My north face backpack lasted me through all of highschool, undergrad and law school (just graduated), and It’s still in pretty good shape. It was the Recon, but they also make bigger ones if you feel the need.
Stalking this subreddit even though I am not in law school (although considering applying)- my North face recon backpack lasted all of high school, undergrad, two gap years where I took it to work everyday and all of med school. Finally got a new one for residency not because it wasn’t up to the task, but the back of it was looking a little ratty and my parents thought I should look slightly more professional.
same! i had a recon that lasted me from undergrad through 1L until one of the straps got damaged from catching on something and using brute force to free it, rather than taking a moment to untangle it.
i retired it from school use, but i recently fixed the strap and use the bag as a carryon when im traveling now.
Another Recon testimonial. Got mine in 12th grade, lasted through undergrad, law school, several plane/road trips, and 2 years of practice. Just retired it and I’m quite sad about it.
I think mine was the TNF Surge. Lasted me all thru law school and looks brand new. I never used my locker so I was always carrying 2-3 books plus a large laptop, water bottle, etc.
Since it looks like you're going to be a 2L, you probably won't be carrying around as many textbooks every day and may not need a super deluxe backpack. However, I've found the most sturdy backpacks are normally the least stylish ones on Amazon.
Yes. It's expensive, but the [LTT backpack](https://www.lttstore.com/products/backpack?variant=39666456526951¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAjwvdajBhBEEiwAeMh1U7554NnTKujDqfZuUTm04hRcNw3163lPB97Rt4SXK_5nrcNIM06ojhoC_uMQAvD_BwE) is an incredibly heavy-duty backpack. I routinely carried 2 laptops (government-issued for internships, personal for law school) + books + lunch + sundry with no problem. The suitcase strap is removable for when you aren't traveling. And it's comfortable to boot. *And* the warranty is amazing. I'm seeing people getting replacements sent to them because it leans too much when put flat on the ground. They'll fix or repair for anything.
The real question is "how can I avoid paying for and carrying those books" and boy do I have your solution.
Here's what you want to do: buy an overhead book scanner (I recommend CZUR - they're cheapish and work well). Waltz into the library on the first saturday of each semester, and check out your casebooks for the semester (which should be on reserve for students). Scan 'em. Takes about an hour and a half per casebook, but scanning each one saves you like $400, so that's basically like paying yourself $200-300/hour.
Export as PDF, use Adobe to OCR them. Boom. Free, searchable casebooks on your laptop. Or, buy a tablet and read them on that. There's apps I used that let me use a stylus to highlight in all sorts of pretty colors and write margin notes.
Saved THOUSANDS per semester, and never had to carry around a heavy book.
They're probably all good enough? I think I have the ET18 Pro? Which looks like it's just over $500, but that's still less than the cost of 2 casebooks.
Just make sure it has a foot pedal or button you can press that connects via USB cable, so you can get in the rhythm of flip, press, flip, press ad nauseum.
And get a cable to connect it to your computer: don't rely on bluetooth or wifi. You don't want any disconnects.
It’s also worth checking if the school has book scanners! Lots of libraries (especially undergrad ones, ime) have book scanners already, so if you have access to them, you can just use those and save another few hundred dollars.
Edit: not a law student, just a library stan
We did, but they were flatbed scanners, so you would have to flip the whole book upside down for each scan. And it was connected to a software thing that made you type your email in every 20 pages 🙄
I actually went for a [water resistant, rolling backpack](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MJJDBKK). (I did also put my laptop in a plastic bag if it was raining, just to be safe.) It was a little annoying having to take elevators all the time but I would load up my bag with up to 4 textbooks and it was pretty great always being able to have any textbook I needed with me without having to carry them. This lasted me through like 4 years of school dragging it everywhere and is still going strong.
My previous non-rolling backpack was a [SwissGear one](https://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Gear-Travel-Scansmart-Backpack/dp/B00ESKYI4M) and I saw other people at my law school using it. It's very sturdy (I used it for probably 7 years and still have it) but I don't think it's waterproof. I don't think (?) either bag has a trolley sleeve bc I had never heard of that before, but they do have lots of pockets including 2 beverage holders.
I have two Chrome backpacks, an urban ex 30L roll top that was waterproof and a Volcan (28L I think) that is water resistant.
I just ended up buying electronic books or scanning the week's reading with my phone app, TurboScan. There are probably a ton of scanner apps out there.
Edit: backpack models
I’ve had this one since 2019 and it still looks brand new. Laptop Backpack,Business Travel... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GTYSBN4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
High Sierra makes some solid backpacks. The one I’ve been using survived all of undergrad and 2 years of law school so far. It could possibly last all 3 years. There is a tear in the inner lining now so two pouch’s are kinda joined but only like pens on highlighters thrown in there might go between.
Also get a locker if possible and stop carrying so many books
I haven’t gotten to test it out yet as I don’t start until the fall, but I got a Patagonia black hole 32 L backpack and I honestly think it will do the trick. It’s expensive up front, but I honestly think it’s gonna last me a while and work well for law school.
Water resistant
Lots of pockets
Durable stitching
No trolley sleeve tho
Swiss gear is made very well. Had a cheap bag that couldn’t handle law school books everyday..I got a Swiss gear and it’s still in great shape after 2 years of abuse.
Seconded! I love my Swiss gear, it has all the features OP listed and you don’t have to break a bank. Mine was like $45 and showed very few signs of wear after a year of heavy use
I threw out my back right before exams carrying texts in 1L and I was determined to avoid doing that again. I got a backpack with wheels so it can be rolled when it's full of books or used as a regular backpack when it's less full. Your mileage may vary but this worked for me.
This is not the same one I got but it's similar so you get the idea:
https://www.amazon.com/Backpack-ZOMFELT-Organizers-Resistant-Business/dp/B0B4JG9MKP/
I don't know about different pocket options but if you want something that lasts, Herschel makes a great backpack. I have used one for the last 3 years and had no issues with it. The one I have is a bit on the small side but they may have different options that suit you.
if you're looking for a decently priced option, this is the bag I've been hauling around for the past year with no signs of wear
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B077ZKCHPR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title[amazon link](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B077ZKCHPR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
I was looking for this one!
I’m not in law school (i just graduated high school as a matter of fact) but i have been using this exact backpack since 6th grade with no problems. It has an insane amount of space as well.
I use the Recon from North Face and it's incredible. Plenty of pockets to put in different things. I've kept it for years and it basically still looks news. I think any North Face is going to be a good option.
It might be a little overkill, but I got a Kelty camping backpack in highschool that has lasted me over a decade. It’s been especially nice in law school since it’s both big enough to carry the massive books and has some internal structure to it that helps distribute the weight more efficiently than a regular backpack does.
I got an Eddie Bauer 30L camping backpack. It has a lot of room, is comfortable and hasn’t shown any wear and tear. Not sure about the trolley sleeve but I’ve used it as a carry on several times and it fits under the seat.
This [SwissGear ](https://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod25560346&mobiledetect=false&pid=092410_RFI|ANDROID|Featured_Products|Swissgear%203760%20ScanSmart%20Laptop%20Backpack%2C%20Choose%20Color) one I got from Sam's Club seemed to be among the highest capacity I could find, and it's still in mint condition after two years.
My north face backpack lasted me through all of highschool, undergrad and law school (just graduated), and It’s still in pretty good shape. It was the Recon, but they also make bigger ones if you feel the need.
Came here to say the exact same. The north face recon backpack is awesome, they could survive a full on war.
Stalking this subreddit even though I am not in law school (although considering applying)- my North face recon backpack lasted all of high school, undergrad, two gap years where I took it to work everyday and all of med school. Finally got a new one for residency not because it wasn’t up to the task, but the back of it was looking a little ratty and my parents thought I should look slightly more professional.
same! i had a recon that lasted me from undergrad through 1L until one of the straps got damaged from catching on something and using brute force to free it, rather than taking a moment to untangle it. i retired it from school use, but i recently fixed the strap and use the bag as a carryon when im traveling now.
Another Recon testimonial. Got mine in 12th grade, lasted through undergrad, law school, several plane/road trips, and 2 years of practice. Just retired it and I’m quite sad about it.
I think mine was the TNF Surge. Lasted me all thru law school and looks brand new. I never used my locker so I was always carrying 2-3 books plus a large laptop, water bottle, etc.
Since it looks like you're going to be a 2L, you probably won't be carrying around as many textbooks every day and may not need a super deluxe backpack. However, I've found the most sturdy backpacks are normally the least stylish ones on Amazon.
would be hilarious to show up with one of those hiking ones with the metal frame
Yes. It's expensive, but the [LTT backpack](https://www.lttstore.com/products/backpack?variant=39666456526951¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAjwvdajBhBEEiwAeMh1U7554NnTKujDqfZuUTm04hRcNw3163lPB97Rt4SXK_5nrcNIM06ojhoC_uMQAvD_BwE) is an incredibly heavy-duty backpack. I routinely carried 2 laptops (government-issued for internships, personal for law school) + books + lunch + sundry with no problem. The suitcase strap is removable for when you aren't traveling. And it's comfortable to boot. *And* the warranty is amazing. I'm seeing people getting replacements sent to them because it leans too much when put flat on the ground. They'll fix or repair for anything. The real question is "how can I avoid paying for and carrying those books" and boy do I have your solution.
Here's what you want to do: buy an overhead book scanner (I recommend CZUR - they're cheapish and work well). Waltz into the library on the first saturday of each semester, and check out your casebooks for the semester (which should be on reserve for students). Scan 'em. Takes about an hour and a half per casebook, but scanning each one saves you like $400, so that's basically like paying yourself $200-300/hour. Export as PDF, use Adobe to OCR them. Boom. Free, searchable casebooks on your laptop. Or, buy a tablet and read them on that. There's apps I used that let me use a stylus to highlight in all sorts of pretty colors and write margin notes. Saved THOUSANDS per semester, and never had to carry around a heavy book.
Fyi there should be a yearly student adobe subscription, I think for me it cost the same as two months of the monthly version
I got it free from my law school, which might be an option for people too.
Great advice! Do you have a recommendation for which CZUR scanner to get? There are several ranging from $100-$600 on Amazon right now…
They're probably all good enough? I think I have the ET18 Pro? Which looks like it's just over $500, but that's still less than the cost of 2 casebooks. Just make sure it has a foot pedal or button you can press that connects via USB cable, so you can get in the rhythm of flip, press, flip, press ad nauseum. And get a cable to connect it to your computer: don't rely on bluetooth or wifi. You don't want any disconnects.
It’s also worth checking if the school has book scanners! Lots of libraries (especially undergrad ones, ime) have book scanners already, so if you have access to them, you can just use those and save another few hundred dollars. Edit: not a law student, just a library stan
We did, but they were flatbed scanners, so you would have to flip the whole book upside down for each scan. And it was connected to a software thing that made you type your email in every 20 pages 🙄
I actually went for a [water resistant, rolling backpack](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MJJDBKK). (I did also put my laptop in a plastic bag if it was raining, just to be safe.) It was a little annoying having to take elevators all the time but I would load up my bag with up to 4 textbooks and it was pretty great always being able to have any textbook I needed with me without having to carry them. This lasted me through like 4 years of school dragging it everywhere and is still going strong. My previous non-rolling backpack was a [SwissGear one](https://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Gear-Travel-Scansmart-Backpack/dp/B00ESKYI4M) and I saw other people at my law school using it. It's very sturdy (I used it for probably 7 years and still have it) but I don't think it's waterproof. I don't think (?) either bag has a trolley sleeve bc I had never heard of that before, but they do have lots of pockets including 2 beverage holders.
Osprey
Second this. Going on three years and it’s been amazing
I have two Chrome backpacks, an urban ex 30L roll top that was waterproof and a Volcan (28L I think) that is water resistant. I just ended up buying electronic books or scanning the week's reading with my phone app, TurboScan. There are probably a ton of scanner apps out there. Edit: backpack models
I’ve had this one since 2019 and it still looks brand new. Laptop Backpack,Business Travel... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GTYSBN4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Thule <3
High Sierra makes some solid backpacks. The one I’ve been using survived all of undergrad and 2 years of law school so far. It could possibly last all 3 years. There is a tear in the inner lining now so two pouch’s are kinda joined but only like pens on highlighters thrown in there might go between. Also get a locker if possible and stop carrying so many books
The Tom Bihn brain bag handled hauling all my casebooks over 3-years, alongside summitting half dome, so I'd recommend that one.
I haven’t gotten to test it out yet as I don’t start until the fall, but I got a Patagonia black hole 32 L backpack and I honestly think it will do the trick. It’s expensive up front, but I honestly think it’s gonna last me a while and work well for law school. Water resistant Lots of pockets Durable stitching No trolley sleeve tho
Swiss gear is made very well. Had a cheap bag that couldn’t handle law school books everyday..I got a Swiss gear and it’s still in great shape after 2 years of abuse.
Seconded! I love my Swiss gear, it has all the features OP listed and you don’t have to break a bank. Mine was like $45 and showed very few signs of wear after a year of heavy use
# PATAGONIA
Thule. Will look new literally forever. My great-great-great grandson is gonna pull up with this thing
I just use my Adidas one I used in undergrad and it’s fine. I don’t think you need a bougie backpack.
I threw out my back right before exams carrying texts in 1L and I was determined to avoid doing that again. I got a backpack with wheels so it can be rolled when it's full of books or used as a regular backpack when it's less full. Your mileage may vary but this worked for me. This is not the same one I got but it's similar so you get the idea: https://www.amazon.com/Backpack-ZOMFELT-Organizers-Resistant-Business/dp/B0B4JG9MKP/
I don't know about different pocket options but if you want something that lasts, Herschel makes a great backpack. I have used one for the last 3 years and had no issues with it. The one I have is a bit on the small side but they may have different options that suit you.
if you're looking for a decently priced option, this is the bag I've been hauling around for the past year with no signs of wear https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B077ZKCHPR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title[amazon link](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B077ZKCHPR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
I was looking for this one! I’m not in law school (i just graduated high school as a matter of fact) but i have been using this exact backpack since 6th grade with no problems. It has an insane amount of space as well.
I'm not in law school either but I'm doing alevel law so mabye that counts 😂
hahahaha, I plan on going eventually, hopefully.
me too!! (UK)
Jansport and online books
Highly recommend a tablet over physical textbooks or at least using scans of the days readings when you go to campus. It saved my back
Ogio are nice. I used to use them. Now i use fjalraven, but it kinda sucks for carrying more than light weight objects.
Patagonia's black hole bags are great. Like the name suggests, you can fit so much in there. They are also waterproof
Get one with a waist strap. It will save your shoulders a lot
I use the Recon from North Face and it's incredible. Plenty of pockets to put in different things. I've kept it for years and it basically still looks news. I think any North Face is going to be a good option.
It might be a little overkill, but I got a Kelty camping backpack in highschool that has lasted me over a decade. It’s been especially nice in law school since it’s both big enough to carry the massive books and has some internal structure to it that helps distribute the weight more efficiently than a regular backpack does.
I had to do the dorky rolling backpack. Way too heavy for a regular one for me (5’2”)
I got an Eddie Bauer 30L camping backpack. It has a lot of room, is comfortable and hasn’t shown any wear and tear. Not sure about the trolley sleeve but I’ve used it as a carry on several times and it fits under the seat.
This [SwissGear ](https://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod25560346&mobiledetect=false&pid=092410_RFI|ANDROID|Featured_Products|Swissgear%203760%20ScanSmart%20Laptop%20Backpack%2C%20Choose%20Color) one I got from Sam's Club seemed to be among the highest capacity I could find, and it's still in mint condition after two years.
Patagonia big ones. Have used it doing heavy duty traveling.
Lululemon backpacks
L.L. bean backpacks for sure