melissa19

i need to make a decision soon on a travel purse (paris!), and this looks pretty good to me. not sure about the microfiber or leather . . . i know leather is heavier, but i like the colors better.

any "hand-on" experience?

thanks!

Eloise

Here's a recent thread on travel handbags in which there is a link to the bag you mention:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34564724

Iregeo

Hi melissa. Yes, I bought that purse many years ago in advance of a two week trip to Spain. I liked it. I got the large, black microfiber version. It had enough room for my stuff, including a map and a guidebook. I also liked it because I was able to stay very organized. I also felt safer wearing it across my chest and found it comfortable to do so, because it's made to do so.

I will note that I was travelling with a friend and not my family. I don't know if it would have been large enough for my kid's and husband's stuff, had they been with me. Also, it didn't live that long, becuase it did begin to show wear. As I recall, it wasn't that expensive.

lyb

I bought the large leather one which I used on my last trip. I really liked it and have to say that I was able to put more in it than I thought I would be able to. But it was large enough for a small guide book, a map and all my other usual stuff I carry with me. I went for the leather because I think it's a little less casual and I could use it at night without feeling like a slob, plus I just prefer leather.

Bree

I've used the large black microfiber bag as my everyday bag for several years now, and I couldn't get along without it. I carry it with me on the NYC subway every day, and I've also taken it on trips to London and Paris (the outside pocket is ideal for carrying maps in).

I like the bag so much that I bought a second one when, after a several years of everyday use, the lining at the bottom of the bag started to wear out (it's a well-made bag, but years of wear and tear from keys, loose change, and all the heavy stuff that collects at the bottom of a bag eventually frayed the lining).

shanart

I use the smaller one in microfiber. I think it is perfect. The leather one is really a prettier bag, but I was concerned it would be to heavy. Carrying my again this fall. I don't use it every day because Iam a kitchen sink type purse carrier. Hope this helps.

LVSue

My favorite is the AmeriBag Healthy Back Bag. I have a medium one and it has so many pockets and organizer thingees that I always know where everything is. I take a small bag (the hands-off look interesting) in my suitcase to switch to for light city sight-seeing or night-time activities, but if I plan a full-day out, I usually take the bigger one.

Here's a <a href="http://www.thesavvytraveller.com/too...m">website</a> for them.

LVSue

Oh, well, hoping HTML worked here.

melissa19

thanks, everyone. i was thinking of the small, but perhaps it is TOO small. my main concern is to have something in which i can keep my camera, as well as lipstick, money, a map, and other little things. i also thought the leather would be a little dressier.

luckily, my husband has no problems carrying a bigger bag, so we'll have plenty of room there for guidebooks, etc.

the hunt goes on . . . (of course, i have a perfectly acceptable bag in my closet, but that's not as much fun!)

lyb

Melissa,

Unless your camera is on the small side, even the large purse won't work. Though it can take a lot,it is kind of narrow, so like I said, unless your camera is on the thin side, you may have problems. But it is a really nice purse, but I will say that will all my stuff in it by the end of the day sometimes it did start to be a little bothersome on my shoulder, but not painful. I hope you understand what I mean? Of course, this was after walking around almost all day, so maybe anything would get bothersome? After saying all that, I do recommend it. Order and see if it works for you. Originally I had ordered the small purse and when I got it, I realized it was much too small. I returned it to Travelsmith and asked for the bigger purse and it was no problem at all. Their service was very good, so why not order it and see if it fits your needs?

parisonmymind

I have used the small leather one and thought it was very good - it limited what I could carry which was a good thing. On our last trip, I bought a microfiber "City Bag" by AmeriBag from Norm Thompson. It's bigger and certainly held everything including my camera. The strap is wide and it fits across the body like the hands free back you mentioned. I preferred it to the Healthy Back Bag because it was easier to access everything and it did not fall off of my shoulder.