Bag to fit various big stuff.

College Life
1

<p>I have no luck with backpacks or bags of any sort. My last backpack (Dakine)'s main zipper failed because I was carrying too many things, and my laptop barely fit in that bag. (Truth is, that broken Dakine was the only backpack I tried in the store that could fit my monster laptop.)</p>

<p>I’m using some Jansport messenger bag right now, but its a pain, because it swings around and around when I bike. . .and there is no way to fit a DSLR (think Nikon D300 or so) with a 70-200mm attached. -__-</p>

<p>What I need to carry in a regular school day:</p>

<p>[17.3</a>" widescreen laptop](<a href=“http://images.logicbuy.com/datastore/userdeals/634169426577412000hpdv7tselect1.jpg]17.3”>http://images.logicbuy.com/datastore/userdeals/634169426577412000hpdv7tselect1.jpg) Don’t let the pic fool you – that HP laptop is BIG.
[Nikon</a> D300 or so attached with an 80-200](<a href=“http://www.digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/d300s_70_200.jpg]Nikon”>http://www.digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/d300s_70_200.jpg) (its a 70-200 shown in this pic, but you get the idea
[a</a> couple of textbooks](<a href=“http://us.123rf.com/400wm/239/9/rojoimages/rojoimages0907/rojoimages090700015/5168903-two-textbooks-with-an-apple-with-a-graduation-cap-on-top-isolated-on-white-with-copy-space.jpg]a”>http://us.123rf.com/400wm/239/9/rojoimages/rojoimages0907/rojoimages090700015/5168903-two-textbooks-with-an-apple-with-a-graduation-cap-on-top-isolated-on-white-with-copy-space.jpg)<a href=“sans%20the%20apple”>size=1</a>[/size]
and various stationary and what not. </p>

<p>Any body have any experience with a [North</a> Face Big Shot](<a href=“http://www.blacks.co.uk/mantiki/images/product/large/093550-43-1233487722728.jpg]North”>http://www.blacks.co.uk/mantiki/images/product/large/093550-43-1233487722728.jpg) or a [Chrome</a> Citizen](<a href=“Chrome Industries | Messenger Bags, Backpacks, & Tech Gear”>Chrome Industries | Messenger Bags, Backpacks, & Tech Gear)?</p>

<p>Looking at their specifications, I can fit all my stuff with room to spare. . .
I can’t try either in person because no store have either within a 324028983209820 mile radius (OK, busable distance). Do you have any experience or recommendations for either?</p>

2

<p>I have the NorthFace Big Shot. I love it. I have had north face bags in the past and they last forever. The big shot is great. It fits a ton of the stuff. The zippers are pretty big and heavy duty. There are lots of pockets and a laptop holder that would fit a pretty big computer. I have used it everyday for the past 3 years and it has no damage. Just a little dirty.</p>

3

<p>Really? Do you have any problems with the lack of a second compartment on the Big Shot or something?</p>

4

<p>My D uses a great backpack from LLBean. The best part is, if anything goes wrong with it, or if it just gets really beat, she can return it for a new one. They take back everything, at any time, so it’s a win-win to spend the money and get it replaced. Just thought I would throw that into the mix.</p>

5

<p>why dont you just buy a separate bag for the laptop and use a regular bag for textbooks and the camera?</p>

6

<p>You could also buy both from sites with free returns and shipping (like zappos) and keep only the one you like better, or even neither.</p>

7

<p>What do mean by a second compartment? There is 1 big section w/ a laptop slot and 1 smaller but still pretty big section. </p>

<p>I didn’t want a laptop bag, they are big, annoying, and ugly. I love this bag, it is the perfect size.</p>

8

<p>I don’t want a laptop bag dbg – I am on-campus for long-periods at a time, and I want to be able to go from attending lecture to shooting a sports event in a very short transition time. </p>

<p>headline, i tried the big shot today, its a pretty substantial bag. I’m digging it lol.</p>

<p>But I also tried the Chrome. . .I’m digging that too. </p>

<p>Decisions, decisions. . .</p>

9

<p>Just bought the North Face for $45 on ebay. lol. </p>

<p>I might end up getting the Chrome too, then put Domke inserts or something to use as a camera bag. </p>

<p>Thanks everybody.</p>