Ask HN: Good hacker backpack? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Good hacker backpack?

36 pointsmeifun42 comments

What I mean is laptop, chargers, portable wifi, tablet, maybe a few books, snacks. Going on an extended trip and want to ensure I have room, but a good layout inside the bag.

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5.11 tactical RUSH12. http://www.511tactical.com/rush-12-backpack.html

If you organize the inside using MOLLE-capable bags, then you can quickly and easily expand your storage by just attaching those bags to the outside.

But it's "tacticool", so it's not for everybody. My Dell XPS 13 and a whole lot of other things fit into it easily. Plus there is a hard plate on the back that protects the computer from impact from that side of the bag and gives it support (it's removable).

Nice. I have a bugout bag that's currently a Trager (defunct) day pack that I used in high-school umpteen years ago: have hauled 8 huge textbooks for months on end (we didn't have lockers because of pipebombs in the 1970's), car battery and other things that destroyed every other backpack.

Plus, I seem to be accumulating a number of MOLLE things from trauma kit to Leatherman to pepper spray.

Currently, my laptop messenger bag is from another defunct company, Hlaska, which is currently overloaded with a MBP 13 and minimal power/EDC stuff.

I should probably upgrade to a MOLLE bag so I can carry my backup HDD without using a reusable shopping bag AND messenger bag.

+1 on the MOLLE pouches. I have use a MOLLE-compatible laptop bag[1], and it's awesome to be able to snap on an external pouch for a camera or something. Like you mentioned, it's "tacticool", so it's probably not suitable for everyone. It fits with my personality, and I've only been subject to additional searches a couple of times because of it...

1: https://countycomm.com/collections/bags/products/mid-range-b...

Second this or well third I have the 12/24/72 versions of this backpack (doubletap color scheme which is dark grey) and they are by far the best backpacks I've owned.

They are very convenient tons of storage space, everything is easily accessible, best back support I've seen outside of really high end trekking packs and they are durable as fuck.

I've had some expensive backpacks from the likes of samsonite, they look good but they tend to age very poorly (I might be abusing them too much) and they aren't nearly as comfortable to use at the 5.11 ones.

I love this bag, I have the 1 day and the 72 hour versions

I'll second this one.

Australian Made Crumpler Backpacks are awesome. They come with a lifetime guarantee because they literally stitch them from canvas. Strong bags with great design that really last.

https://www.crumpler.com/au/dry-red-no-5/

https://www.crumpler.com/au/about-us/

> The first Crumpler bag was made in the early 90s when Stuart Crumpler couldn’t find a bag that let him cycle home with a slab of beer on his back.

Stu’s solution to this common problem was a tough, handmade messenger bag – he sourced the best materials he could find and even sought the expertise of a local parachute maker who pulled the prototype apart and showed him stronger methods of stitching.

During this time, Will Miller and Dave Roper ran a courier business and needed quality bags for their riders. Seeing the potential in Stu’s bags, the three of them founded Crumpler with a handshake and the rest is history.

This. I have owned a Crumpler DRY RED NO 5 for ages, highly recommend. Great laptop compartment (super padded), and heaps of other compartments to store things. I use everyday (laptop, lunch etc), but also use as my primary travel bag.

These look really nice and I want to get one, but shipping to the US is $40. :/

Looks like as of 2017 they now fulfil to US via Amazon :)

https://www.marketplacepulse.com/amazon/usa/crumpler https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0118QTUKU?psc=1

There are lots of great backpacks in this thread.

I ran across this backpack at wal-mart, it's a great travel pack/day pack. It has a sleeve in the back (padded to the outside) for a laptop or camelbak, lots of pockets/sleeves inside that would fit chargers, phones, small tablet.

Loops on outside are great for carabiners/gear on a hike.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Products-Quest-Daypack/51...

We have three, one was just used for a 6 night campout and came back in perfect condition.

Oh and best of all they are only $25.

I'm a heavy (2-4 flights/week) traveller, and love my North Face 'Router Transit' backpack: https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/equipment-backpacks-mens-b...

I usually lug around 2 laptops, a huge USB battery pack, misc. USB accoutrements, snacks, Bose over-the-ear headphones, and occasionally a (slim model) game system in it without it being too overpacked or bulky.

Wow, what do you do that requires 4 flights per week?

I bought one of these https://www.ospreypacks.com/us/en/product/comet-new-for-fall... a couple years ago as a convention backpack after being disappointed carrying my TB2 messenger bag. It has a padded slot in the back for a laptop plus an internal pocket in that slot where you could slide a tablet easily. Separate from the laptop slot, it also has one large and one small pocket, with some smaller internal pockets in the small one. The straps are comfortable enough to wear for multiple full days, assuming breaks here and there and I've never been wanting for space inside of it.

I go through a lot of bags trying to find the perfect one. Quite literally one every 3-4 months for the last 4 years.

Finally bought the 30l Peak Design backpack. Best thing ever. Worth every penny.

I can fit: Two laptops - HP 1040 and Lenovo Thinkpad S12 Two chargers for the laptops 1x 2 port USB charger for phone 8" Tablet 2 Moleskine notebooks 1 camera, either Sigma Dp1 Quattro or Sony RX100 2.5 USB backup drive Several batteries for the Sigma camera Audiotechnica m30 headphones All the infernal RSA tokens I have to carry USB cables, 2 ethernet cables 10000 mAh battery pack Other odds and ends... mug, access cards and what not

it seems most people use this as a camera bag. I can't seem to tell if it is open in the middle or if there is some sort of camera padding setup.

Also, you mention a lot of gear fits. Do you have this gear just tossed in there or are there enough compartments for the list you mention?

The peak design bags have dividers they refer to as origami dividers. The majority of the volume of the bag can be customized using the dividers.

The is a laptop sleeve between the back of the bag and the main compartment. In that sleeve there is a divider. I believe the divider is meant to separate a 15" mac book and full sized ipad. The sleeve is large enough for my 14" laptop and my 12" laptop. Additionally, the sections you use to get in to the main compartment have padded organizers.

The bag is really clever and seems to be incredibly well built, time will tell on that.

Check out the youtube videos.

I bought a DSPTCH Daypack a couple years ago and it's pretty amazing. I don't know if you'd get a good layout inside the pack (there's a couple pouches, a small zipped pouch at the top, and a couple bottle pouches on the side inside the main compartment, but that's all. That aside, it's only a couple pounds, super tough and comfortable, and not gaudy. The laptop pouch fits a new 13" MBP AND a ThinkPad x220, but it expands well so things don't just rattle around in there.

Another backpack recommendation thread, from last year:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13369197

I love my Pelican S100 Backpack! Has a watertight crushproof Pelican hardcase to protect my MacBook Pro and a decent sized pockets to carry iPad Pro, Headphones, Dongles, etc...

http://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/durable-travel-backpack...

I love my Timbuk2 Spire.

http://www.timbuk2.com/laptop-backpacks

I was looking at this. Do you know the differences between the Spire and the Rogue?

Edit: Amazon to the rescue. They had a comparison chart. The Spire is 32L, Rogue is 27L

I love waterproof messenger bags as [ortlieb](https://ortliebusa.com/product-category/ortlieb/messenger-ba...) offers. Perfectly waterproof and sturdy material. A bit pricey though. They also have some more traditional looking bags.

I've had my timbuk2 messenger for about 9 years now. The inside looks like it got mauled. Lots of tears. But it still holds up rather well. The strap and everything else is very comfortable.

I use it to get groceries once a week. It's come on every vacation I've gone on. I've moved with it. It is not a simple work backpack. It goes with me everywhere. Really great investment.

Second that, I've had the timbuk2 commute 2.0 messenger bag since 2010 and it goes everywhere with me. Daily to/from work, every business/personal trip, etc. Mine's still in excellent condition other than one broken zipper on one of the inner pockets.

I love the Minaal 2.0. https://www.minaal.com/products/minaal-carry-on-bag

It's got a ton of storage and it's designed to be a single-travel bag. Check out some reviews on Youtube and you'll see what I mean.

Wow, I like this one too.

My problem is strength of the bag. Once I put all of my gear into a bag, if I start adding documents or manuals, the bag begins to break down. The strap becomes worn, and the point of failure of where the strap connects to the top of the bag, usually goes first. I wish these bags had a weight rating.

Try Everiki Versa.

TAD EDC. It's extremely overbuilt but between the integrated dry bag laptop sleeve and the MOLLE attachment points it's worth it. http://store.tripleaughtdesign.com/FAST-Pack-EDC

It's a goofy name, but I really like the three-zipper configuration of the Mystery Ranch Urban Assault:

http://www.mysteryranch.com/urban-assault-pack

Makes it really easy to get down into the pack.

Mission Workshop Arkiv Modular system. I've been using the R6 for three years and it's still like new.

https://missionworkshop.com/products/arkiv-bag-series

BrainBag from Tom Bihn, tombihn.com

Have one, and while spacious, I've never felt well organized with it.

These days I'm carrying an eBags Professional - laptop space, center tablet pocket that can be accessed from top, pocket for files/papers, bottom hard compartment for charger, reasonably well organized pockets for pens, usb drives, etc, and most importantly for travel, it has dual carry-on handle pass throughs.

The Brain Bag by itself is not well organized, but add a Brain Cell to hold the laptop, a Snake Charmer for cables, and a Freudian Slip for papers and you're getting somewhere. You're also getting spendy, so there is that. But the bags last forever and show great attention to detail in their construction. (Another risk is that you'll soon find yourself buying a Bihn travel bag, briefcase, etc...)

I have the Brain Cell.

The eBags Professional Weekender looks interesting.

I was also looking at an Osprey: https://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Porter-Travel-Backpack-46-Lite...

Looks great, but they currently aren't selling any.

I got a 21L GR1[1] a month or so ago to replace a messenger bag and I really like it so far. It seems pretty well built with solid material.

[1]: https://www.goruck.com/gr1/

Impressive!!

I've really enjoyed this backpack from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7HOVXE

I carry my GoRuck GR2 everywhere I go, it's the most versatile backpack I've ever owned.

https://www.goruck.com/gr2/

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