I need a new bag.
 

Ok so this is going to be part rant and part question. Anyway the rant first. Maybe it's just that I'm totally strange or something and tend to carry an inordinate amount of weight with me but I keep destroying bags. Both duffel bags I carry my Karate gear in and the backpacks I use to carry my text books in. Currently my Karate duffel bag is quite literally falling apart and I've broken one shoulder strap and then the plastic that attached the shoulder strap to the bag after I replaced the shoulder strap. The little plastic thing that allows the shoulder straps to be adjustable broke on the way down a stair case on my previous backpack. So I went out and bought a pack designed for hiking thinking that certainly it would hold up for awhile. It broke in exactly the same way while walking up some stairs.

Which brings me to the title of this thread. I actually need two new bags. I need a new duffel bag and I need a new backpack. Previous experience has taught me that going to Walmart and buying normal ones just isn't going to work. So I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to either go with army surplus or like serious luggage. That's where you guys come in. I really don't want to waste money on a bag that was just made to look tough but will fall apart on me again. So I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with anything that might work for me. I usually end up carrying something on the order of 20-30 pounds or more with me on any given day.

First problem may be that you're buying walmart backpacks. :/

Go to a store that specializes, and get a swiss army pack. They come in all shapes and sizes, and they can hold a decent amount of weight. [roughly 40 lbs to and from school, for two years, and the straps are just beginning to fray. Best prices are around the $90 mark.]

Swiss army (or just plain ole army) packs tend to turn up in goodwills and what not quite often, as well, due to their durable nature and ability to outlast any sane person's need for them.

I'd check places like that before spending ninety bucks on a backpack or duffel bag.

I was looking through an online army surplus store and they had used large Alice Packs complete with frame for about $40. Sounds like that might be a good investment. I was also considering a gear bag for use as a duffel but those a little more expensive.

i have one of those Army surplus bags and they are amazing. really safe and resistent. But i picked mine up on ebay, might be worth it checking out there are specialized sellers for those

...What are you carrying to karate?

Currently a 24 pound self made weight vest. The Dojo is in what is essentially the basement next to a stair case that goes up two stories. I put it on and run to the top about 5 times. Its a pretty decent workout. Just recently I decided to add a minute or two of jump rope at the end of that.

Anyway with my gi, sparring gear, first aid kit, and the various other things that get put in there my bag weighs about 30 pounds easy.

I'd suggest not running down the stairs with that vest on, your synovial joints can't deal with that.

Really, if your that hard on your knees you probably should be carrying this stuff on wheels or in a hiking backpack.

It's not like I bound and thud down the stairs like some sort of lummox. In fact mostly because the stairs are rather hard concrete things covered with rather hard slick plastic like stuff and tend to get slippery when going down I tend to go at a brisk walk more than a run. It's also only a twice a week thing giving my knees plenty of rest. As for the weight I carry I've pretty much carried about that much from Jr High onward. If I was suddenly going to break down from it I would have by now.