| Once confined to hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, | | | | Backpack, whose unique design allows you to carry it |
| backpacks have become mainstream during recent | | | | on your back, over your shoulder, or by a hand-held |
| years, carried by everyone from kindergarten students | | | | strap. |
| to busy moms and business execs, all of whom have | | | | Backpack Storage |
| one need in common: convenient, portable storage for | | | | While early multi-use backpacks had one main storage |
| their gear. Offering a convenient location to store pens, | | | | area with a single pocket on the outside, today's |
| pencils, books and notebooks, backpacks have | | | | backpacks offer a variety of storage areas |
| become a ubiquitous accessory for school kids of all | | | | specifically designed for a wide variety of purposes |
| ages, and have even gained a foothold among adults | | | | and items, including electronic devices like laptops and |
| who use them to tote everything from laptops to | | | | portable music players. To make the best choice for |
| diapers. | | | | your needs, consider carefully what you'll be using the |
| Backpack manufacturers have responded by offering | | | | backpack for, as well as the items you'll need to carry |
| a wide variety of styles and sizes to suit pretty much | | | | in it. |
| anyone's needs, and it's a good idea to spend some | | | | Carrying a laptop? The Trailmaker Laptop Backpack |
| time reviewing those options before making a final | | | | offers both an internal, fully padded laptop sleeve as |
| purchase decision. Here are a few important | | | | well as a cell phone pocket conveniently located on |
| backpack features to consider before making your | | | | the shoulder strap. For really heavy-duty use, consider |
| choice: | | | | the Wenger Swiss Gear Austin Laptop Backpack, by |
| Backpack Size | | | | the makers of the original Swiss Army Knife, which |
| Backpacks come in a variety of sizes, from small | | | | offers a pocket for your iPod or MP3 player, as well |
| packs that are light enough for a small child to carry | | | | as a headset port. Also offering an earphone port, the |
| comfortably, to large packs better suited for high | | | | CalPak Apez 18-inch Multi-pocket Backpack features |
| school or college kids, as well as adults looking for a | | | | multiple pockets of varying sizes, as well as |
| convenient piece of carry-on luggage or overnight bag. | | | | self-repairing zippers to make sure all your contents |
| Smaller packs, like the Olympia 16-inch Campus | | | | are kept safe and secure. |
| Backpack, are ideal for lightweight loads, and can do | | | | Hiking Backpacks |
| double-duty as a purse or small briefcase. Men and | | | | Unlike their more urban and suburban counterparts, |
| women with larger loads to carry might prefer the | | | | hiking backpacks are designed for the serious outdoor |
| roomy interior of Ogio's Metro or Epic Midnight Limited | | | | enthusiast who wants to hit the trail for a few days, |
| Edition Backpacks, or the Jumbo Leather Backpack. | | | | carrying clothing, food, a tent and other supplies. |
| Rolling Backpacks | | | | Backpacks became frequent among travelers during |
| Originally introduced as a portable carry-on bag, rolling | | | | the 1960s, when hitchhikers and other itinerant travelers |
| backpacks have gained in popularity with many | | | | recognized their versatility and convenience. Those |
| students and inner-city commuters, who appreciate the | | | | heavy packs, with cumbersome external frames, have |
| option of toting large amounts of books and other | | | | been replaced today by lightweight, internal frame |
| items without having to bear the weight. Rolling | | | | versions that offer far greater durability than their |
| backpacks like the Verucci Flight Carry-on/ Rolling Pink | | | | predecessors. Designed to support heavier loads, |
| Backpack and the J World 19.5-inch Touches Blue | | | | these packs help distribute the weight evenly along |
| Rolling Backpack/ Laptop Sleeve offer stylish prints | | | | your back, reducing muscle strain that can result from |
| and patterns, while the Verucci Brown Flight Carry-on | | | | uneven loads. |
| Rolling Backpack is better suited for more serious | | | | Packs like the Teton Sports Explorer 4000 Internal |
| business events. Students and adults alike will | | | | Frame Backpack feature padded waist belts and |
| appreciate the sporty styles of CalPak's Night Vision | | | | padded lumbar area to help reduce strain from |
| 18-inch Rolling Backpack and CalPak G-roller | | | | prolonged wear. Many backpacks, like the High Peak |
| Backpack. | | | | Kathmandu 70 + 10 Internal Frame Pack, even feature |
| Backpack Style | | | | built-in hydration systems that allow you easy and |
| Just like a purse or briefcase, your backpack can | | | | convenient access to drinking water while you're hiking, |
| reflect your unique style and personality, from fun and | | | | without having to stop and remove your pack. |
| fashionable to studious and businesslike. Fun fabric | | | | The lightweight designs and multi-featured practicality |
| designs, like those offered on CalPak 'S Curve' 18-inch | | | | of today's backpacks make them a smart choice for |
| Lightweight Backpack or J World's 19.5-inch Check | | | | people of all ages and walks of life. The wide selection |
| Red Rolling Backpack with Laptop Sleeve are | | | | of modern and traditional materials, coupled with |
| lighthearted options for the young-at-heart. While more | | | | colorful, unique designs means that there is a |
| reserved designs include the Amerileather Urban | | | | backpack that's just right for your needs. |
| Buckle-Flap Backpack and the Leather Three-way | | | | |