I spent 6 months as a "digital nomad" in Europe living out of this bag: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PAD435A/ref=oh_aui_deta... I love it. It's great.
I like this. Would it fit and protect a 15 inch MacBook Pro?
Ask HN: Do you carry a backpack? Which one?
51–60 of 141 posts
Re: Ask HN: Do you carry a backpack? Which one?
#52Another vote for the Goruck GR-1.
http://www.goruck.com/gr1-rucksack-black-/p/GEAR-000574
It's been through three rucks and has been my daily partner for three years now.
As a bike commuting New Yorker, I'm frequently carrying my whole life around plus laptop, and it's been perfect. It looks as new as the day I purchased it.
A truly buy it for life item.
Re: Ask HN: Do you carry a backpack? Which one?
#53I have a Trager backpack. I've had it for about 14 years -- originally purchased it to carry all of the pages I was photocopying for my psychology classes. It has outlasted a number of other backpacks that I've picked up over the years.
Re: Ask HN: Do you carry a backpack? Which one?
#54Samsonite Vizair
Re: Ask HN: Do you carry a backpack? Which one?
#55What's good and light for a bike but will still protect my precious laptop if I get hit by a car (again)? I can deal with breaking my arm more than disintegrating my laptop.
For walking around, I am disappointed that so many backpacks are so damned heavy!
Re: Ask HN: Do you carry a backpack? Which one?
#56I spent 6 months as a "digital nomad" in Europe living out of this bag: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PAD435A/ref=oh_aui_deta... I love it. It's great.
I like this. Would it fit and protect a 15 inch MacBook Pro?
The bag is literally two pockets, so it's up to you how to pack your laptop.
I put my MacBook Air in this case [0] (which also fits MBP) and then put the case in the bag. When I'm flying, I put the case in the "middle" of the bag and surround it with clothes on either side. This makes it easy to unzip the bag, pop the laptop out of the case for security screening, then put it right back in the case after security without disturbing the packed clothes.
[0] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DN6TSVA/ref=oh_aui_deta...
Re: Ask HN: Do you carry a backpack? Which one?
#57I've carried a FAST Pack Litespeed from TAD Gear[1] almost everyday for the past 3 years. Before that I was mostly using various larger backpacks and a Timbuk2 messenger. The Litespeed has held up really nicely. I use it for both work and whenever I go hiking or camping. It nicely fits my MacBook Pro 13" and my daily things.
My main concerns with purchasing it were the price, I believe I paid $245 plus an additional $60 for the OP1 pouch[2] to go along with it, which I find quite expensive. Another concern was whether it would look too "tacticool" but I can say that in all black and without a bunch of patches all over it I think it just looks like a normal backpack. I was also originally concerned with the weight, its quite heavy empty, but after having used it for years I can say it isn't an issue at all. The padding on both the back area and the straps, combined with a design that seems to fit my body perfectly along with good adjustability, results in it being extremely conformable carrying even heavy loads (40-50lbs) over long periods of time (7-8 hours). Overall, its just a great backpack.
I've also used some of the larger Osprey[3] camping packs and those have been great too but are too big for my everyday needs.
GoRuck[4] and Mystery Ranch[5] make great packs as well.
[1]http://store.tripleaughtdesign.com/FAST-Pack-Litespeed
[2]http://store.tripleaughtdesign.com/OP1-Pouch
Re: Ask HN: Do you carry a backpack? Which one?
#58Just bought an Osprey Flapjack this week (https://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Mens-FlapJack-Backpack-Black/d...) and I'm very impressed. It's pretty compact, holds a laptop and a few notebooks very snugly, but still has various pockets for pens, chargers, wallet, phone, sunglasses and other small stuff.
As a Mainer I have been using LL Bean bags of various types all my life, and have several which are great, but they tend to be roomy "bookbags" and it made me nervous that my laptop and things were flopping back and forth in that big space. I'll still use the LL Bean bags for hiking, the gym, and so on.
Re: Ask HN: Do you carry a backpack? Which one?
#59Was using a Tom Bihn Brain Bag. I recently moved to an eBags Professional Slim - it's incredibly versatile and organized. (tablet compartment, pocket for files, zippered organization, crush resistant compartment for charger, stow one or both shoulder straps, luggage handle passthrough both horizontal and vertical, etc)
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/tls-professional-slim-lap...
Re: Ask HN: Do you carry a backpack? Which one?
#60Used to carry a backpack, but picked up the Thule Gauntlet[1] just over a year ago now, and it's terrific. High quality water resistance. Super minimal design that keeps things light and easy to pack. Favorite part is the hard shell that does a great job of protecting my stuff from daily abuse. Comes in 13" and 15". I carry around my laptop, charger, small notebook and pen, hardware wallet, and extra USB wall charger. Have plenty of room to spare.
[1] http://www.bestbuy.com/site/thule-gauntlet-attache-case-for-...