Elegant rucksack - oxymoron?

[PiratePanda]

Tangent from University Academic Fashion:

Background: upping my game in the professional fashion stakes now I have hit 43 and am no longer anywhere near a size 8. University academic, obvs.

As well as ideas for a new wardrobe, I definitely need a new work bag.

It can't be a handbag, tote, or messenger bag. It HAS to be a rucksack-type because I have a hidden disability that means I can't carry heavy things on only one side. For the same reason, it needs to be as lightweight as I can get. It also needs to be waterproof-ish, as I cycle, and it needs to be big enough to carry a mac-book pro plus the odd book, A4 folder, umbrella, toiletries bag, etc.

But I do NOT want an outdoors style rucksack, not even a "ladies" one. I want it to be elegant. Soft leather, maybe, but not e.g. Cambridge satchel company - their leather is too heavy (weight, not gravitas or despair).

Please no-one mention Fjallraven. I hate them.

So many great suggestions! I have the same need as OP and I really liked sandqvist and knomo.
Knomo have the best inside organisation (pockets etc), but I dislike the visible gold zippers and the whole look seems too classic, even outdated.
Sandqvist have the Scandinavian design I am after. But they might easily stain clothes as its cotton canvas. And the don't seem to have as many clever internal compartments. Does anyone own sandqvist? Are you happy with it? Is herschel the middle ground between knomo and sandqvist?

I find having lots of pockets is more useful in theory than in practice. I like my Herschel because it's a good capacity (fits laptop plus gym kit or a bit of shopping easily) and looks quite 'clean' - the pocket on the front is big enough for Kindle, phone, keys, Oystercard. It is comfortable to wear and robust - DD has one for school that hauls tons of stuff around in and it's held up really. Only downside is ubiquity.

I have a Sandqvist Hege in navy /black and I absolutely love it - I cycle to work and it's coped well with rain so far. It's also really roomy, I can fit my laptop, papers, lunch, spare shoes etc in it with no problems.

pinklips the canvas on mine hasn't come off on my clothes at all, and I wear it every day with light coloured shirts. Also it has a ton of little pockets inside which they don't really show in the pics - there's a laptop pouch and flat pocket at the back, and two phone size pockets and a zip up compartment inside the front. Plus a zip compartment down one side which is really handy as you can swing your rucksack off one shoulder to get things out of it, I normally keep my work pass and house keys in there.

The downside is that they're very expensive but it's worth keeping an eye online - I got mine in the Urban Outfitters sale for £85.

I have a Jigsaw Stevie backpack in navy and the pale pink. I love both colours and couldn't decide which so ended up with both after a discount code forced my hand. Highly rate them for fitting everything in you need whilst also not being anything like a Mi-Pac.

@carnation and @schnitzel thank you both for the feedback! It seems that both brands are equally well suited, I will poll my friends and decide.

I have this. DH has the bigger one. We are both very happy. And I'm bag obsessed

www.kickstarter.com/projects/485414743/the-first-interchangeable-backpack-for-everyday-es

@princessbear80 those are terrific!