Baggallini Luggage Explorer Quilted Backpack

This is a decent multi-use bag from Baggallini. It's a small/medium bag that can be arranged to have a cross body strap, backpack style straps (pass long strap through back ring), a (same strap shortened) shoulder strap, or just the top carry handle (remove strap). It has a large main pocket that contains an interior zippered pocket and two cords (one for keys and one attaches to the included zippered pouch). The next biggest pocket is under the buttoned front flap: a slip style pocket with some organizer features. This pocket isn't very deep and so I could only "slip" in some kleenex or an ipod and stick pens in the organizer part. The final pocket is the horizontal zip you see the picture. It's in the flap of the middle pocket and could just hold my smartphone.

Here's the interesting bit: I also have the Baggallini Messenger Sling Bag that I used for a trip to Disneyland. When I got the Explorer I was looking at the strap configurations and saw that the listed dimensions stated it was a little larger than the Messenger. I really like the Messenger but wish it had a)a different strap option, as it's not always nice to have a sling strap across your chest if you're not dressed for it, b)more versatile pockets as I don't need the organizer section and just have it stuffed full of miscellaneous things, and c)another zippered interior pocket in the main section for a little more organization inside. I was hoping that the Explorer would address some of these items. However, I still like the Messenger more than the Explorer.

Here's why:

Although the listed dimensions for the Explorer seem larger than the Messenger, I can fit more into the Messenger. The Explorer is sewn in a boxy style and will not expand further. The Messenger will allow you to stuff it more.

The Messenger has better pockets. The Messenger's front section has two good sized pockets instead of a thin one and a tiny one. It also has some side pockets, a tiny pocket on the strap, and a larger slip pocket on the back.

So the Explorer is a very simple bag with a cute clean look. As a safari mom, carrying all survival items on my body, I really needed a bit more to it, though.

FYI. I also like the Lug line of bags that have a somewhat similar feel to them.

Perfect size for me. I've used a back pack purse for years and this is nice (although for a Baggallini, it could use maybe one or two more outside pockets).

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I have many backpack purses and this was horrible. The straps are cheap and awful. The nylon feels cheap and I returned it immediately.

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I do like this bag but having had it for a couple of months now I can say how I feel about it after the new-bag glow has faded. The bag itself is nice. I like that the fabric is quilted. I have had Baggallini bags before and thought the nylon looked too plain so this is good. It isn't too big and it doesn't really expand so if you carry a lot of stuff you might not like this. The front pocket fits my cell phone in one of four pockets-two are for pens (though if I had a nicer phone I might not trust the magnetic snap to keep it secure though I haven't had problems with it). The little zippered pocket on the front is pretty useless unless you like to carry small flat things. Yep. The main compartment does fit my 9" nook hd+ tablet in its case along with the usual purse stuff. I can carry a couple of water bottles because they will fit BUT (and yes, it's a big but)...I don't want to carry much because of the thing that makes this potentially five star bag a three and a half star bag...

The straps.

The flippin' (and yes, I do mean that literally) straps. The idea is good. Convert from backpack to cross-body! Oh that's good. No, it's not. It is OK if you only want to use this as a cross-body, a pretty big cross-body, but if you bought it mainly as a cute backpack that doesn't look like it's made for a small child you will find yourself cursing Baggallini for this design flaw. The straps slide through a ring at the top of the bag and they hook at the bottom (there are two hooks on the side for the cross-body style, which I have also used for the backpack hoping they would work better). You cannot swing this bag on with just one arm. You have to put down whatever else you are carrying, be it child, groceries or cat. Then grab the straps (straightening them out because they will have flipped themselves around every which way and one end will be down on one side) and hope for the best. Once you have the bag on the straps will likely swing the bag around here and there. When you take the bag off one side will fall to your side. I am considering either sewing the straps around the ring or quite possibly borrowing my husband's welding equipment to see if I can secure the straps somehow. Well, of course not but it's an idea. Oh, and once you have managed to get the bag on and you bend down to pick up your child, groceries or cat watch out because the bag will smack you in the face (those swinging straps again). Bend with your knees to avoid this. Don't attempt to walk while you are trying to put it on unless you are super coordinated.

So yes, I am sarcastic but I am glad I got a discount on this because as much as I love it I hate it. Because of those flippin' straps. I think I hold it by the handy dandy handle most of the time (dragging the straps on the ground since they slide around when you hold the bag by the handle). I hate to say don't buy it because it is cute but know that you might want to just use it as a cross-body unless you like a challenge.

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Looks small but it is large enough to stuff unexpected purchases or a bottle of water. Well made and looks polished enough for business use. Would prefer less heavy hardware and a substitute fastener for the magnet on the front flap.