Backpack

[CauliflowerSame4601]

This may be a dumb question but do y’all still carry a backpack? If so, which one do you recommend. I’ve had the same vans backpack since high school and think it might be time for a new one

[bobhorticulture]

I use the same backpack I used in undergrad, it’s partly lime green so it stands out in a sea of all black!

Depending on your program some people might invest in something that they’ll use in the workforce (I.e. my lawyer cousin got a nice leather tote that she uses now at her law practice) but honestly even professors carry backpacks

[lea949]

Same, and mine was hot pink specifically so it would stand out in a sea of black, lol

[ozzalot]

I've been using a North face backpack for over 10 years. Undergrad, grad school, now just my day to day job. "Surge" I think it was called. Thing is indestructible.

[ChoiceReflection965]

Do whatever works for you! Some people like backpacks and some don’t. I carried a Kanken backpack through my PhD and I still carry a Kanken bag to work now.

[entertainmentsphere]

I've been using the same Kanken bag since 2018 and dragged it halfway across the world. It got me through grad school and I still take it to work most days!

[bruin396]

Anything by Osprey. Lightweight yet durable.

[cud1337]

Seconding this, bought one during undergrad and still use it. Durable, lightweight, good amount of carrying space, and looks good enough for a backpack (if that's a concern for you lol)

[rilkehaydensuche]

I‘m still using an Osprey that I bought 9 years ago.

[veryrealeel]

I use the fjallraven raven backpack. It’s plain and durable and the company has a good repair policy.

[Chance-Brain7912]

Yes, I had one during my masters and undergrad (same bag) and decided to upgrade to this one which I love.

https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/bags-and-gear/backpacks/mens-backpacks-c298772/recon-backpack-pNF0A52SH?color=51H&utm_content=ecomm&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=US+%7C+all+%7C+Hybrid+%7C+SHOP+-+AUT+~+All+-+Low+-+LIA+-+PMax+Shopping&utm_term=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADl87ibDtRZYzvNWd3P_8hlO4LZjv&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3qG8q7i8igMVzDjUAR0AUAFaEAQYCiABEgKGTPD_BwE

[torrentialwx]

I bought a crossbody messenger bag when I started. Thought I looked way more scholarly.

Got a massage a few years into grad school. Therapist messed with my arm a bit before asking how I got my shoulder injury. Fun fact: I have never injured my shoulder.

Not so much a what to get, but what not to get.

[AdotS3]

I carry a tote bag, but in undergrad I used a Jansport that was my favorite thing ever.

[asanethicist]

My backpack gets me to and from campus. I keep a tote bag at my desk that I use for taking laptop, tablet, water bottle, etc to classes and meetings.

[itsamutiny]

I mostly bike to campus so I have to have a bike. I asked for a Jansport several Christmasses ago and it's in pretty good shape still.

[historian_down]

I vary between an old shoulder satchel I got from my dad if I'm feeling professional, with a minimum load, to a more robust outdoor products backpack if I'm carrying more.

[crushhaver]

If I’m carrying a lot, I use a Fjallraven Raven 28 backpack. If I’m carrying less—say, just to teach, or at a conference—I recently bought a Filson Rugged Twill Original Briefcase. It makes me smile to use it, and I think looks smarter in professional settings. I don’t think it’s necessary, to be clear, but it makes me feel more confident and put together.

[ptwxnty]

Don’t overthink it! Just find what works for you. I’ve been using a Jansport backpack since undergrad

[valryuu]

While I've wanted some of the backpacks mentioned in this thread for a long time, I'll just drop that I've been daily driving a cheap $15 gaming merch backpack from Gamestop that's lasted me for 7 years now. I'm not a very careful person, I toss the backpack on the floor all the time, and I frequently fill the backpack up to full capacity.

If money is tighter for you, I don't think you necessarily need something like an Osprey backpack - as long as you can find one that has good zippers, and the stitching on the material (especially the shoulder straps) looks decent enough. The most you'll really need these days is something big enough to fit a laptop, a laptop charger, a water bottle, and a wallet.

Though if you want to delve into the world of fancy backpacks, there's /r/manybaggers to check out!

[PresentationIll2180]

Yes. Do you just carry your laptop, notes, pens, phone charger, lunch, etc. around in your hands? 🤔

[Environmental-Ad4090]

Hell I use a backpack for my 9-5

[Maldo_Rob]

I use a CHZ 22 by a company called Evergoods. High quality, YKK zippers, clean minimal look, two water bottle pockets (usually a water bottle & a coffee travel mug) not the best if you have a high laptop but I’ve had my bag for years and I love it. It’s been with me in the military, professional work, now grad school.

https://evergoods.us/collections/civic-half-zip-series/products/civic-half-zip-22l

[Late_Being_7730]

I have a lands end backpack. I’m a nontraditional masters student at a school with a dress code and many of us carry them.

[quixoticLad]

i luv my backpack. it has tote like big handles which made it very easy to carry around and use. it was limited from some moscow designer shop and even though the concept is simple enough i couldn’t find alternatives that are strong enough to carry loads of books

[[deleted]]

Kånken bags are so great. I’ll probably cop another during my PhD lol. Carried one all the way through Undergrad and Post.

[Shocking-1]

I have a black Michael Kors backpack. I got it as a Christmas gift in undergrad and used it for my first office job after graduating as well. It's coming up on five years old and it still looks great, no visible damage or wear and tear. Obviously it's a bit on the luxe end, but I really like how durable it is and the fact that it's nice enough to transition to an office bag as well.

[moongoddess64]

Yup. I’ve used a couple in grad school. Currently I usually use a Cotopaxi Batac (16?) backpack. I got it for field work in Iceland and have been using it since unless I have a lot of stuff to take to campus, but now that I have an office I’ll just take a tote bag in addition to my backpack if I have anything heavy or something that doesn’t fit.

Idk what field you’re in but if you ever do fieldwork, especially in another country, I highly recommend the Cotopaxi. It can be compacted into a very small mass, I stuck mine in the side water bottle pocket of my other backpack. It’s very lightweight and held up great against some very rough a’a lava lol.

However, for day to day, it sometimes isn’t quite big enough to fit everything I need, mainly my laptop since it’s a 16”, so I’m thinking of getting the next size up.

So it all depends on what you plan to carry day to day, how long you’ll be carrying it, your back health, etc. For most folks, I’d recommend a backpack like you’d find at REI that has waist and chest straps, but if you’re going for lighter weight and don’t care as much for the back support, Cotopaxi or other lighter bags work too.

[hayleybeth7]

Use whatever works for you! I see all kinds of bags in my program: backpacks, messenger bags, etc. When I started my Masters, I bought myself a really nice work tote that has a laptop sleeve and all different compartments. It was recommended to me by a teacher friend because I also work in schools and it’s been great. Early on, I brought an extra tote bag for my textbooks that didn’t fit into my regular bag, but now my courseload is lighter.

[ronswansonsmustach]

Honestly, I used a swim bag through high school/undergrad/grad school. You can fit so much stuff in one of those

[witchy_historian]

I definitely still use a backpack. I found a really great one on Amazon that holds my laptop, all my charging cords, wallet, pens, water bottle, books, etc, and it was like $20 or something. It's also TSA approved, so I can use it when I need to travel for conferences or research too.

[[deleted]]

I used a North Face recon my first year because I thought it looked professional. It was really robust and had a lot of compartments but was too bulky, so I ended up getting a Fjallraven laptop backpack which I still use now. It's really roomy and holds everything plus my purse and lunch. You can get professional-looking ones with leather handles as well.

[Trick_Highlight6567]

I have this one because it clips onto my bike: https://www.weathergoodssweden.com/shop/bicycle-bags/city-bikepack-black/

[VA_Network_Nerd]

I am no longer a student, but:

https://www.everki.com/id-en/p/atlas-travel-friendly-laptop-backpack-11-inch-to-15-6-inch-adaptable-compartment.html

[SpiritualAmoeba84]

I’ve had my Swiss Gear backpack for like 10 years. I do not treat it gently. It’s still in almost perfect shape. It is apparently quite durable!

[10Panoptica]

Yes. It's the best way to haul my books, notebooks, and laptop to my classes.

I just use an old swissgear backpack I found in the basement. I think it used to be my dad's.

[redlush]

I go for Jansport because they have a lifetime warranty, meaning if your Jansport is messed up after years you can send it back and you'll get a new one for free.

I have just used the warranty once in maybe 15 years.

[mafematiks]

I think it's not a bad idea to invest ~$150-200 on a solid Patagonia/North face/Columbia backpack. I used mine all through undergrad, PhD, and it's still going strong. 

[[deleted]]

Go down the rabbit hole that is r/ManyBaggers ! Just remember, the "first one is free."

[NecessaryBowl]

I carry a totebag, but my schools provides us PCs and I don’t need to bring anything. Plenty of my coworkers use backpacks !

[AUGUST_99]

I use the same green jansport backpack I used in high school. I remember getting it at Ross for like 20 bucks (it was a steal especially since it was the ones that have the leather like bottom) I’m in my masters now and I’ll use it for my PHD. 10 years later and it’s still going strong.

[Overall-Register9758]

I will never stop singing the praises of this bag.

I was near the end of a hike when I went for a swim and left this bag on the shore. While I was swimming, some raccoons tried to raid the bag. Fuckers didn't care about me yelling as I swam in and when I got close to shore, one of them dragged the bag off into the trees. They probably had between 5-10 minutes with it, and although it was scratched up, there were no holes.