How to carry stuff while walking around NYC?
 

Looking for ideas...

What do you carry when you're being a tourist in a walking city like New York? And what do you use to haul said stuff around?

I usually use a backpack but mine is getting ratty. It also is awful to wear on hot days- can you say 'sweaty back'? I don't want to carry my life with me; credit cards, cash, driver's license, hotel key- are easy; what weighs me down are the printouts from Websites and guidebooks I simply have to have. Add in a camera and bottle of water and I'm back to a backpack. Help me think out of the box!

Get free maps from your hotel concierge and use the cut and paste options (ctrl C and ctrl v) so that you can have itemized printouts with only the info you need from the websites.

Same goes for the guidebooks - type something up with the place name, address, phone number and a short little blurb about what it is and leave the guidebooks in the room.

Cross check your printouts with your guidebook each night to make sure you go where you want.

Also, are you a woman or a man? If a woman, then carry a shopping tote (make sure it has a zippered top). I like these from Longchamp http://tinyurl.com/2evw3x as they hold a lot and don't scream tourist.

you might find this recent post interesting

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35002189

Messenger bag always works for me. I like Manhattan Portage. http://www.manhattanportage.com/

Backpacks, tube tops, and wife beaters don't work on the streets of Manhattan.

A family from Kansas walking down Park Avenue in tank tops, shorts, and flip-flops is a sight weird to behold.

A nice microfiber black bag looks better than a backpack and can organize your stuff well. Here is an example:
http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?...3&sortBy=0

I carry some type of messenger bag when touristing in cities. They come in different sizes, and always look snappier than a backpack, or a purse stuffed to the gills. They're easier to get into on the fly, too. ebags.com is a good website.

Pisces-

Are you a man or a woman?

I'm female, and I just carry a medium-sized purse (with shoulder straps) with me, like what I would carry in my home city. It's big enough for my wallet, compact camera, a small bottle of water, and certainly a smallish guidebook.

I carry it over my shoulder, and tucked it under my arm and elbow. Never had a problem in NYC.

I like a messenger bag I can wear across my body to distribute the weight.
Works for male or female.
You should not wear flip flops because the streets make your feet filthy... NOT because it is a no-no.
As far as 'fashion' goes, don't worry about it. There is a huge percentage of locals in NYC that dress poorly or in last years (or last decades) style.
Business people are typically dressed smart but if you look at locals on a Saturday morning you will see little difference. Even if you do dress different, SO WHAT!?

If you're a dude, don't carry anything you can't fit in your pockets ... put it all in your wife/girlfriend's purse.

Repay her by holding her purse while she shops or tries stuff on. Don't stray too far from her, however, and don't look too comfortable holding that purse, Sally.

Enjoy!

Oh man, Gekko, are you my BIL??? ;-)

He ALWAYS tries to saddle me with his keyring, which is HUGE and weighs about 10 pounds!

(sheepish look) "Uh, can you put this in your purse?"

No! No! A thousand times No!

Lots of NYers use backpacks. And totes. And messenger bags. Really, anything goes that you're comfortable with. Except fanny packs!!

My bag of choice these days is my gray Manhattan Portage messenger bag, which has lasted almost 10 years of hard NY commuting and overstuffing. Brooklyn Industries and Timbuktu also make good NY bags.

I'm personally not a fan of totes unless it can zip shut - but I've always been a bit paranoid about dropping it and having everything spill out, no matter where I am! ;)

My BF occasionally carries a "man bag" - smaller than his old messenger bag and worn only on one shoulder. It accomodates a book, umbrella, etc. His current one is Eagle Creek (I think?). Jack Spade also makes great men's bags; I've been seeing them around a lot recently.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned how dangerous backpacks can be on the subway. In a crush, you can wind up creaming someone in the face with a regular backpack (not to mention the already mentioned lack of security). There are also places (like Yankee stadium and some museums) that don't allow back packs in at all. The Bink one on the thread that escargot linked would not have the same problems as it's not so bulky and can be made to look like a handbag. Assuming you're a woman, should you decide on another backpack, make sure to have your valuables in a separate smaller case that you can lift out.

The Longchamps nylon bag Pomme posted is a good (and popular) option. It comes with 2 length of handles (and many sizes). On their website, you can even design your own. There are also 2 Longchamps stores in Manhattan and the bags are also sold at dept. stores. You may even find some knock offs sold on the street.

Buy cargo pants or capris with a million pockets, that is what I do. And I carry:
1. very small card holder w/basic cc's, ID, cash.
2. one lip gloss
3. tissues
4. pocket camera
5. index cards with touring info that I chuck in the garbage once we are done with that particular site.
6. cell phone

You couldn't pay me enough to lug a backpack anywhere in the summer. If you MUST tote water all over the place, get a runners belt that holds it or find one of those cute mesh holders on a strap. Otherwise, just buy water when you need it--plenty of deli type places sell small bottles that you can finish on the spot.

For years I carried a Prada backpack and a couple years ago I traded it for my Prada messanger bag.

Works perfect.

I either use my camera bag or a backpack. Really, nothing beats a backpack. You don’t have to carry the big schoolbag type. I have them in 3 different sizes. Just remember to slip it off when you get on the train and remember your “clearance” in tight spaces! I definitely wouldn’t use anything that only hangs off of one shoulder.

I work/live in NYC, and my commuting bag of choice is a nylon Longchamp tote. It zips on the top, it's durable, and it fits my gym clothes and lap top. I usually wear flip flops into the office in the summer, and ballet flats in the winter (or boots).

I'm female- don't care too much about fashion (although I wasn't planning on bringing flip-flogs- not sure where that tangent in the thread came from!), but I've had some shoulder issues that necessitates some distribution of weight. I love the index cards idea! Thanks for all the tote suggestions- maybe I can find something while I'm in NY.

I agree with Bugswife -- you couldn't pay me to lug around all that stuff. Just spent a week in NY and carried a smallish (two compartment, 9"x10") over the should bag each day. Inside are two credit cards and some cash (bills only, I won't carry coins) in a little silk zip pouch, small cell phone, a pen, two bandaids, tiny tin of aspirin, one lipstick in a lightweight plastic tube, a little pak of Kleenex, clip-on sunglasses, hotel keycard, subway pass. If I need a map, I tear the page out of WHERE mag in the hotel room. If I need water, I buy it and consume it. If I need directions, I ask. I don't carry a camera, but could get a small one in my bag if needed. The box you must think outside of, is the one convincing you that you "need" so much stuff along.

OK- unless it's sweltering, the water can probably go. I will admit it's my research materials weighing me down, but I always, 100% always, have to check my guidebook at some point each day. If it's hot and we get a craving for ice cream- or we finish a site early and want to see something else- or our planned restaurant falls through- I like to have alternatives and access to information. Anal, I know, but when time and money is limited, I like to make the most out of it.

LLBean has a great bag - "Travel Touring Bag" in 2 sizes. I have both and use both. The small is the size of a medium-sized purse. The large is as big as a small backpack. Just got a catalogue yesterday and they are on sale right now....

I carry the kind of bag that is sort of flat that has a long strap that you put over your head. The bag rests at my waist (or where ever) and requires no hands. I have Kipling and Tumi models. When touring in a large city, I carry the following:
-Cash, ID and cards in a small zipper wallet.
-4 or 5 paper towels
-Antibacterial gel
-Chapstick
-Hand lotion (Little bottle from hotel)
-Soap (the little bottle of bath gel from the hotel)
-Phone
-Itinerary, planned out by destination on the note pad from the hotel
-Pen
-Eye Drops
-Toilet Paper (a foot or two, folded up)
-Excedrin
-Map, torn from Where magazine
-Camera
-Glasses and a soft leather case (takes less room and is lighter)
-MiniMints or gum because it can help quell hunger and that raunchy taste in your mouth from walking around all day
-Wish list with colors and measurements... this may be stuff for me or family.
-4 chewable PeptoBismal tablets
-4 or 5 individually packaged HandiWipes
-Cushioned bag handle. This thing velcros around the handles of shopping bags and makes them easier to carry.
-TINY Umbrella if it is sunny or rainy.
All this sounds crazy but it is lightweight and does not take much room. My bags have multiple pockets, so it is well organized.
I have used everything and been thankful that I had it!
The worst thing about hiking around the city all day to me is getting dirty. I carry things that help me stay clean and comfortable.
It's all little and lighweight, so the bag does not look stuffed. You would never know I have all that stuff!

I know what you mean about wanting to check out places -- but some of the <u>best</u> places I've ever found were recommended by locals that I asked because I didn't have a guide book along. Its a wonderful way to converse with residents and frequent more neighborhoody places. After all, if you only go to places listed in the guide book, you'll most likely find a whole lot of other tourists there.

Toilet paper? NYC is not a third world country. I live here and am out and about all day long. Aside from the camera and the guide book, I manage from day to day without carrying hand sanitizer, toilet paper, wipes, soap and paper towels.
If you feel dirty, just go into any hotel lobby and wash up in the bath room. Need a bandaid or 2 excedrin, there is a Duane Reade on every corner. Why would you try to carry around every single thing you 'might' need? If I worked on that theory, I would be toting an umbrella, binoculars, ipod charger, hairspray, tweezers, and assorted other junk on a daily basis. You can buy an umbrella at the Duane Reade for 6 bucks if it starts to rain.

Well, the toilet paper has multiple uses. Call it a tissues if you want, but TP works fine too.
I have severe allergies and need tissue and as a matter of fact, several of the bathrooms we finally found did NOT have TP. You act like NYC is a potty-friendly town and it is not.
As far as an umbrella goes, I have to use one if there is direct sunlight so I have invested in a really good one that folds to almost nothing.
If it is sunny or rainy I need one... so I might as well carry it.
I always carry stuff to clean my hands.
Why would I want to stop and buy stuff when I have tiny quantities available to me at the hotel... besides it take up very little room.
Using your philosophy, why carry chapstick? Why carry anything at all? You can buy it right when you need it.
Well, that's just silly.
I carry what I traditionally need. It's not what you need maybe... but it is what I need.

Backpacks are usually too heavy - as well as not safe - since anyone cann get into it without you'r knowing - esp on the subway and the bus when people are constatly brushing past you.

You need to get a very lightweight bag (like a Sportsac) that is sturdy, expandable and can be worn on the shoulder or bandolier style across the chest - so the bag is always in front of you - where you can see it. On the street wear however you want - but bus or subway when it's busy do bandolier style and keep one hand on the bag while you hold onto the subway pole or handle with the other.

Sorry -

Mine is about a foot long with a bunch of outside pockets for maps, sunglasses etc - and the inside compartment can expand to hold wallet, guidebook, umbrella, jacket if needed, water bottle etc.

Have had a couple of them - one for at least 12 years - they're indescrutible and just wipe clean.

txtravelpro - sorry if it sounded like a personal attack on you. i just wonder why people who are perfectly content walking around with minimal 'supplies' at home, have to take the kitchen sink in their bags when touring. If you don't need soap while you are in your hometown running around doing errands and whatnot, why would you think you need that while walking around the city? If you NEED an umbrella or tissues, then, by all means, that is what you should take. But to take a bunch of things that you might need, that is another story. The OP does not want to schlepp around a backback. Unless she cannot get through the day without all of the items or similar items on your list, she can make do with pockets or a small purse.

Such different philosophies of what to bring along! We once went on a birding trip with a guy who carried all kinds of stuff in one of those large-ish lower-back packs, including duct tape, and he visibly struggled with the weight of it. We asked why he didn't offload some stuff, like the duct tape, for the shorter hikes, and he replied that the whole point was having it on hand when you need it, and you never know when you're gonna need it. Myself, I try to pare down to essentials because carrying less makes me feel more free and on-vacation--of course, the essentials vary according to locale, weather, etc.

I said it in another thread, I'll say it here.

New York is a <i>city</i>, not the wilderness. If you all-of-a-sudden need something to eat or drink, or an aspirin or whatever, there are a zillion places to get them.

If it doesn't fit in your pockets (male) or purse (female), <i>you don't need it.</i>

No problemo :)
You should see all the stuff I carry at home! My minimal 'supplies' when I am a tourist represent real discipline.
I often travel with groups of people and I am the person everyone goes to when they need a needle and thread, Immodium, etc...
The girl can't help it ;)

Ok... I agree that if it does not fit in my purse I do not carry it.
The bag I carry, WITH all my stuff, weighs less than 1 pound if I am not carrying water. It is about 7x10 and has several pockets, as most Kipling bags do... it is on a cotton strap that I wear bandolier style. It lays flat against my body.
I would say that it is MUCH smaller and MUCH lighter than what many people carry. The only weight is from water and the phone. Think of all the junk people carry. My purses have always been 1/2 the size of most women, if not smaller.

TxTravelPro, your post made me laugh because I have lived in NYC for over 15 years - and I carry pretty much everything that you do! And in the proportions you do.

I have a small zip Walker bag that fits inside my purse with: advil, lip balm, pen, nail file, hand sanitizer, tiny perfume bottle, comb (and probably more stuff I can't remember). I also carry cell phone, small wallet, sunglasses, mp3 player (recently made obsolete by my new cell phone), small camera (not obsolete because it's much better than the crappy cell camera!). In the outside pockets, there are Metrocard, keys, etc. I often carry a slightly larger bookbag too, which includes a great tiny umbrella in its own little bag with a strap - a savior for our unpredictable weather!

If you saw me on the street or the subway, you wouldn't think I was lugging the kitchen sink around with me. And I will say having something like advil on hand without trekking to a drugstore is worth every extra ounce. (At work, there's a DR 1/2 block away. But that means down 2 elevators, cross Madison Ave, go in store, wait in line, pay, back across avenue, through security, up 2 elevators... LOL. And no, my department never has that kind of stuff on hand for our use!)

:D

I would agree that large, bulky backpacks are definitely a no-go. If you must carry one, PLEASE take it off before you enter the subway! Or for that matter, while you're on the plaform!! Awareness and sensitivity towards your fellow riders is paramount.
:)

Pisces, if you need to distribute the weight, I'd suggest looking for a smaller backpack that fits your needs. If you don't mind the style, try looking in sporting goods stores (REI, EMS, Campmor, etc.) for packs that have ergonomic straps and padding: they make them this way now even for smaller bags.