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I want to invest in a school bag for college. I am looking at messenger bags over backpacks. I tried backpacks but they do more harm than good by hurting my back, even if its a light load. I just dont like the design on my body (I'm a girl).

I am very interested in this messenger bag in RED

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=35433&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4850&cat4=2808&shop_method=pp&feat=bc

What do you think?

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 09:19 pm: Edit

I found this bag on JanSport. This is a WOMEN'S BACKPACK. Made for the female back!!! I don't know whether this is better than the L.L. Bean bag I found earlier...
Check it out!

http://www.ebags.com/JanSport/Callisto_30/product_detail/index.cfm?fuseaction=image&ModelID=15676&bb_id=&Sku=15676&view=bxlrg&sub_site_ID=10

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:25 am: Edit

If the backpack hurts your back it is either not designed well or you have it adjusted incorrectly.
Messenger bags put more of the weight on one shoulder and while more stylish looking, are more tiring to use.
My 13 yr old daughter has the LLbean bag that you liked, but she generally uses her LLbean backpack, and she doesn't even have large quantities of books to carry.
I like to use a backpack that has room for my laptop as well as a front pocket, but you really need to try it on and load it up to see if it is going to work for you.
My daughter uses a NorthFace that I actually bought for day hikes, they are built great and has lasted for years.
http://www.ebags.com/The_North_Face/Recon/product_detail/index.cfm?ModelID=11230&bb_id=c8142&ProductList_10_Link=Details&sub_site_id=10

By Momof2 (Momof2) on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:36 am: Edit

FWIW, I use a messenger bag on vacation and for light "trekking" and find it much less tiring than any backpacks I've had. (I am a short, thin mom.) What I look for is: a padded back panel, several interior pockets to distribute the contents evenlly and keep things from shifting and a good pad on the shoulder strap. When adjusted correctly, I feel most of the weight is distributed across my back. I have had past trouble with neck and shoulder strain on my right side and this keeps the single strap off that side.

I guess the important thing is to try them on and see what fits your body best.

By Momof2 (Momof2) on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:38 am: Edit

To clarify - mine is a sling-type that crosses the back diagonally.

[Diagon Alley? ]

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 12:03 pm: Edit

I use a messenger type bag for short weekend trips but clothes are much lighter than books and laptops, and backpacks are designed to carry more weight than messenger bags.
Messenger bags the weight shifts around your body more than a backpack, and since I use my bag for activities like hiking, skiing and climbing, having the weight on my back instead of on my hip gives more mobility.
However messenger bags are easier to access, you can get stuff out of them while walking without stopping, and with bulky wool coats, they are easier to take on and off.
Good padded straps and a padded back help on either type of bag as does a waist strap. NIce to have even if you don't always use it.

By Marthpodi (Marthpodi) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 06:01 pm: Edit

Wow...I never made that connection before. Diagon Alley/Diagonally. Nice!

By Anama (Anama) on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 10:51 am: Edit

Look at the Samsonite Swing backpack, its a really cute messenger bag with all these compartments for cd player, books, very roomy. I own a Samsonite Hisize backpack. You can go to samsonite.com and go to product locator, type in all your specifications, and you'll get a nice bag.

By Brown2006 (Brown2006) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:00 am: Edit

T.ANTHONY all the way. It's expensive, but the material is the highest quality and anything you buy from t.anthony will last decades, at minimum.

T.Anthony luggage, bags, etc. make EXCELLENT birthday or xmas gifts,especially for your collegebound/jetsetting/on-the-go children--the red and black set was definetly at the top of my xmas list last year!

here's the link:
http://www.tanthony.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/flash/shop/luggage/index.html?L+scstore+rszj9677+1061988458

or if the link doesnt work. just go to tanthony.com

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:27 am: Edit

I haven't heard of Tanthony, but we have used the Kirkland luggage brand by Costco which has been favorably compared to Tumi at a 1/5 of the price. Why spend more if you don't have to?

I also have had no trouble with any bags from North Face, L.L. Bean, Jan Sport or any reputable company that we have purchased from.
My college daughter is still using the North Face backpack that I bought for myself at least 10 years ago, it is used everyday, and my middle school daughter is using a L.L. Bean backpack for the third year- she generally gets tired of them and wants a different style, but this one she really likes.

By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 12:14 am: Edit

When you're at college, you typically have one or two classes in a row, and you rarely need heavy textbooks. My senior year, I started using a LLBean shoulder bag - which worked quite well. It doesn't hurt your back, fits everything, isn't huge - you get the picture. The size that pretty much doubles as a tote bag is great - probably about 13" across the bottom, so notebooks and binders fit in there.

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 01:29 am: Edit

Doesn't everyone haul their laptop around? Even if you have one of the smaller ones, they are still dang heavy.- However- they make life soo much easier- well unless you have Windows and have been hit with one of the latest viruses

By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 11:47 pm: Edit

The laptops are hauled around - but almost no one in my classes used them. The only time I used mine was when I had injuries in both hands and couldn't write. Pretty much, you might bring them to the library at the end of the day or to a coffee shop, but not really class - even then, you have a laptop bag. Some are remarkably light.

By Shu (Shu) on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 12:09 pm: Edit

Tenisghs, I think you need both a messenger bag and a backpack, to suit the different situations on cumpas life.=£©

By Shu (Shu) on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 12:22 pm: Edit

and I always use messenger bag in summer and backpack in winter...

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 01:45 pm: Edit

I brought an Eastpak bookbag that can haul my stuff even a laptop (it has the padding) for $47.50. I will get a messenger bag when the money is right. lol

By Brown2006 (Brown2006) on Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 08:51 pm: Edit

You haven't heard of tanthony?