I need a new Dog Show Bag! (Imago, LCB, MCB?)

[WhiteStar]

Typically at a dog show I unload all my dog junk (crates, grooming stuff) and leave it at the show for the duration. Then each morning and evening I have to get dogs and other stuff to and from the car. So I have two or three dogs pulling me across a parking lot with a bag (currently a Lexie Barnes Superstar) sliding off my shoulder. If I go cross body then it’s cutting into my neck.

I am trying to decide between an LCB, MCB or Imago. Love the colors in the Cafe BAgs but wondering if they are structured enough. Are they too "deep"? Will stuff get lost in a black hole at the bottom? Is an MCB too small?

Typically I will have in the Dog Show Bag…

• organizer pouch (not TB but Tokidoki for LeSportsac - I discovered the magic of OP many years ago…) with show entry information.
• organizer pouch with first aid/toiletry items (aspirin, tide pen, bandages etc)
• organizer pouch with mints, drink mix packets, peanut butter crackers, etc
• organizer pouch with pens, pencils.
• iPhone (thank goodness I no longer have to carry phone, iPod, Nintendo Ds and GPS seperately any more…)
• iPad
• sometimes (but hardly ever now that I have the iPad) my MacBook 13”
• at least one knitting project which usually resides in a gallon size ziploc bag.
• organizer pouch with knitting notions
• water bottle (love the water bottle pocket on the side of the superstar, wish the TB bags I like had that feature)
• keys
• wallet
• checkbook
• often a magazine or book
• miscellaneous crap (pocket knife, leatherman tool, flashlight, hair clip)
• doggy poop bags
• spare leash
• bait (usually chicken or hot dogs or cheese that I purchase on the way to the show that morning and will be transferred to a cooler upon arrival)

The funny thing is that on a non dog show day I typically carry a bag with my wallet, iPhone, iPad and knitting project. That’s it. Very minimalist. (But still too much for an SCB I think because of the iPad in it's case...) On those days if I chose to carry my new TB Dog Show Bag would it look stupid being so empty?

[gmanedit]

The Large Cafe Bag never looks stupid.

[backpack]

The Large Cafe Bag never looks stupid.

I second that! You can carry everything on your list on show days or your minimalist everyday stuff in the same LCB.

Very full or empty it will mold to your body, the highly recommended Absolute Strap will transform a fully loaded LCB into a lightweight bag.

When LCB owners say that it molds to one body, it doesn't mean it sticks, it means that it adjusts to the body's curves in such a way that it feels like an extra pocket in one's outfit.

The minute you find the proper Absolute Strap length by adjusting the sliders, the bag will not cut into your shoulder while being cross body, nor slide not matter how smallest and sloped the owner's shoulder is, it will also keep the LCB from flopping around (one of the most exasperating thing I had to endure during the decades I didn't know TB bags existed).

My personal item for domestic travel is an LCB, it usually weight around 10 pounds while traveling. At my destination, some things are left at the hotel, others are transfered to a Packing Cube Bacpack, leaving the LCB emptier but not floppier.

The LCB and SCB are my everyday purses, the LCB in cold weather(so hat, gloves and scarf can be stuffed, in if need be) or the SCB in hot weather when sun hat and glasses need to be on at all time, a folded winbreaker can be stuffed into the back pocket and a cardigan wrapped on one's shoulders or tied to the SCB.

Those two are wonderful bags, the LCB with the Absolute Strap will be a perfect dog show bag.

[Jenne]

I think all of that will fit in the Imago-- I've carried similar loads. The Imago molds to your body unless it's overstuffed and its landscape orientation means stuff doesn't get lost deep inside.

But any of the TB bags you mention will probably work great!

[gmanedit]

When LCB owners say that it molds to one body, . . . it means that it adjusts to the body's curves in such a way that it feels like an extra pocket in one's outfit.

Yes.

xxxxx (extra characters to enable posting)

[marbenais]

I would vote for the Imago or LCB. I personally prefer the Imago but that's just me.

[WhiteStar]

Thanks everyone! I think I've decided on a LCB. I really like the Imago a lot, but I'm not thrilled with any of the available colors. And I have three big dog shows coming up before the cardinal/hemp (which I do like) will be available again.

I carried my Lexie Barnes Superstar to work today just to see how it felt with a minimum load instead of loaded down like it usually is. I had in it: keys, wallet, magazine, iPad, iPhone, and a small knitting project. It was heavy and uncomfortable! No wonder when it's fully loaded I have sush a hard time carrying it!

Then I went to TJ Maxx and looked at their bags. I've had such an education on this forum these past two weeks! I kept looking at each bag and thinking "it's cute but that strap is too short, too long, not adjustable, not padded, too slippery, too narrow." I realized most of the (many many) bags in my closet are exactly the same so I will be undertaking The Great Bag Purge this weekend. I plan to keep some of my D &B, my Atenti, and my beloved Tokidoki's. Everything else is OUT to make room for my new TB collection to be.

Once I actually make a final decision and place my order I'll report back on what the final decision on color is. I'm leaning towards Azalea (with the idea that in the future I'll get a plum SCB, and a cardinal MCB).

Is anyone using an organizer pouch with an attached strap as a purse? I thought I might get a medium cork pouch to hold wallet, phone and keys inside the big bag so if I "need" to shop at the show I don't have to carry the big bag. (Who knows, maybe I'll WANT to carry the big bag.)

[backpack]

A medium Cork Pouch is a great idea! I am sure you are going to want more.

I would think that the easiest thing would be to unload all the unnecessary stuff from your bag and leave it ut of sight in your table area while you go shopping with emptied LCB then you can carry all your new goodies back to your table in your LCB.

[Jenne]

You will be so happy, I think! I don't have an LCB, but I have an MCB and I love it. The Imago is wonderful, but I agree with waiting on the colors you want.

I use the Side Effect as my purse, but I think using an organizer pouch is a neat idea.