Carry-all bag

[Thamain P]

I am looking for a really functional bag to carry all my "stuff" when going on out-calls, something with a number of compartments. Any suggestions?

 

[Patient Paws]

What exactly is "all your stuff"? First thing that came to mind (forgive me I have 2 young ones here at home) is a messenger style diaper bag. They have TONS of compartments not to mention bottle holders (some are inside and some styles have them on the outside), perfect for holding bottles of oil. A friend of mine has a GREAT bag, you wouldn't know it was a diaper bag to look at it! Take a look

Steph!

 

[BrokkenHarted]

Stuff like sheets, blanket, bottle of lotion, holster, paper towels, spray bottle, towel, appt. book, etc.

Never thought of a diaper bag!

 

[Semra]

I use a wheeled tote type back pack myself - when going on chair massage calls.

For regular on-site table massage, I just put everything in the front pocket of the table bag (I don't take a CD player, ONLY a CD -- I am not "ipod compatable" yet ) and travel light.

 

[R0B0T]

Steph,

This is a great looking bag. I have been looking for a diaper bag to use for the baby that will work for both me and my husband.

I will have to go check this bag out at the store. Thanks!
______________________________________________________________
I was using a diaper bag for chair massage outcalls, but I quickly ran out of space. I ended up with a "Jeep" bag from Kohl's. I can't find a link, but it works well for what I need.

 

[Cissy]

Steph,
This is a great looking bag. I have been looking for a diaper bag to use for the baby that will work for both me and my husband.

Hey! Your welcome! I would LOVE to run out and get that bag. It's just my luck, I finally find an awesome diaper bag when I'm just about done using them! My son is 3 and in pull ups so soon I will no longer need to carry a bag full of wipes and such around!

I am looking for a versatile knitting bag and my sister's diaper bag was looking like a good canidate! LOL Repurpossing diaper bags is great because they are made to really take a beating, retain their shape, and wash/wipe clean easily. Although they may not be big enough for massage purposes in a busy outcall kind of business. But look around I see bigger diaper bags all the time!

Steph!

 

[Ashley:)]

Oh my gosh! That is a great idea! I am totally going to use a diaper bag for my knitting now. Just when I think this forum can't get any better you guys give me this idea, and not to mention the pee-in-your-pants humor of the flatulence thread.

 

[BabyGirl05]

I use a Columbia bag that's a 'doctor' gatemouth style, with the sides opening straight up and a single heavy-duty zipper across the top. It stays open to make packing and unpacking faster, no floppy stuff. There are pockets going all around the inside of the interior (oil and lotions stay upright), it's roomy enough for 2 sets of sheets, there's a generous, gusseted outside pocket for phone and planner and a few other things and the adjustable shoulder strap is contoured and padded. The bottom is padded, too, which helps protect delicate electronics. It wears like iron and looks professional even after a battering.

This is the sixth bag I've used after discarding various messenger and tote-style bags as too small or difficult to transport certain things in. It's big enough to hold what I need but not so large it's cumbersome.

Ah, and now I see it can be had for half what I paid for it over a year ago.

:roll: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/317,80140_Columbia-Seascape-I-Gatemouth-Carry-On-Bag.html

 

[Muayad Q]

MRSkitten -

That bag looks great! Too bad it's "currently unavailable" - and it says "closeout" so I'm not sure they'll get any in. I'll google around and see if I come up with anything.

Thanks!

 

[blue ribbon]

Healer,
I didn't get it from that site, I was just searching for a photo because it's not easy to describe. I don't recall if I found it at REI or eBags or Overstock.com or even Amazon, so googling is a great idea.

Hopefully since it's a year-old model you'll still get a great price!

 

[Asterix]

For regular on-site table massage, I just put everything in the front pocket of the table bag (I don't take a CD player, ONLY a CD -- I am not "ipod compatable" yet ) and travel light.

i use a 3-4 pocket table cover. i stuff a whole bunch of stuff in there. i only need an extra tote/duffel if i'm doing a spa service or more than 3 massages.

in my bag is:
1 set of sheets - flat, fitted, face cover,
bath towel
hand towel
cd alarm clock + one disc
tripod chair
halfround 6" bolster
oil/holster
pen/paper/nail clips, emery board, business cards, eye pillow
and in the cooler months a 50" x 60" fleece blanket

 

[Aimee]

I have a multi-pocket table bag, too. Sometimes I don't use it with clients I know from experience will try to "help" me pack it up (you know, the ones who like to watch how it all goes back together and want to do the favor of helping no matter how much it's decline). I can actually fold fleece into the table and put the rest into the gatemouth bag and get everything to the front door faster than I can zip it all back into the table bag. But I like the table bag anytime I have to transport any distance because it's been modified so the table in the bag attaches more securely to the table cart than with just the strap it came with. It's pretty windy here most days and that table is just a big unmanageable wind sail otherwise!

 

[Krish K]

When you say table cover, are you referring to the cover for the massage table? I'm confused :roll:

 

[Jeff]

Macalla, I want you to come to my house..... your travel kit sounds like heaven itself!!!

Know this sounds quirky, but, it has worked a time or two.... found a really neat quilter's rolling box/bag at the JoAnn Fabrics store here.... can cram in all the things I can't possibly get into my table bag. [It carries a fleece to cover the table, the heating pad, the kneel bolster, face cradle, and at least one blanket.] The quilter's box has a telescoping handle, and I can very easily cram it full of all my oils, lotions, wipes, etc. plus have a storage compartment on the outside for paper, calendar/planner, receipts, g certs, etc in a convenient zippered pocket. Then there are the storage pockets on the front and other side as well that can hold small stuff.....

Just a thought....

 

[Kitty.]

I agree macalla, I could use a Sherpa or a Pack mule myself...

Actually, I've said it before... I use a wheeled suitcase, in which I pack my blanket, sheets, face cradle cover, apron (instead of an oil holster), my 6 inch round bolster, my table warmer, a towel, a pillow, a bunch of CDs in a case.... and it has pockets for gloves, elastic bands for female clients, intake forms, and lots of other stuff I Might Need. LOL I attach my oils to a separate bag which I can then "hang" on the outside by using the strap near the handle. I love being able to wheel the suitcase up the client's driveway instead of carrying it the whole way!

The table is heavy enough on it's own, IMHO, and just a couple weeks ago I decided to weigh everything I take on an average outcall. The total came to... 62 pounds! The table in it's cover alone is about 37-38 pounds! The rest is of course in the suitcase. I'm seriously thinking of getting a lighter table. : Well, or a pack mule... or Sherpa as macalla suggested! :

 

[Mike M.]

The table in it's cover alone is about 37-38 pounds!

i used to carry a 33# table. i bought another with aluminum legs at 22#.
it's a huge difference.

 

[Hello!]

When you say table cover, are you referring to the cover for the massage table? I'm confused :roll:

yup, the carry case cover bag table cover, that thingamabob thingy to keep your table dry and safe. t016
i'm a little toungue tied. sorry for the confusion.

 

[Sean G]

mush,

Do you find that the aluminum table squeaks? Does it feel as sturdy as a wood one?

 

[Ashleypink]

Table weight is exactly why I use a cart. The only time I skip it is with clients where I can literally pull up within a few steps of the front door and ten steps to where I'll set up.

The problem with most carts is that they either only have a single strap for securing the table or my super-puffy table is too fat to fit in the cart properly. I sewed extra webbed snap-buckle straps to my table bag so now I can fasten the table and everything else in the bag more evenly and securely to the cart.

Because the table, the heaviest thing of all, is already on wheels I needed a bag that could sling over my shoulder or attach easily to the cart handle rather than another wheeled thing to push or pull. The bag I referenced has a strap on the back so it just slips over the cart handle (it's meant to fit over the handle of wheeled luggage).

I try now to have my setup so that I can transport everything by myself in one apparently fairly effortless trip. When I had more stuff and had to make multiple trips, clients constantly tried to help me (I'm not very tall) and it seemed to pain them to watch me struggle with it all.

 

[safetyxpin_89]

mush,

Do you find that the aluminum table squeaks? Does it feel as sturdy as a wood one?

not once with mine (7 years old). it's an oakworks wellspring. it's rated for 550 lbs. of working weight.. and i have had a 500 lb man on it - no problem.
plus it has no knobs for heighth- it's a push button telescoping leg. very quick adjustments.