Rucksack as work bag - are there any that don't look as though they belong to an IT geek?

[Lilymaid]

... or a school girl?
I've got a bad back and bad shoulder from carrying my heavy work bag around. Doctor says I should use a rucksack (and not carry my life's possessions every day).

Are there any that look serious enough for work but a little bit feminine?
The only one I've so far found that would be a possible (though I don't carry a lap top is this one by Knomo.
Any other suggestions? I promise not to biff anyone on the tube with it!

Try the suggestions on this thread.

Thanks - I searched and found a couple of old threads, but the links were out of date. I'll have a look through the ones on the very recent threads.

well I got a 'leathher look' one in Primark last week, its soft and big enough for my A4 pad, diary etc and has two pockets on the front for my phone, keys pens etc £12 cheap as chips, probably wont last long but I don't care its much nicer looking than the fabric 'geeky' one I was using.

How much crap stuff do you actually need to carry around? Would a cross-body bag be enough to distribute the weight?

Samsonite do some quite sleek ones. The one here comes in graphite, too.
I have one from six years ago, not geeky at all and still going strong.

I'm not too keen on cross-body bags - strap splits my ample bosom and the bag would rest on my fat stomach.
I didn't think I carried excessive amounts of crap compared with some but when you've got a bad back it seems to weigh a ton.

Eastpac do nice comfy backpacks in normal colours, but also some good patterns. I have a pink one with a rose pattern all over, it not very serious though!

Samsonite colour is ok but, of course, it is out of stock!

This is nice.

Hopefully not too school-girly but - Owls?

just bought it for a middle aged friend who uses it for work.

Like the Asos one but - lovely colour but wouldn't fit in with my usual clothing colours (or for the commute - could end up looking very dirty). Hmm, don't think the Owls would be me - prefer a more business like bag as work in legal sector.
Looks like it may have to be boring black!

These Healthy Back Bags have been great for me. Come in all sorts of styles and sizes. I use a small one my Ma uses extra small.

Healthy back bags worth considering though they only have one strap so will split the ample bosom. There's a good range of materials -including leather.
I like Eastpac DS has a big bag that has survived many flights and months of living out of the bag, so definitely durable, but perhaps better for long distance travelling than wearing with suit to work.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions ... lots of things I hadn't thought about or had forgotten about.

Lily I don't tend to wear mine across me unless I'm somewhere really busy, however it sits easily and comfortably on one shoulder.

Mandarin Duck do very nice work backpacks. Depending on how much you routinely lug around one of those might be suitable. I have a smaller backpack handbag bought of eBay. Something like might be good for you

Does it have to be a back pack/ruck sack?

I use a Cath Kidston polka dot oil cloth bag for work ever since my proper Radley leather briefcase died on me, and I've not felt the need to use a brief case or proper work bag since....

Right - I've been out shopping and have come back with two bags:
A sober black leather bag for work from John Lewis and a Healthy Back Bag for casual - in particular for a trip to the USA over Easter.
Thanks for all the suggestions - I hadn't realised that there was so much choice!