Need backpack recommendation please!
 

For those of you who think pilots shouldn’t carry a backpack, please skip this thread.

For those of you who fly 10+ day trips like I’m now doing, my old Eastpack backpack isn’t cutting it anymore.

I carry my laptop and all of those small incidentals in there (phone, various charger, power cords, Palm device, bottles of water, etc) but it’s just not large enough for these long trips.

I’d like to find something larger that will accommodate (read: protect) my laptop and have enough room leftover for running shoes, magazines/books, etc. Looking for quality and utility.

TIA.

Tipsy

Get a large enough flight bag that carries a laptop. Much easier. I use to carry a backpack in addition to my roller and flight bag. What a pain! I consolidated down to my flight bag which can carry a lot of stuff including my large laptop (great for watching movies). I picked up a small "Royal Bag" in Osan, Korea (free embroidering) that fits on top of my roller. Much better now maneuvering from hotel, crew van, security, airplane, etc....

Thanks, but I prefer a backpack. I have lots of small items (keys, paperwork, etc) that I like to be a take with me when I keep my flightkit at the airport on layovers.

Tipsy

I'd check out REI. They usually have a large stock of bags designed for travel and you could probably find what you're looking for there. The headquarter store in Seattle is huge, but they have a number of retail outlets throughout the country and a good website.

Backpack and roll aboard...
 

I have been using a Purty Neat Stuff roll aboard that has a specific slot in the front cover for my laptop. Works real well going through secutrity and for quick access without having to open my case all the way up. For a back pack, I use SpecOps brand, it has many zipper pockets and you can add exterior pockets to it as you need it. Best part, it has room to stick a Camel Back water hydration system in it for those long treks between airplane and hotel bars...You can see their line up at SpecOpsbrand.com or call them at 432-943-4888. All MAde in America!

Cheers!

I've used an EastPak for several years - it's lasted longer than any other backpack I've owned. The little exterior pockets for pens, checkbook, visa, etc are nice, and it's got a padded section for a laptop. I'm on my third laptop computer that I've used with this Walmart / Target (wherever) backpack.

Am not one of the former: I don't think you are a 'woosie' for wearing a backpack. Have owned many backpacks over the years and on our job they served well. B-U-T, like the guy above, I would recommend you look at an other alternative: The last 3-4 years of my career, I used a wonderful little bag made by Targus.

The PowerBook was stored well inside multiple layers of the bag, with room for accessories. There was an outside zippered, full sized flap that served as a 'virtual office' . . Places for cell phone, pens, etc. On the opposite side there was a full size 'file folder' storage area, with a zippered pocket for easy access to magazines and other stuff you might want to grab from the overhead on a DH.

The big plus was another zippered storage area large enough for a change of clothes, shaving kit, etc. I carried it on the SAN-OAK-SAN trips and others, where no layover was scheduled, and you didn't want to haul a 'full' layover bag around . . but if it hit the fan, and you didn't get back . . You had survival gear for a day or two. For those longer trips where carrying a big bag was mandatory, it went along, slung over the shoulder.

The closest thing I see here (http://www.targus.com/us/cases_notebook_classic.asp) is the Targus 16.1" Deluxe Universal Case

north face
 

Tipsy, Northface backpacks fit a ton of stuff and never die. I've had a Recon for years and still looks brand new, comfortable, etc. They can be pricey but worth it- free rip repair, replacement, etc. Mine fits my laptop. Here's an example off their website... http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/...=NA&model=AMC2
good luck

Thanks for all of the recs...I will look into them all :)

Tipsy

I use a Timbuk2 computer bag that has a padded laptop compartment. They also make messenger bag with a padded laptop compartment. You can go to their website www.timbuk2.com or REI has a large selection.