After years of loyal service, I’ve bid farewell to my trusty Longchamp Medium Le Pliage and embraced the Baggu Medium Crescent as my new day bag companion. This shift wasn’t made lightly, but the Crescent’s unique features and practical design have won me over. Join me as I share my experience with this versatile bag and what I pack for a typical summer day out.
Before we dive in, let me assure you that this post is not sponsored. All featured products were purchased with my own funds. Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. Rest assured, I only recommend products that I genuinely love. You can explore more of my favorites on my Amazon storefront.
The Appeal of the Baggu Medium Crescent
The Baggu Medium Crescent has always caught my eye, particularly because of its convertible strap. Unlike the Longchamp Le Pliage, which can become heavy when fully loaded, the Crescent offers more flexibility. The adjustable strap allows you to wear it as a crossbody or over-the-shoulder, distributing the weight more comfortably.
Another significant factor in my decision to switch was the color palette. My first Le Pliage, a bright turquoise from 2006, was vibrant and eye-catching. However, Longchamp’s recent color releases have leaned towards warm and muted tones, which didn’t resonate with my style. Baggu, on the other hand, offers a range of colors that suit my taste.
Size and Capacity
The Baggu Medium Crescent measures approximately 20.5 cm high, 35 cm long, and 10 cm deep, with a total volume of about 7 litres. This is smaller than the Medium Le Pliage’s 11.5 litres, which encourages me to pack more thoughtfully. The unique crescent shape offers flexibility but can make fitting bulky items a bit challenging.
Packing for a Day Out
I currently own two Baggu Medium Crescent bags: one in Deep Fuchsia and another in navy. The Deep Fuchsia is my favorite, with its vibrant purply-pink hue that shifts slightly in different lights. The navy version is a reliable backup in a more neutral color.
Recently, I took my Medium Crescent on a day trip to Littlehampton, a beach destination. I packed accordingly, balancing essentials and tech items. For reference, I’m 5’3″ (1.60 m) tall and was wearing my favorite travel dress from Columbia.
Everyday Essentials
My packing list includes a few must-have items:
- Water Bottle I opt for a 500 ml Kinto bottle for its compact size and light weight. In winter or when space is tight, I switch to a 330 ml Muji bottle.
- Power Bank I’ve recently switched to a super-small Iniu power bank, which weighs just 160g and can fast-charge my iPhone twice. It comes with an integrated cable for added convenience.
- Notebook and Pen I always carry a notebook and pen, preferring the tactile experience of writing by hand when inspiration strikes.
- Reusable Bag Nanobag’s totes are a staple in my bag. They pack up small and can carry everything from wet towels to groceries.
- Sunglasses and/or Umbrella Depending on the weather, I carry either sunglasses or an umbrella, often both. My favorite sunglasses are from Goodr, and I use a mini Lewis N. Clark umbrella.
- Earphones For most day trips, the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation offer the perfect combination of size, comfort, and noise cancellation.
- Kindle While I love physical books, the Kindle Paperwhite is unbeatable for its lightweight design and convenience. If I’m traveling light, I use the Kindle app on my iPhone, but I prefer the dedicated device.
Additionally, I carry a small pouch containing SPF 30 lip balm, hand sanitiser, first-aid items, trial-size sunscreen, and a hydration sachet. My favorite pouch is a wrinkled nylon one from Muji, though I also use a slightly larger one from Hikeman.
Seasonal Extras
The Baggu Medium Crescent has room for additional items, depending on the season and activity. For my beach day in Littlehampton, I packed:
- A compact but absorbent full-size microfibre towel.
- A multitasking hand fan/torch/phone charger, which is great value and multifunctional.
- SPF 50 sun cream for my face and body.
- A foldable magnetic smartphone stand for added stability when taking photos.
- Some snacks for the journey and my Brighton water shoes.
If I remove some of these items and downsize my water bottle, I can fit in my Olympus camera. It’s a bit heavy, but I often carry it around my neck for part of the time. In winter, I replace beach items with a warm hat, gloves, scarf, and perhaps an extra sweater.
Once I downsized a few items, I quickly grew to love the Baggu Medium Crescent. It’s now my go-to day bag, whether I’m at home in London or traveling. The 47-inch (120 cm) strap is broad enough to distribute the load comfortably on my shoulder. When it starts to feel heavy, I lengthen the strap to make it into a crossbody and switch it onto the other shoulder.
The bag is lightweight and packs flat, making it ideal for longer trips. I often use it as my under-seat bag on planes. The heavyweight recycled nylon offers some protection from light rain showers, but I try to avoid getting it too wet when carrying tech.
The latest versions of the bag include a key leash and two zippered pockets inside, as well as a top zipper. The zips are high quality and run smoothly. For extra security, there are various hacks to add anti-theft clips or a ring to attach a small padlock. However, I usually keep mine zipped shut and close to my body.
If you’re planning your next adventure, my ‘what’s in my travel bag’ series has lots of tips and inspiration for packing light, as well as recommendations for my favorite travel products.
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