Help me find a smart backpack!

[Feelingchipper]

As a mum with 2 children, these days I just tend to go for a backpack rather than a smart handbag plus baby bag or whatever. I've been using my small size camping rucksack forever and would like a style upgrade!

Can anyone suggest a smart but spacious backpack with a decent number of compartments/sections? And for under £100 or thereabouts ideally? I've had a look at the Cambridge Satchel sale but their backpacks don't look particularly roomy and I won't be able to organise all my bits and bobs in one of those. The larger size ones are a bit more than I want to spend really too, but I could push the boat out for something perfect that I'll get loads of use out of.

I frequently use my current backpack for weekend trips with the kids (packed to bursting and with the older child also carrying a small backpack). Therefore I'd really love something properly spacious so I can us the one bag for all my day to day needs and short trips!

Monsoon/Accessorize have some nice ones in the sale - not sure if they're big enough for what you need though...

uk.accessorize.com/uk/bags/rucksacks

Samsonite seem really well made and comfortable. They have one which expands.

How about a Cath Kidston one? They have some really lovely and practical ones. Or the Radley sale is on at the moment and they have good ones. Their outlet shops are fab too!

The female lead in the Simon Pegg film "Man Up" has exactly the rucksack I think you're describing, because I want it too! No idea where it's from though.

Knomo?

I love jack wolfskin rucksacks - they are actually designed to be comfortable, rather than just a rucksack-shaped bag. My dds are on their second ones (now they have grown, so can carry slightly bigger ones, and their first ones were such a success) and i have one too.

They have traditional style ones and more stylish ones too.

These may be over budget but are nice
www.tibaandmarl.com

I got one from Amazon for about £25 I think the make was bebemour. I love it, really roomy but with enough compartments. It is a baby changing bag, but doesn't look like one.

Mandarina Duck make some really nice ones but you have to look out for the sales as some are are crazily expensive (esp now that the pound is so weak). You can also sometimes get some for a lot less on Amazon or Ebay.

Maybe the green version of this is the one from the film still above?

Thanks, some great suggestions!

Those who use rucksacks, where do you keep your valuables? It really gets most goat that they generally don't make women's clothes with pocketses!

I got this for Christmas and it seems quite good
www.thelittlegreenbag.co.uk/women/backpacks/herschel-supply-co/little-america-mid-volume/17632

I got a kanken one for Christmas and love it! It has an inside pocket in the main bit which is where I keep valuables.

I have a Cath Kidston backpack it's great. Roomy, lots of pockets and a bonus slim laptop pocket at the back which I use for storing paperwork and documents nicely.

I have a Kipling one which I really like. it's small but fits quite a bit.

www.kipling.com/uk-en/firefly-n-92324e-k21325h5300

I was given this bag by my friends when I was pregnant with ds2, I absolutely love it.
www.fjallraven.co.uk/kanken-34661

Pixie ooh I do like the full zip opening around the main compartment. Can you explain the foam seat cushion? Do you actually ever use it for sitting on?

Try www.highspiritbags.com/ they are theft proof with a zip against your bag but look very smart. The availability seems a bit random but I have had a black leather one for over two years and it has worn well

Have you considered a kanken? I use a big one for walk into/from work and it's great - really simple design, zip opens all the way round so when you lay it on table, opens like suitcase and you can get at everything..I've used it for day trips with packing cubes (ebags on Amazon) if you want more order. I have one with padded straps and honestly, the comfiest backpack I've worn and since using it no shoulder ache. And you can carry by top handles,grab bag style.

Just saw previous message...I use the seat pad ALL THE TIME. Just yesterday, walk in the park and all the cafe seats, park benches were frosted over so out came the seat pad to envy of friends. I travelled across Europe this summer and used it pretty much every day at parks, beaches, waiting in airports etc....and saw loads of folk in Scandi countries doing same. You can get mini kanken for little ones, too.- don't normally go for that cutesy kid/adult matching thing but these are so practical and robust I think they're great. They were originally designed as school bags so specifically to help avoid back pain/be comfy to carry. Definitely get padded shoulder straps though!

Oh my gosh I just realised I took the cushion out and through it away... I thought it was packaging

I'm in love with the Kanken in violet/purple! A seat pad did you say...

I'm disabled and need a bag for work that holds a lot but doesn't hurt. That looks perfect for me.

Thanks for starting this thread op.

I loved my kanken but found it just wasn't big enough to carry all my shit 😂, I now have a 22l sandquvist which sounds massive but is actually still stylish, it's about 140 though I think.

I keep my phone the pocket at the back which is zipped up and against my back. And my purse in the main compartment .

For me the advantage of a baby change one is the special clips which allow me to hang it on the buggy. If you're past the buggy stage though that obviously won't be a deal breaker!

pippin...I've got the kanken big after trying my friend's classic which I quickly found wasn't big enough for lugging winter loads. Suffice to say, she now wants a big! s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/89/be/54/89be54a5bc71e1e16ddea36e3e7b9bc8.jpg

Oh good, there's a big! I was also thinking the regular one was too small for me. My current rucksack is 18 litres and is too small for weekend trips. Thanks for the infographic bingo.