Backpack recommendations please for days out with 2 children!

[Nightmanagerfan]

Please can I pick your brains? I'm looking for a large-ish backpack that can be used either by me or my husband when we go out for the day on public transport with our 3 and 6 year olds.

Criteria:

• big enough to hold 2 water bottles, packed lunch and snacks, spare clothes for each child and small packaway raincoats
• side pockets for water bottles ideal
• Ideally a front or small pocket you can access without opening the whole bag
• comfy straps
• not Roka (we have a couple and the straps aren't the most comfy)
• Colourful is fine - I don't want a black bag or one that looks like it's for the office
• Budget not really an issue, so up to £100

Any ideas please? I've looked at the Passenger Bags and like them - can't decide if 26l is big enough.

Thanks in advance :-)

Get a hiking branded one from blacks, mountain warehouse or decathlon with a waist strap and adjustable shoulder straps - check the minimum and maximum back size too if you are shorter than 5’6.

North Face Borealis. We’ve had ours (the older version) for over 10 years and still going strong after many, many days out.
It’s lightweight, really comfy to wear and has waist strap that is great for when heavy. It’s also an absolute yard is - holds a huge amount of stuff without feeling massive.
It is black though.

TARDIS , not yard is! 🤦‍♀️

As an aside, I’d look at getting the 6 year old (and possibly the 3 year old too) a decent child’s rucksack and offload some of their stuff into their own rucksack. Certainly the older child could carry at least their water bottle and snacks, and hopefully their lunch too. I’ve helped out on lots of school trips where children have really struggled to carry their bag for the day because Mummy and / or Daddy have never let them learn to do it themselves. A school age child should be capable of carrying their lunch / drink / coat for a few hours.

I have a mountain warehouse Endeavour 30L, but I bought it maybe 10yrs ago and still going strong. I see they only do a 25L one now and its not quite the same design as mine. 🙁

It does have side pockets for drinks and a smaller pocket which is seperate from the main part.https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/endeavour-unisex-25-litres-knapsack-bag-p82682.aspx/graphite/

This is more similar to my old, Endeavour one. It has a comfy, back support thing, a hidden rain cover for the back pack and several internal pockets for money, tissues, wet wipes etc, along with side pockets for drinks bottles. https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/pace-30l-rucksack-p28507.aspx/teal/

Columbia

www.columbiasportswear.co.uk/c

Troop

i have the S size and have had one around 20 years. It’s perfect for most days out alone or with Ds.

I have just upgraded and added the M size for longer days out and when I want to be able to fit 2 lightweight coats or jumpers in. The M size would fit what you need fine

I tried the osprey but it was too wide for me and felt bulky

We have a passenger 26L and used it as a toddler changing bag. I think you could fit everything in depending on the size of your lunch boxes. I find it comfy to wear and it's still looking good after being used everyday for 2+ years.

Thanks so much all - some fab recommendations

the north face borealis one comes in multi colour now, I really like it.

good shout re the outdoor brands as they are designed for comfort and long use.

Ill come back and update with my purchase!

Berghaus 24-7 plus 30 litre. We also use it for cabin size bag

https://eu.gregorypacks.com/uk-en/backpacks-bags/women-s-backpacks/

These are brilliant, specifically designed for women's bodies so very comfy.

The new North Face Borealis are awful quality compared to the original / old ones. DH's 10yr old one broke and I replaced it like for like for him, and the new one is awful in comparison. I'd save your money and look for something different.

I got an osprey 26l one about 20 years ago for exactly this. Use it for hikes, holidays, everything really. One plastic clip has cracked (in the last year) but otherwise it’s been a fantastic buy

DH has the passenger 26 litre and it’s fab- used it for everything we needed on day trips on our last holiday. Love that it’s colourful and has all the handy zip pockets/deep water bottle side pockets as well as decent divider in the main compartment too. Tempted to get myself one!

We have Vaude bags, three at the moment in various sizes.

I personally hate big bags on a day out, I find them to heavy and uncomfortable but I am also short and have a large bust so it's difficult to find some who fit.
So we often take two smaller ones if both DH and I go.

But I agree with PP, get a decent one for your older child. Vaude does good ones, DD is now on bag 2 due to growing and they survived various day trips, Scout trips, school days out and can be washed in the machine if necessary.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/backpack-Comfortable-Backpack-Magnifying-Storage/dp/B08L64SZBC/ref=sr_1_6?crid=30Q3DQCZTHOBL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._mjyoa33uG8sM2TS1tTEv9LR1ryKMnxhJ0bHkoacT-7cglOLiGrN7TGI4b3UsZ1xx_6nQxsW69RAGaNxQ_BeMn9uTTLkU6GKO15sKid9-09sU6I6IjcfiMlzrOkVHWbCKWqzD8YoKPFhHG8ydQYMCqysZ9eq3IWUC-euH0ikb8ToJyY_Z261FabSk8tWirdGqyEmZvSVrqHL-lAEanXJWPe-I1x7vBqSduXidtOMCT240vSvWtbGtwWtVmKvx6gggpDxuvBFnX29766Gpp7y9ohNiWHxPcdMiydS0Bl-4lA.tFJ33Iy9U0axJodGlTNGOm9suMj4ROQm9ZEjbMXeQxo&dib_tag=se&keywords=vaude%2Bchildren%2Bbackpack&qid=1745523712&sprefix=vaude%2Bchildren%2Bbackpack%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-6&th=1&psc=1

I recently picked up a Gelert Cooler backpack in sports direct for a bargain price. It's an absolute game changer. Massive main section that holds far more than any other backpack of a similar size that I've had, decent bottle holders, a good sized pocket on the top that takes a large purse, sunglasses etc, various straps on the outside to hold other items, a proper handle on top and it's insulated! Put an icepack in the bottom and the picnic stuff directly on top and it will keep cool all day. No waist band though.
link

For a more expensive option Osprey bags are fantastic. I use one for commuting carrying a load of heavy books and it is very comfortable.

Osprey link

We have the Jack wolfskin little Joe backpack for 5 year old. He’s had since 3/4. It’s really good size for him now as fits lunchbox, water and small coat.

I would get one for 6 year old now for helping on days out. Then in about 18 months the that can be passed onto next child, and buy eldest the next size up. Jack wolfskin do a 6+ one but it looks a bit big for daily trips if not needed quite yet

It depends on trip whether I carry everything or get Ds to take his own bits

What sort of days out?

I have a back pack that also has wheels and can be pulled along, perfect for a city but useless for a hike.

I agree with getting a back pack for the older child, possibly both, the little one can have packet of sweets but will feel very grown up.

I also have a handbag organiser which I could see being useful, mine has in it a small first aid kit, pen and paper, coin purse, cutlery set, one of those scarves that cool you down, painkillers...

Anyway it is a bag that can go in your handbag and you can swap it rom one bag to another and when you need something quickly you can find it easily.

Pic of organiser
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171241212736

Mountain Warehouse are very good for the price and quite comfortable to wear.

Patagonia are quite upmarket price wise but they are very comfy indeed.

DH likes Berghaus and also has an Osprey work bag. We both fell out of love with their hiking packs. I found the fact that the front cavity is shorter than the main cavity bad on several fronts. You could never fit enough in it and it definitely made the pack less comfy.

I think you should all have a pack for days out

I’ve just logged on to ask exactly the same question! Which bag did you end up going for….?

@Nightmanagerfan what did you end up going for? Going through the exact same conundrum

just saw this! I got a Patagonia Refugio 30l from Babipur. It ticks all the boxes, but I don’t find it as comfy as my husband does. It’s meant to be unisex, but even tho I am fairly tall and have a long body I find the base of the bag bangs against the bottom of my spine in an annoying way, so I cannot recommend it. It’s still in use as it cost over £100 and I can’t bear to give up! I would probably go to an outdoors shop and try lots on if I was trying again. We haven’t had much luck getting the now 7 year old to carry his own bag unfortunately, which makes the main family backpack very heavy