I need a new "personal" bag for flying

lyndausvi

I was thinking of one of the messenger bags or laptop bags from Vera Bradley.    

Does anyone have one to give me a review on?  Or another other choices they my recommend?

hikebikebemerry

I love the Timbuk2 messenger bags.  They're super sturdy and don't hurt my shoulder even if I'm carry a lot of stuff in it.  And you can customize the colors, which I like.

That just my .02.

lyndausvi

Those look like nice bags.  Maybe I can custom one that both of us would like?   For some reason we travel often without each other.

pumpkinsandturkeys

I have a Lululemon bag that I use for flights -- I think they actually specifically made it for that, as it has an inner pocket labelled 'passport', etc.

I'm sure you can find a durable tote! Just make sure it has a lot of different compartments/pockets for versatility.

ETA: this is the bag I have, but in purple: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LULULEMON-ATHLETICA-FAST-IN-FLIGHT-BLACK-GRAY-PLAID-TOTE-YOGA-TRAVEL-BAG-/131124257547?

freebread03

I love love love my Coach City Tote http://reviews.coach.com/9059/123433/coach-large-city-tote-in-saffiano-leather-reviews/reviews.htm

I use this every day for work (I have to carry a laptop, notebook, and all my other stuff like a mouse, kindle, wallet, small makeup bag, pens, and sometimes an extra pair of shoes, umbrella, etc.) and it has held up amazingly.  I also like how it has a top zipper for when its raining or when I'm going through checkpoint (I can throw my jewelry in and none of it falls out).  It's huge, and perfect.

Before this, I had a great Tumi bag, but it wasn't big enough (and it didn't sit up on the ground on its own).

I'm not sure if you can even buy the City Tote on the coach website anymore, but a lot of other websites have it (it says City Tote in Saffiano Leather).  When I bought mine, I wasn't ready to commit to a $300 bag, so I walked out telling the store girl that I was going to look around more.  When she realized I was going to leave, she offered 25% off.  I still left and came back, but I asked for the 25% discount, and I got it.  I signed up for the mailing list when I bought the bag, and now I get 25% off coupons 3-4 times a year, which is big when you're buying a big ticket item.

So, this was just as good as my (more expensive) Tumi bag, and great for travel (oh, I also brought it to Europe with me last summer and it was great for grocery shopping too).

jdluvr06

I have a Vera Bradley messenger bag. I love it. It is surprisingly durable. This is what I have but the color I have it in is retired and they ran out of it years ago. http://www.verabradley.com/product/Category/Backpacks/Messenger/1001729/defaultColorVariantId/180234/c/638/sc/876/p/1001729.uts?fromSearch=1

JennyColada

I just use this:

It's just become my laptop bag because 1) it's the right size 2) I'm not that fussed about having fancy padding to protect my laptop 3) my regular daily handbag is large enough to accommodate all my other travel stuff.

cruffino

I use an overnight bag very similar to this one. It's the right size to fit under the seat in front of me. The canvas is soft and durable without being heavy. And it's just big enough for all the crap I tote around.

Jells2dot0

I have a Tumi Tote that I use, but it's turning out to be a bit smaller than I would have liked. So, I found another one that I'm thinking of buying:

http://www.modalu.com/shop/new-in-698d51a19d8a121ce581499d7b701668/artemis-shopper-azure-blue.html

I have a modalu tote I use as a purse right now and it fits all kinds of goodies in it.

 

 

 

wandajune6

I use a big Vera Bradley. I'm not a huge fan of patterned bags but started using it after a meeting where everyone had boring black laptop bags- and I nearly walked off with someone else's bag!

I have 2 issues with it: it isn't waterproof (I have a long walk from the train) and it weighs more than I feel it should.

Swazzle

I just recently bought this Coach tote which I'm in love with and plan to use it for everyday and travelling: 

I also really like Longchamp for traveling. They make really great bags. Something like this:

pinkcow13

Swazzle I LOVE your pic!!! Where was it taken?

KatWAG

What is your budget? I carry a LV neverfull. It can hold up to 100 pounds of stuff. And when its not full, I fold it down and it fits perfectly under the seat of the airplane. The down fall is no zipper.

I will second the longchamp recommendation. It comes in a bunch of sizes and really fun colors. When you are not using it, it folds down really small.

arrippa

Swazzle said:

I just recently bought this Coach tote which I'm in love with and plan to use it for everyday and travelling: 

I also really like Longchamp for traveling. They make really great bags. Something like this:

I use my purple Longchamp bag as my carry on. It holds everything I need for a flight.

Swazzle

@pinkcow13 - Thank you! That was on our HM at the Cheetah Outreach in Cape Town, South Africa. 

SmileDamnit

Ummmm, so jealous @Swazzle!! I didn't get to love on any cheetahs when I was in Cape Town.

And just so this isn't a complete thread hijack, I carry a Kelly Moore bag when traveling: http://kellymoorebag.com/

They are technically for camera equipment, but can fit a shit ton of other stuff, too.

Jells2dot0

Jells2dot0 said:

I have a Tumi Tote that I use, but it's turning out to be a bit smaller than I would have liked. So, I found another one that I'm thinking of buying:

http://www.modalu.com/shop/new-in-698d51a19d8a121ce581499d7b701668/artemis-shopper-azure-blue.html

I have a modalu tote I use as a purse right now and it fits all kinds of goodies in it.

 

 

 

I was just doing some shopping and the Modalu tote that I currently carry is on sale! Sucks to be me, as I own a black one and tan one and didn't catch the sale.

http://www.modalu.com/shop/sale/dickens-large-tote-black-bag.html

thisismynickname2

I love my Longchamp tote. I can also shove my regular purse it in so I can consolidate my stuff when I also have a roll-aboard.  

I also have a Lululemon gym bag that I LOVE. I got it several years ago, but although it's a gym bag, I use it as my weekend getaway bag and it's perfect as a carry-on too!  

lyndausvi

Moving has taken away from my knotting time.   boo.

Anyway, I really don't have a budget per se, but thing under $300 would be good.  Under $200 even better.

Problem is that United is the primary airline here. And it's commuter jet service.  They just started getting strict on baggage size for both carry-on AND the personal item.    My current personal item, which fits under my seat just fine, is too big so I'm on the hunt for a new one before my June trip.