I don’t know why, but finding the right backpack feels like a life quest—like I’m a video game character on an endless side mission.

I’ve owned plenty of backpacks. But none of them have ever been perfect.

There’s always something off.

✔ Too big. Too small.
✔ Too many pockets. Not enough pockets.
✔ Feels great when empty. Turns into a brick when full.

And yet, the search continues.

The Backpack Goldilocks Zone

I know what I want—at least, in theory.

✔ Compact but spacious – Big enough for a water bottle, light jacket, emergency battery, and some snacks. But not so big that I look like I’m about to hike the Appalachian Trail.
✔ Lightweight but durable – Because I don’t want to feel like I’m carrying bricks, but I also don’t want it falling apart in six months.
✔ Minimalist but functional – Clean design. No excessive straps, no giant logos, no 42 different compartments for things I’ll forget I even packed.

Sounds simple, right?

You’d think so.

But every time I think I’ve found “the one”, it ends up being… not quite right.

  • It’s either too bulky when half-empty or too tight when fully loaded.
  • It looks perfect online but feels terrible in real life.
  • It’s either an endless black hole or a maze of tiny compartments that make me question my own memory.

I’m not asking for a magic bag of holding.
Just a backpack that actually fits my daily life.

The Backpacks That Have Let Me Down

I’ve tried them all.

1. The “Looks Perfect But Feels Terrible” Backpack

I’ve been betrayed by backpacks that seem like the one, only to realize:

  • The straps dig into my shoulders like tiny instruments of torture.
  • The padding looks comfortable, but after an hour of walking, my shoulders are on fire.
  • Even the most “ergonomic” designs somehow turn into medieval punishment devices when I’m rushing through NYC.

2. The “Endless Black Hole” Backpack

You know the kind. No organization, just one giant pocket where everything disappears.

Want your keys? Hope you enjoy an archaeological dig.

It’s always the same scenario:

  • I’m in a rush.
  • The thing I need is somewhere at the bottom.
  • I dig through tangled charging cables, crumpled receipts, and a water bottle that somehow went horizontal.
  • By the time I find my keys, I’m questioning every decision that led me to this moment.

3. The “Too Many Compartments” Backpack

At first, it seems genius. A special pocket for everything!

Then, a month later, I can’t remember where anything is.

It’s a scavenger hunt every time I need my headphones.

There’s a pocket for my phone, a secret compartment for my wallet, a tiny slot for pens, and another one… for… what was that even for?

The more organized it tries to be, the more chaotic my life becomes.

4. The “Why Is This So Heavy?!” Backpack

Empty, it already feels like I’m carrying bricks.

Add a laptop and a water bottle, and suddenly I need physical therapy.

I try to be a minimalist, but the backpack itself sabotages me.

Now I check product descriptions for the empty weight before even considering a purchase.

If it feels heavy in the store, it’s already dead to me.

Why Do I Even Care This Much?

I know this sounds ridiculous.

“It’s just a backpack, right?”

But here’s the thing:

A backpack is a daily companion.

It’s with you through:

  • Long walks.
  • Commutes.
  • Unexpected errands.
  • Last-minute snack storage emergencies.

The right one makes life easier.

The wrong one? An endless source of frustration.

And when you live in New York, where you’re constantly moving, your backpack is an extension of yourself.

I’m walking miles every day.
I’m squeezing into crowded subway cars.
I’m weaving through tourist mobs in Times Square.

I need a backpack that moves with me—not against me.

I want to forget it’s even there, not curse its existence every time I try to get my MetroCard.

The Minimalist’s Dilemma

I’m not just looking for a backpack.

I’m looking for the one.
The last backpack I’ll ever need.

I love minimalism.

I’m on a mission to find:
✔ One perfect item for every category in my life.
✔ One pen. One jacket. One bag.
✔ No backups. No alternatives. Just the best version of everything I use.

So when it comes to a backpack, it’s not just about functionality.

It’s about perfection.

Because if I find the right one, I’ll never have to think about backpacks again.

But that’s the problem, isn’t it?

I keep thinking about backpacks.
I keep testing, trying, and switching.

Because none of them have been “the one.”

Will I Ever Find “The One”?

I’d love to say I’ve finally found my perfect backpack, but let’s be real—this is an ongoing saga.

  • Maybe the backpack is out there, waiting for me to discover it.
  • Maybe it doesn’t exist, and I’ll just cycle through 20 more before giving up.
  • Maybe, like some kind of minimalist curse, I’m doomed to be haunted by this search forever.

Or maybe…

Just maybe…

The real perfect backpack was the friends we made along the way.

(But also, if you have any recommendations, please let me know. The search continues.)