You’ve Outgrown the Backpack

Thanks in advance to one of my coworkers for being the inspiration for this post.

As I was heading to the subway station after work yesterday I walked up on said coworker and noticed he was sporting a backpack, which prompted me to jokingly say, “You going to school?”

I didn’t say that to be mean spirited, but look, there comes a point where you have to ditch the backpack. Sure, they’re great for airplane trips or going out for some sort of adventure excursion, but they shouldn’t be an everyday city bag.

Now for some backpack alternatives…

The bag above is the Stapleford Classic Duffle Bag from Urban Outfitters and could easily be used for gym clothes or a host of other uses. One thing I really like about this particular bag is the color and the leather accents. Another positive is that it’s not as big as the average duffle bag and isn’t going to be a pain to carry around.  Pick it up on UrbanOutfitters.com for $68. (Get 10% off your online purchase by entering the promo code TAKE10. Code works as of 1-19-11 and I’m not sure when the offer is over.)

I don’t have any original photos for this bag, but I definitely want to highlight the classic messenger bag from ManhattanPortage. Their bags are made of quality material, are stylish and friendly to the urban lifestyle. This particular bag has a good amount of storage and has been very practical on multiple occasions. It’s an item that could easily be a staple for the average guy living in NYC, and beyond, especially since it’s priced at a low $65.

I’ve become a fan of a good bag and this post doesn’t scratch the surface of the many options available, nor does it address bags that are good for dressy outfits, but hey… we’re just trying to help out the folks rocking backpacks and singing “The wheels on the bus go round and round.”

Happy shopping.

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