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Dearest CCers,

It's superficial question time!
(...which means that I know I could answer this question with my own brain. And, I did search the archives and read a past thread on the issue...but fresh opinions are always nice.)

I have been using backpacks throughout middle and high school. Lugging 4+ textbooks in a messenger bag (along with all those fun school supplies) wouldn't have been possible.
But, I'm thinking that for clumsy people like me, messenger bags are the better choice for college since there's a lesser chance of damaging our precious laptops on doors and walls & we have less to carry.

Would you recommend messenger bags over backpacks or vice-versa for college life?

By Simba (Simba) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 11:22 am: Edit

what is a messrnger bag?

By F3arxn03vil (F3arxn03vil) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 11:29 am: Edit

I used a messenger bag during my jr/sr years of h.s. One word of advice... don't go out and buy "any" messenger bag in the store just because it's $15 or whatever. I have went throw so many bags this way because the strap would snap in a week.

By Jadex (Jadex) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 02:52 pm: Edit

I asked some college people about this, because I'll probably be carrying a lot of books. I've used backpacks most of my academic life, as well. Most people I've seen on college campuses have backpacks, and the people I talked to use backpacks. It's probably healthier, anyway. Carrying too much weight on one side of the body can mess up your back and spine.

I don't know how a messenger bag will keep you from damaging things like laptops...I always find I have to make sure I go through the exact middle of a doorway to miss hitting it with that bulge sticking out of my side. Unless you're talking about a sling bag (see http://www.jansport.com/productcats.php?tid=2, the one on the right). Those might work, too - but they're kind of small though.

By Hill (Hill) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 03:32 pm: Edit

Backpack - even weight distribution. Mine has a padded slot for my laptop.

By Alongfortheride (Alongfortheride) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 03:47 pm: Edit

Son prefers a messenger bag. His high school load also gave backpacks a bad name. We'll see how it goes the first couple of weeks of class. I think it would vary from student to student. Number of classes without a break, size of campus, size of books and types of supplies, etc.

By Thenarrator (Thenarrator) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 03:49 pm: Edit

whats a good backpack that allows for the occasional trip with a laptop?

By Jaydilla (Jaydilla) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 04:48 pm: Edit

messenger bags, or as we like to call them, fag bags, hold a maximum occupancy of 2 sheets of paper. not only being unattractive, they are not pratical. carrying anything more than a ntoebook its a struggle. yea im exaggerating but you cant hold as much stuff as backpacks, the uneven weight distrubution will kill you, and they just plain suck and look bad.

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 05:09 pm: Edit

There are backpacks that are made to carry laptops. I got one for my son even though he does not carry a laptop for school because it is just that much sturdier and has some form and reinforcement to it which allows him to keep things in better order. This is the highschooler.

College kid has the same but he does not need to carry as much junk as he did in highschool. He lives close enough to campus that he can run back and get his stuff instead of hauling everything he needs all day. You just don't need to pack that bag as full as you do when you go to school in high school as you do not have all of your courses daily and there are often gaps between classes when you can go back to your room.

By Jenniferpa (Jenniferpa) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 05:19 pm: Edit

Jaydilla: I can only think that you've been using the wrong type of messenger bags! Both my kids have used these for school since they became generally available, and none of them have been any worse in terms of available space or weight distribution. In many ways, since it's a lot easier to see into a messenger bag, things are less inclined to sink to the bottom and never been seen again, and as for the weight distribution: when did you last see a high school student wearing a backpack as it should be worn? They're always slung over one shoulder (or worse). As for looking bad: each to their own, of course, but there are very few things as dorky looking as an average backpack.

By Caramelapple (Caramelapple) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 07:17 pm: Edit

I've had both, and I'll probably bring both. That way I can have bag A of class schedule A and bag B for class schedule B. I won't be juggling binders that way. If you get a messenger bag, makes sure it's a good one, not a $10 from WalMart. Mine's from American Eagle 2 years ago. It has tons of little pockets and is expandable. I feel I can actually get more in it than my backpack. My laptop definitely fits better in my messenger back which has plenty of padding. The stap with really sturdy and padded and the whole weight distribution thing is not a problem. If I have a ton of stuff in my backpack, it'll hurt my shoulders. Same thing with the messenger bag.

So basically, either will work. Just make sure you don't have a cheap thing bag if your putting your laptop in it.

By Katietyler (Katietyler) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 10:00 pm: Edit

I just wanted to put in my input! OMG I'm so nervous about starting college! I move to Provo on Aug 20! Anyway....

I'm bringing 2 Nike backpacks. One is a mono strap( the sling kind) and the other is a regular two strap. The two strap is good 'cause Nike puts a lot of padding into the straps. It's also got more room. My mono strap is narrow and angled, so i dont know how it will end up working.

I also bought a cute Volcom messenger bag. I think i'll probably go with that, since its got some nice room for my laptop.

tot ziens!

By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 10:22 pm: Edit

I used a backpack for a while - just didn't want to buy anything else and the LL Bean ones last forever. I switched to a tote bag during senior year (again, LL Bean) and wore it over one shoulder. It fits a few notebooks or a notebook and a textbook or two, which really is enough when you're in college and have two or three clases per day. Most college classes are lecture-style, so you rarely need your book (my math and engineering courses, and language, sometimes required the books), just a notebook and a pen.

By Alongfortheride (Alongfortheride) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 11:20 pm: Edit

Jaydilla, what exactly do he-men carry to look attractive? Or do he-men worry about that? Had to ask after your homophobic comment. Lots of straight people carry messenger bags too-and like them, think they look good.

We did find a back pack for son today while shopping. He still prefers his messenger bag, but will be able to use the backpack on the few occasions that he has a little more to carry-like on flights home.

By Themegastud (Themegastud) on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 11:37 pm: Edit

Good post, alongfortheride

By Sbpnoi112 (Sbpnoi112) on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 02:05 am: Edit

i've used messenger bags all throughout high school...never was really a problem...even on the 12 hour community college days (class from 7 to 7....arrghhh)...anyways...i accidentally bought an osiris g bag on ebay (i've always wanted one - and i could've sworn i'd be outbid), but i think i'll be using messenger bag more often...it just has a better feel and is easier to take on and off...the gbag will serve as my main stereo in the dorm....its really sweet.

messenger seems more practical....most classes don't require you to bring your books

By Gidget (Gidget) on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 10:27 am: Edit

I have used messenger bas for a very long time and they got me through highschool and two years of college just fine holding stuff.
Bakc Packs can cause and assortment of lower back problems...

Heres some tips for those who will be acarrying large loads on their back- it's from the magainze Today Chiropractic
"It is back to school for many thousands of children in Alberta. Almost all undoubtedly shopped for the latest in back pack fashion. From the Hulk for those 8 - 9 year old boys to Roots for the young teenagers. All these packs look seemingly harmless until...You start putting into it the lunch kit, the books of various sizes, binders, indoor shoes, gym clothes, etc. Wow! The pack tops the scales for the high school student at 25 lbs. For the young elementary student at 10 - 12 lbs. This may not sound too bad until you have the 25 lb back pack being carried, on one shoulder, by the 90 lb junior high student. See the problem! So do we! I routinely see low back, upper back, and neck problems caused by back packs that are too heavy for the weight of the person carrying them.

It is strongly recommended that the weight of the back pack be 10 - 15 % or less of the wearer's body weight. This means that if your child weighs 90 lbs they should carry no more than 9 - 10 lbs in their back packs, or 3 large books.

Here are some back pack basics that you can follow: Pick, Pack, Lift, & Carry

1. PICK the right back pack
1. Does it have broad, padded should straps?
2. Does it have a waist strap that keeps the bag firmly on the spine?
3. Is the bag sturdy, padded, and stiff where it rests on the shoulders?
4. Is the bag narrower than the width of the back?
5. Is the top of the bag at shoulder height?
6. Does the bottom of the bag rest above or in the hollow of the back

2) PACK only what you need
1. Put only what you need into your back pack
2. Leave the rest in you locker or at home
3. Put the heaviest things on the bottom of the bag
4. Make sure the weight is evenly distributed in the bag"


3. LIFT your back pack properly
1. Bend the knees and grab the back pack with both hands
2. Use the leg muscles to lift the back pack
3. Put on one shoulder strap and then the other


4. CARRY the pack correctly
1. Don't sling the back pack onto one shoulder
2. Always wear BOTH shoulder straps
3. Wear the shoulder straps snug but not too tight
4. Stand tall and don't poke your head forward
5. Wear the waist strap if the back pack has one
6. If the back pack is extra heavy, carry something in front to off set the load.
7. Only wear the back pack when you need to - take it off your shoulders when you're just standing around"

A young person may be at risk for back problems if:

1. They complain of aching shoulders, neck, or back
2. Show signs of muscle weakness - such as not being able to lift heavy objects
3. Complain of tingling in the wrists, hands, or arms - often at night
4. Has red marks or creases on the shoulder(s)
5. Has a noticeable change in posture, either on one side or the other and may or may not have an uneven walk


What Can You Do

1. Teach young people the back pack basics: Pick, Pack, Lift, Carry
2. Encourage students to lighten the load in their back packs
3. If your child is complaining about headaches, back pain, arm pain, or neck pain please consult us at Aspen Chiropractic Health Centre

By Muppetcoat (Muppetcoat) on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 11:23 am: Edit

I adore my messenger bag. My purse is a messenger bag as well.

By Baltodad (Baltodad) on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 11:40 am: Edit

My son will be taking one of each when he starts college next month.

- A small Crumpler messenger bag that doesn't hold much more than his laptap and small odds & ends. (He got it on eBay really cheap.... I think it's a discontinued model.)

- A JanSport laptop backpack that'll hold several textbooks as well. (Got it from eBags.com.)

I definitely recommend eBags.com for a very complete selection, decent prices, and free delivery.

By Integrity (Integrity) on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 12:18 pm: Edit

A big thank you to everyone for taking the time to share some advice.

By Grlzmom (Grlzmom) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 04:35 pm: Edit

My daughter has gone from backpack to messenger bag and now has a sling-pack. She likes it best. She didn't use both backpack straps as it is designed and was experiencing some pain. She didn't like the messenger bag because it also cut into her but the sling is sturdy (Adidas Canaveral) and the strap is padded and adjustable. I also recommend eBags. I buy all my luggage from them.

By Missegg (Missegg) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 10:14 pm: Edit

http://www.ebags.com/jansport/pc_port/product_detail/index.cfm?ModelID=15694 i was looking at this one...little steep as far as price goes but it's big enough and it should last a long time (as opposed to the cheap ones that last a year and then you have to buy a new one)

By Grlzmom (Grlzmom) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 08:17 am: Edit

Missegg,
I have that backpack as I travel with my laptop and can highly recommend it. Yes, it is a little steep in price but not when compared to the cost of your laptop if unprotected

By Baltodad (Baltodad) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 09:53 am: Edit

JanSport's "Firewire" model is $20 cheaper on eBags, and has a bigger capacity. That's the one we bought.

Doesn't hold as big a laptop, but it does hold the laptop my son has.

By Smarty1600 (Smarty1600) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 10:53 am: Edit

Is Kipling a good brand? I just bought a kipling messenger bag from ebags.

By Missegg (Missegg) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 07:03 pm: Edit

How big of a laptop does your son have Baltodad?

By F3arxn03vil (F3arxn03vil) on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 12:52 am: Edit

smarty.. just read the ratings for the bag you bought. They are generally right on. I have a crumpler bag. I love my crumpler, especially the little dude(logo) on the front. It's cute hehe

By Baltodad (Baltodad) on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 10:48 am: Edit

Missegg - He has an IBM T42, with a 15" screen

By Zuesviolin (Zuesviolin) on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 11:29 am: Edit

I just bought a Timbuk2 Laptop Messenger bag for my Powerbook G4 (15"). It has a really nice corderoy lined, padded, laptop compartment, as well as ample space for books or binders. It's also more stylish than a lot of laptop bags I've seen out there.vI'm really glad I splurged the $100 it cost. I am also bringing my old Jansport backpack for going to the library w/o my computer or going to the grocery store.

By Meth5400 (Meth5400) on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 06:50 pm: Edit

for the ladies-look into the herve chapelier and longchamp tote bags. they are sturdy and look excellent. the size longchamp that i got was medium size w/ long handles-but since the color was "out of season" I got it for 50% off. They retail, the size that i got-for a little over 100. If you can spare to be seen in last seasons colors (mine is watermelon, super cute) then you can make a pretty quick steal. I dont know how the kiplings will set you back