Need advice on a bookbag.

[Derek Zeanah]

Decided to go back to school to knock out an MBA, and it looks like I"ll have consumed 2 backpacks making it through the first semester. I'm not that rough on equipment, but I expect to be able to load a bunch of books into a bag and sling it around a bit. Ideally without tearing up softcover books...

Anyway, can someone recommend a good book bag? Something tactical-ish would be fine if it didn't need to be black or OD, and waterproofness is a plus here in the South. Build quality ranks way higher than low weight, and odds are that most of the time I'll end up using one shoulder strap at a time (though not the same shoulder strap, and those silly looking one-strap bags just don't work for me.)

[Upriver]

Hey Derek,

If you change your mind on one-strap, over the shoulder messenger bags, I'm a big fan of the Osprey "Transit". It's got a structured laptop pocket on the inside, and a loose paper divider - as well as multiple small pockets, and enough loose space for a number of books.

I've been using this for work / travel for a couple of years now, and have been really pleased. It is also fairly water-resistant (self-sealing zippers, ballistic nylon, etc).

If you're clunking around with three plus large, hardback textbooks, then this probably isn't for you. If you're a sometimes laptop + books, then it's a pretty good fit.

There's also plenty of room to CCW in the outside flap pockets...

[sm]

LLBean

These just flat work and outlast any other brand I and others have tried.
I don't care if small kids size, to the largest adult one, these just have proven to be better made, of better materials, and just work.

We use these for other uses, besides book bags, these are even tougher than some bags marketed for guns, and range use.

-
Leather

It has been too many years and all mine were destroyed by fire, still I used some leather book bags and backpacks that were tough!

One was Kangaroo, like the Browning Boots were made, a greenish color.
Another was a Holland & Holland I won.
Others were custom made by tack folks, so check with some folks that carry and cater to horse owners.

[djm725]

Derek,

Check out http://www.maxpedition.com/ their stuff is tough as nails and woth every penny, should last you through a degree or two.

[rantingredneck]

Keep in mind my experience with this is about 10 years out of date, so I'm not sure if they "make them like they used to".

I started at Pembroke State with an Outdoor Products backpack. I transferred a year later to Appalachian State (Go Mountaineers!!!) with it and shortly there after the zipper gave way (I blame the thinner air :D). In actuality it was probably the fact that my bookbag doubled as my daypack for hiking and I did a good bit of it. I took it back to Kmart (where it was originally purchased for 39.95) and they replaced it with a brand new one, no questions asked, no reciept.

I carried that backpack the next three years of college. My wife carried that backpack a couple of years of her college carreer. I still, 14 years after purchasing it, carry it on vacation, range trips, gunshows, camping, trail hiking, etc. It's in my closet right now and I'll probably carry it to the gunshow tomorrow to haul some stuff around in (provided I find some stuff I can't live without).

[Exmasonite]

+1 on all things maxpedition. they have some great bags.

any other special needs on the pack? laptop, CCW, etc?

I have had an excellent experience with Timberland backpacks. Osprey and Kelty make nice packs, too. All 3 will double nicely for a day/weekend hike.

mountain hardwear always make really top-notch, high quality stuff. a little $$ for me.... i save my $ for more maxpedition products, haha.

i highly recommend www.ebags.com Lotsa great options.

good luck and let us know what you decide!