As someone who treats packing like a game of Tetris and who has become a packing cube evangelist, I wasn’t sure if I would take to the “constraint” of having an organizer in the Live-for-the-Weekender Travel Bag by Petunia Pickle Bottom. But I was happily surprised to find that the organizer took my Tetris packing to a new level. Not only did it keep my and my kids’ belongings well organized, but the padding of the organizer ensured that the glass items I packed crossed the Atlantic safely and intact.
Bébé Voyage Rating: 9/10
I don’t think my pre-verbal tot has a particular opinion about this bag, but I do think he appreciated that all his cherished belongings made it safely home.
My biggest goal while packing is to be able to find (and access!) what I need quickly… usually with one hand and while keeping an eye on my ninja toddler. The weekender bag’s wrap-around zipper gave me easy access and the organizer kept everything well… organized!
Yes. While it might seem like the organizer takes up a lot of space and could add weight to your luggage, it actually helps you optimize the interior of your bag.
The organizer was basically like having a map inside my bag. I could assign each compartment to a particular person or to a particular type of item. Because stuff didn’t shift around in my bag, it also made unpacking a breeze!
Overall, this is a beautifully designed and well-organized bag. My one regret is that there isn’t a good way to lock the bag. That would be useful if you have to check the bag or if you want to keep stuff in it that you’d rather not have housekeeping get into. Or even to keep your very curious kids out of the bag!
I’m also excited about Petunia Pickle Bottom’s general design principles which I have to give a special shout-out to. As someone who spent some time trying to design an attractive yet functional backpack, I’m particularly excited to see their new Provisions Backpack. It is designed to carry a breast pump with all the accouterments and then transitions into a diaper bag.
While the weekender bag plus the organizer don’t come cheap, I do think they are worth it. The regular price is $298 for the combo, but Petunia Pickle Bottom is currently running a sale. The organizer is also attractive enough that you could use it as a standalone bag or stroller caddy, so you’re essentially getting 2 bags for the price.
For items that are well made, attractive, and sturdy, I don’t mind paying top dollar. So far it looks like I’ll be using my weekender bag for a while, but only time will tell.
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