I’m currently in need of a backpack for the end of my senior year. My last one just ripped out under the weight of my calculus book. I want this new backpack to last for a good portion of my college years as well.
Right now I am looking at: The North Face Recon, The Patagonia Refugio 28L, and the L.L. Bean Traverse Backpack.
I was wondering if anyone had any experiences with these specific bags or the brands as a whole that would help me make my decision, or if there were other bags/ brands that would be worth a look.
My boys had Bean packs through elementary and middle school and then switched to North Face for HS b/c they carried all books around all day in the pack. No one uses their lockers in the HS so the packs are heavy and full.
Older son used same North Face bag for all four years of HS (Heckler model), but younger son tore fabric on Heckler after year and a half. He is stuffing too much in the pack, including a laptop. He is now using older son’s old pack until his is repaired by North Face. Older son chose a North Face Router for college: 2500 cubic inch capacity and includes a laptop sleeve.
The Recon offers 1700 cubic inches. Can you compare that to your existing pack to see if that will be enough space for you? Bean and North Face both make a great product, so I think it just comes down to your use of the bag. (Laptop? Workout clothing? Food?) College son really does not need the larger Router model as he does not need to carry textbooks and binders for six classes as he did in HS.
My D has had both LLBean and North Face backpacks and the LLBean one lasted longer. If something happens to it–rips, or whatever, they will just give you a new one, even years later. By that time she was sick of the color and wanted a different brand. But really, just go for the best deal b/c they are all good.
My kids got Bean Backpacks in 1st grade and they lasted until HS…when they wanted a different one for fashion purposes. The backpacks themselves are fine.
L.L. Bean, North Face, Patagonia, Eddie Bauer, Jansport, etc all make similarly excellent backpacks.
I have a North Face “Freshet” backpack; I’m not sure if they still make this particular style, because I bought mine for 40 bucks from a North Face outlet during Black Friday, but nevertheless, North Face backpacks are known to be rather comfortable and have multiple pockets which makes organization and weight distribution a lot more efficient. In high school I had an Eddie Bauer backpack that was also very comfortable. Just make sure the bag has padded straps, multiple pockets (I briefly used a novelty backpack last semester that I bought from a thrift store that only had two pockets - one really big one and a tiny zippered pouch in the front - and it killed my shoulders and also ended up tearing), and a laptop sleeve.
Edit: Oh, and try to get a dark color. I know bright colored backpacks are really pretty/interesting, but college classroom floors are kinda filthy and unless you’re particularly mindful of it, your backpack is gonna spend a lot of time on the floor and will likely get dirty. How dirty it is will be really obvious if you have a white/neon/etc backpack. But then again, maybe I’m just a slob (I also commute so my backpack is also on the floor of the subway, the shuttle, etc). My backpack is dark blue and black and it still looks brand new even though I’m sure there’s some stains I can’t see.
All of the Outdoor brands make good backpacks, but Fieldline Tactical makes the BEST backpacks. They’re military spec (ie very spacious), lightweight and ventilated. Tough as nails too.
Thanks for all your help! I just ordered the North Face Recon, and I made sure the main fabric was a dark color too because I’m not exactly a clean person. But it also has girlier accent colors, and I like how it looks a lot. Thanks!
I’ve been using a High Sierra backpack for three years. It typically has a very heavy load of textbooks in it, and often a laptop as well. The only issue I’ve ever had with it is with the suspension strap system on the straps. There’s an elastic portion on the strap that allows them to stretch a bit, and the stitching around one of them is coming loose. It’s a very minor thing though, and won’t take more than about 10 minutes with a needle and thread to fix. When I finally get around to it…lol
I have 2.5 more years of college left, and I anticipate this bag lasting me through the rest of my undergrad and into grad school.
My only complaint is that I wish I’d gotten one with the webbed drink holder pockets on both sides. Mine only has one of them. But…that’s my fault for buying one with only one drink holder.
