I'm a grad student and I find this backpack to be just about perfect for my needs. I can fit my laptop, several three-ring binders, two big text books, pens and highlighters, a change of clothes for the gym and a few calculators in there at once and it all rides comfortably on my back.
If I was designing a backpack myself I would add more padding on the bottom to cushion the contents when there isn't anything in the bottom compartment and I would add a side-pouch for a bottle of water.
this is a heavy duty pack and it's great that shoes go in a seperate section on the bottom. it's large but thats good with all the stuff that kids need to bring to school, snowpants, books, and shoes.
