Hobbies · Professions · Travel ·

Finding The Perfect Backpack for Teachers

Since launching our large and medium range of expandable laptop backpacks, feedback from Knackpackers around the world has been pouring in through email, Instagram and reviews on Facebook.  A review from Robert Martin-Sullivan, a math teacher in Kentucky, really caught our attention:

I can't begin to describe how much I love this bag. My wife and I are both teachers, so we need professional bags for our papers and tech and such, but we're also one bag world travelers (16 countries and counting), so we needed that same bag to convert well to traveling. I researched for months looking at all the most popular brands and kickstarters, but all of their bags were either good carry-ons or good backpacks, never both. Then I found knackbags. This bag is perfect for my day to day work; the main opening is wide enough to easily view files, the laptop sleeve is generous, and the front pocket is perfect for pens pencils and the like. Plus, when in work mode, the back is entirely slim and sleek. Once I need it for travel though, it transforms perfectly. The expandable clamshell compartment is the perfect carryon size. In the pictures below, I've got my clothing for our upcoming 2 week multistate holiday road trip. All told, there are 6 pairs of underwear, 7 pairs socks, 6 tshirts, 2 sets of jeans, 1 set of khakis, 4 sweaters, and 6 tshirts. They all fit perfectly with enough space leftover for my toiletries and all the work materials I have to bring along. None of my other travel bags can fit all that and still stay functional as a work bag! Overall, knackbags has made a bag that looks sleek as a day to day workbag; that can be expanded to a full sized carryon without losing its work functionality, and while still remaining sleek; and which is equally functional and and comfortable in both models. Their marketing proved to be true: the knackbag has brought me from three bags (work bag, carry on, personal item) down to one, and made my life a thousand times easier.I can't begin to describe how much I love this bag. My wife and I are both teachers, so we need professional bags for our papers and tech and such, but we're also one bag world travelers (16 countries and counting), so we needed that same bag to convert well to traveling. I researched for months looking at all the most popular brands and kickstarters, but all of their bags were either good carry-ons or good backpacks, never both. Then I found knackbags. This bag is perfect for my day to day work; the main opening is wide enough to easily view files, the laptop sleeve is generous, and the front pocket is perfect for pens pencils and the like. Plus, when in work mode, the back is entirely slim and sleek. Once I need it for travel though, it transforms perfectly. The expandable clamshell compartment is the perfect carryon size. In the pictures below, I've got my clothing for our upcoming 2 week multistate holiday road trip. All told, there are 6 pairs of underwear, 7 pairs socks, 6 tshirts, 2 sets of jeans, 1 set of khakis, 4 sweaters, and 6 tshirts. They all fit perfectly with enough space leftover for my toiletries and all the work materials I have to bring along. None of my other travel bags can fit all that and still stay functional as a work bag! Overall, knackbags has made a bag that looks sleek as a day to day workbag; that can be expanded to a full sized carryon without losing its work functionality, and while still remaining sleek; and which is equally functional and and comfortable in both models. Their marketing proved to be true: the knackbag has brought me from three bags (work bag, carry on, personal item) down to one, and made my life a thousand times easier.

Robert is a new parent, involved educator and frequent traveler – and he uses his Knack Pack™  for it all.  We sat down with Robert to learn more about how he uses his medium Knack Pack and how he lives his best #OneBagLife.

Researching The Best Backpack

Because of his busy schedule (in addition to teaching math, Robert also coaches an academic team and robotics club after school), Robert knew he wanted to live a #OneBagLife.

“I had been researching backpacks for months before I found the Knack Pack,” says Robert.  “I started following people on YouTube who do bag reviews, and I did a lot of research. I kept finding bags that were either great for day-to-day life or good for travel.  Very few functioned for both.”

 

After seeing Knack Bags on Facebook, Robert knew he had found his teacher backpack.  “I really like the expandable travel compartment,” he says. “I can unzip the bag and use it for trips, and then compress it for day-to-day life.”

Best Backpack for Teachers

Both Robert and his wife, Michelle, are teachers.  “We teach during the day,” says Robert. “And then we have after-school programs, as well as attending school games and activities.” Robert and Michelle leave the house at 6AM, and often don’t return until 7 or 8PM.

In the morning, Robert packs a protein shake, and keeps it in the water bottle pocket.  “I wasn’t sure the pocket would fit bigger bottles, but it does,” he shares. “I can fit my protein blender bottle, or my 32 oz Nalgene water bottle.”

Robert showing his headphones and ID in a special Knack Pack pocket Robert keeps his pens in the front pocket of his Knack Pack for easy access and grading student papers. Accordion folder to organize classwork, homework, etc, in Knack Pack

Robert also packs his lunch, and keeps things like extra contact solution and contacts in the front pocket.  “I also keep the usual teacher stuff in there,” says Robert. “Like papers I’m grading, books, etc. I use an accordion folder that opens on the side to organize everything.  The extra wide opening on the Knack Pack makes it easy to access the files.”

Many teachers bring multiple bags to school everyday, but Robert just needs his Knack Pack!

Family travel is easier with Knack backpack as a carry-on

One of the reasons Robert is so passionate about living a #OneBagLife, is because of an international travel experience.  Robert has been to 18 countries, and after college, he moved to Jordan with Michelle to teach English.

“We both packed our clothes in a checked bag.  The bag was lost, and we only had one change of clothes.  Our bags didn’t arrive for two weeks. It was miserable. Since then, we’ve lived by ‘Nothing but carry-on!’ when we travel.”

Multiple outfits fit in the medium Knack Pack  Robert packs his laptop, cords and toiletries in his Knack Pack travel backpack

Over Christmas, Robert took a trip with his family to Denver.  “It was a long trip,” says Robert. “We drove down to Texas and flew out to Colorado for the holidays. And then drove back home to Kentucky.  I was able to fit everything I needed in my Knack Pack, except my ski stuff!”

Best… Diaper Bag?

We’re always impressed with the diverse uses that Knackpackers come up with, and Robert is no exception!

Robert shared how he sometimes uses his Knack Pack for his newborn. Shares Robert,  “For parents out there, the Knack Pack makes for a surprisingly fantastic diaper bag,” he says.

Family picture of the Martin-Sullivan family

The various pockets make it useful for all of the stuff that accompanies new parenthood.  “I use the bottom pocket for dirty clothes – normally, the laptop charger section. I can keep important medicine in the front organization pocket.  And then diagers and extra clothes in the main compartment. The Knack Pack has been super handy for when we didn’t have our diaper bag on hand or have time to switch stuff out.”

Has Robert found his perfect backpack?

Robert uses his Knack Pack for teaching, traveling and parenting.  “It’s nice to have a travel bag that looks good as a travel bag and day-to-day,” he says.  “It’s not a bulky duffel you’re bringing to work. And it’s not an overfilled backpack you’re trying to bring onto a plane.”

The Knack Pack is perfect for travel, daily use and parenting.  

Would you like to be interviewed for the Knack Bags blog?  Be sure to leave a Facebook review, as that’s our first stop to find stories for the Knack Bags blog!

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