Backpackopedia.com

I have yet to find a bag that can last me a lifetime. All of the backpacks that I’ve ever purchased have eventually lost their color, been worn down to sheer nothingness, and met their deaths in the back of my closet.

But what if we, as backpack hoarders, could find the indestructible bag? A bag that could withstand our crazy adventures as backpackers? A bag that could withstand the elements? And everything that we as adventurers could throw at it? Look no further, for the “indestructible” bag is here.                                      

I present to you the Chrome Citizen Messenger bag.  A bag that has been deemed indestructible by both its makers and the crazy testers at Street Cents. Over the years, Chrome’s bags have been mentioned with a sense of veneration. A veneration well due for their durability and functionality.

Street Cents tackled the Citizen Messenger bag’s indestructible claims with swords, vicious police dogs, tug-o-war, high-speed dragging via snowmobile, a shower, a swim in the ocean, road-rash, a front-end loader, and a fire. Eventually, Street Cents declared the Chrome Citizen Messenger bag the winner. Especially considering that it’s contents were hardly damaged (aside from a cracked CD case with a perfectly fine CD remaining inside).

So if  you’re prone to destruction, or are simply just a walking accident waiting to happen, Chrome’s indestructible bags are the perfect bag for you.

And just remember . . .

If Superman were real, we would see him flying around with Chrome’s indestructible messenger bag.

So we all know that backpacks today are traditionally bought for school or day trips, but what about hose of us heading out camping or backpacking around Europe? Don’t worry you haven’t been forgotten! Backpacking packs are a necessity for those headed abroad or just out into the wilderness. Their spacious designs make them perfect for longer trips, yet easy enough to carry because they perfectly distribute the weight from all hanging on your shoulders. Plus, they make a perfect pillow for that overnight train to Munich!

G-Tech ipod backpacks are a music lovers dream come true. These backpacks are designed to link with your ipod, giving you full ipod control while the ipod itself sits safely in the pack. How do the G-Tech backpacks do this? Inside the pack itself is a cord you plug into your ipod. This cord sinks the ipod with the controls on the outside strap, giving you complete control. Just above the strap control panel is a headphone jack so you don’t have to run the headphone cord all the way back to the ipod.

All in all, these are extremely well designed packs. They eliminating cord clutter and still provide massive amounts of storage in a sleek design. So if you ever like to listen to your ipod while wearing a backpack, a G-Tech backpack may be your dream come true.

Who says backpacks are just for guys? If I even insinuated that girls should be limited to handbags and totes, my sister would knock me into next week. With designers like Dakine, JanSport, Roxy, and Vera Bradley making girls specific backpacks, there is now a pack for every girls style. So, let’s check out some of the new girls backpacks for this summer and fall.

Dakine: Within the last few years, Dakine has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to their bold designs and bright colors. If you are a girl looking for the hottest new skater pack, check out the Dakine Prom Pack. It comes in 7 awesome colors and even has a spot specifically for a laptop. It’s the perfect blend of style and practicality.
JanSport: JanSport is always a favorite for those who like a classic, hipster look. The JanSport SuperBreak is a homerun if this is the look you are going for. Available in 42 different colors, you can be sure to find a SuperBreak in a style that is yours alone.
Roxy: Roxy is a girl’s specific brand that specializes in fun designs with a unique surfer look. New this year is the Roxy Tell Me Something backpack. A drawstring, terry cloth pack, the Tell Me Something has a definite beach go-er look. It even has built-in towel attached to the inside of the bag.
Vera Bradley: A brand that needs no introduction, Vera Bradley specializes in preppy east coast bags and traditional prints. Vera Bradley’s Large Backpack blends traditional style with practical application. Available in three new prints this summer, this pack is classy accessory for anyone seeking that east coast look.
Sherpani: Based in Boulder, Co., Sherpani specialized in “functionally simple” women’s specific packs. These bags are simpler in design and applicable to almost any urban excursion. One of our favorites is the Sherpani Iris. Available in 2 colors with an interior floral lining, the Iris is as durable as it is stylish.

It’s that time of year again, when we all head outdoors to participate in our favorite summer activities…biking, hiking, rock climbing, water sports, and many, many more. What better way to beat the heat and dehydration than with a hydration backpack? They come in numerous sizes and styles, perfect to fit your needs for storage and capacity. Plus, they are hands-free, helping you stay 100% focused on climbing that ridge, or cycling up that hill!

 When it comes time again to bundle up for winter, hydration packs are perfect for outdoor sports like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and even snowman building!

Summer has finally arrived! Now if you are anything like us, you are going to spend every minute you can on the nearest lake, river, or reservoir. But nothing ruins a day on the water like having your lunch or extra set of cloths soaked by noon. Well Pacific Outdoor Equipment has just the thing to make sure your summer accessories stay high and dry all summer long, waterproof backpacks!

Pacific Outdoor Equipment’s line of waterproof backpacks are all made from a highly waterproof laminate material and use fully welded and weatherproof seams and zippers. Pacific Outdoor Equipment has a range of waterproof backpacks for all different needs too. If you are a casual day hiker or lake-go’er, try their single strap Yokota or Anchorage messenger bag. If you are looking for something a little bigger and more serious, try the Christchurch. Or if you just want a simple beach bag that will keep water and sand out, try the Ginza. Whatever you have in store for your wet and wild summer, try a Pacific Outdoor Equipment waterproof bag to keep your gear dry!

Hua Shan Mountain in the region of Shaanxi Province in China is considered one of   the most liberating and dangerous hikes in the world. One of the five sacred mountains of China, it is  frequently visited by locals, students from surrounding colleges, and by people from around the world. The name Hua Shan refers to “Flower Mountain”: A name that results from the four directional peaks that grace the mountain’s slopes.

The most dangerous hike is located on the Southern peak, where thousands of travelers every year risk a life-threatening trek to the top.

The hike is comprised of steep climbs with support only coming from padlock-connected chainlinks. Hikers of all skill levels brave vertical steps, wooden planks bordered by 4,000 feet drops, high-winds, slippery foot holds, and shaky ladders. The path was partly made famous to the world by a compilation of letters advocating the precarious climb. The general conclusion has been that the hike is ridiculously dangerous. Though locals living on the peaks of Mt. Hua Shan make the climb everyday in cloth-lined shoes with little grip, the assumption is that the climb has resulted in many deaths. No confirmations have ever been reported.

So how does one prepare for a trip that’s been renowned for its danger and calling for personal resolve? With the best gear of course. Making a climb at such an altitude coupled with high winds and dangerous drops calls for a prepared hiker. Of course the basics would include comfortable shoes, plenty of hydration, and protection from wind chill. But what kind of pack should you carry with you?

Due to the small spaces and the constant need to climb nearly vertical steps and ladders, the best suggestion would be to carry a pack as light as possible, while still providing plenty of support and functionality for all possible needs.

One potential pack would be the Victorinox Findelen sling-pack.  The pack is lightweight, an ideal factor considering the fact that the hike is a day-hike, yet extremely vigorous. The sling-style of the strap gives one more freedom when climbing steep stairs and ladders. Overall, it is the ideal bag for climbing when there’s no need for extensive supplies.

With a sturdy bag and plenty of resolve, you can be ready to take on the world. At the end of all of the twists and turns of the risky Hua Shan path there lies a brilliant view and a solitary temple.

However, no matter where ever your hiking travels may take you, you will make it there with a sturdy pack on your back and a feeling of contentment at having achieved what many will consider an amazing feat.

Being a recent grad myself, I was confronted with the decision to either continue sporting my backpack, or “graduate” to a more professional looking piece. Like most recent grads, I was in no mood to totally give up my Frisbee-throwing, long-boarding lifestyle for a suit and a brief case. On the other hand, I knew that I needed to be taken seriously in my new career, and a worn out backpack was not the route to do so. So what was the compromise? One of the emerging trends in the young professional crowd is the messenger-laptop bag. These packs blend new age style with professional function and use. The come in a range of looks, from more professional leather bags from stylish companies like Kenneth Cole New York Business, to more sporty bags from companies like The North Face and Keen.

Now before you go picking out your new graduation present to yourself, it is important to gauge the level of professionalism you are seeking to obtain. If you are in a more formal environment, perhaps something more traditional like the Kenneth Cole Reaction Business and Luggage Full-Grain Leather Laptop Messenger Bag would be appropriate. If you just landed a job working for Vail Resorts, something more rugged and outdoorsy like The North Face Insider might fit the bill. So take your time and find the right bag for your situation Remember, as a young professional you only get to make a first impression once, and the right bag is key element to that impression.

The Ogio Mastermind is a backpack that can be seen in almost any scenario: whether it’s attached to the back of a motorcyclist cruising through downtown, or the back of a hiker taking a short mountain stroll, or the average every-day college student trekking through a college campus, or even stuffed under the seat of an airplane by a traveling businessman.

It is a backpack that screams functionality, coupled with a durable sense of style. Armed with 10 pockets, the Mastermind is a walking storage room. There’s even a compartment for easily accessible airline tickets, making it the ideal carry-on for those always on-the-go.

My favorite detail about the Mastermind is its filing dividers located in the front pocket. Second to that would be the padded laptop compartment located at the back of the bag.

You might have been expecting me to say that the OGIO Mastermind is not for the faint of heart due to the sheer size of its interior compartments. But this, in fact, does not apply.  The Mastermind’s padded back and durable straps make it an easy bag to carry; regardless of the clothes, the bags, or the laptop and tech supplies that may be packed inside.

The Mastermind, with its durability, functionality, and rounded sense of style is a bag prepared for any scenario.

Have you ever been stuck wondering if you’d be better off with a backpack or a duffel? Why not have both? These bags below can be used as backpacks or as duffels because they offer handles that allow you to carry it by hand or over your shoulders. Perfect for sports, the gym, and even travel, these bags are the ultimate in versatility.

Case Logic 26″ Sport Duffel Backpack	High Sierra A.T. Gear 30″ Duffel
Maxpedition FLIEGERDUFFEL Adventure Bag	Athalon Fusion 24″ Over/Under Duffle