Advice On Notebook Backpacks?

UnknowingFool writes "I'm about to go on a whirlwind trip with my laptop. Currently I'm using a generic laptop bag, but it's not really made for trips like this. I want to see if I can get a good notebook backpack and wanted to know what experiences traveling geeks here have had with notebook backpacks. My criteria: 1) Around $50 2) Functional enough to be used after my trip as a generic backpack 3) Tough enough to survive hauling through airport, yet comfortable enough to endure wearing for hours 4) Enough pockets for my chargers, cables , etc." I've been impressed with some bags from Targus; any good suggestions out there?

Comments

EBags

[NitsujTPU]

I've been browsing around ebags.com, which seems to be a good source of data on bags (though I'm interested in messenger style bags).

Re:EBags

[iocat]

eBags is really nice site to deal with. I bought my JanSport bag there and I like it, although it's kind of big (great for trips, because it can hold an extra change of clothes, kind of overkill for day to day because I keep losing things in all the pockets).

If you're looking for something that doesn't look, feel, and act like every other bag on the market, you should definitely check out groundwear . That link goes to a good laptop bag, but they have some backpacks that would also fit the bill. My friend at work has one of their bags and I am jealous enough of it that I may shelve the JanSport except for over night trips.

Re:EBags

[erwin]

I had a Timbuk2 bike messenger bag that I use to carry a Vaio and a change of clothes to and from work. It's a great bag, and I see that they now have a laptop model. The cool thing, they're bags have a rubberized skin thatm makes them largly water proof (though not water-tight). I crashed my bike once and landed flat on my back on top of the Vaio and the bag/clothes combo saved the laptop from even a dent. I think if you want a messenger bag, get it from the folks who make professional messenager bags.

Re:EBags

[fafaforza]

I had a Timbuk2 too. Very, very well made, great stitching and materials, so he'll have a hard time finding one for $50, even on eBay.

Their bags are sturdy and water tight, though. I had no qualms throwing it around with my delicate Titanium PowerBook inside, or walking with it in heavy rain.

Re:EBags

[KaffeineKitty]

I like this backpack by Mobile Edge on ebags.com: http://www.ebags.com/mobile_edge/select_backpack/p roduct_detail/index.cfm?ModelID=18154
If you look closely at the pictures you'll see that it even has a special pocket for a CD/MP3 player with a hole for the headphone cord. That way you can listen to music without even taking the MP3 player out of the backpack. There's a detachable pocket for your cell phone. It also doesn't look obviously like a laptop bag. Some of the reviewers thought it was a little small if you wanted to carry a lot of other things. I won't know until next week when I get mine! Newegg.com (where I got mine) does have a better price, they have the black version of this for $50: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?desc ription=34-997-609&depa=3. The also have the blue version for $55.

Re:EBags

[Stinking Pig]

I have a Timbuk2 bag as well -- the largest courier bag. At first I was going to return it, largest is really large. Get the smaller size if you're under six feet tall. They have a great configger on their website, which is worth checking out.

It holds a ton of gear and a week's worth of clothes. It can be jammed into the space under an airplane seat, would be practically impossible to remove from my person in a quick mugging scenario, and doesn't scream "geek with electronics!" Though I suppose the BlackBerry and iRiver sticking out of my pockets do that... My bag has also had plenty of beverages spilled on it without harm to anything inside.

Re:EBags

[mesach]

1) Around $50 2) Functional enough to be used after my trip as a generic backpack 3) Tough enough to survive hauling through airport, yet comfortable enough to endure wearing for hours 4) Enough pockets for my chargers, cables , etc.

Pick 3, You can never have it all, especially when price is one of the options. Its always to low

I don't think I would trust any bag that cost $50 to protect my laptop, its one area that i spent a bunch of money and got a nice setup.

Re:EBags

[cjsnell]

If you want a truly hardcorde messenger bag, you should check out Ortleib. Timbuk2 is good (we used to sell them) but I think the Ortleib's contruction is more "bomber".

However, if you want a computer bag, you really don't want a bike messenger bag. These bags are usually designed for papers and small packages--not heavy laptops. You're better off with a real laptop backpack. I love my JanSport pack--I think it's the "Firewire" model. I bought mine at the mall and probably paid about $100 than I would have paid at eBags. I carried a heavy Apple TiBook, along with books and cables, on a business trip to New Zealand. My laptop survived six flights, five hotels, and countless bus rides without a scratch.

Chris

Re:EBags

[Collin]

i second the recommendation on the swissgear maxxum. i got mine for $45 after rebate at staples during the back to school sales. they were clearancing them but you may still be able to find them at the office stores or as the original poster mentioned, at bestbuy for a bit more money.

the bag has pockets all over the place and would be ideal for travel. it has two large compartments. the one closest to you back is the laptop sleeve with padding and a few pockets for CDs and other stuff. You can fit more flat stuff in this compartment as well. The second large compartment is a deep bathtub that can take a bunch of books, clothes, etc. if this compartment had some velcro strips so you could add dividers for camera and other gear it would be ideal.

there is also a zippered back section with organizer pockets inside for business cards, key clip, and other stuff. Between the two large compartments is a small pouch for CD/MP3 player with earphone cord port. along the sides are two tall narrow zippered pockets that can fit cords, mice, chargers, small tripodds, etc.

on the sides are two generously sized mesh pockets that can hold water bottles or umbrellas or a rolled up newspaper or magazine. Finally, there is a open compartment held by straps on the very back that you can shove shoes or other weird shape stuff and pull the straps tight to hold it on. The bottom of the pack is flat and helps keep the bag standing up when you set it on the ground.

There are two convenient handles on the top: a nice big rubber grip one, and another one that is just a strap. The shoulder straps are very padded and use a elastic mount, which is comfortable, but i'd rather have solid straps rather than the bouncy feel of these suspension systems. The flat black is very thickly padded with airflow channels. I find this very comfortable, but the padding tends to rub against your back in a way that rides the back of your shirt upwards as you walk. There is also a waist strap which helps keep things stable. when you are running or walking. I wish it had a sternum strap though.

Overall, a great bag, although a bit large for everyday use. I got another smaller swiss gear bag for daily use going to class.

Spire

[cartzworth]

SpireUSA makes great bags http://www.spireusa.com/

A little pricy, but excellent

[scapermoya]

I use the Jinx backpack: Jinx Laptop backpack its $80 but i feel like it was well worth it. it has all the room for the extra stuff, its really comfy, and I feel like it is keeping my dell lappy nice and secure. It sounds like we do similar things, airports, etc. If you are willing to spend it, go for this one. Scapermoya.

Re:A little pricy, but excellent

[molrak]

Or you could just get the regular Metro backpack on Amazon. It's the same backpack, $17 cheaper, unless you really want the jinx stuff on it. The Metro has survived rather well for me thus far this semester.

Crumpler

[awful]

These guys make great sturdy bags, with nice designs and pockets.
Crumpler computer bags

Re:Crumpler

[StArSkY]

yeah, I bought a crumpler:

Team Player

These bags are incredibly sturdy, I travelled around asia with my laptop and clothes in this baby.

mine was silver and blue.

Re:Crumpler

[ShogZilla]

I'll second recommending crumpler bags - I actually have two, a "formal lounge" and a "brian's hottub" - got the hottub when I moved on to a laptop larger than the formal lounge could handle.

They're both of the "camera bag" variety, and deceptively roomy inside. I have, on occasion, carried three laptops plus associated cables, bricks, & sundry drives at once in the hottub - though admittedly only one laptop got the full padded-pocket protection. The entire interior is fuzzy velcro, so velcro straps can be used to secure items on the inside; has a wealth of pockets & straps; is amazingly comfortable to wear and sturdily built.

The downside is cost - these bags aren't even close to the 50$ price point. More like $150+.

Oh, and if you move to a 17" widescreen or 16" 4:3 laptop, you'll have to get the hottub model.

Arcteryx Blade 21

[penguinstorm]

Arcteryx makes the Blade 21:
http://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?group=Pa cks&p rod=1026

and it's the best laptop backpack I've ever owned. I've owned 7.

I like the Arcteryx because:
1) It's a great backpack; the straps are conmfortable and nothing digs into your bag. Why bother wearing a backpack that's not comfortable?
2) It will generally fit any computer; there are limits, but my 15" PowerBook wasn't a problem, even if I choose to carry it (unnecessarily so) in a Neoprene sleeve
3) It has a separate pocket for carrying files etc, which is fairly cavernous. There are two additional pockets for pens/cards/cables etc.
4) It is clean looking, and doesn't look like a dorky Targus notebook bag. The pack itself doesn't really have anything hanging off of it, so it never gets caught on things.
5) It includes a handle that lets you carry the bag briefcase style; very convenient when moving short distances, or arriving at corporate offices.
6) I can use it to carry my avalanche shovel on winter expeditions, although I have another pack that does that as well.

What I don't like about it:
1) Zippers can be bad for shiny white plastic iBooks; if you're carrying one of these, you'd better get a neoprene sleeve or something to avoid scratches (or buy a PowerBook, which was my solution to the problem; the Aluminum doesn't scratch easily.) I like Marware's Neoprene sleeve
2) There is no padding on the top of the bag (the side with the handle.) This is not uncommon - in fact this bag has padding on every other side, which is rare. I blame my golf clubs for it, but I have a minor dent in a corner a of PB which might have been prevented with padding on the top of the bag.

All in all a great bag; I considered some of the Swiss Army products, but they sort of look a bit too back-packy for me in a work environment.

Regular backpack with water bladder sleeve

[fpga_guy]

Even better, get something like a Lowe Alpine bag (I have a Contour Mountain) that has an inner sleeve for those CamelBack water bladders - any sensible-sized laptop fits perfectly in there.

When I travel with my laptop I buy a bubble-wrap envelope from the post office , put the laptop in there and put the whole thing in the water bladder sleeve - takes 10 seconds to pull it out through airport security checks, and provides enough padding to keep it happy and healthy.

Big and Little Easy Pack's from L.L. Bean.

[Cadre]

Two laptap backpacks that don't look like laptop bags are the Big and Little Easy Pack's from LL Bean.

They are inexpensive (around $49/$59 for little/big) and have the standard backpack straps, messenger bag (sling strap) and briefcase handle.

be careful with ebags "free" opt-in offers

[quinxy]

My gf bought from ebags, and she accidentally accepted one of their "free" offers which meant she was subscribed to some $$$/month fee for some discount "club" or something. Took her 3 months to notice. She's a bright girl, and certainly didn't want the damn club membership. I'm not saying it's illegal or anything, it's just always tough to read all the fine print, and always be on your guard against those things.

Padded Sleeve in Regular Backpack

[puetzc]

I have two Waterfield SleeveCases (purchased from http://www.sfbags.com/). They come in sizes to actually fit your laptop, and with side loading for regular soft bags, or top loading for backpacks. Your laptop is secure, and the bag doesn't scream "Take Me." The shipment was prompt, and the quality good.

Re: putting laptops in the trunk

[King_TJ]

Well, yes... It's always better to keep things completely out of sight. But I recall working at a job where one of the salesmen was just issued a new laptop, and someone saw him carrying it out to his car and putting it in his trunk. They waited until nobody was looking and pried his trunk open with a crowbar to get the laptop.

So you're still better off if people don't even think you're carrying a laptop when you're walking around. You never know if they're watching you put it away!

Re:EBags-- My RakGear bagh holds some 29-32lbs...

[davidsyes]

Sept 5, 2001, I bought a RakGear backpack for $70. The line was subsequently bought up by Targus and then KILLED OFF. It looks like the one in the picture at this URL:

http://www.login.co.th/cgi-bin/cs?asset=21&id= 747

Closer, or actually it is (except mine is black with olive or deep green, not blue, trim):

http://shopper.cnet.com/RAKGEAR_DELUXE_NOTEBOOK_ BA CKPACK_BLACK_NAVY/4014-6459_9-5979339.html?q=

Model RBND05. The only thing I could recommend to Targus if they care to resurrect the bag is to flatten the internal rack's feet and widen them, and reinforce the bottom. I loaded my rack's shelves with color magazines, papers and even my BJC-85 bubblejet alternately. Over time, the weight ruined the leather on the outside, although on the inside the damage is invisible because the nylon/whatever material is resilient. But, dragging the bag or repeatedly pushing it along by foot on a bus or on another floor WILL damage it after about 2 years.

I don't like that Targus bought up my bag's style and then seems to have killed it off. It's a nice bag.

This bag:

http://homeworktips.about.com/cs/productreviews/ gr /rakdeluxe.htm

seems less "backpack-bomberish" in that they removed the lower side and back pouches that I stuck batteries and toiletries and even a surge strip into, but I don't think it will carry the weight of stuff I can carry in mine. It is WELL worth the US $70.00

Also, check epinions:

http://www.epinions.com/content_60065943172

This bag clearly shows the removable star-shaped/4-point accessory strap which could tie down a number of things...

Also, read:

http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/news/ra kg ear.htm

http://www.shentech.com/tarakiba.html

------------
The rest of this is from my attachment to "Do yourself a favor", at:

http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=124854&cid=1 04 72989

It seems they and SONY both benefit, as the best features of the Rack Gear bag are now labelled with those two names, but they dispensed with the book/notes rack inside. I use my rack, since it lets me organize things. Fully loaded, I've marched, ahem, walked 14 miles (from 1245 AM to 0515 AM) from Mountain View (El Camino & Castro) to San Jose (Winchester & Stevens Creek) once with some 28 to 32 pounds of laptop, accessories, paper, a 5-or 6-plug surge strip and thick 6-foot cable by Fellowes on once side, and my toiletries (toothpaste, brush, mouthwash, toilet seat covers, and other things) on the other side, and such inside it. The worst part of the walk was my shoes, but that RACK GEAR bag was not too uncomfortable. A military friend of mine said that much weight on my 150-lb body frame, in the context of that walk on concrete would more than be sufficient to meet some beyond-normal fitness tests...

Depending on my needs, I can remove some papers or a book and insert my pair of 2-inch thick add-on speakers, the audio converter wire, a small 5-port switch, two 5-foot lengths of Cat-5, 2 or 3 thinwire RJ-45-wired pieces, it's OWN power supply, in addition to the screw drivers and tools. I basically have a 35-lb computer office on my back. Why the hell? I felt I needed a laptop to show the SBA/SCORE my business plan spreadsheets in action rather than on paper. I also stuck inside the bag my Canon BJC-85, 2 or 4 spare or redundant laptop disks, the PCMCIA adaptor for them, and some floppies as well, plus several CDs/DVDs of Mandrake. Yep, talk about ROAD WARRIOR. AND, on the strap side, where the laptop is padded and against my back, there is a section to stick yet MORE paper, between the LT and the racked area of the backpack. I've only seen maybe 3 in use, one in Oregon and maybe 2 in Calif.

The DOWNside of this pack is if you use yours like I do mine, the shelf feet will, after a year of lifting/dragging on bus floors and running to chase buses, wear out the leather bot

Tough? You Want Filson.

[cribcage]

I always recommend Filson.

I use the briefcase/laptop bag, but they offer several backpack models that would do the trick. Filson was founded during the Gold Rush. Their bags aren't stylish, but they're old-fashioned and tough. You want durable? Filson's duffle bag will carry a 1968 1500 c.c. Single Port Volkswagen engine. You'll pay for lasting quality.

Order a catalog. It's the ultimate guys' company, and the catalog is filled with stories like, "Your pants protected my leg from a chainsaw," and, "Your coat saved me from a bear attack." Truly chest-puffing masculinity. It's not a catalog your wife will be interested in stealing.

Seriously, Filson's among my favorite companies. The craftsmanship is unmatched. You won't worry about anything being stolen from your secure bag -- and you won't ever, ever worry about it ripping or tearing. Most of Filson's luggage carries the disclaimer, "Clean by wiping or brushing only. Gains character with use." This stuff is made to last.

Last Christmas, I bought a Filson blanket. $200 is damn expensive for a wool blanket, but (a) it's the warmest blanket I've ever owned, and (b) I have every expectation that I'll be able to hand it down to my grandchildren. Filson is never cheap, but it's always money well spent.

crib