Backpacks, y'all

Here's an all-points bulletin. You don't have to be among the freshly admitted undergrad masses roaming college campuses with North Face backpacks. (Can I get a witness on them Jansport 'packs, too?) It may also be time to retire the ratty patches and band pins from your more angst-filled youth.

We sent help. If a tote or a messenger bag isn't your jam and you like to be hands free, throw one of these backpacks over your shoulders for your daily commute. 

But before you scroll, can we talk about one-shoulder backpacks? 

They just don't make sense. It's like wearing a jacket with one sleeve.

I already have a minor case of scoliosis; do I really need to further that curvature? Hell no.

I digress.

Here are our picks for this spring. They're across a variety of price points, and they're organized in no particular hierarchy. I should add the disclaimer that some of these should be filed under "pure fantasy" (cc: the Billykirk rucksack at the smooth total of $440)—at least until we all get jobs managing hedge funds.

Top row:

• Convertible backpack ($240) by Beams Plus x Kelty, available at Mr. Porter
• "Kanken" 15-inch laptop bag ($110) by Fjall Raven, available at Need Svpply
• "Little America" 20-oz backpack ($140) by Herschel Supply Co., available at Need Svpply
• Rucksack ($440) by Opening Ceremony x Billykirk, available at Opening Ceremony

Bottom row:

• "Pathfinder Wanderer" ($175) by Duluth Pack , available at Duluth Pack
• Digital camo backpack ($60) by Herschel Supply Co., available at Urban Outfitters
• "Scoutmaster" laptop pack ($175) by Duluth Pack, available at Duluth Pack
• Canvas rucksack ($260) by Filson, available at Park & Bond

I've toyed with each of these and haven't made my decision on what I'm gonna sling over my shoulders once warmer weather makes afternoon sessions at the beach regular occurrences. I'm sporting this rucksack right now and it's on its last leg.

So, interwebz: What kind of bag do you carry?

midweSTYLE: Lost

Some of you are probably thinking, "Who is this guy again?" After all, it must feel like you haven't seen me in a month of Sundays. Where have I been, you ask? Long story short, I spent about four weeks in the smokey hills of North Carolina, making new lifelong friends and perusing the city of Asheville in a 12 passenger van. It was an incredible joy, but I'm also pumped to be back in Kansas City, at the Midwestyle office. And no, that doesn't actually exist. Or does it?

FIRST THINGS FIRST: The newest additions to my closet are a few Gitman Vintage shirts that I scored at a freshly opened Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th at Legends Outlets in Kansas City, Kansas. With the combination of some opening-event special discounts and a few other tricks, I ended up scoring two for about a hundred dollars. Considering they both retail for around $165 per, it felt like Christmas. Or my birthday. Or like I was stealing something.

My favorite part about wearing or using something over and over again is to see how well it ages. My Vans, Baldwin Denim, and Duluth Pack are all developing their own characteristics that make putting them on or throwing it over my shoulder a different experience week to week, month to month. I love products that have the quality and longevity to take on a distinct life of their own (note: those are also the products I'm also willing to shell out more cash for). Sorry mom, I know I should be saving, or something like that (note #2: my mom reads the Midwestyle religiously. You da best, mom!).

In other, unrelated news, I lost my Timex and Corter for Japan bracelet somewhere in the state of North Carolina. That said, I find myself in between watches and without any leather on my wrist, the feeling of which, I must say, I had grown quite fond of. The search has begun for replacements. Like this. And this. More suggestions are welcome.

LASTLY: Because I feel like things are meant to be shared.

On Cameron: Kurabo 77's (Standard Style, $198) by Baldwin Denim, size 31; s/s madras shirt (Saks OFF 5th @ Legends Outlets, over 50 percent off) by Gitman Vintage, size medium; Authentics (online, $40) by Vans, size 10; "Preston" eyeglasses (online, $95) by Warby Parker; waxed canvas "Wanderer" backpack (online, $215) by Duluth Pack; ratty woven belt (thrifted, $4)

Photos by my good friend Jarred Donalson

FAVORITE: Duluth Pack, The Wanderer in Waxed Canvas

Last fall, upon deciding I needed a new backpack (I still get to wear backpacks after all because, well, I'm still in college), I went perusing the Internet to find a bag that was:

• Made out of waxed canvas.
• Made in the USA.

After primitively Googling these criteria, I landed on Duluth Pack's website. After reading about Duluth a bit, I was sold. The 128-year-old company's reputation was worthy of buying into: American-made, handcrafted gear. I was into it, and the Wanderer seemed to fit my taste and criteria the best, so I pulled the trigger. The bag was sold out, so I'd have to pine for it for another 2 weeks before it arrived.

The wait was well worth it. It's almost too spacious for my purposes, the main compartment (drawstring closure, with a top flap that buckles over it) holds my Mac, a slew of textbooks and journals, a thermos, and a sweatshirt with relative ease. The weight, almost surprisingly to me, didn't put much of a strain on my back, even with the unpadded straps. The side and front compartments were perfect for holding anything else I may need to carry (cords, external hardrive, water bottles, writing utensils, iPod, etc.).

Overall, the carrying capacity was far beyond expected, in a good way. My favorite aspect of the bag has been the waxed canvas; it eliminates all worry about taking it out in snow or rainfall and shows wear in subtle, but eye-catching ways. If you're looking to replace an aging North Face (not hating on NF, just saying) or your old high school Jansport (again, I love Jansport), and are looking for a company worth investing in for said replacement, I'd urge you to check out Duluth Pack. I promise, this bag is worth every penny.

Oh, did I mention it's guaranteed for life?