Stylish, comfortable rucksack-is it out there anywhere?

[SaltNSauce]

Having a bag crisis at the moment partly because the 4 yr old is not using a pushchair very much now and I find that I having to carry masses.
So I ditched my tiny practical across the body and got a Boden satchel. It nearly killed me with the weight even before I put anything in it.
I got a Cath Kidston fabric across the body which is lovely and light and fits loads in. However not only have I seen that every woman in the playground has one, two or three in the same pattern as mine, but my shoulder is aching permanently as a result of the amazing capacity of said bag.
I am trying to train the children to carry all of their items but it's a life's work really.
So I thought backpack. Backpacks are either sensible, comfortable and not stylish or stylish but with straps like string which cut into the shoulders and an opening that invites thieves to dip in. Or are they?

[madammecholet]

No. Don't do it. You can find something to work for you that doesn't look like you are off for a hike.

Budget please and i'll go rummage for you.

[SaltNSauce]

£40 max. Gets excited.

[travailtotravel]

There is a nice Radley back pack I am going to try on next week - on their current website. Might somewhat stretch the budget though!

[SaltNSauce]

Ah but what are the straps like because I will not be uncomfortable.

[madammecholet]

OK, here goes..

i like this as you can have a tote or across/body, asos

same bag but in this seasons colour blocking

good pockets and looks like will go over handles of a pram - new look

again big with pockets, micha barton

john lewis tote

large tk maxx

tk maxx again

conventional hobo tk maxx

[madammecholet]

vaguely acceptable backpacks, but oooh they look uncomfortable!

topshop

asos

personal fav so far!

[lulu05]

I really rate these back packs

eastpak

just a plain, simple backpack.

[KnottyLocks]

If you like Cath's style, what about this?

[KnottyLocks]

Supposed to be a healthy back option

[SaltNSauce]

Hello, back again after eldest 'borrowed' laptop, we fought over who ate what at dinner and I have tidied up slightly.
MmeC you are a star. I like the John Lewis one best but the Zingzilas one is a bargain (tempted)
Loads of the straps are very thin though.
Knotty the straps on both of those look as if they would cut cheese well. I quite like the one strap healthy back ones but think they will divide my boobs dramatically and uncomfortably at the front.
East pack is looking the most comfy of course. Wah

[tooworried]

I've got this Jane Hopkinson one in black. It was quite expensive (can't remember how much as it was years ago I bought it). It is extremely comfortable as a backpack and what I especially like about it is that it transforms effortlessly into a regular shoulder bag. Lovely leather.
Jane Hopkinson backpack

[tooworried]

Sorry...I've just read this thread properly and now seen your budget. Disregard my post above. Over-budget.

[SaltNSauce]

It's a lovely looking bag.

[tooworried]

Salty - look what I found...www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Pocket-Trim-Rucksack/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1423729&cid=12496&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Ochre

[tooworried]

They also have a floral one.

[sparkle1977]

just marking my place as I have exactly the same problem as you. I have tried just a big "bowling" type bag and as you say once loaded it weighs a tonne and I end up with red gouge marks on my shoulders so am thinking I will have to go down the much hated rucksack route....

[sparkle1977]

here are some reasonably nice ones

[TheMitfordsMaid]

Thanks to my PIL's amazing ability to hoard crap things I have a genuine, neon bright 80s rucksack that my DH took on his school trips. It is FAB and holds loads but clearly not stylish at all. I took it out on a picnic the other day and it was perfect.

For day-to-day use I use a huge leather bag for nappies and stuff, but hardly ever need to cart so much stuff around that I'd need such a big bag. What are you carting around? My friend emptied her bag the other day and found 3 babygros (age 6 months) that she'd been lugging around for years.

[tramlinky]

[sparkle1977]

I know for mine I regularly take the kids on picnics so need to carry food for the 3 of us, plus drinks, spare clothes are a possibility if going anywhere sandy/wet, plus a few nappies and wipes for DS2. Plus there is a small selection of my stuff like phone, purse etc.

[ImeldaM]

Like the flowery one Knotty linked to.

[SaltNSauce]

Oh good more replies.
Basically I think there is a need in my life for a capacious and comfortable bag and rucksack/backpack ticks most of the boxes apart from stylish. The fashion ones all have thin straps which will not do.
I emptied my bag yesterday after a trip into London and had wallet, sun cream, phone, thin scarf, cardigan and bottle of water. Not too bad. Was still cursing it after a long afternoon though. Oh and wipes.
Need the practical padded straps and possibly padded back that sporty type rucksacks have.
Is there a gap in the market?

[Meggles76]

I saw a stylish one in Cos. It was navy with leather trims and button fastenings

[sparkle1977]

I think there is a gap in the market yes. On that website I linked to earlier I thought the Caribee brand ones looked comfy with good straps etc ? Not bad colours either. But are they big enough would be my question.

[miche8]

I really must get on and order something as we go on hols in 2 weeks, i have seen a stripey canvas one and a tan leather but the straps are not padded so i'm going to order the eastpak one in either navy or black, i don't think what we are looking for exists.

Who ever said about the across the body bags swinging forward when you bend over is right, i'm forever nearly knocking my little one in the head.

Of course if i do get a rucksack i'll need to wear it on both shoulders and this was never cool when at school only the french did that.