Two bag solution (not philosophical or geopolitical)

So my work is splitting into two different buildings for inpatient and outpatient. We do not have a centralized locker area. Currently my work clogs (Sanita, FYI. Thanks Denise!)are stored near my desk, which I’ll soon lose. Offsite parking for me is about 5 blocks away, I have roly-poly ankles so I don’t like walking long distances in them on crappy sidewalks. I don’t also want to wear them home, fomites and hospital ickies. Clogs are great at work though.
Right now I have a big crossbody bag from Barneys (RIP), but I should probably carry a backpack again. Wallet, work badge, extra masks, hand sanitizer, 1/2 assed bullet journal and pens, etc etc. If I’m organized (hah) I actually bring lunch in a small cooler bag.
For my clogs I’m thinking some sort of fabric or canvas tote with the actual clogs in a super bougie plastic bag.
Need suggestions/help on figuring this out. Willing to buy a larger tote or bag for my main bag as well, but needs a crossbody strap.
Also, and this a major ugh for me I may have to wear scrubs to and from work, I’d change into fresh ones at the end of shift. Currently I change at work in hospital issued ones. But it may prove more of a pain. FYI scrubs are not warm.

3 months ago

rachylou

Veteran

They have duffle bags with shoe compartments at the bottom. What do you think of that possible solution?

Runcarla

That’s a lot of kit to schlep around. I’d look for a mini rolling bag or suitcase and save your back and shoulders. Something cool like this; https://www.francinecollection.....-backpack-1 Google under-seat bags or laptop bags.

FWIW, I’m seeing more of these used to haul gym kit by folks of all ages vs the traditional oversized kit bag.

Olive Green

Rolling backpacks seem like the best of both worlds?

https://shop.highsierra.com/be.....43404.html

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Anna, do you want to carry it all in one bag, or two? A heavy crossbody might aggravate your back.

I'm not sure a rolling piece of luggage will work on the streets and hills of Seattle, though.

May I suggest a small backpack for everything, and a small tote for your shoes.

Suz

OMG what a nightmare.

I also have to schlep a lot when I am teaching -- working in multiple buildings and going back and forth. I got a Bellroy backpack for that and inside I carry a foldable nylon tote that I can use for stuff like shopping (or, in your case, shoes). I have them in a bunch of colours but the one I most often use is silver metallic. I think I could actually fit shoes into the transit workpack if I wanted, but I get your point about keeping those separate.

I am with Angie that a rolling one might be tougher to manage than expected on Seattle's streets.

Custom Find

by Suz

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bj1111

What a PITA

Do you need to store street shoes while you wear clogs in hospital?

I really like baggu foldables —washable and take everywhere

annagybe

I have a backpack or two, or more…eek. Used to use it, then I switched to a cross body, haven’t reorganized my stuff back to the backpack. Nice thing about the cross body is easy access to keys, work badge, parking fob thingy (for offsite garage, not to confuse with home garage fob). Also phone. WHY do some many jackets don’t have decent pockets?!?!?
Also I do want to keep shoes in a separate bag because sometimes I stop at the grocery store or pet store, etc on way home. Rolling bag wouldn’t work, because the sidewalks aren’t great, and there’s a hill.
I really should rotate to backpack now, as I remember some staff being attacked in the area, rare though. Plus dark before and after shift.
Baggu or the ilk would be good. I can “store” street shoes at work, theoretically we stay on one side or the other, in reality we’re still going back and forth.I don’t need to change shoes between areas.
This isn’t a fun fashion problem. Harrumph

I hear you about the pockets thing. My favourite coat, that I can't get rid of despite the fact that it looks really RATE now, is my J. Crew downtown field jacket, long -- because of the pockets! There's a separate one for bus pass. One for phone, Room for kleenex. Space for gloves, keys, whatever. All organized.

And I also get what you are saying about ease of access with a crossbody as opposed to a backpack. So frustrating. The Transit pack I linked has the keyring thingie on the side, (for easier access), and also some rather nifty pockets. But you do still have to take it off to get at the bulk of your things, which is a pain.

You are right -- it is not a fun fashion problem to have. I wish you luck and hope you will report back on any nifty solutions.

J.Crew

Long downtown field jacket

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Sal

Would this work?

- Backpack for most of gear
- specific commuter jackets with pockets - one for cold, one for other weather - I also like to have keys and phone easily available as a woman walking alone

I have an Osprey backpack and really like it. Mine is the Axis. I had a trendier one but prefer the more practical one. It fits my work supplies plus a change of clothes and shoes at a pinch if needed.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Oooh. I just shopped for a backpack (daypack), to take on a trip to Europe. I was looking for something more urban looking than my REI hiking one. I spent way too much time reading reviews online and drooling over some really nice looking expensive ones (like this one by Sandqvist). I got the ReNew Transit backpack and matching sling bag from Everlane, in Finds below. The backpack has a strap across the back that allows you to put it over a rolling-bag handle, if you end up going that way, or if you want to use it for travel, too. I haven't used it yet, but I think I will get some good out of it for going to piano lesson (with my piano music, glasses, keys, etc) and the gym.

p.s. I found this site called Backpackies had a lot of good reviews and comparisons of backpacks

Everlane

The ReNew Transit Backpack

The Renew Transit Fanny Pack

LaPed

Have you looked at Calpak? A bunch of their bags have a dedicated shoe compartment. I haven’t tried them personally, but they are appealing!

https://www.calpaktravel.com/p.....atte-black

rebekahphoto

what about using a backpack with the shoes, notebook etc.
and a crossbody/purse for essentials: keys, bus pass, phone etc?

I have similar needs & started using a backpack this fall to carry all the other "stuff" so save my back (books, lunch, shoes, laptop), with a crossbody purse.

I have a one from Hedgren that is good---lightweight, super zippers, not too large, (the straps on my tore so I've been looking at other options lately) I would consider do you want a sporty looking one, colorful, or waterproof? we are in backpack land with sooo many choices.

Some I found: Rains (waterproof & cool designs) Hedgren, Quince (or Dagne Dover) neoprene backpack. I have colleagues who like Cotopaxi. Timbuk 2 is also well designed & you could create a custom one--so many color and fabric choices.

the Rack also had options on their website.

Nordstrom

DAGNE DOVER Dakota Medium Neoprene Backpack

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