Moments after leaving the train station, my bag fell apart.
We had landed in Lisbon that morning in September 2019 and took the train up to Porto. We rarely check bags when we travel, preferring to carry just one bag, usually a small-to-medium backpack.
I was an especially minimalist traveler on this trip and had just two outfits — one on my body and one in my bag. We would be staying in Airbnbs and could easily do laundry as needed.
Ah yes, my bag. Normally I carry either a 20-liter or 30-liter backpack, both of which are tried, tested, and trusted. I prefer backpacks over roller bags because they’re more convenient and I don’t have to worry about navigating stairs or loudly rolling over cobblestones. I also prefer a backpack over a tote because I want to have the weight distributed equally on my shoulders.
For some reason — and I truly do not know what in the hell I was thinking — I decided to carry a tote with a shoulder strap. My one outfit, basic toiletries, and some other odds and ends fit in there perfectly with room to spare.
This bag, it must be noted was not tried or tested. Oh no, it was a new purchase and had not so much as traveled with me across town, much less across the Atlantic.
Be ye not so foolish.
So there I was in Porto, just two blocks from our apartment, with a bag that was rapidly disintegrating in my hands. First, the shoulder strap popped its seams, which unraveled with the speed of falling dominoes. Then, because the shoulder strap and end of the top zipper were attached at the same spot, the zipper unzipped and the slider fell off and onto the street.
Luckily, the bag had two small tote handles, so I firmly clutched those as we walked down the street to check into our apartment.
Later, when I had a chance to look closely at my bag in the hopes that I could repair it, I realized it was really and truly shabbily made and was a lost cause that could not be carried even for the rest of the trip.
We did some searching online, found a store with a reputation we trusted, and went there to buy a new bag. This time I got a backpack — really, just a small daypack — and it fit my needs for the rest of the trip. In fact, it’s now one of my favorite backpacks and I frequently carry it when I am walking or biking my errands.
So listen well to my tale, dear readers, and learn from my massive mistake. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever travel with a bag that you have not thoroughly tested beforehand. To paraphrase Dante, abandon all hope, ye who carry cheap, shitty bags.
the wrong bag
I love backpacks. I have a problem with them; right now, my two favorites are my 40L Patagonia black hole (I *love* my 60L one, but it's too big to carry on) and my Topo Designs backpack.
Now I want to research bags.
I'm sure Dante is appreciative of your paraphrased mention. I am sure there's a circle of hell where one is forced to carry a quickly unraveling bag!