A Travel Purse with Form and Function
November 11th, 2009 | by travelsavvymom 109 comments
There is no shortage of travel purses on the market. A search of Zappos for “travel” under handbags returns an overwhelming 782 results, and Travelsmith and REI both have abundant selection too. Still, I’ve never been tempted to give up my backpack. At least not until now.
I recently had the opportunity to test out a Donner shoulder bag from Overland Equipment Company, and I came away feeling very impressed. And also a little tempted. Many of the features I’ve always loved about my backpack are here, but without all the bulk and uncouthness.
Water bottle pockets
The two bottle-sized exterior pockets on the front and the back of this bag solve one of my family’s biggest travel problems: constant thirst. Filling them makes the purse a little heavy, but in my experience anything is better than having thirsty kids.
Smartphone friendly storage
If you’re anything like me, you cringe a little every time you drop your expensive iPhone (or similar smartphone) into your purse or backpack. The Donner bag solves this problem with a fleece-lined pocket that’s just the right size for a phone or sunglasses.
A comfortable, adjustable strap
Sometimes you want a shoulder bag, sometimes you want a cross-body bag. This purse can be either. The 1.5″ nylon strap is comfortable across your neck or shoulder too, and strong enough to be impervious to purse snatchers (unless they’re willing to take you with it).
A back pocket for stashing a guidebook
The back exterior pocket is perfect for easy access to non-precious belongings like guidebooks, mints, and spare change. I hate digging through my bag every five minutes for those kinds of low-security items, so this is a big bonus in my eyes.
Win a bag from Overland Equipment Company!
Leave a comment here by midnight, Wednesday November 25th for a chance to win an Overland Equipment Company bag of your choice. You can keep it for yourself or give it to someone on your list this year. U.S. only please. Good luck!
Recent posts by this author
Amber on November 11th, 2009
Oh my gosh, I would love this bag. I’ve been coveting one of these for a while. I hope I win!
Amy @ The Q Family on November 11th, 2009
I’m sold! Look like a perfect bag on a trip or even for everyday use.
Sam Zivot on November 11th, 2009
Males can do purses to right? I think I can pull it off. If not, the girlfriend will gladly take it off my hands.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to win.
Sam
Ramoan on November 11th, 2009
I love that orange purse! It would be perfect for my life!
Natalie on November 11th, 2009
This is a cool bag. The ripstop nylon will work well in inclement weather (leather, not so much) and the multiple pocket are great for stashing stuff.
Amy on November 11th, 2009
I have a thing for travel bags. Even though I’m not much of a ‘purse’ girl, I love bags. I’d love to win this one! :)
Tweets that mention Travel Purse Review: Travel Savvy Mom -- Topsy.com on November 11th, 2009
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jamie Pearson, Amy Whitley. Amy Whitley said: I want this one myself! RT @travelsavvymom: We're giving away a cool travel purse this week: http://bit.ly/24chx [...]
Carolee Hazard on November 11th, 2009
Wow – love the great features! I too have never been tempted to give up my backpack, until now!
Susan on November 11th, 2009
Looks like a great bag!!
mickeyfan on November 11th, 2009
All those pockets…how cool.
JoAnn Bierdziewski on November 11th, 2009
Looks like a well built, solid made,good looking purse!
McKim on November 11th, 2009
I like how the strap can be adjusted so much. It would sure keep me more organized than I usually am!
kathy dunaway on November 11th, 2009
Cool travel purse,lots of room for all my junk:)
Thanks.
Theresa on November 11th, 2009
That bag is fantastic! I love all of the compartments and pockets, it’s nice to have a place for everything instead of a big jumble in a bag.
Brandi on November 11th, 2009
I would love to win–I’m in need of a new purse!
PatZ on November 11th, 2009
I do travel a lot and this bag would really get a lot of use.
susan varney on November 11th, 2009
i could use this mverno@roadrunner.com
Amanda O'reilly on November 11th, 2009
I need to upgrade my bag and this would be perfect! enough room for my stuff and snacks foe 5 kids!
ali on November 11th, 2009
This looks great for my frequent greyhound rides!
randi on November 11th, 2009
What a great bag. I’d love to win. Thanks!
Michelle Draveski on November 11th, 2009
this looks awesome and so much more easy then the last time I flew with my duffle bag
Kasandria on November 12th, 2009
This would be a perfect bag for Disney. Thanks!
Kasadnria
Jen K. on November 12th, 2009
hope to win!!
Denise B. on November 12th, 2009
Great bag for an organized person like myself. Happy turkey day!
marge mckoen on November 12th, 2009
boy I need a travel purse I carry alot of stuff
Kathy Scott on November 12th, 2009
My purse is a black hole. I love how organized this would be.
Seana on November 12th, 2009
Looks lovely. I have been looking for a bag to replace the backpack and this could be the one!
Nylon Purses on November 12th, 2009
[...] The Online Experience The Mainstream by Dale W Johnston ARTS NET Tampa Bay is also a nice resource.Travel Purse Review Travel Savvy Mom Travel Purse Review Travel Savvy Mom is also a nice resource.Inaugural Pink [...]
Shilo Beedy on November 12th, 2009
What a neat bag love all the pockets
Sharon Harmon on November 12th, 2009
I love the travel bags! They have a place for everything, so everything is in place!
Have a great day!
Maggie Castelluccio on November 12th, 2009
This looks like a great bag that would organize everything I “need”!
weird chick online at gmail dot com
Louis Huf on November 12th, 2009
enter me please, thank you for the contest
Tim W. on November 12th, 2009
Great looking bag!
Christi on November 12th, 2009
This looks like a really nice bag! Thanks for sharing!
Wehaf on November 12th, 2009
What an excellent bag!
angie on November 12th, 2009
I love that this bag can carry all of your needs.
Linda Lansford on November 12th, 2009
This is just what I need
heidi on November 12th, 2009
Amazing bag, I have been looking for something like that.
Cynthia C on November 13th, 2009
I must have a bag I can organize. Thanks for the chance.
Kasey on November 13th, 2009
Love it! They have a great assortment! Wish I could afford them!
Kim on November 13th, 2009
The best thing about this is it will make travel easier with a little one and a littler one on the way. I am trying to convince hubby that we can still travel, even though our family is growing!
Amiee on November 13th, 2009
This is a great looking little bag! I’m a diabetic and can see there is ample snack-space in this purse to help keep the sugar levels up. Water pockets are fabulous too, great for a bottle of water and a bottle of juice…just incase. I travel primarily in Europe and hate lugging a backpack around with me. This is perfect and especially good for daytrips by train-the bag can sit right in your lap. Would love to win one, but will strongly consider purchasing one before my next journey! Thanks for this great opportunity.
uberVU - social comments on November 13th, 2009
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by travelsavvymom: We’re giving away a cool travel purse this week. Win it for yourself, or start your holiday shopping early: http://bit.ly/24chx…
Beth on November 13th, 2009
I love that this one can go across your body. Critical for travel!
Elena on November 13th, 2009
I think my favorite bag is the Donner, in black. Thanks for the contest!
Renee Reid on November 13th, 2009
Very cool! Would love to have one!
Jessica, WhyGo Italy on November 13th, 2009
Umm, yes please. :)
Kris V on November 13th, 2009
Roomy, organized AND stylish! I could find a lot of uses for this bag!
Don Rogers on November 13th, 2009
Love the bag. A must have idea!
Charlotte Dewan on November 13th, 2009
I shall be flying home (to England from Canada) for Christmas with two toddlers, (alone!) and I would love to be kept organised with a wonderful creation like these bags…one less thing to think about! Merry Christmas anyway!
Stephanie Jackson on November 13th, 2009
What a cool bag. It looks like it would hold all of my stuff and so compact. i love it. Thanks for hosting..
emeraldrose63@yahoo.com
Diana on November 13th, 2009
Fingers crossed!
Elizabeth Turner on November 14th, 2009
This looks fantastic! I could’ve used something like this in my travels…
Heather on November 15th, 2009
Fantastic looking bag!
Audrey M. on November 15th, 2009
Oh wow…i love this bag. thankyou for the giveaway! :)
Miriam on November 15th, 2009
Looks like a great bag. I would love to have it for my frequent transatlantic journey with my toddler to see family and to work.
Susan M. on November 16th, 2009
Finding a trip bag is about as difficult as finding the perfect pair of trip shoes. This looks great. Thanks so much!
Cait on November 16th, 2009
Awesome!
Kelley on November 16th, 2009
I would love to win this as I have been looking for something like this for quite some time with all our travels.
Monica on November 16th, 2009
Oh my gosh! This is beautiful. I’d love to win this bag!
Naomi on November 16th, 2009
I wish they would make a camera bag…
Sarah on November 17th, 2009
enter me!
Randi on November 17th, 2009
LOVE this bag… how awesome!
Yvonne North on November 17th, 2009
you call it a travel bag I call it the perfect purse
Patricia on November 19th, 2009
I so need this purse. It is functional and I love the colors shown.
Ken Robinson on November 19th, 2009
My sister loves the Donner Bag in Coffee Bean/Golden Yellow. Please accept my entry. Thank you.
vicki2201 on November 20th, 2009
This looks like the perfect travel bag. I hope it’s light too! Would love to win it!
martha on November 20th, 2009
Very cute! Would love a bigger bag and I need it now that I have another baby! Thanks.
Rosey on November 20th, 2009
Just in time for holiday travlelling.
citineraries on November 21st, 2009
great little bag :-)
Nycole K on November 21st, 2009
I Love the Bayliss is blue. I’m a crossbody bag kind of girl and the pockets are so great!
Ellen Ring on November 21st, 2009
What a perfect bag for those daily outings. This would be perfect for me.
Karen Gonyea on November 21st, 2009
Love the Bayliss in Blue :)
Gayle Morgan on November 22nd, 2009
The Half Moon Bag in Large
Mildred on November 23rd, 2009
I like how the Donner shoulder bag is more substantial than your typical travel bag
Melissa D on November 23rd, 2009
These bags are super-cute as well as functional! I’d love to own one! Thanks.
brittney on November 23rd, 2009
I’d love to win this!
katie on November 23rd, 2009
My mother-in-law would love this!
Susan Saidenberg on November 23rd, 2009
That’s a great bag for travel. I’m always losing everything in my bottomless pit.
Jackee on November 23rd, 2009
This bag has so much to offer! It would be so great to win!
Chelsey Burke on November 23rd, 2009
thanks for the chance
My email is looking4agoodcar51 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Jessica McKelvie on November 23rd, 2009
love the Donner Shoulder bag! My favorite part has got to be the place for the water bottle!
sal williams on November 23rd, 2009
I love a sturdy bag. Mine always take a beating because my life is so busy.I have plenty to carry around and I like to get at it easily. This bag is perfect for that and it has a stylish look which is a real bonus. Plus an easy to clean fabric – what’s not to love!!!! Thank you for a terrific giveaway.
Angela Winesburg on November 23rd, 2009
I would love to win this, thanks for the chance!
Julie L on November 23rd, 2009
Just what I would like to find under my Christmas tree ;)
Awesome bag
Julia Smith on November 24th, 2009
Would help satisfy my handbag weakness
Erma on November 24th, 2009
I could this to hold alot of things.
Andi on November 24th, 2009
This bag is so useful!! Thanks for the chance!
Mir on November 24th, 2009
Those bags do look really nice. I like Auburn the best I think. Thank you for the giveaway.
karen on November 24th, 2009
This looks very handy.
Pamela S on November 24th, 2009
This DOES sound like a great bag to travel with. I have a teenager going to Europe next summer and this would be great for during the day. Thanks.
Erika on November 24th, 2009
My mom would LOVE this bag!
Kimberly on November 24th, 2009
This is pretty attractive too for a sporty bag. Looks very handy!
Mimi the kitten on November 24th, 2009
These are delightful! Thanks for the chance, and God bless you.
Lisa on November 24th, 2009
I would love to win this for my sister.
rajee on November 24th, 2009
I love that orange purse! It would be perfect for my life!
Susan on November 24th, 2009
The Donner sounds like a versatile purse to have. I also like the Half Moon Bay at Overland Equipment Company
river on November 25th, 2009
I love the blue Donnor
Candie L on November 25th, 2009
I like the half moon bay bag. Thank you
Lia checkers on November 25th, 2009
this is just the thing to go trekking with, love it!
carol ~ on November 25th, 2009
Who wouldn’t want to own this? I love it! Thanks for the giveaway!
Auriette on November 25th, 2009
I like the Donner bag best, I suppose in the brown, although the blue is pretty, too. I also like the Cambridge laptop bag.
wendy wallach on November 25th, 2009
I travel alot and this would be so useful for me to have to keep my stuff organized.
madamerkf at aol dot com
Susan Ledet on November 25th, 2009
This is a great looking bag that I would use often.
Deborah Anderson on November 25th, 2009
Fabulous! Some women have a thing for shoes – mine is bags. :)
john pratt on November 25th, 2009
please let johnpratt@ecologyfund.net be a winner. may you have a blessed and enjoyable turkey day.
Erica G on November 25th, 2009
This looks great. Count me in, please!
Gianna on November 25th, 2009
Please enter me :)
Susan D on November 25th, 2009
I like the exterior back pocket, so, if you’re on the go, you can put a book or a map in it, among other things, without having to open the bag.
109 Responses to “A Travel Purse with Form and Function”