JanSport Merit Backpack

I was looking for a medium sized pack to carry stuff to and from my office. I first spotted this pack at the bookstore of my son's university. I ordered it from amazon to get a better price. All of the zippers open smoothly with no binding. I live in a relatively dry climate so I've folded the rain flaps over and out of the way. The pack has two main compartments and three smaller ones. It has a mesh pocket for a waterbottle on the side. An additional side pocket or two would have been nice but not a deal breaker. Shoulder straps fit ok. For the most part I use the grab handle on top or sling it over one shoulder as I walk from the parking lot to the building. Carries my lunch, laptop, notebook, small flashlight, G17 and a folder discreetly and comfortably. I would probably give it a 4.5 total.

I want to touch on a few key points:

Room

Durability

Annoyances

Room:

This backpack is great if you are looking to cram it full of stuff. I routinely carry my xbox 360, gym clothes, and a few snacks for work and there is still plenty of room for more. Seriously, you can fill this bag up and it'll look like you are preparing for a camping trip!

There are 2 large main pockets one of which has a divider pouch that you can easily fit a book or possibly a laptop snugly into. Then of course there are the two smaller pockets in the front. The top one (w/ logo on it) unfortunately is just a basic pocket which can be a bit too large for some items, allowing them to bounce a bit much. The lower pocket is a lot more useful as there is little compartments there. Also there is the convenient bottle holder on the side.

Durability:

I've had this for roughly 2 months and use it almost daily. So far no issues with it at all. Over my last backpack I can tell this one will last quite a bit longer. The material is much more supportive all around. My past backpacks seem to be kind of deceptive to the bottom wearing out, it looks this one is a bit more durable here due to the fabric used.

Annoyances:

I just have one small issue, I hate how the zippers are a bit hidden thanks to the lip like guard around them. A lot of times it is annoying to grab/dig for the zipper. Minor complaint on a otherwise great product.

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Here are the PROs and also what I was able to fit into this backpack:

-Largest Compartment: has a padded laptop section with a wide velcro strap. In this laptop section, I place my wet/dry bag containing 2 cloth diapers, changing pad, and baby wipes container. Inside this compartment but not in the laptop section, I put a clutch purse, nursing cover.

-2nd Largest Compartment: baby blanket, change of baby clothes, rattles/toys, snacks.

-Top Small Compartment: keys, cell phone, camera

-Bottom Small Compartment: pens, napkins, plastic ziploc bags

-Side Mesh Pocket: burp cloth, bib, cloth reusable bag.

This backpack only has 1 external water bottle mesh pocket. It would be nicer if there were 2 external velcro or mesh pockets.

Since most of the functional and stylish diaper backpacks are around $100, my husband and I are so happy that this backpack fits our needs.

As a regular backpack for a student:

-thick, padded laptop section. but, the bottom of the backpack is not padded, so would suggest placing a blanket(?)/some-kind-of-cushion for your laptop.

-large compartment: if you have a thick, old-school-like laptop, then you probably only have space left for a filled regular-sized 3-ring binder.

-2nd largest compartment: lots of space for about 2-3 regular textbooks

-top small compartment: keys, camera, mp3 player. although small, there's alot of space for personal items

-bottom small compartment: has a pocket, but this compartment is shallow. you can't fit more than maybe a PDA/day planner, some napkins and some pens.

5/23/2013 update:

Now with 2 kids, it gets a little tricky with one backpack and 2 little ones. Child #1 is 2yrs old and child #2 is 4months old. Also, we currently use cloth diapers at home and disposable diapers when not at home. Our cloth diapers significantly added bulk (but not weight) to the backpack.

-largest compartment: all for child #1. the laptop section contains disposable diapers, wet/dry bag, wipes case. the non-laptop section contains spare clothes, sippy cups, 2 large thermos (hot water, cold milk, don't ask), small reusable bag of toddler utensils, Fisher-Price high-chair seat cover.

-2nd largest compartment: all for child #2. spare clothes, bibs, SkipHop changing pad, disposable diapers, toys. (we place the formula container and bottles in a long strap collapsible insulated lunch bag)

-top small compartment: camera, raisins, toddler socks. there is space for a couple more items.

bottom small compartment: reusable bags, pens. there is space for a couple more items.

-mesh pocket: baby bottle, bib.

Although I can fit more things until the zippers are stretched, I just choose not to. I know I can probably fit all the baby bottles and formula container somewhere in the backpack, but then accessing the other items would require unloading some of the backpack to access the areas at the bottom.

By the way, I bought this backpack at about $27 during a slow time (not during back-to-school times), so this backpack has become a huge lifesaver at a super low price.

Read Best Reviews of JanSport Merit Backpack Here

I purchased this bag for my teenager entering high school. I wanted something that was comfortable enough for him to carry on his 2mile walk home from school and durable enough to withstand the standard abuse that 13 year olds boys mete out to lowly bags. The superior bag is padded in the right areas and the straps are nicely contoured, features that definitely enhance the carrying experience. I have not noticed any signs of wear and tear to date. I highly recommend this back pack without reservation or second thoughts

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I did a lot of research trying to find the right backpack for my son who is entering junior high this year. It had to be right in so many waysbut most importantly, this year he's required to haul around a 2" Mead binder with notebooks in addition to his lunch, drinks, sweatshirt, books, etc. He "...can't deal with anything too huge..." I found this backpack to have the perfect measurements because every single inch of it can be tightened to be smallerin fact all the ways to adjust to fit are really easy for him to do by himself. I got it in black (safe!, and stuffed all his stuff in there without any problem and it doesn't look "too huge" at all! i found the same backpack at other locations, but Amazon sends the products I buy that I was sure to have it long before school started, and we got it within two days of ordering it! I would definitely recommend the bag and Amazon as a seller.