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Now that most of us are traveling around again — to work, to the movies, to friends, or just to get outside and experience the summer — we are pulling our favorite backpacks and bags from our closets and filling them up with laptops, phones, cameras, clothes, groceries, and other stuff. (Not to mention trying to figure out if they might suit any kids of our acquaintance for back-to-school purposes.)
Here are some of the carry-alls that we here at The Verge have been using. As you will read, most of these have gotten months or even years of good use — which is what you want in a good backpack or bag.
I’ve always been stymied by the need for a bag smaller than a backpack or knapsack but larger than a dinky clutch. I was wary of the whole “wear a fanny pack as a mini crossbody bag” trend, but earlier this summer, I caved and bought the Baboon to the Moon 3L Fannypack.
Now, I cannot go back. This bag easily fits my wallet, phone, house keys, car keys, hand sanitizer, and chapstick — everything I need when I take walks or run errands. It’s also got a quick-release buckle, so I can stick a carabiner on it and schlepp around a water bottle on hot days. The material is also incredibly durable, spill-proof, and easy to clean. The inside has some dividers but nothing too complicated.
But what I probably like most about this fanny pack (and this brand in general) is how colorful their bags are. I got one in lavender, stuck some enamel pins on it, and now there’s absolutely no mistaking this is mine. I can see it easily from a distance, which also makes it harder to lose. The mix between colorful whimsy and practical functionality is something I wish I saw more often. All I’m saying is that two of my friends went out and bought the same bag in different colors as soon as they saw me wearing it. And we’re all immensely happy with our purchases.
In our previous roundup of The Verge’s favorite backpacks and other bags, I talked about my combination shoulder bag / backpack that was manufactured by a small company called Danny K. Made from a tapestry-like cloth, and full of pockets, zipped and otherwise, this has been my go-to bag for any occasion where I’m not carrying a laptop (which is the only thing that it doesn’t hold).
However, that bag is a bit large, especially for times when I really don’t need quite as much space, which is why I was delighted when somebody gifted me a smaller version of my bag called the Luna Backpack. With outside pockets on the back and front, a side opening that takes in more stuff than you’d think, and a pocket for a bottle or a small umbrella, my new bag (which I wear over my shoulder more often than I wear it on my back) still carries everything I need but is a lot more discreet for those times when I don’t want to look like I’m leaving on an urban day hike.
I’ve previously written about my love for my inexpensive Lumesner travel backpack in our roundup about travel gear. That love still holds true, especially as I’ve used this travel backpack far more since first writing about it. The bag has held up through many short and long trips and even a cross-country move.
However, I’ve found a daily-use bag that I love just as much. I recently purchased Dagne Dover’s Mara Phone Sling because I needed something simple to stash my phone and keys in when walking my dog or running a quick errand. After a couple of weeks of use, I can confidently say that this small bag is worth the price tag. The size took some getting used to, as the bag really can’t fit much else aside from my phone, but it also keeps me from carrying anything but the essentials. The product is incredibly high quality and very durable while also looking a little nicer than most phone slings I’ve come across.
Like almost every other young woman in New York City, I am a Baggu girlie. I’ve been using its reusable, collapsible bags for years and don’t see that ending anytime soon.
The bags come in a variety of sizes and patterns that fold up into a small pouch, making them the perfect addition to my everyday handbag. Stopping by the grocery store for a few dinner items on your way home from work? Suddenly remember you’re out of toilet paper while out? You’ll always have a spare bag tucked away in your primary carry to help you to pack away those goodies.
They also make wonderful last-minute gift bags!
If you’re like me and you like to bike most places, you’ll need a bag that’s both versatile and stylish. I recently came into possession of a bag that meets both these qualifications: the Alpha Pannier Backpack by Two Wheel Gear. It’s a backpack! It’s a pannier! It’s a laptop bag with a padded pocket for an external battery! This bag really checks a lot of boxes, and it’s easy on the eyes as well. The ability to convert to a pannier is really the clincher for me: unclip the backpack straps and tuck them away inside an interior flap. The top latch fits most rear bike racks. The ability to show up at your destination without the dreaded back sweat is really priceless. And if you’re diehard about biking in all weather conditions, the Alpha Pannier Backpack’s waterproof material will certainly impress. You can even attach your bike helmet using the various straps.
