My cheap no-name Chinese backpack is finally falling apart, after over 20 years of absolutely solid service.
I want something that will last at least another 20 years, will hold a modern 16" laptop (e.g. Macbook), and will also let me toss a pair of jeans and light jacket in, when I ride home from work in the spring and fall afternoons.
I’d like to avoid American brands if possible.
Looked online at the SwissGear 5698 and Endure, but don’t know how well they’re built, or if they’ll hold my junk.
Any recommendations?
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Just got a Fjallraven Skule 28 for exactly this. I like it so far.
I’ve been using a Miltec for the past five or six years. Not pretty by commin standards but sturdy as fuck. The only thing broken on it is a clasp that I broke with a car door on accident. Bonus points for the molle system on it, so you can customize what compartments to attach
I’ve got a millican backpack that seems like it’s going to last to the end of time. I’m pretty sure it’ll hold all your stuff and then some. I’ve been using it daily for maybe 10 years and it has no signs of wear beyond looking dirty.
https://homeofmillican.com/products/smith-the-original-roll-pack-25l
Another pack I have for bike commuting is a ortlieb commuter. It’s waterproof, light, and probably an even better bag but for me it’s drawback is no outside water bottle pocket. It’s also tough as nails. I accidentally ran it over with my wife’s car once and it didn’t hurt it at all.
https://us.ortlieb.com/products/commuter-daypack?variant=45082296287410
Millican is heavier and has smaller dedicated padded laptop pocket but more organization overall. Ortlieb for lighter potentially wet situations and has organizational insert with laptop pocket. Both comfy to wear.
For the laptop, you will want to ensure that the bottom of the laptop compartment is not at the bottom of the bag. A good design puts a few cm air gap between the bottom of the bag and bottom of the laptop compartment so that when you set down the bag, no shock reaches the laptop.
Maybe it’s common… not sure.
That’s an excellent feature! My existing bag is well-padded, but the padding is at the bottom of the bag. Moving it up even a centimetre would be a great safety feature.
I know you said not MiUSA but I have to shout out my favorite brand, Timbuk2. I had a Swiss Gear break on me at a bad time and went with Command laptop backpack. It’s been over a decade and it still looks like I’ve owned it for maybe 2 years, and I’m not easy on my stuff. Taken it all over the country, out of it, and always packed with tech. Almost no issues with the petty despots in the airports, and I keep it pushing.
It doesn’t look like they make the same model, but closest might be an Authority or Commuter. I can’t suggest them highly enough, and anyone I’ve know that’s bought them has felt the same.
The OP is in Canada.
The Canadian version of Timbuk2 would be PAC Designs, but PAC Designs are much higher quality and a bit more expensive also. They are professional level products. Literally every element on a PAC bag is higher quality… Fabric, stitching, hardware, straps, padding etc. PAC is literally top quality possible.
Getting ahold of these bags is a bit of a dark art (always has been) but I think they have a Facebook contact.
Thanks for that. Their stuff looks pretty solid, and I appreciate the smaller companies making great stuff. Unfortunately, the US government is negotiating a half TRILLION dollar loan to destroy my country, so I’m going to pass.
Completely fair. I think the other reply to my comment looked good though, might suggest to check it out
I have a Hedgren backpack and it’s lasted through the toughest of outdoor drinking trips and daily use for more than 30 years.
I’d suggest them, but I have no idea whether the company has the same values anymore and if the new backpacks are even comparable.
Hedgren looks great - the “Trip” might be the perfect backpack!
…except that they apparently aren’t sold in Canada. :-(
A lot of them look rather too sleek and modern to me.
Mines more rugged imo. I don’t even know what country the company is from tbh. I know a store that still sells it in a nearby mall though, just peeked in out of curiosity once. Not that I need a new bag, since this one is still fine.
Well aside from the straps I had changed a couple of years ago, and annoyingly the new material is more plasticky and has reflectors on it. (And I don’t like reflectors installed in my things without being asked. What if I wanted to run away from someone in dark woods and they’re chasing me with a torch in their hand?)
