Cross Body Bag for Back Pain

While we all know that carrying too much weight inside your handbag can be detrimental to your posture and overall back health, it seems that for a long time now, the trends have simply not been favorable to those who suffer from back pain. In particular, the oversized handbags of the 1990s and 2000s seemed almost an invitation to muscle strain, and many women today are still paying the price for those hardware-laden (although admittedly beautiful) designer bags. However, if you count yourself among the number of people who suffer from back pain, all is not lost. Trend-wise, the last several seasons have indicated things are lightening-up once again with the emergence of smaller cross-body bags, backpacks, and waist bags. Still not sure if your back will allow you to carry a certain bag? Don't worry. We've scoured the web and found the most back friendly bag designs out there so that you don't have to use the trial and error method. Backpacks Experts all agree that a backpack is still the best design for those who suffer from back pain, but that is only if it is worn properly. A backpack should be worn with both shoulders in the straps, and it if is heavy, it needs to have a waist belt to take the weight off of your shoulders. Cross-Body If you need something a bit more refined than a backpack, a cross-body bag with an adjustable thick or paddled strap is the way forward. This allows you to adjust the bag to fall right at the part of your body where the weight is the most balanced, yet the strap doesn't cut into your shoulders. Nylon and Canvas While leather bags are usually associated with high-end luxury brands, they tend to be heavier than their nylon or canvas counterparts, so if you're looking to lighten your load, try one of the iconic all-weather coated canvas bags (suchlike Louis Vuitton) or one in an equally covetable nylon (like the ones of Prada). While there are no hard and fast rules within some of these recommended designs, it’s down to the wearer of the bag to understand his or her body’s’ needs, and be able to adjust the bag to maximum effect. That said, overall, it is recommended that you do not attempt to carry more than 15 percent of your body weight in your handbag.