Acadia Rucksack Color: Natural
Dakine Mission Photo Pack
Lowepro Rover AW II
Pros:
-The camera part of the bag has enough room for my DSLR, extra lens or two, and flash.
-The thing that holds the tripod is nice.
-The mesh pockets on the sides are great for holding bottles and a small towel.
-Waterproof. I forgot the bag had the all weather cover, and was walking around Kyoto in the rain, with an umbrella. The bag still got really wet, but kept my stuff dry
-Its discreet. Unless you have your camera gear out, people don't know you are carrying around expensive (maybe) gear.
-Well made.
Cons:
-There arent enough small pockets. There is one in the top compartment, but no slots for pens or anything. So all my memory card cases, batteries, pens, and other assorted little things are all in that one compartment, and I have to dig through them to get what I need. There are two small, oddly shaped pockets on the outside. I use them for a small can of compressed air, dust brush, flashlight, and a few other things.
-They say you can take out the padding and the partition that seperates the top part and bottom part (camera stuff goes in the bottom)if you want to use it as a normal backpack. Great concept, but the partition is only held in place with velcro. The problem is when the top is crammed with stuff, it starts pushing the partition down. The partition has never come out, but it bothers me. Also the velcro doesnt go all the way around, so small things could fall down into the camera compartment.
-Because of the way this bag holds the camera gear, the best way to access the camera stuff is to take it off and put it down on the ground. This can be difficult if you are sight seeing and there are a lot of people around, or if its wet and/or muddy (although the bag kept my stuff dry during the rain). You can hold it and open the bottom part, but it is awkward. Either way is slow. I have to admit though, that I can't think of a better solution for a backpack like this.
-I wish the waist belt was detachable. I never use it, so it is just in the way.
I am not totally satisfied with this bag, but when I was shopping for a camera backpack I couldnt find anything better. My biggest complaint it the lack of small pockets. I gave this backpack 3 stars, I would give it 3 1/2, but that is not an option.I bought an original Rover Light several years back after trying almost every small photo backpack on the market, and my Rover is still in service after heavy use. This pack only holds a small number of lenses, so look at the larger Trekker series if you want more room and features. The redesigned Rover AW II has an all-weather cover, a gift from the gods when the weather changes unexpectedly. The tripod holder works great for smaller tripods, though you may feel some "rotation" backwards with a full pack and a larger tripod. The Rovers are perfectly designed for day photo outings, as the top part of the pack is separated from the lower and can tote lunch, jacket and similar items in addition to photo gear. I give the Rovers top marks for design, durability, and value in small packs.I ordered this pack after first checking it out at a local store, which was asking an outrageous price for it. None of the other dealers in town had one, so I ordered one from Ritz. It arrived in two days. It was all black instead of grey trimmed, but thats what the one I saw was too. I used to be a backbacking equipment buyer for an outfitting store, so I have a lot of experiance assessing packs. I also do a lot ot photography. This pack is well designed and well constructed. It holds myCanon Rebel XT body, with mounted 24-70 2.8L lens, wrapped in a Zing neoprene cover, along with a 430 flash, a 28-200 lens, a short lens, charger, accessories including a hood and flash diffuser, and still has room in the camera section for an additional body. The tripod carrier works well and there's room to spare in the upper pack section. I'm 6'2", 200lbs, and both the hipbelt and shoulderharness fit. This was a good choice. The hipbelt alone can carry most of the weight.Don't have any prior bags to compare with, but I looked at many other Lowepro (and other brands) bags online and just liked the layout and size of this one the most. Sling models seemed like they would be too awkward to open and not enough support. I Like that the Rover remains relatively obscure as a backpack and not something holding expensive equipment. Just enough room in top compartment for some other stuff if your on the trail and need to carry other things. Only slight negative is that they designed this backpack to allow for flexible arrangements, and you need to be careful not to place small items in the top compartment, because they may fall out from the adjustable base when you open the bag (luckily for me, the first time I realized this, the item just landed in the lower compartment (was a small cap for the thread on the top of my tripod's ballhead)).Solidly built, perfectly comfortable size with enough room for my EOS 20D with standard 17-85mm zoom, telephoto, fixed 50 mm lens, flash, accessories including filters, holders, bounce devices, CF cards. Waterproof material. The tripod setup is a bit difficult, but when you figure it out, it works. I keep the zipper to the lower bag open, carry my camera with a strap, and just lift the back and tripod if I need something in the main compartment. Also room for extra layers, etc. Perfect for a day trip.
The North Face Surge Daypack - Men's
Here are the good points from the last month of living with it:
Very comfortable when worn over both shoulders
Fairly lightweight
Seems very well constructed with quality fabrics, zippers, pulls and stitching
The carry handle is strong and comfortable to use
Lots of storage spots for various everyday necessities
Nice padded and zippered compartment for cell phone/iPod/portable hard drive
Easily accessed, padded compartment for the power adapter
Well-padded laptop compartment
Chest strap adjusts up and down to fit
Waist straps are removable if you don't want them
Carries a lot if you loosen the cinch straps, or becomes compact when cinched (depth wise)
Laptop slides in and out easily. This will be perfect for airport inspection
Here are some of the things that keep it shy of perfection:
I don't like the appearance of the rubber accents connected to three of the straps and to the daisy chain
The daisy chain is too short to be of any use
Laptop padding is too thick between compartments. There are two long foam tubes that rob from the depth of the 2nd compartment
Cell phone pocket on shoulder harness only accepts small, narrow phones.
Easier, one-handed access to outside compartments would be nice
Bottle-holders are effective, but difficult to load while wearing the pack
Pockets in the second storage compartment are flimsy. They do not hold things in place very well.
All in all, I am very pleased. I loved my North Face Enterprise pack, but needed something that would protect my new laptop. The Surge is far more comfortable than any other similar packs I have worn from Jansport, Kelty, Lowe and The North Face. If you like to carry your pack over one shoulder, it must be held in place, but is carried effortlessly while on two shoulders. The fact that I have not been tempted to go back to my old, beloved pack is testament to how good this one is. I have yet to travel with it by air, but I'm sure I can pack enough in it for an overnight trip while still packing the laptop.I bought this bag when my Dell laptop bag that i received with my XPS M1530 started fraying and tearing. The reason for this was that I would always leave for classes (I'm a college student) with my laptop and a bunch of books and I don't think that bag was built for that kind of loads. Anyways, I was looking for a very sturdy bag that was spacious and could hold a lot of weight. I have had good expereinces with The North Face in the past, so I decided to go for the Surge.
I have been using it almost for 6-8 months now. It is very spacious. Holds my 15" laptop, and ton of books, notebooks etc. It has a special compartment for the AC adapter of the laptop which is pretty nifty. It is extremely rugged showing absolutely no signs of wear and tear. One of the best things about it is that its compeletely waterproof. I don't ever worry about getting my laptop wet if I'm caught in rain.
Yes, it is expensive compared to other backpacks, but it's worth every penny of your money. You can rest assured this bag will see you through for atleast 2 years, maybe more.
Update:
I'v been using the bag for almost 2 years now, and in this duration, I have used it and abused it. Apart from college stuff, I have taken is trekking, rock climbing, backpacking, filled it till it was almost bursting at times, and it is yet to show the slightest hint of tear. Its built rock solid.
Buy The North Face Surge Daypack - Men's Now
So i bought this backpack to use at college this fall. I looked online at many different backpacks and brands and decided on this the Surge. It easily fits my Dell Studio XPS 16 in the laptop compartment. There is another large pocket which can hold several books at a time. There is also a rather large pocket that is divided which is good for holding small electronics and pens and pencils and other smaller items. I have carried it all over campus with books and other stuff and it doesn't bother my back at all. I also have used it in the Adirondacks. I climbed up 4 of the high peaks and had no problems whatsoever. I also used it to day hike Mt. Washington. I only really have two complaints about it. One is that there is no designated hole for the hose of a hydration bladder, not a big deal. The other is that the water bottle holders do not hold the wide-mouth 32 oz Nalgene bottles. I use it almost everyday and it seems very durable and reliable and I would highly recommend it!Read Best Reviews of The North Face Surge Daypack - Men's Here
Purchased the Surge about 4 years ago and LOVED it. Unfortunately the pack was stolen from my vehicle (thank you Atlanta, GA). Without hesitation I ordered a new one same color and all. For some reason North Face redesigned the two front slots of this pack, completely ruining what was a perfect backpack. Version One had four compartments from front to back. 1) compartment for pens, pencils, etc. 2) full compartment for books, folders 3) full compartment for books, folders and 4) padded slot for laptop. The New Version rearranged the first two compartments. The first compartment now has zippered mesh storage with openings so small you can barely get a hand into them. Not sure of their purpose. The second compartment is now used for storage of pens and pencils making it completely useless for anything but, well, pens and pencils. Basically, where one used to be able to organize books and folders into two compartments, you now have to jam them all into one compartment. Being able to split stuff up into two compartments sure was a nice way to keep organized. I say to North Face bring back the original design!Update: OK, agree that the quality of construction is excellent. Still not happy with the design "update" that negatively impacted functionality.This is my first review of any product I have ever owned. I just want to say that I have had this backpack for more than 3 years. I had a 19 inch laptop which fit in the laptop compartment and I had no problems going through airports, trains, buses, taxis and walking through just about everywhere. I used this backpack when I first entered Basic training 3 years ago and from there I have been using it every day in my travels from Iraq, Japan, Singapore, Philippines and during long trips and stopovers this backpack is very convenient even when fully loaded. Oh and now I have a MacBook Pro and it feels like I can put so much more stuff in there now. I usually carry My Macbook Pro, Bose portable speaker, Chargers/external hard drive/wires for everything, a bottle of Liquor and other things inside it and water bottles on the side compartments and this bag instantly carries my party wherever I go! Usually to the beach. And through all of this I just gave it an inspection and there are no Tears or Rips. It feels comfortable every time I wear it with both shoulders and only in the Mesh from the Side pocket is ripped because I must have put my knife in there on accident bit it is still useful for holding a water bottle or my work gloves. If I had to buy another backpack I would not hesitate to get this again.
Neoprene Laptop Tablet Sleeve With Carrying Handle (Removable) Case
Buy Neoprene Laptop Tablet Sleeve With Carrying Handle (Removable) Case Now
It was more of a peach color when I received this case.... but the netbook skin was pink like the pic. Not a huge deal, but something to be aware of.Read Best Reviews of Neoprene Laptop Tablet Sleeve With Carrying Handle (Removable) Case Here
Augusta Sportswear Medium Ripstop Duffel Bag. 1702
Military Inspired Stylish Backpack Canvas Day Pack Khaki
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this bag was actually packaged really small but when i opened it i must have spent like 30min staring at it on my back, i love it!Read Best Reviews of Military Inspired Stylish Backpack Canvas Day Pack Khaki Here
Worked well on recent vacation. Front hook is "off" a bit but it is still able to be secured.Want Military Inspired Stylish Backpack Canvas Day Pack Khaki Discount?
Eagle Creek Travel Gear Leather Luggage Tag
Mobile Edge Leather Ladies Briefcase - 14"PC / 15" MacBook Pro
I really am pleased with the looks of this bag, but I am afraid the size & weight are too big a drawback. I hate to say it, but once I find another leather laptop bag that is as nice as this one but smaller and easier to manage, I probably won't use this one anymore.
Bella Taylor Jazzberry Quilted Cotton Back Pack
The bag has a second fabric layer in the base that has a piece of plastic inside to give the bag some base rigidity. This can be removed when you want to launder the bag. I imagine, as with any quilted fabric bag, that it will loose a lot of it's stiffness after washing. As new it stands up as shown in the picture. The back straps are adjustable and it has a top fabric (same fabric as the bag) carry handle stitched to the rear. The zip & metal strap slider/adjusters are all in a gold colour which looks fine with this print. This bag is not lined but as the fabric is double sided and quilted it still looks finished and for the price I didn't expect it to be. It has one large slip pocket on the front & two small side ones but no inner pockets of any sort although it has a key keeper attached to one inner side wall. Quality wise I wouldn't put it on par with a Vera Bradley but it's still very good.
Dimensions wise it's only slightly shorter than a Vera Bradley Book Bag, at 12.5 inches it's two inches shorter. It's 10 inches wide and has a base depth the same as a Vera at 4.5 inches. For the money I think this bag is spot on and expect it to last well. But, I don't intend to put any real weight in this bag, if I did I think I would spend the money on a Vera as her bags really do stand up to some serious use and weight.
Hello Kitty Plush Face Messenger Bag
Allen Company Pagosa Day Pack (1600 Cubic Inch Capacity, Realtree Ap)
The only drawback to this particular pack is that there is a large zippered main compartment, a medium zippered front compartment, but no small compartment. My old bag had a perfect spot for chapstick, pocket knife, car keys, etc. A simple remedy for this particular pack is to keep these smaller loose items in a ziplock or container of some sort...then stow it away in the front pocket.
One of my friends commented on it yesterday. He liked the camo break-up pattern and noted that it blends well with surroundings and does not stand out.
Lastly, I like that it has an inner pocket and a velcro opening in the top to accept a rubber Camelback-style bladder. I have not used it for this yet, but the added pocket space inside also works well to organize contents.
All in all, a great buy! I look forward to using for years to come.When I asked my nephew what he wanted for Christmas, one of his wishlist items was a camouflage backpack for hunting. After looking at several different brands and features, I decided on this one and crossed my fingers that it would be what he was hoping for. On Christmas Day when he opened his gift, I expected thanks, but not much more because it was, well, a backpack. He was thrilled! He spent quite a while sitting by himself looking at all the different pockets and noting their uses and he thanked me multiple times throughout the day. The avid hunter was impressed with it, so I would highly recommend it! Shipping was very timely and everything was packaged well.
Buy Allen Company Pagosa Day Pack (1600 Cubic Inch Capacity, Realtree Ap) Now
Nice pack, bought it for fishing, works great, well made with lots of pockets . Would buy again. Good price too.Read Best Reviews of Allen Company Pagosa Day Pack (1600 Cubic Inch Capacity, Realtree Ap) Here
Used this past season. Would be nice to have a few more divided pockets but overall a great bargain for the money. If you need something to hold you basics (a little extra ammo, flashlight, drink, scent guard etc) don't hesitate to buy.Want Allen Company Pagosa Day Pack (1600 Cubic Inch Capacity, Realtree Ap) Discount?
It was the right size for me as a day pack. I had no problem fitting everything in it for a hole day of hunting.Power Ranger Small Backpack
Buy Power Ranger Small Backpack Now
My four year old grandson loves his power ranger backpack. He has been using it for several months and it has held up well to the abuse of a four year old in pre school. It is a great size for a young child.This back pack is super small! It doesn't even fit folders or note books. It seems to be quality madeNew Style Canvas 2-way Convertible Shoulder Bag and Backpack Brown
Osprey Packs Syncro 20 Hydration Pack with Reservoir
One major disappointment is the hydration systems. The tube is not replaceable because it is covered by plastic and seemingly sealed at the bag end. But during shipping the folk at Amazon bent the hose so it's basically unusable. I can just slide my a camelbak system in there, but that's some money out the window because Osprey and Amazon aligned to produce an inferior system and break it before delivery.
The bag's back flow is its best feature. But the pockets, the cinch-straps, shoulder straps, sternum strap, and interior design are all lackluster and stupid in obvious (preventable) ways. I'm going to give it a try, and then decide whether to return it or not. But at best it's a compromise, and at worst it's a mistake to buy this pack.
Zuca Pink Frame with Zebra(Black/White)Sport Insert Bag
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This bag is a must have its very spacious lots of compartments and the wheels glide nice and they light up !! Very fast shipping and very smooth transaction !!!Read Best Reviews of Zuca Pink Frame with Zebra(Black/White)Sport Insert Bag Here
I got this skate bag for my granddaughter for Christmas and she absolutely loves it. Carries everything she needs and the wheels are a great feature. I can always count on Amazon to carry great products.Want Zuca Pink Frame with Zebra(Black/White)Sport Insert Bag Discount?
Stephen Joseph Boys 2-7 Boy's Go-go Bag
Dakine Girls Eve Back Pack
However, I thought it was about time to get a new backpack. I received a Dakine Cosmo backpack as a gift last year, and have found it to be high quality. The zippers are nice and the fabric is durable (and fashionable!). Thus, when it came time to buy a new backpack, I chose the Dakine brand.
This backpack does not disappoint. The zippers are very nice, easy to zip, high quality. The fabric seems very durable and rugged. The shoulder straps are padded nicely and should be able to stand up to daily school use. I would say that this is comparable to the quality of the Swiss Gear backpack.
FEATURES
-Chest strap...I have no use for a chest strap, and honestly, it's a nuisance when you don't use. I'm thinking about cutting it off, but I hesitate, in case it might ruin the shoulder straps. We'll see.
-Cooler compartment...Currently, I'm not sure if I will use the cooler compartment, since I usually bring a lunchbox and it doesn't seem big enough to replace it. I'll probably just use it as a regular pocket.
-Sunglasses compartment...A nice touch, especially since it's lined with a velvet-like fabric. It's large, about 5 inches deep and 9 inches across. I like it. I could definitely see it replacing a sunglasses case, if you use the backpack a lot. This compartment, located at the top of the backpack near the shoulder straps, could also be used to store other items that would be useful to have quick-access to. I'm thinking wallet, keys, phone, etc.
-Laptop sleeve...I have a different backpack to be used for my laptop only and I don't usually carry my laptop around school. However, it seems to be well made and it fits my 15" laptop nicely. Since I won't be using it for my laptop, I'll use it like a divider for the main compartment and just shove some binders/notebooks in it.
-Main compartment...Very large, bigger than my previous Swiss Gear backpack (and that's saying something! I always had the biggest backpack in my group of friendsincluding Jansports, High Sierra, etc.). It fit three 2" binders and seven 70 sheet spiral notebooks and still looked like it had room for more. When I put it on, the backpack still looked very discreet, disguising the fact that it held a lot of supplies. There IS a lot of space at the top, maybe around 5" of space above the binders and notebooks. Almost seemed like a waste, but it'll be useful for shoving a thick jacket or lunchbox in.
-Secondary compartment...Nicely organized, with a phone and iPod compartment lined with that velvet-like fabric. Fit my iPod touch and LG Remarq perfectly. The pen pockets are a tad tight for my Papermate Clearpoint mechanical pencils, but it gets the job done. My TI-84 is kind of a tight fit, but it works.
-Outer compartment...There's no zipper here, just a deep pocket. I would not use it for important items for fear of things falling out, although it does seem unlikely due to the depth. Perhaps for unimportant papers, it'd be fine.
AESTHETICS
-Outer fabric pattern...I chose to get this backpack in Houndstooth, a nice, discreet pattern that is still very nice to look at. It does not disappoint. Depending on the angle at which you view the backpack, the houndstooth pattern either disappears and looks like complete black or shows up in high contrast.
-Inner fabric pattern...I was surprised at the inner fabric pattern. If the outer houndstooth is discreet, than this is anything but. It's bright green, with pink and black flowers. Not unpleasant to look at, but still eye-catching. I usually shy away from pink things, but I suppose I'll have to get over that with this.
-Size...The backpack is quite large, which I take to be a good thing. However, with my petite frame (5'2"), it seems too large. Oh well. But again, as I said before, with many items in it, it is still quite flat and discreet, which is nice.
-Shape...The backpack looks to be top-heavy, which I find strange. The upper half of the backpack looks bigger than the bottom half, which is a different look, since most backpacks are the other way around.
SHIPPING
Received on time, but it did take Amazon 2-3 days (after I placed the order) to ship it, which I found unusual and slightly frustrating. Usually Amazon ships out the item the same day or the day after I place the order. I used the free super saver shipping option.
OVERALL
I find it to be a great backpack, and I can't wait to use it for the upcoming school year. Definitely recommended! A fantastic value for forty-five dollars. I will be a returning Dakine customer in the future.
/\/\UPDATE 8/6/2012/\/\
I cut the chest straps off (it was attached to the shoulder straps by a plastic piece) and I'm glad I did. The plastic pieces look fine by themselves, no need to remove that part. Cutting them off won't compromise the shoulder straps.This is a terrific backpack! The straps stay on my shoulders and are comfortable. I love the insulated pocket for packing yogurt or cheese with my lunch. There are plenty of spaces for pens/pencils. The sunglass pouch is terrific too. Overall, it's just a great bag.
The only downside is it is not as roomy as my old Jansport, but everything else about this bag is terrific.
Buy Dakine Girls Eve Back Pack Now
The backpack is everything it was supposed to be and more. It is well made, functional, and stylish. My daughther is a Sophomore, and it gets the job done everyday for her. She hauls around her books, lunch, ipod, phone, glasses, dance practice outfit, water bottle, all in there own comparments. She has gotten so many compliments on this bag as well, and so many wanting to know where she purchased it. Good value for the money.We have yet to use it for her laptop, but I am sure it wont fail us. I hope they make new patterns for next season.Read Best Reviews of Dakine Girls Eve Back Pack Here
I received this bag in the 'skyler' color/pattern. All Dakine exterior fabrics are darker or more subdued than pictured online (which I find preferable but others may not). The material is thick and the stitching is sturdy. The zippers are plastic.The insulated cooler pocket appears large, but I find it to be thin/shallow. It works well with sandwich sized lunch containers and flatter food items (like granola bars) if you're not keen on having that pocket be lumpy from odd shaped things. A nice surprise was the very front pocket that does not zip, it is coated in a way that suggests water resistance which makes it a nice place to tuck an ice pack.
The organizer pocket is a nice size, deep enough for a notebook to fit. There are 4 pen spaces, 2 lined spots meant for things iPod and iPhone sized, and a zipped section as well.
The main space is sized well and is where you'll find the laptop sleeve. Check the dimensions of your laptop versus the dimensions of the bag to ensure it will fit! Bulkier 15.6" laptops will likely be a tight squeeze. It also doubles as a hydration sleeve holder if you take your bag out hiking/camping (although getting the tube out requires you leave the zipper open slightly).
At the very top of the bag is a "sunglasses" pouch. I use this to store my earbuds, mini mouse, and chargers.
The way the straps are attached creates an odd bridge of material that acts as a top handle on the bag. While I find the handle convenient, I do find it a bit stiff against my neck and have had to adjust where the bag sits to reduce rubbing against my skin while wearing it.
Overall I am pleased with my purchase, and feel the few negatives are easily ignored or worked around.My high-school daughter thinks it is by far the best backpack she has ever had. Lots of organization pockets, comfortable, and she constantly gets compliments on how cute it was (in fact, she was a little perturbed after her first day back after Christmas break that more kids complimented her on the awesome backpack than they did her new outfit -LOL). Appears to be really high qualityvery glad we purchased it. More subdued colors than I expected... a deep gray and deep eggplant color but again, perfect for an older student.
Roxy Drifter Backpack
Meffort Inc 15 15.6 inch Neoprene Laptop Bag Sleeve with Extra Side Pocket, Soft Carrying Handle &
Seems solid enough. Just hope it holds up over time.

