Commuter bag. What do you use?

[ProjectInsanity]

I mainly work from home, but go into the office once a week. Laptop, two folders of papers, pencil case, general bits and pieces, washbag with lenses, glasses etc lunch, space to stuff a lightweight jacket or jumper, water bottle, drink flask.

Must be able to withstand a downpour.

I have an unstylish but very practical Osprey Questa in purple. They also do a nicer looking commuter bag but it doesn't suit my shoulders.

This, fits loads in. www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/bags/product.large-grained-leather-bag-black.0482278001.html

Eastpack rucksack. Comfy, water resistant, guaranteed for years.

Kipling tote - big leather ones are too heavy for me!

Dakine backpack

That's a LOT of stuff to carry around with you OP... I work from home 2 days a week and split my time on the remaining 3 days between our London office and regional offices. I carry a MacBook Air, an A5 notebook and a couple of pens together with eye drops and a headset. And a small brolly. Do you really need to carry all those papers? Can't you just access them via your laptop?

FWIW I carry a Paul Costelloe shoulder bag like this one:

www.paulcostelloebags.com/product/the-ferdi/

Yes, I don't take everything, but last week the computer (it's not a recent one!) and papers weighed 2.7kg, the water there isn't drinkable so I need to carry drinks for the day. It adds up, that's why I need a backpack, a tote or messenger bag would wreck my back.

Fair enough. Have a look at this thread OP:

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/3255062-Stylish-and-comfortable-backpack-for-work-Please-help

I switch between the Mia Tui Sydney backpack
https://miatui.com/collections/backpack/products/sydney-backpack-multiple-colours?variant=7544006115392

and the Jennie shoulder bag

https://miatui.com/collections/travel-bags/products/jennie-travel-bag?variant=6999353425984

Both coming in lots of colours. I've been impressed.