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Best Cheap Rolling Backpacks: Wheeled Backpacks Review
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Cheap Rolling Backpacks Buying Guide
Wheeled backpacks -- that common-sense design innovation -- can be yours at very affordable prices. There is certainly no shortage of rolling backpacks costing $150 or more, sporting brand names like Calvin Klein, Samsonite, and The North Face. But not to worry. High prices don't guarantee more in curb appeal, features, or functionality. So for thrifty parents, students of all ages, travelers, sales people, business people, and just about anyone needing to cart around heavy cargo, here's our guide to helping you find a quality rolling backpack that costs $30 or less. Back to top »What To Look For: Cheap Wheeled Backpacks Features
Rolling backpacks are pretty basic items. Standard components include a center compartment that zips completely, outer pockets that zip or have a flap, wheels and feet, a telescoping pull handle, and a shoulder strap. Many of the better budget rolling backpacks also feature self-repairing zippers and padded straps for comfort. An exterior water bottle holder is also fairly common.
Low-cost Rolling Backpacks Fabric.
The body of a backpack is usually made of some kind of polyester-based material. The apparel industry scales fabrics by the weight of their fibers; the measure is called “denier”. Fabrics with a higher denier are heavier and thicker and tend to be more durable, a prized quality in a product meant to hold a lot of weight and undergo a fair amount of knocking about. Most lower-priced rolling backpacks have a denier measure, although manufacturers sometimes use additional descriptive terms. The Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack (starting at $24, Amazon
), for example, is described as a poly-duraweave, while the budget-friendly CalPak Enforcer Multi-Pocket Rolling Backpack (starting at $28, Amazon
) features a 900 denier waterproof polyester and the High Sierra Axle Wheeled Backpack (starting at $28, Amazon
) is made from 600-denier Duralite.
Inexpensive rolling backpacks can be found in a variety of designs and colors. School children can choose among backpacks featuring popular cartoon characters, like Pokemon or Mickey Mouse, and among colors like sky blue, purple, pink, orange, and camouflage. Then there is Bag Republic, which offers the Clear Backpack with Wheels (made from clear PVC, and starting at $27, Amazon
Budget Rolling Backpacks Handles and Wheels.
The handle, which lets you cart around your rolling backpack, should retract and open easily and be long enough so you don't have to bend over when pulling or pushing. Taller adults may find the handle on the Bag Republic Clear Backpack with Wheels a tad short, cautions one 5'8” user on Amazon. The double-rod handle appealed to someone who chose the Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack over other models with one-rod handles, says one posting on Bagsbuy.com. But a handle alone won't get you very far, so this is where the wheels come in. You want the wheels on your value backpack to roll and glide smoothly, and for this task, in-line skate wheels are a good choice. Low-cost rolling backpacks like the High Sierra Axle Wheeled Backpack and the Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack are so equipped and praised for their easy maneuverability.Inexpensive Rolling Backpacks Straps.
Although rolling backpacks are intended to roll from place to place, there are no doubt times when you must carry your load. Cheap rolling backpacks should come with a shoulder strap and/or traditional backpack straps; most models include the latter. The Port Authority Wheeled Backpack (starting at $24, Amazon
), for example, offers a multitude of carrying options: the handle on top lets you carry the bag as a briefcase and the double straps put you in backpack mode. For extra comfort, look for padding in the shoulder area to cushion some of the weight. A rolling backpack review on Buzzillions notes the padded shoulder straps on the Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack make it easy and comfortable to carry a loaded pack up the stairs; these straps are also detachable and can be stored in the handle pocket. Economical rolling backpacks with adjustable straps let you avoid the inconvenience reported on Walmart.com by one user who says the straps of the Eastsport Cargo Roller Backpack (starting at $15) get caught in the wheels. A little fiddling with the straps on the Bag Republic Clear Backpack with Wheels made them long enough to fit a large man, according to a bargain backpack review on Amazon.
Value Rolling Backpacks Size.
Reasonably-priced rolling backpacks generally have slightly less than a cubic foot of interior capacity, although actual dimensions vary. The High Sierra Axle Wheeled Backpack measures 18x10x13, the Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack is 19x13x7.5, the CalPak Enforcer Multi-Pocket Rolling Backpack is 18x13.5x7, and the Bag Republic Clear Backpack with Wheels measures 11x6x16. To maximize your rolling backpack's interior capacity, consider a front-loading main compartment, like the one on the High Sierra Axle Wheeled Backpack; users of this cheap model note on Amazon that this design feature makes it easy to load and unload large books. For shoppers who require more space and are willing to pay more for it, options include higher-priced models like the High Sierra OverSteer Wheeled Pack (starting at $58, Amazon
), which features 1.6 cubic feet of capacity and space perks like a special compartment for your laptop. But never mind. Most budget rolling backpacks are equipped with any number of organizational aids and outer storage compartments, such as mesh 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.
Low-priced Rolling Backpacks Weight.
A rolling backpack's weight includes the body, wheels and handle. The average cheap rolling backpack weighs approximately five pounds, empty. Budget choice CalPak Enforcer Multi-Pocket Rolling Backpack, on the other hand, weighs in at a hefty eight pounds thanks to the wheel covers and padding included in its construction. Back to top »What To Expect: Inexpensive Wheeled Backpacks Performance
Bargain Rolling Backpacks Maneuverability and Stability.
Regardless of a rolling backpack's size and features, it should be easy to maneuver. One consumer posting on Amazon praises the sturdy wheel construction and easy maneuverability of the High Sierra Axle Wheeled Backpack, an item s/he has purchased more than once and continues to consider a bargain. The Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack is popular with at least one traveler, who notes on Shoebuy.com that its large front feet make this model extremely stable even when fully packed with those all-important carry-on items. Being frugal about your backpack purchase doesn't mean settling for a model that leaves you dragging. Consider this user of the Port Authority Wheeled Backpack (starting at $24, Amazon
A well-designed handle also affects maneuverability. Several users (or parents of users) posting on Bagsbuy.com say the handle of the Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack is sturdy and doesn't jam when pulled out or pushed in. Although most people pull their bargain backpacks, sometimes you want to give it a push or two. As one user reports on Overstock.com, however, the handle on the Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack may be the right length, but it has a tendency to retract when you try to push the bag. A similar problem seems to plague the CalPak Enforcer, according to a budget rolling backpacks review on Overstock.com.
Inexpensive Rolling Backpacks Durability.
The durability of your bargain rolling backpack largely depends on the quality of construction and the frequency and type of use. Weak construction can easily halt your hauling. The Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack pleased a user, who notes on Buzzillions that the well-constructed bag showed no signs of wear and tear, either on the fabric or wheels, after five months of active duty.The zipper on the main compartment of your bargain backpack also affects durability. The consensus among rolling backpack owners, according to user reviews, is that zipper quality is at least as important as the amount and design of the interior space. Being able to store all of the books, electronic gadgets, writing implements, and refreshments is both a convenience and a necessity. But what good is a rolling backpack that doesn't close? One rolling backpack review on the Walmart website says s/he chose the Eastsport Cargo Roller Backpack for her/his student because it holds all the books the child needs to carry, only to have the zipper teeth break within two days. Zippers on the CalPak Enforcer Multi-Pocket Rolling Backpack, on the other hand, are self-repairing, and except for a comment or two about sticky zippers, don't seem to cause users any problems.
Low-cost Rolling Backpack Warranty
. In general, frugal shoppers seem to agree that a year of solid use is a fair expectation for a cheap rolling backpack. There is, however, no defined life expectancy for budget rolling backpacks. Extremely cost conscious consumers will appreciate that the Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack offers a five-year limited warranty. Back to top »
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Inexpensive Hotel Alternatives
Strangers in my house? No way, you say, until you check hotel prices in the location you want to visit and realize swapping homes might be the cheapest way to go. But know what you're getting into, MSBNC cautions.
Products Mentioned in This Review
Port Authority Wheeled BackpackEastsport Cargo Roller Backpack
CalPak Enforcer Multi-Pocket Rolling Backpack
Bag Republic Clear Backpack with Wheels
High Sierra Axle Wheeled Backpack
Olympia 19-Inch Rolling Backpack
