Backpack, Messenger or Sling

[graylocks]

Having decided on a 13" MBP for college, my son is considering bag options. this will be replacing a much beloved LLBean custom backpack used for all four years of HS.

any thoughts on whether a messenger bag or a backpack is more practical and brands he should consider? he mentioned liking the looks of the one shoulder sling like bags which to me seem handy for daypacks but not well suited for carrying a lot of stuff.

[cbelt3]

Backpack. He will be carrying double the value of the MBP in books (based on the cost of textbooks), emergency pants, spare condoms, a few bottles of beer, and the underpants of at least two of his recent conquests...

:biggrin: :booty: :biggrin:

All jesting aside, I've never seen a college kid carry a messenger bag or a sling bag for more than a few weeks. Mine ditched their 'cool bags' within the first week, and went back to the tried & true backpack. Especially if the classes are far apart on campus.

Ed: FWIW, why not stick with what works ? A slipcover for the sexy new MBP, and you're good. I carried my 1960's Austrial alpine rucksack from 8th grade until... well, when I was in my 40's.

[M>B>]

How about one of these, best of both worlds...



http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/59217?feat=847-GN1

[graylocks]

cbelt3 wrote:

Ed: FWIW, why not stick with what works ? A slipcover for the sexy new MBP, and you're good. I carried my 1960's Austrial alpine rucksack from 8th grade until... well, when I was in my 40's.

that was my thought. he has beat the hell out of it but being from LLBean it's still intact. however, methinks he wants a fresh start out into his brave new world. i'll give him that especially since he came to his senses after our trip to the Apple Store today and realized a 15" MBP would be serious overkill for a college student. so is a 13" but mom's a sucker for a shiny bauble from the Mothership.

[Black]

graylocks wrote:
[quote=cbelt3]

Ed: FWIW, why not stick with what works ? A slipcover for the sexy new MBP, and you're good. I carried my 1960's Austrial alpine rucksack from 8th grade until... well, when I was in my 40's.

that was my thought. he has beat the hell out of it but being from LLBean it's still intact. however, methinks he wants a fresh start out into his brave new world. i'll give him that especially since he came to his senses after our trip to the Apple Store today and realized a 15" MBP would be serious overkill for a college student. so is a 13" but mom's a sucker for a shiny bauble from the Mothership.
When my MBA leaves the house I do my best to dress it to not look like a portable computer.
I've taken to using a large mailing envelope like in the original MBA ads.
Shoulder sling sounds cool to me . . .
Aren't college students doing more with electronic files these days? Are there really big clunky textbooks to haul around still?

[TLB]

My son took a backpack with integral sleeve, Brenthaven case and a sling pack to college. He uses the backpack daily. Surprisingly, the novelty of carrying the laptop faded quickly, it is basically a desktop in his dorm room. He uses campus computers when out and about and only grabs the laptop for group activities and project meetings. Carries the computer in the Brenthaven and uses the sling bag more as a suitcase on weekends.

[mattkime]

i'd get a hiking daypack if he needs to carry a lot of stuff. a messenger bag if not so much.

sling bags are for people who can't commit to a proper backpack.

[graylocks]

Black wrote:

When my MBA leaves the house I do my best to dress it to not look like a portable computer.
I've taken to using a large mailing envelope like in the original MBA ads.
Shoulder sling sounds cool to me . . .
Aren't college students doing more with electronic files these days? Are there really big clunky textbooks to haul around still?

we've looked at his books and surprisingly enough a number of them are clunky textbooks. however, it remains to be seen if he needs to carry them to class.

we've also discussed that more than likely he'd use his iPad 2 for notetaking and just be carrying his laptop to the library.

[particleman]

Do you have a REI store nearby. They carry a good selection of backpacks and messenger bag. They also have a good return policy.

http://www.rei.com/search?cat=4500313&jxLaptop+compartment=Laptop+compartment&hist=cat%2C4500313%3ADay+Bags+and+Packs^jxLaptop+compartment%2CLaptop+compartment

I would definitely look for a bag with a laptop compartment or sleeve. For messenger bags, I prefer to have a zippered main compartment although those type of bags can be harder to find. Being able to securely close the top can keep thing from spilling out during one's commute as well as keeping out potential thieves.

[graylocks]

black,

have you ever used a sling type. my son gets around on a bike. seems like a sling would keep slipping off one's shoulder.