Backpack version of the Shop Bag

[gmanedit]

Hi, addiopolis.

You asked: "How comfortable it is to wear the Synapse and also carry a filled Shop Bag either in the hand or on a shoulder, at the same time?"

At least now, when we're dealing with winter coats, I find the Large Shop Bag easier to shoulder-carry with the Synapse, because of its longer handles. I put the outside handle over the inside one, to keep the bag from slipping off, and the handles on the Synapse shoulder strap; the bag stays by my side. When I'm not carrying the Synapse, I swing the Shop Bag around to the back, where it stays fine. For me, hands-free is the way to go.

[moriond]

To Moriond:Because you mention using the Synapse and the Shop Bag together maybe you can answer this question.

How comfortable it is to wear the Synapse and also carry a filled Shop Bag either in the hand or on a shoulder, at the same time?

The Synapse is very comfortable to carry, but I'll usually carry the Shop Bag in hand rather than on the shoulder if I'm using a Synapse and the Shop Bag is fully loaded. Incidentally, I'm about your size and frame (5' 3"). I agree with the points that maverick made in this post that the Synapse isn't ideally suited for groceries, so I carry a Shop Bag with it when I want the flexibility. (I also have a Smart Alec, but I use my Synapse more as an everyday bag, due to its size, flexibility, and convenience -- it just works really well). Incidentally, one of the things I really like about Tom's designs is how well they scale to accommodate both small and large frames. The Poron handles make the Shop Bag really comfortable. Despite having had other canvas bags for this purpose, I use the Shop Bags all the time.

The one issue that you might encounter is just how much you want to carry in the Shop Bag if you take along a Synapse. For large shopping trips (without regard to the Synapse), I take along the larger size Shop Bags, but the small Shop Bags are better suited to folded carry in the Synapse. I used to take the Lux bag (tote bag predecessor of the Swift) along when I traveled, in case I had to grocery shop, because it has the same poron handles that make it comfortable to hold or carry on my shoulders. This carries more, but is ballistic nylon, and so is not foldable. So if I'm going light, or traveling, the Synapse + Shop Bag combination is more convenient. But it isn't really suited for heavy-duty grocery shopping with gallon milk jugs, etc. for large families. The bags are surprisingly strong -- you can carry bottled beverages in cardboard cartons in them.

[addiopolis]

Smaller Backpack style Shop Bag and using Shop Bag with Synapse

This is a good idea, but I have to admit that I prefer using the regular shop bag to a backpack version. I understand the desire for something lighter than the Synapse. However, I found myself using the Synapse as an all-around light daypack and stuffing a shopbag in one of the side pockets for extra carrying capability. I've personally preferred using the Synapse or totes (like the Lux/Swift or Shopbag) to the convertible backpack packing cube. The main reason is that I don't find the backpack strap design on the convertible backpack packing cube (Aeronaut size) to be as comfortable as using the Synapse backpack straps, so I'd rather just carry the Synapse.

It would be great to have another light alternative, but I've been finding the Synapse to be such a nice traveling companion on recent trips (to NYC and Tokyo), that I'll take that along, anyway. Would be nice to see what Tom could do in another light backpack type of bag that can fold down, though.

moriond

Having looked at the original poster's links, and also checking out the convertible packing cubes, I can see how they're not exactly what he's imagining. They're a bit bigger than the Shop Bag and don't seem like they'd pack down even as small as either Shop Bag. I can see the appeal of a backpack closer in size and style to the Shop Bag than the packing cubes. Something you could pack away perhaps in a shoulder bag, and get out when needed. Or perhaps in a suitcase/travel bag to take out upon arrival. It does seem that the convertible packing cubes fill that niche though. At least in regard to travel, unless you did want to pack down as small as those that he linked to, or small enough to go into a pocket. It would certainly be interesting to see the possibilities.

To Moriond:Because you mention using the Synapse and the Shop Bag together maybe you can answer this question.

How comfortable it is to wear the Synapse and also carry a filled Shop Bag either in the hand or on a shoulder, at the same time?

[moriond]

How about a backpack version of the shopbag? One that folds into itself.

This would be great for business or light travelers who find themselves with free time and want a daypack but don't necessarily want to travel with something like the Synapse.

This is a good idea, but I have to admit that I prefer using the regular shop bag to a backpack version. I understand the desire for something lighter than the Synapse. However, I found myself using the Synapse as an all-around light daypack and stuffing a shopbag in one of the side pockets for extra carrying capability. I've personally preferred using the Synapse or totes (like the Lux/Swift or Shopbag) to the convertible backpack packing cube. The main reason is that I don't find the backpack strap design on the convertible backpack packing cube (Aeronaut size) to be as comfortable as using the Synapse backpack straps, so I'd rather just carry the Synapse.

It would be great to have another light alternative, but I've been finding the Synapse to be such a nice traveling companion on recent trips (to NYC and Tokyo), that I'll take that along, anyway. Would be nice to see what Tom could do in another light backpack type of bag that can fold down, though.

moriond

[ex machina]

I have the shop bag and it's puffy when folded down due to the piping which gives it form when empty and open. I suspect that to achieve the design you seek it would require a lack of piping.

I have a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag which does not have the piping the Shop Bag does and I think your design could be achieved using a similar form of construction.

I liked the idea of a small footprint when folded bag, and while I had used a very small footprint bag that folds up and zips itself quite flat for carry in my Cafe Bag, the material is very inferior to the Shop Bag, so much so that the Shop Bag became part of my daily carry even though it took more space than I would like to allocate to it.

That said, it easily pushes tighter so I can always fit what I want anyway. I have also found the puffy nature of it to be useful for keeping items closer to the top of that bag by using it as a base. So at the end of the day, the Shop Bag had intrinsic features to its nature that at first appeared to be a detriment but in practice revealed themselves as a boon. Tom Bihn amazes with his design yet again.

[Frank II]

Sorry, never mind. No one here gets it or has looked at the links.

I'm looking for something that when folded up, measures no more than 8 x 6 x 0.5. I already have something like that but it's made of cheap material. I was hoping to get something of better quality.

The packing cube shoulder bag is way too big. Why not look at the folded down size of the shop bag. Then you'll know what I mean.

And as far as the Brain Bag goes...it's bigger than the Tri-Star I use for travel. My briefcase fits into that.

[backpack]

The packing cubes are much bigger than I'm talking about. I'm thinking of something that folds down much smaller, like the shop bag.

I just folded my Aeronaut Packing Cube Backpack into its lower pocket, it becomes roughly the size of the Packing Cube Shoulder Bag, maybe a little bit thinner.


However, the Packing Cube Backpack for the Tristar and Western
Flyer has a small front zip pocket that might allow it to fold into a smaller package, similar to the Shop Bag.


Anyone owning a Packing Cube Backpack for the Tristar and Western Flyer willing to fold it onto its pocket and share the result in the forum?

[Frank II]

The packing cubes are much bigger than I'm talking about. I'm thinking of something that folds down much smaller, like the shop bag.

[backpack]

The Packing Cube Backpack for the Aeronaut fits in the Brain Bag without being scrunched in any way.

It is a most useful packing aid and a perfect light toting backpack.

[JohnDel]

Re: Backpack version of the shop bag

Bihn makes two packing cube backpacks. Check the Accessories page.

[Frank II]

How about a backpack version of the shopbag? One that folds into itself.

This would be great for business or light travelers who find themselves with free time and want a daypack but don't necessarily want to travel with something like the Synapse. It wouldn't be meant for serious hiking but just for a day out in a city. Big enough to hold the basics and of course, the magical o-rings.

I got the idea seeing these two items:

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/74

and

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/86

They wouldn't have to pack down that small--I have a similar item and the material is very cheap--but pack down into a small pouch would be great.

I'd prefer a Tom Bihn version.