can you recommend a backpack?

[bertha katzenengel]

I use it like a purse, plus books and bills. I've been carrying around an Ameribag but I don't like it and want to go back to a backpack.

Do you have a favorite style/variety/maker? Jansport? LL Bean? Land's End?

Leather? Nylon? Other fabric?

Thanks for your suggestions.

Oh, PS -- I like lots of interior pockets....

[CabalPowered]

1. I like Timbuk2

http://www.timbuk2.com/

After that, Dana Design, Patagonia and DaKine...

[Maddy McCall]

2. Jansport cross body bag.

It's what I use on campus. Huge, roomy, with a very soft, gel padded strap. Only one strap...the bag is slung over your shoulder and crosses across your chest.

Best I've ever used. Zero back pain (four herniated discs here) since I bought it.

Edit: Adding a photo of mine below:

[flvegan]

4. This is EXACTLY what I want.

I want to switch from a backpack to a messenger bag (singly, cross body strap) but the storage isn't as good. I sooooo need one of these.

[Maddy McCall]

5. I got mine for fifty dollars on ebay.

I've had it for TWO years, and haven't used anything else since. It's got plenty of room. I can't recommend it enough.

[flvegan]

9. Is there a particular model number or name for it?

[Maddy McCall]

12. I'm pretty sure this is the model (no model number inside mine)

This is the one on the jansport website that is pretty much
identical to mine.

http://www.jansport.com/productdetail.php?tid=2&cid=10&pid=TM22

The only difference in this one and mine is that mine also has
a cellphone pouch on the strap.

If you can't link from DU, just copy paste into a new browser.
 It's the Air Cisco model by Jansport.

[bertha katzenengel]

8. can you also carry it comfortably on one shoulder? eom

[Maddy McCall]

13. Yes, you can sling it over your shoulder ,and it conforms to your...

back, kind of like what I would imagine a saddlebag would do.

I know that's not a great comparison, but it's the best I can give you.

I carried mine over one shoulder more than I did across my body. The strap is two pieces, though, which velcro together and then click-latch, so it's really easy to put it on and take it off.

When you throw it over your shoulder (instead of wearing it cross-body), it rides just as if it were made to carry that way. Best bag I've ever owned.

[bertha katzenengel]

14. Grrrrreat! Exactly what I'm looking for. I bet they don't make it in

leather but I'll look. Thanks, Maddy.

[Maddy McCall]

19. No, I've never seen one in leather.

But the black one, which I have, is pretty damned sleek. :D

[bertha katzenengel]

20. I like the black & blue one.

Reminds me of my childhood. :rofl:

[ghostsofgiants]

3. Clive makes my backpack of choice

http://www.clivebags.com/

[JVS]

6. LL Bean has a lifetime guarantee, so when the zipper eventually breaks...

you can send it back for a new one

[Maddy McCall]

7. I'm almost certain that jansport does, too.

[tyedyeto]

26. Yes, they also have a lifetime warranty

I've sent back 3 day packs over the years for zipper repair and they have fixed them.

Eagle Creek will also repair the items they sell.

Since I've had to send packs in for zipper repair, I now prefer those with drawstrings at the top of the pack.

[Hand]

10. Yes, I certainly can!

Herewith my recommendation: A backpack is very useful. It allows you to carry necessary items with relative ease and comfort. I definitely recommend a backpack.
:spank:

[bertha katzenengel]

15. LOL

Smart aleck. I like that. ;)

[Hand]

17. If this had been face to face...

I'd have said all this deadpan and in a flat, pedantic tone, methodically ticking off the points on my fingers. It's one of my specialities and has been known to piss people off to an inordinate degree. "Oh, thanks--ASSHOLE!" is one of the commoner responses. :rofl:

[bertha katzenengel]

18. Why call you an asshole? I have a similar sense of humor...

I don't get it when people think I'm insulting them by being dry. :shrug:

[Hand]

25. "The best humor is like the best martini...

...dry and chillng," say I. :toast:

[northzax]

11. check out Tom Bihn

they're in Seattle, their stuff is all made in the US, and they had the famous French Label...

www.tombihn.com

[Archae]

16. I have this one, cost me less than $20.

Pockets inside and out!

http://www.outdoorproducts.com/proddetail.aspx?sku=6530OP

[Lars39]

21. I've been eying these at Travelsmith....

Kinda pricey, but I keep a good purse for years. :)

http://www.travelsmith.com/ts/cookie.jsp?ContentOID=232198

[bertha katzenengel]

22. That's the one I have now.

Similar, anyway. I got mine from LL Bean. It's canvas. I like it as a piece of art, maybe? Or I like the way it looks and its intended function. But as a bag it just doesn't work for me. :shrug:

And it won't stay on my shoulder unless I hook my thumb through the strap. :grr:

[Lars39]

23. I'm always having to do that, too; gets old fast.

Rounded shoulders or something. :shrug:

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

24. We have two Coleman backpacks that have

lasted us for at least 7 years now. They still look really nice. The colors are really vibrant. We have a blue one and a red one. They are canvas backpacks that have leather on the bottom. The backpacks have plenty of nice pockets, even a special side pocket to put a drink bottle in. We've had no problems with the zippers yet. The shoulder straps are very comfortable.