MamaKath
04-08-2004, 01:07 AM
This is a messenger style tote bag by Ameribag www.ameribag.com, creators of the Healthy Back bags. I own 2 other Ameribags, the Baby Bag (a large size backpack according to their standards of sizing) and a black nylon purse (a small size backpack) purchased through Avon. I love my Ameribags, though they are a bit too sporty for my taste. I am more a Vera Bradley girl, but the organization and the fact that these do feel lighter when carried has me using the Ameribags more than any others that I own (which is a lot!!). Although I missed the sale recently I decided to purchase the tote through Ebags. I called, dealt with someone on the phone who did her best answering my questions, was polite and congenial. I received the bag today, about 4 days total.
My first impressions on the bag were not as great as I had hoped they would be. The red color was not as vibrant as I had hoped it would be. The color is a nice deep red though, and one which should not dirty easily. It is a good color next to a couple other backpacks I have, they all seem to be a deeper, darker red. It also is not as big as I anticipated. That always seems funny to me since it gives measurements, it is still hard for me to picture, lol. It actually is not too much bigger than the Little Tripper (I was mainly considering the new one, however dh thought it to be a bit purse-like for him to carry) given its shape. The measurements are close to the Classic Do-it-all, however this is not a perfect rectangle. This bag is more messenger style and is larger at the bottom than on top.
As for features, this bag is very nice! The liner is gray in color. It has numerous interior pockets, though I am not sure I like the use of so much Velcro to close many of them. It also has exterior pockets that are very handy; 2 on the end, one large one in the back, and one in the front. It has a nice removable shoulder strap with a wonderful pad to cushion your shoulder. It also has a padded carry handle which is very handy to grab it out of the car, etc. The top opening is a large U shape. I have had numerous bags like this before, it allows you to see everything inside which is great! Others I have tried, the zipper has never been placed properly so it either opens to low and everything falls out, or not enough and you can’t reach what you need to. The zipper has 2 pulls, allowing you to open partway or fully. The quality of materials is also excellent.
Packing it up tonight, was a challenge. I am a critical overpacker, and this was no different. I actually need to go pull a bunch of things out that are security blanket items for me, lol. I had 4 size 5 pampers, 1 travel container of wipes, 1 large onesie, 1 lightwieght cotton pj size 36months, 2 sippy cups, 3 board books (not very tiny ones either), 1 small doll, 2 packs of sunflower seeds, 1 cell phone, 1 wallet, 1 kit (from a Land’s end bag, like a double sided cosmetic case and it is stuffed full), keys, checkbook, small magazine, 3 8 oz water bottles, 1 other small toy, 1 thin changing pad from another bag. Too much stuff for one t-ball game, lol! I am actually going out tomorrow, and will take much of this out (planning to take my wallet, 2 sippies/water, 1 board book, a couple matchbox cars, cell phone, sunflower seeds, 3 diapers, wipes, small cosmetic bag). I am planning to pack a separate bag with some food, and see how I like it with less. All in all this looks promising to me.
I promise to take some pictures soon, but in the meantime here are the links for others, as well as comparison dimensions and links to the others I would think most others might be considering as well. Will ETA with further thoughts and pics when able to. HTH some of you considering this or other bags.
http://www.ameribag.com/products/images/rdtote.gif
http://www.ameribag.com/products/images/webtote.jpg
Measurements-
Ameribag Tote- 16 wide * 10 ¾ tall * 6 deep http://www.ameribag.com/products/tote.html#
Comparisons:
Ameribag Baby Bag- 21" x 12" x 8 1/2" http://www.ameribag.com/products/baby.html
Ameribag purse sold by Avon- 17 * 9 * 5 ½
LandsEnd New Do-it-all 15"Wx11 1/2"Hx10 1/4"D
Lands End Older Do-it-all 14 ½ wide * 10 tall * 8 deep
LandsEnd Newer Little Tripper
LandsEnd Older Little Tripper 11”w * 10” tall * 4 ½ deep
My first impressions on the bag were not as great as I had hoped they would be. The red color was not as vibrant as I had hoped it would be. The color is a nice deep red though, and one which should not dirty easily. It is a good color next to a couple other backpacks I have, they all seem to be a deeper, darker red. It also is not as big as I anticipated. That always seems funny to me since it gives measurements, it is still hard for me to picture, lol. It actually is not too much bigger than the Little Tripper (I was mainly considering the new one, however dh thought it to be a bit purse-like for him to carry) given its shape. The measurements are close to the Classic Do-it-all, however this is not a perfect rectangle. This bag is more messenger style and is larger at the bottom than on top.
As for features, this bag is very nice! The liner is gray in color. It has numerous interior pockets, though I am not sure I like the use of so much Velcro to close many of them. It also has exterior pockets that are very handy; 2 on the end, one large one in the back, and one in the front. It has a nice removable shoulder strap with a wonderful pad to cushion your shoulder. It also has a padded carry handle which is very handy to grab it out of the car, etc. The top opening is a large U shape. I have had numerous bags like this before, it allows you to see everything inside which is great! Others I have tried, the zipper has never been placed properly so it either opens to low and everything falls out, or not enough and you can’t reach what you need to. The zipper has 2 pulls, allowing you to open partway or fully. The quality of materials is also excellent.
Packing it up tonight, was a challenge. I am a critical overpacker, and this was no different. I actually need to go pull a bunch of things out that are security blanket items for me, lol. I had 4 size 5 pampers, 1 travel container of wipes, 1 large onesie, 1 lightwieght cotton pj size 36months, 2 sippy cups, 3 board books (not very tiny ones either), 1 small doll, 2 packs of sunflower seeds, 1 cell phone, 1 wallet, 1 kit (from a Land’s end bag, like a double sided cosmetic case and it is stuffed full), keys, checkbook, small magazine, 3 8 oz water bottles, 1 other small toy, 1 thin changing pad from another bag. Too much stuff for one t-ball game, lol! I am actually going out tomorrow, and will take much of this out (planning to take my wallet, 2 sippies/water, 1 board book, a couple matchbox cars, cell phone, sunflower seeds, 3 diapers, wipes, small cosmetic bag). I am planning to pack a separate bag with some food, and see how I like it with less. All in all this looks promising to me.
I promise to take some pictures soon, but in the meantime here are the links for others, as well as comparison dimensions and links to the others I would think most others might be considering as well. Will ETA with further thoughts and pics when able to. HTH some of you considering this or other bags.
http://www.ameribag.com/products/images/rdtote.gif
http://www.ameribag.com/products/images/webtote.jpg
Measurements-
Ameribag Tote- 16 wide * 10 ¾ tall * 6 deep http://www.ameribag.com/products/tote.html#
Comparisons:
Ameribag Baby Bag- 21" x 12" x 8 1/2" http://www.ameribag.com/products/baby.html
Ameribag purse sold by Avon- 17 * 9 * 5 ½
LandsEnd New Do-it-all 15"Wx11 1/2"Hx10 1/4"D
Lands End Older Do-it-all 14 ½ wide * 10 tall * 8 deep
LandsEnd Newer Little Tripper
LandsEnd Older Little Tripper 11”w * 10” tall * 4 ½ deep