Backpack Advice

I'm looking at buying a bigger backpack for school since the one I have is too small. Here are the things I'm looking for:

- waterproof
- padded back and shoulder straps
- laptop compartment that can hold a 15" laptop with room to fit several notebooks (ideally in a pocket of its own)
- big compartment to fit a couple of textbooks and a couple of binders
- another compartment to fit a change of clothes (tshirt and shorts)
- compartment to fit school supplies with pen holders
- water bottle holders
- and any other smaller compartment would be a nice bonus

I'm buying from Vancouver by the way. Thanks in advance to anyone who can recommend a bag.

 

Try at ross. They got a $20 targus messenger bag that is good for the price, And it has a lot of space inside. If you get a time, check ross. Add +1 rep if i helped you. it looks like this. http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.aspx?sku=TSM08002US

 

you sound like the PERFECT candidate to be using the Booq Boa Flow M.

you're going to have to be creative to make some things fit and its going to be hard to fit multiple laptops AND books in there, but its doable.

the price is steep(you have been warned), but the suspension straps are out of this world.

also, not quite waterproof, but it'll last you through the rain no problem.

 

I think you pretty much described the SLAPPA M.A.S.K.

 

I use a Backpack called the BrainBag from tombihn.com
The two large pockets on the back can each hold a 1L nalgene water bottle, which is great.



Let's see how it stacks up.
- waterproof The Brain Bag is made with fabrics that are coated on the interior with urethane for water resistance and treated on the exterior with a durable water-repellent finish. Over time these surface treatments can wear, leaving your bag and its contents more exposed to rain and snow than you might like. Nikwax is designed to replenish the water-repellent finish. It is also recommended as an extra precaution for your new Brain Bag if you intend to use it in an extremely wet environments. Nikwax is environmentally friendly and is not tested on animals.
- padded back and shoulder straps yes
- laptop compartment that can hold a 15" laptop with room to fit several notebooks (ideally in a pocket of its own) yes it can hold a 15" laptop.
- big compartment to fit a couple of textbooks and a couple of binders
The brainbag has two main compartments. Neither has any padding, so you have to use a sleeve that has padding of its own. Tombihn makes a padded sleeve for this purpose called the BrainCell. It offers great protection but also takes up most of the available in one of the two main compartments, there is only enough room to fit one or two coil scribblers. In the other main compartment you have room to fit two 1" binders, and one or two text books depending on their size.

- another compartment to fit a change of clothes (tshirt and shorts)
If you pack a Tombihn BrainBag with the objects I've listed above there is quite a bit of room ontop of those ojects inside the bag. There's enought room for a Tshirt and shorts, but that's about it. might need a gym bag too.
- compartment to fit school supplies with pen holders
Yes, in one of the three compartments on the back. One of them has penholders.
- water bottle holders yes

- and any other smaller compartment would be a nice bonus yes, see pic

The Tombihn.com Brain cell sleeve. It has lots of padding in it. You'll never have to worry about your laptop being damaged.



Other thoughts
- Northface makes some nice laptop backpacks too.
- Since it rains alot in Vancouver you may want to get a backpack waterproof cover. Mec.ca sells them for pretty cheap.
- Some of these Maxpedition packs look like they could carry a tonne.
Tactical Nylon Gear Backpacks, Military Assault Packs for Bug Out, Survival, Outdoor
- ShaggyMac.com sells a microfiger cloth to protect your screen from the keyboard. I love this thing and never go without it.

 

I saw 'Tactical Attache' and laughed

The EU-spec Targus XL would work as well, but alas, after looking carefully - a different, and seemingly less good, XL seems to be for sale in the US. The XL EU has the room you need but is not absolutely huge, and has an integrated rain cover. Still, the US-spec XL isd worth checking out although it doesn't appear to have the rain cover. http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.aspx?sku=txl617 You could always get one separately of course.

 

I'm not sure how big compartments you actually need. I just bought Case Logic lightweight sport backpack:

- waterproof: Yes.
- padded back and shoulder straps: Yes.
- big compartment: Fits couple of textbooks and notebooks,
- compartment to fit school supplies with pen holders: I carry a mechanical pencil, pen, eraser, tissues, and earphones in their own case. Also can fit spare t-shirt and shorts/underwear.
- water bottle holders: Yes, but doesn't fit american 0.6L bottles perfectly (not sure what do you have in Canada) - the top gets in the way of closing all the way.
- Yes, has extra small compartment on the front.

And even extra:
- doesn't look american-supersized like it's made for climbing Mount Everest? Absolutely!

Here's some pics: Picasa Web Albums - U - Case logic

Price: $44 (after 20% spring sale discount and 20% Bing Cashback).

 

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone! I guess I should clarify that at this point, I'm looking at spend no more than $100 on the backpack. Looking at some of the higher-end backpacks makes me wish I had a money tree somewhere.

And a side thing, how effective are backpack rain covers? That was an option I've never thought of before and it could work as long as it's not too much of a hassle to put on and off.

 

The bigger the pack the more you'll be tempted to fill it. So take care, the weight will go up quickly. In my view, it's better to go multiple bags instead. But if you insist, make sure it has good strong straps

 

Dell XPS backpack can be had for $40 or less shipped on ebay. Fairly MFing huge though. I mean HUGE! You look like one of those evil black battle crab things in Dark Crystal or a ninja turtle. Pick whatever description suits you best.

I have one and decided to not use it for daily use however. Easily holds a 17" laptop, notebooks, books, clothes, water bottle, etc. It even has a slot for storing a fullsize keyboard.

If you do decide to get one off of ebay, be sure to use Bing Cashback.

 

No backpack that cheap and that big will be fit to wear for long. So don't expect to get anything more that the equivalent of cross campus duty. That typicall means about 30 minutes before your circulation starts to shut down. That's about the limit to my Targus XL. Though I can tweek a few minutes longer when i use the waist straps.

NOTE: Weight approx 45lbs! See what happens when you carry a big backpack??

 

Right now I'm looking at the SwissGear Synergy and the Sumdex Full Speed Shine backpacks as they both seem to have the compartments I'm looking for.