Tell me about your favorite sophisticated-looking backpack.
July 13, 2015 7:10 AM Subscribe
I have been using an LLBean backpack every day for my commute and to take my kids places. But my husband has grown weary of finding my belongings in the backpack every time he wants to use it. In his defense, I bought the backpack for him and it has his initials on it. Help me find a replacement backpack to call my very own. Some details below...
What I like about the LLBean backpack: roomy, lightweight, stands up to daily city-suburb use, thick and soft shoulder straps, plenty of pockets, fits my standard-size laptop. I do a fair amount of schlepping, so it should be roomy without being enormous. Comfort is very important.
What I don't like: not the most stylish or sophisticated backpack in style-conscious NYC.
To clarify, comfort and practicality trump looks (function over form, so to speak), but if I'm getting something new, it may as well look good!
I am not really interested in any other style of bag right now - a backpack is best given my current needs (young kids, frequent sprinting for public transportation, history of back problems).
Looking to spend under $150, if possible. I am open to a variety of materials / colors / shapes. What is your favorite backpack that meets the above criteria, and looks a little more stylish and sophisticated (and "feminine"?), while still being super comfortable to wear? I'm in the US. Thanks!
What I like about the LLBean backpack: roomy, lightweight, stands up to daily city-suburb use, thick and soft shoulder straps, plenty of pockets, fits my standard-size laptop. I do a fair amount of schlepping, so it should be roomy without being enormous. Comfort is very important.
What I don't like: not the most stylish or sophisticated backpack in style-conscious NYC.
To clarify, comfort and practicality trump looks (function over form, so to speak), but if I'm getting something new, it may as well look good!
I am not really interested in any other style of bag right now - a backpack is best given my current needs (young kids, frequent sprinting for public transportation, history of back problems).
Looking to spend under $150, if possible. I am open to a variety of materials / colors / shapes. What is your favorite backpack that meets the above criteria, and looks a little more stylish and sophisticated (and "feminine"?), while still being super comfortable to wear? I'm in the US. Thanks!
Timbuk2 has a bunch of stylish/rugged/comfy backpacks in your price range that might work. Some options (of many): one; two.
Herschel Supply Co. backpacks are popular right now and very affordable - not sure of the comfort factor.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:19 AM on July 13, 2015
Herschel Supply Co. backpacks are popular right now and very affordable - not sure of the comfort factor.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:19 AM on July 13, 2015
You want the Everlane backpack. It meets all of your requirements while maintaining a sophisticated look. They are more ubiquitous now but I used to regularly get stopped on the street by strangers to ask where I got it. It's a lovely, functional, and durable bag.
posted by telegraph at 7:22 AM on July 13, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by telegraph at 7:22 AM on July 13, 2015 [6 favorites]
I also came to recommend Fjällräven, though if you get a classic Kånken, you may want to get the padded shoulder straps. The classic straps aren't padded (the "Big" model and laptop models do have padded straps).
posted by neushoorn at 7:25 AM on July 13, 2015
posted by neushoorn at 7:25 AM on July 13, 2015
Two brands that have excellent backpacks: Hex and Herschel.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 7:28 AM on July 13, 2015
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 7:28 AM on July 13, 2015
The Incase Icon Slim is around $150 and looks relatively sleek for a backpack. Also has comfy-looking straps.
posted by mlo at 7:30 AM on July 13, 2015
posted by mlo at 7:30 AM on July 13, 2015
I have the messenger bag version of this bag, and I love it. It's impossibly cute and (my messenger bag version) has pockets in all the right places. It has also stood up to daily use and abuse for three years come August and hasn't quit on me yet. Did I mention how impossibly cute it is?
posted by phunniemee at 7:33 AM on July 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 7:33 AM on July 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
Cote & Ciel bags are really spendy, but I've seen them on sale for high-reasonable prices on other websites. In my heart I kind of want one but they're some kind of funded-by-Apple thing and so I have hesitated because tech bros, but they sure look neat.
posted by Frowner at 7:35 AM on July 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Frowner at 7:35 AM on July 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
IKEA has a decent set of attractively sleek, unobtrusively stylish, durable, not-too-label flaunty backpacks in the Upptäcka range for under $30!
They hold up very well as commuter bags and are quite comfortable and breathable on the shoulders and back. Haven't brought them out into the field or on a long backpack trip, but for around the city they are just fine.
posted by Queen of Spreadable Fats at 8:07 AM on July 13, 2015 [3 favorites]
They hold up very well as commuter bags and are quite comfortable and breathable on the shoulders and back. Haven't brought them out into the field or on a long backpack trip, but for around the city they are just fine.
posted by Queen of Spreadable Fats at 8:07 AM on July 13, 2015 [3 favorites]
Kipling and Knomo do some lovely backpacks in that price range, but if your budget can stretch to it, I'd recommend MZ Wallace's Metro backpack.
posted by evoque at 9:04 AM on July 13, 2015
posted by evoque at 9:04 AM on July 13, 2015
I also prefer to carry my stuff in a backpack but need to try to look professional coming into work. Tumi makes many nice items that fit that bill; they can be a little expensive but often have sales & some styles are available on Amazon.
posted by n. moon at 9:33 AM on July 13, 2015
posted by n. moon at 9:33 AM on July 13, 2015
I just got this fake leather backpack and I love it: http://mattandnat.com/shop/handbags/backpacks/july-storm (and now I'm mad that it's on sale!!)
I also considered the everlane one mentioned above.
posted by sabh at 9:59 AM on July 13, 2015
I also considered the everlane one mentioned above.
posted by sabh at 9:59 AM on July 13, 2015
I'm not sure if it meets the sophisticated requirement (I've long since given up on that), but I love, love, love my Jansport Oxidation backpack. I use it for carrying a veritable portable office on my back daily for work, and gets me through numerous trips to the zoo and such with the kids on the weekend. It has way more space than it looks like when packed full, but the side straps help it shrink when it's not full. (And I really wish they'd had that heathered grey color when I bought mine.)
posted by jferg at 10:02 AM on July 13, 2015
posted by jferg at 10:02 AM on July 13, 2015
Tom Bihn backpacks are a bit above your price range, but they are handmade in the USA by workers who get a decent wage and benefits, and they wear like iron. Depending on your needs, the Synapse 19, Synapse 25, or Smart Alec are the ones to consider. The Brain Bag is enormous and looks more like an LL Bean product. The bags further down the page are convertible suitcases with hidden backpack shoulder straps but (usually) no hip strap. (I have an Aeronaut, which is perfectly comfortable with the backpack straps for walking through an airport, but not for all day use.)
posted by brianogilvie at 11:33 AM on July 13, 2015
posted by brianogilvie at 11:33 AM on July 13, 2015
Seconding the Everlane bag recommendation. I use mine a lot. It's proven very durable, I love its polished look, and I have gotten many compliments on it.
posted by orange swan at 11:57 AM on July 13, 2015
posted by orange swan at 11:57 AM on July 13, 2015
We have this Patagonia daypack and it's proven not only to be the one we grab for carryon use, but also I find myself choosing it over my MHW Fluid 26 even for hiking and camping.
The simple, three-pocket design and squarish shape make it easy to use, and it comes in a few colours.
posted by a halcyon day at 12:03 PM on July 13, 2015
The simple, three-pocket design and squarish shape make it easy to use, and it comes in a few colours.
posted by a halcyon day at 12:03 PM on July 13, 2015
I'm a huge fan of my Duluth Pack backpack. Handcrafted in a small factory in Duluth, guaranteed for life, classy as hell. Check out something like the laptop scoutmaster.
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:29 PM on July 13, 2015
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:29 PM on July 13, 2015
I also have a Duluth Pack bag, mine is an over-the-shoulder style. They make durable and handsome stuff and when I contacted them for a minor customer-service issue, they were great.
posted by wolfnote at 1:50 PM on July 13, 2015
posted by wolfnote at 1:50 PM on July 13, 2015
My girlfriend got me a Sandqvist bag after my Fjällräven was stolen last year. I've been a fan of Fjällräven for decades but the Sandqvist (also Swedish) may be the most beautiful, well-made backpack I've ever owned. I have a Hans.
posted by distorte at 2:27 PM on July 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by distorte at 2:27 PM on July 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
Nobody has mentioned The North Face. I like the Jester [II].
posted by whiterteeth at 5:55 AM on July 14, 2015
posted by whiterteeth at 5:55 AM on July 14, 2015
Response by poster: Many thanks for all the suggestions! The Everlane and Ogio look like good options for me, but these were all really helpful. Now I have to decide... Thanks a lot!!
posted by JubileeRubaloo at 3:25 PM on July 16, 2015
posted by JubileeRubaloo at 3:25 PM on July 16, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by box at 7:16 AM on July 13, 2015 [2 favorites]