Columbia II: Something Survived Adidas

August 12th, 2008

I ask a backpack to do several things.

  • hold weight, up to 35 lbs. or more
  • have convenient easy-access compartments for my
    1. laptop
    2. camera
    3. glasses
    4. pens/pencils/USB drive
    5. calc
  • resist perforation on corners
  • protect me from small-caliber projectiles

It also needs a cargo capacity on the high side of large. They’re usually the only XXL article I wear (and probably ever will wear.) So Sports Authority sold me an Adidas Ren Pack for $45 that seems to be up to the job.

ren pak

The handle is balanced and placed over the bag’s likely center of gravity, unlike Columbia which has it at the top rear between the shoulder straps. The zipper is set far back allowing easy access to the laptop sleeve (were I to ever use it). The zippers have oversized teeth, which reduces jamming.

It’s also got a cell phone pocket though it’s a little snug for non-Razrs. It also has several “media pockets” one of which is perfectly sized to hold a standard turkey sandwich. Those aren’t technically “media”; they don’t communicate any information. Well, I suppose it communicates messages like, “This sandwich is good.” or “There’s too much mayonnaise.” or “&•¦Û(¢iñDˆs”Ë ûíųÔ0#” depending on if I put in good sandwiches or bad sandwiches or my camera.

There are two main compartments, which I am apprehensive about since, in the past, overloading with books thicker than the bottom of a compartment (as illustrated in the very rudimentary diagram) has resulted in seam failure along the compartment wall and the creation of a very large primary compartment, which may or may not be a good thing.

bag diagram
I supposed the intention of this compartmentalization is so that “limp” contents like notebooks or folders are not drawn under the books and binders and crushed. That’s great, but I use zipper binders and trapper keepers to store my documents and notebooks.

There’s a slimmer compartment in the front for small notebook-sized things as well as the regulation utensils pocket with sleeves for pens, pencils and my glasses. The smallest pocket in front has no bottom. The walls just come together on all sides, making it perfect for my assignment notebook. Easy access and no risk of ruffled pages from other cargo. But alas there’s never a good spot for my 89. I really need a holster for it.

Posted in Inside Jokes, Really Nerdy | 1 Comment »

Columbia

August 10th, 2008

Something you’ll quickly learn, if you are indeed a new reader, is that I take my school supplies very seriously.

Patchy was unofficially retired as early as May when its condition became extreme. The bottom being unlikely to survive contact with anything sharper than a boiled egg, it now calls the living room closet home. It sees occasional use for high volume, low density cargo, such as the mint leaves my grandma grows in our backyard for profit or several cubic feet of packing peanuts.

I’ve wanted to replace my backpack, Columbia, since at least mid-semester. It has several problems which a hardcore Asian like myself could no longer ignore. In addition to the relatively small volume, there was the paucity of accessories compartments and supplies pockets. The main compartments are excessively divided in a manner that limits books beyond a certain width and the main zipper being set too far forward, it is a hassle to remove a laptop. Indicated in red is a better position for zipper placement.

columbia diagram There is also a glaring issue that I’ve noticed common to all other laptop-sleeve bearing backpacks. The laptop sleeve [indicated by the white outline] is attached to the pack’s inner wall, offering illusory protection by placing it as close to the wearer as possible. While my other cargo may protect it from small-caliber projectiles, what if I tie my shoes?

That is to say, the act of bending over places stress on the laptop. The yellow line indicates the curvature of my back as it puts pressure on the center of the laptop. While this effect on ultrasleek models like the Air are unknown, it has proved itself a hazard to my LCD screen.

The result of repeated bicycle commutes has flexed the tough magnesium alloy screen bezel inward enough that the bottom row of the keyboard and the slightly raised mouse button have indented their shapes into the screen. The extent of this effect is unknown with newer, lighter, plastic machines, (You tell me, Neal.) but they probably have lower profile keyboards and mouse buttons anyway. I much would have preferred a sleeve design that shelters my machine between two rigid textbooks rather than one textbook and the uneven landscape of my back.

My new Adidas has the same laptop sleeve placement so I’m stuck using an un-bicyclable Targus messenger bag. At least it can hold laptop accessories and is compatible with a backpack. (I can wear both at the same time.)

Next time: A comprehensive review of the Adidas.

Posted in Complaining to Engineers, Ranting | 1 Comment »

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