A few simple choices will ensure you choose the best in comfort, style, and convenience.
Ive found some common ground through my many, many backpacks that can help you choose yours.
Padding can help, but bags often sag because of how their straps are sewn onto the bag.
Adjustable straps can help here, but you also need to pay attention to how the bag was built.
Most backpacks have adjustable straps, and you shouldnt buy one that doesnt.
Unfortunately, those straps loosen with use and youll have to readjust them regularly.
To confirm you get it right every time, mark the straps where theyre most comfortable.
(See below for an example.)
Thatll save you some neck strain.
Check out the picture below for an example.
Even a puke-green rucksack can work for you if it suits your style.
For men, that often just means a choice of ties or shirts.
Women have more options, but with black garments you dont have much to worry about.
Only scarves, jewelry, or other accent clothing really conflicts.
Either way, if you like black, consider a black bag.
Itll match no matter what.
Generally speaking, gray blends well with everything without causing too much contrast like black can.
Of course, if youwantto get colorful, you should go for it.
For some people thats fine, but most of us prefer a little more organization.
I also dont carry 20 pens so I dont need a bunch of pen slots.
As a result, I have a highly variant storage scheme.
I need pockets and spaces of all shapes and sizesplus a couple of slots for a pen.
To figure out what you need, grab some paper and put your pocketable objects on top of it.
Go ahead and trace all those rectanglesit gives you a visual representation of your stuff.
Pay attention to the size of the quick access pockets on the bag youre interested in buying.
Top pockets are particularly bad about this in bags with fold-over tops.
Good bags hide the quick access pocket inside the bag and use one zipper for full access.
My favorite quick access pockets are the ones on the sides of the bag.
In some cases, it can even provide a helpful foundation.
That probably wouldnt feel very good.
Thats why some backpacks have padding, and you should invest in one that does.
If you might fill up the bag and it doesnt lose its form against your back, congratulationsitll do!
But you do want to consider the key in of padding as well.
You cant prevent this entirely, but breathable mesh makes a difference.
Basically, when seeking the ideal padding on your bag just look for holes.
If you see puffy padding with holes, like the example above, youre golden.
You probably put them in your bag every day and take them out every night to charge.
Itssurprisingly not difficult, and I did it a while ago with a small messenger bag.
Bags that make charging easier:
Ivation 3W Solar Backpack
Pick a Bag That Makes You Happy!
More than anything, just pick something you like!
Dont stress about finding the perfect bag.
Trust me, it doesnt exist.
Adam Dachisis a Los Angeles-based writer and consultant.
Youll find him writing and making stuff over atAwkward Human, including his podcast theAwkward Human Survival Guide.
