SwissGear

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends SwissGear

32 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 30, 2025

  Please Help Me Choose!

  Swissgear All the IT techs and Comp Sci majors at college carry them

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• #2Dec 19, 2025

  For any young college grads in your life - briefcases that will last their career.

  My wife gave me one as a gift 12 years ago - still using it daily, still getting complements on it. Most client meetings I attend people have either Swiss Gear backpacks or leather briefscases- not the hardback ones that open with locks, closer to messenger bags but more professional looking.

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• #3Dec 5, 2025

  Best thing to buy for $100

  Swissgear or jansport are sturdy and reliable or an army surplus ruck

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• #4Dec 2, 2025

  Women's Backpack Suitable for Travel (Lay Flat Preferred)

  Go for a clamshell backpack in the 20–26L range ([like this](https://d3oc4tmn8qmbnq.cloudfront.net/?q=GMKAO717)) so it fits under-seat and still swallows packing cubes. Check personal-item dims (think about 18×14×8 in) and weight under 2.5 lb so it doesn’t feel brick-y once full. Women friendly fit helps a lot, slightly curved, narrower straps and a shorter back panel. Also make sure it has a separate padded laptop sleeve and decent back padding for longer travels

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• #5Dec 2, 2025

  Didn’t realize how attached I was to my old backpack until it finally started falling apart

  My Swissgear is 16 years old and I feel like it’s got a good 5+ years left in it. I use it weekly for grocery runs and travel with it as my personal item. I hope they are still the same quality because I’d buy another one in heartbeat if I lost this one.

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• #6Dec 1, 2025

  Didn’t realize how attached I was to my old backpack until it finally started falling apart

  I just went through this recently with my swissgear backpack. I've had it for over 10years and just last week one of the zippers came off the track. Still in perfect condition otherwise and still usable. Just made me realize that I might not get this same quality when I inevitably have to replace it.

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• #7Nov 5, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  I have a Swissgear that my dad got me when I was 13 years old. I’m 29 now and it’s in the exact same condition. Soaked from falling off a waterfall? No mold. Spilled an entire bong inside of it? No Smell. 50+ lbs of books for over 5 years? no wear or tear. at ALL. I’ve been homeless with this backpack, moved over a dozen times with it, and camped a fuck load with it. They’re not super cheap but you are buying a backpack that will be handed down to your child.

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• #8Nov 5, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  I've carried a SwissGear backpack to work, every day, for the past 16 years...Absolutely pristine bags, zippers work as well as day one. It holds quite a bit and has no signs of wear. I swear by this brand, they are my number one recommendation.

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• #9Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  Swiss Gear. I still have a backpack from high school 15 years ago, looks basically new. Before I got this one, I was blowing through a cheap backpack every year as a student.

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• #10Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  Swissgear.com, makers of the Swiss army knife also make REALLY good backpacks and luggage. But make a point to start wearing it with both straps as it will save your back for later in life.

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• #11Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  Swiss gear Ibex

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• #12Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  I don't know how people in this sin feel about them, but Swiss Gear made my favorite bag. It didn't break, it was eventually stolen. It had braided steel cable running through it to reinforce the carry handle, load-relief 'springs' around the shoulders, padded straps, very durable fabric construction, and more pockets than a Midwestern dad could dream of. As a broke college kid, it did all I wanted and more. I need to pick up another one someday.

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• #13Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  I like Swiss Gear

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• #14Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  I'd say they need either a bigger better bag or something from SwissGear, LL Bean school bag, NorthFace Jester, etc. Keep in mind not every pack is made 'one size fits all'. And just because it has the volume to carry heavy weight doesn't mean it should. I've got a 7yr old Swissgear bag for work that is like new (just for commuting), and Solgaard Venture that's been to 3 continents. Those plus a variety of stuffable daypacks and hunting bags... get the correct tool for the job. + that torn strap is repairable.

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• #15Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  If you’re using it for school, Swissgear makes affordable, versatile backpacks with a lot of pockets for one thing or the next. I had one that lasted me 10 years before starting to rip. Ogio makes really good backpacks for office and school too. Mines lasted 5 years so far with a good amount of abuse and weight. But I find their stuff to be more expensive. There are plenty of other options that make more specialized backpacks. Outdoor/travel brands: osprey, north face, Cotopaxi. Travel specific: aer, tortuga, matador, evergoods,: the list goes on. I find these aesthetic but I think I would have preferred the extra pockets and all where I find these other brands make really nice bags for large compartments with some organization pockets that might be good for minimal use of office supplies and more packing space. Some of the smaller commuter backpacks might be good to use for school. But I still love my Ogio renegade for standard use with way too many pockets. I have a glasses case on top for my safety glasses. Two zip pockets on each side for everyday carry stuff. Water bottle pockets. One of the water bottle pockets holds zip ties and twisty ties. Laptop and folders of course. Main pocket holds all my bulky stuff. Two secondary pockets: one holds all my Office supplies. The other holds flatter objects that I need separated from everything else for one reason or the next. Unfortunately this is padded which you don’t like.

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• #16Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  Swiss Gear has been good for me. Great little laptop pocket too

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• #17Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  I have a Swiss Gear I got for a great price at Costco about 10 years ago.   Used it everyday and for traveling to and from NYC on a weekly basis for about 5 years... Walking construction sites, tossed in site offices, planes, trains, and automobiles.  I bought it purposely for that reason when I got the job.   I have moved on from that job, but I still use it for site visits.  I use it for any travel as my personal bag.   It shows very little signs of wear.  It will be with me for another 10 years at least.  It will get me to retirement and beyond, I am sure.

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• #18Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  I’ve been using the medium/large Swissgear backpack for a decade plus now. Everything from hauling gear on movie sets in Canada to my entire college career in the USA. Those things are close to indestructible and any small wear over time is easily repairable. Comfy straps too.

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• #19Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  I don’t know if it’s still a thing but I have a Swiss gear laptop backpack that I’ve had for 22 years and it has no issues.

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• #20Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  Swiss Gear

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• #21Jul 2, 2025

  Swissgear backpack. In 15 years it’s been to 40 states, 5 countries, 2 colleges and carried me through middle school and high school. You can pry this bag from my cold, dead hands.

  Looks to be the Swissgear 1923. I have it. It's a great pack.

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• #22Jul 2, 2025

  Swissgear backpack. In 15 years it’s been to 40 states, 5 countries, 2 colleges and carried me through middle school and high school. You can pry this bag from my cold, dead hands.

  I know this is an old post, but I was looking at a new bag and ran across this post. I have this same bag, the Swissgear 1923. I just checked Amazon and I bought it in 2014, so it's 11 years old now. It's still in perfect condition and it's been everywhere with me. Very good bag. Nothing has ever broken on it, nothing is torn, etc. Highly recommended.

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• #23Jun 13, 2025

  Am I overreacting about this SwissGear duffle strap failing after just a few uses?

  I get you. I honestly thought it would be an easy replacement and they might even want it back to see what caused the issue. My brother’s bag is perfect after 7 years and he loads it up and uses it regularly.

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• #24Jun 13, 2025

  Am I overreacting about this SwissGear duffle strap failing after just a few uses?

  I think I'll do that. I'm waiting to receive my replacement strap in the mail then I'm going after them. I pulled up my account to check when I ordered it and saw I ordered one for my brother in 2018. He said he's had no issues with his.

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• #25Jun 13, 2025

  Am I overreacting about this SwissGear duffle strap failing after just a few uses?

  Their quality went down a lot recently. I have a TSA backpack from 15years ago, that still functions perfectly today. I saw their "new" backpack a few days ago at costco and the materials and stitching felt CHEAPPP

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• #26Jun 12, 2025

  Wenger Swissgear Synergy Backpack

  Can’t go wrong with SwissGear. Lasts forever.

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• #27Jun 7, 2025

  Wenger Swissgear Synergy Backpack

  I have a red Swissgear backpack that I bought in like 2008 and it's still in pretty decent condition.

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• #28Jun 2, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  Swiss Gear backpacks

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• #29Apr 11, 2025

  Big, good laptop backpack?

  SWISSGEAR backpack, my dad gave me one he got as swag from a conference and it’s the best bag for laptops and electronics I’ve ever owned.

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• #30Mar 8, 2025

  Can't decide on a backpack

  SwissGear. I've hauled mine back and forth to the office (and lots of business travel) for almost 15 years now, still looks and works like new.

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• #31Mar 7, 2025

  Can't decide on a backpack

  I'm not sure about the quality of today, but SwissGear backpacks are absolute tanks. Durable as heck and can take some punishment. I used to own one back in elementary from the start of 5th grade to mid of 7th grade. It didn't break or anything, my parents gave it away. It still hurts and I still bug them for doing that to this day, years later. the backpack endured all of the punishment that a kid with ADHD could offer on grass, dirt, and concrete. The backpack worked for trips and endured the textbooks I used to take to school. Why i did that, I'm not sure since the textbooks were in the classroom, but I was usually carrying 2 or 3 textbooks. The backpack never ripped, only wore down on a few little spots on the bottom from all the dragging and throwing I'd do on the concrete. Zippers also never failed me. And the pockets.... it was like pocket heaven. There were so many pockets. Not sure if that matters to you, but I loved it. As per the waterproof aspect... I don't think they excell on that. Then again, as a kid I always liked being under the rain and would leave my zippers closed at the top, not the side, so my stuff would always end up wet. I can't offer a genuine comment on that. I'd suggest getting a backpack cover though. They're light, take little space, and can be removed easily. Like I mentioned though, I don't know of their quality nowadays. I loved the backpack, cost my parents about 90 bucks back in like 2012, so the prices have definitely gone up but im not sure by how much. I also bought it at target, which is kind of funny to me since I haven't seen swiss gear in a Target for years. times were different back then.

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• #32Jan 9, 2025

  What's the best Targus 15.6"+ laptop backpack?

  Yes, the handle is part of the strap assembly. The Targus did very well on our vacation in Europe. My wife liked it a lot. I do feel it will hold up well. It has a ton of protection padding and the laptop compartment is suspended/isolated so the laptop doesn't hit the ground through the bottom when you set it down. Any decent backpack will be in the $70-100 price point I mentioned before. Highest quality ones usually start at $150 and go up from there quite a bit. This is the first one we ordered, but returned because my wife didn't like the zip pulls, because they were large and made a bit of noise because they weren't coated. It is a great backpack though. [Amazon.com: SwissGear 1900 Scansmart TSA 17 Laptop Backpack, Blue/Black, 19-Inch : Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESKYI4M/ref=dp_iou_view_item?ie=UTF8&th=1)

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