Vogelbung is on the hunt for a backpack.

Yes, NBR's own fashion victim / closet metrosexual has decided he needs a proper backpack, again, for the portage of mobile workstations.

It needs to be:
- Voluminous. Will likely only be housing a 15" mobile workstation but needs to e.g. accommodate an Elitebook 87-series or the Precision M6000-series comfortably, along with all the junk that goes with it.
- Stylish / cool / interesting. Or as stylish / cool / interesting as backpacks get. I realise that my carefully crafted sartorial decisions for the day will be fatally compromised by pretty much any backpack, but I'd like it compromised by the least possible degree.
- Comfortable. Some sort of suspension system wouldn't go amiss.
- Practical. Decent amounts of storage space, easy access, etc.

Recommend away please.

 

Style wise, it's pretty standard, but this guy should fit pretty much everything you want to throw in it with room to spare and so far Everki backpacks are among the sturdiest i've come across: http://everki.com/index.php/product...iendly-laptop-backpack-fits-up-to-18-4-detail.

 

I guess it's not exactly the ugliest out there, but I can see myself doing a passable Quasimodo impression with it. Still, as a regular backpack - what can you do, eh? The back (or should I say the front since it's where you wear it ) doesn't look very technical though - just the padded mesh which is useless for airflow.

 

Might not be the most fancy system out there, but i commute with my G73 in an everki beacon backpack and it's far from uncomfortable. I assume that you still have an insanely high budget for this so i'm sure there are other options available to you that i haven't thought of. In all the bags i've checked, the everki titan has very good compartmentalization (more than my everki beacon, but i can carry my 360 and my G73 in the beacon for LANs ).

I remember back when i was in my first year of uni, i did look at backpacks that had removable laptop compartments, lots of storage and excellent back support. However, that was 7 years ago and i can't recall who made them and at the time the 250$ price tag was too much for me. I'm sure what you're looking for (or at least something close) is out there, but i haven't come across anything like those backpacks from 7 years ago when i searched for a laptop backpack.

The other option i can think of is getting a backpack and sleeve separately. Finding a sleeve to fit those workstations might not be that easy though, but if someone found a sleeve for the G73, i'm sure it can be done for your notebooks as well.

 

Pricewise - yes, I don't really have a set budget, but the Everki is pretty much identical in price to one of the contenders I already have in mind - the Booq Boa Flow XL. Construction seems pretty similar (and the same issue with the mesh backpads is there), but I think the lines 'on-back' would be better with the Booq. Guess fishing to see if anyone as anything distinctly different as a suggestion.

Luckily most of the hipster bags that I might otherwise buy in a moment of weakness only fit the 15" Apples so they're definitely out.

 

I've been looking at bags since I'm selling my M18X and the Alienware M18X backpack with it. I also want something stylish but functional but I have to say the search hasn't been easy. I really like the Alienware backpack, mostly because it has a ton of "hidden" pockets. I like getting new bags though so I'm moving on. Here's what I've been looking at:

Thule-Crossover 32L Backpack

Probably the closest to what I have now with a lot of storage space and a lot of pockets. I don't like how it has a giant logo on the front but I can always use black tape I guess. Price is $129.

Backpacks / The Rambler Roll Top Bag || Mission Workshop

This backpack looks absolutely awesome to me and it's expandable which looks like I can easily use it as a replacement for a small suitcase for an overnight trip. There are a couple of downsides though such as #1 - There's only 1 external pocket and the interior is pretty much a big sack. #2 - It's $250. Not sure if I want to spend that much on a bag but apparently this one is near waterproof as well.

Chrome, Rolltop Backpacks, Pawn | CHROME | Official Site

Not sure what my deal with wanting a rolltop style bag but I like this one too. I guess it has to do with the fact that it doesn't look like every other bag out there. It also suffers the same problem as the one above with lack of pockets and stuff for organization. I'm just not sure if I want my stuff all jumbled up in my bag.

Uptown Backpack - Timbuk2 Bags

Kinda plain and simple but maybe too much so. This is also the only bag that has the TSA zip down laptop compartment which my current bag has.

I'll probably end up with the Thule but I wish I could find one of those cool rolltop style bags with all the features of my current bag.

 

I've been looking at a few which kind of resembles the Rambler (I like that style too) but that is the first one I've seen which advertises 17-inch compatibility. What 17-inch though, is the question - if it's the Apple then it's not an automatic guarantee that the 17" Dell/HP's will fit. I guess I should ask.

 

One thing you can do is check if it fits something like the m17x, if it does, it fits your workstations too.

 

I've been loving my Booq Mamba Shift. It just has a pocket for everything i take with me. Plus it has been successfully keeping the pouring New Zealand winter rain off my beloved gadgets.

 

Yup - I know what to look for fit-wise. It's just that a lot of the more 'styled'/'punchable hipster'/etc delete as applicable bags mean specifically Crapbook 17" when they say "17-inch" and are designed to be snug with an inch-high machine, tops.

Sadly from what I can Google, while the Chrome rolltop looks good when empty it actually looks quite ungainly when somewhat filled and starts to sag. And the other similar option from Chrome, the Ranchero looks like you're actually carrying a box on your back (too wide). Among the recommendations here the Rambler is looking like the style / look on the back I'm most after, including a shape that doesn't change a lot when heavily filled or half empty.

Further Googling turns up the Vans Fortnight: Vans Apparel - Fortnight Backpack
I quite like the style - but no details on how big of a laptop will fit.

 

I like this bag but there's no mention on how large the main compartment is.

I think I've decided on this bag but they won't have any more black ones until the end of the month.

T-Level tlevel Challenger 32L Backpack, Cinelli,Rapha,Chrome,Sag, Leader,porter | eBay

 

Colourwise black or grey would be also what I'm looking for - no primary colours and no olive/tan/etc as it doesn't always go.

 

you've been warned, this bag is ginormous and DOES NOT 'deflate'

as a small person(not midget, jsut short and thin), I CANNOT turn sideways in any sort of normal two-person wide hallway without hitting the person going the other way.

 

I went to a department store and picked a bag for $30 without complaining, I don't understand why you can't do the same?

To be honest, I was looking at the Thule-Crossover and it looked unappealing, especially for something that costs so much.

 

Having owned 30$, 70$ and over 100$ bags, i can tell you there is a difference between those in terms of quality at the very least (provided you're just not paying for brand). Let's just say that i went though 30$ bags pretty quickly, quickly enough that the more cost effective choice was paying more for a better bag.

It always depends on your budget, but often, you get what you pay for.

 

Ah... well, I'm pretty wide (still more in the "Do you do Judo?" way, not the "I see you like doughnuts a lot" way ) and generally I keep going until people get out of my way. So no problems there - but I'd like a slightly more compact pack given the limits of the portage requirements simply due to tractability in everyday use.

 

old thread I know I know, but if you are still on the hunt I use the GR1 from https://www.goruck.com/Gear Its simple and doesn't draw a lot of attention and is designed very well. Best of luck on your search!

Super edit:

I actually own all 4 of the bags, they all travel on planes well and the GR1 and GR2 will hold a 17 MBP no problem in the rear compartment.

These bags are well built. I've had over 70 pounds of gear in my GR2 and it still felt good on the shoulders and nothing broke (wrt the bag or its contents). Their customer service is also top notch, they sold me a GR1 without the stitching finished I emailed them a photo they apologized and next day aired me another GR1 with a prepaid shipping label to send the old one back.

I've been in Canada a lot lately and have never put my m6500 in my GR1 or GR2 but I will take a picture to show you how it fits next week when I get home. I would recommend the GR1 for daily auto and foot travel, the GR2 works for that but it is a lot bigger, and while I don't notice the size while its on my back it can be a cumbersome bag once in an office or on public transportation. The GR1 is just the perfect compromise between mobility and size.

 

Not bad, though I might feel like a Tactical [Summer's Eve] with one out in town.

However I picked up a Mission Workshop Vandal in the end.

And a Sanction.

...And a VX/R8.

And...

Well, you get the idea.

 

haha yay now you look like an urban camper woohoo, MW makes good backpacks though, I'll still post some shots for fun later this week for everyone's enjoyment.

 

An Amazon check of HP EliteBook 8740w, shows that it has a 17" laptop screen and overall size of 11.24 x 15.65 x 1.44 inches. Which means you need a good sized backback, of which I have zero experience.

OTOH a few general comments might provide some useful ideas???

My most recent backpacks are both by Jansport; most recent one purchased ~2 months ago. IMO Jansport continues to offer excellent build quality, together with low prices and also being such an everyday brand that you are less likely to get ripped off.

To me the key issue is the straps themselves. If you'll be using the backpack for anything really heavy (which even a 17" laptop isn't) then you'll want GREAT straps as that is the single most important thing for a backpack with heavy load.

My older Jansport backpack has GREAT straps and heavy synthetic fabric. My new Jansport backpack is less than half the weight of my older one, but I don't carry anything heavy in it, hence it's lesser straps aren't an issue.

Good luck with what you finally do buy. Since you started this thread, kindly followup with your comments of what you bought and it's pluses and minuses. Thanks.

 

It's been seven months dude.

Do you think the Official Bag Lady of NBR has only one bag every six months?

 

I'll just call you Bag Lady of NBR, from now on.

 

I'm going to shill for the tom bihn brain bag with a brain cell in it. Fantastic bag with excellent protection and I regularly see people posting pictures of their 8 year old bag that looks like new still... and with the brain cell in it, I feel comfortable taking my expensive laptop commuting. I also use one of their snake charmer pouches to organize my psu and other loose cables

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

Folks, for the Alienware M17x and the Asus G73 I will put our M.A.S.K. custom build laptop backpack against everything you have named. Between the design, quality and fact that can be changed (you can swap out faces and the internal artwork at any time) I think we easily match, if not beat the other models you have listed. Yes I own the company, but we also test all the competitions products to know where we really stand with our gear.

I'm not in here much so if you have questions you can email me at [email protected]

Dom @SLAPPA

 

I am using Swissgear GA-7343-06 Cobalt 15.6, it is great because you can either carry large volumes or flip up the base to carry less load in a smaller load factor, it protects the laptop and provide enough pockets to keep all your stuff organized.

I always carry in it my Dell 1558 and all its stuff, a bottle of water 1l, a EDC small bag with replacement cloths and medication, a kindle, notebooks, phone charger and a load more stuff. I also use it when I travel by train or plane, I can pack of lot of stuff in it, it is sturdy and I mistreated it a lot for at least 18 months by now.

 

It's spectacularly ugly. So much so it might actually make the guy wearing it look better.

 

Those M.A.S.K. are either the faces you hate or love. I have one, and it gets many good comments (though one guy said it made me look like a turtle).

In any event, I can give you a product eval: After just two months, the shoulder strap are beginning to rip. This is the problem with a bag of this size. It allow you to put more stuff in it than it may be designed to carry.

Nevertheless, my laptop plus a couple books and a Thermos shouldn't stress it to this extreme. I put much more in my Targus and it cost half as much and lasted 3 years before showing that much sign of wear.

The pockets/storage though are great. It only lacks disc sleeves. The one annoyance is that no bag I've had so far has enough padding at the bottom. A critical spot for when you place the bag down.

NOTE: If you can feel the form of your notebook, you MUST place it down carefully. I dented my HDX edge inside my Targus, and learned this the hard way.

p.s. Any bag this sized must have a sternum and at least a waist strap. A 17" backpack just cannot sustain any real use without them--unless you only carry your laptop and maybe a folder.

I will try next the Oakly Kitchen Sink. I need a backpack that can handle the urban jungle, as this one cannot.

 

Here you go hipster. I found you the perfect computer backpack.



You can thank me later.

 

*Looks on label*

It's not organic!!!!

*Throws it away in disgust*

 

I've had plenty of large packs that I've hauled ridiculous amounts of stuff in - in fact, all of the packs I've had which weren't any good behaved like you say.

In the context of this thread though, safe to say I was not looking for anything too gigantic: One of the problems of the larger Mission though is that it is a bit urban camper as a previous poster said - i.e. very boxy on the back when filled, which is why I've gone for a variety of different sizes so that I can adjust the look. Still, the choice appears to be turtle or boxy - I guess I'll be aiming for boxy turtle. For now I'm fine with the MW bags. I'll be looking for something else maybe next year.

 

Whatever. You're harder to please than any women I've met.

 

Just get a car Vogelbung .

 

Ha. That won't make him happy. They don't make hybrid V8 diesels.

 

Hopefully one with office/apt parking.

 

Everki. They beat every other bag.

 

haven't been able to try many but if you got the budget go for the titan if you are going everki but not sure if any other brands have as large or better backpacks.....my goal is to one day buy them all and create a review of all of them side by side ^^...or pay someone...either way we need a one stop shop for these things ^^

EDIT: I have the becon and it is alright...i think their may be better ones in the $100 range but i am satisfied. Some people in the m17x backpack lounge have posted some real nice 100 dollar backpacks

 

It's safe to say I own a car. I just rarely used the last one, and the "new" one will get even less use as I travel to and fro between cities minus car.

I'm re-thinking the entire mobile workstation gig as of late as I've made improvements to my private cloud, but I do occasionally need the machine class - at least for a bit longer.

 

Alrighty. Final offer. I've though long and hard about which carry bag you would like and this is the BEST I could come up with. Don't prejudge until you actually try it out for a while.

Spoiler

ps: this is organic.

 

Yes, he can eat it after using.

 

So last season, darlings.

 

I rather like goodwill for stuff like this.

But good/excellent backpacks seldom show up there.

 

There are no excellent backpacks. At least not from what I can see.

The greatest I'd give them would be satisfactory. I look for comforts, convenience (i.e. storage/pockets) and durability--which is to include padding.

So far, no backpack has even come close to addressing all of these things and I doubt that anyone ever will. At least not in the sub $100 > category.

 

Must admit I am quite tempted to try that GR.1 pack, even if it's a tad tactical [Summer's Eve], that Process recommended, than carrying what is basically a rolltop box - though it does look a little too small to take any 17" beyond an MBP.

I have a Hazard4 Messenger Of Doom for example but I don't use it in town, and I also have 5.11 (and possibly other) packs but they're MOLLE'd up the ying-yang which is not only ugly but IMO makes you look Walt Central again in town, so I'm a little biased against tactical luggage use for everyday. But the GR.1 doesn't appear to be in-yer-face tactical and quite elegant even in the overall scheme of things. The question does remain whether it's big enough though - it really doesn't look it. Process, care to comment further?

 

You can always go with old reliable.



It may not be organic, but just suck it up.

 

Dude... your recommendations may be your style choices, but they ain't mine

 

Well, he does own an Alienware .
Trash bag stylistically combines very well with Alienware.

Let the hate begin!

 

Never looked at the sig. I didn't realise I was getting backpack advice from a 10 year old.

How sweet. I'll just take that bin bag off you and we'll put it over there, OK? No - the Spongebob bag was a really good suggestion too. I'll think about it.

*pats head*

 

10 year old? I hope that wasn't directed at me. Them's are three things you should consider Vogelbung:

1. The plastic bag backpack is very stylish as well as versatile and affordable.



2. Consider KK1's backpack before you go taking his fashion advice over mine.



3. I've tied plenty of firecrackers to cat's tails and lit the fuse...

 

^^^Someone's had his jimmies rustled .
And dat afro. Wish I could grow an afro 'do.

 

Can you rustle your own jimmies? Cuz that's what he's dun gone doin'...