Crossbody Bag Packing Guide for Conventions and Game Days

Quick answer

Pack a crossbody bag for a convention or game day by starting with a bag that sits flat against your body, then layering your essentials in zones: flat items against your back, bulky items in the main compartment, and quick-grab items in the front pocket. Keep the load under about five pounds and test the strap before you leave. If you are carrying dice, use a small dice bag inside the main compartment so they do not roll loose.

A crossbody bag is the best middle ground for a convention or game day: it keeps your hands free for dice, books, and snacks, but it forces you to decide what actually earns a spot. The trick is not cramming more in; it is choosing a bag with the right shape and then packing it in layers so nothing gets buried.

This guide walks through the same process I use before a long day at a con or a home game. You will choose a bag, build a short packing list, organize it by how often you reach for each item, and run a quick weight and comfort check. The goal is to sit down at a table, open one flap, and have everything you need without unpacking the whole bag.

Step 1: Choose a crossbody bag that fits the day, not the whole weekend

Start by matching the bag to the event. A convention day usually means more walking, so a slim crossbody that sits high on your hip is better than a large messenger bag. A game day at a friend's house is more stationary, so you can carry a slightly larger bag with a wider main compartment. Look for a bag with at least one zippered main section, one flat front pocket, and an adjustable strap.

The most common mistake is buying a bag that is too deep. A deep bag swallows small items and forces you to dig. If you already own a crossbody bag, measure its main compartment and compare that to your largest item, such as a notebook or a small book. If the bag is more than twice as deep as your largest flat item, it will be hard to organize.

• Checkpoint: put the bag on over the clothes you plan to wear. The strap should sit flat on your shoulder, not dig into your neck.
• If you carry a water bottle, make sure the bag has a pocket or strap loop that can hold it upright.

Step 2: Build a short packing list around three categories

Divide your items into three groups: flat essentials, bulky essentials, and quick-grab items. Flat essentials include your phone, a small notebook, a pen, and any cards or IDs. Bulky essentials are things like a dice bag, a small book, a snack, or a compact water bottle. Quick-grab items are the ones you want without opening the main compartment: a keychain, a pin you might trade, lip balm, or a small pack of stickers.

For a typical convention or game day, aim for no more than eight to ten items total. If your list is longer, decide what you can leave in a locker, a hotel room, or a larger bag at the table. The crossbody bag is your active carry, not your storage.

• Common mistake: packing for every possible scenario. You do not need three pens or a full art kit unless you know you will use them.
• Write your list on your phone before you pack, then cross off anything you did not use at the last event.

Step 3: Pack in layers so the bag stays flat and balanced

Lay the bag open and pack the flat items first, against the back panel. This creates a stable base and keeps the bag from bulging outward. Next, place bulky items in the center of the main compartment, with heavier items closest to your body. Finally, put quick-grab items in the front pocket or any exterior slip pocket.

Balance matters as much as order. If you put a heavy dice bag on one side, the strap will twist and the bag will swing. Center the weight, or split heavy items between the main compartment and a second small pouch. A crossbody bag should hang level, not tilt.

• Checkpoint: close the bag and hold it by the strap. It should hang flat against your side without sagging in one corner.
• Use a small pouch or a dedicated dice bag for loose dice so they do not scatter when you open the main compartment.

Step 4: Use small organizers to stop the dig

The single biggest upgrade to crossbody bag organization is a set of small pouches. A pencil case for pens and cables, a coin pouch for dice, and a flat sleeve for cards or a notebook keep categories separate. This means you can reach into the main compartment and pull out exactly what you need by feel.

If you carry pins or patches to trade or display, keep them in a hard-sided tin or a small flat box so they do not scratch your phone or snag the bag lining. For a convention, a dedicated pin pouch also makes it easy to show your collection without emptying the whole bag.

• Common mistake: using one big pouch for everything. That just creates a smaller version of the same mess.
• Label pouches with a sticker or a piece of tape if you switch bags often.

Step 5: Run a weight and comfort check before you leave

A crossbody bag should not exceed about five pounds for a full day of walking. Weigh it on a kitchen scale or hold it in one hand and compare it to a full water bottle. If it feels heavier than that, remove the least-used item and leave it behind.

Adjust the strap so the bag sits at your hip or just above it, not at your lower back. A bag that hangs too low will bounce against your leg and tire your shoulder. If the strap is thin, a padded strap cover can make a long convention day much more comfortable.

• Checkpoint: walk around your home for two minutes with the packed bag. If it swings or digs in, repack or readjust before you commit.
• For game days, you can go slightly heavier because you will sit more, but keep the bag off the table so it does not compete for space.

Step 6: Adapt the bag for the specific event

Convention days often involve lines, crowds, and quick transitions. Keep your ID, phone, and a payment card in the front pocket so you never have to open the main compartment in a crowd. If you plan to buy art prints or small merchandise, bring a lightweight tote folded in the main compartment for overflow.

Game days are more about table space. Keep your dice, a pen, and a small notebook in the main compartment, and leave the rest in a larger bag nearby. If you are playing a game that uses cards, a small deck box or a playing card case will protect them better than a loose pocket.

• Common mistake: overpacking for a game day because you might need something. A crossbody bag at the table should hold only what you need for the next few hours.
• If you carry a drink, use a leak-proof bottle and keep it in an exterior pocket, not next to books or electronics.

Crossbody bag packing steps at a glance

1. Choose the bag: Pick a slim crossbody with a zippered main compartment and an adjustable strap. Avoid deep bags that swallow small items. Checkpoint: the bag should sit flat against your hip when empty.
2. List your items: Sort into flat essentials, bulky essentials, and quick-grab items. Cap the list at eight to ten items. Common mistake: packing for every possible scenario instead of the actual event.
3. Layer the main compartment: Flat items against the back panel, bulky items centered, and heavy items closest to your body. Checkpoint: the bag hangs level, not tilted, when you hold it by the strap.
4. Add small organizers: Use a pencil case for pens, a coin pouch for dice, and a flat sleeve for cards or a notebook. Common mistake: one big pouch for everything, which recreates the same mess.
5. Weigh and adjust: Keep the loaded bag under about five pounds and set the strap so the bag rests at your hip. Checkpoint: walk for two minutes. If it swings or digs, repack or readjust.
6. Adapt for the event: For conventions, keep ID and payment in the front pocket and add a folded tote for overflow. For game days, keep dice and a notebook in the main compartment. Common mistake: letting the crossbody bag become your only storage for a full convention day.

Critical Role gear that fits a crossbody bag

• Critical Role Pin No. 4 - Bells Hells Crest: This enamel pin is 1.3 x 1.5 inches with a butterfly clasp closure and is made from zinc alloy and hard enamel. Its small, flat shape makes it a natural quick-grab item for a front pocket or a dedicated pin pouch, and the butterfly clasp stays secure when you are moving through a crowd.
• Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins Volume 3 Limited Edition Hardcover: This limited edition hardcover is exclusive to the Critical Role online shops and contains 152 pages of story content. At 152 pages, it is a realistic bulky item for a game day bag if you want something to read between sessions, but it will take up most of a small crossbody bag, so plan the rest of your packing around it.
• The Legend of Vox Machina Crew Beanie: This dark heather beanie is 100% acrylic and features the Legend of Vox Machina logo with 'CREW' written below, plus a Critical Role logo tag on the edge. A beanie is soft and packable, so it can fill gaps around bulky items in a crossbody bag without adding much weight, and it is easy to pull out if a convention hall runs cold.

A crossbody bag works best when it carries less than you think and everything has a place. Pack in layers, use small organizers, and do a quick weight check before you leave. You will spend less time digging and more time playing.