NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 (edited) My youngest will be attending JMU, a large campus. He may be biking across campus to and from classes. I am looking for backpacks that are comfortable, sturdy and can accommodate up to a 17-inch laptop. He is 5'11 and slim. Any ideas? ETA:. He actually needs a 15.6 inch laptop! Edited May 24, 2016 by NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyS Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 (edited) For long term durability, you can't beat a Kelty backpack, IMO. I've had mine for over 10 years and that thing has been abused. They have seriously padded shoulder straps and good hardware. They are meant for serious use. You will spend $$ for them (mine was $100 ten years ago), but I think the comfort of good materials and not replacing them constantly is worth it. ETA: My Kelty does accomodate my 17" laptop, and even better, it accomodates it in the "wet bag" section of the backpack, so that if I'm carrying a water bottle or something, it's protected. Most Kelty's also come with a water bag and nozzle, but I find it's only worth using if I'm going hiking or someplace where I'm away from civilization for several hours, otherwise, cleaning the water bladder isn't worth the hassle. Edited May 23, 2016 by TammyS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopskipjump Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 (edited) http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/chacabuco-backpack-32-liters?p=47926-0 http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/chacabuco-backpack-32-liters?p=47926-0 We're looking at one of these two patagonia backpacks for dd. Several of her friends have one or the other for (high)school, have used them for multiple years, and they like them. DDs hauled her friends' backpacks around and liked the balance/padding/straps of both styles. Both will accommodate up to a 17" laptop. Edited May 23, 2016 by hopskipjump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhudson Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 My ds loved his messenger style laptop bag. He said it was by far, the most useful graduation present he received. http://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Command-Laptop-Messenger-Bag/dp/B0136NC96U?ie=UTF8&keywords=Messenger%20laptop%20bag&qid=1464017822&ref_=sr_1_14&sr=8-14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 I have no idea the brand, but Costco carries a heavy duty one around August. We have two and they hold up fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Backpack plus 17 inch laptop is tough. Is it too late to get a smaller laptop? Or maybe do a backpack plus a separate computer bag bungled to a cargo rack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share Posted May 23, 2016 Backpack plus 17 inch laptop is tough. Is it too late to get a smaller laptop? Or maybe do a backpack plus a separate computer bag bungled to a cargo rack? Just looked at the JMU website. The recommended laptop has a 15.6 inch screen. So, I can go smaller.😊 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grantmom Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 I'm always hesitant about putting heavy books in with the laptop. Will he have to also carry heavy books in this bag? I might at least get a separate laptop sleeve to put the laptop in to cushion it, and then get a bigger backpack. Maybe something with a strap around the waist. Places like Dick's have good brands and you can try them out, stick your stuff in it and put it on your back. My DS has a North Face one from there with a strap around the waist that is nice. I have this backpack: http://www.amazon.com/adidas-Ridgemont-Backpack-Black-14-Inch/dp/B00GBQ5F5C?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage In fact, I have two of the exact same style. I love it because it has a nice cushiony separate space in the back for a laptop, and then two more separate areas for books and other stuff. However, if you had this backpack filled with a laptop and heavy books, it would be pretty heavy. This backpack is pretty big. But whenever I need to travel with my laptop and have other binders, books, or paperwork with me, this is the bag I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 (edited) in some very geeky circles, Kankens rule they have one that takes at 17in laptop. The bags themselves are very sturdy but made of light material so they don't add much weight. http://www.fjallraven.com/kanken-laptop-17amazon has them. They're also a smaller one that takes a 15 in <--- this one has lots of reviews Edited May 23, 2016 by hornblower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
history-fan Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 LLBean has great backpacks. My ds has used his backpack for his first 2 years of college and it still looks new. He likes the separate compartments, so he can organize, easy and quick access, his laptop is in a sleeve in a compartment by itself usually,it is weatherproof, has side pockets for water bottles, place to carry lunch and is comfortable to carry all day. LLBean also guarantees their backpacks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamanthaCarter Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I still use my 20 year old LL Bean backpack several times a week. Still going strong; no rips, loose seams, anything. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 (edited) I'm not sure if the shape of backpacking backpacks would fit all the books you mention, but a pack that has a sturdy waist belt puts the weight around your waist, where you hardly feel it, and leaves your shoulders with almost no weight. It might be worth going to a good camping store to check out packs. We also have some LLBean school backpacks that just keep on going. Edited May 24, 2016 by Alessandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenbeanmama Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 We have several LLBean backpacks that have held up very well. My husband has a Swiss backpack (think Swiss army knife brand) that has had a ton of abuse and is doing great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 We have had many over the years, but the only one that lasted more than a year has been my dd's SwissGear. It holds her big old programming laptop, too. She has had it for two years and doesn't need to replace it yet. I'm getting middle dd one for college in the fall (she has gone through an LL Bean and a Sketchers backpack in the last year.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenaj Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 My college kids both purchased LLBeans during the spring of their freshman year after each of them destroyed several cheaper backpacks. They are now both seniors and those LLBeans are still holding up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 We bought my oldest a backpack from Eddie Bauer about 7 years ago so that he could easily ride his bike to his dual-enrolled classes at our local college. It has lasted through constant use. Ds recently graduated college and his pack looks like new. He is about 6" and weighs about 140 lbs. This is very similar to the pack that ds has. But, my son's pack has a padded waist strap. They took that out with later versions. Here is another pack that is similar that does have the padded waist strap. Both say they handle 15.4" laptops, but they really can handle larger ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.