A year of engineering school (and the heavy book loads required) finally killed my old Jansport back pack, so I went looking for a replacement. After checking around on the net I went to a local surplus store and got a lightly usedGerman issue back pack for under twenty dollars. This is a great deal, because this is a very nice pack.
While the design is fairly simple with just one big cargo area with a couple smaller patch pockets on the side, it is very effective layout that fits a lot of stuff comfortably. There is a seperate panel pocket inside the main compartment that is good for smaller items like paperbacks or gloves. The plastic snaps and tensioners seem to be high quality and overbuilt in a good "never break" sort of way.
The whole thing is heavy gauge canvas with vinyl-lined rain flaps over all the pockets. I got caught in a fairly heavy downpour a few days ago and everything stayed dry inside. The bottom is thick vinyl for abrasion resistance, which doesn't seem to mind occasionally hitting concrete or other similar stuff.
I've never liked frame packs, so I really like the way this one carries. I found that with the hip belt in place it is even comfortable to wear runing (late for class). Others may have different preferences, though.
Overall I think this qualifies as a "best buy" in quality back pakcs. From what I've seen you could pay a lot more money for a lot less pack.
While the design is fairly simple with just one big cargo area with a couple smaller patch pockets on the side, it is very effective layout that fits a lot of stuff comfortably. There is a seperate panel pocket inside the main compartment that is good for smaller items like paperbacks or gloves. The plastic snaps and tensioners seem to be high quality and overbuilt in a good "never break" sort of way.
The whole thing is heavy gauge canvas with vinyl-lined rain flaps over all the pockets. I got caught in a fairly heavy downpour a few days ago and everything stayed dry inside. The bottom is thick vinyl for abrasion resistance, which doesn't seem to mind occasionally hitting concrete or other similar stuff.
I've never liked frame packs, so I really like the way this one carries. I found that with the hip belt in place it is even comfortable to wear runing (late for class). Others may have different preferences, though.
Overall I think this qualifies as a "best buy" in quality back pakcs. From what I've seen you could pay a lot more money for a lot less pack.