School Backpacks
Backpacks and
daypacks for going back to school should be as well-designed as those for
hiking. Students lug heavy loads with these packs every day. Look for padded
shoulder straps even waist belts straps to distribute the weight.
Reflective trim is a plus for walking safety at night.
Daypacks have largely replaced briefcases in
the past quarter-century. Somewhere along the line "daypacks" morphed into
"school packs," and pack manufacturers have kept pace with the trend. If toting
books, not gear, is your primary interest, look for school packs that offer at
least one divider, two compartments, or an organizer.
Evaluate your
ambitions and expectations. For instance, will your pack get as much use (or
more?) at school as it will on the trail? Then steer yourself toward a
larger-capacity book bag. Plan to do a little scrambling when you're out for a
walk? Consider some packs with thinner profiles.
