yeah, at my school, the girls have to wear skirts (uniform) and so they end up putting their cell phones and stuff in their socks (they wear knee socks), doesn't look all that comfortable...

The similar approach could be used for the exterior conversion. I saw a very lightweight collapsible backpacks which should fit an average sized briefcase with almost no additional weight (just nylon sack and shoulder straps). So, one could free his hands and/or blend with the environment as required by situation.

I've found that I could pack much more stuff in such a bag if I organize items in tall flat packs to better utilize the top side of the bag. Also they are stretching quite well, so a hard box placed in the external pocket or inner compartment could help to pack more.

Long ago I carried my smokes (that was of course before I quit) in my sock, but they were not knee socks, that's for sure. The hard packs were a little uncomfortable, but at least the coffin nails didn't get squished...

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Thanks, Raspy. Good job. We need all the help we can to think things through and consider alternatives.

Depends on how old you are.

I see someone under 25 with a daypack or small ruck, and I think "student". Most people see my Maxpedition Jumbo, and they see a geek with a man purse- a lot of cops give me a knowing nod or wink, because it was designed with the option to have a holster in it. They don't know there is nothing in that will go bang. :P But when I go in the Gear Exchange or EMS, some asks me who makes it.

Oh, and OBG, you think "dork with gun" when you see a fanny pack becuase you used to be a cop. :P Your brain isn't that of a normal person.

I second that motion, OBG doesn't think like a normal person (:
Yeah!! People think im a student!! Hehe!!

"...Your brain isn't that of a normal person..."

You are not the first to say that. My mom said it a lot when I was a kid...

A woman can carry a bag like this https://www.oregonsewn.com/rainstone_shoulder_bags.html
and people would just think it's a purse. But they hold a lot of stuff. I have a regular one and a large one. The larger one can hold about as much stuff as an overnight bag (what I've used it for), but I have to watch the weight. The cast iron dutch oven makes me list to port.

Sue