I have a Lush Paisley Packabe and it's very close to the perfect bag. Thanks so much for thinking functional and fashion-forward . I wear the bag in backpack mode almost exclusively and, like some others I've "spoken to" on-line have found the straps to dig in a little. Have you ever thought of developing just adjustable, padded straps with clip mechanisms at both ends? When I "padded", I'm thinking similar to Timi & Leslie's backpack straps, or sporty/outdoor backpack straps....just in the coordinating JJB fabric!

One could even "hide" the straps through the back pocket. The backpack straps could stay out of the way and hidden, since the crumb-drain in the back pocket is right by the D-rings (provided one isn't using the back pocket).

I only offer this suggestion because other than the comfort of the straps, I love this bag. It's the perfect size for 2 kids, a cute shape, and looks well-proportioned for women....AND (selfish thought here), I could "upgrade" my straps without buying a whole new bag ...

Thanks so much!

Hi Guest -

I like your way of thinking....solves a problem for us...solves a problem for you. We just updated the Packabe with the center pad since so many users told us that they use one strap much more often than going for both shoulders.....from the car to the living room...to the stroller handle...to the . Short hops mostly. I like the clip-on two strap method. Maybe a retro fit upgrade...would you go for that if it were cost effective...give us a hint as to what's a fair price for some straps like that.

Thanks
Joe

Honestly, I would pay between $20-$30 for the padded strap upgrade; particularly if colors and patterns matched. I'm taking into consideration that it's the perfect bag for me otherwise. If there are folks here where this is one of many (hopefully, many JJBs, right? ), then they would probably opt for the lower price end of the spectrum.

Depending on how lovely you made the straps, you could consider marketing the plain black/plain brown color (from your envy and brown packabes) to match with other D-ring based conversion bags (Posh Baby, Bumble Bags, home-made bags) - just consider making the adjustment part slightly longer to take into consideration the wider width between D-rings on these bags.

I'm not sure I would pay as much as $30 for that, on top of the price of the Packabe, but I would pay $15 for sure. I unfortunately just sold my Packabe for that very reason--went on a trip with my husband, and brought the Packabe for our all-day outing, and he couldn't stand the straps by the end of the day. I loved the construction and organization of the Packabe, though, so was sad to sell it for those reasons. I think padded straps would be a huge benefit.

Now I'm trying to convince myself I really need a Be Small .

Kirsten

You guys are great....for sure.

This particular thread has my attention in a big way...my first job out of school was as a very high-end technical back pack designer (expeditions to Mt. Everest etc). Padded straps are a way of life for me...so I feel your pain. We'll put it into the mix and try to make it cost effective. I like the retrofit idea for other bags. No reason why we couldn't make it work.

I'll keep you posted on progress.

thanks
joe

Oh please please pleeeeeeeeease hurry!!! I know I already emailed you, but just wanted to let you know that I am VERY anxiously awaiting a new strap. Just as soon as they are available, I'll snap one up. I love everything about my Packabe, except for the buckles that dig into my shoulder (and boy do they dig) since I use it hooked up for messenger but use it as a tote. You guys are awesome!

Ok, coming out of anonymity here ...thanks, Joe, for giving this an honest assessment. One thing that I have found helps a great deal on the backpack straps is a thin band, placed horizontally near the armpit area or thereabouts to hang glasses and (my always present) keys on a caribiner clip. If you are looking at designing straps with "add-ons", please consider checking out the Timbuk2 Lula straps (www. timbuk2.com).

Also, if you need a tester - feel free to give me a holler (heehee)!

Thanks again!

Oops! My sig didn't show up before...

i would be most interested in padded straps. i personally love the uniqueness of jujube's -one strap does it all- type of thing compared to other bags with the separate straps. i always found myself just leaving the backpack straps of bags at home and then never having them those few times i needed them defeating the whole purpost of having a convertible bag. the packabe does seem(havent used it yet) like the perfect bag for my needs right now. one of the best features is the ease to go from a true messenger/shoulder bag to a backpack with just one strap. i would love a padded strap of the current setup. i would even pay for an upgrade to get a padded one that could be retrofitted to the bags that just came out. but i would be concerend though, the bags already being on the more expensive side, if you came up with a padded strap and charged as an accessory to your future bags for a padded strap, many people might be turned off thinking if you make a padded type strap, it should be included as an improvement to the older bags rather than a separate purchase. imo a padded strap is not an add on rather a practical necessity. people go to fleurville just because of the comfort of that strap. people would pay to upgrade their older bags, but if you made this strap, it should be the new strap used on all future bags, not a separate purchase. the stroller straps are understandable as you dont NEED them but a shoulder strap is needed and should be padded from the start of it. having the most comfortable strap on ALL your bags will bring customers to you for that specific reason.

Me chiming in again. I don't really want a newly designed strap. I just want one of the straps on the newer style bags - just with the padded top. If there's one laying around somewhere in brown/robin, I WANT IT!!!

I'm only being selfish in the suggestion, only because 99% of the time, when I use a convertible bag, I use it as a backpack . I do like the idea of a single strap, as it's a unique idea. I'm just not sure a *very* well padded strap could be looped through the rings as a single strap (for easy conversion). And I know I should just hunker down and get a plain backpack, but the packabe is much more appealing based on it's dimensions, features, and patterns. Truly, I can't find a pack that is similar!

Hence, the suggestion of padded straps as an added accessory. For those folks who wear the packabe in backpack mode all the time, it's a solution for us. Maybe the best of both worlds is to pad the current strap a little more and then make thicker detachable straps for others?

This looks looks like a good poll topic !

Maybe the best of both worlds is to pad the current strap a little more and then make thicker detachable straps for others?

yes thats what would make the packabe perfect. the one strap idea is jujube's trademark, what makes it unique from all others out there. but if you were to slightly pad the current straps(just as much as the other straps) and they were standard on the packabe, i believe this bag would be perfect as that is the main-actually only- complaint i hear about that hasnt been addressed in the new bags. then to offer a really padded removeable strap(like timi and leslie padding) as an accessory for those who were using it only as a backpack or for trips and such, it would cover everyones concerns and still not change the bags design, yet appeal to even more people. i have a packabe ert but if the straps were padded a little more, i would upgrade to that bag. then if i were going on vacation, i would go and buy the accessory super padded straps.

I think it would be good to have straps that clip on the bottom and top, like the bumble straps. It would be easier the having to feed the straps through loops,etc, its to much of a hassle. I adore my packabe though!!