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Posted: 10/24/2007 7:08:37 AM EDT
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Ok, So I am going back to school in Jan (after a 6 year break...) and I need a good school bag. I don't want a cheap Walmart special that will break, I need something that will last a few years (since I am doing the night school thing and it is going to take me a while.) I will be getting a laptop, so I would like to be able to carry it in my pack and have it somewhat protected along with my school books/supplies. I was thinking about the TT Enhanced Day Pack since it has a spot for a laptop, some decent storage and organization pockets and a pocket for a Nal. Bottle. I will be going directly from Work (LE) to School 2-3 nights a week so I need something that can carry some work gear too with my school stuff. I would also like to be able to use the pack as a small day hike pack for some small trips. The only reason I was maybe thinking about something else besides the TT pack was there is no sternum strap or possibility of adding a waist belt for those day hike times... I was also thinking about jsut going the A-III route, but there wasn't as much "organizational" pockets in the A-III like the TT pack... I've got my RAID but it's a little too big for school for me. So, what say you? Any other pack I should consider? I've actually CONSIDERED (for a brief moment) the new TAD EDC pack, but it's $280 and I don't really want to throw that much $$ down for a pack when I have to buy other school stuff too. |
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I also go to night school. After tearing up a couple of North Face and Jansport packs, I tried a Kifaru Marauder as a school pack, but didn't like it in that application. I finally settled on an Eagle A-III, and recently ordered an ATS frame sheet. I've found that combination is darn near perfect for me. For organization, I use a Spec-Ops Pack-Rat in the front compartment. A 1L Nalgene will fit right next to the Pack-Rat in the front compartment. I've also tried to siamese clip a Maxpedition mini rollypolly on the side of the pack to hold a Nalgene, cinched down with the compression straps. It works OK, but it drags on the side of the bag, and it makes opening and accessing the contents of the bag cumbersome . So I just throw the Nalgene in the front compartment next to the organizer. One of the nice things with the civilian bags and TT enhanced day pack is the built-in Nalgene pouch. I don't like packs with a built-in laptop sleeve, because the compartment is usually located on the back of the bag. Drop the bag the wrong way with a full load of books, and your laptop is toast. I much prefer a standalone laptop sleeve. After using an older Booq Vyper for awhile and not being very happy with it, I ordered a CasePC and like it much better. Compared to a coworker's Sumdex sleeve, the CasePC has just as much padding, but is not as bulky. I slide the sleeve on top of the books and binders in the main compartment, and cinch everything down. The A-III came with a waist strap, but I took it off. Even with a full load of books, the bag rides well with the frame sheet and sternum strap. Hope that helps, and good luck with school. |
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Have you considered the Maxpedition Condor II? 1950 cu in 3 compartments for organization 1 zippered hydration compartment Internal sleeve that fits a medium size laptop Internal mesh pocket Internal sleeve for pens, calculator, notebook, etc. Sternum strap Small waist belt Small price tag - $114.99 - here   Josh www.blackbearhardware.com |
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My apologies for yapping about my pack without posting any pics. So here are the obligatory pics... Here's the back of the pack with the ATS frame sheet inserted.  The Pack-Rat and Nalgene in the front compartment.  You can see the frame sheet here. I had to fold it to insert it, it's a tight fit, but flattens out when I wear the pack. There's plenty of room left inside the pack.  Front compartment contents. My power adapter and cord fit on the pocket on the other side of the Pack-Rat.  Here are some pics of the CasePC. My IBM Thinkpad X40 with the 8-cell extended battery fits snugly in the Extra Small. Awesome sleeve.   
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I like that laptop case a lot! I'll have to look into it. Do you have any pics of the inside of the Packrat? I've thought about getting one of those before. |
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I know that you said that you didn't want to spend the money on the TAD EDC pack, but I'm telling you that it is definitely money well spent. The pack is extremely overbuilt and will last forever. You can also carry your laptop in the hydration pocket, which is slightly padded. I have the Patrol pack and the EDC and you will not be disappointed. |
| I carry an Eagle Patrol Pack for school and love it. It is smaller than an AIII but still has enough room for my laptop, a few notepads and 3 ring binder. It's a bit small if you carry alot of books, but I squeeze in a couple with the laptop in. I will post pics later. |
Sorry, didn't see this question until today. Here are some pics of the interior. I bought the Pack-Rat on impulse when one of the local shops had it on closeout, and it's turned out to be one of the most versatile bags I have. I've attached a strap to the D-rings and thrown it over my shoulder for walking around. I actually don't carry that much in it right now. The contents: HP calculator, small Rite in the Rain notebook, Sharpie, pen, Harsey T2 (or Leatherman, depending on what I'm carrying on me), Surefire L4, lightstick with some duct tape wrap, paracord, ethernet cable, Adventure Medical Kit Pocket Survival Pak, small boo-boo kit. I have a Kifaru malice Claymore pouch that I turned into an EDC man-purse (using repair buckles, slide locks and an old camera bag strap) containing more extensive FAK, survival kit, energy bars, Nalgene, windshirt.  In the mesh pocket is a Spec-Ops checkbook cover, gum, and pen. The pack of peppermint gum is probably the most important item in the pack right now. That and coffee keeps me awake since I don't have the balls to chew in class.  Power adapter and cord in the other pocket. These items will fit inside the Pack-Rat, but I don't bother. When class is over, the last thing I want to do is sit around and sort my kit. I throw my stuff into the pack and get the hell out as fast as I can.  Metrosexual style. 
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just wanted to say, sorry you gotta go through remedies and family law!!! I graduated from law school in 98 and would not do it again if I had to! Good luck, and hang in there!!! |
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