Ask HN: Best backpack for everyday use?
I am currently carrying a cheap backpack every day for the past years and now I want to buy one of a better quality.
What I (think I) need is:
- A small backpack. To fit a 13'' laptop. I would be happy if it could fit a bigger one too but I want the backpack to be slim, light and relatively small. 15'' backpacks tend to be big. I want a small backpack.
- Usually, I carry a 13'' MBP laptop, a shirt and a few gadgets like a powerbank, cables, etc. And ofc IDs, business cards, and smaller stuff.
- Good quality, to handle the sweat on the back and not be easily scratched, get dirt etc. I will use it every day going to and coming back from the office and after work, I may still do a walk before going back home. I do have another bigger backpack for traveling but this one I want for everyday use.
- Nice to have an easily accessible pocket without getting the backpack off my shoulders to put a key, a wallet, a phone etc.
Regarding budget, I would say between 80$-120$.
Have you used a backpack that fits that description? Some other recommendation/advice?
49 comments
[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 98.4 ms ] threadsome good brands i like are: timbuk2, mission workshop, topo, chrome, minaal, and tom bihn.
if i had to recommend one bag to start with it would be the tom bihn synapse
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14721746
36 points, 68 days ago, 42 comments
source: https://hn.algolia.com/?query=timbuk2&sort=byDate&type=comme...
Keep your phone/wallet in your pocket?
It's not just phone/wallet. It may be some changes, a business card someone just hand it to me, my headphones.
Currently I have their Dry Red No 5 in blue https://www.crumpler.com/au/dry-red-no-5/
Oh, and they're quite cheap, too.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_3_8?url=search-alia...
https://www.fjallraven.us/products/kanken-13-laptop-backpack
MSRP is $110, which is within your budget, and it looks like Amazon has it for $89.
I love this backpack and there aren't any drawbacks that I've noticed. I carry it everyday and have done so for a little over a year now.
[0] https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N0ZLG5F
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XANKVO/ref=oh_aui_sear...
Also has 25 year warranty I believe.
The build quality is superb, and it works as a 2 day trip backpack. You can pack enough clothes for a weekend trip.
Plus water resistant :)
I got it for ~$100 at a Costco sale. The retail price on the website I linked is so much higher but I recommend checking Costco to see if they still have it.
0: https://www.luggagepros.com/kenneth-cole-reaction-back-stage...
I think it's usually marketed as for bicyclists, but I've found it works really well just for walking/commuting.
The only criterium I think it fails to meet is a pocket accessible without taking the backpack off your shoulders.
Mine was £55 on sale at Christmas but it's possibly the best bag I've ever had.
Edit: here's the link https://www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/jester-2
I'd also add that it's fairly lightweight, so on days I'm not traveling with a laptop I'm happy enough to throw it on my shoulder with just my normal daily essentials (kindle or tablet, phone charger, USB battery, notebook, wallet, pens, keys, etc).
https://www.ospreypacks.com/us/en/product/daylite-DAYLITE.ht...
It has absolutely nothing defected in its texture. But I should note that I'm particularly careful person.
I am quite abusive with my packs, and tend to hold onto them well beyond what most others might consider the expected lifecycle. And, because i don't often replace my packs, I am very choosey in what i end up going with. But, so far, this orca backpack that i bought recently is holding up fairly well. Because it has the MOLLE webbing/strips, I can expand it by buying add-on components (like small packs/kits, like water bottle holder, etc.), and strapping them on the pack itself. This is the first military type of pack that I've gotten because I find the more devices i need to carry, and the more durable that i need a pack to be, the more expensive the options are for non-military (civilian) style of backpacks (like my old SwissGear) pack. I don't know, maybe you can find an inexpensive non-military backpack for every day use...but nowadays, it seems like (some) military packs are being designed with civilian use-cases (like carrying numerous electronic devices) in mind. You might want to consider looking at such packs. Good luck!!
I have a Lowe Pro that I keep meaning to get fixed (zipper broke). It has a pocket on the bottom for a SLR camera. You can easily fit two laptops, the camera, and all your cables in it.
https://www.briggs-riley.com/shop/function/backpacks/brx-exc...
Recently I've been using a Timuk2 Command backpack, which is pretty minimal, but can expand quite a lot and is also very durable. I've had mine for almost 2 years and have done a lot of traveling with it and it is in excellent shape. The only downside is the laptop pocket is not easy to access without moving the straps and the actual laptop compartment is side loading which requires unzipping the whole thing. Good news is my lapop fits in the tablet slot so that's where I keep mine day to day.
Then why do you need a backpack? :-D
There's a website called carryology that has comprehensive reviews of all the fancy designer and boutique backpacks out there:
http://www.carryology.com/category/bags/backpacks-bags/
Which one is best? Whichever one you feel best serves as a projection of your identity as a commuter. Casual commuter backpacks are actually really simple and it's hard to fuck up.
I'm currently using a chrome industries Barrage cargo backpack:
http://www.chromeindustries.com/product/barrage-cargo-backpa...
Why? Cuz it looks cool. Otherwise it's just some shoulder straps and a bunch compartments to hold your crap like any other backpack.