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New Backpack for MBP and books: Crumpler, North Face, Victorinox?

T

thinkband

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 22, 2007
160
0
Hello MR's,

I am looking to get a new laptop backpack for not only my 15" MBP but also enough room for college books, and maybe even a camera bag. I have had big backpacks in the past and I am a big guy (6') so I think I will not be intimidated by a big backpack.

I wanted a nice bag that would last four years, so my pricerange is $100ish. Something that looks cool would be a big plus. I was wondering what sort of laptop backpacks everyone has got and what they think about them. A couple choices that I have been looking at are:

North Face Surge: $80
http://www.ebags.com/products/index...ubcategory_Link=Details_The North Face_107264

Victorinox Burren $80
http://www.ebags.com/victorinox_swiss_army/burren/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=94043

Crumpler beerpack $170
http://www.ebags.com/crumpler/the_beer_back/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=93407



Another idea is to get a messenger bag. Would that be more ideal for someone like me? Something like this would be in mind:

Crumpler $90
http://www.ebags.com/products/index.cfm?modelID=93396&Subcategory_Link=Details_Crumpler_93396

Thanks for looking. Any suggestions would be great!
 
I have used the STM Medium Evolution for 6 months with lots of traveling and highly recommend it. The MBP is tucked safely away in a separate compartment and there is heaps of room for books, cameras, etc. It seems well made and is very comfortable to wear.
 
I have a Targus lockable backpack that came free with my MacBook.

Out of the ones that you've listed I prefer the Crumpler messenger bag. (It also has a great name!)
 
Crumpler's a great brand, and I use them for camera bags.

For my MBP, I use an Ogio Metro backpack - it's decent and was only like $30 at Circuit City. I don't think they carry it anymore though.
 
I'm trying to make a similar choice. I was about to go from the crumpler. I really like the red North face pack though too now. I think I will still go with the crumpler.
 
ewxlt said:
Look at these options:

I've owned this one. Had it for two years then gave it to a friend when I got a more "adult" job. You can't carry lots of books though, a few. Lots of pockets for extra junk.
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/laptop/commute

I'm looking at this for my next:
http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/show/42/
Click to expand...

Those are both really nice. I had wondered how out of place i would look with a "pack" as opposed to a bag as I moved up in the executive world. Now I have even seen our CEO with an army green pack, so I think they have hit the mainstream.
 
I got a Timbuk2 track daypack. It's great for either one large textbook plus 4 notebooks, or two large textbooks and one or two notebooks. (Plus the seperate pocket for a MBP and three other zippered pouches) Don't think it'd hold more than that though, so if you're talking 3+ full size textbooks you'd need something bigger.
 
A lot of people use messengers.

I would just buy a nice messenger bag (the crumpler would be perfect) or buy a booq bag and get a small case, and put your laptop in that, and use a regular bag.

I got a nice bag for my 17inch at bestbuy, cant think of the name right now, I think it is the V branded bag.

I have a crumpler messenger for my camera, best thing ever. The one for the laptop bag looks about the same. High quality, and no-one would mistake it for a laptop bag.
 
tjcampbell said:
The most effective, comfortable, discreet and solid backpack you can get for your MBP or an MacBook is this one...

http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/nylon-backpack-cl55027

I travel a lot and it's awesome.
Click to expand...

I looked at that bag while trying to make a decision and it was a little *too* discrete for me at college ;)

Oh, and I wanted to add - messenger bags are great but you will feel the weight of your books and laptop MUCH faster than if you use a backpack. I really wanted to get one but the more I thought about how much walking I do on campus every day the less I thought a messenger bag would support the load well enough.
 
Personally, I feel like toting all that stuff takes its toll on my neck, shoulders, and back-- especially if I use a messenger bag. So for me, carrying that sort of load means backpack for sure.

I'm also fickle. ;) So I prefer getting a sleeve of some sort for the notebook, and then having various bags I can pop that into. :)

I have one TNF backpack (non-laptop carrying kind) and it's built w/ straps more suited for women so I do really like it. And it's tough and comes w/ limited lifetime warranty.

I've got a smaller Crumpler bag (not a backpack, more like a purse) and while they make some tough and great quality goods, they use massive amounts of strong velcro. Fun but v v v noisy to open/ close your bag. That can be a drag.
 
North Face

I have the Surge and was very impressed with the quality. Its one of the best bags I've owned. It also holds a lot of stuff without bulking up. Tough bag too.
 
I am also looking for either a good backpack, or a good messenger bag.

It has to have room enough to fit my 15.4" MBP+ 1 binder, and 1-2 textbooks, etc, as I need this for college. I like the crumpler dreadful embarrassment, and also the incase backpack, but im not sure if the incase has enough room. I like timbuk2 messengers as well, but again, i need some room and have no experience with them
 
I have a Dakine Duel backpack that is sweet, the terminal is similar but bigger. They both have padded laptop sleeves and look sick.
 
Ive got a Northface Heckler backpack and i love it, the quality of The North Face is top notch. I also have a North Face Sepal Messenger bag which i just got today and from what i can tell its really nice too. Id say go with the North Face
 
I have the crumpler. While it is a great solid bag for protecting your laptop, it won't really accommodate much else in the way of large books or camera. That said its straps are great and very comfortable. I rate STM as well, they have much better features like iPod cable holes, weather proofing etc.
 
Dmac77 said:
There expensive, but I like Booq bags. They're great products.

http://www.booqbags.com/
Click to expand...

ditto. Excellent product

These are great bags. Up front cost will have you second guessing, but will easily last you 4 years, IMO.

Got the backpack style made for the 17", but use it for all sorts of other stuff as well. Lots and lots of room on the inside. Shoulder straps are made very well and comfortable. Has a built in carry handle for those times when you don't want to shoulder it. Many if not all of their products are made from ballistic nylon.
 
I wonder why no one ever mentions Jansport. They have a handful of laptop backpacks with Airlift straps (the have that soft gel-like honeycomb for padding), which should be really comfortable.

http://www.jansport.com/js_product_thumb.php?cid=41
The ones that have Airlift straps are: Air Cure, Firewire, Exchange, Lap Station, and Air Revolt.

I recently ordered the Exchange. It looks really big, but I should be able to make it smaller with the compression straps on the side when it's not full. It should be here next week.
 
I have a Crumpler, basically the one posted by the OP but it was called the King pack or something about 2 years ago when I got it. It's a great bag and I have only seen maybe one or two other people on campus with anything from Crumpler, so there is a uniqueness to it. On the downside, if you're going to carry a lot of big books in addition to your Mac, you may want something a little bigger.
 
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