Mountain Equipment Co-op Ratings and Reviews
Clearance(1)
Climbing(881)
Cycling(2,992)
Footwear(929)
Gift Cards(10)
Hiking / Camping(3,084)
Kids(286)
Member Picks(1,867)
Men's Clothing(1,061)
Packs(1,251)
Accessories(20)
Camera Bags(7)
Child Carriers(27)
Daypacks (Activity)(256)
Daypacks (Lifestyle)(160)
Duffle Bags(100)
Expedition Packs(127)
Hydration(94)
Shoulder Bags(129)
Ski Bags & Packs(12)
Waist Packs(40)
Sleeping Bags(571)
Snowsports(305)
Tents(384)
Travel Gear(8)
Watersports(538)
Women's Clothing(712)
Shop Now At Mountain Equipment Co-op
Shop Daypacks (Lifestyle) or
Choose a Category
Top-Rated Products
Big Pod
(15)
Kids Dome Daypack
(19)
Top Rated Product
Product Reviews
MEC Bookbag Daypack
Old school meets new school: easy-carrying storage for books, a laptop, and other academic supplies. 24L capacity.
Average Customer Rating:
out of
5
4 out of 5(80%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Bookbag Daypack
Review 1 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
By:Anonymous
Location: Fort St. John, BC
Age: 35-44
Gender: female
Gear Style: Minimalist
Describe Yourself: Casual Adventurer
MEC MEMBER
Best School Backpack your money can buy
Date: February 2, 2010
I have bought plenty of backpacks for my school age kids that have lasted little more than a few months. On average, it was 2 backpacks a year, what with broken zippers, ect. Frustrating and expensive!
Then I heard about MEC and saw a friend's child's backpack. I immediately ordered one for my son, and he has been using it now for 2 years, not just for school, but day trips, weekends, ect. It shows minimal signs of use, these backpacks are made to last, and have stood up to all my 8 year old can dish out.
The design is simple but practical. We like the water bottle pockets on the sides (great for wet mitts, too) and the front pocket with extra compartments to zip in lunch money, ect, makes sure nothing gets lost. The laptop pocket is a great divider for books, papers, ect, helping keep his pack organized so nothing gets crumpled or squashed.
This is the best backpack for school kids I have seen yet. Great value!!
My youngest daughter starts school this fall, and I plan to order one for her, too. It would be nice if MEC could make this pack in the violet/purple, for the girls :)
Pros: Rugged, Simple, Good Value
Cons: more colors...violet for girls?!
Share this review:
Review 2 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
3
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
By:wildhorse
Location: Victoria, BC
Age: 25-34
Gender: female
Gear Style: Minimalist
Describe Yourself: Casual Adventurer
MEC MEMBER
Good, durable option for small loads
Date: December 2, 2009
I bought this pack two years ago and it is still in very good shape. The only draw back I have found is its small capacity. Over all, it is great value for money for those wanting a light pack for the commute to school or work. It fits a laptop, a clip board, and 1 - 2 average size books comfortably, plus it has compartments for wallet, cell, keys, etc. That said, for less than $10.00 more, the deluxe version is probably a better option for those wanting to pack a lunch, etc. I've just purchased the MEC Adventurer because I need a larger, more versatile bag, but I'm happy enough with my book bag for to keep it for occasional use.
Pros: Lightweight, Good Value, Reliable
Cons: Small
Share this review:
Review 3 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
By:happy
Location: Montreal
Age: 25-34
Gender: female
Gear Style: Minimalist
Describe Yourself: Casual Adventurer
great compact book bag
Date: October 17, 2009
I like a compact bag I can carry everywhere with me, but most small bags make my back sore when I carry a heavy schoolbook or pack a big lunch. I love how the laptop compartment keeps the computer or a heavy book close to my back and the waist strap keeps the weight off my shoulders. This carries all the things I need for a day at school or around town without weighing me down.
I also love all the compartments so I can easily find all the things I put in there.
I also love all the compartments so I can easily find all the things I put in there.
Pros: Rugged, Lightweight, Good Value, Reliable
Share this review:
Review 4 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
By:STRMTRPR
Location: Hamilton, ON
Age: 35-44
Gender: male
MEC MEMBER
Liked first one so much we bought a second!
Date: August 15, 2009
An excellent daypack, but in our home these are primarily school bags for two primary school students.
Since my sons are in the early grades they aren't expected to carry huge numbers of books and a laptop, so this "smaller" size pack is perfect for their thermal lunch pack, water bottles, Agenda and assorted school books, gym clothes, pencilbox and a jacket if desired. The laptop pouch is an excellent internal compartment for items/papers/newsletters that usually migrate to the bottom of the pack and get crunched. The abundance of extra compartments make it easy to keep activity and milk money handy.
I considered the larger model, but I figure that the number of times that my boys would need the extra capacity were very limited, and that they would tend to carry too much extra weight around just because it would fit in there. This pack is just right for them 95% of the time and they won't wish they had wheels and a handle on the pack because they won't be tempted to overfill it as I see many children do.
Having seen the same bag in other colours after a few seasons of regular use ( they last a long time), I did not hesitate to buy both boys a black pack. While the other packs showed no real amount of wear after several years use, they do show dirt and stains accumulated along the way. MEC may want to drop some of the light colours in favour of a dark green and a dark navy.
Anyone deducting a star based on size obviously bought online and not at a store and probably needs to examine their comprehension of "Volume" as it pertains to pack capacity.
As for value, these pay for themselves after the first year when you realize that the bottom hasn't worn through and you don't need to go out and replace it like you do with the department and office supply store brands. All the kids i know, always have finger size holes in the bottom of their pack come July. All except the ones sporting these!
Pros: Rugged, Simple, Good Value, Reliable, feature packed
Cons: all colours but black show dirt
2 of 2 found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 5 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
3
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
By:ProBiker
Location: Spruce Grove,AB
Age: under 18
Gender: male
Gear Style: Performance Driven
Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer
MEC MEMBER
get the deluxe
Date: August 14, 2009
This is okay but before I had the larger one but the zipper broke :( then I brought it back and they gave me this smaller one. I t's missing a extra 2 packs and it doesn't have any chest clips
Don't give up in the gloom just get the Deluxe version:)
Chill out and Ride
Live life to the most
Live life to the most
Ride like you mean it
Pros: Simple, Good Value
Cons: Small
Share this review:
Review 6 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:wghani
Location: Toronto
Good pack, bad zipper
Date: December 13, 2008
I bought this pack about two years ago. I bought it for carrying books and writing material. Its small capacity makes it unsuitable for carrying the kind of book loads university students often carry. The pack is generally made of good material and still looks quite new. But it has a big problem: Despite careful use, the zipper on its main section broke, making it unusable. On the whole, the pack is not worth it.
Pros: Good Padding, Comfortable
Cons: Small Capacity
Share this review:
Review 7 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:June
Location: Kootenays, BC
A Good backpack
Date: November 3, 2008
This is a good pack in general, but I find it too small for anyone other than a grade school student. As a nursing student, there is no way more than 2 of my texts fit inside. The laptop compartment is handy but also small - I have a small notebook and it just barely fits. I like this pack and will probably use it forever, but I recommend the bigger version for any students looking for a pack to haul their books.
Pros: Strong material, Durable, Handy side pockets, Good Padding, Grab handle, Very adjustable, Comfortable to wear, Stylish
Cons: Small for most, Small Capacity
Share this review:
Review 8 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:EBRYthin_aficionado
Location: New york, New york
Nice backpack
Date: September 18, 2008
This is my second bag from MEC. Although it is worlds better than my last one, it's STILL TOO SMALL. Ugh, i hate that.
Pros: Good Padding, Versatile, Comfortable, Very adjustable
Cons: Still not enough space, Not well balanced
Share this review:
Review 9 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:The Teacher
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
MEC MEMBER
Six years later....
Date: August 15, 2008
I bought this pack, as well as it's predecessor for my kids when they both started school. My son's bag is now going into grade six, (I bought it for kindergarten) and it is still in perfect condition. As far as we know, he is the only kid in his school who still has the same bag he started with. Given it's age, I have asked him for the last two years if he wanted a new one, and he has refused.
My daughter's pack is but a mere three years old. As with the first, it is still in perfect condition, and it shows absolutely no signs of wear.
Buy these bags ONLY if you want to use them for a very long time.
My daughter's pack is but a mere three years old. As with the first, it is still in perfect condition, and it shows absolutely no signs of wear.
Buy these bags ONLY if you want to use them for a very long time.
Pros: Very durable, Good Padding, Very adjustable
Share this review:
Review 10 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:SnoopGirl
Location: Oakvile, ON
MEC MEMBER
Love it!
Date: June 22, 2008
Two years of use back and forth to school and not a rip or tear! I may have to get a bigger version as he moves up in school and has more stuff to bring home, but it will be same brand - Best [$] I ever spent!
Pros: Very adjustable, Very durable, Good Padding
Share this review:
Review 11 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:biking student
Location: victoria
great backpack
Date: October 21, 2007
This bag has held up even under terrible weather. I carry my school books in it and my bike ride home is about 20km. I ride rain or shine and there is still no sign of wear yet. great bag for a low price.
Pros: Large Capacity, Good Padding, Very adjustable, Durable
Share this review:
Review 12 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Gilles
Location: Ottawa
MEC Book Bag
Date: September 10, 2007
I bought this bag as a school bag for my daughter (7). I already have a similar MEC bag and I know they last for a long time. I wanted my daughter to enjoy a good and practical school bag for many years.
Pros: Good Padding, Very adjustable, Large Capacity
Share this review:
Review 13 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Chuch
Location: Manitoba
MEC MEMBER
Great bag!
Date: September 8, 2007
Very well made book bag, perfect for my elementary-age children. Has a nice padded inside pocket for a keyboard.
Pros: Very well made, Very adjustable
Share this review:
Review 14 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Karen, Archaeologist
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
MEC MEMBER
Bookbag Good for More than Books
Date: September 6, 2007
This bag is great for carrying all my field equipment like GPS, pens, notebooks, tape measures, camera, and binoculars. Well organized interior makes things easy to find. It is also great because I can carry 2 litres of water in the side net pouches.
Pros: Easy to get on and off, Large Capacity, Very adjustable, Good Padding
Share this review:
Review 15 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Anonymous
Location: Kitchener, ON
MEC MEMBER
great for school
Date: September 6, 2007
My daughter in grade 3 finds it very comfortable and balanced. There is enough room to fit her agenda, a few library books, homework and lunch bag.
Pros: Good Padding, Very adjustable, Large Capacity
Share this review:
Review 16 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Yvo
Location: Victoria, BC
A good, moderate-sized bag
Date: September 4, 2007
I was happy with this product for what I wanted. A good moderate-sized bag.
Pros: Good Padding
Share this review:
Review 17 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Jan
Location: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Great kids school bag
Date: September 4, 2007
I bought it for my 9 year old grandson and he loves it!
Pros: Very adjustable, Large Capacity
Share this review:
Review 18 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:KC
Location: AB
VERIFIED REVIEWER
Good School Bag
Date: August 30, 2007
Very good school bag, could be slightly larger (I have the 24L version), but will work for most students. I have stuffed books, groceries and day tripped with this bag. Very durable, and generous padding are the best things about it. The laptop compartment is too small for my laptop (which, to be fair is old, and quite large.)
It's not great for day tripping, the waist strap is pretty thin.
It's not great for day tripping, the waist strap is pretty thin.
Pros: Durable, Good Padding
Cons: Laptop area is small
Share this review:
Review 19 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Peter
Location: Edmonton
VERIFIED REVIEWER
Comfortable but weird-shaped
Date: August 21, 2007
Bought this at the start of the year to replace my venerable school bag of 7+ years. I didn't want something big but rather something comfortable and well-organized. The MEC Bookbag fit these expectations exactly. (Note: For more room, check out the Deluxe version, only a few dollars more)
The main pocket has a laptop pouch with a velcro strap. It's not that big, and my 15" laptop (not widescreen) just barely fit. You should definitely check whether yours will before if you intend to use this as a laptop carrier. 17" laptops will most likely NOT fit.
The front pocket has a bunch of flat pockets that are great for organizing writing tools, your calculator, and other school-related tools. This is important if you're a neat freak like me. There's also a pouch and port for an MP3 player but honestly I don't think this feature is that useful on any pack.
The water bottle holders were durable and not some sort of afterthought as they are on a lot of school bags. They'll hold 1L Nalgenes well, and a variety of other bottles since they're fairly deep. The straps are wide and comfortable, as is the carrying handle.
Pros: Organization, Good Padding, Lots of compartments, Durable
Cons: Small Laptop Pocket, Shape
Share this review:
Review 20 for Bookbag Daypack
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Asian Sensation
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Small, but pratical bookbag
Date: August 18, 2007
A nice little bag for your basic needs. Don't expect it to hold very much as it was made to be a small bag. It was probably meant for people with smaller builds, as I can imagine the bag being uncomfortable for larger people. The bag has a laptop divider thats padded which is a nice plus, so if you have you school books inside with your laptop, it will cushion them from banging into each other. Not only that, the laptop divider has a cover, so you can securely hold at 15in (or smaller) laptop in place. When I don't put my laptop in the compartment, I place my heavy textbooks in there so they don't fly all over inside the bag. I recommend this bag for people who like to carry light, ie. just a textbook and a small notebook, and a few pens, pencils, etc...
Pros: Simple, Durable, Reflector, Good Padding, Compact
Cons: Lack of compartments, Lack of Pockets
Share this review:
