speedy bandouliere and back pain

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Romeos

Romeos

O.G.
Jul 15, 2007
542
57
#1
Hi Girls,

I've had a speedy mono 30 for a few years now and it's my fave bag, I wear it all the time. I am planning to buy it in the damier version but I thought the cross body / shoulder strap one will be more appropriate because I had very bad back pain last year, mostly effecting my upper back, neck and arms.

However the price between the speedy and bandoluiere is quite substantial so I am trying to figure out whether the strap will really help with my back pain.

It would be to be worn every day, fair amount of walking involved and fairly full bag (heavy).

Anyone can tell me whether the weight is distributed better? Any experience with heavy wear and comfort?

Please let me know of any information you think would be useful for me to make a decision.
 
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#2
edithw said:
Hi Girls,

I've had a speedy mono 30 for a few years now and it's my fave bag, I wear it all the time. I am planning to buy it in the damier version but I thought the cross body / shoulder strap one will be more appropriate because I had very bad back pain last year, mostly effecting my upper back, neck and arms.

However the price between the speedy and bandoluiere is quite substantial so I am trying to figure out whether the strap will really help with my back pain.

It would be to be worn every day, fair amount of walking involved and fairly full bag (heavy).

Anyone can tell me whether the weight is distributed better? Any experience with heavy wear and comfort?

Please let me know of any information you think would be useful for me to make a decision.
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I'm so sorry you had back troubles last year! I trust you've found a good chiropractor or a doctor to help alleviate some of that pain? I come from a long line of bad backs, so I can sympathize! (my brother spent the plane ride to his honeymoon on the floor in front of his seat because he threw his back out :shucks:)

My concern with any crossbody bag for you, knowing you've already had neck and upper back issues, is that all crossbody bags, regardless of how well the weight is distributed within the bag itself, is definitely going to create a strain on whichever shoulder you're carrying it on. The Speedy B strap distributes weight more evenly on the bag itself than a classic Speedy with a strap attached to the handles, but you're still going to be wearing it in such a way that it will be putting strain on one of your shoulders. That said, the canvas is lightweight enough where it shouldn't add any extra weight aside from what you put in it.

You'd be better off with a backpack, as both shoulders and sets of upper back muscles would be carrying an equal load of weight, rather than one side doing all the heavy lifting. Especially if you're planning on doing a lot of walking with a very full bag. HTH!
 
#3
Considering the fact that you have back problems, I would not suggest a speedy bandouliere. A bandouliere seems to distribute more weight to one side of your body, thus putting more pressure on that side. I have a speedy and have felt the pressure on one side of my body when I used the strap. But then again I have the Speedy B 40 and I put a lot in my purse. Also, considering you will be walking a lot and you put a lot in your purse, I would not suggest the speedy b for you. HTH.
 
#4
lwn said:
I'm so sorry you had back troubles last year! I trust you've found a good chiropractor or a doctor to help alleviate some of that pain? I come from a long line of bad backs, so I can sympathize! (my brother spent the plane ride to his honeymoon on the floor in front of his seat because he threw his back out :shucks:)

My concern with any crossbody bag for you, knowing you've already had neck and upper back issues, is that all crossbody bags, regardless of how well the weight is distributed within the bag itself, is definitely going to create a strain on whichever shoulder you're carrying it on. The Speedy B strap distributes weight more evenly on the bag itself than a classic Speedy with a strap attached to the handles, but you're still going to be wearing it in such a way that it will be putting strain on one of your shoulders. That said, the canvas is lightweight enough where it shouldn't add any extra weight aside from what you put in it.

You'd be better off with a backpack, as both shoulders and sets of upper back muscles would be carrying an equal load of weight, rather than one side doing all the heavy lifting. Especially if you're planning on doing a lot of walking with a very full bag. HTH!
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Thanks LWN,

I guess this is exactly what I was hoping not to hear, but at least you are saving quite a bit of money for me,

Right now I just keep my speedy underneath my arms, and that is better than carrying in my hand. I really hoped a cross body would make my life easier. Of course , I should get a backpack, but it's not very stylish and style is above health, isn't it LOL

I went to physiotherapy and quite honestly it didn't make much difference. It is really down to my posture and sitting at the computer all day, so I have to be very careful of how I hold myself.
 
#5
edithw said:
Thanks LWN,

I guess this is exactly what I was hoping not to hear, but at least you are saving quite a bit of money for me,

Right now I just keep my speedy underneath my arms, and that is better than carrying in my hand. I really hoped a cross body would make my life easier. Of course , I should get a backpack, but it's not very stylish and style is above health, isn't it LOL

I went to physiotherapy and quite honestly it didn't make much difference. It is really down to my posture and sitting at the computer all day, so I have to be very careful of how I hold myself.
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Sorry I couldn't make all your bag dreams come true! You could hunt down the Montsouris backpack pre-loved for a stylish LV backpack, maybe?

Try a chiropractor if you can (I'm not sure what your insurance will cover) as it's really the only thing that's worked for me consistently when my back was acting up. Can't hurt to try once, right?
 
#6
KC2370 said:
Considering the fact that you have back problems, I would not suggest a speedy bandouliere. A bandouliere seems to distribute more weight to one side of your body, thus putting more pressure on that side. I have a speedy and have felt the pressure on one side of my body when I used the strap. But then again I have the Speedy B 40 and I put a lot in my purse. Also, considering you will be walking a lot and you put a lot in your purse, I would not suggest the speedy b for you. HTH.
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Thanks, I don't want to make an expensive mistake.

I was hoping i could wear the B 30 cross body and the bag more on my back rather than side of my body. However it would still be pulling on one side of my shoulder I suppose.
 
#7
I guess the key would be not put too many things in it. My favorite easiest bag is my favorite MM, it's so light I really like the cross-body style, I feel like I'm not carrying anything at all whereas a speedy b I still know I'm carrying a bag.
 
#9
edithw said:
Thanks, I don't want to make an expensive mistake.

I was hoping i could wear the B 30 cross body and the bag more on my back rather than side of my body. However it would still be pulling on one side of my shoulder I suppose.
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Yes, it would still pull on one side of your shoulder. I think carrying the speedy handheld would be best in your situation.
 
#11
Try downsizing what you carry around with you on a daily basis.
Also...try using a firmish foam roll (available at any sporting good store) and roll your back/body on it, and find a great masseuse. I have degenerative/bulging discs and arthritis, and have had a total knee replacement. Of all the things I've done, massage has helped tremendously. What we don't realise is how our bodies compensate for pain and try to avoid it, thus creating muscular imbalance and malalignment. I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Good luck.
 
#13
miss_chiff said:
Try downsizing what you carry around with you on a daily basis.
Also...try using a firmish foam roll (available at any sporting good store) and roll your back/body on it, and find a great masseuse. I have degenerative/bulging discs and arthritis, and have had a total knee replacement. Of all the things I've done, massage has helped tremendously. What we don't realise is how our bodies compensate for pain and try to avoid it, thus creating muscular imbalance and malalignment. I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Good luck.
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yes, downsizing is an option but I carry all my needs for the working day (purse, makeup, lunch, keys, and sometimes heavy IT stuff LOL)

Luckily the pain has gone now but I am sure it will come back again. I had it twice last year so I have no reason to believe that it's gone for good. I will ask my doctor to refer me to chiropractor next time. Not sure about massage, when my husband tried it on me, I was in more pain. Unbeliveable how painful upper back pain can be. :-(
 
#14
So sorry about your back pain. I recently purchased the Speedy B 35. When I purchased the bag, i wanted to use it right away and i had just my cell phone and my wallet and i couldn't believe how light the bag was.

Right now, I have my agenda, wallet, and a cosmetic case and the bag is much lighter than when I had the same stuff in my Neverfull GM. The bag itself is very light considering the size.

What I love most about the Speed B is that it looks amazing so many different ways. When I initially purchased it, my intentions were to wear it as a cross body. However I have become obsessed with how it looks when I wear it on my shoulder and let it slouch. This allows me to switch sides and doesn't cause me too much discomfort.
 
#15
Have you considered a cute backpack AND a cute smaller LV? When I have a lot to carry, but want to carry one of my smaller more stylish bags, I use a Longchamp or my Hermes Garden Party (my large GP is the voile, not not heavy leather) to carry all my large heavy things, then I carry a cuter smaller bag for my wallet, keys, etc. Those bags are very lightweight and clearly Tote style, then I can still carry a light weight purse. You could do the same thing with a backpack perhaps. I guess it depends on how far you may be walking.
 
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