Rastaguytoday

As suze stated many posts ago, le sport sac is a favorite of mine.

It goes with me on every trip, business or pleasure. There are 6 zippered pockets, making it hard for the ol' pickpocket.

The middle of the bag is large enough to hold a 12-pack, everything for a day's travel or your groceries and wine bought from the local Super(marche, mercado, market).

I've had one for 24 years (actually I have 2)and love this puppy.

fieldtripcoordinator

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

I've been trying the small Travelsmith messenger bag. It holds an amazing amount, but the shoulder strap is irritating on the neck if I'm not wearing a collared top.

I'll be checking into your suggestions!

toedtoes

Suze - I recently got that Fossil bag. There are two sizes of it and I got the smaller, but it's still bigger than my other bag. I can wear my other bag cross-wise while driving without it getting in the way, this one I have to take off, so I'm not sure I'd use it traveling. But I haven't decided. I'd love to find one inbetween these two.

Relic has one in the exact same style in the bigger Fossil size.

KARIME2

I have to say it would be my Healthy Backpack (kidney shaped). I hurt my back on my first trip to Paris with a regular one. I bought this one and it was the best investment. It weighs nothing and even stuffed with books, umbrellas, etc it was lightweight and didn't hurt my back. You can wear it on one shoulder or sling it like a messenger bag. My sister uses it when she has foot surgery because its easier to carry than a purse.

dok94901

I just got a Civita bag last week. I use it for carrying all my junk around during the day. I like it a lot. Light weight and sturdy. Easy to throw over the shoulder or just carry.
Would recommend it.

Guyweis

For years I carried a small LLBean daypack. It was comfortable and had more than enough room for a day - even with lots of shopping. But I can no longer reach behind to take it off easily to get things or put things in, so a backpack is not an option any more. Besides I was always worried about things being fished out of it when it was behind me. Then I switched to an Ameribag Back Bag (the bean shaped slingy thing.) I used them for a few years but found that even though they were confortable, especially if slung across my body, not over one shoulder, they really weren't a convenient shape. I could't even get a magazine or newspaper into one without mangling it. And forget about packing anything in the 8-1/2 x 11" format! So I just switched to a leSportsac bag. It is lightweight (one of the most important criteria to me) and a good rectangular shape with several zipped outside pockets as well as an open top to the big center compartment and a semi-open back pocket. It has short handles for holding in your hands or a longer strap for the shoulder or across the body. I've used it on a few weekend trips and it's been great. Washed it in the machine, too! I think this is the right link http://www.lesportsac.com/store/7875_5205.html

Continental_Drifter

Simply don't take one. Buy one there. I have never regretted buying my Prada backpack in Rome the day I arrived. It was an investment seven years ago. I still have it and it's a regular reminder of my trip.

Shop online and find the store where you'll need to go to buy it. It doesn't have to be designer, but you can go to elcorteingles.com, harrods.com, etc. to select your bag. I once picked up a little black peau de soie Harrod's roll bag for $30. It's my fave small bag for travel.