Ameribag Healthy Back Bag Review: Happy Back, Happy Traveler

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis.

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008. She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: The Trtl Pillow. It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto: Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Aisle all the way.

Email Christine Sarkis at editor@smartertravel.com.

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Price and Where to Buy the Ameribag Healthy Back Bag: The bag comes in four sizes and a variety of colors and fabrics. Prices start at about $55 at Ameribag.com and $50 at Amazon.com.

Ameribag Healthy Back Bag Review

Usefulness: 10/10. The Healthy Back Bag lives up to its name—it’s far and away the most comfortable cross-body bag I’ve ever used. It has plenty of pockets, including a waterproof umbrella/water bottle pocket, outside zip, tuck, and magnet-closure pockets for quick access, and interior pockets sized to hold everything from keys to tablets. For travelers, it’s particularly useful because if you slide it onto your back, the zipper of the main compartment is shielded by your body, which offers an added degree of security. And because it fits securely against your body, it’s not going to swing around and hit the ground (or anyone near you) every time you crouch to get a better photo.
Value: 9/10. Prices vary by size and fabric, but tend to not only be competitive with similar bags but also offer the added value of not creating the back problems that shoulder bags tend to create (or exacerbate).
Portability: 10/10. The bag is lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods, and has organizational pockets that perfectly suit travel.
Durability: 10/10. I had my last Ameribag for a decade—aside from some cosmetic wear, it remains as good as new. The latest version of the bag replaces Velcro closures with magnets and adds tablet- and phone-friendly interior pockets.
Cool Factor: 8/10. Yes, its shape recalls a kidney; this is not a high-fashion bag. But it has clean, low-profile lines; comes in many different sizes and fabrics; and, when worn cross-body style, offers both security and ergonomic comfort.

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at editor@smartertravel.com.

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