rolls / folds up in the top of my pack and I can pull it out with that stuff I want to hand in.

(I should add that I have of these for sale here in dark grey atm)

TOM BIHN Daylight Briefcase, Light EDC Briefcase, 8L, 14" x 10" x 4"

Minimalist everyday carry briefcase. Fits most 13" laptops. Organization for cables and phone/wallet/keys. Flat-packable and foldable. Optional, modular laptop compartment. Shoulder carry with low profile strap. Designed and sewn in Seattle, USA., with globally-sourced materials and fabric from...

www.tombihn.com

Tom bihn also have a variety of smaller bags, which are more portrait than landscape, which might be more your thing. The copilot is an interesting one but maybe over engineered for that you want

Crossbody & Shoulder Bags

All TOM BIHN crossbody bags, shoulder bags, and messenger bags. Designed, cut, sewn, and made in Seattle, Washington, USA with globally sourced materials from USA, Japan, and Korea.

www.tombihn.com

Before I got the Tom Bihn, I was looking at the alpha one niner chio

CHIO Bag

NOTE: The remaining Chios are currently on sale and all sales are final. Thanks. It goes without saying that here at A19 we are big proponents of the backpack but there are days when we need or prefer a smaller bag to carry our basic essentials. These are the items that you use and need excess...

www.alphaoneniner.com

Bellroy could have some options too:

City Pouch | Slim Cross-body Bag With Device Storage | Bellroy

A little sidekick you’ll forget you’re wearing. The City Pouch is super slim, but still spacious enough to keep pockets light and essentials at hand.

bellroy.com

These are interesting and less bum bag

Sling | Unisex Sling Bag, Water-Resistant Materials | Bellroy

Keep your hands free and pockets light with a sling that’s big enough for the essentials, yet small enough to let you move at the pace of a New York minute.

bellroy.com

 

[JB101]

If you go for or have a breifcase type then there is also this which could be usefull

Backpack Conversion Straps

Converts an Urban Disguise shoulder bag, My 2nd Brain laptop case or briefcase or an Artificial Intelligence laptop case into a backpack

www.thinktankphoto.com

 

[sleeperman]

How about this, discrete, water resistant, did i mention discrete.

Flex Moves

Flex Moves

www.flexmoves.co.uk

 

[Paul_B]

I like this one.

LUNDHAG GRETT 15

A good design. Love the hooks to close the flap on the bag with places to attach those hooks when you need to leave the bag flap open without the closure straps dangling.

The there's the chest strap to hold the bag on your back for cycling or other activity. When not needed it just fixes to the body of the bag out of sight.

A good design imho.