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Recommended size: 16.7 x 13 x 8.5 in (~25 L) fits textbooks, folders, water bottle, and most 13–15 in laptops inside a padded sleeve. For minimal carry (tablet + charger), opt for compact 15 x 11 x 6 in (~18 L). For gym plus books or an extra jacket, choose larger 19 x 13 x 10 in (~34 L).
Typical size breakdown: compact daypack ~15 x 11 x 6 in (~18 L); standard school pack ~16.7 x 13 x 8.5 in (~25 L); large student/commuter pack ~19 x 13 x 10 in (~34 L). Use liter capacity to compare across styles when width and depth differ.
Measure before buying: measure laptop diagonal and height, then add 1–2 in clearance for sleeve and bulky textbooks. For airline carry-on, aim for external size under 22 x 14 x 9 in if placing pack in overhead bin; personal-item fits under seat vary by carrier.
Construction notes: padded straps, reinforced bottom, and quality zippers reduce wear and affect usable volume. If planning regular heavy loads, select a pack with sternum strap and padded back panel; keep total load under 10–12 kg for daily comfort and spine-friendly wear.
Recommended measurements for classic school pack
Opt for medium-size for daily classes; fits 15 in laptop, two binders, pencil case, water bottle pocket.
- Compact (small): 16.5 in H × 12.5 in W × 7 in D – volume ~20 L; laptop sleeve fits up to 13 in.
- Classic (medium): 17 in H × 13 in W × 8.5 in D – volume ~25–28 L; laptop sleeve fits up to 15 in.
- Student (large): 19 in H × 13.5 in W × 10 in D – volume ~30–35 L; laptop sleeve fits up to 17 in.
Packing guidance
- Place laptop in padded sleeve first, textbooks vertically behind sleeve to distribute weight.
- Use front pocket for small accessories and power bank; side mesh for water bottle or umbrella.
- When selecting model for air travel, target external size under 22 in × 14 in × 9 in for most domestic carry-on limits.
- Empty weight typically 0.6–1.4 lb depending on size and material; expect larger models to add ~0.4–0.8 lb over compact variants.
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Measuring this model: exact points for height, width, depth
Use flexible tape measure; record three values: height, width, depth.
Height: place tape at top seam where carry handle stitches into fabric or at topmost zipper stop; extend tape straight down along centerline to base seam where bottom panel meets side panels. For packs with rolled top, measure both rolled position and unrolled position; note both lengths.
Width: measure across front panel at widest point. For curved or tapered profiles, take three horizontal readings – top (at zipper), middle (at main compartment midpoint), bottom (at base seam) – then report largest value. When measuring near seams, flatten side pockets; measure with pack empty and with typical load if carrying bulky items.
Depth: measure from front panel to back panel at centerline. For padded backpanel, press measurement tool until pads compress to typical feel; report both uncompressed and compressed depths. For external pockets add pocket thickness separately: measure pocket depth from pocket outer seam to front panel center.
Tools: flexible cloth tape, rigid ruler for small values, thin marker to mark points, flat surface for accurate alignment. Tips: keep zippers closed, straps fastened in typical position, measure from seam centers not fabric edges, log units in inches and centimeters, round to nearest 0.1 inch or 5 mm. Save data using Height, Width, Depth labels.
Internal usable measures: measure inner height from inner top lining to inner base; inner width at midpoint; inner depth at center. Calculate cubic volume: multiply inner height × inner width × inner depth; convert cubic centimeters to liters by dividing by 1000 or use cubic inches to liters conversion (1 cubic inch = 0.016387 L). Record both external and internal values when comparing fit for laptops or folders.
Typical external measurements for SuperBreak, Right Pack, Big Student
Choose SuperBreak for compact daily carry: measures 16.7 x 13 x 8.5 in (42.5 x 33 x 21.5 cm); capacity ~25 L; fits up to 15″ laptop in internal sleeve; fits under most airline seats as personal item when lightly packed.
Choose Right Pack for classic school load: measures 16.75 x 13.25 x 8.5 in (42.5 x 33.5 x 21.5 cm); capacity ~30 L; fits up to 15–15.6″ laptop depending on sleeve option; suede leather bottom on standard models adds 0.2–0.4 in (5–10 mm) to depth.
Choose Big Student for heavy textbook load and larger electronics: measures 18.5 x 13.25 x 8.75 in (47 x 33.5 x 22 cm); capacity ~34 L; fits 15–17″ laptops and accommodates three-ring binders; shoulder straps wider and more padded for long carries.
Quick selection tip: pick SuperBreak for light commuting and urban use; Right Pack for balanced day-to-day carrying with modest laptop needs; Big Student for maximum internal volume and heavier academic loads.
Internal capacity: converting measurements to liters and checking manufacturer volume
Calculate internal volume by measuring internal height, width, depth in centimeters; multiply values, then divide result by 1000 to obtain liters. Apply a packing-loss factor: use 0.85 for rectangular main compartments, 0.75 for curved or heavily padded interiors, 0.9 for very boxy designs with minimal pockets. Example formula: (H × W × D cm) / 1000 × packing-factor = usable liters.
When comparing calculated liters with manufacturer’s stated volume, expect manufacturer figures to be rounded up by up to 10–15% if external pockets or cosmetic space are included. If calculated value differs from stated volume by more than 10%, perform a quick field check: fill main compartment using 1-L bottles or dry rice to measure actual usable capacity.
| Internal H (cm) | Internal W (cm) | Internal D (cm) | Raw liters (cm³/1000) | Manufacturer liters (stated) | Suggested usable liters (with factor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 28 | 13 | 14.56 | 15 L | 12–13 L (factor 0.85) |
| 42 | 30 | 18 | 22.68 | 23 L | 19–20 L (factor 0.85) |
| 46 | 33 | 25 | 37.95 | 38 L | 32–34 L (factor 0.85) |
For accurate verification, measure internal cavity at widest internal points, exclude laptop sleeve volume when reporting main compartment liters, then compare with manufacturer’s spec sheet. If final choice hinges on precise capacity for gear or travel, perform a pack test using typical items (water bottles, packed clothing) and record occupied liters. Additional unrelated gear tip: best cordless lawn mower that makes stripes.
Laptop fit: pocket & sleeve measurements to test with your device
Recommendation: select sleeve internal measurements at least +10 mm width, +10 mm depth, +8–12 mm thickness over measured laptop body; add +5–10 mm thickness when using rigid case or folio.
11.6″ – typical body ~290 x 195 x 18 mm (11.4″ x 7.7″ x 0.7″); test pocket internal: 305 x 210 x 28 mm (12.0″ x 8.3″ x 1.1″).
13.3″ – typical body ~304 x 212 x 15 mm (12.0″ x 8.4″ x 0.6″); test pocket internal: 315 x 225 x 28 mm (12.4″ x 8.9″ x 1.1″).
14″ – typical body ~325 x 225 x 18 mm (12.8″ x 8.9″ x 0.7″); test pocket internal: 335 x 235 x 30 mm (13.2″ x 9.3″ x 1.2″).
15.6″ – typical body ~360 x 245 x 20 mm (14.2″ x 9.6″ x 0.8″); test pocket internal: 375 x 260 x 35 mm (14.8″ x 10.2″ x 1.4″).
16″ – typical body ~358 x 246 x 19 mm (14.1″ x 9.7″ x 0.75″); test pocket internal: 370 x 265 x 35 mm (14.6″ x 10.4″ x 1.4″).
17″ – typical body ~390 x 270 x 25 mm (15.4″ x 10.6″ x 1.0″); test pocket internal: 405 x 285 x 40 mm (15.9″ x 11.2″ x 1.6″).
How to measure your laptop for testing
Measure width from leftmost port edge to rightmost port edge, measure depth from hinge rear to front bezel edge, measure thickness at thickest point including rubber feet; record measurements in mm for accuracy.
If storing laptop inside a sleeve with charger or mouse, measure combined thickness and add +8–12 mm clearance; for padded folio add +3–5 mm extra to width and depth.
Pocket-check checklist
Verify zipper or flap opening length >= pocket internal width; confirm pocket mouth height >= device depth + 5 mm; confirm interior seam placement leaves full flat surface for laptop bottom; test insertion with laptop inside sleeve or thin cloth to check pinch points and corner fit.
Choosing right size for travel, school or hiking based on measurements and load
Pick 20–30 L for daily school use with a 13–15″ laptop plus 2–4 textbooks; select 30–40 L for weekend travel or overnight hikes with a lightweight sleeping bag and minimal cooking kit; choose 45–65 L for multi-day treks carrying tent, stove and food for 2–4 days.
Match torso length to pack torso height: short 46 cm (over 18 in) → 40–70 L. Hip belt placement should sit on top of iliac crest for loads above 8–10 kg.
Load guidelines by activity: school loads with laptop and books ≈ 4–8 kg; heavy student load with textbooks up to 10–12 kg but use rolling case when possible; day-hike load (food, water, layers) ≈ 6–12 kg; multi-day load (shelter, sleep system, cookware) 12–20 kg depending on gear choices. Keep carried weight below ~25% of body mass for extended comfort.
Internal pocket sizing for laptop pockets: 13″ laptop ≈ 33 x 23 x 2 cm; 15″ ≈ 38 x 26 x 2.5 cm; 17″ ≈ 42 x 29 x 3 cm. Allow +1–3 cm width, +2–4 cm height, +0.5–1.5 cm depth for case and sleeve. Measure device length and width flat against surface to verify fit before purchase.
Carry-on compliance: aim for external measurements ≤56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) for most airlines. Soft-sided packs with compression straps can be packed tighter; rated volume around 35–45 L usually fits cabin limits if not overstuffed.
Fit and comfort checklist before buying: confirm torso-length match; try loaded fit with representative weight (books or gear); test hip belt transfer with 8–12 kg load; check laptop sleeve internal measurements against device; inspect compression straps and load lifters for stability; verify external pocket placement for quick-access items like water bottle, passport, sunglasses.
