I was at the hairdressers a couple of days ago, which is where I get my usual fill of magazine skimming. I know a lot of people complain about the amount of ads in mags, but I confess to a secret like for these ads. Sometimes, it brings to attention something that may interest me, or that I may have overlooked in the regular articles.
One such ad was the one for the Healthy Back Bag. I put myself on a bag ban for this year, so naturally, all I saw in the mags that interested me were bags. Go figure 😛
However, I am keeping a look out for an easy to carry camera bag and I was wondering if this might do the trick. I looked up some information on the bag online and found that this particular brand – Healthy Back Bag (how original 😛 ) – is by Ameribag (American) but their international division is based in the UK (nevermind, I’m confused too). It may not look quite the height of fashion, but it doesn’t look like your regular rugged backpack, plus it claims to be good for your back.
The Healthy Back Bag is designed like a regular backpack, so it can fit a lot, but the way it is built means that either way you carry it, whether slung on one shoulder, or cross body like a regular backpack, means that you don’t strain your back.
There are quite a lot of designs available in various textures. Actually, the designs are all the same – a teardrop shaped bag with 1 strap that contours to your back and is supposed to be very comfortable. They also say on the website that you can use it for work or casual outings. I personally would find it hard to carry this for work, simply because I think it too casual, no matter how many studs you put on it, or how embroidered it may be. It may perhaps work very well as a school bag for college or university – wish these were around when I was at uni! – but in a formal work place? I’d prefer not to carry a backpack.
I did think however, that it might work for a camera bag. It’ll leave my hands free to handle the camera, and would likely be easier to tote around than a messenger style typical camera bag – any photography afficionados have thoughts on this? 🙂
It of course would be ideal for Mums with small kids. It looks better than a traditional backpack or a cartoon diaper bag, and if its back health claims are true, would be much better for Mum’s back too – might be a good gift for a new mum or a mum with an active toddler. There is a range of baby bags that come with a changing mat and pouch and insulated bottle pocket.
I have however, only pored over the online pictures which do not show the inside of the bag nor how much it can potentially fit. Based on the ad in the mag, there are only 2 places that carry the Healthy Back Bag here in Malaysia for now – Bratpack at Great Eastern Mall and Hartamas Shopping Centre and Flight 001 at Bangsar Village 2 and e@Curve.
I’m quite keen to go and take a look at these. If anyone has ideas on whether it might work for a camera bag (I already know it’ll work beautifully for travel!) please pipe up!
Have you ever heard of the Healthy Back Bag before this? Do you perhaps, own one? I’d love to hear a personal account of whether this is going to be worth looking at. I don’t anticipate it to come cheap! 😛
Paris B
Information and stock photos are from the Healthy Back Bag website (International)
I first saw them at Parkson in One Utama some time last year. I saw a shop in Empire Shopping Gallery also selling these bags. I think it’s a nice idea, but you can’t put a lot of stuff in the bag and I would be worried about pickpockets. I can’t remember whether it zips up at the side though. It’s going for RM140+ right?
Ah thanks for letting us know where else they can be found. I only had the info based on the mag, unless they have changed their distributors and I read on the website there are many different sizes. I read that the zip is in the part that lies flat against your back so the risk of pickpocketing is less. However, I wouldn’t carry this on my back in any city in the world – cities are heaven for pickpockets, just perhaps in the outdoors or when transiting from one point to another. I don’t know the price unfortunately – the mag was silent on that 🙂
Any idea how much these bags cost? They look really trendy! For cameras, I would say you’ll need a bag with some padding to ensure the camera stays protected. Not sure if the bag comes with this feature though. I use a small Lowepro bag for my camera which I cross-sling over my shoulder.
No idea of prices unfortunately GT! I will update when I check them out in the store (if I remember). I have a camera bag but its the sling type and I find that a hassle to travel around with with it bumping against my hip. I do realize the need for a padded interior and I”m so careless with my camera because sometimes, its such a hassle to carry a specialist bag around, I just put it in my handbag and hope for the best 😛
Hi, here in America, these bags are available at llbean.com, the legendary wilderness outfitter. Hope this helps,
Vicki
It’s looks ugly as hell….so why I am I attracted to it??? I’ll have to try it out in person. I think it must be the practical mommy side in me…horrors!
Roflol!! I have to agree with you. Its not fashionable or pretty but it looks so practical especially for mommies! 😀
Saw them at Isetan here. But didn’t buy, as it is rather expensive, and when I thought of my store of unused bags… … LOL. But the quality is good, just not sure if the ergonomic design will actually work. I am tempted too.
I did think the quality is good based on the few reviews I read. I’m not too sure of how it works either. Based on the design, it pulls downwards which can add strain and also the boob separator LOL!
I never quite like slung-across bags especially if I need to carry heavy stuff because I hate anything cutting across my chest and making an obvious divide to the boobs…I am weird this way.
LOL! Yes yes! I know exactly what you mean about the boob separator hehe… 😉
I think you can find a cuter one. 😀 There are so many similar styles. I think it’s a great idea for carrying your camera! I actually got something like it for my boyfriend last year for carrying his when he goes on motorcycle rides, since it needed to be hands-free and secure enough that it won’t fly off when going at 100km/hr. I got him something like this, but less busy: http://zozo.jp/shop/zozobagandshoes/goods.html?gid=1240315&did=&cid=8724
I’ll have to shop around for something cuter as you pointed out. I will take a look though if I’m near any of the stores to see how the construction is. I liked how it seems friendly enough to carry a camera but yet, I’m not one for carrying backpacks on my back in cities because of pickpockets. I always end up carrying it on my front so that puts paid to any claims of a healthy back!
To be honest, I think it might not be very good for the back. The bags are sticking out…from my years of backpacking, I find that the bags are most comfortable for me is when the load is very closely “attached” to my back. Distributes the weight evenly on my back….
So I have doubts about this one.
Thanks for your thoughts Shay! According to the blurb its supposed to hug your back but I guess it’ll only really work if you wear it on your back and not on your front as I’m likely to 😉 I’m quite happy with my proper 2 strap backpack for travel for now.
Hmm…. I agree with someone who suggested proper padding and protection for your camera gear. In light of that, might I interest you in the very comfortable Crumpler? Born and bred in Melbourne, it’s heavily-favoured by cyclists! It’s also got the comfortable padding and bag across back as featured by the healthy bag 🙂
http://www.crumpler.com/AU/
😀 😀 😀
Yay! I did look at Crumpler for a camera bag (I didn’t know its Australian!) but for now my sights are set on another 😉