Some backpacks are specifically designed to carry certain items. Common examples include backpacks for small, high value items such as laptops and cameras (backpacks for laptop/Notebook) backpacks designed to hold laptop computers in particular generally have a padded compartment to hold the computer and are especially common in college and university settings.There are also single-strap packs that are essentially a hybrid between a backpack and a messenger bag.
Inexpensive, very simple packs that combine the drawstring and straps into a single piece of cloth or webbing are occasionally sold for use at sporting events and the like. Some high-end retailers use a similar design for their shopping bags as well.
Backpacks (often made of clear plastic) are sometimes used as a type of packaging, particularly for educational toys and games targeted at children. In retail settings, loss prevention rules sometimes require employees to use clear plastic backpacks (as well as purses) to carry materials to and from work to prevent loss by employee theft.
Backpacks for leisure and travel: This are sometimes used as luggage, particularly as carry-on bags for airplane travel. Backpacks form an essential part of the gear of the outdoor trekker and the urban backpacker, allowing more mobility and compactness than would be available to someone carrying most of their gear and clothing in a suitcase. In addition to their use in outdoors pursuits, backpacks are sometimes used in other sports as well. Hydration packs, sometimes used by runners and bicyclists, carry water (in either a bladder or a rigid bottle) and have a tube connected to them from which the wearer can drink without removing the pack; this feature is also included in some more general-purpose hiking backpacks, Backpacks for carry skateboards and etc.