[wraptile]

I enjoyed the article but like much of online content about Japan it comes off like obsessive fan service.

Can you imagine carrying 1-2kg empty backpack with you every day? Just because something took long to make doesn't mean it's superior in production or quality or even perception. It's pretty, fashionable and the tradition is wholesome but that's where it ends.

I got a free backpack with my new Thinkpad laptop recently. It's light, well designed, mass produced, easy to personalize - would take this over the 450$ school bags any time of the year.

[JohnBooty]

    I got a free backpack with my new Thinkpad laptop recently. 
    It's light, well designed, mass produced, easy to personalize 
    - would take this over the 450$ school bags any time of the year. 

Just to be clear: you're using your freebie bag to carry a laptop and not 6kg/13lb of schoolbooks, correct?

Something tells me the answer is "yes" which kind of makes me wonder why you're mentioning it

Do you also drive around in a compact car and think "man this is so much better than a school bus" and pat yourself on the back every time you see a school bus

[wraptile]

I'm confused how is that relevant what's being carried in it? in fact the flexible synthethic backpack molds much better to variable-sized objects you'd put in it rather than giant square leather bucket.

[JohnBooty]

You... don't understand how carrying heavier, bulkier loads will cause more stress on a bag?

[nephanth]

Weight pulls on seams and fabric, and since they're likely to cut costs on something they give away for free, carrying a high weight would probably shortening its lifespan

[Dylan16807]

> Can you imagine carrying 1-2kg empty backpack with you every day?

That's so light, of course I can. I'm legitimately baffled by the implication that this is heavy for a backpack.

[wraptile]

It is if you're a schoolkid. The difference between a flexible 500gram backpack and 2kg hard edge backpack is massive and in fact not recommended by most health experts. Ergonomics matter.

[Dylan16807]

You specifically addressed the idea of an HN poster having one, though, and compared it to your current bag.

It's a bit much for elementary school but I had a pretty big backpack by about grade 5, and my current 2kg backpack is quite comfortable.

> The difference between a flexible 500gram backpack and 2kg hard edge backpack is massive and in fact not recommended by most health experts. Ergonomics matter.

Sure, in that the vast majority of the difference is the hard edges.

Though you don't actually want much flexibility when you're putting textbooks into a backpack. You want relatively stiff padding to protect you.

[anigbrowl]

I can imagine because I did it. Many kids might learn out of Chromebooks in the US, but textbooks and copybooks continue to have value for many people, and don't depend on security patches or constant charging. For years I carried 6-7kg of books up and down steep hills for a mile each day, rain or shine. While I'm also a big fan of modern backpacks, purpose built ones designed to last have their own value.