Followup to "need a good backpack"...

[PeterB]

OP here: http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1...msg-611771

... I've sort of narrowed this down to either of three possibilities, based on suggestions in that thread and looking around a bit:

1) LL Bean, I like their "Custom Super Deluxe Book Pack": http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...ryId=43801&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=504479&feat=504479-tn&cat4=504478 ... though the truth of it is, I would probably go for all-black, so the customized aspect of it for me is largely pointless. Also, I don't like that they don't give you the option of changing the color of the LL Bean logo. And the 3-4 week delivery wait time doesn't please me...

2) Jansport Odyssey or Odyssey II: http://www.amazon.com/JanSport-TFE0008-O..._2?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1227721434&sr=8-2

3) Targus Groove, as mentioned in the OP. Probably the cheapest option, but I don't know how well Targus stuff will hold up.

I don't really care for the styling on the Kelty's -- they look sort of weird to me.

The Jansport seems, relatively speaking, overpriced-- but maybe you're paying for better quality than LL Bean? On the other hand, in the OP, people made a point of LL Bean's warranty policy...

Other suggestions of similar bags welcome... I think I like the separated compartments that you see in each of these packs, though I would like more smaller compartments for organizing stuff.

[Shakes]

It might not be your style but...
Crumplerbags

They have 2-3 different kind.

[graylocks]

PeterB wrote:
1) LL Bean, I like their "Custom Super Deluxe Book Pack": http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...ryId=43801&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=504479&feat=504479-tn&cat4=504478 ... though the truth of it is, I would probably go for all-black, so the customized aspect of it for me is largely pointless. Also, I don't like that they don't give you the option of changing the color of the LL Bean logo. And the 3-4 week delivery wait time doesn't please me...

On the other hand, in the OP, people made a point of LL Bean's warranty policy...

you might try calling LLBean directly. this summer there was a Super Deluxe Book Pack. when my son was picking custom colors i noticed they were very similar to the regular Super Deluxe. i asked him if he could save me a few bucks and order that one instead. of course, he then chose other colors...

i can vouch for the LLBean return policy. i had a backpack that was crumbling from the inside. even though it was five years old, i thought that was unreasonable. i called them and they easily said they'd replace it. i didn't even need the receipt - the item had their name on it and they wanted to make it right. at the time it was was their top of the line pack; they replaced it with the current top of the line pack.

[PeterB]

graylocks, hmmm... just found these:

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...ryId=60093&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...ryId=60092&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr

Makes my choices MUCH easier-- these are so reasonably priced. Too bad that they don't make the pack all black though... tempts me to get a color other than black. Also, the rolling version... they don't say if the wheels can be detached, otherwise I'd assume it's got really limited functionality.

[graylocks]

PeterB wrote:
graylocks, hmmm... just found these:

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...ryId=60093&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...ryId=60092&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr

Makes my choices MUCH easier-- these are so reasonably priced. Too bad that they don't make the pack all black though... tempts me to get a color other than black. Also, the rolling version... they don't say if the wheels can be detached, otherwise I'd assume it's got really limited functionality.

jeez! those are great prices! my son originally wanted all black. teenage commando thing going on. then i pointed out that in a school setting, he might perhaps want a pack he could easily identify if someone was walking off with it. for that same reasoning, my last suitcase purchase was bright red.

the reviews for the wheeled version are positive. maybe the wheels are designed in such a way that they don't poke you in the back when the pack is worn.

[PeterB]

Yeah, on the rolling one, it does look like it can be worn as a regular backpack-- that one looks great. Can't decide on color though... weird how they have that one strip of fabric which stays white or gray between all colors. I would have gone for the black, but that looks strange... the navy or powder blue may actually look better.

[weapon]

I bought a brenthaven and could not be happier.

[Harbourmaster]

PeterB wrote:
Can't decide on color though... weird how they have that one strip of fabric which stays white or gray between all colors.

That "one strip of fabric" that is always white, is actually a strip of Scotchlight reflective fabric for nighttime visibility...

[btfc]

http://www.amazon.com/JanSport-Big-Stude...d_sim_sg_3

[PeterB]

btfc wrote:
http://www.amazon.com/JanSport-Big-Stude...d_sim_sg_3

Yep, I saw that one too, prefer the styling of either the LL Bean or the more expensive Jansport.