Everyday

Three bags worth carrying for ten years

We carried twelve bags through a whole season of commutes, weekend trips and rainy school runs. By the end only three were still in rotation, and they shared more than we expected.

1. Heavy canvas beats "technical" fabric16 oz waxed or duck canvas shrugs off rain, softens over time and can be repaired by any tailor. The glossy nylon bags looked tired within months.
2. One inside pocket, not twelveThe bags we loved had a single zip pocket for keys and cards. Too many compartments and you spend your morning searching them.
3. Straps you can replaceStitched-on handles eventually fail. The survivors used riveted or buckled straps that can be swapped for a few dollars, so the bag lives on.