Murray McCory revolutionized school life with a lightweight backpack that he created through JanSport, the outdoors equipment company he founded in 1967. By the mid-1980s, JanSport bags were ubiquitous in colleges and high schools.
When The New York Times published Mr. McCory’s obituary on Monday, readers shared memories of their JanSports in the comments section. Some recalled toting them to school, others hauling them on their travels around the globe. Many said their backpacks held up for decades, and some have passed them on to their children, who continue to use them today.
A selection of their stories, condensed and lightly edited, is below.
I love my backpack! It has been my companion in hiking trails, climbing mountains, carrying skis and traveling the world. This old, old reliable friend is a reminder, on this day, that even though we might never receive millions, or fame, even recognition — what we do matters. Our ongoing efforts matter and can touch lives beyond our own, and never known to us. Thank you, Mr. Murray, for following your passion. You touched many. — Cheryl Hazlitt (@Cheryl).
I have a JanSport fanny pack that has to be at least 30 years old. Takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin.’ — Barbara Orze (@Barb)
I still have every JanSport I ever owned, because they hold up so well that I never had the heart to throw out a still perfectly functional backpack. The only reason I got new ones was for the fun designs and colors! I still use a JanSport every day to hold my work stuff and laptop. I tried to use a purse for a few years and then thought, “Why am I doing this when the JanSport in my closet worked for me for the first half of my life?” So back to JanSport it was. — @Michelle
When I was younger, I traveled thousands and thousand of miles throughout the U.S. and Canada by Greyhound bus and hitchhiking with only a standard school-style JanSport full of my necessities and a change of clothes. It held up, and it still goes everywhere with me 20 years later. — Lucas Antoniak (@Jackson Chameleon)
I’m 77, and still have the JanSport I got 40 years ago. It’s still in great shape — been all over the world, and just got back from China last month. — Mickey Kronley (@Mickey)
I still exclusively use the lifetime-guaranteed external frame JanSport backpack I purchased in 1975! The bright yellow pack has been perfect on every hike I’ve taken over the years. I muse about having it returned to JanSport when I’m done with it. (@Swazy)
I can’t remember exactly when I got my JanSport but it’s close to 30 years old. I think I had to send it in for zipper repairs twice in my teens or 20s. They offered free repairs. Last weekend my mom finished sewing some cool patches on it for my kid, who has been using it the last three school years. It brings me such joy that my kid prefers my well-made, well loved and well-traveled JanSport over a new, cheaply made pack. — @CP
The post An ‘Old Reliable Friend’: Readers Share Their JanSport Memories appeared first on New York Times.
