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Best Backpack for Student (13"MBP)?

Which would you prefer?

  • Hurley Manzana

    Votes: 1 4.8%

  • North Face Surge

    Votes: 4 19.0%

  • North Face Recon

    Votes: 10 47.6%

  • Other

    Votes: 6 28.6%
  • Total voters
    21
H

Help Please

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 26, 2011
108
0
Iowa
It's time to retire my five year old hurley backpack - two zippers are broke and it's fabric is worn out. Sooo, I'm in the market for a new backpack. My Hurley treated my well and I know Apple even sells their products on their website, however, I've seen a lot of people recommend the North Face Surge or Recon.

Here are the three I'm considering.

Hurley

North Face Surge

North Face Recon

Anybody own either of the three? Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
 
I like the Hurley backpack best. It's cheaper and looks way better than the other two backpacks you listed. Plus there's a compartment that lets you "hide" the macbook, pretty cool! :)
 
psykick5 said:
I like Swiss Gear backpacks.
Click to expand...

Same here. I use it for college and bring my 13" MBP everywhere with me. It's comfortable, and has no signs of wear even though it's 3 years old. Well worth the price IMO.
 
Last edited:
I've been using the Recon for 2-3 years now for my 15" and I have zero complaints. It has worked great and it's got plenty of pockets and organization.
 
Vans (yes, the shoe brand) makes epically stylish and reliable backpacks. I've had this same black Vans backpack for years and it's as sturdy as ever. Plus, they're way cheaper and less geeky than these apple backpacks.


My macbook fits perfectly inside.
 
My vote goes for one of the Swiss Gear backpacks.

Although I did get a great Thule 13" MacBook Pro Attaché that also holds my iPad. Perfect size for carrying those two items and pretty durable. However a student would probably prefer a backpack since the Thule case really only has room for the laptop, iPad and a few other small things.
 
+1 North Face Recon.

I picked one up last month to replace an old Targus backpack and couldn't be happier. I have a top zipping Speck sleeve that I leave in the laptop area and my 15" MBP slides in and out very easily.
 
I have used Swiss Gear backpacks for my entire college carrer. One of them started to fray and i had a replacement one from swiss about 4 days later.
 
i use the INCASE canvas backpack. mines the 2010 model though , they changed the design for 2011.

extremely well padded macbook compartment. and yes they called it a MACBOOK compartment LOL
 

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randomrazr said:
i use the INCASE canvas backpack. mines the 2010 model though , they changed the design for 2011.

extremely well padded macbook compartment. and yes they called it a MACBOOK compartment LOL
Click to expand...

I have the 2011 version of this and it's brill the storage is quite surprising also, that and yesterday I was out in the rain it was hammering and I was thinking "good bye Macbook pro", but inside was bone dry, I also have the macbook in an incase sleeve so that anything thats inside the backpack won't move around and scratch the thing to bits, but that was for the just incase factor.
 
PirateMonkey said:
I have the 2011 version of this and it's brill the storage is quite surprising also, that and yesterday I was out in the rain it was hammering and I was thinking "good bye Macbook pro", but inside was bone dry, I also have the macbook in an incase sleeve so that anything thats inside the backpack won't move around and scratch the thing to bits, but that was for the just incase factor.
Click to expand...

but the backpack already has a built in sleeve for the macbook? whats hte point of using another sleeve

yeah ilike my incase, but i wish it held a few more books
 
I just got a recon today and I like it a lot. So far it is the nicest backpack I have ever owned. I used to use jansport and those swiss gear laptops. The last one was a swiss gear i used senior year and near the end of the year i had to duct tape the bottom because it was all torn open. If you like the swiss gear then get one of those. I definitely do not treat a book bag with school supplied textbooks as delicately as I would with my new pro in it.
 
woah these backpacks are so amazing. now i wish i had one :p
but im still happy with my 6 year old backpack that isn't for macs :) cheap, affordable, and beautiful, and durable, what more can one ask for in a backpack that isn't for macs
 
PirateMonkey said:
I have the 2011 version of this and it's brill the storage is quite surprising also, that and yesterday I was out in the rain it was hammering and I was thinking "good bye Macbook pro", but inside was bone dry, I also have the macbook in an incase sleeve so that anything thats inside the backpack won't move around and scratch the thing to bits, but that was for the just incase factor.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if that was intentional or not, but I'll still give you points for being clever :cool:
 
randomrazr said:
i use the INCASE canvas backpack. mines the 2010 model though , they changed the design for 2011.

extremely well padded macbook compartment. and yes they called it a MACBOOK compartment LOL
Click to expand...

+1 for Incase backpacks. I have the sling version and the build quality is great. Mine too is a 2010 version. the inner sleeve for the laptop/ipad is perfectly lined w/ soft faux fur. Well built and sturdy for everyday use.
 
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