What's the best backpack for traveling? Here's the story of my backpack

Hey all, i will be writing about the history of my backpacks.

I've read somewhere that backpacks are making a comeback. I say it never left. Maybe for a time when everyone i know has been toting a messenger bag. But for travelling, i never used a messenger bag, maybe a sling bag to hold the most important stuff, but often times its the backpack i carry with me wherever i go. From shopping to walking around the city, to restaurants and even bars and clubs. I have one with me for the past three of four years. Its a nike iPod bag. 

I bought it for about $100 which is very much ok considering its use and technological advancement. Everything is still intact. Maybe a few scratces, the leatherette got wet so i decided to remove it. The ipod dock is still working but the earphones is not working properly. Its my fault i got my backpack wet on the beach, walking around while its raining, etc.  

During my last trip to Saigon in Vietnam, i went to the biggest market. I didn't bring with me a backpack because i knew that the first thing i wanna do in Vietnam is to buy a backpack. I went to the market and found myself buying this Northface backpack. Looks really handsome in person and is the perfect size for me, not too small, not too big. What's great about this backpack is it has several compartments for everything i need.

But as i use it in Saigon and eventually in Cambodia, the handles slowly loosen up, the zipper is stuck. I was thinking what is wrong with this backpack, its just been two days. And i couldn't go back to the market because i was already on my way to Cambodia.

Then the thread began to fall apart..

What suppose to be a cushion turned out for the worst.

And i spent the next few days with a broken backpack and several scratches on my back due to that piece of metal. 

I don't want to put a blame on anyone. I think its my own fault. I bought the backpack for roughly P300 in conversion thinking its a really good bargain. So as they i got what i paid for. Cheap price for very bad quality product. Upto now i still don't know if i bought an original or a fake northface because most Northface backpacks are made in Vietnam and i bought it in Vietnam.

So about a week ago, i decided i needed a new backpack. Not one that is branded but something that will really serve its purpose. I was already looking forward to buying the Burton backpack but decided it wasn't for me. The size was a bit too small, the color and design was printed white so i needed to consider how it will hold up during my trip. And lastly it was a bit expensive considering it was made in the Philippines even if its marketed as imported from the US.

So off i went to where else but  The Travel Club.

Its a sierra backpack. I saw a lot of Northface backpacks but were priced quite expensive for about $100 and up. There was another brand of back i forgot which was really really expensive and i am talking about $400 expensive. Wheeew.

I was already giving up when i came across this humble backpack in the far back side of the shop. With cool designs and quite sturdy exterior but with a very good price of about P1900 or roughly $20. This cool Sierra backpack is actually for snowboarding. I asked the saleslady as i just need a backpack that won't give up on me, will stand the test of extreme weather conditions and beat up actions if you know what i mean. I am also considering price and design. I finally got this one. 

What's really cool about this backpack is its really comfortable in the back. There is a padded support in the back but the coolest thing to date and was quite surprise is there's an ipod compartment so i can just put there my ipod video, squeeze the earphones on the side. Voila. Music backpack.

Read the features as listed above. It also says the portion of the proceeds will help support the US team as the best in the world. I just wished there's a backpack that is Philippine made with the same vision for our athletes.

Just about now i am a really happy backpacker, half complete with the gears. Maybe a couple more in the coming weeks then i am ready to brave Thailand again. 

pinoy boy journals