Cross body bags are a pain in my neck

christie

Angie's post today made me realize that my recent terrible pains in my neck and upper back must be because of my messenger-style laptop bag. The pain is getting so bad, I'm about to go to a doctor (I already went to a masseuse).

Commuters: There has to be a better way! I feel like a pack mule walking to work. I have two offices. I have a mile commute to one (2 miles roundtrip), which I either walk or bike to, and the other one is 1/2 mile (1 mile roundtrip) walking. I have my tote bag to carry my wallet, calendar, lipstick, and often some files; a bag with my lunch and often my copies of the United States Code and Code of Federal Regulations that I need in both offices; and then my laptop strung across my body. It is really terrible. I'm not sure how to cut down on what I carry or to help my back. I would be open to suggestions.

15 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Megan

LoP

Veteran

I found that carrying the weight on my back helps. There are so many stylish work backpacks now that could hold some papers and laptop. I also carry my lunch in an envirosax bag that holds my little clutch or wristlet. After lunch, I carry the collapsed envirosax bag in the little bag. In this way, the weight is healthily distributed on my back and I don't have to reach to my backpack for things I need like wallet, lipstick, keys, etc.

15 years ago

christie

Active Member

Would you be willing to share which backpack you have?

15 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I use a laptop bag that is on wheels. It's like those backpacks on wheels, but specifically for carrying a laptop. There is enough room for other stuff too. It's not stylish - it's completely utilitarian. I have had too many back problems in the past to risk throwing out my back again for the sake of fashion!

I use this whether walking around our work campus, or traveling. It's great for navigating through airports. If I had to walk every day to work, you can bet I would use this. You can push it in front of you like a cart, or behind you like luggage on wheels.

15 years ago

LoP

Veteran

My favorite is Mobile Edge slim packs... I don't have this exact one, but I loved this when I looked at all the models. There are different color/fabric options for the same bag.

http://www.ebags.com/mobile_ed.....lid=120655

15 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Is there anyway you could secure your laptop bag etc. to your bike, Christie? Perhaps you've already tried that.

Otherwise a bag on wheels, like Shiny suggested, might be worth the try.

Do have the neckpain checked out by a doctor, those kind of things can linger when yu 'ignore' them.

15 years ago

judy

Veteran

Here are some bike bags I saw not too long ago:

http://www.queenbee-creations......s/93/items

They have shoulder straps too, so you can take them off the bike!

15 years ago

NCyogini

Active Member

Christie,

I am a bike commuter and carry an ever-growing and bizarre assortment of items with me every day. I tried several backpacks for a little while, but in the end, I found a good pannier bag was the best solution for me. No back strain at all. Here is what I have used the last several months: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FICAQ4

This bag is spacious, snaps/slides on and off my bike, and has a spot for everything. After you slide it off your bike you and throw it over your shoulder.

Of course, it's gear, and it's not particularly cute. But when it comes to bike commuting- and the health of your back- I don't really care so much about style.

Cheers!

15 years ago

medusa

Veteran

I highly recommend getting a rack on your bike and a bike bag. I have this one from Arkel:
http://www.arkel-od.com/pannie.....#038;site=

I got it because it has a floating laptop sleeve and is more or less disguised as a briefcase when off the bike. I've crashed my bike with the laptop in the bag and my laptop was fine. The bag is also well made and durable.

15 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I too have this problem with messenger-style laptop bags. For some reason, even a tote on one shoulder is more comfortable with the laptop. It's made worse for me because I absolutely refuse to juggle more than one bag at a time, plus I'm always afraid I'll forget one somewhere. Honestly, I've often resorted to just using my old, unstylish, but very comfy Jansport backpack on days when I have to lug my laptop around. I work in a lab, so nobody except me around here really cares how stylish my bag is. I'm sure that more stylish backpack options exist.

Interestingly, my BF carries his laptop (same as mine, a 15" macbook) in a messenger every day with no problems at all. However, he is both stronger and bigger than me. I think part of the problem is that my back is too narrow to comfortably carry a 15" laptop horizontally across it, so the weight distributes in funny ways, whereas his back is wide enough that the laptop doesn't stick out to the sides, if that makes any sense. I've thought about trying a messenger where the laptop sits vertically, like it does in a backpack.

13 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I can't advise on the bike thing, although the pannier/convertible bag idea sounds fabulous. But I used to commute via walking a couple miles each way, and a backpack was *mandatory* for me - and what's more, it needed to be big enough to fit everything - no secondary bags that will throw your weight distribution off. It was not a stylish bag, but gear - a large backpack from LLBean, which makes some great ones including ones with a spot for your laptop. Everything - my lunch, my files, my computer - went in it (and I usually included a small clutch so that I could go out to lunch with just my wallet, phone etc. and leave the rest at my desk). It wasn't perfect - I did usually get to work with a sweat spot on my back most days no matter the weather - but it let me walk comfortably and didn't bother my back.

When I was not carrying a lot, I could do OK with a messenger-style bag that I slung around so that it was behind my back - basically centered, not to one side or the other - while walking. That was sans laptop, I think, as a laptop is pretty heavy and tends to sling around a lot.

Could you get an additional copy of your code books so that you could leave one in each office and not have to haul them around? And while I'm asking stupid questions, could you downsize your laptop to a netbook, or do you really need your laptop with you all the time? You could share your documents on a network or keep them on a thumb drive and access them wherever you are.

13 years ago

Megan

Active Member

there isn't a desktop computer at one office that you could set up remote desktop on? That would allow you to see everything that is on your laptop while on a different physical computer.

How expensive are copies of the United States Code and Code of Federal Regulation? Could you buy a 2nd copy and leave one in each office?

I really minimised the amount of weight I carry in my work bag (I also have 2 offices) by buying duplicates of often needed items and putting my lunch in a bag (a Built NY lunch carrier) that can be carried in my hand while walking to work if my bag is particularly heavy that day.

13 years ago

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