Backpacks vs Messenger Bags?

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>I'm starting next week as a freshman in college and still ordering some supplies at the last minute.</p>

<p>I'm considering either a messenger bag from Timbuk2 or a backpack from North Face.</p>

<p>I need to carry a laptop and my text books, so will need a little room. At the same time, I would like something that's stylish. I don't wanna look like a nerd, lol.</p>

<p>I'm majoring in Systems/Networking Administration, so naturally I want to be stylish and techie at the same time.</p>

<p>As far as being stylish, is there much difference between a messenger and a backpack?</p>

<p>I'm male, btw.</p>

<p>Thanks! :-)</p>

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<p>Messenger bag if you are Jack Bauer…backpack if not. Just my opinion</p>

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<p>Backpacks are more practical - they hold more and distribute the weight more evenly across your back.</p>

<p>Messengers are practical if you have a bike, and (imo) look better than backpacks.</p>

4

<p>Seriously: no one cares. Most people have backpacks, but it’s not like you’d be making a statement with a messenger bag. if you’re going to be biking all over the place, I’d say get the backpack–messenger bag + laptop (or anything slightly heavy, really) + bike = bad combination.</p>

<p>EDIT: Really, Tappmann? Whenever I’ve been on a bike with any kind of one-shoulder bag, it swings all over the place, gets whacked by my knees, scrapes against the back wheel, and is generally very annoying.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>You can only be one. Choose wisely</p>

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<p>I think backpacks and messenger bags both look nice and roomy. Find backpacks and messenger bags you and see which ones you like more.</p>

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<p>lol @ theReach… srsly, you’re majoring in computer-related stuff, that’s pretty nerdy (coming from someone considering a major in Information Systems & Management)</p>

<p>But really, go for whichever one works best for you. I myself find backpacks more comfortable than messenger bags, but I also find messenger bags a bit more convenient (especially the rigid-body ones).</p>

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<p>backpack for sure.</p>

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<p>messenger bag, remember to wear it across your upper-body though. If you sling it over one shoulder its a purse (or a satchel)</p>

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<p>Thanks for the help. I’ve been leaning towards the backpack already, but just wanted some other opinions. :-)</p>

<p>@theReach - I’m going to a Junior College and getting my Associates. I’ll then transfer to a local University get my Bachelors. The Junior College I’m going to just combined PC Support with Networking Administration, and is calling it Systems Administration. From what I understand, Systems Administrators and Networking Administrators do close to the same thing…</p>

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<p>He meant you can only be stylish or techie, not you can only be a systems amin or network admin.</p>

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<p>I said it in another thread and I’ll say it here: messenger bags are the grossest looking things I’ve ever seen.</p>

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<p>Here’s a flowchart for you:</p>

<p>Am I gay?
Yes ---------> Buy a messenger bag
No ---------> Buy a backpack unless you are a modern hippie</p>

<p>Supported by anecdotal evidence.</p>

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<p>Man up! Your not drinking beer without a great Pilsner taste! Bud Light.</p>

<p>Idk, reminded me of that Bud light commercial. Anyone?</p>

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<p>@marcdvl - thanks for the clarification, LOL. Looks like I badly misread his post! </p>

<p>@Baelor - thanks for the flowchart. Love it. I’m Definitely not gay…</p>

<p>I guess I used a poor choice of words. When I say “techie”, I mean more of a sophisticated type look. Not a nerd with big glasses. ;-)</p>

<p>I think I’m definitely going with a backpack. After checking out some more styles, messenger bags don’t seem to fit my look.</p>

<p>I’m NOT trying to make a statement with whatever I choose, but I don’t want to look like a goober either.</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>Miller Lite. Miller Lite is a Pilsner, Bud Light is not. Bud Light is an American Lager style beer.</p>

<p>And now you know.</p>

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<p>Miller Lite is only good in a 40 oz vessel, and it is only good for getting sloshed.</p>

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<p>I dislike both.</p>