Steve shame on you for buying new stuff, a sack would have carried your gear just as well as that new bag. But you should remember to ask for plastic not paper when you get one from the store, the paper doesn't hold up as well in wet weather.

Or you could do like these "Pro's" do and just throw your gear on the ground when your not using it;



Nascar Photog 102 by hdnitehawk01, on Flickr