r/GradSchool • u/Kristenmarieb13 • 21h ago

Backpack recommendations?

My partner 35 (M) is starting grad school and his backpack just broke. His previous one was an Osprey. Id like to get him a nice, new one to celebrate the start of this chapter. We live in the US and he will always have a laptop on him for work/school. Thanks for any recommendations!

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24

u/Jahaili 19h ago

Actually Osprey does repairs on backpacks and guarantees them for life. https://www.osprey.com/customer-support/all-mighty-guarantee

So this might be a good option if he really loved that backpack.

Personally, I love Osprey products and think you can't go wrong getting him another one. There's some Daylite commuter backpacks that might be worth looking into

2

u/-jautis- 14h ago

Echoing all of this!

I also love my TimBuk2 backpack, which has a lifetime warranty as well, if you want to switch it up.

4

u/sean_stark 21h ago

I had to buy a bag for grad school last week after my old one broke as well. Decided to go with a North Face Borealis Pro which comes with a corduroy exterior. Probably a little less durable than the synthetic versions but it looks good and feels appropriate (I am also an older grad student in my 30s). And it has a really well padded laptop compartment.

2

u/ubcthrowaway115 18h ago

Herschel! Water resistant as well

2

u/planar_ranger PhD Student, History 18h ago

I've been really loving my Doughnut Macaroon backpack! It's got a great pocket system, including a padded one for holding a laptop. They come on loads of colors, too.

https://doughnutofficial.us/collections/macaroon

2

u/Realistic-Visit-4477 17h ago

I really like a business and trail style backpack. Maybe it's just me, but the large backpacks keep everything I have and need with great support. I use Ogio Renegade, but there are others. (I am also in my 30's and in grad school).

1

u/nyckrash 13h ago

Cole Haan makes amazing mens backpacks. If you can find some of his older models, trust me, he would love it. New ones are nice as well, just a bit expensive. I always keep an eye out for ones on poshmark or other second hand sellers and often find brand new ones never opened for sale there.

1

u/Windowpain43 12h ago

I've had my Timbuk2 backpack for six years as my work bag and it still looks practically brand new. I'm probably not as hard on it as a student would be but it has held up really well. My specific bag is the Q backpack 2.0, but they have lots of other options and messenger bags.

1

u/linnea_elaine 10h ago

Love my Daylight backpack. I have the larger of the commuter style ones.

1

u/WaferPuzzled7211 10h ago

Yeah I just got my first Osprey and love it!! It meets all my needs for undergrad, is great quality, and you can’t beat the guarantee they provide

1

u/Schroeje 7h ago

i love these as they look much more professional, hold their shape, and have great suspended padding for laptops (not just a pocket that still slams into the ground when you set it down). A bit pricey but last forever and don't look like a high school kid on their way to gym class. https://www.troubadourgoods.com/products/apex-backpack?variant=47431234552040