Patagonia makes a pretty good shoulder bag called the "Vertical Mass." I use it for traveling, along with their Maximum Legal Carry-on. It's great for carrying everything you need exploring: SAK, first-aid kit, lunch, water bottle, wind breaker, maps, guide books, passport... I used it last year traveling in Mexico and South America. Best thing is to avoid carrying anything that looks "tactical" and have the army/police mistake you for a criminal or revolutionary.

My $0.02

Yes, that's why I prefer to stay with my pouch on my belt.
As much as I would like to buy a fatboy, I still prefer to keep essentials (ID papers, money, car keys, PSK items, ...) in that pouch that I can only remove by removing my belt first....
OTOH, this pouch is somewhat "protuding" on my side and is akward when trying to sit down in a movie theater, for example... or any narrow armchair.

But with that pouch, I have no fear to forget it someplace, in an emergency.

For bulkier items, that waist pouch is complemented with various backpacks, according to circumstances (daily work, strolling in the city, a.s.o. ...).

Sorry to hear about your car, hope no injuries involved.

Ditto Frenchy's response on sticking with his on-belt-pouch. You have a valid point Susan; what good is it if you don't have it when you need it.


That's why I play with different ways of packing stuff within the confines of my fanny pack, belt pouch, and pockets.

I like little zipper pouches to compartmentalize things in my pockets (lighter, matches, little bit of duct tape, etc.) That way when I leave in the morning I can get dressed in the dark , stuff my pockets, and not miss anything (and not wake up my beloved by fumbling around in the dark).

The larger stuff (first aid kit, toiletries, ...) goes in the backpack. I would love to get that stuff down to the size of a purse but I'm a little to obsessive-compulsive about having stuff on hand.

peace,
samhain

Usually, but not always, the last thing I grabbed on the way out the door to the bunker was my shoulder bag. I wouldn't don it, mind you, as I was too busy throwing all that body armor on to get it over my head and left shoulder like I normally carry it (and how it was designed to be carried).

There were a couple times that it got left behind, but then again, there were times when I had to leave the body armor behind as well and just run like hekk with whatever I already had on me.

One thing about it, with that messenger bag properly donned, I could run full tilt bozo and not worry about it dumping, or coming loose, or fouling me up. I can't say the same for some of the day packs I've used in the past, or for my current BOB. Wearing that bag Hudson's Bay style as I do, it is about the most unencumbering way I can think to carry all my EDC gear.

Speaking of Hudson's Bay style, I always liked how the old company trappers used to roll all their gear up in their blanket, tie the ends off with a closed loop of rope or thonging, and strap it across their back and chest. That sure seemed a lot more practical than a shoulder bag.

Have any of you tried the Jumbo version of the Versa Pack? It looks interesting to me and just wondered if anyone has seen one?

An excellent comparison review can be seen on the std fatboy and jumbo over at British Blades

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13857

This one has me almost conviced to buy a jumbo fatboy....almost.

Just the kind of information I was looking for!! Thanks!!
How is the regular Fatboy compared to your Filson bag in size and utility?

SheepDog,

I have both. I just started playing with the Fatboy Jumbo and I'm still on the fence with it. It is nice for holding a Nalgene bottle and does have alot more room than the standard Fatboy, but then again, bigger and heavier. I use the Maxpedition Thermite Versipack as a leg rig for basic survival items, so it is always with me (I switched it from a right side rig to a left side rig by switching the straps (a little sewing involved). I also removed the outer pouch to make it thinner for wear on the leg.

But back to the Fatboy Jumbo. It is very spacious, but again I'm not sure if it is TOO big. Still playing with it and will report further.

Fox10

My purse has mostly back ups to what I edc, so forgeting it would not be a huge deal, but yes I would prabably remember it.

My Filson bag is probably 7 times bigger or more than the std FatBoy. Really no comparison at all on these two. I can easily carry 25 pounds of junk in the Filson....while I find the standard FatBoy almost too small for anything I do. I was very dissapointed that the side pouch on the std fatboy only has a one way zip...my ham radio with antenna will not ride there securely. The little flap holder will take a matchcase and FireSteel but I cannot imagine what else could possibly fit in that tiny pocket.

I love the construction and the hang of the fatboy, but it is just too tiny for me.

The jumbo fatboy looks much better to me as I think it will be about the size I want. The water bottle is probably the most important change...stick 1L in the std fatboy and forget anything else except some very small stuff.

The jumbobag should take, camera, water, sandwich, garbage bag, bird book, ham radio and a bunch of small stuff without any difficulty.

I want my camera easily accesible in a bag rather than squeezed in so tight it cannot be removed.

The Filson bag is too big for these sorts of outings and it does not ride like the fatboy. My Billingham Hadley bag is near perfect in size but again it does not ride like the fatboy and I have one central compartment where all the junk sort of bunches together.

I may actually need a super jumbo fatboy to be happy <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> That is the reason I hesitate spending the $70 on the jumbo.