While coats, boots, scarves and hats are a useful part of the Binghamton University wardrobe, backpacks are essential. Backpacks come in all shapes and sizes and serve a number of different needs. Some students choose backpacks for their spaciousness in order to fit laptops, textbooks or even booze. Other students use their backpacks as accessories, choosing fashion over functionality. Here are the types of backpacks you’ll see around campus.
Fashionable:
Longchamp: The Longchamp tote bag is a staple for any Long Island girl. These nylon bags are all over campus but are extremely uncomfortable, with girls choosing fashion over the well-being of their shoulders. Girls that choose these bags choose them solely for Longchamp’s supposed “cuteness,” even though they only come in bland colors and are extremely impractical for anyone taking a class that requires any sort of reading material.
Where to buy: Woodbury Common has a Longchamp outlet, so when you’re heading back up to school after Thanksgiving break with a parental, ask for a pit stop. Thanksgiving and Hanukkah fall on the same day this year, after all…
Functional:
High Sierra/JanSport/The North Face: These three makes tend to be the most functional and are a popular choice among BU students. The “Big Three” have multiple compartments so you can fit your laptop, textbooks, notebooks, lunch and pencil bag. They’re also designed to offer back support, though if you overburden them with a heavy load, don’t be surprised by that ache in your neck. Most students tend to go for black, but there are a few colorful ones out there for students trying to incorporate some sense of style into their backpacks.
Where to buy: Dick’s Sporting Goods in the Town Square Mall should satisfy your backpack needs.
Functional meets Fashionable aka Funcfashionable:
Herschel: According to Herschel’s website, the bag company named its brand after the small town of Herschel in Canada, which today has a population of 30 residents! Here at BU you will see more than 30 Herschel backpacks in one day. Why is that? Herschel offers both a functional and fashionable bag. They’re well-made with a simple, rugged-meets-preppy look. Herschel appeals to students with its clean and classic look, as well as its functionality since it provides space for a laptop and books.
Where to buy: Zumiez in the Oakdale Mall has Herschel bags in stock, but if you don’t see a model you like, turn to the Internet.
Miscellaneous/Brands Unknown:
The statement piece: Some standout backpacks you may have seen around campus are clearly there to make some sort of statement. There are those few people with fuzzy animal backpacks, which are more of a throwback to my early elementary school days than anything else. But we should applaud those people for choosing such unique backpacks. There’s also that backpack with the spikes on it, which from behind looks like some sort of half-breed porcupine and turtle. It’s also surprising to see the number of transparent bags on campus, which stand out and offer a glimpse into someone’s life. These are reserved for those of us with truly nothing to hide.
Where to buy: You’ll run into the perfect, unique non-brand backpack when you least expect it. Just keep your eyes open.