As many of you know, I've been a full time college student for the last three years for a BS in Chemistry, criminalistics concentration. Can you imagine the size and weight of the books I'm carrying around on a daily basis? I have had some terms where I was toting around 30-40 lbs of books every day. I used a messenger bag for less than my first term. Anything over 5-6 lbs in a messenger bag is simply not feasible when having to walk around with it all day. Get a well built backpack. I didn't want a GI looking backpack for on campus use, but I wanted a backpack that could take the abuse of that weight for years. I bought a Timbuk2 and it's still in one piece after 2 1/2 years of daily abuse. If you need a professional looking bag I would recommend the investment.

For a BOB, there are plenty of good mole bags out there, but don't skimp on it. Cry once and invest in something that's going to last. My next upgrade in a BOB will be either a Eberlestock or a Mystery Ranch, and I've been leaning to the MR. Pricy, but Dana knows how to make a backpack. I still own one of his very first Dana Design backpacks for long distance hiking and it will last me my lifetime.