u/Leading_Hedgehog_170

My son, 5’2” (157 cm) with average build, needs a new school backpack. It should be roomy enough to handle books, notebooks, and tech accessories. It will need a laptop sleeve. BUT it should not be too big for his size.

Currently, he has a Fjällräven Skule 20 L, but that has not worked out well for him. He thinks it’s too large (though I have my doubts and think the size may be just fine). But the bag has not held up well. The bottom has lots of small holes. It simply has not held up to the abuse that a middle school boy gives his bag. He needs something tougher.

What do you recommend for his size and his needs?

Timbuk2 offers the Tuck Laptop Backpack in two versions: a standard edition and a limited edition for $70 more.

According to the website, the only difference between them is: “a trolley sleeve for smooth stacking and colorways designed to match our FreeStyle luggage collection.”

I was surprised that $70 gets you only a luggage sleeve and the choice of a few more colors. So I wrote to customer service. They replied: “The $70 difference is not only based on color. The Standard Edition is made from 100% recycled nylon and polyester, while the Limited Edition uses Cordura fabric and includes additional features such as a luggage pass-through (trolley sleeve), hidden back panel stash pocket, full dove-lined interior, front zippered pockets, split panel design, and color-matched thread.”

That’s a much bigger difference than what is stated on the website (and explains some of the price difference).

Does anyone have hands-on experience with these models and can comment on the materials and features? Is the recycled nylon and polyester good? Is the cordura the same as on the classic Timbuk2 messenger bag?

I want to buy a backpack to carry to work, but I don’t want anything too large since 1) I commute on a crowded streetcar or subway, and 2) I’m 5’6”. So 20L or under would be best.

Here’s my daily carry:

- 16-inch MacBook Pro laptop

- recharger block and cable

- 750 ml water bottle

- small packed lunch

- sweater (It’s often cold in the office.)

- two pens and a small notebook

- cellphone

Aesthetically, I don’t want something that looks like it’s carried by a middle schooler (think Jansport), something that looks extremely techy, or something that looks like I just came off the Appalachian Trail (NF Borealis).

I’ve been considering the Bellroy Via Workpack (18L) which would just handle my load. Also the Aer Go Pack 2 (20L, but currently sold out), the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe (20L, gets good reviews), Topo Commuter Backpack (25L, possibly too big), and the Evergoods Civil Panel Loader (16L, expensive, and is 6 inches deep).

The Cotopaxi Tasra 16L and Bellroy Tokyo Totepack Compact only handle 13-inch laptops. The Topo Light Pack is only rated up to 15-inch laptops.

I want to see if there’s anything else out there in my desired size. Thanks for your help.

What are your thoughts on the Aer Travel 3 Small (28 liter)?

I'm looking for a travel backpack that I can bring onboard a plane and stow under the seat in front of me.  It should be big enough to accommodate a laptop, cables, a book, toiletries, a few days' worth of clothes, and maybe a change of shoes. (Yes, it will be really full, but I should be doable.)

I have ready have a Fjällräven Räven 28, and I have traveled all over the world with it, but the Räven 28 does not stand up on its own, which really bothers me.  (In fact, the design makes it fall over all the time.)  It does not attach to a wheeling suitcase.  And there's no hip belt connection.  The Aer Travel 3 Small looks promising.  The Aer Travel Pack 3 and Travel Pack 4 at 35 liters are too big.  And the Aer City Pro is great, but at 24 liters, it's probably too small.

Aer Travel 3 Small: 19" (48 cm) long X 13" (33 cm) wide X 7.5" (19 cm) deep

Thoughts? Thanks.

I know that just having a bachelor’s degree isn’t always enough to make OCS, especially if that degree is not STEM. So what are the chances for someone with this profile?:

Ivy League BA in history; 3.8 GPA; can speak French, Spanish, and German decently; not good at math; no engineering classes; currently doing a master’s degree in history education, but decided not to go to the teacher route.

Also, if I do go OCS, is SWO my only option? Any chance for PAO, FAO, or intel?