Backpack/laptop pack combo recommendations?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Which are brands of reasonable quality? D doesn’t want a Jansport because they use child labor.</p>

2

<p>Mine is a Targus that I ordered with my Dell PC. It’s actually quite comfortable for a backpack, and I’d recommend it to anybody.</p>

3

<p>Ebags makes a nice one. Go to <a href=“http://www.ebags.com%5B/url%5D”>www.ebags.com</a> and search their laptop backpacks.</p>

4

<p>I have an REI that I have been using regularly for seven years with no problems.</p>

5

<p>Both of my teenage sons use this backpack for their laptop/school stuff and they are very happy with it. They also sell the same backpack in the Apple stores for a lot more money.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.academicsuperstore.com/market/marketdisp.html?PartNo=730695[/url]”>http://www.academicsuperstore.com/market/marketdisp.html?PartNo=730695&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>We noticed that MANY of the backpacks made now have a laptop sleeve. D got an Adidas one (available in both “girl” and “boy” type colors) at Kohls. With the sales we paid about $36. Seems very durable and has lots of storage - including compartment for Ipod/MP3, cells etc.</p>

7

<p>My DD has a Timbuk2 bag and is very happy with it. Good protection for the laptop and plenty of room for books, too.</p>

8

<p>Son has a Swiss Gear laptop backpack and is very happy with it. Rugged fabric, zippers ,well made. Found it at Staples.</p>

9

<p>My son has the Swiss Gear laptop. This is his fourth year, he also uses it to travel. I bought a neoprene sleeve also-he uses that all the time, it seems to offer great protection.</p>

10

<p>Last year, my d had this Clive in light beige…</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ebags.com/clive/gridlock_ii/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=95692#[/url]”>http://www.ebags.com/clive/gridlock_ii/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=95692#&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>But she said it wasn’t big enough, so this year she opted for this Dakine in olive/plaid…</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ebags.com/dakine/explorer/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=72077[/url]”>http://www.ebags.com/dakine/explorer/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=72077&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>When I placed the order, ebags automatically gave me 10% off. Coupled with free shipping, pretty darned good!</p>

<p>My son loves his REI.</p>

<p>BTW…this is the one I tried to sell my d on…Mountainsmith…check out the padding on the shoulder blade and lower back area. She was lukewarm on the ‘style’ factor…</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ebags.com/mountainsmith/the_haight/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=78916[/url]”>http://www.ebags.com/mountainsmith/the_haight/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=78916&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

11

<p>I impulse purchased a Targus from Staples for my son and his, ahem, VERY expensive tablet computer. He seemed happy with it, but he’s only just started using it. I’ll ask him about him if he ever calls, or if he responds to his IM. ;)</p>

12

<p>My son had a Targus which was ok, but then found a Swiss Army that is MUCH sturdier, roomier, and better designed. It even has a place for his bike helmet!</p>

13

<p>Swiss Army gets our vote too.</p>

14

<p>I have a targus. Wasn’t too expensive, holds laptop/books when needed, and hasn’t started falling apart yet.</p>

15

<p>Find a copy of Friday’s Wall Street Journal. They did a review of laptop backpacks. They liked a bag from ebags the best. Our company picked Swiss Army as the standard bag. I love it. To me, the key is good padding in the back/lumbar area and lots of compartments. Padded straps, etc. Mine has tons of room and is comfortable even with a fairly heavy laptop in it.</p>

16

<p>Columbia also makes a well padded, roomy laptop backpack. Got it thru ebags, and as mentioned above, the discount and free shipping are great.</p>

17

<p>S got a Swiss Army backpack from Staples - it was about $70-80. Really likes it for the excellent padding, there is a padded compartment for the laptop and another very large section for plenty of textbooks and notebooks. Lots of other compartments throughout and waterbottle holders on the outside. Best part to me is the waterproof bottom that keeps the backpack in an upright position when it is taken off.</p>

18

<p>ebags has a 20% off sale today for Labor Day. I may just get one, if I can decide which…</p>

19

<p>My son ended up just getting a neoprene sleeve and using the same packpack he has used since soph year of high school.</p>

20

<p>mom60, That is what I have done since I got my laptop this past winter–I travel for business occasionally and take the laptop along, so I need a way to carry it through airports, etc. It has worked reasonably well and would probably work fine for a student. However, it is a pain hauling it all out and opening it up for inspection at the airport while others are waiting in line, so that is why I personally am looking for a laptop backpack. Also it would make it easier to get to the laptop quickly.</p>