For during the day...
 

What do you use for carrying stuff during the day? <BR> <BR>Not money, passports etc.... but other things you might need such as guide books, maps, sundry toiletries, etc? <BR> <BR>I was thinking if a purse with a shouder strap but I know that would kill my back. Then I was thinking of a small backpack. <BR> <BR>Before I do anything I am looking for ideas as to what other experienced travellers have used. <BR> <BR>I have used waist packs in Disney and Universal Studios but am not comfrtable looking that "touristy" fo want of a better word in the city. <BR> <BR>Help and advice is appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thanks.

Hi Donna. For those kind of things -- things we can afford to lose if pickpocketed/bag is stolen, etc. -- my girlfriend & I use, not a fanny pack or backpack, but a simple black shoulder bag, which we usually try to carry toward the front of our body where we can keep a good eye on it. <BR> <BR>

I'm always seconding capo!!!!I carry a sholuder bag and carry it to the front. Mine has about 6 seperate zippered compartments and I divide up my cards, money, etc. between them,lots of room for books , cameras, film, etc. Been traveling 40 years and have not had a problem yet. I think we are all used to keeping an eye on our purses and are more likely to be aware. we don't all wear fanny packs and backpacks daily and they are more likely to be vulnerable as we forget where thay are located!Also they certainly look more like you belong and are not a tourist. I think the most important thing is to be aware .

Forgot to say, I carry mine across my chest, in other words, put it over your head, strap on the right shoulder, bag to the left and it comes around to the front. You can rest your left hand onthe strap and there is no strain on your back whatsoever.

The cross-chest bag is my favorite, also; there are bags made just for that style of carrying (I have a canvas one from Calvin Klein, and a microfiber from Target). The strap doesn't slip off like those found on shoulder bags, and there's no strain on the back. One of my traveling companions uses a small backpack she bought it in the kids' department. <BR> <BR>For purchases along the way, I carry inside my daybag a Totes tote - black nylon that zips into a small pouch - or a very lightweight nylon bag from Samsonite that zips up into itself so that it's about 8" long and about 2" in diameter (neither weighs more than a couple of ounces).

I bought a smaller but somewhat wide woman's purse with a really long strap. I hate it when your purse is knocking around your elbows, chest, etc. So it hung in front around waist height and carried water, etc.

I don't really carry two items, only one bag which is a little larger than a usual purse. I carry a black or neutral color tote bag type thing, very similar to what I'd carry at home when going to/from work, the kind of thing a working woman would use. I have one I bought in Monoprix in Paris and use it some; I have another which is black and chic-enough looking, sort of nylon or microfbier maybe but not real sporty looking. One I carry from Monoprix really is more of a shopping-bag style thing with handles (it does have a zipper on the opening, it's not just open at the top), just happened to be what was on sale, not a plan. A shouler strap should not kill your back, not sure I understand that; sometimes it can get a little heavy on your shoulers, though, if you really are carrying a lot, but your shoulders should be stronger than carrying the same amount just dangling down, I think. I don't think there's anyway you could not look like a tourist wearing a backpack; it is true that some small backpack style-purses have been in style the past few years for the very young set, but they are no bigger than regular purses; if you are very young you could try that I suppose. I don't like the look myself at all, I think it looks teenage or younger. I have been to Paris quite a bit, though, so am not usually in the really heavily-packed tourist sites when I'm carrying these everyday totebags, I should add, so I am not as vulnerable to pickpockets are you might be.

ttt