As one of the most established and globally recognized backpack brands, Eastpak has developed a reputation for durable, stylish and functional bags to meet the needs of students, travelers and urban commuters alike. But with a crowded market full of competing backpack options, does Eastpak truly deliver on quality and value?
This extensive Eastpak backpack review will provide a critical analysis of over half a dozen of the brand‘s most popular bags. We‘ll assess backpack materials, storage capacity, durability, water resistance and comfort. How does Eastpak compare to top competitors like JanSport? Are Eastpak bags worth the investment or are there better options for the money?
Read on for a comprehensive overview of one of the leading names in backpacks.
About Eastpak
Originally founded in 1952 as Eastern Canvas Products USA Inc., Eastpak specialized in producing bags and packs for the US military before shifting to focus on the consumer market in 1976 under the new Eastpak brand. After being acquired by apparel and footwear corporation VF in 2000, Eastpak expanded globally alongside retail powerhouses like Vans, The North Face and Timberland.
Today, Eastpak offers a wide range of backpacks, luggage, shoulder bags and accessories targeting students, travelers, urban commuters and creative professionals. The brand places an emphasis on durable materials, comfortable straps and modern silhouettes with pops of color that appeal to youth culture. Eastpak is sold by over 10,000 retailers in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Eastpak Backpack Highlights
- Durable and weather-resistant materials – The majority of Eastpak‘s backpacks utilize hardy fabrics like nylon, polyester and canvas that can withstand daily wear and tear.
- Padded shoulder straps – Signature padded shoulder straps enhance comfort for long wear while Eastpak‘s strap management system prevents dangling excess.
- Spacious, organized storage – Interior laptop sleeves, tablet pockets, front stash pockets and side water bottle pouches keep essentials secure but accessible.
- 30-year limited warranty – Eastpak provides an exceptional 30-year warranty against manufacturing and material defects. Normal wear and tear is not covered.
- Youthful, stylish designs – From understated solids to bold prints and patterns, Eastpak backpacks appeal to students and young professionals with an eye for contemporary style.
Next, we‘ll provide an in-depth evaluation of some of Eastpak‘s bestselling and top-rated backpacks for school, work and travel.
Eastpak Backpack Reviews
Eastpak Padded Pak‘r
The longtime bestseller, the Eastpak Padded Pak‘r is a mid-sized backpack equipped to handle books, laptops, gym clothes and other daily essentials. The simple, straightforward design comes in over a dozen colors to match anyone‘s style.
- Materials – Constructed from durable polyamide, a type of synthetic nylon that resists staining, abrasions and weathering. The fabric isn‘t waterproof but can withstand light rain.
- Storage & Organization – Roomy main compartment and slim front pouch provide ample space for a 15-inch laptop, tablets, notebooks, small tech accessories and more. No dedicated laptop sleeve.
- Comfort & Construction – Padded back panel and adjustable shoulder straps ease strain during all-day wear. Sturdy stitching gives the backpack structure. Sternum strap helps distribute weight.
- Extras – Loop for attaching blinkers and reflective details boost visibility. Side compression straps and carry handle add functionality.
- Sizing & Fit – Available in 3 sizes designed to fit younger children up to teenagers and adults. Torso sizes run small.
- Price – $50 makes the Eastpak Padded Pak‘r exceptionally affordable compared to similar backpacks.
With simple styling and undisputed durability, it‘s easy to see why the Eastpak Padded Pak‘r remains a tried-and-true classic for students, commuters and casual users alike. The backpack lacks some organizational features but provides great value at an approachable price point.
Eastpak Austin Backpack
Geared towards high school and university students hauling a laptop and textbooks across campus, the medium-sized Eastpak Austin provides ergonomic comfort along with ample organized storage.
- Materials – Durable polyester stands up well to daily use while resisting stains, abrasions and light rain. Tough YKK zippers secure the compartments.
- Storage & Organization – Roomy main compartment provides space for binders, books and additional layers while a padded laptop sleeve and smaller front pocket keep tech safe and accessible.
- Comfort & Construction – Thick foam backing cushions and ventilates the back and shoulders during prolonged wear while compression straps stabilize loads. Padded haul handle eases carrying.
- Extras – External side water bottle pocket, blinker loop and reflective details address user convenience and visibility needs.
- Sizing & Fit – Designed to fit young adults and older teens. Provides a slim, tailored fit.
- Price – Typically $65 makes the Austin a strong value for students in need of a laptop backpack.
With ample padding and storage for the daily student grind, the Eastpak Austin hits all the marks as far as classroom- and campus-ready features while maintaining a streamlined, modern aesthetic. The water bottle pocket allows for on-the-go hydration as well.
Eastpak Wyoming Backpack
Channeling an outdoor-inspired look, the roomy Eastpak Wyoming backpack provides ample space forBINDERBlinkers along with gear hauling functionality for weekend trips near and far.
- Materials – Crafted from weather-resistant polyester with reinforced bottom, the Wyoming stands up well to heavy loads and wet conditions. The fabric resists fading and staining over years of use.
- Storage & Organization – Cavernous main compartment swallows multiple binders plus additional layers and extras. Front organizer pocket keeps small essentials in check. Side stash pocket suits water bottles, tripods or trekking poles.
- Comfort & Construction – Thick padded back panel and shoulder straps cushion heavy loads during prolonged hauls. Dual side compression straps stabilize unwieldy items.
- Extras – Daisy chains, haul handles and blinker loop equip the Wyoming for outdoor-oriented activities while reflective accents address visibility needs.
- Sizing & Fit – Roomy construction accommodates bulky gear. Best suited to older teens and adults given the large size. Runs slightly short.
- Price – Typically $90 makes the Eastpak Wyoming a significant but worthwhile investment for students and outdoor enthusiasts needing ample storage and gear hauling capability.
For those requiring a rugged, high-capacity backpack for schlepping substantial loads across campus or into the wilderness, the Eastpak Wyoming delivers abundant room along with outdoor-friendly details suited for more vigorous use. The voluminous construction may overwhelm smaller framed users.
Eastpak Tranverz L Suitcase
When it comes to frequent fliers needing durable checked luggage, Eastpak brings the same attention to quality materials and resilient construction seen in its backpacks through pieces like the versatile Eastpak Tranverz L.
- Materials – Crafted from weatherproof polyester with protective corner armor, the Tranverz L resists scuffs, stains, abrasions and more despite rough baggage handling.
- Storage & Organization – Two roomy front panels provide customizable organization while compression straps cinch down bulky contents. Mesh lid pocket suits smaller essentials and accessories.
- Mobility & Handling – Smooth gliding wheels, sturdy retractable handle and side haul handles ease transport with heavy loads. Flor flat base protects contents.
- Extras – TSA-approved combination lock secures contents. Interior compression panels stabilize gear while helping maximize capacity.
- Sizing & Fit – Spacious 31 x 16 x 14 inch construction provides ample packing room for weeklong getaways or longer. Weighs a manageable 8.8 lbs.
- Price – $200 makes the durable Eastpak Tranverz L a worthwhile investment for frequent travelers and those expecting years of use.
For jetsetters needing plenty of room alongside resilient protection against the rigors of airports and aircraft cargo holds, the Eastpak Tranverz L brings trusted durability to keep belongings secure trip after trip. The sturdy wheeled suitcase only comes in black and grey.
Additional Eastpak Backpacks
While the above Eastpak backpack reviews cover some of the brand‘s best selling and highest rated models for students, commuters and casual users, Eastpak offers an array of backpack styles, sizes and designs to meet different needs:
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Eastpak Orbit Backpack – Futuristic styling sets this mid-sized backpack apart with space for essential tech alongside books and gear. Padded laptop and tablet sleeves accompany a front organizer panel keeping devices and accessories in check.
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Eastpak Provider Backpack – With a 33 liter capacity, this robust backpack suits high school and university students hauling substantial loads of heavy textbooks, binders and additional course materials across campus.
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Eastpak Delegate Laptop Bag – A refined minimalist silhouette sets the Delegate messenger-style laptop bag apart with space for your device alongside a tablet, notebook, chargers and small accessories. Suited for around-town use.
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Eastpak Springer Bum Bag – Part waist pack, part cross-body bag, the Springer suits travel essentials, daily wallet/phone carry or festival fanny pack needs in a compact hands-free form.
For additional Eastpak backpack options – including collaborations with Raf Simons, Rick Owens, MM6 Maison Margiela and others – visit Eastpak.com.
Next, we explore how Eastpak stacks up against leading competitor JanSport.
Eastpak vs JanSport Backpacks
As two of the most well-known players in the backpack game, Eastpak and JanSport gear tends to generate debate among students, travelers and urban commuters. How do these sister brands stack up?
| Comparison Criteria | Eastpak Brand | JanSport Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Slightly more expensive on average | Tends to cost less |
| Materials | Durable fabrics that resist weather, UV fading and abrasions | Rugged constructions with weather-resistant finishes |
| Storage & Organization | Emphasis on laptop sleeves and tech organization features | Typically less tech-focused, more general storage |
| Style Variety | Broader range of colors, prints and silhouettes | Core basics and classics like the JanSport SuperBreak |
| Warranty Length | 30 years | Limited lifetime warranty |
When choosing between Eastpak and JanSport, narrow your criteria to the features mattering most – whether price, lifespan, included technology sleeves or stylish patterns. Students and frequent fliers may benefit more from Eastpak‘s expansive organization options. JanSport offers comparable resilience at cheaper prices points in classic colorways.
Both brands manufacture the majority of their bags abroad in Asia. Quality control receives mixed feedback from some shoppers encountering premature wear, broken zippers or loose stitching on select Eastpak and JanSport models. Test backpacks in store whenever possible.
Next up – what buyers really think after purchasing and using Eastpak bags IRL…
Eastpak Backpack Reviews: Real Customer Perspectives
While this backpack review aims to provide an objective assessment of Eastpak bags using researched criteria, consumer reviews offer subjective yet equally valid evaluations from real-world use.
Here‘s a sample of customer perspectives on popular Eastpak backpack models:
The above Eastpak Padded Pak‘r reviews earned a 4.5 out of 5 star overall rating. Satisfied buyers praise the classic backpack‘s durability – some using the bag daily for 5+ years through high school and college without issues. The straightforward storage suits basic needs for class, commuting and travel. Critics cite small sizing that may not fit all essentials.
Additional Eastpak customer feedback across major retail sites like Amazon, Macy‘s and Zappos largely skews positive as well. The brand earns repeat purchases thanks to reputable resilience against daily wear and tear alongside comfortable, ergonomic designs suited for prolonged carrying.
Less satisfied shoppers encountered premature breakdowns, broken hardware or stitching coming loose along stress points – especially on collaborative models priced higher. Check bags closely for any manufacturing flaws or damage before use.
Key Takeaways: Is Eastpak Worth the Cost?
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For students needing sturdy, tech-friendly backpacks able to withstand the daily classroom and campus grind for $50 to $100, Eastpak bags make worthwhile investments covering storage necessities alongside ergonomic wear.
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Urban commuters and casual users gravitate to Eastpak for the brand‘s understated styling paired with trusted durability to endure crowded trains and buses, bike messenger sprints across town and other rough daily journeys.
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Travelers needing luggage resilient enough for baggage carousels and overhead bins appreciate Eastpak‘s weatherproof suitcases equipped with smooth glide wheels, durable handles and ample interior organization.
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Bargain shoppers may be better served by JanSport bags costing $10 to $30 less on average. Both brands use comparable constructions that perform similarly in real-world testing.
We hope this comprehensive Eastpak backpack review assists you in determining whether or not their famously hardy bags justify the price. While quality control issues occasionally crop up, the brand earns devotees thanks to versatile, tech-savvy designs using robust fabrics designed to last across daily adventures.
