Have you imagined a life without backpacks? Try imagining and you’ll be forced to admit that it’s unimaginable to live without backpacks.
Students, travelers & tourists alike require an easy way to carry their stuff around while walking, trekking, or traveling on public transport. Let’s be honest, we all had one or still have one even if we aren’t using it right now. A backpack is a utility product that helps you keep your stuff organized – but if you get the right one, it can really add to your style.
While backpack shopping, we see multiple options coming up in front of us that we may end up liking and buying eventually. But the real question is; Which type is the best for you & your activities? We are here to guide you for that exactly!
The types of backpacks and their benefits are sure to clear your head about which one is best suited to your tastes and needs! Take a look:
1. Active Sling Pack:
A Sling pack has a single fastener that is ideally strapped across the chest. They are designed to reduce weight on shoulders and instead put them on your back and hips. A durable sling pack should be able to hold plenty, and also sometimes come with separate compartments for a pair of shoes, water bottles, and more!
A Sling backpack is very handy in case you regularly cycle to work or are going to participate in a sporting event like a marathon or such. Not just that, going to a tennis practice? A basketball game? Bingo! The vertical zipper allows easier access to the bag while moving fast or slow- you can open the zip and access your stuff while moving.
2. Urban Backpack:
Urban backpacks generally consist of two shoulder straps and three compartments paired with two side pockets. These types of backpacks come mainly in polyester fabric and feature metal zippers for their compartments. A good urban backpack’s main compartment should be spacious enough to hold all your books and school supplies easily and the side pockets can hold your phone, water bottles, and other small items.
Although these are the most common type of backpacks used in city settings, it does not diminish the benefits of owning these. Newer versions of urban backpacks have even added shoe compartments & Velcro tape to facilitate ease of use. Check out Port Authority Xtreme Backpack BG207 for example. Features a solid build along with some good-to-haves like a top hydration port and a chest strap if you want to take some load off your shoulders.
3. Cinch Backpack:
This backpack features fun and colorful designs along with a cinching mechanism which is a perfect partner for that fun pool or beach party or a casual night stay at a friend’s place. Just put in the essentials without any worry of compartments, pull the string to tighten the mouth of the bag, and go ahead.
The colors being offered are also useful in case you are going somewhere crowded or even just biking across the street. The bright ones are easy to spot for oncoming vehicles and by that same logic at concerts, events, or affairs of that sort. Why do you want to be spotted at a concert, you ask? Because, your friends need to find you to meet up with & if you lose yours, it’s easier to locate a brighter-colored one!
Looking for fresh options in this category? Take a look here.
4. Flap Rucksack:
A flap rucksack is an effective upgrade to a cinch backpack. The flap essentially covers the cinch or zipper (depending on the bag), giving it a more classic & mature look. It’s a plus if the bag you pick has two side zippered pockets along with a laptop sleeve inside the main compartment. Most flap backpacks come with the mentioned features but not every single one.
What’s more, their flap rucksacks are durable & can serve as a hand-carry during air or land transits, because they offer secure storage for your travel accessories. Drop them into a bus’s luggage compartment, put them in the overhead storage in an airplane, or stash them under your seat. They will protect your stuff from the impact.
Author’s Picks:
Now that you know what type of backpack goes with which activity, feel free to take a look at our recommendations for stylish backpacks for 2023:
1. Port Authority & Xtreme Backpack BG207
2. Maui and Sons MS8892 Drawstring Cinch Backpack
3. Cyber Backpack. BG200
4. Liberty Bags 8888 Zipper
5. Port Authority & The Original Pack. BG227
Extra Tips
Things to look out for when getting one for yourself include taking note of material, quality of mechanisms (zipper, cinches, etc), and style considerations. Making the most out of your backpack purchase requires a little scrutiny before you take it home. You need to be a little more cautious if you purchase one online.
Get an idea of how big a backpack is by this; A 16” laptop compartment means the bag is close to 17” in size. Most laptops fit easily in 17” compartments but not all (gaming ones are usually bigger in size). Want to measure how big it will look on your back? Imagine a laptop on your back, and then some more.
Speaking of things to check, we all know most backpacks end up having zippers as the main securing mechanism. We recommended checking if the zippers are made from zinc alloy metals for the long life of the mechanism. This is one of the most common problems faced by zippered bag users. It is better to buy a quality backpack once than to discard them within a few months & having to spend on a new one.
With the above tips & tricks, we are sure you are well-equipped to get a backpack for the coming year. Get a quick idea of how to pick your next best backpack from the above by skimming through and feel free to come back and read any part you missed. Happy New Year!
