day packs

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andrew7978

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
Messages
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I am looking for a good day pack that can be used for hiking and carry school books around campus. I was looking at the north face borealis. Anyone know anything about that or have any other suggestions. Thanks guys.
 
I tend to gravitate toward Osprey packs. Look em' up, you might like them.
 
If you are talking about a college campus then chances are that you are carrying about 300 lbs worth of books. Being a student myself I get cheap packs with tons of room, no need for small pockets for my books and keep another pack for hiking etc. I can't tell you how many pack bottoms I've worn through or how many straps I've broken. True that if I got better quality packs they would last longer, but then you're just that much more pissed when it takes a crap on you. My advise: get a cheap "disposable" pack for your books and spend your money on a nice pack that will be dedicated for your outdoor activities.

This is just my experience so your mileage may vary.
 
I always bought Jansport book bags. Yeah I paid double, but the roomie went through three in the time I wore out one.

I still believe in buying quality once.
 
I agree with 45-70. Buy something nice, it will last longer enough to matter. I went cheap with my first couple of bags in college, but then I bought an Uphill/Down with a zippered computer compartment. That was over ten years ago, and I used it for everything while I was in school -- shooting, hiking, school, overnight trips, etc. I still have it, and until a couple of months ago, I was using it as the bag I took to work. The seam on the bottom of the pens/pencils/other small items compartment started to separate. I think I've gotten my moneys' worth out of it, but I'm going to repair the seam and pack it up for one of my kids' 72 hour kit.

I started using a (much) cheaper bag I had lying around after that seam split. The shoulder straps started to separate after only a couple of months. I got a new SwissGear bag at Staples, and I don't expect to be replacing it anytime soon. Yeah, it was a little bit of money, but that doesn't really cost more in the long run if you take care of your gear. Quite the contrary! If you buy quality, it lasts so much longer than cheap, the cost comparison is ludicrous. I paid 60 dollars for my new bag, and the same for my old one. The cheap one cost less than 20. If I was replacing a cheap back for 15 or 20 dollars every six months to a year, then over the past 12 years, if it was every year, I would have spent as much as 240 dollars, or three times as much as the first bag, if it was 20 dollars and once a year. If it was more often...

The point is, with any kind of gear, buy the good to excellent quality gear, even if it means spending a little more than you wanted to. You won't be sorry. "The bitterness of low quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
 
I used a simple Jansport backpack for 4 years of college and many years thereafter lugging books, gym equip and clothes and just about everything. It never wore out. I lost it at a concert last year and miss it.
 
The daughter has used 2 jansport bags through high school and the university. She replaced a red bag with a pink bag, which is now her nursing bag with what she needs during the day, as well as survival kit and a medical kit. She gave me the red bag and I use it when trekking during rifle hunting season. Eventually it'll end up in the wifes vehicle, as her GHB in case of an emergency.
 
I usually like to keep a seperate backpack for outdoor activities (the majority of gear I use stays the same so it's nice to have it all there) the same for my edc so I keep them seperate and ready so when I leave I can just grab the appropriate bag.
 
Every pack I currently have is a Jansport. They just work. They've been used and abused by me for every purpose and in every type of weather that this state has to offer. I've not had one fail on me yet, no leaks and no tears or loose seams.

Just wanted to give another endorsement for them!
 
I use an Osprey Focus (Civilian Job) and Camelback MotherLode (AF Reserve Job). These ain't cheap, but are wicked durable. Both are frameless, but have stiff plastic sheets that keep corners from sticking in your back and do place some of the load on their well-designed belts. One bonus both offer is some protection for a laptop. They also both have non-overkill features for organizing keys, pens, and other junk that you'd probably like to not just have mixing in one big compartment. I've taken both from metropolitan office settings to day hikes and tecnical scrambles.

Reflecting back on my campus days, they would handle a nice load of books/binders comfortably, and have a little of the not-every-student's pack statement for the non-confirmist.

Whatever you get, make sure the darn thing fits. The osprey comes in two sizes.
 
I had my jansport since i was in high school. I used it for school (including university), as well as numerous day hikes, ice fishing, and canoe trips.

Recently i picked up a camelpak alphine exploerer. It's pretty nice as well as including my hydration pack, no more nalgenes hanging up on branches when i hike.
 
Lots of good packs out there. Get the one that feels the best. It always helps if you have an REI or EMS nearby. Then if it blows out on you they will take it back no questions asked.
 
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