droolicious : back pack

Let Them Carry Their Own Sippy Cups

elizabeth leach — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Let them carry their own sippy cups and snack traps this summer with the new back sacks from Crocodile Creek. Perfect for trips around town, the playground, play dates, the pool or even just around the house. Light enough for small little bodies, these bags cinch easily with straps. There's a zippered pocket inside the bag, two ventilation holes on the sides and the lining is water resistant.

PVC and Phthalate free. Recommended for two years and up. Find the Crocodile Creek Back Sack at Oompa for $14.99. Available in many cute designs.

The Babble Review - Kata 3N1 Camera Bag

Chris Ford — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Taking photos with my DSLR camera - especially taking photos of my kids - has become one of my passions. But the problem for me and most parents is, how do you deal with carrying a big expensive camera while still dealing with kids and all of the stuff that they require? In fact, I've spoken with many parents who have complained of this same problem. So I've been searching for the perfect camera bag, and although I think ultimately the idea of a "perfect" camera bag may just be an illusion - I might have found a pretty close one - the Kata 3N1 Camera Bag.

My complete review after the jump.

At the bare minimum, my requirements for a great camera bag are it needs to hold my camera, two additional lenses, a flash and have a space for some personal items (cell phone, keys, water bottle etc.). Also, I was really looking for a bag that would work as a sling, so I wouldn't have to constantly be taking the bag off to grab my camera to take a picture. This part is especially important for parents trying to deal with kids and a camera at the same time. The great thing about the Kata 3N1 is that it met all of those bare requirements, plus had a lot of features that, while I wasn't specifically looking for them, have proven to come in very handy.

The Kata 3N1 holds my Canon 50D with a lens on the body, as well as a medium telephoto and 50mm lens in the bag. It also holds my external flash as well as all of the other normal stuff you'd want to carry in a camera bag (memory cards, extra batteries, remote trigger cords etc.). It also has a decently sized compartment at the top for personal items. But the best part about the bag is that it works as a sling as well as a backpack. The bag can be configured to be a right-handed or a left-handed sling, as well as a backpack for when you're hiking or know you won't need the camera at a moment's notice. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's the only left-handed sling camera bag on the market.

When taking pictures with kids, this sling feature is immensely helpful. I took the bag to birthday parties, to the park and other outdoor activities; and whenever they did something cute or spontaneous that I wanted to take a picture of, I could just twist the bag around my body, pull open the top and have the camera ready in a matter of seconds. In fact getting to most of the other stuff in the bag was equally easy - but it will depend on how you set up the bag for yourself.

The other great thing about the bag that I love is that while it holds a lot of stuff, it really isn't that big or bulky. I tested the Kata 3N1-20 which is the medium-sized bag in the line, and it seemed there was a place or a pocket for every piece of gear (memory card pocket, easy access external pouches for filters or batteries etc.). And to me at least, the look of the bag doesn't scream "I've got an expensive camera over here! Check me out!" It really just looks like a small black backpack, which is important not just for modesty's sake, but also safety (cameras in bags that don't necessarily look like camera bags are less of a target for thieves).

Besides all of that, it's got all of the things you'd expect in a camera bag from a company like Kata. There is a waterproof cover for the bag in case it rains, a great handle on the top of the bag and very sturdy construction. Oh, and it also has the signature Kata yellow interior lining - which might not seem like that big of a deal, but anyone who's dug around the bottom of a black camera bag looking for a black camera accessory can understand how cool this feature is.

In fact, I tried very hard to find a problem with the bag, but ultimately I came up short. It's not even that expensive, especially considering how expensive the camera and gear you're putting into it likely is.

The bag won't hold a laptop or every last item of your camera gear (like a tripod) so it might not be great for long vacations or trips. It also won't hold a lot of the kid-stuff that parents sometimes have to lug around so it won't work as a camera/diaper bag combo, but it has become my personal day-to-day camera bag and is my absolute recommendation for parents with a DSLR camera.

You can check out the Kata 3N1 camera bag line at Kata-Bags.com.
Or purchase the Kata 3N1 20 for $99.95 at Amazon.com.

ABC Kids Expo 2008: Dabba Walla Lunch Bags And Backpacks

Chris Ford — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:58:00 GMT

In India, the "dabbawalla" (Wikipedia entry) is the guy who collects the hot lunches of office workers from their home, brings them to the office, and then returns the empty boxes back. In America, Dabba Walla is a company that makes really cool neoprene lunch bags and backpacks.

What I liked best about Dabba Walla are the designs. Big and colorful, they're a lot cooler than the typical mass produced cartoon character stuff you'll get at a normal department store. And they had a stop light design, which I totally loved.

Dabba Walla bags, $38 for the luch bag and $48 for the backpack. Available at the end of October 2008. Check them out at DabbaWallaBags.com.

ABC Expo 2008: Little Life Animal Pack Backpacks

Chris Ford — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:32:00 GMT

OK. So my picture isn't the greatest, but the Animal Pack backpacks from Little Life are seriously cool. Well, more like seriously cute and useful, which together I suppose adds up to cool. A small daypack for your little hiker, a rain hood for fun and a tether for mom and dad? Never mind, it's seriously cool.

The Animal Pack comes in four animals (ladybug, cow, bee and turtle) and the hood of each is designed for each animal. So the bee has antennae, the ladybug has eyes etc. It's also designed for those parents who want a tether for their child and a have a child doesn't want to be tethered. "See Billy, I'm not putting you on a leash, it's just a fun backpack that daddy can hold on to at the same time!" (The tether is not for me, but I can see how it would be useful hiking).

It's been available in the UK for a while now, but it's coming to the USA on November 15th and will cost $40 to $42. It will be distributed by Rock Gear Distribution, but you can check out the product pages at LittleLife.co.uk.

Japanese Randoseru Backpack

Chris Ford — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:03:00 GMT

I realize I've been writing a lot about backpacks, but I've found another that I also had to share. It might not have a pigeon or a cuddly character, but the Japanese Randoseru backpack is so cool you might be able to get your kid to use it for multiple school years.

According to the product page at Modernseed, the Randoseru is a "cultural icon in Japan." I've never been to Japan, so I'll have to take their word for it. What I do know is it looks cool, looks durable, and is the kind of backpack I would hope my kids would want to use. Cultural icons cost you though, which is probably why the Dora and Spiderman backpacks of the world aren't exactly worried.

Randoseru backpack, $169.00 from Modernseed.com

Hand-knit Backpacks from Blabla Kids

Chris Ford — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:01:00 GMT

I must be on a backpack kick, because other than my totally awesome find of a pigeon backpack, I also found these great hand-knit backpacks from Blabla Kids. The only thing I'm wondering is, how does a hand-knit backpack only cost $42?

Every backpack is lined inside and is 12"x10". There are twelve different animal choices - everything from a lion to a butterfly to a panda (shown). They're not the biggest bags, but they seem perfect for all of your kid's little treasures. And getting them to want to carry their own stuff is 80% of the battle. Or maybe 100%.

Backpacks from BlablaKids.com, $42

Mo Willems Pigeon Go-Go Backpack

Chris Ford — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:21:00 GMT

I'm in the market right now for a backpack for my two year old daughter, and I think I might have found it. The Pigeon Go-Go Backpack is too cool not to get. Not sure what it's all about? Then click the "read more" link.

If you aren't familiar with the Pigeon, then FIRST you should run, not walk, to your favorite book store and buy a copy of Mo Willem's "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" or my favorite, "Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late." After you and your children have been sufficiently indoctrinated, then come back to this blog post. By then, you'll think this backpack is as cool as I do. Plus, by the looks of the backpack, it seems the pigeon is about to have a hot dog party. And who doesn't love a hot dog party?

Pigeon Go-Go Backpack 14", $36.00 from yottoy.com

Hand Made: Bratsack Backpack Sized for a Toddler

chrisjordan — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:02:00 GMT

Anyone who has ever been around a little kid for a period of time knows that they love to carry their stuff around. It can be difficult to find them a bag that is small enough not to hit them in the back of the knees as they walk.

Bratsacks Backpacks are made of new, vintage or recycled corduroy and fully lined with muslin. They have a drawstring cord with a fabric slider and a velcro closure for the flap. There are no plastic, metal, hard or small parts that could be choking hazards.

The mushroom backpack is shown above, but there are also bratsacks with appliques of robots, flowers, cars, pirates, hedgehogs, airplanes...

Each bratsack costs $24 and is available at Bratsack Baby Supply your own toddler.