I hear you Jac. I'm beat up from the life I've lived and the professions I chose. My hands and knee have arthritis and my back has problems from a jump gone bad. Wieght distribution does help when carrying loads, especially all day. If you have a sternum strap they make small sternum packs to carry immediate essentials and help distribute the wieght. My FAK is in a red pouch purchase at walgreens for $10 if I remember correctly. Of course I rebuilt it and it's considerably heavier now. The vertical fanny pack I mentioned could be worn flet to your back and should help with the center of gravity, as well as be more secure and not flop about if you have to chase your little one.

I've decided to go more "normal" in how I choose to carry my urban EDC. Being tactical draws too much attention.

Prior to my exposure to tactical bags I was a Timbuk2 'Medium Messenger' and 'Commute" bag user. I've since sold them.

Fortunately some years ago I bought from L.L. Bean their "Sunwashed Messenger Bag." It's since been discontinued and replaced with a more traditional looking model. But they did bring back a similar design to what I have, but call it the "Sea Washed Messenger" if I recall correct.

Pictures for your enjoyment and inspiration.






I treated the canvas with a silicone based sealant. So it's now water-repellent.

Give some consideration to The North Face Mountain Lumbar Pack. ~365cu. in. inside storage. You can comfortably wear it on your waist, you can add shoulder "strapettes" from other manufacturers, or ( by buckleing the waist belt) wear it on your one shoulder or even slung overhead and one shoulder, like a sling bag. The built in water bottle pockets are very secure. I've attached another small belt type pouch, to the built in straps that let you carry a shell. If you shoulder it, you can also attach a cellphone or other yoke type pocket. Finally, you can slide a multitool/flashlight holster onto the waist belt. Believe it or not, based upon my own experience, its very versatile, non-tactical and low profile, even in NYC, especially in black.

Izzy: Nice bag. Would you share a contents list with us?

My favorite pack for around the city is:

REI Flash 18 Pack $34 - super light rucksack, fun colors (but also stealthy black), I carry a 32 oz water bottle inside mine

http://www.rei.com/product/827110/rei-flash-18-pack


They recently had the older model on sale for $20 but these new ones are still a deal at $34. I abuse mine and they hold up great.


-

If you'd rather have a small backpack than a fanny pack or need a little more capacity, the Black Diamond Magnum daypack (a little over 1000 ci) is nice...I just picked one up for trail running and day hikes and am pleased with it. I am finding myself using it for other general outings as well. It has a webbing waist belt and sternum strap for stability which is good for running, but even with just the shoulder straps it doesn't seem to bounce around too much even for someone my size (short and skinny). And it just looks like a normal day pack that anyone might carry while out and about.

It sounds like you need a plain old rucksack with a sternum strap or a messenger bag with a stabilizer strap. My only caveat while on pavement is to avoid anything with to many outside compartments that can be accessed by someone else without your knowledge. I usually gravitate toward a tote, satchel, or ruck for carrying stuff on pavement, but I'm also just walking. I like the convenience of a messenger/sling bag, but I can't tolerate any pressure against the side of my neck.