Miss Marple Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 We live in a little 'burb and don't have access to some of the really cool techie stores, except online. So my son, going to college next month, needs a backpack. It needs to be specially padded to hold his new laptop as well as have quite a bit of room for a textbook or two, notebook, and other assorted stuff. The local finds are very skimpy - either on the laptop padding or on the quality of strapping or other materials. I found some great looking bags online but they are well over $100! And I can't see them up close and personal :confused: So, do any of you have some suggestions or recommendations? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Check sporting goods store s- there tend to have lots of backpacks for school in stock this time of year. Or your son may have to wait until he is at college to get a pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Have you looked at LL Bean's website? They offer a number of selections and always back up their products if you should have a problem. Cheap backpacks can fall apart from the weight of college texts. I would buy something that will last and also advise your son to keep beverages away from his calculator and laptop. I cannot tell you how many students I have had who have lost electronics due to leaking beverage containers!! Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtsmamtj Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 My husband is a network computer guy and carries his laptop around with him along with some extras. We came upon this backpack by http://www.armorgear.com and it has been the best yet. It is padded, has a slot for his laptop, other slots and several little pockets to put all sorts of things. I think the one he has is called the pack-a-derm model, but there are others also. HTH T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Love the Land's End backpacks--very durable. If you call them, their customer service would be happy to help you--same with Bean. Also, consider more of a briefcase (soft, padded) for the laptop--may be too "geeky" for college, tho! :D He should be able to find a backpack that can carry books and a laptop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda's Mommy Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 I got my laptop backpack from www.ebags.com about 8 years ago and it is still holding up. I gave it to DH when I quit working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted July 26, 2008 Author Share Posted July 26, 2008 Thanks for the link - there is a lot to choose from :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted July 26, 2008 Author Share Posted July 26, 2008 We haven't had much luck with the standard school type backpacks. My techie guy (nephew) won't let my son get the usual type because he doesn't feel it offers enough padding for the laptop. Of course, said techie isn't the most careful of fellas either :-) whereas my son is more considerate of his stuff. I think I'll have him access the school's bookstore to see if they have anything special - thanks for the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted July 26, 2008 Author Share Posted July 26, 2008 Do you think that a textbook or two as well as a notebook could fit in there with the laptop? I did notice that they have a PackADerm XL... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted July 26, 2008 Author Share Posted July 26, 2008 I'll check out the Bean and Land's End websites. They do have quality products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted July 26, 2008 Author Share Posted July 26, 2008 Oh, he won't be a happy boy if he kills his new computer! He'll have to ante up the $$$ for the new one. I'll be sure to give him your advice :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwen in VA Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 If your child doesn't mind being "different" -- dd found that LOTS of girls carry messenger bags and some guys do. (The messenger bag guys tend to be the independent thinker type.....) Dd is on her second messenger bag. She really likes the Lands End one. Ds has decided to go the geeky messenger bag route also -- but his will be in sophisticated black instead of sky-blue. Messenger bags are GREAT for carrying laptops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 If your child doesn't mind being "different" -- dd found that LOTS of girls carry messenger bags and some guys do. (The messenger bag guys tend to be the independent thinker type.....) Dd is on her second messenger bag. She really likes the Lands End one. Ds has decided to go the geeky messenger bag route also -- but his will be in sophisticated black instead of sky-blue. Messenger bags are GREAT for carrying laptops! be regional....here, not too far from Gwen (Suburban MD/DC/Baltimore) a lot of guys use the messenger bags.... I have a backpack and so does ds for the laptop though...I really like mine, it's a Jansport I think. It has large capacity sections that you can cinch down with straps so that you can hold stuff together more firmly. Also, check at places like Marshalls or TJMAX if you can....sometimes you can find stuff in the luggage area! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtsmamtj Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Cynthia - My husband's Pack-a-Derm has deep sections in the center - I think at least 2 of them. One keeps his laptop and the other whatever else he needs. He used to take his textbook when he was studying for his exams I know that. Then there are other slots along the outer sides that he keeps a variety of things in. HTH T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennW in SoCal Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 I spent last weekend with thousands of young people, mostly 20-somethings, at Comic-con and THE bag of choice seemed to be a messenger bag. I actually noticed that very few used back packs, and figured backpacks are just not hip anymore. My 16yo ds carries a padded messenger bag we found at a computer store. He even carries it when he isn't taking his laptop somewhere! It has extra room for textbooks and notebooks and has a pocket with little pen/pencil slots as well, along with a netted side pocket for a water bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetreasurs Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 The college bookstore may end up being the best bet. We looked all over for back packs before my son went away, unsuccessfully! He found a great one when buying his textbooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaJuana Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 It seems that messengers have replaced the backpack for toting computers and books to class on many college campuses. There are lots of great messenger bags available. Many of the bags come with special sleeves to protect laptop computers. My college students like the ones with lots of organizing pockets to allow easy access to everything from a pen or calculator to a cell phone or a water bottle. Each of them chose a bag according to their tastes: a black tactical gear bag from L.A. Police Gear, a custom decorative design from Timbuk2 Bags, a black Euro bag from eBags, an Ogio bag with superb organization space, etc. The possibilities are almost endless. I'll include a few links, but I'm sure you'll find others. http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/home http://www.ebags.com/messenger_bags/department/index.cfm?sub_site_id=21 http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722579534/page/1.html - Ogio bags http://www.ogio.com/products.php?search=messenger http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722679614/page/1.html - Sherpani bag http://reloadbags.com/bags/messmini.php - custom messenger bags hth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyFL Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 http://www.macproductivity.com/road-warrior-gear-selecting-the-best-backpack/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy in Indy Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Don't go cheap on this. In the long run, you will spend more money, rather than less. I think messenger bags are really popular on campuses right now. The website linked earlier has a really nice one in the computer bag section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyce Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 If you have a membership. It's well padded and has the big thick shoulder harness. I believe it's $39.99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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