Quality backpack for teen/adult

klondikebar · May 2014

DD will need a new backpack for school in the fall and we saw some great deals now that won't be available near school time. I was hoping it would last her into college for a bit. We haven't had success with the ones we've purchased. She destroyed her messenger bag this year. What are some good quality brands that will hold up? I don't mind spending more if it will make it more than 6 months without a hole. She saw a couple she liked from High Sierra and Herschel Supply. Are those decent? I don't want to read a million reviews. TIA

SandyClam · May 2014

I was really hard on bags in school and went through almost one a semester. In grad school, I broke down and bought an expensive bag. It held up all through grad school and I still use it. The brand is called Property Of.

PinkDahLia44 · May 2014

I'm 30 and I've used the same Jansport backpack since I was 16 (so 2 years of high school, 6 years of college, and various airplane/car trips). Not a tear or loose thread on it.

klondikebar · May 2014

I think I had a Jansport too. I forgot about those.

klondikebar · May 2014

The Property Of bags look nice. Thank you!

algalphys · May 2014

I was also going to suggest JanSport as well. I realized early on in university that it was wise to spend extra money on a good backpack.

klondikebar · May 2014

mbenit4 said:

I had one from LLBean that lasted forever.

It looks like they have some on sale. Thanks!

klondikebar · May 2014

algalphys said:

I was also going to suggest JanSport as well. I realized early on in university that it was wise to spend extra money on a good backpack.

Yeah. She uses her bag to and from high school everyday now, but they aren't allowed to have them throughout the day so it just sits in her locker. I know the wear and tear factor is definitely going to increase in college when she actually has it on her for a good portion of the time.

klondikebar · May 2014

That's a good point @spooko about the laptop. I didn't think of that. We'll definitely check out the High Sierra ones too. ty

Mrs.Rose · May 2014

You can always buy a laptop sleeve if you find a nice non-laptop bag at a reasonable price. I did that in law school and it worked fine

Topi-Jan · May 2014

Lurker chiming in here. I had a Jansport for ever and ever. I vaguely remember having a zipper problem years after buying it and when I went to finally buy a new one the salesperson told me to bring my old one in instead. Jansport either replaced it or fixed the zipper because of a lifetime warranty. Mind you, I think this was a long time ago, so double check just in case. Also, I agree with checking on padding or some kind of tech support slot if you're going for a long term purchase.

klondikebar · May 2014

Mrs.Rose said:

You can always buy a laptop sleeve if you find a nice non-laptop bag at a reasonable price. I did that in law school and it worked fine

That assumes the college kid won't be lazy and just throw it in the bag;) DD is pretty responsible, but having a special pocket that couldn't be forgotten would be nice.

Mrs.Rose · May 2014

KlondikeBar said:

Mrs.Rose said:

You can always buy a laptop sleeve if you find a nice non-laptop bag at a reasonable price. I did that in law school and it worked fine

That assumes the college kid won't be lazy and just throw it in the bag;) DD is pretty responsible, but having a special pocket that couldn't be forgotten would be nice.

Excellent point.

Maebb · May 2014

DH has this one and uses it as his work bag and as his "personal item" for traveling, and he loves it. It has a lifetime guarantee, lots of space, laptop sleeve, and ergonomic. But it's kind of pricey.

https://www.brenthaven.com/pc-cases/expandable-trek-titanium#viewer

Smootchy · May 2014

DH has a military backpack from when he was in the marines. I couldn't find an exact pic but this bag is AMAZING. I'm sure it's a bit more than a Jansport, but I'd guess this bag could last possibly the rest of her life, and then some.

Oh....and now I can't get the pic I have to attach anyway

vandelay · May 2014

Spooko said:

Have her really try to think through the other features she may want. For example, how important is a side water bottle pouch? And a smaller pocket for coins or things she doesn't want in the main part of the bag getting lost? I really use my little pocket and my only regret about my H.S. bag is that there's no water bottle pocket.

TWSS

Sorry. Good morning!

vandelay · May 2014

To make a contribution that's actually valuable, I have a couple of friends who swear by Swiss Gear for traveling.

colliebabe · May 2014

I still use my LLBean one from college. Their replacement policy is great!

Want a personalized experience?

Quality backpack for teen/adult

Re: Quality backpack for teen/adult

Choose Another Board

Search Boards