# Backpack advice **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 26, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backpack-advice/540846 "2010-05-26T18:05:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![put\_down\_the\_sabre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@put\_down\_the\_sabre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/put_down_the_sabre)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backpack-advice/540846/1 "2010-05-26T18:05:01Z")
Hey all, So I’m going travelling by train and bus around E. Asia next month for 5 weeks, and I could use a piece of advice… I intend to travel light, so I was thinking something like a 35-40 litre backpack would do me fine. One complication is that I have to take my laptop with me (a macbook), and this is nonnegotiable. So I was thinking of getting a backpack with an integrated laptop compartment (like [this](http://www.rei.com/product/769840)) but they are sort of pricey. Is there any advantage to doing this over getting a normal backpack, and a padded laptop case to put in there? The only advantage I can think of is that the integrated laptop holder guarantees good/comfortable placement in the backpack, which is harder to achieve when putting the laptop in there ‘free floating’ within a padded case, as it were. What do you think? Thanks! pdts ---
**Author:** ![CherryBomb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@CherryBomb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CherryBomb)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backpack-advice/540846/2 "2010-05-26T23:52:00Z")
I use a [Victorinox](http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Avictorinox%20backpack&page=1) lappy bag for traveling (bike, car, plane, whatever) and it works great. I would highly suggest a laptop backpack if you’ll be fitting several weeks worth of stuff with your electronics. It’s very secure and keeps it out of harms way as it’s up against your back. ---
**Author:** ![put\_down\_the\_sabre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@put\_down\_the\_sabre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/put_down_the_sabre)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backpack-advice/540846/3 "2010-05-27T00:21:37Z")
> [@CherryBomb](#): > > I use a [Victorinox](http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Avictorinox%20backpack&page=1) lappy bag for traveling (bike, car, plane, whatever) and it works great. I would highly suggest a laptop backpack if you’ll be fitting several weeks worth of stuff with your electronics. It’s very secure and keeps it out of harms way as it’s up against your back. Thanks! That’s just the sort of advice I was looking for. I think I’ll get a cheaper version of that – that looks pretty slick but out of my price range. I can pick up a nice patagonia or NF one for $70-$80. pdts ---
**Author:** ![OneChance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/74df32/32.png) [@OneChance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneChance)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backpack-advice/540846/4 "2010-05-27T01:21:29Z")
I absolutely love my [OGIO Politan](http://www.ogio.com/product/view/4/Politan). It was about $70 and my 17" MacBook fits perfectly. Plus there are lots of compartments for tons of other things. I’ve used it for about four years and it still looks new. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backpack-advice/540846/5 "2010-05-27T01:40:44Z")
Every single day that you walk around with an uncomfortable backpack that doesn’t do what you need it to do you’ll be willing to donate $5 to past **put down the sabre**. $85 is nothing. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backpack-advice/540846/6 "2010-05-27T02:12:46Z")
Try it out in a store first. Lots of pockets and doohickie seems fun, but they can add up to a lot of extra weight that you would be better spending on extra undies. Remember- your backpack is about to become your companion, your enemy, your savior. You will tied to each other. Choose a good one, because you are going to be cursing that thing with every step. Anyway, a good backpack will last for life.