mainly used for carrying around a pencil case, water, folders, laptop and odd bits. While I understand durability comes at a cost, I have a budget of £50. Thanks and I look foward to responding to your suggestions
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The JanSport that has a leather bottom
if it’s to bifl you should avoid synthetic bags and go for canvas.
any old bag from an army surplus shop would outlive you.
buy a lightweight deuter, osprey &c and you will need to buy another one in 5 years. They’re well made, yes, but not for “bifl”
I’ve had my Timbuk2 for maybe 15 years now. I use it more weekly now than daily, but aside from some cosmetic scrapes nothing’s fallen apart.
I have a Kipling and an Osprey and i really like them both. Both have been used for a couple of years with no real signs of wear. Light and durable.
My osprey is 9yo and has been going on airplanes and hikes constantly in that time. No signs of wear and tear.
They sometimes get a bad rap for going mass market and weakening their warranty, but I really think the quality is still excellent.
Fjallraven?
This would be my suggestion as well. A Fjällräven Kånken will outlive you
My experience with Jansport has been solid. I think I’ve had the same J bag for over 20 years now, daily pack ala manpurse. Been through the washer/dryer a couple times, but I try to minimize that.
Jansport 20 years ago must be a lot different than Jansport today. My experience with them has been paying $60 for a bag that lasts as long as a $20 one.
Swiss Gear makes bags that last buy holy shit $200 for a backpack is outrageous. I only have one because it was gifted to me.
Try to find one from 15 years ago.
The watchtower or lighthouse model is GOAT. (tower-something)
EDIT: I just looked at a couple of online pictures, and the ones listed look like standard-cheap-backpack-fabric, not the rip-stop that I got 15yrs ago. YMMV
Chrome industries makes really high quality bags. I have two roll top backpacks and they’re indestructible
I’ve had an Eddie Bauer vantage point for probably 26 years and taken it all over the world. Its a wee bit frayed in places but still holding up well. Almost daily usage except for weekends.
Eddie Bauer announced bankruptcy a couple of months ago. I’m not too sure if they are still in business or what the future is for the brand.
My Deuter has been going for twenty years. All my Jansports disintegrated.
I don’t think that I’ve ever used any backpack that I’d say wasn’t reasonably durable. But…I also don’t think that I’ve ever used a backpack that I’d believe would last my life, if it’s going to get steady use. I just replaced a backpack that was still usable, but getting pretty frayed, and I don’t give my backpacks that much hard use compared to some. Zippers do die. Nylon’s pretty durable as fabric goes, but it does wear through over time, and I’d guess that nylon alternatives that might last longer (maybe leather?) may come with tradeoffs (price, breathability) that one may not want.
