major fails
Year 1: traditional cloth messenger bag [similar items]
pros
- cheap (already owned it)
cons
- shoulder strap was too long, so heavy bag was constantly bumping when I walked
- contents distended bag shape, so flap never closed
- not enough pockets to organize items
- ripped easily
Years 2-4: scrapbook tote on wheels (went through 2) [similar items]
pros
- wheeled, so less back strain
- lots of pockets/places to organize items
cons
- expensive
- first one – wheel broke off
- second one – telescoping handle broke off
- very heavy
- takes up a lot of space in your trunk
Year 5 (Part 1): small briefcase/suitcase on wheels [similar items]
pros
- wheeled, so less back strain
- lots of pockets/places to organize items
- meant for business travel (so I thought it would be durable)
- lighter than scrapbook totes (so I thought it would put less strain on the handle)
cons
- telescoping handle broke off in just a few months! [grumble, grumble]
partial success
Years 5 (Part 2) & 6: clear (thick) plastic tote from textbook company [similar items]
pros
- free!
- two looped straps, sewn all the way up and down the body of the bag (prevented straps from ripping away from bag)
- super durable
cons
- absolutely no pockets to organize items
- plastic became scuffed and worn looking very fast
- clear, so disorganized/dirty-looking bag was on display all the time
success!
Years 7-8: Thirty-One Organizing Utility Tote [exact bag]
pros
- tons of pockets to organize everything!
- super durable (straps sewn up and down the body of the bag)
- super cute! – comes in tons of patterns
cons
- can cause back strain if I overload it (but that’s my own fault, lol)
- tiny bits of fraying on the exposed canvas edges, but only on some of my bags
Look how easy it is to organize my stuff! There are 3 canvas pockets in front, 2 in back, and 2 mesh pockets (one on either side).
Click on images to view in larger detail.
Inside my bag I keep a water bottle, recorder, slide whistle, scissors, small clutch purse (to hold my phone, small brush, ibuprofen, etc.), 2 back-up plan DVD’s, small notebook, folders (one for each school), and miscellaneous papers.
I can’t recommend this bag enough – it just plain rocks! To make it last a little longer (and to change things up seasonally), I’ve bought several of the bags in different prints and switch them every 2-3 months. I would love to have a different bag for every month, but I’m not there yet, lol. Thirty One only offers each print for a limited time, so I’ve had a ton of luck with buying out-of-print patterns on Ebay.
Hope this helps other travelers! If you’ve got a go-to bag, I’d love to hear about it. 🙂
Angie
Linking up to Fermata Fridays
I have seen these bags recommended by so many teachers and I have serious bag envy! I am a sucker for pockets and such. This may be the year… Thanks for sharing your tips so thoroughly! #fermatafridays
I think you have convinced me to buy one of these! I have bag envy EVERY time I see one of these. I think it would be the perfect way to keep my things organized. I have used almost all of the other items you mentioned in your post and agree about the disadvantages. Right now, I’m using a messenger bag but it just doesn’t have enough space on my heavy carrying days. How do you feel about your bag when it rains? #fermatafridays