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Rolling Backpacks Review

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$20
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In this review:
  1. Rolling Backpacks Review
  2. Kids' Rolling Backbacks
  3. Large Rolling Backpacks
  4. Best Rolling Backpack
  5. Discount Rolling Backpacks Features Comparison Table
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Cheap Rolling Backpacks Buying Guide

Rolling backpacks -- that common-sense design innovation -- are the perfect choice for students of all ages, travelers, sales people, business people, and just about anyone needing to cart around heavy cargo. They're doubly convenient because they can easily be transformed into a traditional backpack when rougher terrain is encountered.
Rolling backpacks costing $60 or more are easy enough to find; locating a good cheap rolling backpack requires a bit more effort. The good news for thrifty shoppers, though, is that $35 or less will buy you a backpack that's roomy, sturdy, and stable.

In this product category, higher prices get you brand names like JanSport, Samsonite, and The North Face without guaranteeing more in features or functionality. That said, the assortment of good cheap rolling backpacks is comparatively limited in terms color, design, and style, and the warranty is usually shorter or may even be nonexistent. The cheap backpacks labels to look for include the likes of CalPak and Olympia, along with several other lesser-known brands.

Rolling backpacks are pretty basic items. Standard components include a center compartment that zips completely, outer pockets that zip or have a flap, in-line skate wheels, a retractable double- or single-rod pull handle, and shoulder straps. Many of the best cheap rolling backpacks also feature self-repairing zippers and padded straps for comfort. An exterior water bottle holder is fairly common and a laptop compartment is a nice, but unusual, perk. Fabric with a high denier (a measure of the fiber's weight) or ripstop fabric is desired for durability. The size of the cheap rolling backpack also matters. Consider the dimensions and what you'll be carrying on a regular basis, as well as the weight when not full; most models weigh in the neighborhood of five pounds.

Our research found that rolling backpacks in the cheap price range come and go with a fair amount of frequency. There are always new market entrants and always stalwarts on their way out and priced for clearance. Reviews for cheap rolling backpacks are sparse in general and particularly so for the latest models. We made our picks for best rolling backpacks based on the best available information.

Review continues below

We identified two worthy contenders for the top spot on our list. The Travelers Club Metropolitan Rolling Backpack (starting at $33, Amazon) is the largest of our picks and the only budget-friendly model we found that includes a separate padded laptop compartment; additionally, its two-year warranty is a rarity at the budget end of the market. Standing right alongside is the CalPak Awestruck Double Compartment Rolling Backpack (starting at $24, Amazon), a tad heavy at seven pounds, but the ripstop fabric speaks volumes about its durability. Pulling up behind is the Olympia 18-inch Rolling Backpack (starting at $27, Amazon), which boasts all the must-have features and garners its share of compliments from users for ease of use. The Port Authority Wheeled Backpack (starting at $28, Amazon) fails to qualify; users gripe about the wheels and the specs don't disclose the weight or zipper type.

by Raechel Conover (Google+ Profile)

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Best Cheap Rolling Backpacks

Travelers Club Metropolitan Rolling Backpack
Gold Medal

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 »
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CalPak Awestruck Double Compartment Rolling Backpack
Gold Medal

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 »
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Good Cheap Wheeled Backpacks

Olympia 18-inch Rolling Backpack
Gold Medal

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 »
Where to buy
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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 »

 
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