I vote for the over the shoulder messenger style, mine is just a large black Sak, and works wonderfully for water, guidebooks, tissues, lipgoo, etc... I feel safe with it over my shoulder, and use a spring loaded hair clip over the zipper, that would have to be removed before someone can open it.

Though now many of you ladies have me intrigued with the other bags - some research into these is called for I think!

It seems to be a personal issue. Thanks for your responses.....

I say. it's a personal issue, as to how large, how expensive and what meets your needs. Th very popular LLBean haS BE th family favorites for years)sorry, sticking keys again) and when I bought another I felt like they treated me as a turncoat