I’m looking for recommendations for a backpack that will be used for commuting to work. What I’m looking for would have one large compartment that I could put a shirt and a pair of pants in, a Bluetooth speaker, a large Contigo water bottle and maybe some miscellaneous stuff. I don’t want a hundred pockets and compartments (internal or external). All I seem to be able to find are laptop backpacks or hiking backpacks that are just too “busy” with features that would just get in the way or waste storage space. I really don’t want to have to resort to buying a laptop backpack and then cutting out all the internal compartments with a razor blade. That’s just dumb, and I worry that what’s left after cutting would start to fray and fall apart. Durability and and convenience are top priority but price isn’t a huge issue (within reason).
TIA.
Update: Since there have been several positive comments re. JanSport bags… That’s what I’ve decided to try. I pulled the trigger on this bag. It’s a bit fancier (suede parts) than what I was originally planning but it ticks all the boxes. The fact that they have a Canadian store and free shipping is icing on the cake.
Thanks everyone for your input.
That’s my problem. The bags that I see that look like they would meet my needs are really basic and cheap looking. Like the fabric would tear in the first week of use. I need to carry my work uniform, a BT speaker, 2 Contigo bottles and maybe have room for some other random stuff. I just need to throw it all in a single compartment and go. I only have to carry it as far as the car, toss it on the back seat and then carry into work from the parking lot. Don’t need chest and waist straps, don’t care how thick the padding is in the shoulder straps, don’t care if it’s waterproof, it will never hold my laptop, don’t need all the useless bells and whistles that seem to be so popular these days.
Definitely Jansport. They have the classic bags that don’t even have the laptop sleeve against the backpad inside the large pocket. Although I found use for that pocket to store my book, so I can always find it quickly and it doesn’t get ripped.
I have the classic Jansport, just broke it out again after my swissgear laptop bag started giving up the ghost. Can’t believe I stopped using it lol, it’s lovely.
Right?! Jansport served me so well my entire childhood. And then I just totally forgot about it when I wanted a “basic-normal looking” backpack that was simple and made sense. Long live Jansport.
Maxpedition has a “Prepared Citizen” line that is basically a Jansport design with very durable fabric like military packs use. Not everyone’s taste but a cool idea imo