need to get a good pack for college

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>hey everyone, i'll be a freshman this fall in college and i'm looking at what kind of back pack/bag/pack i should get. a friend gave me a nice laptop bag for college, but i can hardly store any books in it. i want to get a bag that can hold a laptop (and protect it. it's a new macbook), hold some text books, and other random things (ipod, notebook, waterbottle, pens/pencils, wallet, etc.) </p>

<p>messenger bags or back packs work. i'm thinking a back pack is better as they usually can hold more stuff and are easier on my shoulders/back, but some messenger bags are good. i like some of the north face packs, but i don't know which one is good for a college campus/dorm environment. anyone have any experience with north face packs?</p>

<p>i'm totally open to different thoughts and suggesstions, and have saved money for college stuff like this. the north face packs are expensive ($60-$120 range) but i enjoy their products and they're good quality.</p>

2

<p>Try [url=<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/search.php?searchid=12718173%5Dthis%5B/url"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/search.php?searchid=12718173]this[/url&lt;/a&gt;] out.</p>

3

<p>I'm getting a Northface backpack. My tote bag from last year rips my shoulder off if I put more than one textbook in it...</p>

4

<p>i use jansport and its really durable</p>

5

<p>If you don't mind spending the money, Timbuk2 has some great messenger bags/backpacks that also accommodate laptops. They're very durable and you can customize the colors if you want.</p>

6

<p>OKgirl: That link doesn't work</p>

7

<p>timbuk2s are really expensive, i would go with a jansport and check out Luggage</a>, Backpacks, Purses & More - Great Prices - eBags</p>

8

<p>fossil has super nice messenger bags. i bought one at the beginning of junior year and it is still in amazing condition. i bet i can use it all the way through college as well. they aren't very cheap (same range as the north face ones) but they are mostly leather and very well made.</p>

9

<p>I got a northface last fall, and it has been pretty sweet so far. I'm thinking it'll probably last me the next 3 years of college</p>

10

<p>I have a North Face "Recon" bag. It's pretty big, big enough to comfortably hold a laptop, books and other knick knacks. I think it costs about $80. I say the bag is well worth the money spent, and would wholeheartedly recommend you get one too!</p>

11

<p>timbuk2 bags are pretty expensive, but i suggest checking out ebay for some deals. i got a brand new commute laptop messenger medium-size for 70 bucks (no shipping cost) and it retails for 100.</p>

12

<p>I would never spend $80 on a backpack, especially for school.</p>

<p>JanSport is AMAZING. I'm taking one to college with me that I've had since freshman year. There is only one tiny hole in the bottom. Those things last forever and are way cheaper than North Face and others.</p>

13

<p>I never used a backpack in school past freshman year...I just held my books and carried a purse....
Do I really need to get a backpack? I know I need a laptop bag, but Im used to carrying a lot of books...</p>

14

<p>The North Face Surge is easily the best North Face Laptop Bag there is. I bought it last year and it's basically brand new. I have a 15.4 Macbook Pro and it fits very snug and it's very well protected too.</p>

<p>Take a look:</p>

<p>[url=<a href="http://www.o2gearshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=1884&osCsid=ebd39b9bb0142df1e03288e29dade6f2%5Do2gearshop.com%5B/url"&gt;http://www.o2gearshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=1884&osCsid=ebd39b9bb0142df1e03288e29dade6f2]o2gearshop.com[/url&lt;/a&gt;]&lt;/p>

15

<p>
[quote]
I never used a backpack in school past freshman year...I just held my books and carried a purse....
Do I really need to get a backpack? I know I need a laptop bag, but Im used to carrying a lot of books...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don't like carrying my books, so I have a messenger bag and only use my jansport backpack for when I carried my laptop to the library, or had to do a paper/study at the library and needed a lot of texts. Only went to the library about 5 times though. :P But I def. could have gotten away with carrying my books. I really only had some notebooks, pens, and a calculator. Once in a while a small book for a class. And rarely a prof. would ask that we bring a big text to class. So I think if I wanted I could have gotten away with comfortably carrying books around 98% of the time.</p>

16

<p>I personally prefer messenger bags to backpacks, but they kill my back, so I use the latter. I'd recommend any of the North Face backpacks (I personally have the Borealis). Yes, they're more expensive than JanSports, but after using my North Face, I can't go back. JanSports are durable, yes, but they aren't as durable, nor are they as comfortable as NF. Good backpacks can make your load seem lighter than it really is.</p>

17

<p>i wound up getting a north face "sure shot" and am pleased with my purchase. </p>

<p>if anyone else wants to buy a north face bag, i recommend that you NOT buy directly from the site. you can often find the same bags at reduced prices at other sites, like ebags. thats where i ordered mine from.</p>