Ask Engadget: best backpack for holding a laptop and textbooks?
By Darren Murph 
posted May 27th 2010 10:36PM
posted May 27th 2010 10:36PM
Look, this guy doesn't need yet another thing on his plate when it comes time to get ready for college. The least you can do is provide him a name and model of a solid backpack for carrying around his LAN party rig and [Insert Course Here] 101 books. Bone throwing is encouraged in comments below."I am going to be attending college in the fall and am l looking for a good backpack that not only provides protection for my 15-inch laptop but also has space for accessories and books. I don't care about brand; I want something that will last and I don't have to replace for a while. Thanks for your suggestions!"
I would recommend Manhattan Portage. I have a laptop messenger bag from them that is ballistics nylon amazing quality.
I have the Keen Morrison backpack (http://www.ebags.com/product/keen/morrison-limited-time-offer/144948?productid=1303155&sourceID=GOOGFEED&CAWELAID=235598576)
I've had it for about a year now, and it's still in great condition. It has a laptop sleeve in the back pocket, and enough room for a couple of textbooks and some notebooks.
The people at Keen make quality products all around. I have a had a pair of sandals from them for nearly 2 years now, and they still look and feel new! That's two years of intense hiking AND SWIMMING with them all over the world, and I don't even see a thread coming loose.
I use the eBags Downloader backpack, and I'm very happy with it. It's my normal bag and I can do a three day trip with my laptop and camera gear in it easily. http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/downloader-laptop-backpack/15025
It'll fit a 15" laptop plus maybe three textbooks at a push. It's well designed and robust and has some useful features like expanding side pockets for water bottles, and internal zip pockets for cables and power supplies. If you don't think that's enough space, you might want to look at the larger eBags Workstation pack.
One thing I'd recommend is good packing and strap adjustment. Just like a hiking pack, you want to get the weight well distributed with your laptop and books as close to your back as possible, and the weight carried by your hips as well as your shoulders if your bag allows it.
second the wenger, bought it 3 years ago when I got my ridiculy expensive Macbook Pro and needed to protect it. That thing is huge and has lots of compartments
http://www.wengerna.com/synergy-ga-7305-14
should go around $50 now
@TauTau Yep same one I have. I got it for around 90 when it first came out a few years ago. Has served its purpose well. Its huge!
I have a Swiss Gear / Wenger backpack and love it. Use it to carry my 14.1" T400, along with a bunch of other junk and usually 1 or 2 textbooks. Had it for 3 years now and has held up great! I believe they also have a lifetime warranty with them. Definitely worth the investment for a Swiss Gear product.
I have used several types of the larger Targus backpacks and I can tell they rock. Extremely durable, can hold ridiculous amount of stuff in several large compartments, extra padding for the laptop, several small pouches and pockets to keep the small things in order.
You can easily fit your weekend trip clothing and still have room for computer gear and snacks in the backpack. Yet, when carried empty, it's still light. The shoulder belts are robust and comfortable to carry even when loaded heavily.
Ok, the looks of these models is more for the functional perspective and some could say they look more PC than Mac, but if it's the functionalities, features and versatility you are after, then that really doesn't matter.
So here are my recommendations:
http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.aspx?sku=RG0322
http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.aspx?sku=TCG650
I had a Swiss Gear Synergy and it was everything I needed at the time for carrying a 15" laptop plus whatever else. Certainly not a compact bag, but it had lots of storage and compartments and padding. Best Carrying handle out there.
I have the Velocity Matrix backpack from Slappa. (http://www.slappa.com/velocity-matrix-laptop-backpack) It's the best backpack I've ever owned. It fits my 17 inch laptop (there is a version for smaller 15.4 inchers) as well as some books and other college things. I really like it because it's rainproof and tear resistant. It keeps my things dry when I have to walk across campus in a downpour. And it is very durable; I've taken it camping and dragged it through a wet muddy cave and it held up perfectly.
Wenger Swiss Gear IBEX FTW. Fits my college books and a 17" laptop among my IT work gear (tools, misc cables, extra hardware, etc...). It was under $100 and is well worth the cost.
Having used my North Face backpack with a laptop sleeve going on 5 years I would say getting a Laptop specific backpack isn't important if you have a good laptop sleeve (separate from the backpack) for it. As far as all backpacks go I'm pretty much sold on North Face, but would also consider Mountain Hardwear or any of the other camping equipment companies, way more than Targus or anything you'd get from Dell.
I would say OGIO Politan. Actually any OGIO backpack would be great. They have plenty of room and a nice padded laptop section. They are also comfortable to carry, I wear mine on my back everytime I fly. Just my .02.
I love my Northface Surge: http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=58258&storeId=207&catalogId=10201&langId=-1&from=subCat&parent_category_rn=24451&variationId=001
I have a Patagonia Half Mass bag:
http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/patagonia-half-mass-messenger-bag?p=48274-0-805
It has great durability and is incredibly comfortable on the shoulder due to its wide strap. Also, the strap adjustment system is elegantly designed to be used with one hand whilst walking or riding.
I have been using the BBP (BumBackPack) for a while. It's completely amazing. The convertible strap allows the bag to transform from a backpack to a messenger bag. I bought the medium for my MBP 13 inch and it has enough room for books, change of clothes, laptop and more. Has a sh!t load of pockets on the inside and outside. The laptop pocket has a spacer inside to prevent it from sliding around and it is on the outside (zipper covered by a waterproof seal to prevent it from getting wet) so you dont have to open the bag to get to your laptop. You should check them out... bbpbags.com. I bought the Hampton Hybrid.
Also, some bags may seem expensive, but remember how much your laptop, books, phone and mp3 player costs. Better protect them. Don't get cheap and buy a sh!tty bag.
Oh, and the incase messenger bag, blows. Way to thin, not enough protection and it lacks outside compartments. -Owned one and hated it!!-
Cheers.
I just picked up this bag last semester. http://www.ebags.com/product/the-north-face/surge/109317 It fits my 15 inch laptop just fine. Its also a pretty solid bag that I can see lasting for quite a long time. I'd check at a local REI for this one though as it goes on sale from time to time. I got it for about $15 cheaper there during a sale.
Timbuk2, they have a wide range of backpacks but, I'd really recommend the courier bags. They also have a GREAT "build your own" program, for not too much more money. Either way, they're indestructible and more importantly, water (beer) proof.
Anything from http://www.SpireUSA.com I had there largest backpack, Meta, for 6 years of continuous use and its still in great condition. Most of there backpacks come with a *separate sleeve/case* that lets you carry just your laptop when you want to.
My Meta can carry 4 large textbooks, a notebook, all my laptop accessories (charger, surge protector, mouse), two calculators (graphing/normal), and pens/pencils. Its so roomy that I can use as a carry on for 2-4 day trips with the laptop and full week long trips without. Even with all that size I can make it small by use the straps to collapse the unused space.
If you really load it up, you can put in the plastic frame sheet in the back and use some hidden waist straps to transfer the load. So it can become like a mini backpacking type backpack.
Not sure about backpack but timbuk2 is a very good brand
I use a plain old shoulder bag and have my laptop inside a sleeve inside the bag.
North Face Box Shot. Has a section for laptops up to 15" and lots of space. It's more vertical than my old North Face Wasatch, but that's good for subways and getting through tight spaces.
NYC and New Haven
North Face - ON SIGHT, this backpack actually fits my OCZ Extreme840 (AKA Whitebook/ Arima/ Aienware M17)
I own this back from Ful
http://shop.ful.com/productdetails.cfm?nt=&type=Backpack&itemno=UB2L%20Warm%20Grey&name=Refugee&line=Urban
It was reasonably priced from Target ($40 or something iirc)
I specifically wanted it to carry a laptop and gym clothes for when I cycle to work. The laptop fits comfortably in the zipped pocket at the back, and the main section is huge and would easily store many textbooks. It has one of those audio porthole things, but I've never seen the value as I like to actually change my music now and again :)
Its comfortably for long-ish rides (an hour) and I thought it would get my back really sweaty but it doesn't.
Honestly the Dakine 101 is fantastic. you get A stylish look and many color options. A side loading Laptop Pocket and two large pockets for textbooks and folders Plus a small pocket for electronics, pens, camera, sunglasses, whatever you want. And there is a pocket on your back for, which is great for travel, a passport or something.
http://www.dakine.com/street-series/guys/101/
Its got great style, comfort and protection. fits my 15" macbook pro with a laptop sleeve on it.
Funny this was posted today. I just replaced my Wenger Synergy with a The North Face Recon. I highly recommend both of them. The Synergy holds more, but it's a huge ass backpack, very visibly large. The Recon holds a lot, not as much as the Synergy, but it has a much smaller profile. The Synergy is a great pack, but it doesn't look nearly as good on your back as the Recon.
Check out Dakine's surf-inspired back-packs, the wet suit pocket is perfect for any textook (have had it for over a year now, so it's thorouglyfield tested) and accesories. Its big enough to fit even reference books on top of that pc and has an isolated bottle pocket, a life saver in both summer and winter!
Ive owned this Backpack for about 4 years now and have loved it the whole time. It is big enough to carry my laptop computer and 1 or 2 small books, or my net book and all my big chemistry texts. It has protected my computers on multiple drop occasions and has nice compartments for all my agendas, pencils, IPod and PSP.
Defiantly worth a look!
http://www.wengerna.com/synergy-ga-7305-14
Lots of good suggestions. I've compiled them into a nice list here - http://twtpick.in/2L
I bought the outdoor products power laptop pack after my car was broken into and my school bag was stolen. I LOVE this bag. Its has tons of pockets, a few of them hidden, one is behind one of the pads that help with air flow. The main compartment has a 3 slot accordion file. And if you pick this bag up with an REI membership you get a lifetime warranty.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd definitely get the Spire backpack I have now. It's enormous without looking like it is, and it holds an incredible amount of stuff. Plus, you can get a laptop sleeve to put inside of it.
First of all, you came to the right place, my first encounter with engadget was their "best gadget bag" Ask, and the people here definitely know their bags.
Background: I've been a bag nut for about a decade now, and I worked on a project based around redesigning the modern backpack for collegiate use.
Second, the quick recommendations: (alphabetical)
BBP
Booq
Chrome Bags
Crumpler
Eddie Bauer
Everki / Tritton
High Sierra
Keen
North Face
Osprey
Outdoor Products
Patagonia
Swiss Gear (often confused with Wenger)
Timbuk2
Tom Bihn
And on the cheaper side, almost all skateboarding bags will last through a serious beating and have great features, favorites of mine are Dakine, OGIO, and Clive.
Side note: Jansports aren't so bad, the standard Spring Break we tested held 280 lbs before failure at the plastic strap tightener.
What it really comes down to though is the exact features you're looking for. A couple ones that really steered me later:
Do you carry water and another drink? Then you need 2 bottle holders
What is your budget? Pick one and stick to it, the bag is out there!
Do you want a water bladder? They really come in handy at times.
Do dividers and special pockets matter? If they do, go for it, they can make or break an expensive decision.
Do you want easy access? Maybe a messenger bag would be a better choice, they are the top in access while precariously riding a bike to class.
And the absolute most important one that made me waste $120 on a beautiful Booq 17" bag.
Does the bag fit easily under a TINY stadium seat in a huge lecture hall???
There is nothing more annoying than having twenty people stumble over your oversized bag because you finally snagged that perfect aisle seat next to the cute girl/guy in your gen-ed Bio class.
Crumpling under a seat is a feature all in its own.
This is BY FAR the best backpack I have ever owned. A bit on the expensive end ($150) but it will last forever.
http://www.oakley.com/catalog/products/icon-backpack-3-0
nike sb backpack space for EVERYTHING very useful even if you don't board