this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2026
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Buy it for Life

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Work/commuting backpack, ideally not a US company (lemmy.ca)
submitted 3 days ago by swordgeek@lemmy.ca to c/buyitforlife@slrpnk.net
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My cheap no-name Chinese backpack is finally falling apart, after over 20 years of absolutely solid service.

I want something that will last at least another 20 years, will hold a modern 16" laptop (e.g. Macbook), and will also let me toss a pair of jeans and light jacket in, when I ride home from work in the spring and fall afternoons.

I'd like to avoid American brands if possible.

Looked online at the SwissGear 5698 and Endure, but don't know how well they're built, or if they'll hold my junk.

Any recommendations?

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[โ€“] wesker@lemmy.sdf.org 10 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Can't beat a Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 15. Additionally, I would suggest investing in a generic backpack organizer insert. My Kanken carries around my full "tech bugout" kit with lots of room to spare, which includes but is not limited to:

  • Thick-ass Dell Rugged 5430 + power brick
  • Hiby R4 DAP
  • Koss Porta Pros
  • Shokz OpenComm2
  • Garmin GLO2 GPS
  • NESTOUT 15000mAh bank
  • Field notebook + Majohn A2 Retractable + Uni Kuru Toga Roulette
  • An assortment of other goodies, such as screen wipes, a few sets of nitrile gloves, disposable masks, etc.
[โ€“] Ludicrous0251@piefed.zip 7 points 3 days ago

Kanken backpacks are 10/10 on the style front and SUPER lightweight, but those straps are a joke IMO.

Got one as a lightweight camera bag with similar insert, it's perfect for short trips, would be a great commuter bag as long as your backpack is off for most of your commute.

Can easily toss it in the car and wear it from the parking lot to my desk. Would have died in college wearing it with a laptop and textbook walking for miles around campus every day.

For longer wearing those straps will drag you down.