<p>^Isn’t that the general asking price for a backpack nowadays?</p>
<p>I have an LL Bean backpack that I’ve had for 4-5 years; I forget if I’ve had to get it replaced once or not.
And no, backpacks did not stunt your growth. That doesn’t make any sense. Backpacks are also much better for your back than messenger bags if you’re carrying heavy loads.</p>
<p>“Swiss Gear stuff is very expensive, my backpack cost like $50”</p>
<p>Mine didn’t.
I found it at JC Penny or somewhere like that where there were a crap load of backpacks on sale for like $30.</p>
<p>Really I just went to a random store and picked the most neutral backpack. I didn’t want to walk around with a rainbow on my back.</p>
<p>Spire USA backpacks are beyond amazing. Their materials and construction are far beyond any other backpack I’ve ever used. They are marketed primarily as “computer backpacks” - but the compartment area for the laptop can just as easily be used for heavy books. The Volt and Torq are about right size and design for college use.</p>
<p>I have used one of theirs for 5 years now on a daily basis - it still looks brand new, their isn’t a single rip or weak spot in the heavy fabric, the zippers are still flawless and working smoothly, not a single frayed edge or loose seam. If I had to buy a parachute from a company based only on how well made (materials, workmanship, design) their backpacks were - I’d go with Spire USA.</p>
<p>Price might be a bit more than some willing to pay, but this is a backpack that lasts for years and years beyond what I’ve seen happen to other brands. The Volt is about $120 (without the optional “boot” for the laptop). I figure $120 divided by the 5 years I’ve owned it makes it a pretty good deal. It will easily last another 5 years for an overall investment of $12 per year (the way I see it).</p>
<p>Did I say it looks brand new still today? Buckles, straps, zippers, fabric, padding, etc - in great shape! Look up “spire USA” for the dot com address if interested. (Not affiliated with the company, just a happy customer.)</p>
<p>Annika</p>
<p>i think $20 for an equally durable backpack is a good deal too.</p>
<p>If the backpack says weatherproof, does that mean it’s water proof?</p>
<p>If you go on the Dell website, they are selling Swiss Gear for $30!</p>
<p>the best bags are track & field bags haha i got like 4 of them for free from big track meets like nike outdoor nationals but you can still pick some up if you can find … REAL durable, good size, million compartments, and most importantly … they look sexy</p>
<p>Northface Bandwidth. Super sexy. Got it for $67.</p>
<p>I just got my Swiss Gear backpack at Target for $50. No tax in TX this weekend. :D</p>