Recommendations for a large bag

[newmomto1]

I recently got an Alpha 7 (love it!)..and a Marsupial (haven't used it yet, may sell it).
I am using the A7 daily.
I realized over the weekend that I definitely need a larger bag for when I'll be out all day.
I asked on another post about the LE Large Tailored Tote...but the fact that it's not comfy to carry on your shoulder worries me.
I don't think I want a Mothership because of all the recent posts about issues with the vinyl cracking.
I would also *prefer* to be able to hang the bag from my stroller handles.
Any suggestions????
Thanks :-)!!

[audball]

Well, there are posts for some Timbuk2 recommendations following ("Timbuk2 Owners..."). If you have the Alpha 7 and love the size, the Marsupial may be too small for you (too bad I didn't see this post because I just sprung for one :)!). From what I heard, the Marsupial is a definite "medium-sized" bag.

There are no problems hanging the Timbuk2s from strollers because you can lengthen the strap quite a bit. We hang our medium Timbuk2 off our Peg Perego Aria and you have to put the strap ALL away around the handles.

ETA: I would second the recommendation of a lot of other women and say try the Timi and Leslie Large BeBe. It's supposed to be wonderful :)

[MamaKath]

What about a LE Do it All (DIA)? There have been quite a few models of this, all seem to have a fairly big following.

The Timbuk2 Messenger bags might work for you too. They are on sale at SierraTradingPost too, so maybe worht an extra look. I recently got a T2 knock-off from www.oldnavy.com and found it very handy for a recent field trip with my older child where I knew I needed to bring my stuff, emergency items, carry my coat and dd's coat, our lunches, etc. It was nicer than using a backpack where the weight would have been on one spot on my back all afternoon, this was able to be shift it around during the day. I also did not have to take it off to get things out, a big plus!

Or what about a backpack? There are a bunch that get great reviews. Maybe that is something to check out.

Links-
Old Navy Bag:
http://www.oldnavy.com/asp/Product.asp?wdid=100513&wpid=246078
http://www.oldnavy.com/assets/product/Main/ona246078-01P1.jpg

Timbuk2 Bags:
http://www.timbuk2.com/
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/EUI/controller.asp?N=0&Ntk=All&Ntt=timbuk2&Nty=1&D=timbuk2&Ntx=mode+matchallany&track=true&sid=41A12C0067A6E17F

[kensjen]

Well my favorite new large bag is the Timi and Leslie! I have the large bebe bag in Lina, like this:



http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17492.jpg


It is a gorgeous deep brown, I love it. I love how light the bag is empty, so even when I fill it up, it is not terrible heavy. It is wonderful for an all day trip. And I do hang it on my stroller.

I also have the large tailored tote (in microfiber) and really like it too. It is a great bag, especially for the price. It can hold A LOT! We used it for an overnight bag for my DS on Saturday, and it held everything. It expands to fit a ton of stuff! The straps are a bit short, not sure why they didn't make them a bit longer. I wear it on my shoulder comfortably, but it does get more difficult the more stuffed it is. Also, it would depend on your size as to how it would fit. I really like this bag and use it quite a bit, especially when we travel.

HTH!

[windyhamilton]

How's the organization of the Old Navy bag? Would you mind posting pics??

They're on sale on oldnavy.com for $9.99!! Can't beat that!! :-)

[MamaKath]

I can't take pics right now as the digital camera is out of service. :-( If dh ever gets it fixed, I will get some pictures for you. I can tell you though.

The main compartment is pretty open. There is a pocket that is meash and zippers toward the back that holds some diapers, or cosmetic case, wallet, and a couple items. Then the main compartment. On the front is an organizer section that has a couple pen slots, a zippered mesh pocket (great for a liscence or Metro card, or a small pack of tissues) with a pocket behind it, and a cell phone pocket. The bag closes with two velcro strips and a latch style buckle. Across the back is a large pocket suitable for magazines and such. On the ends are mesh water bottle pockets. It also has a strap pad, and the strap is easy to adjust from either end and is very comfortable.

For the price it is a great bag. I really did not get it as a diaper bag, but when we went out the other day, it certainly suited the need well! It was more comfortable to carry than similarly sized bags that I own, and will probably see a lot of use this winter when we go places that I may need to carry coats.

HTH and I will update when the camera is working again.

[masetane]

I had a Mothership and didn't like it. If I had to get a large bag, I like the 2 Red Hens Whole Roost bags. They don't have any interior organization but that doesn't really matter for me.
Caroline
http://fool.exler.ru/sm/ma.gif
Isabelle 10/1/00
Nicholas 2/27/03

[windyhamilton]

Thank you! Sorry to hear about your camera. It sounds like it would be a great extra bag to have on hand....And you can't really beat that price!

[ILoveLT]

I've had the Kapoochi Carry all bag for a few months now and it is great. It has an insulated big side pocket that fits 2 avent bottles plus cold pack and another big side pocket that is way bigger than the side pockets on the Mothership. It is too big for my needs now that I don't go out all day and don't have a newborn anymore, but I got plenty of use out of it. The side zips out and has a huge diaper pad plus diaper dispenser and wipes dispenser. The wipes dispenser leaks so it's not very good.

Take a look:

http://www.ebags.com/kapoochi/travel_range_diaper_carry_all/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=13195

[twinkie]

Is the Timi and Leslie large bebe bag as big as the mothership? I have only seen the mothership IRL and I wonder how they compare in size and organization.