For the sake of this backpack, I learned how to repair nylon coil zippers, when the stitching attaching the coil to the zipper tape wears out.

There’s nothing particularly special about the backpack. I got it for free when I joined tretton37, five and a half years ago. Since then I’ve gotten a new, more stylish bag, on which the zippers actually close without any need for mending. But I don’t want to switch. The bag is tied up with my daily habits, and changing my habits would be a bother.

The bottom is just the right size to fit one of my standard lunch boxes. My mousepad fits perfectly against the back. There is a perfect pocket for small stuff I always want with me (charging cable, pen, handkerchief, etc).

Also, by now it’s almost one of a kind. When I first got it, I could count on seeing dozens of similar bags at any tretton37 event, which made finding mine in the line-up a bit of a hassle. Now most people have switched to the new model, so mine stands out again.