The Best Travel Bag I've Found

[Hemingway Jones]

Hello Everyone,

I was looking for a nice and useful bag to carry with me in Italy this November. The MK VII is too small and my backpack is too large and doesn't look right with a suit or tweed jacket and fedora.

I needed something to hold a spare jacket (I folded my Victoria Falls into it), my camera, a guidebook, a water bottle, and that sort of thing. I also wanted it to be accessible, simple, and have a certain amount of romance.

Remembering Michael Palin's "Hemingway Adventure" and his bag:



I decided to seek out the same one, though a latter incarnation. This is the Tarras Bag from Barbour.



It is the perfect size. The material is heavy lined canvas and the leather is very nice. The strap is "X" stitched right into the bag, so it doesn't twist. There are brass posts that the leather pulls over, making getting in and out of it easy.



There is plenty of room in here.



This is the end of a long long search; I wish I had discovered this bag years ago. I have been searching forever for just the right bag for me and this is it. I would urge you to consider it or one of similar design for your next adventure.

What are your opinions? Have you found something that suits you perfectly?

 

[Lincsong]

That's a nice bag. Where in Italy are you going?

 

[Hemingway Jones]

That's a nice bag. Where in Italy are you going?

Thanks.
I am going to Rome, then to Venice, with detours in between.
Then I am flying from Marco Polo Airport to Boston, sleeping a night, and getting up for the flight to The Queen Mary.
It will be quite the two weeks. :eusa_doh:

 

[Lincsong]

Two weeks? Are you driving to Venice or riding a bike ala Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel?lol

 

[Feraud]

That is a really sharp looking bag. The size (14x11x4) seems perfect for a day's worth of gear. Is it one pocket or are there two smaller ones in the front? I cannot tell from the picture.
I will consider this bag for my trip out West in November.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Two weeks? Are you driving to Venice or riding a bike ala Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel?lol

Train. I love the trains there.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

That is a really sharp looking bag. The size (14x11x4) seems perfect for a day's worth of gear. Is it one pocket or are there two smaller ones in the front? I cannot tell from the picture.
I will consider this bag for my trip out West in November.

Inside there are two sections with a flap in between. On the front there are two distinct pockets under two flaps. Here's a couple of pics:

 

[Feraud]

Ah-ha, even better! I thought those were pockets. That is a seriously sharp bag!
I will start dropping hints to my wife tomorrow.

 

[Lincsong]

69 pounds? That's not bad. Is there a charge for currency conversion when you bought it?

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I bought it on my debit card and there was no charge, but then, I work for a bank, so I think they waive all charges for me anyway. The best thing is there was no customs charge.

It came to $110 for the bag and another $25 or so to ship.

Coatsandhats has great customer service and incredible sales. Where else can you get a Barbour wax cotton jacket for $100? Orvis really marks these things up.

Feraud, I'll have it this weekend, so you can see it firsthand.

 

[Feraud]

Feraud, I'll have it this weekend, so you can see it firsthand.

haha, you are reading my thoughts. I was going to ask just that question!

 

[Lincsong]

You could put a lot of articles into that bag. Perhaps even a stuffed monkey.lol fftopic:

 

[Hemingway Jones]

You could put a lot of articles into that bag. Perhaps even a stuffed monkey.lol fftopic:

If you're going to the QM... all I can see is Prepare yourself!

 

[scotrace]

That is excellent! I see why you are so pleased. In fact, it is very much like mine.

 

["Doc" Devereux]

Nice bag, very tempting. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

[QUOTE="Doc" Devereux]Nice bag, very tempting. Thanks for the tip.[/QUOTE]Pretty easy for you to come by on that side of the Pond, I might imagine.
Scott, what's your bag?

 

[scotrace]

Mine

Pouches at the front under the flap for binoculars, sunglasses, iPod. Inside a single pouch with a zippered compartment for checkbook, pen, Moleskine. At the sides, two longer pouches for a small water bottle or film canisters. The back has another spot for guidebook, map, directions, tickets, papers.
From Bean, made in Maine. Very much like the canvas and leather hunting bags from their 1930's catalogs.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Boy, that is very similar and very nice. I love LL Bean. Much of my wardrobe comes from them. They make great bags. There's nothing interesting in their current offerings. Excellent bag, sir.

 

[scotrace]

Can't go wrong with stuff from Bean! (The bag is resting on my Field Coat).

Hem, I like that yours has individual covers over those front pouches, and that the shoulder strap can't twist. In a few months of throwing it around, it's going to look great!

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Yes, I love LL Bean. We drive up there all of the time. The store is great fun and so are the outlets.

My bag is definitely too new looking, but I am sure I will break it in this fall.