Back in 2003, I was an orientation leader for the University of Arkansas. And as part of the gig, we were given free backpacks. We carried them around campus as we gave tours and led sessions and helped out the incoming college students with whatever they needed... It was a free backpack. Nothing special. But it's been with me ever since.
It's been taken around the world and back and has been washed and dried and beaten half to death on countless occasions. But somehow, it is still looking great and doing a fine job! When I started grad school last fall, Leo encouraged me to buy a new fancy one to tote around campus, but I adamantly refused. Why would I replace a bag that was still perfectly usable?! It got me through my bachelors program with flying colors, and I had no doubt it would work just as well this time around.
And I was correct!
However, over the past few months, I've noticed that it's starting to show its age more & more. A small hole has now developed on the bottom, which is steadily growing bigger. And the lining is starting to flake away. I'm not sure if all backpacks lose their linings eventually, but it seems to be a trend among those which have been exposed to African heat. (We'll get to that in a minute.) I'm sure one of these days all of my books & binders will come crashing through the ever-growing hole in the bottom, but for now, it still works just fine.
But that leads me to my second backpack story. A beautiful North Face variety that I inherited from my brother, Tom. It was a little bigger than a school pack, and a little smaller than a full-sized pack for travel, but it made the perfect carry-on. Tom used it for years, and I then took it with me to the Peace Corps.
That was several weeks ago, and the they got back to me within no time. The verdict: definitely not a new one for free (no surprise there), but they did give me 50% off on a replacement! And while I had hoped to put off getting a new one until Santa could bring me one for Christmas, how could I pass up 50% off??
A few days ago, this beautiful new Recon arrived in the mail.
I'm absolutely in love with the green, and even more in love with the fact that I got it for 50% off, got free shipping AND it's a direct descendent of Tom's old pack. I'm sure it will accompany me through the remainder of grad school (and whatever comes after) just fine. But just to make sure, I plan to test it officially in Nicaragua come June 9th.
It has some mighty big shoes to fill... but here's to the next generation!
It's been taken around the world and back and has been washed and dried and beaten half to death on countless occasions. But somehow, it is still looking great and doing a fine job! When I started grad school last fall, Leo encouraged me to buy a new fancy one to tote around campus, but I adamantly refused. Why would I replace a bag that was still perfectly usable?! It got me through my bachelors program with flying colors, and I had no doubt it would work just as well this time around.
And I was correct!
However, over the past few months, I've noticed that it's starting to show its age more & more. A small hole has now developed on the bottom, which is steadily growing bigger. And the lining is starting to flake away. I'm not sure if all backpacks lose their linings eventually, but it seems to be a trend among those which have been exposed to African heat. (We'll get to that in a minute.) I'm sure one of these days all of my books & binders will come crashing through the ever-growing hole in the bottom, but for now, it still works just fine.
But that leads me to my second backpack story. A beautiful North Face variety that I inherited from my brother, Tom. It was a little bigger than a school pack, and a little smaller than a full-sized pack for travel, but it made the perfect carry-on. Tom used it for years, and I then took it with me to the Peace Corps.
This was taken in April 2008, right after landing in Johannesburg, South Africa. Check out the cart's upper basket.
It was taken from country to country, in and out of tents and questionable hostels... and by the end of my 2+ year assignment, it had taken about as much as it could handle. The lining was flaking at an alarming rate, and soon anything you put inside would come out covered with pieces of disgusting old backpack guts. But I brought it back to the States with me, and have been holding onto it since.
While I thought for a split second about keeping it for the sake of sentimental value, that idea quickly vanished. First off, what good is a busted backpack- sentimental or not? Second, Tom would hate that! And third, North Face has a lifetime warranty! After a quick phone call to the company, I decided to give it a shot and send it in. Yes, it was about 10 years old and had been "well-used," but why not? Best case scenario: a free new backpack. And worst: a coupon towards my next one! No downside in sight. So I threw my traveling companion in the bathtub (per North Face's request) and got it ready to go!
A few days ago, this beautiful new Recon arrived in the mail.
It has some mighty big shoes to fill... but here's to the next generation!
1 comment:
Haha! It is so worth buying a good pack from a reputable company (or inheriting one). I just sent back my JanSport daypack for repair or replacement, also through a lifetime warranty/guarantee.
Nicaragua? What's up with that? Have a great time whatever you're doing down there.
Keri
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