<p>I'm currently looking into getting a new bag for school. I currently have a Dakine, and it's great, but honestly, it's a little bulky... but perhaps it's because I've got some massive books. Another confession is that I might have an obsession with buying new bags, but what girl doesn't? </p>
<p>Here's what I'm looking for:
- Messenger style
- I have 2 classes that are extremely close together, and one of the books is pretty heavy and thick, so combined with the other book and binders, I need something that has a decent sized main compartment - but I don't want anything really bulky
- Quick/easy to open
- Organizational compartments (particularly one for pens, calculator, cell phone, misc. items- index cards, post-its, etc, and preferably one for a water bottle)
- Outer zippered compartment preferred (for quick access to things like keys, wallet, etc)
- Space for laptop/tablet - I have a 13.3" laptop, but planning to purchase a tablet soon (will likely be either the iPad or Xoom, so around 10")
- A respectable style (nothing too girly or childish, as I will also be taking it to work, and frankly, other than my obsession with bags, I'm not very girly)</p>
<p>I guess my biggest issue at the time is limited resources for quality messenger bags in the physical stores here, so I'm stuck shopping online, so it can be hard to judge if the size is desirable. By desirable, I mean thick enough to hold a couple of books/notebooks, but not so wide that it makes me look like I've packed for a month long trip to Antarctica. </p>
<p>I have the Dana bag (first one on the page) and it works very well for me. It is waterproofed (I live in one of the rainiest places in the country), fits my 14 inch laptop, and has a great strap. There is a back pocket for a newspaper and a zippered pocket in the front. There are also a few smaller outside pouches on the front (one is large enough for a TI-84 which is what I use it for, the others are meant for pens/pencils/highlighters). The top can be left open or buckled for security. </p>
<p>I love this company, even if it’s a little pricey. The bags are of excellent quality and definitely last (I’ve had mine for four years of heavy use). I also recommend buying a should pad from them as they are very comfortable. </p>
<p>If you don’t like any of those, I also recommend the Jansport Elefunk (can be found on ebags.com). That bag is not waterproofed but it is less structured so in theory you can fit more stuff. It has a ton of pockets, including side ones that do fit a water bottle. The quality is not as good (I used one for only a year and the strap got messed up so badly I couldn’t use it anymore, although the second one I used lasted for two years).</p>
<p>I bought a timbuk2 bag last summer for college and absolutely love it. They’re a little pricey, but they hold up amazingly (10+ years if you treat them well) and my bag fits every need I have. Currently, I’ve got my laptop (13 inch MBP), a thick textbook, and a few notebooks in it with no issues. It’s got plenty of other pockets as well.</p>
<p>They’re available here. I have the size medium. Anything larger would be absurd, honestly.</p>
<p>The Dana bag looks great! I’ll definitely be adding it to my comparison list. I also use a TI-84, so the fact that the pocket fits it easily is a definite plus (I hate having to fish mine out of the deep zippered pocket on my Dakine). </p>
<p>For comparison sake, my Dakine is the 12" x 19.5" x 4.5" one, so that’s what I’m referring to when I say bulky. I think it’s actually just the 19.5" width that bugs me the most. Oh and the strap is adjustable, but with my books in it, the adjuster just kinda gives way, and it ends up sliding and sitting just above my knees and banging against my leg when walking.</p>