11. Kensington Contour Cargo Backpack

• Contour Backpack
• • NextWarehouse
  • $64.53

By Mark Raby

For today's student, a backpack needs to not only be stylish and easy to carry around, it also needs to be the right size, have a fair amount of storage space, and be able to comfortably fit a notebook computer. Sadly, those $10 direct-from-the-sweatshop bags you'll find at most retailers simply won't cut it anymore. However, Kensington knows what we need, and they deliver it in spades with the Contour Cargo backpack.

First off, I love the way this backpack feels when I wear it. Having gotten used to wearing the same duct-taped backpack for several years, I had no idea that it could actually be comfortable to wear something packed down with all kinds of books and electronics. It's in part because of Kensington's trademark Contour design, which was created specifically with the comfort of the user in mind, but it's also because of the myriad pockets included, each of which can conveniently fit specific devices, from PDAs to 3" binders.

Since this pack was designed for laptop owners, any laptop computer with a display size up to 15.4" fits snugly and perfectly in here, and it won't get bumped by all your lose items because of the different pockets and pouches that house all the materials you need to lug around. I also love the water-proof material that this backpack is made out of. After taking it outside during a rainy afternoon, including setting it on the soaking wet grass for several minutes, everything inside remained completely dry. There's nothing worse than water getting into your backpack, and with this one from Kensington, that's not likely to happen.

Many will consider the Contour Cargo Backpack high-end at $79 retail, but if you're at a big city university and you have to walk miles between each class several times a day, you need something that's not only practical but also comfortable and the Contour Cargo is that.