laptop backpack

[tcufrog]

My middle schooler will be given a laptop by the school this fall. The school gives them shoulder bags to carry them in but I don't think it's good for his back to be carrying that and a separate laptop bag. I want to instead get him a good sturdy backpack that can safely hold the laptop and his regular school gear. He will have a half size locker at school and plenty of time to go back and forth during the school day to drop off stuff but he'll have to bring homework and textbooks home and I have no idea how much stuff that is.

I would love some suggestions for one that can hold up for at least 4 years because he'll be in middle school that long. I'd like for it to also have a water bottle pocket and good back support. He's been carrying for several years a PB Kids backpack that I got on sale and I have been pleased with how well it's held up. I noticed that the PB Teen backpacks are on sale and they have a built in laptop sleeve. Does anyone have any experience with those? The tech specialist at school likes the Swiss army gear backpacks so I'm looking at those as well. They're pretty boring looking though and can get quite expensive. I'm also open to other suggestions.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My middle schooler will be given a laptop by the school this fall. The school gives them shoulder bags to carry them in but I don't think it's good for his back to be carrying that and a separate laptop bag. I want to instead get him a good sturdy backpack that can safely hold the laptop and his regular school gear. He will have a half size locker at school and plenty of time to go back and forth during the school day to drop off stuff but he'll have to bring homework and textbooks home and I have no idea how much stuff that is.

I would love some suggestions for one that can hold up for at least 4 years because he'll be in middle school that long. I'd like for it to also have a water bottle pocket and good back support. He's been carrying for several years a PB Kids backpack that I got on sale and I have been pleased with how well it's held up. I noticed that the PB Teen backpacks are on sale and they have a built in laptop sleeve. Does anyone have any experience with those? The tech specialist at school likes the Swiss army gear backpacks so I'm looking at those as well. They're pretty boring looking though and can get quite expensive. I'm also open to other suggestions.

I got mine at Fry's. Don't know if you have those where you are, but it's an electronics super store (sells all sorts of electronic stuff) I've had it about 2 years so far, so can't address whether it will last 4 years, but it's still sturdy and holds a laptop and has a couple of smaller pockets, as well as two mesh pockets on the side for water bottles.

 

[sam_gordon]

I like the Swiss Army backpacks. I got one a couple years ago for ~$100 I think at Staples. Carries a lot, but I'm not hauling school books and binders around.

ETA: If I wanted something to last 4 years, I'd expect to pay more.

 

[pryncess527]

LL Bean has laptop backpacks -- they've always been the best, at a good price, for as long as I can remember

 

[Lynne M]

The eBags Professional Slim Laptop Backpack. It's gone to the office every day for years, and on countless flights and car trips. It still looks brand new. Lightweight, slim profile, plenty of pockets and storage. I can't recommend it highly enough. I think I paid about $85 for it, and it was worth every penny.

 

[Squirlz]

I have this Swiss Gear backpack that I often use as my under seat bag on flights. All kinds of neat features.

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/swiss...15891&wl13=&wl15=36142967440&wl17=1o2&veh=sem

 

[SallySkelington]

Another one for Swiss Army backpack. I got it for college back in 2010, and I was able to carry all of my text books and binders in one go. I still use it when I travel with my laptop. It's a little faded, but otherwise in excellent condition.

 

[mnrose]

Ogio makes one that is great. Available right now at Costco for just under $40, IIRC, and worth every penny. I've been using mine for years now with no issue at all. I believe it's $5 cheaper in the store.

https://www.costco.com/OGIO-Prospect-Backpack.product.100350578.html

 

[Southernmiss]

We buy Swiss Gear at Best Buy for our college kids. Just bought one for son #3.

Oldest ds has had his for 5 years and is still using it (still in great shape) as he goes to coffee shops to study for the CPA.

 

[Albort]

i got 2 Swiss Gear backpacks. One is worn down quite a bit though, im still using that one for school. bought another one for travels.

i love them both! got them at target.

 

[soccerdad72]

Ogio makes one that is great. Available right now at Costco for just under $40, IIRC, and worth every penny. I've been using mine for years now with no issue at all. I believe it's $5 cheaper in the store.

https://www.costco.com/OGIO-Prospect-Backpack.product.100350578.html

I saw those this weekend and thought about picking one up for the price - good to know that they're a good buy.

 

[mnrose]

I saw those this weekend and thought about picking one up for the price - good to know that they're a good buy.

They retail normally for anything north of $60. At $35 in the store, it's a steal. If I needed one (which I don't because mine is in PERFECT shape after three years), I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

 

[ndelaware]

Ogio makes one that is great. Available right now at Costco for just under $40, IIRC, and worth every penny. I've been using mine for years now with no issue at all. I believe it's $5 cheaper in the store.

https://www.costco.com/OGIO-Prospect-Backpack.product.100350578.html

Just bought this for myself, $34.99 at the Delaware Costco store. Great bag with lots of pockets and a well padded laptop pocket.

 

[wenrob]

My son gravitated towards this one and really wouldn't look at anything else. After giving a good look over it appears really sturdy, is well padded and has nice ventilation. I usually insist on LL Bean but I went ahead and got it and talked DD into one as well. I can't testify to how good it will be until the end of the year but it feels really well made.
https://www.target.com/p/ful-174-kosmo-backpack-blue-checker/-/A-48635915

A note on the Pottery Barn Teen backpacks, they aren't what they used to be. The ones I bought last year look like crap. Oldest DD has one from Kindergarten (so 16 years) that looks brand new. All our LL Beans still look new as well.

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts...

• @tcufrog: Is the child riding the bus? Backpacks are a nuisance on a crowded bus when there is standing room only
• I like backpacks as it's easier on my spine than a shoulder bag.
• is the child likely to overstuff the backpack? If you see keyboard images/scratches on the screen..... the laptop is getting too much pressure on the screen in the bag.
• it may be easier to leave the laptop at home
• are you getting the backpack with wheels? Hate seeing a laptop bag with machine being dragged down the sidewalk

 

[tcufrog]

Thanks for the advice. I saw some Swiss Gear backpacks at Target and really liked the functionality and sturdiness. I was concerned about whether or not there would be room for a binder or textbooks. I know he'll have a math textbook but not sure what else. The laptops are given to the students to use at school and home during the school year so he's expected to bring it to school everyday. He doesn't ride a bus or walk home. My dh drives him and I pick him up. I haven't thought about wheels. I'll have to discuss that with him.

It's a shame about the PBTeen backpacks. I really liked the patterns and the price. His PBK lasted 5 years and still works for camp although the bottom is rather beat up.

 

[Alberta bound]

Another vote for the Swiss gear!

 

[tcufrog]

I've never seen such a strong consensus on the DIS. May there's hope for us yet.

 

[DawnM]

My oldest (in college) has an LL Bean laptop backpack. I actually bought 2 of them about 4 years ago. They look like the day we bought them. It doesn't have as much room for books, but he doesn't need them as his classes are all on the laptop. He needs room for a notebook, pencils/pens, and a cell phone and a wallet.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I like the Swiss Army backpacks. I got one a couple years ago for ~$100 I think at Staples. Carries a lot, but I'm not hauling school books and binders around.

ETA: If I wanted something to last 4 years, I'd expect to pay more.

We got one for DD in 07 when we got her laptop. She didn't like it (wasn't pretty, was bulky) but it's provided good protection and has been very sturdy--still going strong 10 years later.