Ask DS - Backpack

[jacksbuddy]

I am in the market for a new carry bag. Between office, kid, etc. I am always carrying a bunch of stuff. I have decided to go with a backpack design due to its ease of use in travel. What are the recommendations from this board?

If I could make my own, it would have the following:

- 40 liter capacity
- A removable waistbelt
- Front loading
- Internal supports
- Adjustable straps for shoulders, chest, and compression
- a warranty
- Hydration capable
- a hybrid (can go from messenger bag to suitcase to backpack sort of thing)

Do they even make such an animal? If so, where would you get it? What do you use and why? And finally, what other qualities do you want in an EDC bag?

I'm looking for advise, so please provide your best input. Thanks.

[Seymore]

Our daughter has Scoliosis and must use a rolling back pack to carry her books. We researched one that wouldn't tear up and decided on a Jansport Driver 8. My wife and I both had Jansport in college. My wife actually had two so she could haul her nursing books. We never had a failure in any of the 3 in 4.5 years for her and 6 for me with bank school included. Don't know if they are made the same as they were then and if the one we bought her will last but they were bullet proof back then.

[DoublePslayer]

Before you settle on a backpack, give this a look. I used one when i was at the airlines to haul my personal stuff in that didn't go in suitcase. Computer, headsets, glasses, etc. This thing was bullet proof. Material has Kevlar woven into it to add durability, and it has a shoulder strap that you could sling like a backpack if you want. This thing took the worst that the baggage handlers and TSA could give it and laughed at them on the way out the door.

http://www.luggageworks.com/browse-prod ... -cube.html