It's back to school time and there are a number of pieces of technology the current college student shouldn't be traveling back to school without. A required piece of gear is the backpack, and thankfully someone has done something to improve that monkey on your back.
The Airbak Backpack
“How many books can I get in that pack” is usually question one asked when shopping for a backpack for school. The question instead should perhaps be “How many books can I safely carry on my back?” That answer is often one heck of a lot less than how many will fit.
The strain on your back from cramming in dozens of pounds of books usually won’t affect you immediately, but the cumulative effect on your back can show up years later. Luckily, the makers of Airbak have been studying the problem and have come up with a solution.
Through an efficient, patented air-filled chamber at the base and back of the back, those spine-bending loads can be isolated from your back. Setting on your hips and carrying the load is a soft, air-filled bladder within the pack.
Loading two packs with identical loads, the difference is immediately noticed. As time goes by, the difference is even more perceivable as that “cutting into your back” feeling is missing with the Airbak.
The Airbak bags come with a laptop slot in the back and the air bladder give additional protection to your computer as well. Padded shoulder straps add to the comfort of carrying this bag. Whenever you are attempting to carry a really heavy load, remember that zippers can be the first thing to go. That probably applies with the Airbak as well. The Airbak does come with a lifetime limited warranty should something go wrong.
Airbak bags are available at numerous university bookstores as well as online from airbak.com. See the slideshow for additional photos.
Doug Bardwell, based in Cleveland, OH, writes about interesting new travel technology topics, across the country and around the world. Feel free to drop him a line at travel.dougbardwell@gmail.com with suggestions for future products to be reviewed. If you've ever used one of the products he's reviewed, please leave your thoughts in the comment box below. To get his stories delivered to your inbox, click the RSS feed or the "Subscribe" button above.
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