STURDY Backpack Recommendation, please
Bianca
backpacks for my two girls, as one school-year is, apparently, the
maximum life-expectancy of any school backpack (even those so-called
"high-end" ones such as Roots or Swiss Gear).
Growing up, my brothers and I went through exactly 3 (leather) school
bags each: one for elementary and middle school (which was actually
passed down from one child to the next), one for high-school and one
for university. Of course, then, planned obsolescence had not taken
over America.
Can someone recommend a backpack that would last AT LEAST a couple of
years?
TIA
Bianca
Don K
news:1188837710....@57g2000hsv.googlegroups.com...
> Can someone recommend a backpack that would last AT LEAST a couple of
> years?
If you want heavy-duty stuff, check out the military surplus stores.
The backpacks I used in grade school were military surplus from WWII,
made from heavy waterproofed canvas, with thick canvas straps liberally
reinforced with metal rivets. They lasted longer than my need for them
since backpacks were no longer cool once you reached junior high.
When my kids needed backpacks, I noticed the local surplus store
had lots of similar stuff from the newly-dismantled East German Army.
Maybe these days, the stores carry Iraqi army surplus.
Don
Logan Shaw
My sister ran into this exact issue when she was in college. She
ended up getting a backpack from JanSport because it had a "lifetime"
warranty. I don't know if she still has it, but I do know she sent
it in and had it repaired for free at least once and maybe a few
times.
Looking at their web site, they have an FAQ about warranties, and
it says this:
When you say "lifetime warranty," whose lifetime does that
refer to?
The pack's "lifetime" means the life of the pack, or when,
through normal use and general deterioration, the pack can
no longer function for the purpose intended.
http://www.jansport.com/js_faq.php?type=warranty#110
So it would appear that this does not mean you can buy a single
backpack and use it for the rest of your life. But it may mean
you can get more out of than a regular backpack. Still, I think
you would have to pay to ship it to be repaired (although with
backpacks being fairly light, shipping shouldn't cost a lot).
Also, the same FAQ also mentions that they won't pay for getting
the backpack repaired at a "local repair service", so maybe it's
a reasonable strategy to instead buy any random but decent quality
backpack (not necessarily a JanSport) and get it repaired when
necessary, ideally before a small tear turns into a gaping hole.
- Logan
Melissa
Landsend.com
Melissa
> TIA
>
> Bianca
>
Wordsmith
> "Bianca" <ldancau...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
Tangential to the topic, but I saw somewhere some company has made a
bulletproof (!) backpack and sales are brisk...especially in the inner
city!
W : )
aemeijers
"Logan Shaw" <lshaw-...@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:46dc4df9$0$18796$4c36...@roadrunner.com...
> Bianca wrote:
>> Every September, for the past few years, I have had to buy new
>> backpacks for my two girls, as one school-year is, apparently, the
>> maximum life-expectancy of any school backpack (even those so-called
>> "high-end" ones such as Roots or Swiss Gear).
>>
>
> The pack's "lifetime" means the life of the pack, or when,
> through normal use and general deterioration, the pack can
> no longer function for the purpose intended.
>
> http://www.jansport.com/js_faq.php?type=warranty#110
>
I can second Jansport, and also eastpak (sp?). I don't drag a pack every
day, but do use them at airports instead of briefcases now, to simplify
those inter-terminal forced marches, and have gotten good service from my
Jansport. If cost is no object, there is always north face or one of the
other outdoor gear companies. Dirty little secret- likely they are probably
all made in the same Pacific rim plant these days. My Columbia rain jacket
was made in freaking Viet Nam, of all places.
For a kid, a 20 dollar pack from Sam's club will likely do them fine. Note
that school packs are a fashion thing, not just a bookbag, so even if last
years is in fine shape, they will want whatever their friends have. Also
note that many schools, at least in big cities, now require clear or mesh
packs, the better to search the little dears. Probably worth looking through
the paperwork they sent, or calling the school, before you spend money.
aem sends...
Wooly
> Can someone recommend a backpack that would last AT LEAST a couple of
> years?
I've had my LL Bean backpack since 1984. The reflective tape is shot
but the bag itself is in fine shape.
I bought my son a wheeled LLB "backpack" (quotes because it is designed
as a rolly even though it has shoulder straps) when he started
kindergarten. I expect it'll go to college with him.
Dennis
wrote:
I bought my kids Columbia backpacks last year. They are still in good
shape for use again this year. IIRC, I even found them on sale at an
online retailer for what seemed like a really good price.
Dennis (evil)
--
The honest man is the one who realizes that he cannot
consume more, in his lifetime, than he produces.
Gini
"Bianca" wrote
Columbia
Rick
Yeah, that's courtesy of my wonderful State - MA. They had the two
"inventors" on WBZ 1030 AM a couple weeks back and that had to be the
most surreal talk show segment I ever heard on that station. I was
surprised at the number of callers who thought this was the greatest
idea since sliced bread, while totally side stepping the issue about why
anyone "needed" to think up an idea like this. (Let alone the limited
practically of the concept.) To be noted the inventors own and run a
"sporting goods shop." Translates: "We sell stuff that shoots people."
The made it quite plain they weren't talking about an Eastern Mountain
Sports... And they actually said at one point "Well the real solution
would be to provide children with guns to defend themselves. But since
we can't do that we came up with this as the next best thing."
Lot of restrictions on the bullet proof back pack. Yes, you have to
check to see if any given school will even allow it. No, it cannot be
brought on air lines as carry on luggage. Etc.
Back to the topic at hand: Frugal? Hell no. IIRC it runs about $175.00
"Now honey, did you pack your peanut butter sandwich in your bullet
proof back pack? And your mace?"
Just bizarre...
Rick
timeOday
My experience was that Jansport DOES honor their warranty, without any
tricks to stop you from using it.
I had the zipper on a pack replaced at least 3 times, for free. I'd
rather they just improved the zippers, but short of that, I was glad
Jansport lived up to their warranty. I'm using an LL Bean right now,
but Jansport is definitely on my short list.
Bianca
It seems that Jansport gets the highest marks from most of you, so off
to their website I go!
Thank you all for your suggestions, your help is much, much
appreciated!
Bianca
Seerialmom
The best backpack I had was bought at Pic-N-Save (aka MacFrugals and
renamed again to BigLots). I believe it was under $10; had a suede
bottom...and I used it for almost 6 years in college (from 86-92).
The things you want to check are the stitching for sure; for hardiness
I'd suggest checking a store that outfits campers, not fashion
conscious teens.
Dennis
wrote:
>The best backpack I had was bought at Pic-N-Save (aka MacFrugals and
>renamed again to BigLots). I believe it was under $10; had a suede
>bottom...and I used it for almost 6 years in college (from 86-92).
>The things you want to check are the stitching for sure; for hardiness
>I'd suggest checking a store that outfits campers, not fashion
>conscious teens.
The first thing to go on my kids' previous backpacks was always the
zippers.
In fact, zippers seem to be the weak point on most satchels,
backpacks, fanny packs and similar gear-holding items that have failed
for us in recent years. No doubt they all get their poor quality
zippers from the same set of (asian) manufacturers.
James
> On Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:38:50 -0700, Seerialmom <seerial...@yahoo.com>
Mountain Equipment co-op is a non profit. They check everything they
sell before they market it. The url is www.mec.ca. There is a
memebership fee but its lifetime.
Their clothing is great. I've owned a hiking style backpack from there
for 20 years.
James
James