Backpacks are not just for school kids anymore! Nowadays, backpacks are used by a variety of people across a wide range of ages and purposes. From athletes to world travelers, backpack brands have sprouted up everywhere. Backpack designs include: frameless, external frame packs, internal frame packs, special purpose packs, professional use packs, travel packs, and outdoor activity packs. Here is a quick run down of the major brands and what they are most known for.
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!)