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There’s some great backpacks around, but there’s also a lot that suck really badly. We thought we’d pull together a spread of packs that we rate – they work well, they look appropriate for their intended use, and they should help you get out and enjoy new experiences.
We wanted to narrow this list down a little, so we’ve chosen our favourite versatile packs. A great all-rounder is not easy to do, so there will still be some compromises. We’ve arranged them from more of a work focus, to more of an activity focus. Just pick where you best fit.
Quality = Fitness for purpose
These backpacks should all:
- Work well enough from the office to the outdoors: They’ll carry a mix of items, and look appropriate across a variety of environments (unless you are in full suit city).
- Carry your tech: They have pockets for all those modern devices, generally including a laptop (we let you know if they need an additional sleeve).
- Deal well with travel: Travel requires a pack that can expand for a jacket or contract for an overhead bin. You need to stash food without squashing it and digital toys without scratching them. The best travel packs can open wide on their backs for packing on a hotel bed.
More discussion on the backpacks after the jump…
So, starting from the most work suitable, and building towards the most active suitable:
Incase Nylon backpack
Positives: Loads of great tech pockets, a geometric silhouette that looks great in urban environments (and yet still OK in the outdoors), efficient spaces for square work items, and a nice compromise on price vs quality.
Negatives: The harness and straight body shape are only OK for more rigorous activities, there’s not much expansion ability, and there’s better packs if you want to free your spirit (take it climbing, surfing, boarding, etc).
Gravis Metro
Positives: A really affordable pack that sits quite flat, yet seems to keep growing while you need it to. There’s convenient pockets, sensible sections, and loads of colourway options from crazy all-over prints to stealth black.
Negatives: The laptop pocket is a side opening, which means if you ever forget to do the section zip up, your laptop might meet the floor in a hurry. There’s not much structure or padding, so fragile items (like sunglasses) can feel a little exposed – but that’s not too big an issue for most.
Chrome Ivan Roll-top
Positives: A really different looking pack that gets loads of curious looks. Weather protection is great, with a relatively water-tight hanging pocket that we use for our 17″ MacBooks. While the Ivan is our favourite size roll-top (mid), there’s also the Pawn (small) or the Sultan (large).
Negatives: This is classic courier style, with big pockets and sections that take everything. You need to be creative to find good nests for all your tech, otherwise it just swirls around with everything else. The velcro can be loud when opening the main section, and it’s a pretty wide pack (not great for power walkers).
Rip Curl Escape
Positives: This pack was built for travel, and it shows. A huge main compartment can take a weekend’s clothes, there’s a wide waste harness, and we love all the features like wet sack, insulated pocket (that fits big Bose), and more.
Negatives: It could do with a couple more internal pockets, and it doesn’t compress well, meaning you need to keep it on the full side or your stuff can get jiggy in it.
Da Kine Heli Pro
Positives: A snow industry foundation piece, it looks epic, works for skis or snowboards, has a load of colourway options, and fits the body well for freedom of movement. Various sizes available, with our preference for the 20L.
Negatives: This is the least well suited to a workplace, needing a laptop sleeve and some creativity to make it work well. We also wish it was more water-tight.
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So that’s our take. We’d love to hear if there’s some amazing bags we’ve missed (just ping us a comment).
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Would of liked to see the Quiksilver Grenade make it up there. $100 and it carries my life around. Otherwise looks like a good list. Any plans for doing a satchels version? I need one of them.
Thanks James, good call on the Grenade – it is a great pack.
We thought about putting it in the list, but for similar bags, the Rip Curl Escape just pipped it in our eyes. Still, if you’re after more pockets, more structure, and an amazing price, the Grenade is a value pack.
And yeah, we’ll get a satchels (or messengers) post up soon. Keep your eyes peeled.
got links to those bags mentioned above? i’ve seen some but not all…
The spots we would go for them are:
For the Incase and Gravis packs: http://www.rushfaster.com.au/
For the Ivan Roll top: http://www.chromebagsstore.com/
For the Rip Curl Escape, we’d ask Josh for one, but failing that: http://www.ripcurl.com.au/index.php?id=357,0,0,1,0,0
And the DaKine Heli Pro: http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/DAKINE-Heli-Pro-Backpack-1000-1200-cu-in/DAK0132M.html
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Looking for a backpack designer with knowledge of military grade and made in USA.
Hi Gerb – all our packs are made in the USA and use military spec hardware. We’d be happy to see Carryology folk check out our packs.
Heya Mark,
we’re always happy to check out a new brand. We’ve seen your packs online, but not yet in the flesh. Feel free to get in touch with us at blog@carryology.com if you want to explore further.
Hope things are fun!
Mark Hansen,
What kind of backpack made in USA you are talking about?
Heya Ernie. Mark is from Topo Designs. They have some pretty neat packs. Check them out at: http://topodesigns.com/
I already got one 2 weeks ago, a daypack from Topo designs , affordable & made in USA; someday I will get the GORuck GR1
Greetings Gerb,
I am a freelance Industrial Designer who focuses on the niche field of bag and pack design/development. I have extensive knowledge in the field of military grade backpacks that are constructed in the US.
Please feel free to send me an email to discuss…
Taylor (@AT@) TaylorWelden (.DOT.) com
Hi guys,
Loving your posts, not sure what everyone else’s opinions are on this but I have a COTEetCIEL Toffy Brown Rucksack and reckon that it is the best thing ever. It expands more than you’d expect so there is heaps of room to keep the beers in the front pocket and then a nice little laptop pouch in the bag. To top it all off it looks rad!
Keep up the good work,
Henry
Thanks Henry. I know David seemed to like that pack when he reviewed it late last year. I think it’s probably time we reviewed and updated this post again
To reiterate with Ando said, please check out our review of the Cote et Ciel bag, Henry!
Here’s part 1: http://bit.ly/cGCzCD
Hey! Im doing a school project (industrial design), i have a question. How do you make comfortable to carry your laptop in the backpack when you are riding a bike?.
Is there some way not to feel (a lot) the rigid structure if it is the nearest thing to your back?
It would be very helpful if anyone answer!
Heya Tanya,
have you read our post on this topic?
http://www.carryology.com/2010/09/09/if-backs-bend-then-why-are-packs-flat/
The easiest thing is to have your laptop in a floating wall/section, that can be pushed forward or backwards within the main section.
Hope that helps!
Nice! it is very helpful, can i ask you more questions hehe, we are having problems with other things too…
=)
Fire away. We aim to please (but won’t do all your homework for you
Can i send you a e-mail to blog@carryology.com?
Perfect.
Greetings Tanya,
I think what Ando is nicely trying to say is, we’re happy to help out, but we can’t do the project for you. Providing step-by-step complete solutions for your design obstacles won’t create anything new. It is by use of the Industrial Design process that creates aesthetically pleasing and well functioning new solutions to these problems that come up all the time. Apply your process to the problem, and let’s see what you come up with!
(For example, Ando mentioned a floating wall/section to keep the laptop off your back… that isn’t the only option, just a suggestion. What about 3D foam shapes coming off of the pack to rest against your back? Perhaps there is some type of magnet that pushes away from you? Maybe a floating suspension/support?)
I agree!, in fact we are trying to ask people who knows about the subject what they think of some issues we have discovered that we didn´t knew at the begining. We are trying our best to make something good!.
And thanks for the ideas!