A backpack is most commonly associated with students, although athletes and businesspeople alike also make use of them. The most popular and prestigious backpacks for school are Jansport and Eastpak. Both brands are made out of strong canvas and have two padded shoulder straps. They feature one large main compartment, typically used to store books and notebooks, and one smaller outer pouch, suitable for pens, keys, money and other small items. Backpacks for school by Jansport and Eastpak are available in many colors and are considered prestige items for children and teens.

Some backpacks have plastic or metal frames that provide structure for carrying large or heavy loads. These packs are used by campers and the military. The frame helps to distribute the weight of the load and aids in securing the pack more closely to the wearer’s back. These packs often have straps that can be used to tie the bag to the wearer’s body, usually around the chest and waist. These packs are sometimes refereed to as a travel backpack.

People seeking a backpack for a specific activity can find one that suits their exact needs. Packs for campers have specialized pockets for supplies and straps to hold sleeping bags in place. Athletic packs feature compartments for water bottles and mesh pouches for airing out clothes and sneakers. Backpacks for school may have multiple sections and compartments in order to better organize the hectic lives of students.

Most backpacks are made of cotton, nylon or polyester canvas and have extra-reinforced bottoms. Outdoor packs may be waterproofed as well. Packs intended for outdoor activities tend to be even more specialized than athletic bags or schoolbags. Activities like camping, climbing and rafting all require different kinds of equipment, and packs for these activities are designed with this equipment in mind.

While backpacks are not traditionally thought to be appropriate for the professional office, a sleek leather or black canvas pack can replace a tired briefcase. Kelty and Briggs & Riley make classy backpacks that are roomier and easier to carry than briefcases are. These packs are ideal for commuters. Professional packs have padded compartments for laptop computers and separate sections for files and other paperwork. Some work packs feature a suitcase-style extendable handle and have wheels for easy rolling.

Backpacks attained their current status as the bag of choice in 1920 when Lloyd F. Nelson attached a board to the back of his backpack to prevent its contents from hitting his back through the fabric. Prior to this, in 1913, Gideon Sundback had already increased backpacks’ convenience and load-carrying ability by developing the modern zipper. With the addition of Nelson’s board, backpacks became the go-to bags for camping and long hikes. The military began using these kinds of packs because of their suitability to long-term outdoor living and travel.

Another great line of backpacks are the Patagonia brand. You should check out all of their features here.

Although backpacks are largely associated with our school years, they have uses extending well beyond high school graduation. They are available in many colors, styles and fabrics to match the wearer’s personal style. Whether they are used in the rugged outdoors or in the professional office, they allow the wearer to carry all necessary items in a hands-free way.

Popular Backpack Brands:

JanSport: JanSport got it’s start making external frame backpacks with metal, used often in outdoors “backpacking” trips.  They are also very popular makers of the traditional school backpack.  Besides having the distinction of being the world’s largest backpack maker, JanSport is also well-known for it’s lifetime guarantee.  They stand behind every backpack made or distributed under their label.

The North Face: The North Face is a sister company to JanSport. It’s name and logo are derived from the famous Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.  Their specialty lies in making backpacks appropriate for wilderness, mountains skiers, snowboards, hikers, endurance athletes, and the like.

Oakley: Oakley is known for it’s innovative and trendsetting backpack design.  They high priced bags often boast compressional molded compartments for laptops, electronic devices, and sunglasses.  They also specialize in novelty compartments like one that allows you to lock your backpack or have wet and soiled items drain from a special port.

LL Bean: LL Bean is a mail order company.  Their backpacks are known for a couple of things, including a lifetime guarantee and easily customizable embroidery.  They are most recognized through their canvas bag work and clothing, but the company makes a variety of backpacks in addition to boots, clothing, and tents.

Samsonite:  Samsonite makes a variety of luggage including backpacks.  They are most known for their strength as referenced in the allusion of their name to the Biblical strong man Samson.  Their ad campaigns have focused on the strength of the bags, featuring tourists standing on them and apes beating them up.

High Sierra: High Sierra is known especially for sports bags as it is the official supplier of bags to the US Ski and Snowboard teams.  Their bags are available at most department stores and online retailers.

The Timberland Company: The Timberland Company’s backpacks are known for their popular uses in hiking, mountaineering and causal wear. However, the popularity form many American consumers may lay in the company’s strong advocacy for corporate social responsibility.

Belkin: Belkin is well known for its electronics and computer hardware.  Their backpack distribution focuses primarily on protecting electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, phones, and other portable entertainment devices.

CamelBak: CamelBak is best known for it’s hydration packs.  These unique backpacks store water with a convenient straw so that users can stay hydrated while still walking, jogging, hiking, or participating in any other activity. The name comes from the idea that camels store water in their hump.  (Actually, the humps store fat, but the backpack stores water well!)

Questions to consider when thinking about purchasing a Girl’s backpack:

• How old is she?  They backpack she liked last year, may not be “cool” now.
• What will she be carrying?  Don’t buy a flimsy, cutesy one to carry a mountain of books and don’t buy a rugged behemoth to carry her essentials to the mall.
• How much does it cost?  This is especially important if she will be switching backpacks for different occasions or as the season changes.  Consider investing in one quality universal type and a few cute, inexpensive fashion types.
• Does she have any special needs?   More and more, students need a bag with wheels or a waist strap to save their aching backs from the pain of lugging around so much stuff.
• What “extras” might she enjoy? Backpacks come with a variety of extra features that may spark her interests (more on that below).
• What is her personality like? Is she the kind of girl who likes to stand out in a crowd?  A trendsetter?  A girl who goes with the flow?  Pick something that says something about her.

Extra Features Available in Backpacks for Girls:

• Side Pouch for Water Bottle-  With the growing popularity of reusable water bottles, many backpack companies have added a side pouch, which allows her to have her water close at hand, but not mixed in with all of her stuff, thereby avoiding a potentially wet mess!
• Earphone slot- Some backpacks come with a pocket at the top or on the straps that can fit a phone or MP3 player with built in slits for headphones.  If your girl loves to have her tunes nearby, this may be a secure and fun option for her.
• School Supply Compartment- A girl can never have enough organization for her pens, highlighters, sticky notes, and other school supplies.  Make school a little cooler (and less stressful) by picking something with functional compartments.
• Different Pouches for different things.  Many backpacks have moved on from the traditional design that had one big pocket and one little pocket.  Shop around for the backpack with the right size and shaped pouches for her.  That way she won’t have to mix her books, pens, make up, electronics, and gym clothes together.
• Laptop Sleeve- If she is carrying around a tablet or laptop, keep it protected with a sleeve.  Some backpacks have them built in for convenience You can also buy a removable one so that she can decide whether or not to grab her laptop or leave it at home.

Ways Customize her Backpack for Girls:

If she is creative, you may want to help her customize her backpack with designs, her name, or depictions of her favorite sports or hobbies.  Popular tools for customizing backpacks include: permanent marker, patches, puff paint, or even laminated pictures.  Be sure her school does not have rules against writing on backpacks.

Perfect for most people, The Oakley Icon Backpack 3.0 is large (21”x17”x9”) with comfortable straps and offers a compartment for every essential including:

• Convenient laptop sleeve that can fit up to a 15 inch screen
• Mesh pocket to protect your sunglasses and keep them   handy
• Special pocket for your media device with a headphone port
• Pouch on the shoulder strap for easy access to your phone
• Side zip pockets for anything you may need on the fly.
• Internal organizer built in to the back panel that is compression molded.

Oakley Backpack: The Arsenal Pack is perfect for a University student. It boasts:

• A laptop sleeve that can accommodate most 17” backpacks.
• Pouch for your media device with a port for your earphones.
• Slip pocket on each side pocket, so your school ID or meal plan card can always be handy.
• Holding clip for your key ring so you’ll never be locked out of the dorms again.
• Reflective accents so you will be easily spots by motorists when you are walking home from your evening class.
• A sunglass holster that holds your glasses by its stem to keep them at your finger tips and also help keep them from getting destroyed (a starving student can’t buy new sunglasses every semester!)
• Weatherproofing to keep your books and electronics safe during the rainy season.
• A sleek, tough design that will turn heads in every classroom you enter.

The Kitchen Sink Oakley Backpack offers every innovation you can think of:

It even includes some you never knew you needed.  Perfect for the guy who relies on his backpack in every situation.  The Kitchen Sink includes:

• Padded laptop sleeve that can keep a 17” laptop or tablet safe.
• Cell phone pocket in a convenient location.
• Headphone port to keep your cords organized.
• Top storage compartment that is specially designed by the leader in sunglass technology to protect your eyewear with compression molding.
• Cable zipper pulls that allow you to add a lock to secure the contents of your main compartment.
• An access flap mid body that has an inner organizer.
• Drainage ports in the bottom compartment specially made to sore your wet or soiled items without ruining everything else in your backpack.
• Pockets, tie downs, and attachment points that you can use for pretty much any use you see fit.

After deciding which Oakley backpack is right for you, the next thing you will have to decide is the color.  Many of them come in a variety of colors and patterns to coordinate with your style.

Reasons to Check out Patagonia Backpacks:

• Patagonia makes a variety of bags, including: backpacks, travel packs, duffle bags, messenger bags, rolling suitcases, travel slings, and totes.
• They offer a variety of materials, including lightweight.
• They offer an array of styles and colors. No matter what your preferences are, there is a bag for you.  You can also get each member of the family, their own color and style, without sacrificing quality.  Each person will have a unique look, so that bags to not get mixed up, but you will have the piece of mind that they will hold up, no matter where your travels take you.
• They even make a bag especially for baby!  With all of the stuff that a little tot needs, it’s a good idea to check out specialized gear, not to mention the adorable clothes and hats offered on their website.
• The cost is reasonable.  For the quality, the cost of Patagonia bags is very reasonable.  You will not need to keep buying new bags every year.
• The ratings on Amazon and other consumer websites show very satisfied customers.
• They offer classic design as well as fresh looks for every new season.
• If you are fashion conscious, you can buy clothes, hats, and other accessories to match or coordinate with your choice of bag.

Uses for Patagonia Backpacks and Bags:

• School/Work- Laptop bags keep your machine safe and stylish on your commute.
• Alpine Climbing- Going back to the company’s roots, the climbing bags have been time tested and approved.
• Ski/Snowboarding- They will hold up to the elements, with features such as waterproofing.
• Surfing- Keep the sand out of your clothes while you catch the waves. You can even buy a special bag to keep your Patagonia wetsuit in.  Throw the bag in the back of your car along with your board and you are always ready to hang ten at a moment’s notice.
• Travel- Travel in style and security.  You won’t have to worry about flimsy zippers or weak straps when you are jaunting around your next destination.
• Trail Running: Running is a lifestyle and sometimes, you just want to take off, but have some essentials with you during the run.  Patagonia offers backpacks suited for runners.

No matter what you are into, there is a Patagonia bag out there for you.  You maybe stuffing your duffle for a romantic weekend of wine tasting or arranging your Patagonia backpack with gear for a hike up the river, but one of these bags will get you where you are going with the things you need to get there.  Have fun!

Benefits of Packing Light:

• Decreased cost of air travel (So many airlines now charge for extra bags!)
• Increased mobility once you reach your destination.  (Imagine jumping off the plane and starting your adventure without having to immediately find a hotel to stash your stuff!)
• No more losing things a long the way (With less stuff to look after, you are less likely to leave things behind!)
• Less wear and tear on your body.  (Traveling is tiring enough with jet lag, endless lines and tight travel compartments, don’t add strain from carrying excess luggage!)

What to pack in your Travel Backpack:

• Clothes- Pick versatile pieces that can mix, match, and layer.  Don’t be afraid to do a little laundry while you are traveling, it is not as hard as you may think.
• Shoes- 2 pairs max!  Bring comfortable walking shoes and possibly a pair of nicer shoes for special evenings. (Women: try a sandal type evening shoe that takes up less space)
• Toiletries- only the necessities: toothbrush/paste, soap, shampoo, brush, lotion, sunscreen, Rx, deodorant, vitamins, OTC remedies, feminine hygiene, spare glasses, and first aid kit.
• Wallet/Purse: Passport, plane ticket, credit card, railvpass, drivers license).  Consider hiding copies of your passport and plane ticket in the lining of your bag.
• A small canvas bag for day trips- You will want to have a little bag for snacks, souvenirs, water, etc during the day.
• Essential electronics only- Do you really need to check your email or facebook on vacation?  Bring a camera and music, but don’t forget to check the voltage differences in your home and your destination.  If possible, use electronics that can do double duty (camera and GPS?) and really think about the necessity.  You may enjoy a little time unplugged whether you are rolling solo or with loved ones.

But what if…

Don’t get caught up in the “what if”.  If you are going to a tropical island, don’t bring UGG boots even if you heard that there maybe a chilly night or two.  Don’t feel like you must bring an umbrella, raincoat, or scarf set unless you are going to a place with 100% chance of needing them.  If you are wandering Europe, you might see a little bit of rain, but you might not.  If you do, THEY HAVE STORES!  You also can and should leave home without your hairdryer, hair straightener, shaving kit, large make-up case and other excessive beauty products.  When you step off the plane back home, you should look like you have lived a little, not spent the whole time primping or looking just like you do at home.

So what are you waiting for?  Get that trip reserved, travel backpack packed, and go have a blast!  Just remember, don’t weigh yourself down.