Which backpack? Help please

[pantherlj]

Sorry ... not sure which forum to put this one. Hope this is OK

I want a backpack, not a messenger bag.

I have two kids 4 and 7. I want to be able to bring some water into the park. We are going in late January so I will need room in it for jackets. Plus, I will have all the every day stuff you need at the park (camera, snacks, ponchos, etc).

I would like one that has the bottle holders on the sides.

I don't want one with lots of compartments but a few would be helpful.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[BeckWhy]

I personally prefer JanSports. They have ones with this weird material (I'm not exactly sure what it is, I think it looks like honeycomb) that adds a lot of extra padding. They can come in any size from small (like a mini-backpack) to extremely large ("big student" is the name). Every JCPenney's store I have been to carries a large variety of them. You can go there and scope them out and see what size you like and if they have the ones that have the netting on the side for you bottles. I'm not sure if your store will have them in stock or not.

Some of the JanSports that have the mesh side pockets for bottles include: Stash Pack and Platform. I'm not sure going to a store and looking for the name will help, but you can always use the name to search on the net to find them.

My boyfriend has an LLBean backpack that has those side pocket things also, but his is really old, I'm not sure if they still have them, but you can always check them out (the only problem with his backpack is it is actually pretty heavy).

Hope this helps.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I love my LL Bean backpack, and they are guaranteed for life! My High School/College kids have been using the same packs for 4 years now, and mine is even older!

 

[monorailsilver]

I had a Jansport one that my sister used in college in the early 80's & then I used it for another 5-10 years until it got a hole that grew.

Then I got an LL Bean one around 1990 when I went to nursing school (think BIG books, very BIG books). It has finally seen it's end of life since it has been thru the washer many times & the inner liner started to shed. But there are no holes in it at all.

I just got my dd a LL Bean one for Kindergarten.

So I vote for LL Bean.

 

[garris3404]

We use both depending on the weather. We might store those extra clothes needed early in the morning, or late at night, in a locker instead of dragging them around all day.

 

[GOODoldPAL]

Another vote for the durability & versatility of Jansport. Used one in lieu of a diaper bag when daughter was born and it's still kicking 14 yrs later.

However in TJ Maxx, I stumbled on a Nike brand backpack on sale (maybe $20) and it has the MOST comfortable curved padded straps & soft thick back I've ever experienced! Plus a stiff backing piece slides in accessed from a snap top closure which I felt really helped keep weight distributed.
We now use this exclusively for theme park or port days.

I checked the Nike website and they have a variety form $20-50 but did not see the exact same model/features I have but would be worth poking around internet for IMHO. Only Nike model identification I found: tag inside that reads 03-02-04 ESM

 

[ogreenlee]

I plan on using a backpack, too. What do y'all do with it on rides that require you to pull a harness over your chest?

I won't have to worry about it on my upcoming trip, but I'm sure I'll have to deal with it on my next one.

 

[RustManFan]

I also vote for LL Bean. Took same backpack since 1987 and it is also perfect for the numerous Great Britain trips I've been taking. Padded so that it really protects any cameras you might have along

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I plan on using a backpack, too. What do y'all do with it on rides that require you to pull a harness over your chest?

I won't have to worry about it on my upcoming trip, but I'm sure I'll have to deal with it on my next one.

I put the backpack at my feet, and make sure one of the straps is looped around my ankle. Haven't lost one yet. Can't say the same for DH's signed Goofy cap on Space Mt!

 

[Yensid_MD]

Hi-

I use this one.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...43&parent_category_rn=4500632&vcat=REI_SEARCH

I took the water bladder out and that adds another pocket to put stuff. I like this one as it has several pockets, can hold water bottles on the sides and is quite comfortable.

 

[pjb_hockey_mom]

I usually bring a backpack, but this upcoming trip I'm going to try a "slingpack", the one with the single strap that looks like a backpack.

When we were there in October our friend had one and it was great. You can either wear it on your back or bring it around and hold it in front. Seeing as I'm not used to carrying a backpack everyday, all day by the end of the week my back is killing me.

 

[Kick Save]

Similar to Yensid, we use a Camelbak Cloudwalker Daypack: http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_...4442588735&FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374302503341

We bought it just before we went in Aug to hold plenty of water in the bladder, worked like a charm. It actually had more space in it than we needed, but I'm sure with a trip in the fall/winter we could fill it with sweatshirts and/or jackets pretty easily.

One nice thing about the bladder we found out is that if you fill it with ice water you have a "mini cooler" on your back. If you've got a bottle of OJ or Chocolate milk or something for the childrens you can slip the bottle in next to the bladder and it'll keep it cold for quite a while.

 

[pantherlj]

Thanks for all the responses. I guess I forgot one important fact. I am a tightwad . I can't imagine spedning $80 on a backpack.

I guess I will put one on my Christmas list and see if Santa thought I was good this year.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I use a Jansport tiny backpack as my pocketbook. So far, it has stood up very well. I much prefer this style over the single strap pocket books.
It is much smaller that what you describe though so I'm not sure my particular one is what your after. I got it through REI, and I think they carry a number of models in that brand. My only complaint is that I have to MAKE SURE the top zipper is closed all the way, or the top pouch will slowly open up as I carry it and things can fall out.
Ultimately, the solution I have for WDW is to minimize what I bring. In the evenings, I tend to do away with the pocketbook all together and limit what I bring to the things that will fit in my pockets. Unless I'm wearing something with minimal or no pockets. Anytime you have a pocketbook/backpack you have to worry about it on rides. Most rides have a pouch to store your stuff. Otherwise, with my backpack, I can put it under my legs, and wrap the strap around my legs. I kind of like that method better then the pouches provided. since the bag is touching me, I'm not inclined to forget it. I wouldn't do it on somethign like Star Tours, where fire escape could potentially be an issue, but on somethign like BTMRR the 'leg wrap method' works well.

 

[phanomouse]

I do freelance writing and gear testing for an "outdoor" magazine. I have literally tested hundreds of backpacks (all sizes). Your absolute best bet is a Camelback. Their bladders and bite valvues last a lot longer then their competition. This is what I use for most of my day hikes and we always use it in the parks... http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...productId=47989698&parent_category_rn=4500632

I know that is expensive but it is a their largest capacity allows us to fill the 2 Liter bladder our camera(s), jackets, whatever else we need and if needs be there are two mesh pockets for bottles of whatever on the outside. The best thing you can do is go to a sporting goods store (REI or somewhere similar), take everything you might take with you to the parks in another bag. Then just start filling up bags that you see and like. Try them on and walk around with them loaded. I know this takes time but you'll be happier then if you just take everyones word for it and go out and buy whatever someone says on here. Good Luck!!!

 

[fAnnF]

i used JanSports in the past. this year I got an IPack on sale for $17 at Target after school started.

The only things I look for is that it has comfy straps, and lots of pockets.