After trying out 3 bag organizers, I think I might have found one that finally works for me. I feel like Goldilocks sans the … well, gold-i-locks 😛
The first one was very good because its flexible, but its very heavy (my pics also got copied like crazy by some random online seller of bag organizers – not related to the one I was using – who is possibly still at it) and I was at risk of turning into the Hunchback of Notre Dame. The second one I tried worked well to start with but I eventually found it too stiff for my bags and it was noisy so I abandoned it.
Enter my third attempt at keeping my bag organized – the Roo-Carriage. I spotted this at the Tiny Tapir kiosk at Bangsar Village II one afternoon many moons back and although it was designed for use in the Medium Roototes, I decided to try and see if it’d fit in my other tote bags. Happily, it does.
The Roo-Carriage is fashioned like a little tote with loads of compartments. Its cute enough that you can carry it by itself (although I can’t see anyone doing that) and it comes with lots of pockets (5), 2 main compartments, and 1 main zip compartment. There is another hidden zippered compartment on the side like all Roototes but I can’t imagine ever using that simply because once its in your bag, its impractical to fiddle with little zippered compartments. In fact I don’t get why it was even designed that way.
I thought it would fit my huge a$$ wallet but it does not. If you carry smaller wallets, it will fit. If you are like me and carry large bulky wallets, forget it. Its a good thing I’ve since learnt. I leave my wallet on the side outside the organizer which makes it easy to get to the wallet and to return it to the bag. Its too much hassle to keep trying to return a wallet into any organizer I’ve found from trial and error. What I use the organizer for is mainly to carry the other little items that tend to get lost in the recesses of every woman’s bag.
I use my Roo-Carriage to hold:-
- mobile phone
- mini notepad
- pens and a highlighter pen <- hazards of the job!
- hand lotion
- name cards – for work and play
- tissue paper
- key pouch
- makeup pouch – with only lipsticks
- pass cards
- pen drives
- compact camera (sometimes)
- sunglasses (sometimes)
- parking tickets
Essentially, all those little things that you carry around that get lost in your bag all the time especially when you need it most. It all fits nicely into the carriage and changing bags is no problem – lift the whole pouch and fit it into another bag. I’ve done it a few times – makes it easier to rotate the bags.
I got this primarily for bags that are large and roomy because I tend to lose everything in there. With this organizer, I am a little more organized without it being too heavy or it making too much noise or being too structured.
The material is a very light polyurethane and it isn’t structured at all so it isn’t stiff. Yet, due to its shape and how its made, it holds its shape and fits into your most unstructured hobo bag without spoiling the line of your bag. The smallest bag it fits into is the Speedy 25 very snugly but it gives the Speedy organization like you’ve never had! Highly recommended if you carry the Speedy or any bag resembling the Speedy -you’ll know what its like digging into a black hole for your mobile phone and you’ll thank me for it 😉
Officially it measures: 15(L)cm x 25(W)cm x 7(D)cm – handles 13cm long , 3.5cm high and weighs 200g – its light enough NOT to turn you into the Hunchback of Notre Dame and believe me, I know what that feels like!
I bought my Roo Carriage for RM102 but since I use it everyday, I’m fine with the cost per wear factor. Its pretty well made and even after months of use, I see no signs of wear. I’m sure there are similar bag organizers out there at markedly lower prices. The thing is finding one that suits your needs and one that you like and one that works for you. If it comes in one package, all the better!
Like Goldilocks, I think I’ve found the bag organizer that is not too heavy, not too structured, but “just right” for me 🙂
Paris B
The Roo Carriage retails at RM102 and is available from Tiny Tapir online or at their kiosk at Bangsar Village II where I bought mine. Comes in 3 colours.
My entry went *poof* when I tried to submit, so I’m trying again. Anyway, I was saying how excited I was to read about someone using the same bag! Mine is pink laminated canvas with pictures of parisian shopfronts, and has a hot pink lining. Can’t remember exactly how much I paid for it since it’s at least a year old already, but I believe it was about S$45 thereabouts (after a 10 or 20% discount at Isetan). I had wanted the black, but it was OOS. Looking at your pictures now, I think mine is slightly stiffer and not as soft as yours.
I love mine a lot, except that the centre zippered compartment is not “sewn through” at the bottom, thereby leaving a tiny gap between the 2 open compartments. My pens and smaller items tend to roll under there and it bugs me no end. But judging on how long (and how consistently) I’ve used this, I supposed it must count for something, right?
Like you, I’ve also tried the purseket, but it’s just not me–I’m someone who has a tendency to just chuck things inside my bag, so I find it hard to slot things away neatly. Pouches suit me better, but of course, they are very lacking in the way of organisation. So this rootote organiser is a nice compromise–the open compartments and wide slot pockets allow me to dump things inside in a hurry. I wish they have a vertical version as well, for north-south bags (but I suposed that would make it harder for one to reach into for things). Still looking for a solution to this….
For cheaper alternatives, I think the Muji ones are worth considering, although of course, they are nowhere near as pretty as the Roos.
Yay I’m pleased to meet another Roo Carriage fan! 😀 I don’t have a problem with the gap beneath the zip compartment. That’s maybe because I stick my pens on the side pockets to make it easier to get to 🙂
Yes. The Muji ones are not so pretty, but they are much lighter.
Haven’t seen those since we don’t have a muji here but they sound like a pretty good option to have.
Please please show a picture of the Roo in a Speedy 25. Does it help to hold the Speedy’s shape? The prob I have with this bag is its saggy bottom! 😛
Hi I don’t have a picture but yes it helps with the saggy bottom problem 🙂 it actually fills up the whole of the Speedy 25 so its quite a great little tool – hope this helps!