handbag or mini backpack for British tour
 

I am trying to decide between carrying a leather shoulder bag or small backpack when I go to Great Britain in September. Convenience is important, but I don't want to be weighed down with too much stuff. I do want to have room for things like a water bottle and camera, perhaps a sweater in case it turns cold. I plan to pack a small handbag for evening wear. Also I will be carrying my credit cards and money in a wallet around my neck. Any suggestions?

IF you are married do what my spouse does, she sometimes carries a very small purse (with shoulder strap) that she holds her wallet, credit card, and lipstick - sometimes she doesn’t even take that. She gives everything else to me to carry in my backpack.

If it is just you and you plan to take a camera, water and sweater, etc. you’ll probably find it easier to use a small backpack. Choose one that is just the right size for carrying the specific items you require.

I travel with a 22 inch two wheeler that I check, and a day pack (backpack) that I carry on that has to be big enough to hold all the electronics and pharma, plus a change of underwear and top. The rest of the trip I use it as a day pack (I have a small handbag in the checked bag for evening.) I have been doing that for years (well, originally the two wheeler was a convertible backpack). The day pack usually comes from REI.

My major suggestion is that you consider a money belt (waist stash) rather than a neck wallet. It is much more secure and worn with the pouch at the back you shouldn't notice it. (And DO NOT ACCESS IT IN PUBLIC!).

I don't like using a mini-backpack for items to which I want ready access -- sunglasses, tissues, etc. -- so I prefer a shoulder bag.

Well, I can reach the water bottle and the umbrella without taking the day pack off, since they go in its side pockets, and the shades I wear slipped behind my glasses are either on my nose or in an actual pocket.

I prefer a crossbody bag with lots of organization. I have several - by new favorite is a Radley London similar to this (but I have everything from posh to schlocky, Burberry to Le Sport Sac)

https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...CoMQpdQCCAUoAQ

Meant to add . . . a multi function cross body. So handles plus a strap adjustable from shoulder to cross body so it is good for pretty much all situations.

I prefer a lightweight shoulder bag when I travel. I don't care for backpacks, leather is too heavy, and a normal purse is not large enough to tuck in sweater, maps, water, etc.

Also I use a normal wallet not something hung around my neck. That would not be comfortable and for where I travel unnecessary. Also I don't carry an extra purse for "evening" use. Do you really need "evening wear" in your purse on a trip?? Just seems confusing to have more than one bag.

but I don't want to be weighed down with too much stuff.
Then don't :-) But that has nothing to do with what kind of bag you use... rather how much stuff you choose to put in it each day!

I prefer a lightweight (nylon) crossbody bag but it really depends on what you plan to carry.

After looking for ages I found one that's about 9x11 so large enough for a tablet and/or book and water bottle and/or collapsible umbrella.

Bagallini is another good brand. This one is a good size (just slightly larger than the model I have) and on sale ($50) with color choices, including charcoal or black. And an adjustable strap.

https://www.baggallini.com/rfid-tabl...-B0884-NS.html

My travel luggage on the plane is a 19-inch international sized spinner that usually (not always) qualifies for carryon-on status and a personal sized item that fits under the seat...could be a backpack, a duffle or a tote. The daybag goes into either the carryon or the personal sized item depending on how I'm planning to travel from the airport to my first night's hotel. I have a smaller crossbody bag that is the size of an envelope that I usually wear onboard with my passport, important papers, cellphone, money and credit cards and other things I need during the flight (I can also hide it by tucking it inside my pants if need be). If I'm worried about insecure transfers I will hide my passport and some emergency cash and credit cards on my person (usually under my arm or in my shoes) I don't like either waist belts (uncomfortable) or neck pouches (too easy to snatch).

I think the "wallet around the neck" is a really bad idea.

FYI, I wear my wallet beneath my clothes so it isn't visible to would-be thieves. It worked fine for me in Africa and France.

I wasn't worried about "thieves". More that it could somehow fall off without you noticing.

Perhaps the "wallet around the neck" is simply a lanyard w card slots attached such as my husband wore over last three weeks on our trip. Photo i.d. on one side, opposite side had 3 slots, two for credit & debit cards and the other for our ship i.d. card, that's it. Very flat under his knit golf shirts. Also attached easily to our beach bag. His euros were in his many zippered pants or shirts which were not easily visible or accessible. We carried a cotton "crossbody backpack" which was worn crossbody but had the three compartments as in most backpacks; all in cotton with wide unslashable strap, light as a feather (dont ask me brand, found it randomly somewhere). I carried a Travelon crossbody hobo style medium purse which zippers & locks. No problems anywhere. To us, those money belts are inconvenient to access. There's so many products out there if you take the time to look at them.

You're not supposed to access them. You keep one day's money and perhaps one credit card somewhere else, and keep backup cards, cash and often passports in your money belt.

Bingo! If you decide to use a money belt or security pouch, never ever access them in public. A money belt is like a 'body safe'. You don't want anyone to even know it exists. Walking around money, a cc and/or debit card -- in your pocket or wallet. The back up cards and surplus cash goes in the belt/pouch (some people include their passport). If there is a €/£ miscalculation or you need a different card, go to a restroom and retrieve it.

A few years ago, I was in a dress salon in a posh London department store a and a woman came in wearing her money belt around her waist . . . outside her clothing . . . sort of defeats the purpose ;) >)

To echo thursdaysd and janisj -- that is, in fact, the point of them!

Agreeing with the last 3 posts... you aren't supposed to access money belts when you are out and about. They don't take the place of a daily purse or wallet. More taking the place of a hotel safe, keeping important documents and cash and cards hidden under your clothing (especially when moving place to place when you have everything on your person).

I do not like a backpack for the simple reason that I can't keep an eye on it. I much prefer a lightweight crossbody bag with adjustable strap, such as a Baggallini. They come in so many sizes and configurations, and are usually available at TJMaxx and Marshalls for best price.

A backpack will save the day for sure as its compact and you can carry those " sweaters camera and your water bottle",
now days Smart backpacks are available with Anti-theft technology and space for keeping DSLR cameras, tripods , laptops etc.

Still feel the moneybelts are "of old" -- so many more convenient-to-access wallets, bags, the ScottyVest, my Travelon purses, RFID shields, that we never travel with them in recent years.

Moneybelts should NOT be "convenient-to-access". That's the whole point of having them. I put my passport, my debit cards and any large bills in it. I don't access it unless I am in my hotel room or locked in a toilet stall.

I keep a little money in my handbag and my coins loose in a pocket, easy to access.

I also have a neck-pouch. It's a bit more visible than a moneybelt (unless it's winter). It's also easier to access. I use it on travel days when I know I will need to show my passport. I can haul it up and show the passport, then put it away again. Sometimes I also keep a debit card in the pouch, if I know I'm going to need to get money from an ATM. Then I put the money in the neck-pouch until I can find a toilet stall where I can transfer larger sums to my moneybelt. I still don't access the moneybelt in public, only the neck-pouch.

If I want to give a coin to a street performer or buy a cheap waterbottle I can take a coin from my pocket without getting into my moneybelt or my handbag. If a pickpocket sees where I have my coins and takes them, well it's usually no more than ten Euro and I can survive that loss. I have a bit more money in the handbag, but it's less than a hundred Euro. That would be more painful to lose, but not a total disaster.

I should have added that I use a moneybelt when traveling in Europe, worn in the back under my clothes, for "deep" storage, NEVER accessed when "out and about" except in private.

travelsolo2: >>Moneybelts should NOT be "convenient-to-access"<<

Bingo.

I used to use a money belt like you do worn in the traditional way at the bak. But not for the last 20 years. I have a neck pouch with a toggle on the strap so I can wear it around my waist and the pouch lies flat behind my front pocket. Not at all visible and much more comfortable than either a money belt at the back or a pouch around the neck. Similar to this one - https://www.target.com/p/travelon-17...t_adv_xasd0002

Weird -- the link first showed as above but when I added a sentence it went crazy.

So . . . If you extend the strap out full length and slip it over your shoulders, you can cinch it around your waist. Mine is a bit smaller but still plenty large enough for passport, cards, whatever . . .