Sling Type Bags

[StantonHyde]

It has been a LONG time since I bought a diaper bag. I have a 6 and 3.5 yo so I don't really need a diaper bag but I do need something to carry snacks, wipes, water bottles, sunscreen, wallet, keys, cell phone etc. I really like the idea of a sling bag--with the wallet etc on the front and the other stuff in the back. I use a backpack now and it is a pain because I have to take it off everytime I need something. My friend has a sling bag and she just swings the back to the front, gets out the snack, swings it back in place and keeps going.

I saw the J Cole bag at Babies R Us but I don't remember if they are that durable. Any other ideas? I am just really out of the loop on "baby" products!! I totally want something that you can beat the crap out of--no quilted cloth--more like back pack or messenger pack material. TIA!!

[bubbaray]

I think a Timbuk2 bag might work nicely for you. Basically indestructible (sp?).

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/home

T2 is known for messenger bags, but they have a lot of styles now. REI sells them and you can get custom bags directly from the T2 webstite. If you want a smaller bag, the metro might work well. For a regular messenger, you won't need anything larger than the small size -- I could fit a 2yo in my medium messenger, LOL.

You could also look for this type of bag: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444241 9239&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699713&bmUID=1228279240286

That is what I think of being a true sling bag. Again, indestructible pack material, but highly functional. I've seen similar bags at REI. I like the MEC one the best of the few I own, though.

HTH

[bubbaray]

If you wanted something a little less utilitarian looking than the regular T2 bags, but still durable/functional, what about this:

http://www.rei.com/product/772213

Super cute

[bubbaray]

I swear, I'm not stalking this thread, LOL.

There are some good deals on T2 bags at the REI outlet too, and sometimes at STP.

http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/781170

I ordered that exact bag custom from a coop here a few years back. I also have a medium messenger and a Metro (small, purse-sized).

[Neatfreak]

I have a Timbuk2 Metro and it's really great for outings with my preschooler (and it was she was younger, too). I have a photo of it stocked up from when M was a toddler, and maybe you could use it to judge how well it meets your needs:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goingdomestic/240630679/

I also have the MEC Sling Pod that Melissa linked to. I adore it, but it doesn't pack up as nicely as my T2 Metro does. I think that one with a larger capacity would work better.

[StantonHyde]

The MEC sling is more of what I am looking for. I love my T2 briefcase!!! But I am looking for something that will stay on me (like a backpack vs a purse) and that has some carrying capacity.

How much can you pack in the MEC bag? My minimum list is: 4 granola bars, 4 fruit snacks, 2 kid water bottles, sunscreen, wipes, one pullup, cell phone, wallet, keys, small first aid kit (bandaids).

Have you seen other bags like this? What other website might have good selection of bags?

Please, stalk away at this thread!!!!!

[StantonHyde]

I saw this bag on REI and it got good reviews:

http://www.rei.com/product/738793#

Thoughts??

[bubbaray]

I think that one is quite large -- it depends on how big a bag you need.

Other than the sippy cups, I could fit everything on your list in the small MEC bag I linked to. The MEC bag has 1 bottle pocket (that REI one has none best I can tell).

MEC recently came out with the Big Pod, but I haven't seen it IRL. I would guess its about the same size as the REI one.

ebags is a good source for bags

[the2bobs]

Have you checked out the Fleurville bags? I have the Sling Tote and could really pack it full. Looks like they have a new one out this year called Lexie Tote which looks bigger. Right now I'm using a Kate Spade Aubrey Baby Bag which is huge but has 2 bottle pockets and great sections so it's really easy to find everything quickly. http://www.katespade.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3008419&cp=2450627.1876038&parentPage=family
It's pricey but if you can find it at a Kate Spade outlet it's not too bad. My friends warned me not to get a messenger bag b/c it was too hard to find anything in it and they switched to totes so I have stayed away from the messengers.

[StantonHyde]

This is the bag I have found and like the looks of it. Anybody have experience with this one?

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=516773&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=85222&subCategoryId=86208#tabs

[MamaKath]

This is the bag I have found and like the looks of it. Anybody have experience with this one?

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=516773&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=85222&subCategoryId=86208#tabs

I have that one (different colors) and did a review of it quite awhile back...
http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=264278&highlight=jj+cole+essentials There is a link with pics in there. Again it was awhile ago. The bag has held up decently. The snaps aren't the greatest, but they are okay. It holds a lot actually in it! I don't quite know if it would all you mention, I will get it out this week and see how much I can put in it.

You might also want to check out Ameribags. While they don't have a pouch on the handle they can be slung across your body and you can easily reach in them for items. The smaller purse styles are often available at STP (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?allwords=ameribag&searchdescriptions=True). I have one of these (smaller purse one) and again, not sure it would hold everything you need. The baby bag is great also. It would hold all you need (I have this also). It has a great front mommy section and then the kid area in the sling section. OSA has introduced their own version (http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=535331&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=85222&subCategoryId=86208) of it which looks really nice also, but only comes in grey. and looks even bigger than the regular baby bag. Oh and Ebags has the Helixx series (http://www.ebags.com/ameribag/helixx_collection/category_search/index.cfm?N=20039891) which has the DNA sling bags, they come in 3 sizes.

LL Bean also carries some nice bags that might work. They also have ameribags made just for them. This one (http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=53801&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=504159&feat=504159-tn&cat4=504158) might work well. They had a sling backack similar to the MEC one, but I can't find it on their site.

HTH`

[StantonHyde]

Thanks for the info, Kath. I checked out all the ebags ones but I really like how the essentials bag won't come off my shoulders, is not huge and should stay out of the way!! We will see how it goes.

[MamaKath]

Rebecca,
I think you will like it! I got it out and was reminded of how much it really does hold!!! I'll be interested to hear a review when you get it. It is a really unique style of bag. What color did you get? I love the graphite and celery!!! Very pretty!!! Enjoy it!

[StantonHyde]

So I got the JCole bab from One Steap Ahead. I love it. It is grey and pink and the inside of the pockets is in a really cute pink graphic/flower design. It fits me and I am 5'10" so that is important. My 24 oz water bottle fits into the water bottle pocket. The top pocket is filled with one pull up, wipes, and change of clothes for DD (potty training). The middle pocket will hold 2 small sippies and maybe some sun screen. The bottom pocket holds snacks. The front will hold my keys, cell phone, cash, & credit cards. I will have to see how it feels with the full 24 oz water bottle and full sippies but I love it now. It will be great for running around this summer (especially since DD should be potty trained by the!!)

[MamaKath]

It fits me and I am 5'10" so that is important. My 24 oz water bottle fits into the water bottle pocket.
Rebecca, how is it working for you? I ordered a new one and found they had changed a couple things on the design of it from the older Essentials bag. It is shorter (by at least 4 inches) and does not fit me nearly as well. :( I am hoping to lose weight before summer, but it is still a bit of a bummer. The fabric is sturdier, however it is also heavier. The bottle holder is bigger, which 24 oz. bottle are you using in it? It was a good deal, but not sure if I'll end up keeping it.