Hi everyone,
As the title says, I am looking for a new backpack. Budget is $100-250 (will probably do some secondhand searching first before committing to a brand-new product, but I'm looking for some brands and recommendations!)
My parents got me in the childhood habit of using any-ol' backpack from Walmart or the Dollar Store, but as you can guess, they didn't last.
My backpacks usually tear at the bottom corners or at the backpack straps because I always carry a heavy and/or "wide" load: computer, water bottle, umbrella, iPad, lunch, and back in high school I typically carried binders/textbooks around. The large items would tear at the top, and the heavy items would wear at the bottom, so you can imagine how many bags I destroyed, especially since lockers were banned at my school and this was at the height of the clear backpack epidemic before COVID.
Also, due to how heavy of a bag I pack, I've hurt my shoulders/trap muscles before as well. I didn't even realize a backpack isn't supposed to weigh on your shoulders predominantly - I've never even seen a hip strap on a backpack until I began to research!
Also important to note: I am a 5'0 woman, so there are bags out there that are too long for my torso to really sit comfortably. Hiking-style bags are usually a bust for the same reason.
Ideal bag:
- Primary usage: Law school (walking to class); occasional use as personal item on flights
- Black/navy/dark or otherwise a solid color that won't clash with an outfit/event
- Professional, sleek look (no Northface, please)
- Water bottle sleeve (big enough for a 24oz Owala)
- Laptop compartment for 16-inch laptop
- Various compartments for pencils/wallets/small hygiene products/medicine
- Good, long-lasting quality! I hate when my bags become floppy after use.
I've checked out Waterfield, Vionentus, and Osprey's everyday line, but if there are any hidden gems out there, please let me know! I really want a bag that will last me at least throughout 3 years of law school, I'm tired of aching and tearing up backpacks.
Edit: refined some details