I need my hands free, so I'm reluctantly looking for a rucksack.

[Luxaroma]

Preferably in brown leather, maybe canvas. Something interesting, nothing dainty, maybe vintage looking. Medium sized. My budget is around £200. I'm really struggling. I like the whistle and cos versions but they don't come in brown. Has anyone seen anything?

kanken?

I love mine.

www.drmartens.com/uk/Accessories/Accessories-Bags/Dr-Martens-Leather-Backpack/p/AB012233
Or
www.drmartens.com/uk/Accessories/Accessories-Bags/Dr-Martens-Big-Slouch-Backpack/p/AB025001

They are on trend, so I reckon there will be loads flooding the shops anytime soon.

I'm not really a backpack fan but once we stopped using the buggy with DD2 it became a necessity. I did lots of research.

The Kanken is very light & is retro looking. It is also waterproof and tough/longlasting. I got the maxi size which is quite big and has an additional zippered layer you can use or not. they do lots of different sizes and colours.

I can get all the DD's swimming kit etc in there and used it at the beach while on holiday recently. It also served as my hand luggage on the plane. I can get a picnic with all the bits for a day out in there too so it suits my needs well.

I use a large cross body bag instead. It works well enough.

A rucksack would probably be more comfortable but I work in IT and I just couldn't make the move to a backpack.

Thin end of the wedge.

Before I knew it, I'd be wearing comfortable black old lady shoes with all outfits and have unstyled flat hair maybe held back with one of the DDs hair bands and lipstick that clashes with my face and none of my clothes would fit properly and dress down Friday... oh god lets not go there. That is definitely what would happen.

But then I didn't know that brown leather vintage-y ones existed. Actually sounds quite nice.

Orla Kiely do some quite good ones - leather is heavy and sorry but that Kanken is just too ugly for my tastes. Also well within budget.

Orla Klely

I had a nice cross body bag but it did very strange things to my rather large norkage.

only in fashion victim central are backpacks seen as bad. Unless you are carrying just tissues and lipstick, don't buy a fashion model. Any weight at all (e.g. laptop) needs a hip belt.

no point being the most fashionable person in the back surgery ward, is there?

BeCool I'd never heard of Kanken but I like the look of those, in a pleasingly ugly utilitarian sort of way. Did you find the website colours fairly true to life? I think the Big version would be ideal for us as a nappy bag for our 1-yr old - I currently use an ancient sports rucksack but it's just not quite big enough.

Cross body bag isn't going to work as I need to deal with a puppy and the bag just gets in the way. I like the kanken bags but more for dd than me. There are some vintage leather bags on etsy but I'm nervous about quality.

all the measurements for the different sizes are here - they vary alot: www.ilovemykanken.com/meet-the-kankens/

I love the top handles too as it is easy to carry in your hand should you want/need too. Simple, classic utilitarian design indeed - but highly functional, and importantly (to me) properly waterproof.

I think the colours on the website are fairly 'true'.

If you sign up to their email newsletter they often email 15%/20% off codes.

I like this one www.notonthehighstreet.com/johntodd/product/carapacho-urban-explorer-backbag

Not stylish but I find Berghaus rucksacks last and sit comfortably. I do find myself making excuses for using it.

How mug do you need to carry?

*much

I ahve a Berghaus rucksack, it's very good.

Are you describing Cambridge Satchel Company kind of backpack?
www.cambridgesatchel.com/buy/expedition-backpack/brown/backpack/?gclid=CIKU0IOVtsACFY_ItAodsAIAnw

I'm not sure why this link is so strange to look at, but the Staad backpack shown is attractive. link

A more "satchelly" backpack:
www.cambridgesatchel.com/buy/the-backpack/vintage/?gclid=CMWz-KGVtsACFUjHtAodqEMALw

I have a proper rucksack for day trekking, I'm after something I can wear when I'm out and about around town with my dog. I need a medium sized handbag on my back rather than on my shoulder.

I like this one too

www.notonthehighstreet.com/catherineaitken/product/hepburn-backpack but tweed may get a bit soggy

Have you looked at scaramanga? They've got some lovely vintage style leather bags. www.scaramangashop.co.uk/leather-satchels-bags/leather-satchels-and-bags/for-women/leather-travel-bags/boho-leather-backpack-large/prod_6120.html

Not trendy, but I have back problems (which all of you ladies sporting cross body bags to work WILL get, I promise you) and I've got the lightest of lightweight canvas macpacs. It fits my 15 in MacBook Pro and is the lightest backpack I've ever had. I like not being in pain or damaging myself further.

I can recommend Scaramanga...I have a saddle bag by them and it is lovely. The leather feels quite stiff at first but soon softens beautifully. Very attractive.

I also like the Doc Marten one.

I've got a Scaramanga cross body bag - it's worn really well and gets loads of compliments.

Troop

Troop 2

Have had other bags by them and they are very good quality, but perhaps on the heavy side for canvas.

I have a Kanken, just the classic size in blue, and love it.

Oh and Laquila, I use the classic Kanken as a nappy bag for two and find it fine as I don't like to carry too much, but it can sometimes be a squeeze though so you might want to go bigger if you want space for extras.