In search for tour guide insights

Hi all!

I am a product design student tasked with designing a bag for tour guides. I am looking for some insights into the experience of a tour guide.

What kind of things do you carry with you during a tour (both personal and professional)?

What kind of bags do you use now?

What are some features you look for in a bag? What features would your ideal bag have?

Have you had any issues with pick pockets? Do you worry about carrying cash tips in touristy areas?

Thanks in advance for your insights and help!

in Tourguideby sylvan_design1

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3mo

PaintingGreen

3mo

I take outdoor tours through rough trails and am often rained on. I currently use a simple dry bag that gets filled mostly with a large first aid kit, a lunch box of food for the guests, my water bottles, and a few small tools. Being completely water proof is super important. Small interior pockets might be helpful, but currently I don't use any pockets on my bag.

sylvan_design1

3mo

Thank you so much!

[deleted]

3mo

Chap Stick for winter. A good tour guide should have some images to share, so a three ring binder, sheet protectors and and pointer (a single chop stick is usually good for this). Plastic ponchos for rain. Bandaids and antibiotic ointment for people who are part of a larger group and don't complain until, after a week of walking they're on my tour and the sores on their feet become unbearable and they ask to stop somewhere to get new socks. Extra phone chargers. Maybe extra comfy socks for people who really mess up.

sylvan_design1

3mo

This is super helpful! Thank you

nolanightman

3mo

I do city walking tours. Something waterproof that can carry at least a water bottle and little umbrella. I usually also carry hand sanitizer and sunscreen. Comfort is key. My current one is a small, adjustable single strap. I hate that it's designed for only my left shoulder, so I wish it was able to change shoulders somehow.

sylvan_design1

3mo

These are great insights. Thank you!!

SexyWampa

3mo

I do van tours and some small guided hikes. I take a backpack with binoculars or a mono scope, sunscreen, wet wipes, phone charging cables and plugs, also battery packs. Water bottles, small first aid kit and a leatherman multi tool. ( you’d be surprised how many people ignore the “stay away from the cactus “ rule.

CasioMaker

2mo

My EDC rotates depending on the type of tour I've been booked for, but a few escencials that never leave my bag:

* First Aid Kit (a have both a personal and a "for the group")

* Multi-tool rotation of either a Swiss Army knife or pocket tools

* Battery bank for recharging phones.

* Foldable selfie-stick or gimbal (I take pictures for promotional usages every once in a while)

* Set of 2 FRS walkie-talkies. One for the driver of the day and one for myself, specially if we're at a national park or an area with limited cellphone coverage.

As for my bag, I'm rotating through either a Doite Cumbre Multisport 15 (for half-day tours) or a Saxoline Bridge (for a full-day tour). I still miss my Weinbrenner Lalibela backpack that when up in flames when my parents home burnt down in 2021; I haven't been able to find the same model and apparently, it's been discontinued.

In general, I rather have a backpack that can carry all the stuff I might need during the day, than a smaller messenger bag that barely fits all my items. Rain protection is a must, so for the bags I have, I've bought rain covers.