I am very impressed with this bag, but before I get to my own feedback, I want to address some issues that other reviewers have posted.
1. The zippers do not slide down.
The reviewer said,"the side zippers like to slide down a lot." No they don't. The zippers work fine on this and haven't slid down once. In fact, with the exception of the one zipper directly next to the body, the only zippers which actually go up and down are the ones that make it expandable, so even if they did slide down it's not a loss. It's not like it's leaving anything open. The one next to the body doesn't move and likely wouldn't anyway since it sits next to you.
2. The bag is not painful to use, if used properly.
The reviewer said, "This bag cuts across the neck when worn over the shoulder." Sure, if you have it set too tight or loose. That's like saying a belt is too tight or not tight enough. When you adjust it properly, it works fine. That said, if you're wearing a tank top or anything that isn't covered it will rub you, but so does anything that you carry across your chest. Just be sensible and it's fine. Also, the bag is not supposed to be worn over the shoulder like a purse (see #3) but crosswise over the chest.
3. The bag hangs properly.
The reviewer said, "If you put anything in the flap compartment other than a piece of paper the flap pulls the rest of the bag down and hangs open." That is actually impossible to do for two reasons. First, it hangs crosswise over the chest so the bag cannot hang down and second, the flap flips over the top so isn't able to hang open at all. That doesn't even make any sense. My guess is that the reviewer was wearing it over the shoulder like a standard purse, but even then the hanging open remark doesn't make any sense.
4. The size is just what it says it is.
The reviewer said, "it was too big and floppy." Yes, it is big and that's why it's called a "Large," in the title of this page. It also has a flap that goes over the top, so I suppose one could call it floppy, even though that's a bad description. In any case, being large with a flap is exactly what it says it is. To rate it lower for stating the truth, is completely unfair. If you want something smaller then get something smaller.
5. The lining is as I would expect.
The reviewer said,"The nylon lining bunches up and easily turns inside out when you remove stuff which is very annoying." So far, for me, it has neither bunched up nor turned inside out as the reviewer said.
6. Is not unflattering.
The reviewer said, "Lays down better on someone slender. Not for curvy ladies." I am a curvy lady and it lays down fine on me. In fact, I got a compliment the other day on how it actually made me look thinner! I'm dead serious. It's no fashionable bag, but hey, a compliment is a compliment.
Now on to my own review.
Pros:
Fashion design: This is not unattractive at all. I bought the chocolate colored one and like it so much, that I am using it in lieu of a purse for things like shopping in addition to traveling. It's really great for shopping because I don't have to argue with it like I do shoulder bags AND my hands are free to carry bags and such.
Size: I love the large size. I like larger bags because I tend to carry a lot of things. I also have a fault where I hate cleaning out my purse, so my purses get full very fast. Thankfully, this one can go a long time without needing to be cleaned out and I can carry a lot of things. More on that in a moment.
Inside color: I was at first a bit turned off by the bright burnt orange on the inside of the purse, but after using it for awhile, I discovered that there is a little bit of brilliance to that. When traveling you're often in dark spaces whether it's riding in the car at night or even an evening carriage ride. The purse comes with a little light and when you turn it on and point it into the purse the orange is somewhat reflective making it easier to find what you're looking for.
Expandability: It expands in not one but two places. There are two main compartments on the inside. Each compartment has its own expandable zipper. So it can actually be expanded twice.
Pockets: There are a lot of pockets in various sizes. If you're an organized person it is easy to keep things where you can find them. It'll easily hold anything from lip/chapstick to prescription bottles to even portable umbrellas.
Space: It is loaded with a lot of space in the main compartments. I can toss things like books, maps and all kinds of things in there.
Exterior design: There is also a zipper on the outside flap as well as next to your body. The one on the outside flap is great for quick digs like tickets to a show, keys, sunglasses or whatever else.
Wipes clean: The exterior is made out of good heavy vinyl that is weather resistant and wipes clean in a snap.
Strap: The strap is adjustable, as it should be.
Outer cell phone pocket: Finally! A cell phone pocket that isn't made for phones in the 90's. I hate most cell phone pockets because once I drop my small phone down in there it's nearly impossible to dig it out. This one is high up in a spot that is easy to get to AND it's easy to actually get the phone out. That is perfect, in my opinion.
I'm sure there are many other pros that I can't think of right at the moment, but those are the ones right off the top of my head.
Now for the Cons:
Thin lining: Before purchasing I read one review which said that the lining is thin. I can't find that review now and I did look at a lot of Travelon products before selecting this one, so it is possible that it's under another one. In any case, I agree with that. The lining is thin, and to be fair I've not yet torn it, but it's still rather new too. We'll see.
Outer magnets: Several reviewers made this complaint and I agree with that too... to a point. They don't work as well as one would expect, but on the other hand I have yet to own a purse with a good magnet anyway and in all honesty, I'd prefer not to even have magnets at all. I have cell phones, MP3 players, portable GPS units and so forth. Magnets are not electronically friendly. I suppose that's the reason for the light magnetic field, but I would have preferred something a bit more sturdy.
Honestly those are the only two cons I can come up with. I am infinitely pleased with the bag and it has become my absolute favorite.
This bag isn't described properly it doesn't have the cell phone pocket in the picture, and the main compartment has no zippered expansion. Those were what I really liked about it, I really wanted enough room to carry a water bottle.
That said, however, my sister really likes it and would probably give it 5 stars. So it's hers now, and I am still looking for somewhere that sells the bag that is actually described here. It is surprisingly large when you start packing things in it, very comfortable to wear, and doesn't get in the way when she's dealing with her squirmy one-year-old.
But if you want the bag in the picture, unfortunately this is not the place to get it.
Buy Travelon Large Messenger-Style Shoulder Bag Now
Just the right size for travel. Love that it is an over the shoulder bag. Have found that this style suits me perfectly for travel and everyday. The interior pocket expands. There is a close to the body zipped pocket also. Many interior secure storage areas. Great bag.
Read Best Reviews of Travelon Large Messenger-Style Shoulder Bag Here
The bag is well balanced, hanging much better than any shoulder bag I've ever had, and is lightweight. However, it is important to note that-contrary to what the product description says-because it is a messenger bag, and not a shoulder bag, it will ONLY hang ergonomically correct if worn just like the picture shows. That is, strap over the right shoulder, bag over the left hip. Also, it has quite a few pockets that are open-ended to hold the little bottles required for air travel, so I am learning how to use those effectively.
I rarely fly, but do use the subway every day. The hidden pocket is perfect for important papers & forms and I keep a little Sudoku book inside the front pocket. Normally compact, the bag expands to hold small purchases, Prescriptions, etc. leaving my hands free, which makes it much easier to travel on crowded subway trains.
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I purchased the messenger bag for a trip to Europe because I wanted something bigger than Travelon's 3 compartment bag and I needed to be hands free, able to hold my camera and other belongings of my husband's and be able to access them quickly. I also needed to have something that was somewhat pick-pocket proof. A backpack would have been too difficult to reach and putting it on and off would be bothersome and attract too much attention. The messenger bag is larger than the 3 compartment bag and has pockets, hiding places and room for expansion. It is the same rugged construction as all Travelon products and met my needs perfectly. It packed easily into my carry on luggage for plane travel and took up very little room. The price on Amazon was the best I found and the bag was worth every penny. It is like a having a day suitcase for all the stuff you need for sightseeing and city walking but it doesn't make you look like a tourist most people in Europe carry some type of messenger bag. My husband could take turns carrying it because it didn't look like a ladie's purse either!
I'm 71 and was looking for an inexpensive backpack to carry my laptop and all the stuff I need during a day, including a book or two, some work clothes, wallet, etc. This very basic pack, though I expect it won't last forever with the load I put in it, is entirely satisfactory. Not much structure to it, but it serves me very well.
