My son needed a new pack for school. He's a junior in high school now and he hoped for something nice from Santa. I looked around and decided on the 5.11 Rush 24 back pack. It is strong*, made of 1000D Cordura. It has plenty of space, pockets and zip enclosures** for everything you'd want to fit for school or hiking. Of course, all this also makes it heavier but I figured a strapping young lineman on the football team*** could handle it. Comfortable straps help, too. He was, and remains, happy as a clam with it and spent a good part of his Christmas Vacation**** hiking around the local hills and mountains with his buddies. A name tape from Urban Ops Armory attached to the rear hook-and-loop material completed the package.
* He also wanted a large pack for hiking as well as school.
** Made with top quality YKK zippers.
*** That's American football, not that weenie Euro-crap!
**** Oh, horrors! I meant to say, of course, "Winter break", for those with a PC bent. Wouldn't want to EVER offend ANYBODY!