We're having a discussion here at home.. When we go sightseeing in France, do we need a backback and if so who carries it?

..I want to have some kind of purse with me. I think a backpack would kill my back and shoulders after being out all day. Would like some feedback on this subject. Hubby has a bad shoulder too.

Thanks

A small daypack with a lightly padded strap would be fine and is very common. As to who carries it, flip a coin (a one euro piece).

A backpack is GOOD for your back. It is much much easier on the back than a purse carried on one shoulder. Its weight is balanced, and using a backpack actually helps you maintain good posture and can help you get over a back problem if you already have one. Avoiding back and neck and shoulder pain is one of the best arguments in favor of using a backpack. That said, however, I generally do not like to wear a backpack in a big city on a work day because it looks too odd. But as a practical matter, I might wear one, despite the way they look, if I really needed to carry a raincoat, and some heavy bulky items, since it's much more practical than carrying a purse and a big tote bag. But if at all possible, in a big city, I'd try to use something than doesn't stand out as too odd. there are, however, "dressier" backpacks made of leather or microfiber that grownup women in skirts and dresses wear in cities (in parts of Italy, but I don't know about in Paris), and they might not look too odd.

If you'll be hiking in the countryside and have a lot to carry, a backpack is perfect, and a purse would be a nuisance. Backpack is also fine if you're mainly visiting archeological sites and places like that where everyone is a tourist, though not necessarily a foreign tourist. If you have troublesome backs and shoulders, it might be worth using a backpack even when you're visiting pretty small towns. You won't look local, but ghen you probably wouldn't anyway, and sometimes it's nice to be obviously a foreigner, and people enjoy talking to you becaue you're a visitor.

Conclusion: They look funny, but they're excellent for your back (provided, of course, that you carry them proberly on your back and not slung over one shoulder).

If you're out for a day when at home, what do you carry? Will you be in a car? Will you be taking public transport? Will you be walking? Unless I'm in some exotic place without restaurants, bathrooms, other creature comforts, I use what I use at home. It hasn't been any different in France. Take what you need for the day, don't weigh it down, and carry your own. It doesn't have to be a daypack or backpack. A simple tote bag (with zipper) is fine or whatever you regularly carry. It's France, not trekking in the Himilayas.

I carry a purse, shaped like a feed bag sort of, on a long strap that goes across my chest. (Regular) Backpacks are annoying as hell on trains and in crowds and just present great opportunities for pick pockets.
But if you get one of those nice flat ones that goes across your chest, either you or your husband can carry it and it will not strain your shoulders or back..and will look kinda hip

Two questions for you...Robert what is a daypack??? Is that a light backpack?

Scarlett...were did you get your purse?..is that one of those healthy back purses?.would love to see a picture.

To answer questions..we will be traveling by car to Nrmandy, Loire, etc. Last 10 days in Paris.

I do thank you for your responses...

lois, I got this one in Montreal at Holt Renfrew. You can get them everywhere, they have similar bags at Coach.
You just need a big enough bag with a long enough strap. Not too bulky.

If you're traveling by car, you can keep your raincoat, books, and any other heavy items in the car and don't need to have them on your person, as you would if traveling by train, right? In that case, you can carry a purse and run back for your other necessities. However, if you're going to do hard walking, i.e. rural hiking, very steep climbs, tricky footing, a backpack is best so your arms and hands will be unencumbered and your weight will be balanced L:R. However, if you have genuine back troubles, the backpack will help. Even at home, if I go through a period with too much back/neck/shoulder pain, I temporarily switch to a backpack--not the same kind I use for hiking, but a smallish black one thgat lies flat.

If your backpack fits properly, all the weight is supported by your hips via a hip belt. There should be no weight pulling down on your shoulders or putting a strain on your back. These hip belts are available on daypacks as well. You can purchase a travel pack with a removable day pack.

I bring a backpack to carry Pj/s toiletries, books,maps in case my suitcase gets lost or the weather has changed. I'll often change on the road once we have the rental car. and in my suitcase a flat tote of linen for use on arrival and a small shoulder bag for dinners out also on linen. When we return, The backpackls are used for bringing home olive oils and Pastis or other special drinks.

I have a couple different methods...

I use a large normal leather pocketbook with a zipper and thick strap long enough to be worn across the torso or over the shoulder. Same one as at home.

If I need more room than that I use a local canvas shopping bag if I'm toting food, blanket, water, map, etc.

Alternately, I have a small two zipper leather pouch with long shoulder strap. It is only big enough for passport, money, lipstick, sunglasses, hairbrush, kleenex, that I use on days I want to have my hands free, or the added security of having my cash literally ON my person (like a train ride).

I don't use backpacks or moneybelts, not saying they are bad, just not my style.

Oops back to the question for loisco(!)if you do decide on using a small backpack, you probably want some other method (purse, wallet, whatever) because I would not carry cash in a backpack, ever.

Loisco: On my overseas vacations, i usually carry an Eagle Creek bag that I use most of the time as a purse, with the long strap over one shoulder and across my chest. That bag also converts into a backpack. Eagle Creek no longer makes that model, but Lands End and/or LL Bean (I forget which one) does make a similar convertible bag, as does Rick Steves. You can find it on their Websites. I like the convertibility of it - purse style was great for the city (both style and security-wise); and backpack style was great for country hiking.

As for across-the-chest bags, I agree with Scarlett - you can find them anywhere, in all price ranges. Eagle Creek makes good, moderately priced ones. I was also eyeing some by Hobo that are spendier (especially the Hobo International Complete Cargador or the Transport Traveler). Alas, I can't afford Coach bags, although I would love one!

For day use, I liked a small black nylon travel bag made by Samsonite called the "Royal Traveller". I bought it at Office Depot, of all places. It's not big at all, but it has several zippers and pockets, and you can stick a smallish guidebook in the back of it and even a small bottle of water. You can wear the strap across your chest and the buckle facing inwards, so it would be hard for all but determined thieves to get anything. It doesn't look unusual and it's very practical. It's about the size of a small-medium purse - dimensions are maybe 8" x 10" x 2".

I have tried to find the exact thing online, but I can't see it. I do see some other Royal Traveller things, but not this exact bag.

I don't like the idea of wearing a backpack around all day. I would always have some worry about thieves getting into it, or about bumping someone with it.

I usually try to wear a fanny pack, but in front. (back troubles - back packs don't work for me). I usually am carrying a camera as well. not the kind that fits in a pocket. my husband carries or wears a small backpack or a sort of small carrybag - both were bought from rick steeves, microfiber, very light.

Would you believe I have been looking at purses for a few hours online. You've all given me great ideas. My problem is that that at home because Of back problems years ago I started wearing fanny packs... very nice ones made by The BaggLady. But they are not suitable at all for travel.

Thanks for your suggestions...what's interesting is that the ones I see online look huge and then I click on the measurements and they aren't as big as the picture.

I am down to 12 choices now.

a backpack to me is an extra piece of bagage not to replace a shoulder bag unless it's a small on as I use when I ride a bike.

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....ROD_ID=827616#

Lois,
look at this site. Overstock.com.
This bag is a good one for travel because you can use it as a shoulder bag or use the shorter strap.
Just a thought, I liked it and thought of you

I'm a believer of traveling light, but how can I imagine going out for the day almost anywhere without at least the following:

camera
small but powerful binoculars
umbrella (small one)
map
sunglasses
bottle of water
jacket or sweater
usually a guide book

Sorry those just won't fit in a fanny pack which I'd refuse to wear anyway. I always use a smallish backpack (sometimes called a day pack) as my carryon for the plane -- where I keep the things I couldn't possibly do without on arrival if the luggage got lost. Then I use it almost every day when I go out. Bad shoulder? No problem with a good back pack. I swear by my Kipling one I got in Lille a few years ago, which has wide padded shoulder straps and a moulded and breathing back. And as for looking like a tourist -- huh? Half the men in Europe seem to carry them to work. I see them on busses, subways, on people's backs as they bike down the street, you name it -- and yes I'm talking about locals.

Patrick, is yours the flat sort that is sort of long rather than a big bag on the back like those that people use when hiking?
My son has one , they all use them in Japan.
You carry more than I do!! I can't wait to tell the Yankee
I carry
the Camera
Streetwise map
tissues,lipstick, Purell etc
glasses
Passports
And I carry a purse. Of course, the Yankee usually wears a jacket with some good pockets that are useful.