CSN Stores was kind enough to provide me with a $40 gift card to buy anything in their store to review. Seeing as my last semester of school was about to start at CSULB, I decided that a new bookbag was in order. As follows is a review of the Jansport Superbreak backpack, an instant classic rucksack, as tested over the first few weeks of school. Note I provide a connection to surfing at the end of the review!
Featuring a rather uninspired silhouette--but available in many eye-popping colors and patterns--the magic of the Jansport Superbreak backpack lies in it's lightweight, durable nylon fabric that houses a huge amount of internal space for the low price of around $30 retail (cheaper if you buy a phased-out colorway, of which there are many).
Looking at the backpack in the store on a rack, you would likely be unimpressed. It has the traditional, rectangular silhouette of the average rucksack that is wider at the bottom and tapers slightly to a semi-rounded top. Yes, it can be bought in some interesting colors, but there are no design intricacies to make it look much more than a standard bookbag.
However, it carries a lot of stuff--and I have high standards for load capacity! I am able to throw 2 thick textbooks books, a WPC 120 medium format pinhole Holga camera (a very large, plastic camera--note I would NOT recommend carrying normal cameras in this non-padded backpack without cushioning the camera gear) with an SLR-Zoom Gorillapod attached at the base, and a sweater/sweatshirt/jacket in the main compartment, with room to spare. Then, I can toss pencils, pens, and up to around 4-5 rolls of 120 medium format film in the exterior compartment.
While I complain of the lack of an aggressive aesthetic, that's another key to the magic of the Superbreak by Jansport--it's not the type of bag that's going to be the first on thieves' lists to rip off. It looks nice enough to pass as a good buy but not fancy enough (there is no complicated back strap system, wild embellishments or embroidery) that it would catch the eye of a predator. Additionally, the back strap system looks to underwhelm with its basic layout and lack of special gel padding. Despite this, carrying it around for my 5 hour stay on campus every day, I have not once found it uncomfortable.
If it isn't broken, don't fix it!
The Jansport Superbreak can be summed up in two key words: "utility value." It is very basic stylistically, but in terms of space, comfort and subtle style, it is more than enough to satisfy the Average Joe, and I would wager even some fashionistas would be compelled to consider it in some of the more chic shades it's available in.
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH SURFING? As an added bonus, if you are going to use this backpack to carry gear to localized surf spots, buy this backpack in a basic, bland color, and rip the stitches over the label adorning the front of the pack out one by one with an Xacto knife. Pull off the label and loose threads, and now you have a very boring looking bag that locals aren't likely to screw with! Locals who want to ruin your day--and minimize your drive to revisit "their" spots--will look for surf-branded merchandise first. Don't fall into their trap. Remember if you are throwing gear into the backpack without a dry-bag (which you would have to purchase separately), you will want to thoroughly rinse out the pack's zippers with freshwater after every session. Otherwise, zippers will likely rust shut. A dry sack is highly recommended if you are going to carry wet gear (wetsuits/rashguards/swimfins) with this pack. I recommend Seal Line wet bags.
