<p>I was looking at backpacks/messenger bags and am very much a "girly" girl...planning on rushing etc.<br>
I love Vera Bradley, but my question is this: How have those bags held up for you all?<br>
I have a Vera that I love..and have had for about 3 years, but it's breaking down a bit. I've also never used a VB backpack to carry all of my books/laptop [separate carrying case for the laptop, respectively].
Any suggestions? Jansport looks nice and is sturdy too from what I've seen.
How do you lug around your books? [:</p>
<p>I have a good old Jansport that I’ve had since the 7th grade. I wash it every summer and it looks brand new. And they do make some cute styles.</p>
<p>AND they’re much more affordable than North Face and such.</p>
<p>I swear by Jansport, I have one that is ten years old that looks like new. I do have an HP laptop backpack that I use, too, though. That isn’t trendy but is very functional for carrying my laptop around all day.</p>
<p>I have been using an Under Armour backpack for 5 years and it is still holding up. It carries all my books and my laptop. It’s quite sturdy, but not very sexy (all black) like you are looking for. But I got it in high school because I has to carry all my books all over the place. Now that I’m in college I never fill it up. So I think you will probably be able to go with something lighter than high school if you want to because you don’t carry books around as much in college.</p>
<p>I have, unfortunately, heard that the new Jansports aren’t quite what the old Jansports were. That said, you would still have a hard time beating the quality, style, and price of a Jansport.</p>
<p>I’ve used the same Jansport for 6 years. A few small tears but those are my fault.</p>
<p>northface>everything else</p>
<p>I had a northface which was nice and comfy but I lost it and now I use my old jansport. Not very supportive on the shoulders.</p>
<p>I searched through all the old backpack threads on here and ended up getting the north face recon. I love it so far.</p>
<p>the OLD North Face Recon! Not the new one… I used to have a Jansport during my Junior Year and I hated it. Another good backpack, is the simple EastPack. All Europeans have it. haha.</p>
<p>Nah, the best is the North Face Recon! Kinda heavy, but comfortable! good for all your books and laptop. Worth $80 though.</p>
<p>Hmm what is the difference between the old vs. new? 
I only saw a difference in color really. Either way it is great, I haul my laptop in there and also throw a camelbak water skin in when I go hiking.</p>
<p>it just looks cooler. haha. the new one is lighter though, but i still like my old one better.</p>
<p>i used a regular blue jansport throughout middle school and high school. But then the bottom ripped, so i went to the Goodwill and bought a small brown banana republic backpack for 50 cents last summer. perfect shape and size for me =)</p>
<p>I have a north face surge and it’s beastly.</p>
<p>Jansport. </p>
<p>They’re awesome and have a lifetime warranty :)</p>
<p>Jansport destroys.</p>
<p>I’ve got a North Face Recon and it’s pretty good. A little small actually, but in terms of back and shoulder support it’s quite comfy.</p>
<p>I have an awesome Columbia backpack.</p>
<p>Honestly…I just use large purses, and it works out great! The only time I use a backpack is on Mondays when I have to give a tour right before class…I don’t want a shoulder bag on my shoulder for an hour whilst walking around campus, up and down all the hills.</p>
<p>SingDanceRunLife - what brand of purse do you use? It has to be big enough and sturdy enough but still cute, obviously.
Vera seems to be the best bet but any other suggestions would be great [:
x</p>