[throwawaysml]

I'm not a bag geek, but I know firsthand how hard it is to find the right bag, if you care about functionality more than form.

For instance, I still haven't found the right carry on backpack that's sturdy, doesn't cost $200+, allows me to take clothes for a couple days and a laptop. It's either too big, too expensive, too heavy, too fragile, take your pick. So I can understand how someone can become a bag geek if they have to travel professionally on their own (without assistants who carry your baggage). Bonus points if I can detach a small laptop bag to take with me in order not to leave it at the hotel with the rest of the bag. So far I've always had to carry around the backpack and leave clothes in the hotel room. Pack, arrive, unpack, carry laptop, repack, go home.

[js2]

I don’t understand the objection to price if it fulfills all your other requirements. A quality bag will have a lifetime warranty. Have you looked at Go Ruck?

[throwawaysml]

Past experience makes me wary to risk spending that much and be disappointed two trips later. Lifetime doesn't mean they give money back if unsatisfied, except one or two companies. Also, upping my budget didn't magically reveal viable options either. So I could have skipped the price tag mention and conclude that it's just hard to find the perfect bag.

I've seen the Go Ruck GR2 and it doesn't fit my requirements.

[js2]

Gotcha. Perhaps REI? They carry a handful of brands and you can return anything you aren’t happy with.

[throwawaysml]

Thanks. Basically I want the sturdy laptop backpack you got from HP 10 years ago with a clever way to pack clothes and ideally waterproof bottom (rubber/plastic) so that I don't worry when having it sit on random floors at airports or train stations.

Having a subdivision of the main compartment bigger than 2 is also important. Laptop, papers, cloth, food maybe.

I'm in Germany and looking for a shop nearby where they have a diverse selection of bags to inspect. I'm kinda tired of ordering bags and having had to send them all back. Amazon is threatening a penalty for returning too often, so there's that :).

First world problems, right?