Under Armour Bookbag (1)
When I was 12-13, I remember shopping in the Under Armour store at the Woodbury Commons and seeing this really cool bookbag. When I went to get a closer look, I was disappointed by how expensive it was. When I got my first job in high school, the first big thing I bought was this bookbag. At the time (2021) it cost me ~$120, but the satisfaction I had when I wore it to school for the first time was an experience I won’t forget for a long time.
The bookbag is made of polyester, weighs about 2.5 pounds, and is roughly 7.5 inches wide, 11 inches long, and 19 inches tall (1). The flap that covers the bookbag is about 8 inches at the widest point, roughly 8 inches long, and is a little thicker than 3 index cards (if you were to stack them). On the flap, there is a small patch that reads “Project Rock” and “Under Armour” with their respective logos. This is because this bookbag was released as part of the joint Dwayne Johnson-Under Armour collection. The patch is 2.5 inches wide and 1.25 inches long.
Patch of Logos (1)
The metal straps seen all over the bookbag are roughly 1.5 inches long, 1 inch wide, and 0.25 inches thick and they are made of stainless steel. The two mini black pockets on the left side of the bookbag (first picture) are approximately 4 inches wide, 1.25 inches thick, and 6 inches tall. The water bottle pocket (right side middle picture) is approximately 1 inch thick (can expand to ~3 inches), 4 inches wide, and 11 inches tall. The pocket on the front of the bookbag is 6.25 inches wide, 7 inches tall, and 1 inch thick. From horn to horn, the bull patch is 3 inches wide and from horn to snout it is 2.5 inches tall. In addition, the bookbag has two pockets that measure the size of the whole bookbag. The pocket in the back opens up completely to the base of the bookbag and has two big cushioned pockets to carry a laptop and has a pocket the width of the bookbag that can carry the laptop charger, mouse, etc.
I picked out the model with the bull patch because my mom really likes bulls and it reminds me of her. For example, I can count at least 4 mini brass bulls in my living room that my mom has as decoration. My mom says it reminds her of her dad (my grandpa) and her childhood since he was a cattle rancher in Ecuador. As for the significance of my mother in my life, she is the one person that has always been in my corner in life. The bull also looks really cool on its own so that was also a factor in the decision. I like this specific model of bookbag because it is simplistic, yet big and rugged. As for the color scheme, I like the serious and neutral tone.
Apart from visuals, this bookbag does a very good job serving its purpose. It is tight knit and thick, which means that my stuff inside has never gotten wet in the rain and my electronics have never suffered from extreme heat/cold while inside. After all these years of abuse (18 credit semesters are heavy), the only damage it’s received is a little tear on the bottom.
The bookbag on its own is cool, but I added 2 keychains that not only serve as cool decorations, but as memories and reminders. The first keychain is a mini leather boot that I got in Ecuador last year. I have a few that I collected over the years, but I chose to exhibit this boot because it looks the most elegant from a distance and it has an engraved (done using a hot pen) picture of a man riding a horse. Similar to the bull, it reminds me of Ecuador and my mom. The other keychain is a (stainless steel?) cross. I also bought this keychain last year in Ecuador, and the reason I added it to my bookbag is because it reminds me to seek strength and motivation in my faith. The boot is attached to the front of the bookbag because it fits the theme of the bull and it can be displayed better there. The cross is attached to the back pocket (where the laptop gets stored) so that it is close to me. The boot is tan, has a pocket inside, and is 4 inches tall, 2.5 inches long, and 0.5 inches thick. The cross is 2.5 inches tall, 1.5 inches long, and about as thick as a quarter.
Works Cited
- “Amazon.Com | under Armour Regiment Backpack | Casual Daypacks.” Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Under-Armour-Regiment-Backpack/dp/B07RGS66BR. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024.
The Materials of History, Thought, and Art 
I can relate to being able to make a big purchase with your own hard worked money. Adding the keychains makes your backpack more personal. This reminds me of my water bottle, on its own the water bottle is fairly common, but I have added stickers that are representative of my interests. Not only do adding keychains or stickers to our objects help us identify them as ours but serve as a form of self-expression.
I really like how you included the keychains you purchased along with the description of the bag because it adds to the whole idea of the bag not just being a purchase but also a reminder of people you care about. I also thought that was interesting because the keychains and the bag together create a new meaning, different from that of the bag and keychains on their own.