I’ve got a backpack that’s falling apart after less than a year and was looking for a much better one that will hold up well. Specifically, the use case is dragging food home from grocery stores or dragging cards in plastic boxes/board games around at best…
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I nearly use mine as in the video and it holds up.
Pro tip for backpack longevity. Stop dragging it.
Why drag it when it’s on my back, where it should be?
Maybe a wheeled dolly or cart would be better for dragging around.
Let me guess, English isn’t your first language?
I don’t mean literally dragging around, I meant it figuratively. But you did make me laugh a bit so a point for you.
Specifically, the use case is dragging food home from grocery stores or dragging cards in plastic boxes/board games around at best…
Interestingly, English is my first language and the native language of my home country, and this is not a phrase you would expect to hear unless literal dragging is involved. In my country, we might say “lugging” or “hauling” where you used “dragging”. Maybe it is a local thing for you.
soo… you’re not going to explain?
I’m a native English speaker, but you mentioned dragging twice. I was being facetious, so I guess you got it.
In my locale we would probably use the term schlep or haul or pack.
But in all seriousness, you should consider a grocery hand cart. Backpacks are great and all but for maybe up to 15 lbs. Beyond that and it’s nice to have it on wheels. I’ve carried a backpack for thousands of miles, and I’ll gladly repeat it, but when there are other options and the ground is flat…
My kid has a five nights at Freddy’s backpack. Normally these branded things are made cheaply.
This thing has been hauling 25lbs of books for 4 years now and only the carrying handle is starting to wear.
It’s amazing.
I bought a Patagonia one ~10 years ago, mainly because of their suggestion that it should be built to last and that they offer repairs for anything that breaks. I use it pretty much everyday and it’s still pretty much good as new! Expensive outlay but worth it long-term I think.
Why no one is suggestion to check the nearby military surplus shop?
I have a couple Mystery Ranch backpacks that I think are going to outlive me. RipRuck 32 holds a ton of stuff and the Blitz 30 has excellent organization. Incredibly durable, if a bit on the pricey side. I live/work on the road and was chewing through backpacks, so spending the extra has proven to be worth it.
Check out Tom Bihn!! They make durable bags that are of excellent quality, and definitely BIFL. They also have a pretty dedicated following of customers that post to a community forum (you can find the link from the Tom Bihn website). People there were really helpful when I posted about waffling between two styles and sizes for an EDC backpack. I definitely recommend checking TB bags out, and going to their forum for helpful advice.
I’ve had a Timbuk2 laptop bag for a long time, over a decade and no issues. Loved it so much I bought a backpack from them when my Swiss Gear straps broke. I’ve had it for probably 5 years, adore this thing and I can’t see needing to repair it anytime soon. Recently took it abroad stuffed with laptop and camera gear and it was great. Regular sales online, highly recommend
Ask a Mormon
I love my thinkgeek backpack of holding, I’ve used and abused that thing and it still keeps kicking.
Legitimately my buddy has the same bag but doesn’t use it as often, mine is slightly lighter brown I think because of all the sunshine it’s seen.
I’m sad that you can’t buy it anymore. Some of the thinkgeek guys are at rollacrit now, and they have their messenger bag of holding, a spiritual successor. I haven’t looked closely, but from a glance it’s not even close to the original.
I don’t know what I’ll do when my bag dies, but from the looks of it, that will be a long while.
I actually originally had one of those, gave it to a friend, who got rid of it to another friend… Reason I got rid of it myself was how difficult it was to customize it any.
True, it’s more of an “everything goes in the round hole” kind of bag. And I’m occasionally swapping things in and out of it, but still. When I travel for only a couple days, I use it at a suitcase. When I hike locally, I use it as a trail pack. When I’m not sure what I’ll be doing that day or where I’ll end up? I load it with a mix of clothes, steam deck, laptop, and other goodies I might want.
I have an actual suitcase, and I’m gonna buy an actual backpack for hiking and camping, but still. I find it very fitting for my needs.
When I need to clean a lot into it? I can, and it’s huge, and I can strap stuff to the back and sides.
When I only have a couple things? It compresses down pretty small and lightweight. I’ll never ditch it 😬
I used to work a job with a lot of swag, to the point I was donating ~20 bags a month. I LOVED one of them with a Passion I tried to hunt it down but it was a custom build requiring 10k units. Since then I’ve replaced it with https://www.swissgear.com/swissgear-1900-scansmart-laptop-backpack and the only flaw is that no single compartment is MASSIVE. As long as you don’t need 1 massive pouch this has all of the best features.
I’ve never had a better bag than a Lowepro. Overkill maybe, but they’ve earned more purchases from me considering I just threw away a 15 year old backpack.
How well would you rate its ability to be sewn of ripped? Does it seem like it can be hand sewn if need be?
What are your style, price, and other considerations?(Country of origin, ethical, material, etc.)
I love my Tactical Tailor Operator backpack and I am eyeing a Triple Aught Design Fast Pack Scout.
Country of origin and ethics don’t really matter so long as it holds up. I’d like to be able to fix it if I can or add patches to make it look more unique so materials have to allow for hand repairs/“enhancements” as needed.
In that case you might want to look into all leather backpacks or heavy canvas. Both are repairable, though leather is also waterproof. They both take patches well and maybe even pins.
Don’t get a “backpack”. You want a day bag or some other hiking thing.
But if you’re using it for groceries, you’re probably better off paying for delivery and buying in bulk these days.
It’s like $5 flat rate, that’s easy to make up compared to buying a backpack at a time.
Maybe in your part of the world, it’s $5.
In mine, it’s $25, starting price, and the sales are never on the ordering apps so you’re paying full price for everything. Added to the fact I live less than ten to fifteen minutes away from a grocery store, with deliveries taking upwards of 4 hours to arrive, there’s no point in taking advantage of them.
A day bag may also be an option but I would also like to be able to fix it if it rips or tears.
My sister bought me a Gregory backpack for my birthday three years ago (it’s one of their 60 sizes). During spring/summer/fall I use it several times weekly when I hike to-and-from the gym, and it’s still in like-new condition after hundreds of uses. I really like the straps across the chest and hips to help distribute weight across my torso. Problem is they aren’t cheap, but they aren’t cheaply made either and mine includes features like a detachable smaller pack for when you don’t need the whole huge space. Depending on your budget, they may fit your needs and you may not need to splurge on one of their largest models like my sister did.
