Hype backpack - will I look tragic?

[Marzipants]

I'm nearly 40, three kids under 5, carrying a lot bit of post-baby weight. I've decided that hampering myself when I'm out and about with the kids with a shoulder bag is stupid, so have been eyeing up backpacks.

In particular
this one from Hype.

But, despite the extra weight, desperate need of a haircut and lack of sleep I don't want to completely draw a line through my attempts to be slightly fashionable. Will I look like a wannabe dressing as a teenager? Or like an older mum who's grabbed her son's school bag? (I think it might be this.)

Any ideas?

My current uniform tends to be skinny jeans and baggy tops. It just occurred to be that the front view of my currently massive knockers might also not be that great.

Help meee!

[specialsubject]

Hype is the word...if you are carrying anything real you need a hip belt. It also looks really stiff which makes me think it is heavy. It sits really badly on the model.

Get a useful version from an outdoor shop , probably for less cash. And in the real world, backpacks are perfectly normal.

[Mitfordhons]

No, it's the sort of thing kids take to school, it'd look wrong.

[amarmai]

love backpacks-great for my sore back as they pull back my shoulders and make me straighten up. I'd try on a few as different bps sit better on different body frames. I do like the one you pictured. Looks fresh . Also what do you plan to carry? If groceries might be included they take up more room than you'd think and can be heavier than you think. But the more weight the better my back feels!

[puglife15]

I like some of the hype bags and part of me thinks sod what the overall look is - but I think it would help a lot if your general style is a bit "street". Eg sweatshirt, skinnies and cool trainers rather than a nice blouse and wedges.

From a distance the pattern looks abstract but the penguinpenguin-ness of it does make it feel a little child-like too. I'd have to see it in real life I think. It's certainly not my favourite of their designs, but then I can't wear black and white.

I wear a standard style rucksack every day but needed it to be suitable for work, so it's a very sober plain grey.

[Kr1stina]

My 16 year old would love that . She has the silver one but doesn't use it for school as she has a lot of books to carry and it's for style rather than function .

So I think a rucksack in general might be useful but this particular brand and style is very teenage / studenty.

Sorry

[Marzipants]

Nah, you're all right. I think I knew that.

I've resisted the curse of having a massive changing bag filled with stuff, but now I'm lugging around my handbag and a plastic bag filled with fruity bars, fruit shoots and umm.. fruit. (I never noticed the fruit theme before .) With summer coming, I've added a couple of bottles of sun tan lotion to the mix, a couple of bottles of water and yet more food for impromptu picnics. The baby's still in a buggy so at the moment it's doable, but I am veering into bag lady territory.

Ideally I'd like a stylish, comfortable backpack. The ones I've seen at Mango, etc have little skinny straps which I think would rub if I had anything heavier than makeup in it. But I don't want to look like I'm off backpacking when I'm just mooching around town with the kids.

Does anything fit that?

[BikeRunSki]

I used a "fashion" rucksack as a kid-stuff bag for a while. It fell apart after about 2 months.

I have had a smallish Jansport rucksack for work/college/sports/kids for about 15 years and it's still going strong. I'd recommend it.

[squicketysquack]

Herschel or Kanken instead? Both still stylish (well I hope so anyway as I habe both!) but far less teenagery

[LeftyLucy]

Another vote for Jansport. Classic, comfortable, well designed and pretty much indestructible. Tkmaxx often have them at very reasonable prices too.

[wannabestressfree]

I am nearly 40 and take a vans bag to school (where I teach) and use lots of other backpacks but hype is a teen label (sorry)

[beingorange]

how about the scandinavian backpacks. brands like Lundhag and wood wood?

[SpaghettiMeatballs]

Following with interest. I have an old Boden freebie backpack I use for days out with the DCs. It's getting tatty now after for years if abuse. I'd like a new one.

My youngest won't use a buggy now. I HAVE to have a backpack regardless of what it looks like on.

[TheRattleBag]

If you like it, get it! I'm pretty sure most people wouldn''t even notice your choice of backpack, let alone judge you for it.

[Marymaymay]

Have a look at TKMaxx.com for cheap herschel bags - around £25 instead of £55.

[Veterinari]

Lowe alpine day packs are fantastic. They're properly structured and ventilated so no sweaty back in the summer and no digging into your shoulders. Often cheaper on Amazon or eBay

[Floisme]

If you carry a lot of stuff - and none of it's valuable - then backpacks are not only practical, they also look a lot more stylish than a stupidly large bag ripping off your shoulder. Sometimes teenagers have the right idea!

I wouldn't choose a colourful one though but that's because I like to wear colour and there'd be too much going on.

And you need to try them on.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

It's v teen. I just went to TK Maxx and bought the cheapest, least offensive looking, plain black one. It's been good so far.

[Marzipants]

These are all great suggestions, thanks! Looks like I'll be off to TK Maxx at the weekend. I like the look of Bergen, I am powerless to a bit of Scandi marketing!

[FankEweVeryMuch]

You need a Tiba and marl changing back back pack here

I have a kanken which I love but it's just one massive pocket so crap for kid stuff.

[Kr1stina]

I did the same as Remus. It's impossible to gauge the size online , some are quite heavy , others have very little padding on the straps .

My younger kids have Jeep brand which seem indestructible

[Littlelondoner]

Not a fan of hype sorry. Seems a little school bag'ish if I am honnest. Have a look at fjal raven. I love mine. It is plain so a bit more grown up. And has a mat inside you can sit on but it gives back support. Loads diff sizes and colours.

www.fjallraven.co.uk/maxi-kanken

[cantthinkofabloodyname]

I'd avoid the hype backpacks as the quality of them is quite poor in relation to their cost. Within a few days use my one developed holes in the main fabric.

[Madbengalmum]

Yes, you will i. Answer to your question. It is for someone about 10 yrs old!