# Recommend me a backpack

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-backpack/821560>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [September 19, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-backpack/821560 "2018-09-19T00:44:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-backpack/821560/1 "2018-09-19T00:44:30Z")

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I’m looking for a new back pack. I currently have a Timbuk2 bag that is nice and roomy, but doesn’t have a lot of pockets. It was great for school, when I had to carry textbooks, notebooks and such, but not that great for carrying a bunch of small things (and a laptop).

Some things I like about my current bag:

1. It has a side zipper so that I can easily access my laptop
2. The top flap is waterproof

Things that I currently carry:

1. Surface with case and type cover
2. Two small flashlights
3. Small notebook
4. Console cable
5. A couple of Cat7 cables (3", flat)
6. Surface charger and power cord
7. USB --\> Ethernet adapter
8. Small toolkit, I think it’s about 5" x 8"
9. Mr. 7 Hands (it’s 7 screwdrivers in 1!)
10. Extra pens + Surface pen
11. MiniDisplayPort adapter

The waterproof flap is optional. The side zipper is also optional, but I really like it.

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**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-backpack/821560/2 "2018-09-19T01:38:39Z")

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Since you do like the current bag, is there any multi-pocketed insert you could keep in it to organize your small items while keeping the top quality bag you already have?

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**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-backpack/821560/3 "2018-09-19T03:37:29Z")

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> [@DavidwithanR](#):
>
> Since you do like the current bag, is there any multi-pocketed insert you could keep in it to organize your small items while keeping the top quality bag you already have?

Or just some zip-up pouches?

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**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-backpack/821560/4 "2018-09-19T04:05:20Z")

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LL Bean has some bags and backpacks that are made with numerous pockets, in various sizes.

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**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-backpack/821560/5 "2018-09-19T13:50:01Z")

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I like Jansport backpacks. They have lots of pockets and the big backpacks can fit a lot of stuff. The one drawback is that they’re not waterproof, so on rainy days I keep the backpack contents inside sealed plastic bags inside the backpack.