Shop Bag unfortunateness

[TimK65]

Hi folks,

Am I the only one who finds that the Shop Bag tends to contact the ground regularly?

I shop on foot, and I consistently find that my Shop Bags (two large, one small -- the problem is worse with the large ones, which I use more often) scrape the ground frequently unless I hunch my shoulders to keep them slightly elevated, which puts unpleasant strain on my shoulders. I think the bags and their handles are just the right size to do that with my height and arm length.

I've had them for almost a year, and they have worn places (in some cases, transparent spots) on the bottom.

Just looking for thoughts.

Thanks,
Tim

PS "Transparent spots"? I just checked, and in one case, we're talking quite a nice little hole.

[dorayme]

Tim, I'm 5'2", I have been using my shop bags for almost a year, and I haven't had this issue, even if I have them loaded with heavy items like books. Is it happening when you cross curbs, or in general when you walk around?

[gochicken]

Sorry to hear about the hole. I guess mine are always on my shoulder, so they don't even go near the ground, but it's just much more comfortable for me to carry loads that way, closer to my body. Hope there's a solution out there!

[TimK65]

Tim, I'm 5'2", I have been using my shop bags for almost a year, and I haven't had this issue, even if I have them loaded with heavy items like books. Is it happening when you cross curbs, or in general when you walk around?

If I fully relax my shoulders, it happens with every step, or at least every other step, on all surfaces. Even if I don't, it still happens occasionally on uneven surfaces (like curbs, as you point out).

[TimK65]

Sorry to hear about the hole. I guess mine are always on my shoulder, so they don't even go near the ground, but it's just much more comfortable for me to carry loads that way, closer to my body. Hope there's a solution out there!

I've tried carrying them on my shoulders, but they really, really, really want to fall off, and I really, really, really don't want my gallon of milk falling from shoulder height.

[dorayme]

I would definitely need to lift them if I was going over curbs, and I suspect my danskos are giving me some height here too, but honestly, even when I'm barefoot, or in low profile shoes, I've never had concern over dragging them, even the size large I have in this pic. Maybe I subconsciously shoulder them or something when I come close to dragging them? I will try to observe if that is the case over the next week or so.

[gochicken]

I guess I'm kind of broad shouldered, even though I'm relatively thin, and I'm fortunate things naturally stay up there without a lot of effort.

I do remember accidentally dropping a gallon of milk about a distance of a foot or so when I was a kid. It exploded and went everywhere. Spilled milk took on a new meaning for me that day! So, no, we can't have gallons of milk slipping off your shoulders!

[tCook]

I hear you. I'm 5'3" and won't buy the large size. Kinda bummed that I can't get iberian in the small, but it'd annoy me to no end to have it dragging along. (I don't prefer to carry them on my shoulder.)

[WhiteStar]

hmm... no mine neve hit the gound. But I'm 5'8" so maybe that's why. Plus I tend to carry them either over the shoulder or over my arm rather than in my hand.

[Darcy]

Sorry to hear of your troubles with the Shop Bag, TimK65. Tom designed the handles of the Shop Bag to be just the right length for most folks to be able to put them over their shoulder (even while wearing a thick coat) or hold in their hands without the bags touching the ground. (We even had staff members of varying heights hold the Shop Bag in their hands to determine if the handles were too long.) Still, we realize most folks aren't *all* folks and that's too bad: we wish there was a magic handle length that worked for everyone.

As for the hole: it's not surprising that it's there. A bag dragged on the ground will develop holes in the fabric over time.

We'd be glad to shorten the handles for you (by taking tucks in the handle material and bartacking it, which won't be too pretty but will do the job) and patch the hole for $10 plus $9 return shipping. If you'd like to arrange that, send us an email or give us a call (+1-206-652-4123 or 1-800-729-9607) and we'll figure everything out from there!

P.S. When wearing the Shop Bag over my shoulder, I like to tuck one of the padded top sections of the strap over the other, towards my neck. I find this really locks the straps in place.