Looking for a stylish backpack
I’ve spent the last couple of years, taking a Nike backpack to work and it looks okay, but it’s not the most stylish of bags. Recently, I’ve taken to improving my fashion sense, and I’ve gone through some of the guides on the side bar.
I’d like to know what my options are. I know the MFA best of picks, doesn’t seem to feature many British/European brands, for the category of backpacks, outside of Côte & Ciel, which is out of my price range at the moment.
I’ve found some designs I prefer, and I’d like some backpacks with a similar aesthetic perhaps. Stuart and Lau have a Capstone backpack, which looks good, but I haven’t seem many reviews for this, so I’m unsure about the brand.
https://stuartandlau.com/products/the-capstone-backpack-black
Stuart & Lau
Stuart & Lau | The Capstone Backpack - Black
Global Shipping | Lightweight, waterproof and effortless to carry, the Capstone Backpack from Stuart & Lau in Black.
18 Replies
What style do you like? "Stylish" is too broad and ambiguous, show us some examples of backpacks you like.
What's your price range?
Does it need to be waterproof?
What are you going to put in it?
Does it need to go on commuting/moving activities of varying levels like hiking, biking, or public transit?
I prefer minimalist styles, that work in a corporate environment. I like the clean silhouettes of backpacks like:
- Rains Backpack (https://www.uk.rains.com/products/backpack?variant=46694238683474),
- Zip around Backpack by Smythson (https://www.smythson.com/uk/black-zip-around-backpack-in-ludlow-1028641.html?cgid=222).
- Essential Backpack by Tommy Hilfiger (https://uk.tommy.com/essential-backpack-am0am09503bds)
My commute is mostly on foot. I’m walking 50 minutes both ways, over relatively flat terrain, in an urban area. I don’t plan to undertake a variety of different activities with this back.. I mostly want a bag for work. Coming from England, I would prefer a waterproof backpack or at least a high level of water resistance.
The contents will mostly be a 15 inch laptop, stationary, a small book, a power bank and some charging cables.
Rains
Rains® Backpack in Black for £89 | Free Shipping
Buy Rains® Backpack in Black for £89. Wide selection of Backpacks. Pay No Custom Duty | Get Free Shipping Now.
Smythson
Zip Around Backpack in Ludlow in black | Smythson
When searching for the perfect backpack there are a few things you ought to consider. You want a backpack that's long lasting, roomy, and stylish—luckily our Ludlow backpack is just that. Crafted from beautiful grained leather, it's a stylish companion for your commute or longer trips. A padded compartment keeps your laptop safe and sound, whils...
Whilst I like the aesthetics of the bags I mentioned, they seem to lack organised compartments that something like the earlier Stuart and Lau capstone seems to have.
Are there any good brands I should be looking at for similar aesthetics?
Two things:
* Budget in actual numbers
* Are you looking to wear this with a tailored jacket?
Budget is up to £400 and I’m not looking to wear this with a tailored jacket
Perhaps, I would wear this with something like a peacoat.. (edit - removed leather jacket, after thinking about use case)
Up to 400 quid should cover a lot, is Cote & Ciel not accessible on sale at that price?
Condor Cycles sells my forever loyal backpack pick of Mission Workshop
I had a Sanction for the better part of a decade and now have a Spar
anything Sanction (20L) or bigger would fit a 15" laptop and hold up to any rain whatsoever
Maybe something like? https://knomo.com/products/beaufort-laptop-backpack-black-119-410-bsn
KNOMO
Black Beaufort 15.6" Laptop Backpack | KNOMO London
Buy the Knomo Beaufort 15.6" Women's Black Laptop Backpack from the official Knomo shop. A larger version of our bestselling modern, slim and stylish ladies commuter backpack with padded laptop section, splash proof material, RFID compartments, free delivery and 2 year Knomo guarantee
Cote & Ciel is accessible at that price range, but the backpacks look a bit underwhelming..
At the moment, the brands closest to what I seem to like appear to be Briggs and Riley, and Stuart and Lau mentioned above. But I’ve never used any of these brands before, so I have no idea..
I will give this a check..
I should point out, whilst I want something stylish..
The key element for me, is quality.. because of the amount of use backpacks get, I want to make sure the backpack I have doesn’t fall apart on me..
That’s what’s stopping me from buying a Tommy Hilfiger or a Calvin Klein backpack..
The Rains backpack is good, but having seen the lining in person, it doesn’t seem to be the most robust of linings..
The aforementioned backpacks fit the style requirement and are within budget, but I’m worried about how they will hold up, after a couple of months of use..
So the key requirements for me, are stylish, good organised compartments and high quality
Looking at Mission Workshop, they seem to have a lifetime guarantee and they have a good range of backpacks..
Don't buy rains
is this a thursday boots type situation or do they just not made good stuff
If you're talking about the Knomo: I think so. I have one. It's not my only bag, but fits what I need it for. Some decent organization. Not sure if they're all the same materials, but I'm a train commuter, so no matter how nice I am to a bag of any kind, it's taking some wear. I go through canvas pretty quick. I don't love backpacks, but sometimes I need it
Their stuff is fine, it's not that long lasting/hard wearing IME. The plastic coating wears away at friction points
ah yeah fair, not ideal for a bag
I’ve had my mission workshop bag for years and it’s held up well, I’ll vouch for them too
I've got this and love it to bits https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/bags-gear/backpacks-bags/laptop-bags/foldsack-no-1
Foldsack No. 1
Simple functional backpack in G-1000 HeavyDuty; top folds down and is attached with textile straps and metal buckles. Pocket for laptop. Produced without PFCs, made for a lifetime of use.
A nicer alternative to the classic fjallraven, it's got a sleeve that will fit a 15" laptop and it's waterproof
They really stuff it in product photos to show its capacity but it can be very slim and "stylish" at low volume because of the strapping system
Did we never talk abt this? What one do you have?
I have one of the old arkiv modular ones, just 2 front rails and 2 on the straps
Black waxed canvas