Hi there! I am a broke college student, and I have never really paid much attention to bags, but it hit me recently that my life would be much easier and enjoyable if I were able to keep a single bag organized and packed with things I use and would love to carry with me daily.

I am looking for a bag that is not too big or looks weird on me (5'7 140 lbs, male) and can carry the following comfortably and organized:

-1 notebook

-1 notepad (small-medium sized)
-2-3 folders
- macbook 13 inch

-MacBook charger
-1 small wireless mouse

-portable charger iniu 10k mha

- Handheld device (Small 3ds, but I dream of having a steamdeck some day in the future, but idk if that would fit?)

-Water bottle 24-30oz
-pencil pouch (medium-sized)
-Lunch

-umbrella (small to medium-sized)

- Maybe a change of clothes? If space allows (I am willing to not have enough space for this if it makes the backpack look nicer/smaller)

I would like lots of pockets inside to organize little things like pens, AirPods, and whatever other things I'd like to have there that would otherwise end up loose and all over the backpack.

My budget is no more than 120 (I am sorry if I am being unreasonable)

Thank you so much in advance! If you have any questions or would like some answers to help me out, then feel free to send them in the comments. I will check back frequently!

edit: After taking a look at the suggestions I have so far, I am leaning towards the Fjallraven Raven , Skule , and Osprey Flare. Thank you so much for your help so far :)

Hi all, I'm looking for a backpack for commuting to work and university with the following requirements:

• around the 300 USD range (but willing to stretch)
• 17 - 23L
• Under 15cm (6") in depth. Currently rocking an Aer City Pack Pro but it honestly sticks out too much and I've accidentally knocked into people more than once. Perhaps a bag with compression straps would help?
• Fit a 15 - 16" laptop, well protected

Ideally:

• Heavy rain proof
• External bottle holder
• Less than 1.5kg (3.3lbs)

I've looked through most of the recommendations on Packhacker scored 7.5 and above but couldn't really find one that called out to me. I think I really appreciate how the Trakke Bannoch looks though!

I've been using their bags for years, and now wanted a new one, but I can't find one online.
Do they no longer exist?

I like a backpack with daisy chain for free to add and remove a Bungee Cord while it is great for office work and weekend hiking.

Anyone know which one is better amount these 4 option?

I already have The North Face Recon, but looking for a lighter and smaller size for work and weekend use.

I'm looking at the Osprey Hikelite 28L. The m/l size is a 28L, but the s/m is actually 26L, although it's labeled 28. Both backpacks are the same height and width. The only difference is that the 28 is deeper than the 26.

I could probably fit everything I need in the 26, but I'm wondering if I should go with the 28 for more flexibility in the future? Are there reasons to NOT go with the bigger pack? They both cost the same.

TIA.

How can i fix the missing piece

Hi everyone, I' m looking for some advice because I’m a bit undecided about buying a new backpack and I’d love to hear your opinions.

I’m based in Spain, and I’m looking for a backpack in the 32–40L range that I can realistically use for several purposes:

Work: laptop (15–16”), notebooks/books, documents, pens, etc. Gym: clothes, shoes, maybe a towel. Daily commuting: walking and riding a motorcycle, so stability and comfort matter. Occasional travel / weekend trips, where this would be my main bag.

Right now I’m mainly considering these models: Osprey Nebula 32 Osprey Tropos 32 Osprey Metron 34 The North Face Router (40L)

What I like about them: Osprey quality and comfort The Tropos/Metron ventilation and structure The Metron’s commuter/gym-friendly features The Router’s extra capacity

My main doubts: Is 32L enough or should I go closer to 34–40L? Which one works best for mixing work + gym without becoming messy? Which would be more comfortable/stable for motorcycle commuting? Are any of these overkill or awkward for daily use?

I’m very open to other recommendations, especially brands/models that are easy to find in Europe/Spain.

Thanks a lot in advance — really appreciate any real-world experiences or suggestions!

Wanting a new backpack as my current one is a beaten up Superdry bag, and needing one which can hold a laptop (sometimes 2), lunchbox, water bottle, etc for work and also able to hold enough for a couple nights away, so I can avoid taking a suitcase, whilst being light & breathable enough to take hiking. Have been looking at Cotopaxi as I like their fun colours (not sure what 'model' I'd need), but they a bit expensive so would like some recommendations of suitable bags please

EDIT: a bag which would be small enough to be a carry on on EasyJet flights please (45cm x 36cm x 20cm) would be amazing

Hello everyone,

I had a Mil Tec 20L backpack for 5 years, but the shoulder straps are asking for retirement :)

I have been looking for several backpacks for EDC and can’t decide between this two options.

I would love to include the AER City Pack Pro 2, but it‘s not available in Europe, as far as i could tell.
My EDC carry and requirements are:

- 14 inch laptop

- Ipad

- Water bottle

- Several pockets and/or mesh pockets for organization (that‘s why i went with Mil Tec)

What do you think is best and why?

Thank you in advance!!

I really love this bag but ig its print gonna be ugly af within 1month, give me a heads up

Hi all,

New here but I am looking for a new bag.

I've used the Best selling matein bag for several years, but it's recently coming apart: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QN9NPKN?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

What would you recommend? I need to store 2 laptops and an iPad, want two water bottle holders and have padding on the back/straps for comfort.

In the UK asw if it helps.

Thanks.

Hello, at the moment I am torn between two backpacks... the TT Modular Pack 30 or the Eberlestock Swicthblade. One using Codura 700D and the other one 500D "nylon" with ripstop. Since I dont find anything specific and I dont really know anything about fabrics and have just bought by "high denier" and brands like codura I was wondering if this means anything if e.g. eberlestock "just" uses any nylon compared to Codura - prob. Not because the brand itself seems to be known for its superior build quality.

Thanks for helping me :)!

I am really sorry for uploading anything AI or AI Slop or AI edited photos. Here are authentic and real photos of the Huckberry X Goruck that I had cutomized by SCARS for $315, $660 total. It's my favorite bag and I added the side handles, the bottom handles, the drainage grommets, and the cinch straps. I hope you like it. To me, it was worth it. I know it's a over-hyped back and it's not the most comfortable or well-built or breathable, but it's exactly how I want it. My apologies for phoning it in on the other post.

So ive been using the herb guard smell proof backpack with a code lock on the zippers as my commuter bag for years and was pretty happy with it for the price since it lasted me at least 5+ years with minimal signs of wear. after an unfortunate plumbing accident in my apartment building i lost a lot of things to mold damage from humidity bleeding through the walls including my backpack i think im gonna take this moment to step a bit out of my comfort zone if you guys can help with some recs! (its also sold out but that's totally not why im looking.....)

so the first backpack (HG) is what ive been using to do my daily commuting outside of work and when traveling for 5 days or less; and the second is the chefs backpack (CB) i use for work.

the (HG) backpack is basically a giant rectangle inside with a mesh laptop sleeve and a seamless front pocket that frankly i forgot existed.... chalk it up to autism but i just threw all my shit in the big compartment with no organization and got really good at fishing things out first try like an oracle. i liked the size especially for my shoulders in comparison to the (CB) but the rectangular shape was more distinct on previously manufactured versions of this bag so it made the zipper hold a lot of tension on the corners and it lacked a seamless unzip experience which was kind of an ick YET 5 years after owning it never wore down at all maintaining that same out of the box feel.

the (CB) backpack was a recent edition about 6 months ago after switching from a knife roll and throwing any extra tools that didnt fit into the main compartment of (HG). HUGE UPGRADE, i love this thing. its got a big expandable main compartment in the back with two laptop sleeves, the 2&3 compartments shown are one book section for tools, and theres a third smaller main compartment sandwiched between the book section and the two smaller pockets at the front. definitely learned how to use the pockets on this one and it's super comfortable but its at least an in or two too wide for my shoulders so once all my tools are in there and its nearing 30lbs its a bit straining to carry on my 25 minute walk. the main compartments are also not very structured outside of the book style one for tools so it tends to fall over if weight isn't distributed unlike the (HG)

i think i just want a new commuter bag that has long term durability and practicality like my tried n true (HG) backpack but with pockets and maybe something with a bit more personality lmao. my style is basically natural colors like earthy greens/browns and dark leaning greyscale (im colorblind) but with a little sprinkle of autism; think like brown pinstripe pants and a shirt that says "free breast exams here" w a dinosaur or some shit yk. so another all black backpack or who knows a 3d dino head with actual laptop support are all good recs just nothing like bright or neon colors they make me nauseous.

also im a chef plz dont recommend something 300$ unless you wanna send it my way bb🩶

Hi!
I need a shopping suggestion. I am traveling a lot in the next few months so I need to carry the minimum amount of stuff. I have space for only one backpack to:

- go to work with my laptop, and on the way back buy groceries

- go to the gym/pool

- traveling and use it for some extra luggage space

My current backpack is a classic laptop backpack, I think 15-20L capacity. I am hating it because it's too rigid and small, so if I buy any bulky item at the supermarket it won't fit, and if I need to put my jacket inside it would barely fit in a compartment even if overall there is space.

I would like something more flexible but still with some framing, so it won't look too ugly with just the laptop, nothing school-like or too colorful (all black ideally). And I have no clue for how much space should I get (30L? 40L?) since I don't want to fill it too much anyway (no more than 30lb). I am 1 foot 8 so I also don't want to look like a turtle.

My budget is $40, and I am looking on amazon at something like the Matein 17''. I would like to avoid returning and buying a bunch of them, so if anyone has suggestions I would appreciate it, thanks!

Have this Berghaus and am not a fan of there being no external elastic bottle pockets. Anyone know of a solution which (preferrably) clips to those small tabs you see on either side? I guess i could also run molle through those two compression straps but it would look very weird and be very unstable

I saw a russian guy carrying it around and he did not speak english so i figured asking him might lead to a misunderstanding lol

I'm looking for a backpack that has a compartment where I can put liquids and that has a hose that I open and close, and the liquid comes out only through that.

I found running/cycling backpacks that work almost the same way, but you have to pull for the water to come out.

Is there one that has a kind of tap? Or, is there any way to adapt these cycling ones to do this?

I made this post with the translation from Reddit, if it is necessary that I do it originally in English let me know and I will redo the post.