My nature journaling bag is a small crossbody that stays packed with the sketching tools I use most often, so I can grab it and head outside without rebuilding a kit every time. Right now I use the Fjallraven High Coast Crossbody Bag.
I tried using regular backpacks and loose tote bags first, but they created more friction than they solved. Either everything disappeared into one large compartment or I ended up carrying far more than I actually needed.
A dedicated bag changed that. My sketchbook, pens, watercolor set, eraser, clips, and a few outdoor essentials already have a place, so getting outside takes very little thought.
If you are new to the practice itself, start with my nature journaling guide. This page is specifically about the bag and field setup I use once I am ready to head outside.
The Nature Journaling Bag I Use
My current bag is the Fjallraven High Coast Crossbody Bag.
I like it because it sits between two extremes. It is more organized than a tote but much smaller than a hiking backpack. I can carry enough for a normal sketching session without feeling like I packed for an expedition.
For me, that matters more than having every possible art supply available.
The best nature journaling bag is the one I will actually take with me.
What I Look for in a Nature Journaling Bag
After trying several setups, I have narrowed the important features down to a few practical things.
Small Enough to Carry for a Long Time
I prefer a small crossbody or sling rather than a full backpack for an ordinary nature journaling walk.
Once a bag becomes large, I tend to fill the extra space simply because it is there. That means more pencils, more paint, more accessories, more weight, and usually more time deciding what to use.
I want enough room for the essentials while still being comfortable to carry when I am walking for several hours.
Easy Access Without Taking the Bag Off
This is one of the main reasons I like a crossbody setup.
If I see something I want to sketch, I can swing the bag forward, grab a pen or sketchbook, and start. With a traditional backpack, I usually have to stop, remove the pack, set it somewhere, open it, and dig around.
That difference sounds small until a bird changes position or the light you wanted to record disappears.
A Few Compartments, Not Twenty
I want enough organization that small tools do not disappear, but I do not need an elaborate tactical organizer.
My current bag gives me separate places for smaller items while keeping the main compartment open enough for the sketchbook and larger gear.
I find that a few useful compartments are better than dozens of tiny pockets I forget to check.
Some Protection From Weather and Dirt
A field bag is eventually going to get dirty.
I set mine on rocks, benches, dirt, grass, and whatever surface happens to be nearby. I therefore want a material that can deal with ordinary outdoor use and light weather without feeling precious.
For heavier rain, I still keep a simple zip bag inside for protecting the sketchbook. I would rather have an inexpensive backup layer than assume the outer bag will protect paper in every condition.
What Is Inside My Nature Journaling Bag
This is the setup I keep packed for an ordinary outing.
| Item | Why I carry it |
|---|---|
| 5 × 8 inch watercolor sketchbook | Small enough to carry easily but large enough for field sketches and notes |
| Ballpoint pen | Fast sketching and notes without much setup |
| Mechanical pencil | Useful when I want graphite or more control |
| Small watercolor set | For quick color notes and washes |
| Water brush | Keeps watercolor portable |
| Small cloth | Wiping the brush and controlling water |
| Kneaded eraser | Small and easy to pack |
| Binder clips | Holding sketchbook pages when it is windy |
| Phone or small field guide | Identification and reference after observing |
| Light poncho | Basic weather backup |
| Snack | Keeps a longer stop from becoming inconvenient |
I sometimes bring a small stool as well, but I do not consider it essential for every outing.
If you want the broader breakdown of sketchbooks, pens, watercolor tools, and other materials rather than just the bag setup, see my nature journaling supplies guide.
How I Organize the Bag
I organize the bag around how quickly I need something rather than trying to make the inside look perfectly neat.
The sketchbook and drawing tools should be the easiest things to reach. Items I rarely need, such as the poncho, can sit farther out of the way.
A simple organization might look like this:
- Main compartment: sketchbook and watercolor palette
- Small pocket: pen, pencil, eraser, and clips
- Separate waterproof bag: sketchbook protection for heavier rain
- Remaining space: cloth, snack, phone, or small field guide
I do not want to empty half the bag onto the ground to find one pencil.
Why I Keep My Nature Journaling Bag Packed
The biggest advantage of a dedicated bag has less to do with the bag itself and more to do with removing setup.
If I have to collect my sketchbook, watercolor set, pen, brush, clips, and other supplies every time I want to go outside, it becomes easy to postpone the outing.
When everything is already packed, I can simply pick up the bag.
I keep mine ready rather than unpacking it after every trip. I only open it up at home when something needs cleaning, refilling, or replacing.
Do Not Overpack Your Field Kit
This is the mistake I made most often at first.
I would imagine every possible thing I might want to do outside and pack a tool for each possibility.
Then I ended up carrying a heavy bag while still using the same pen and sketchbook most of the time.
I now prefer having fewer choices. A small kit makes me work with what I have instead of spending the first ten minutes deciding which material to use.
Adjust the Bag for the Outing
I keep a basic kit packed, but the contents are not fixed.
For a short walk, I may take little more than the sketchbook and a pen. For a longer outing, I might add watercolor, a stool, food, extra weather protection, or a field guide.
Season matters too. Sunscreen and additional water make more sense in hot weather, while colder outings may require gloves that still allow me to draw comfortably.
I think of the bag as a base kit rather than a permanent packing list.
Crossbody Bag or Backpack for Nature Journaling?
I prefer a crossbody bag for normal sketching walks because access is faster and the smaller capacity discourages overpacking.
A backpack makes more sense when the outing itself requires more equipment.
| Crossbody or sling | Backpack | |
|---|---|---|
| Quick access | Excellent | Usually slower |
| Short walks | My preference | Often more than needed |
| Long hikes | Can work for minimal gear | Better when carrying water, food, layers, or more equipment |
| Encourages minimal kit | Yes | Easy to overpack |
| Carrying larger items | Limited | Better |
I would choose based on the outing rather than trying to find one bag that can do everything.
What Size Bag Works for Nature Journaling?
I prefer a small bag because it forces the kit to stay focused.
You need enough room for the sketchbook and the few tools you genuinely use outside. Beyond that, extra capacity often becomes an invitation to carry things you never touch.
Before buying anything, put your normal field supplies on a table. That gives you a much better idea of the volume you actually need than choosing a bag first and filling it afterward.
You May Already Own a Good Journaling Bag
I would not buy a dedicated bag before trying the practice.
An old messenger bag, small backpack, sling, waist pack, or crossbody may already work.
Take it outside a few times and notice what bothers you.
- Is the sketchbook hard to reach?
- Do small tools disappear?
- Does the strap become uncomfortable?
- Are you carrying too much?
- Is the bag too small for the sketchbook you actually use?
Those answers are more useful than trying to predict the perfect setup from a product description.
My Bag Works Because It Makes Going Outside Easier
The Fjallraven bag works for me because it holds the field tools I actually use without encouraging me to bring the entire studio.
But the exact model is less important than the system.
Keep the sketchbook easy to reach. Carry only the materials you regularly use. Leave the kit packed. Adjust it for the length and conditions of the outing.
That is what turns a bag from storage into part of the habit.
When you are ready to put the kit to use, try one of my nature journaling prompts or look through my nature journaling examples to see how I use these materials outside.