Elaine’s Columbia Backpack Is The Perfect Boomer Choice

Backpack. It Better Be Comfortable: it’s on your BACK.

(This post may contain affiliate links: see info below).

Columbia Sportswear Rogue River Pack

Call me shallow, call me a snob, but in some cases, I believe in big name brands. They have a reputation to uphold – and they do so: elegantly in the case of Tiffany’s; stylishly in the case of Jimmy Choo; and in the case of my Columbia backpack, dependably.

Check Out My Video

This backpack plays a big part in my video “One Month, One Suitcase.” To be honest, without the backpack, I couldn’t have done the one suitcase!

The Many Benefits of the Columbia Rogue River Backpack.

You saw our checklist of how Boomers/Seniors should look for a backpack. Let’s see how my Columbia Rogue River backpack stacks up.

• Space. Yes: it’s got all kinds of separate compartments apart from the two big ones. They zip up well, and there are handy water bottle carriers on the sides. Plus the innermost one is padded for laptop protection.
• Fit to your body length. Yes: I’m 5’9″, and it conforms well. If you’re shorter, there are very easy adjustment straps.
• Adjustability: Simple straps with very robust plastic buckles (one of the first things to break on cheaper brands.)
• Strength: Haven’t torn it yet, and it’s been run over, overstuffed and generally abused.
• Weight: Extremely light, until I jam it with all my crap.
• Ease of access: The zippers are in the right place to get at what you want; this is one of the reasons I chose it because some other styles have weird low down zips that are hard to get to.
• Padding. Apart from the laptop pad inside, it’s really important to have well-padded shoulder straps so you can go all day. These are some of the most comfortable I’ve put on.
• Looks: I added that one because I love the yellow color. But I don’t think it’s available in that color anymore (but check here on Amazon).
• Price: for something I use so heavily on every trip, it’s really a steal.

The Extra Value of a Good Brand

When you enter into a relationship with any sort of luggage, it’s based on trust, and Columbia has earned mine. You need to know that even when you pack it full to bursting, those zippers are going to hold and the seams are going to stay tight. You expect pockets that make sense – with convenient places for all your techy gear chargers, headphones, meds, jewelry, cosmetics, books, travel log, snacks, and sweater for the plane. A place for everything, and everything in its place. And, in a travel backpack (see my review of the REI Hiker backpack), you need the straps to feel comfortable even when the darn thing is totally overloaded.  I’ve had my Columbia Back Pack for several years now. It still looks fairly new – still totally dependable. Don’t leave home without it.

Amazon Probably Has It For Less

You can get more details, read other reviews or order below. It’s generally less than $40.

Columbia Sportswear Rogue River Pack

(You can order directly at the same or lower cost by clicking on the affiliate links to our vendors on this site. It’s a win-win because the small commission they pay us helps us to keep bringing you free information).