The more you know about a graduate's plans for the future, the easier it is to come up with a cheap graduation gift. However, the suggestions below should work for most any grad and cost less than $25.
Large Rolling Backpacks
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Rolling Backpacks Features (continued)
Small vs. Large Rolling Backpacks.
In our price range, wheeled backpacks generally have about a cubic foot of interior capacity, although actual dimensions vary. The Travelers Club Metropolitan, a large rolling backpack on our list, shows off its best backpack chops with a roomy 20"x14"x11" (more than 1.5 cubic feet). Lagging behind are the Port Authority at 20.5"x13"x7.9" (more than one cubic foot), and the CalPak Awestruck and Olympia 18-inch, both smaller than a cubic foot with measurements of 18"x13.5"x7" and 18"x13"x6", respectively. The Bag Republic Clear Backpack is the smallest of the bunch; with its 11"x6"x16" dimensions, though, the size is just right for a kid's backpack.
Multiple compartments are common both on the exterior and interior of cheap wheeled backpacks. As anyone who has ever packed a bag knows, compartments are helpful organizational aids in large rolling backpacks, keeping separate things like your heavy schoolbooks and easily smashed lunch. Additional design elements include mesh outer pockets for a water bottle, extra zippered pockets both inside and out (is that a cell phone we hear ringing?), and holders for pencils and keys. All the cheap wheeled backpacks we reviewed feature multiple compartments, including an outer water bottle holder. The Travelers Club Metropolitan steps it up with a rear padded compartment that can hold a laptop up to 15.4 inches.
Rolling Backpacks Weight.
A rolling backpack's weight includes the body, wheels, and handle. Experts at TravelGuideline.net advise that the weight of a rolling backpack when full should not exceed 20 percent of your body weight. The average cheap wheeled backpack weighs approximately five pounds, empty. The Bag Republic Clear model is super light, with a reported shipping weight of just four pounds (the backpack itself, obviously, weighs even less). The Travelers Club Metropolitan and the Olympia 18-inch both weigh six pounds when packed for shipping. The CalPak Awestruck is a large rolling backpack that's a bit on the heavy side, weighing in at seven pounds. We did not find a weight listing for the Port Authority backpack.
Wheeled Backpacks Warranty.
In general, frugal shoppers seem to agree that a year of solid use is a fair expectation for a cheap wheeled backpack. There is, however, no defined life expectancy for cheap rolling backpacks and many don't come with a warranty -- a perk that's far more likely in higher-priced models. That said, extremely cost-conscious consumers will appreciate that the Travelers Club Metropolitan offers a two-year manufacturer's warranty.
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Read user comments below
Best Cheap Rolling Backpacks
Travelers Club Metropolitan Rolling Backpack
Users really like the Travelers Club Metropolitan Rolling Backpack for its high-quality construction, roomy dimensions, separate laptop compartment, and two-year warranty. It features durable 600-denier fabric, a single-rod telescoping handle, and in-line skate wheels. Read more »Rolling Backpacks Deals
CalPak Awestruck Double Compartment Rolling Backpack
A low price, ripstop fabric, and self-repairing zippers define this wheeled backpack. Users say its in-line skate wheels glide over tough terrain and manage curbs without a hitch. Read more »Rolling Backpacks Deals
Good Cheap Wheeled Backpacks
Olympia 18-inch Rolling Backpack
Despite a few reports about the Olympia 18-inch Rolling Backpack falling over when standing, most users consider this a good cheap backpack choice, with excellent maneuverability and durability. It's made of "supreme polyester" and features self-repairing zippers and a double-rod retractable handle. Read more »Rolling Backpacks Deals
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Don't Bother Cheap Rolling Backpacks
Port Authority Wheeled Backpack
Problems with the wheels and bare-bones online specifications drag down ratings on this model and outweigh pluses like a shell made with 600-denier fabric and multiple transport modes. Read more »
Products Mentioned in This Review
Bag Republic Clear Backpack with WheelsPort Authority Wheeled Backpack
Olympia 18-inch Rolling Backpack
Travelers Club Metropolitan Rolling Backpack
CalPak Awestruck Double Compartment Rolling Backpack
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