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Rucksack?

(16 Posts)
NittWitt Fri 24-Jul-26 23:30:10

Do you use a (smallish) rucksack to carry shopping and find you can carry more than in carrier bags?
I'm finding carriers far too much now unless they have very little in them so wondering what else to do.
Any thoughts?

Chestnut Sat 25-Jul-26 00:29:32

I had a wonderful shopping trolley which held a week's shopping and was very easy to use. I just held it behind me as I walked, you'd hardly notice it was there. Obviously can also be used for just a few items. Can easily be dragged up stairs. It was great.
Hoppa Shopping Trolley

nanna8 Sat 25-Jul-26 01:47:18

I use bags. The Costco ones are very big . Shopping trolleys provided by the stores mean you don’t have to actually carry anything, just wheel it to the car and unload then take the trolley back to the designated place in the car park. They don’t mind you using them here even if you don’t actually shop at that particular store. Probably if we lived right in the city they wouldn’t let you do that.

mumofmadboys Sat 25-Jul-26 03:46:22

Good idea to use a rucksack. Holds quite a bit and less strain on arms/ shoulders than carrying bags

Crumbly159 Sat 25-Jul-26 06:04:33

I imagine that regular use of a rucksack might spark off shoulder problems further down the line.
I witness children trooping along to the nearby primary school heaving a loaded rucksack on their backs and a carrier bag/sports holdall stuffed with the necessary 'stuff' for that day's lessons.
It can't be good for their physical health.

Greyduster Sat 25-Jul-26 06:58:30

I sometimes use a rucksack to carry home bits and pieces from our local supermarket. It saves having to swap a bag from hand to hand and helps my balance. If I need more than a rucksack full I take the car.

HelterSkelter1 Sat 25-Jul-26 07:17:25

I use a Rollster shopping trolley and have done for 6 years now. I was spending much money at an osteopath for painful shoulders, neck and back and she recommended using a trolley. I didnt for a long time...silly vain me....but once I did I haven't looked back.
I use a small leather rucksack for days out, but it is not very big.

I opened a thread a while back about choice of rucksack and several GNs recommended Roka which look really good. However I wanted to look at them and my nearest John Lewis didnt stock them sadly.
I don't think I would want to use one for food shopping as I always end up with more than I could easily carry.

Astitchintime Sat 25-Jul-26 07:31:13

Rucksacks are good for carrying heavier items I guess. The problem arises when the user is in a close environment or a crowded area……nothing worse than someone turning round with a loaded rucksack on their back, whacking you in the face and knocking your spectacles off!

Cabbie21 Sat 25-Jul-26 07:33:47

I use my rucksack, not for shopping, but to carry items needed for one of my u3a groups. The only problem is I sometimes have difficulty getting it off my back..

M0nica Sat 25-Jul-26 07:44:59

I am another advocate for trolleys. There is such an immense range to choose from and they are not expensive.

TerriBull Sat 25-Jul-26 07:52:54

I sometimes take a small black rucksack when I can't get everything in my across body bags. Once upon a time such items would be accommodated in one of my larger handbags, but I rarely use those these days.

Sarnia Sat 25-Jul-26 07:54:37

I always struggle to get a rucksack on. I get one arm in but just cannot get the other in, especially when I am on my own. I wouldn't want to carry heavy shopping on my back either.
I have a folding trundle. It fold flat and lives in my car boot. Lots online to choose from and very reasonable.

TerriBull Sat 25-Jul-26 07:54:40

My rucksack's a Jansport, a brand my children used at school. Mine's smaller than the ones they had back then.

NittWitt Sat 25-Jul-26 07:59:52

Thanks for the replies.
I should have said I don't have a car.
I can carry 2 reasonably full carriers on flat ground quite well but after I get off the bus it's a long, steep road up to my house.
I've just started getting supermarket deliveries which is wonderful - stuff I want appears in my kitchen like magic! But of course I want to buy from other shops too.
I'll have a look at the trolleys suggested here.

NittWitt Sat 25-Jul-26 08:00:31

And the rucksacks suggested!

Primrose53 Sat 25-Jul-26 08:16:25

Roka do a fantastic range of rucksacks/back packs in a huge range of colours. They are made from recycled plastic bottles and they have big chunky zips and are strong and indestructible.