Selecting a shoulder bag for your nature journal kit

I strongly recommend a shoulder bag to keep all of your nature journaling supplies. In this video, I explore characteristics you should look for when selecting a journal bag and show features of our custom nature journaling bag.
Please visit my store to purchase my Custom Nature Journaling Bag, along with my books and my favorite journaling supplies. I know you have many options when shopping online, and when you shop in my store, it helps support me, my work, and my family. Thank you! johnmuirlaws.c...

[@jymnmeier3527]

I literally was looking up some bags online yesterday thinking :What would JML pick?" LOL Thank you for this :)

[@naturesketches126]

This bag looks wonderful!!! I can't believe you're using my sketchbook!!! AAAAHHhhhh! I am truly honored. Thank you. Aneta

[@MarleyPeifer]

awesome!

[@Glassed_in_Nature]

What journal is it?

[@Lisapizza789]

Timbuk2 small messenger bag is my go-to bag for every-day carry. My art stuff fits very nice in it and I can flip the top quickly to access my tools for sketching.

[@mkbuike7895]

Timbuk2 bags are waterproof for heavy rain. I live in Seattle and they are my favorite. If I do use a not waterproof bag, I put my sketchbook in a zip plastic bag.

[@recoveringsoul755]

Or you can get stuff designed for boating, that will keep stuff dry even if it goes overboard. Probably more pricey though

[@Veronicapainted]

Great points and the sound on this video is so much better than your others. Love it. Keep these coming.

[@gorway7]

I like your design. I have an old Corduroy messenger style bag someone tossed out for jumble - I've used it for a couple of years and it's OK, but it has too many pockets and I tend to carry too much junk I don't really need. The other problem is the top flap thats always in the way and I have to hook it round the strap if I want ready access.

[@MarleyPeifer]

Great points for selecting a good shoulder bag! Ever since I got a shoulder bag upon your recommendation my nature journaling improved greatly!!! No more backpacks for my sketching or nature journaling outings....I love the external water bottle option, that is essential for me.

[@debsioux]

Nice design and well thought out. I like the water-resistance and lightness you demo. I have a similar one made of cotton, no zippers, and definitely have to use ziplock bags for storing paper items. Yours looks like a better choice.

[@cardlady200]

Great information, thanks!

[@quentinvanginhoven2231]

Another great video by JML! I suggest carrying a plastic bag (like a freezer zip bag or larger) in the sketch bag so in case of rain, you can cover up the essentials. This is good for temperate regions of course (I'm Northeast, not West, but we get rain too!). My experience with water-repelling bags is I fear the water-repellant is bad chemistry my system or nature does not need. To add, the plastic lining of other bags I've used eventually flakes off.

[@ArtwithSabrina]

Wow, this looks amazing. It is on my wish list.

[@michaeljearfed5913]

Super sleek idea

[@gorway7]

I do like your design. I have an old Corduroy messenger style bag I have used for a few years. It's OK but I find the top flap always in the way and I usually end up hooking it around a strap to give me better access. Do you ship to the UK?

[@mooms04]

cool thanks

[@Dendenden123]

thank you

[@hArtyTruffle]

I can’t afford this atm, but when I can, do you ship to the uk? If so, any idea how much extra that would cost? Thanks. Loving your videos 👊🏼

[@anjafink8996]

Army supply shops (online too) have a lot of messenger or bread bags of this size. Often they are even waterresistent. I got the Czech and the Polish bread bags and a German one. All cost less than 10€.

[@sameehakhaliq8327]

I'm looking for leather cross satchal. Is it good idea?

[@debsioux]

One question... I use watercolors in my journaling and wonder how you store them in your bag to protect the bristles. I don't usually use the Japanese water brush, so these are typical brushes. Brush storage wraps are bulky.

[@anjafink8996]

Toothbrush cases might work.

[@bigeasternsyndicate6933]

Curse my impatience. Just spent a solid week researching bags. And ultimately bought an Arc’teryx messenger bag that I think I absolutely love but damn it was expensive.

[@carolineobrien53]

Which Arcteryx bag did you buy and are you still happy with it?

[@bigeasternsyndicate6933]

@@carolineobrien53 I got the Granville 10. Works really well for me. On the smaller, simpler, lighter side, though it fits my full-size journal just fine. Very high marks on waterproofness. Built like an absolute tank. And just sleek and nice looking. Does not, however, have the extras of Jack’s bag. No extra unzippered pocket, no water bottle sleeve. Access is a little bit harder, as the main compartment has zipper closure covered by a securable flap (which is why it’s totally rain proof). Once in the field, I leave the main pouch unzipped and the flap unsecured, so access is easy enough-I just have to lift the flap. Would I buy it again? Well, might be a hard choice between the Arc’teryx and this one, particularly for the money. But I’m totally happy with the Granville and am confident it will outlive me.

[@bigeasternsyndicate6933]

And one other thought: I really like the Granville’s shape. Sleek and tapered in a way that you just don’t notice that it’s there until you need it.

[@carolineobrien53]

Thanks a million for getting back to me and with heaps more info too, i really appreciate it. Hope you have a fab day : )