A few days before I headed out on a three-week trip to Japan, I stopped by Baggu to buy their Medium Nylon Crescent Bag. I was looking for a lightweight bag that I could wear crossbody with ample room to carry all the things I needed for the day — but that wasn’t too big. I also wanted something with a minimalist aesthetic since it was the only bag I was packing. The Medium Nylon Crescent Bag checked all the boxes for me.
Well, it performed so wonderfully on that trip that I found myself reaching for it again and again when I returned home. It’s since become my go-to everyday bag.
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Wearing the Baggu Nylon Medium Crescent Bag in Japan. Related: What I packed for three weeks in Japan.
Size & Organization
Size: At 8″ × 13 ¾” and 4″ deep, I think it’s the perfect size for a bag when you’re out and about for most of the day. (Unless you’re the parent of a young one, in which case you probably need to tote more stuff around.) It’s deceptively roomy.
When I was traveling, I could fit my phone, wallet, reusable bag, a pouch containing various small items, a notebook and pen, tissues, phone cable and charger, a few small guidebooks, sunglasses, a snack, and a bottle of water.
If you’re looking for a different size, though, this bag also comes in a small version and a large one.
Weight: I cannot with heavy bags! This one is superbly lightweight at just 7.2 ounces. I love how lightweight it is.
Organization: The interior has two large zipped pockets on either side. I put the things I reach for the most (like phone, wallet, charger, and lip balm) in the zippered pockets so that they’re easy to find. Bigger items like the water bottle, sunglasses case, and my pouch of various things go in the middle. (Using pouches makes it easy to corral things and switch between bags. I go into my pouch organization system here.)
I made a video of what fits in the bag here.
Baggu in Use: With all the things pictured at the top of this post now in the bag. Yes, those are sporks in a pencil case.
Materials
This bag is made out of nylon, which is lightweight and tough. Baggu only uses recycled nylon, which is more sustainable than brand new nylon. The fabric has a slightly textured look to it. And it’s machine washable!
The strap, with a sturdy plastic buckle, is adjustable to 37.5″ so you can wear it over your shoulder or crossbody. I have two quibbles about the strap. One, when you adjust it shorter, it leaves excess strap hanging out to the side. I’d prefer a design where the strap was contained in a closed system. Two, I’m not a fan of logos, so I don’t love how it says “Baggu” in all caps on the strap. But at least it’s tonal so it’s not loud.
The zippers glide smoothly. No complaints there, though a would-be-nice-to-have is if the main zipper were a double zipper.
A closer look at the adjustable strap, which leaves some extra strap hanging off when shortened.
Colors & Style
Colors: The Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag currently comes in 11 colors (from brights to neutrals), two prints, and three embroidered designs. A recent collaboration with Sanrio resulted in an embroidered Gudetama design and embroidered Hello Kitty design. Note that the strap and zipper remain black no matter the color. That’s too bad. I’d like to see the strap match the body.
Predictably, with my love of black, I gravitated to the black bags. (This design with little embroidered hearts is a way to bring in bits of color to a mostly black bag). But if I ever feel like changing it up, at $52, this bag won’t break the bank.
Style: It’s definitely a casual bag, but I find that fits right in with my wardrobe, which has gotten more casual over the years. I like its simple shape. (For days that I want to feel more polished, I use my Everlane Form Bag — reviewed here.)
Crecent Bags: Baggu vs. Uniqlo
Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag – $52 // Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag – $19.90
Apparently this Baggu crescent bag went viral on TikTok. If you’re wondering how it compares to another similar viral bag, the Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag, I have both and can share some thoughts.
The Uniqlo bag (pictured on me here) is smaller. It’s called mini for a reason. Size wise, it’s in the middle of the small and medium Baggu crescent bags. In terms of what it can fit, it’s comparable to the Lo & Sons Nouvelle (my review here). I can fit wallet, keys, phone, reusable bag, tissue packet, lip balm, big sunglasses case, and a small bottle of water, though it’s a tight squeeze.
While it also has a nylon shell, this nylon doesn’t feel as durable at the Baggu nylon though it does feel softer. It’s coated with a water-repellent agent. The interior lining is a thinner polyester. The material is also slightly padded (with a polyester filling). Inside are two slip pockets on one side, but no zippered pockets.
Some nice touches: piping along the edges, which helps the bag keep its shape, and the color of the straps match the body in all colorways.
While the Uniqlo bag is a cute bag, I find myself reaching for the Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag much more due to its capacity.
How It’s Held Up
Uniqlo Jacket // Everlane Jeans [review] // Baggu Bag
I’ve carried this Baggu bag around for more than a year now and it doesn’t show any wear, like at all. Talk about good quality! Importantly, it’s also a comfortable bag — even when I stuff it full of things. Overall, I appreciate the Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag‘s simplicity and practicality. It’s roomy, stylish in a minimalist way, and has a pleasing shape. I can’t really ask for more in an everyday bag.
UPDATE 7/16/24 – Baggu now makes tonal straps for some colors.
