Need a LARGE Back pack

The Ninja · Post by **The Ninja** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm

I am determined to get a large backup for carrying groceries home. I also want one because I will be traveling a lot this year for work and it would be nice to carry a back pack versus a duffel bag. For work I will be holding my laptop in a sleeve so I don't need a dedicated laptop bag.

What are you fine people using. I need enough space for groceries.

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:10 am

Rear rack. S/X or Prima roll-bag.

--Keys

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:59 am

What about the GIVI trunk?

Those can hold quite a bit and are quality built.

Otherwise the side saddlebags work great.
Weight evenly distributed.

Bonegirl posted photos of her saddlebags on her Pink Buddy.

petunia · Post by **petunia** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:15 am

Ortlieb backpacks are great.

Lisa I · Post by **Lisa I** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:39 am

I am interested in this as well. I need to be able to carry my gym bag and lap top (currently in a soft brief case) to/from work each day. I have a bungee net and that seems to work well for the gym bag, albeit not the most elegant solution. I'm wondering if I can fit my stuff in a prima and/or find a bag big enough for both purposes (I'll need to carry both into both the gym and the office each day anyway).

Who carries a lap top and how do you manage it?

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:42 am

Lisa I wrote:Who carries a lap top and how do you manage it?

I carry my laptop in a messenger bag or backpack. I think that it's a much less bumpy ride against my body than strapped to the rack or in a top case where every bump (not to mention the constant vibration of the Buddy) would be felt without any shock absorption.

However it's true that so many laptops are built to withstand more these days and have hard drives that lock if they feel too much motion. But I can't think that the constant vibration is good for them, so it's a messenger bag or backpack only for me.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:35 am

Are you talking about a backpack that you wear on your body, or a pack that attaches to the rear carrier of your scoot?

All through high school I carried a medium-sized military ALICE pack. It carried ALL of my books and notebooks with room to spare. There was one year where I never even knew where my locker was because I never went to it. They can be picked up used pretty reasonably at military surplus stores and they're quite rugged.

~Ken

The Ninja · Post by **The Ninja** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:43 pm

Thanks Ken. I am looking for a backpack you wear, not a case for the reaer rack. I need to be able to take it with my on trips.

I might look into the Alice bag.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:44 pm

I would conjecture that any backpack that you're going to load up and wear while scootering should be able to be cinched close and tight to your body. I don't own a scooter myself yet, but my experience with bicycles is that if the load shifts around on your back while you're riding it can throw you off balance. The small backpack I wear while bicycling has not only shoulder straps, but a waist strap and a chest strap as well. If the pack has built in compression straps on the outside, that will help keep the load from shifting around inside the pack itself when the backpack is less than fully loaded.

~Ken

awfulshot · Post by **awfulshot** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:01 am

I sometimes wear a medium sized backpack when I go to school about 14 miles away. Other times, I just put it on the floorboard and it does a good job staying on.

If your looking to wear the backpack, I recommend getting one that has a seat-belt-like contraption on the bottom of the backpack that attaches your waist and allows for less slippage and some of the weight is taken off your upper back. maybe I just have terrible riding posture... but it was definitely easier on me if I used the belt under a heavy load.

FrictionShifter · Post by **FrictionShifter** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:53 am

Chrome makes huge backpacks + nice laptop sleeves-

http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/packs/

I carry my laptop in a rather simple, small backpack (not a chrome), which I also fill with a few books, lunch, and some coffee. I may add one of these bags when I get my buddy -

http://www.scooterwest.com/item_detail/ ... BLACK/269/

Buddy_wannabe · Post by **Buddy_wannabe** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:20 am

Carry lap top in padded bag with shoulder strap. ... groceries I use a big buffel bag that I added a 2nd shoulder strap to so I wear it kind of like a back pack. Works kind of good. When duffel is kindof full it kind of sits on the seat.

The Ninja · Post by **The Ninja** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:05 pm

While that Chrome Bag is nice it is a bit pricey. I need to make some sales this quarter to afford something like that.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:41 pm

Ninja,
have you tried outdoor gear places such as REI?
They have a HUGE selection of backpacks (framed, non-framed, overnight, daytrip, etc). You can probably find something large there.

jetboy · Post by **jetboy** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:42 pm

I'm to chime in with Ken's comments. I'm carrying my computer in a Gregory backpack that I bought in 1989 or so for about $100. It's got all the compression, chest and waist straps he mentioned. Get a quality one, because you don't want it ripping apart and dumping your notebook computer onto the road.

Ironically, I got it when I lived in Cleveland from the former wilderness shop that now houses POC Phil's biz!

-jetboy

The Ninja · Post by **The Ninja** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:56 pm

Ebags is awesome. I first discovered them when my girlfriend bought a hemp ag for school books. Hey have a huge (3100cc) bag for $50. It got great reviews and it have a chest and a waist strap. It should work out well. Also got a sleeve for my work laptop and one for my ibook.

aerogirl7 · Post by **aerogirl7** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:46 am

Eddie Bauer makes awesome bags that hold up very well. This bag is very similar to the one I have had for almost 10 years. The specs aren't listed, but if it is like the model I have, it should hold a ton! Also has padded straps, padded back, and a waist belt.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:48 am

FrictionShifter wrote:Chrome makes huge backpacks + nice laptop sleeves-

http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/packs/

Those chrome bags are really nice... I'm a sucker for new messenger bags.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 6:58 pm

jmazza wrote:
FrictionShifter wrote:Chrome makes huge backpacks + nice laptop sleeves-

http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/packs/
Those chrome bags are really nice... I'm a sucker for new messenger bags.

Corazzo has new bags! (Um, see ad below...

)

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 7:14 pm

I'm a sucker for bags and have several messenger bags and backpacks. I have found that the messenger bag is more comfortable for light to medium loads (laptop, a few accessories) but when I have to carry a lot, the backpack is more comfy.

My favorite backpack so far is the Merrell Rapid Pack II. Built-in padded compartment for a 15" laptop (could maybe fit a 17" in there!) with space left for my large Wacom tablet. Semi-rigid outer shell. Expandable compartments with many stretchy neoprene interior pockets. Audio port. Very nicely-shaped straps with sternum strap. Lots of places to easily tuck excess straps to prevent flapping while riding. 2,340 cubic inches.

I also like the Ogio Fugitive. 2050 cu. inches. Has exterior pockets, which the Merell does not.

Both of those are frequently available on eBags or as overstock/closeouts on eBay. (Last year's colors? I don't care!)

For shoulder bags, I like the Chromes but also find them a bit pricey. I also like Timbuk 2, many of which have the added benefit of reflective panels/stripes on the exterior.

And for groceries? What about saddle bags? Check out this thread. I also bought the cheap bags louie has photos of on that page (I got black). Perfect for grocery trips! Saddle bags for $20!

Valgal20 · Post by **Valgal20** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:20 pm

I use this kind for hiking- it is really stable, and has padded hip belt.

paige · Post by **paige** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:20 pm

REI is having a big sale right now. They have an outlet branch on their website with a huge selection of closeout items. Good quality stuff. One thing to consider if you are female is that backpacks made for women fit better. The straps are narrower and curve around the shoulders to avoid the girls, the sternum strap is placed appropriately, and the waistbelt fits better.

The Ninja · Post by **The Ninja** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:23 pm

Thanks Paige. Last I checked I was a man.

I will check REI.

SamMax · Post by **SamMax** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:15 pm

Agreed Ebags is great and fast shipping...

here are two other great sites

www.backpacksatzackshack.com

www.zappos.com/gs/backpacks.shtml

Here's my favorite backpack - although it is gurlie. I of course have it in Pink... but I like that I can fold it up and it's very lighweight and durable
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing/Longc ... ?cid=82124

The Ninja · Post by **The Ninja** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:36 am

Thanks for the vote of confidence on Ebags. Can't wait to get the bag as I need something larger for grocery shopping, or I can buy less food.

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:09 am

I simply bought a set of Dowco Sport saddlebags for about fifty bucks. They just toss on and off. Hold a lotta stuff.

--Keys

coopdway · Post by **coopdway** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:26 am

Does anyone have either one of the Carazzo bags advertised at the bottom of these pages? What do you think of it?

The Ninja · Post by **The Ninja** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:45 pm

The Corazzo bags won't be out until next month. They are sharp looking, but not big enough for my needs.

Modern Buddy

Need a LARGE Back pack

Need a LARGE Back pack

Backpack or trunk?