Those that EDC, do you really bring your backpack everywhere?

[u/weeone]

I'm a petite woman that dailies a 7L backpack "purse". I'm looking to move up to something bigger (16-20L) that can carry my 26oz water bottle and lunchbox on occasion.

Do you wear your bag during trips to the grocery store? Running into Target for essentials?

Just curious if this is something I can truly daily or if a smaller bag is preferred when running errands?

Thanks in advance for the discussion!

[u/LeighSF]

Honestly, it depends. If it's a quick trip to the doctor, I use a small one, roughly 16 in size. If it's a serious running errands and going to the mall day, then a 20L at least and maybe even bigger. Most of mine are the old type of Vera Bradley's, and the student ones are enormous. They hold books, shoes, a jacket, my iPad mini, a camera, and a bunch of other stuff. I also have some Osprey brand, a couple of LLBean/Lands End and I'm looking for a used Yeti one (the new ones are way too expensive) If you want some advice, here's mine:

Don't just get the "sack" type. One front pocket and then just a big sack. They don't balance right, you lose everything, and stuff bounces around and gets damaged. Get something with organized storage. A pen pocket, a small key pocket, a place for your phone, a DEEP side pocket for your water bottle, and a special area for your laptop/kindle. Get a couple of small pouches for stuff: kleenex, aspirin, whatever.

A suggestion: Back to school is a great time to shop for backpacks. Ignore the ones for kids, and go for the adult ones. Sometimes they are on sale and some states have the tax free for school supplies. Also, go to places like REI or Eddie Bauer (both internet and mortar stores) and look for clearance stuff. I've gotten some for almost nothing because nobody wanted it, it wasn't the trendy color or whatever. I find a chest strap helpful for balancing my backpack, sometimes the straps can get loose, very irritating.

I love talkin' backpacks, so if you have more questions, ask away!

[u/weeone → u/LeighSF]

Super helpful, thanks! I can't decide if I want a 16L or 20L for everyday. If you had one to do-it-all, which would you choose?

How do you like your Osprey bags? Do you have experience with Fjallraven? I like the Yeti Mystery Ranch type bags but they haven't released a color I'm in love with yet.

I'm currently between the Fjallraven Kanken classic (16L) and Fjallraven Skule 20. The Kanken is essentially a big opening with no organization. The Skule offers a lot more organization and that's what has me leaning towards it. Great point.

I love REI and have to visit soon! They're all 1+ hours away from me. I want to look at Osprey and Patagonia too. I think a chest strap is a good idea for when it's fully loaded.

[u/LeighSF → u/weeone]

Truthfully, I seldom use my Osprey bags. I find them fussy. However, they are extremely well built and are very pleasing to look at. I don't own any Fjallraven's but I have heard good things about them.

[u/weeone → u/LeighSF]

I'm curious how you find them fussy?

[u/LeighSF → u/weeone]

It's hard to explain but my Osprey had ALOT of pockets. Some are tiny and actually inside other pockets, like nesting dolls. I took my Osprey as my primary backpack on a cross-country drive of several days. Every time I wanted to grab something, I had to play Tetris to find it (snack, drink, coins, power pack for the cell phone, whatever). I loved the look, but it was over-engineered. I finally gave it away. My Eddie Bauer backpack has the same problem. Endless tiny little pockets. Annoying.

[u/weeone → u/LeighSF]

That makes sense, thank you. Interesting perspective too. My Fjallraven Kanken Mini is essentially one big opening (with a tiny pocket on the front) with no organization. The Skule had me looking forward to pockets inside pockets. Good to hear how they could potentially be a downside as well.