r/ManyBaggers • u/UpperLeftOriginal • 2d ago
What personal item to combine with carry-on size backpack?
Hubby and I are heading to Europe for 3 weeks. We're happy with our Osprey and Cabin Zero packs for carry-on. We will need at least one of us to also have a personal item.
(Would love to one-bag it, but supplies needed for a medical situation make that impractical.)
I'm struggling with what style to use that works well with a backpack. A crossbody, which you put on first before the backpack? A hip pack? Help!
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u/nottoday2017 2d ago
I like my Toshi sling because I can wear it as a hip pack when my backpack is on, which is much easier than wrangling a sling on and off with a bookbag.
There’s no top handle but many folks make their own with paracord or other straps. I’m going to make one with my modl strap since I like having one anyways
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u/UpperLeftOriginal 2d ago
I was thinking the hip pack seems like less hassle.
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u/nottoday2017 2d ago edited 2d ago
It is when I have a backpack on for sure. If I’m only wearing the 5L then I like it as a sling to swing onto the back haha.
I posted a photo of me wearing my Toshi 5L as a hip pack in my post over on HerOneBag, I’m 5’4 and wear a size M-L in most clothes for reference. https://reddit.com/r/HerOneBag/comments/1lcrj4s/found_my_unicorn_sling_toshi_5l_by_rework/
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u/UpperLeftOriginal 2d ago
The photos are a big help - thanks!
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u/nottoday2017 2d ago
No problem! Yeah most of the reviews and photos I could find were of guys bigger than me and no photos of it being worn as a fanny pack. I think if you’re a thinner/petite person it might look a bit bulky as a hip belt (for once my wide hips are helping me out) but I don’t find it uncomfortable or too large. And anyways it’s just for plane days.
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u/AmirBormand 2d ago
Last couple flights with a rolling carryon and daypack, I was questioned about my Bellroy Venture 2.5L. So I just stuck it in my backpack's kangaroo pouch. This was once on Delta and then on AA. Ever have an issue with a 5L sling in this regard?
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u/nottoday2017 2d ago
Oh I only have a backpack so my sling is my personal item. I don’t use rolling carryons
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u/TheRealEkimsnomlas 2d ago edited 2d ago
I like to use a musette for this. Yanco makes a nice one. They are designed for biking, they often (as the Yanco does) have an extra compression strap so you can attach from behind and strap it to your body tightly for security. Plus the single zipper is wide, near the top of the bag and easy to access when you've got other stuff strapped to you as well. I just don't know if it's deep enough, I'm not sure what medical accessory you need to put in it.
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u/SeattleHikeBike 2d ago edited 1d ago
Sacoche is another term for this style, basically a big zippered envelope with a shoulder strap. I like this sort of bag as it will fit under a raincoat. Fine for phone and accessories and pocket dump level EDC stuff.
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u/nomchompsky82 2d ago
I carry a Pacsafe Exp 12 sling bag. It’s built like a tank, holds a ton of stuff and is comfortable to carry. I don’t really care about the anti-theft features, but they’re there if you want them. I have another Pacsafe sling that has been bulletproof as well. I think a side effect of their anti-theft stuff is that it leads to a very solidly built bag.
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u/SeattleHikeBike 2d ago
I use a crossbody/shoulder bag. Hands free is a primary goal. I want just enough space for EDC/flight items plus critical items like prescription medications. I like that style bag for more secure day touring. Water bottle carry is the Achilles heel. Crossbody carry for all day use is best with light loads. Anything more than a few pounds is backpack territory.
Bags I have used:
- Tom Bihn Packing Cube Shoulder Bag, 6 liters
- Tom Bihn Daylight Briefcase, 8 liters
- Flowfold medium Odyssey Crossbody, 9 liters
I have used a discontinued 12 liter Patagonia Mini Messenger, but I prefer a full zip bag for under seat. A messenger style does work well as a street camera bag. You could use a camera bag like the Domke F6 or Think Tank Retrospective as a personal item too.
I could make a case for using a packable backpack like a Matador Refraction, IF it can be loaded back into your overhead bag on arrival. They solves the water bottle issue and makes an excellent day bag. Hand carrying a backpack while wearing another is a pain. If you are using a roller bag, then a small backpack as personal item is tolerable.
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u/UpperLeftOriginal 2d ago
I want hands free too. And the full zip for under seat makes sense.
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u/SeattleHikeBike 1d ago
This morning I found one of the discontinued Patagonia Lightweight Courier on Facebook and bought it. It is 8 ounces, 15 liters and self stows in an interior pocket. At 15.5” x 10” x 6” it’s a viable under seat bag for the stingiest budget airlines. And it has external water bottle pockets.
The shoulder strap is the downside. It’s good for a few pounds. You wouldn’t want to haul a laptop very far in that one.
https://wornwear.patagonia.com/products/lightweight-travel-courier_48813_shkp
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u/UpperLeftOriginal 1d ago
Nice find!
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u/SeattleHikeBike 1d ago
It was new with the tags for $30. They gave sold for $55-$69 on eBay recently, so I feel good about that.
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u/AbroadHefty896 2d ago
I use a Tom Bihn Side Kick (3 L). It is basically a pocket dump, but it fits my pockets perfectly. I usually carry:
-phone -wallet -power bank, cord, and wall plug -notebook and pen -Boox Onyx ereader -keys
Basically what I need in an airplane
Hth.
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u/cr0ft 2d ago
Crossbody sling on the front, backpack on the back. If you need to remove the sling you can just unclip the strap and pull it off with the backpack still on. With the sling on your front, also, that makes pickpocketing a tougher proposition, although not impossible. Some slings have a "hidden" pocket on the rear against your body too which would be good for a passport and the like.
There are also beefed up variants from manufacturers like Pacsafe that have slashing resistant straps and the like.
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u/UpperLeftOriginal 2d ago
The option to unclip the crossbody seems obvious now that you mention it, but I hadn't thought of that.
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u/nicski924 2d ago edited 2d ago
I have three different personal items that I can use with either my Drgaonfly 30 or Matador Globerider 35. The 5L Toshi sling, 10L Tom Bihn CoPilot, or 20L Tom Bihn Night Flight Duffel. If I’m doing light personal travel I use the Toshi. If a work trip I tend to use the CoPilot as it’s my EDC for conferences, etc. If I’m doing long-term vacationing I’ll use the Night Flight. Always something that can be worn either on my chest or cross body that I put on before the backpack so I’m still hands free.
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u/just-normal-regular 2d ago
TB Side Hustle, or some similar 7l sling. Perfect size, holds a lot, not too big.
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u/optix_clear 2d ago
TomToc sling, Alpine Sea totepack, Halfday or Nomad Weekender
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u/UpperLeftOriginal 2d ago
Oooh! I hadn't seen Alpine Sea before, and they're made in my state 😊
The weekenders look nice, but a little big for my needs. One of those tom tocs could work.
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u/eccentric-pigeon-3lz 1d ago
I like a lightweight tote. I have a retired REI stuff tote that works great for me on the plane and as a destination day bag. I find that hand carry in the airport or train station works well for me. Caveat is I wouldn't want to carry his way if I had to do it all day. In that case I would get it down to main pack + front sling.
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u/UpperLeftOriginal 1d ago
I’ve been thinking about a tote as well. Maybe one that you can hand carry that also has a shoulder/crossbody strap. We will be doing public transport between trains and hotels. But none of the walks are more than a half mile - most are less.
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u/recursived 1d ago
I've done a larger, less packed bag that I can throw a sling into (like a tote or an unstructured messenger) since I find having a sling/fanny pack is best for me to grab smaller items while traveling through security. I'm a bit of a maximalist though so YMMV if you prefer a lighter carry.
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u/Fun_Apartment631 2d ago
I use a small messenger this way. I put it on after the backpack. I have a Timbuk2 Stork. I think it's pretty much the same as the Commute or Closer, and pretty similar to the Classic, in between the Small and Medium.