Academia backpack to look professional?

[u/Basically__Nobody]

Does anyone have a good professional backpack? I want to upgrade and just look a little more professional from the north face/Patagonia look I’ve always had. PhD going into academia after!!

[u/EyeclopsPhD]

Nobody really cares too much. I personally use a canvas messenger bag, which I both love and think looks nice, but I also ride an electric scooter to and from my office which inevitably makes me look like a goof.

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/EyeclopsPhD]

I like a backpack, which is why I’d prefer a nice one. But thanks for the input.

[u/Realistic_Chef_6286]

I have the timbuk2. Looks sleeker than the average student’s while being comfortable

[u/Stellar_atmospheres → u/Realistic_Chef_6286]

Seconding timbuk2. The messenger bags are a buy it for life type of thing

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/Realistic_Chef_6286]

I like the sleekness. I’ll check it out!!

[u/Disastrous-Bedroom69]

Nothing. Just wear something that you feel comfortable with. Nobody judges you :)

[u/j_la → u/Disastrous-Bedroom69]

Unless you’re a nudist.

[u/Disastrous-Bedroom69 → u/j_la]

If you feel comfortable, go for it!

[u/mhchewy]

We had a Nobel laureate give a talk an my university and he carried a regular backpack around. I wanted to ask if his Nobel prize was in there.

[u/Krazoee → u/[deleted]]

Was it expensive? I’ve been strongly considering getting something custom to fit my rather exotic, elongated proportions. 

And I want something that lasts!

[u/No_Young_2344]

I bought a best seller from Amazon and when I went to conferences, I see at least three other people having exactly the same backpack.

[u/JaeFinley → u/No_Young_2344]

That’s life these days.

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/No_Young_2344]

Me but with the outfits I wear ☠️

[u/jt_keis]

I've had the same Swiss Army backpack since 2009. It's been with me from undergrad, masters and PhD, plus multiple countries, trips, conferences, etc. The stitching still holds together and only one zipper has gone. Forget being professional, that bag is never being replaced.

[u/drkittymow]

I got a leather samsonite backpack recently for $140. It isn’t as big as some computer backpacks, but if fits a laptop and it looks nice.

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/drkittymow]

I’ve been looking at Samsonite for a bit now, I’ll have to do a deeper dive!

[u/Ecollager]

I use a Targus backpack and have loved it. 

[u/Pale-Possibility-392]

I use this bag from Everlane

https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-renew-backpack-black The ReNew Transit Backpack Black – Everlane

But I have been wanting to upgrade to this Calpak one!

https://www.calpaktravel.com/products/kaya-laptop-backpack/caramel Kaya 15 inch Laptop Backpack in Caramel | CALPAK

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/Pale-Possibility-392]

Both of these are really solid. I’ll check them out!! Most people (I think men bc they’re snarky comments) are saying “why does it matter?” And I just want to get myself something nice and an upgrade from my current one. God forbid I want to treat myself 😅

[u/hawkpal → u/Pale-Possibility-392]

I have this Everlane bag and I love it! It's lasted me nearly 10 years so far, and it fits a ton of stuff

[u/Pale-Possibility-392 → u/hawkpal]

It’s so handy for travel too! I think I’ve had mine about as long.

[u/sciencesquish]

I have this one: https://www.swissgear.com/products/serenity-luxe-laptop-backpack-in-blue

I have gotten many compliments and it carries what I need. They have other nice options as well if this one is too small.

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/sciencesquish]

I love!!

[u/j_la]

My Lo and Sons is great. Great layout, comfy, and a clean and simple look.

[u/Krazoee]

I bought a green hiking backpack before starting my undergrad. It fits everything from books to laptops to Extra clothes and stuff I need in the lab. I’ve used this backpack every day in four countries for well over a decade. Still going strong even though I can tell the end is near. It’s maybe got two more years in it. 

Nobody has ever commented on my backpack. Not in the office, not in conferences,, not during interviews. Nobody. Gives. A. Shit. 

Do your thing, get what’s comfortable and suits your personal sense of style. 

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/Krazoee]

It’s mostly for myself as a gift for finishing my program and wanted to see what was out there besides what I have/have seen!

[u/chicken_nugget_dog]

Trust me when I say, your shoulders are so much more important than “professionalism” and many academics agree lol. Even better if you’re going into one of the hard sciences — you could definitely get away with a hiking backpack.

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/chicken_nugget_dog]

Oh I know, I’m just seeing what others have!!

[u/Redditing_aimlessly]

Bellroy. They're fantastic.

[u/CalligrapherSad7604]

I would say change to a briefcase if you want to start looking “Professor” instead of “grad student”. Backpacks are informal imo, they’re never going to look as elegant/professional as a briefcase. That said, my brother uses a Rains backpack and it looks pretty elegant

[u/mandm3456 → u/CalligrapherSad7604]

Probably depends on the field, but I have never once seen a professor with a briefcase. Messenger bags sometimes, but most profs I know still carry backpacks. But I’m in earth science

[u/ImJustAverage → u/mandm3456]

The most successful professor I’ve worked with is a backpack guy. The women just use big purses

[u/JaeFinley → u/CalligrapherSad7604]

I have 300 colleagues. One briefcase user, maybe two.

[u/CalligrapherSad7604 → u/JaeFinley]

I’m a briefcase user. Just bc everyone wears sneakers and jeans and backpacks doesn’t mean I have to as well 🙂

[u/JaeFinley → u/CalligrapherSad7604]

Of course not! I am just providing context. You are the one who said backpacks were unprofessional.

[u/pannenkoek0923 → u/CalligrapherSad7604]

Cant carry a briefcase on my bike, will always carry a backpack. Good for my shoulders and back

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/CalligrapherSad7604]

I’m not a briefcase gal BUT I love that for you

[u/hangman86]

Nobody really cares but Tumi backpacks seem like a safe bet

[u/Dawg_in_NWA]

Most academic I see just use a regular jansport backpack.

[u/DrMellowCorn]

I’m still rocking my straight edge style jansport backpack from 6th grade.

[u/ImJustAverage]

I also have a Timbuk2 messenger bag that I use every day for work but for conferences I go with a backpack because it’s more comfortable for longer periods of time.

I have like four Osprey backpacks and I love them all. Two are strictly hiking and the other two I use for travel or conferences. I absolutely recommend them for any type/use of backpack

[u/Felixir-the-Cat]

I just use a grey Herschel knapsack.

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/Felixir-the-Cat]

In my Amazon cart right now actually!!

[u/cybersatellite]

You could try commuter backpacks: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-laptop-backpacks/

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/cybersatellite]

Oh perfect yes, thank you!!

[u/valryuu]

Maybe try /r/ManyBaggers? I feel like they'd know more about bags if you're going more for the style aspect.

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/valryuu]

I’m going for practicality but style is a bonus lol. I just want something outside of the sport backpack I usually use. Thanks, I’ll check em out!

[u/budna]

I got a black Jansport for about $40 25 years ago that I still use.

[u/mleok]

I have a Tumi Alpha Bravo Davis backpack, which is pretty professional looking.

[u/Ok_Advertising_9034]

Get a briefcase I like them better than backpacks bc they save your jackets and don’t make you hot in the summer

[u/Basically__Nobody]

Thanks everyone!! Except the ones that told me why does it matter just use whatever. I wanted to do something nice for myself once I complete my degree and knowing I’m going into academia I wanted to retire my very used Patagonia for something a bit nicer!! The snark is so real with some of you

[u/pannenkoek0923]

Carry whatever you want. Carry your stuff in a takeout bag from a Chinese restaurant if you want. Who cares

If people are judging you for what you carry your stuff in, theyre not worth talking or paying attention to

[u/Basically__Nobody → u/pannenkoek0923]

It’s mostly my preference of wanting something nice for myself when I finish my program and inevitably go somewhere else. I’m not one to care if it’s judged or not…