Work/commute backpack recommendations??

[Teaandcake08]

Afternoon S&B lovelies, am looking for some help finding a smart/stylish preferably black backpack for work. I walk to work dropping DC’s at school and nursery on the way and can’t keep carrying overstuffed totes due to a bad back- so am on the hunt for a backpack. Hopefully something fairly stylish!
I need to be able to take a pair of heels to change into and my suit jacket, a5 diary, water bottle etc.
I’d like it to look fairly smart as when I travel to meetings I’d probably stick with same bag rather than switching back to one of my totes.
I have seen fact+fiction bags online, with separate compartments but wonder if they look fairly bulky in real life, and seem fairly pricy for something that isn’t leather-so not sure how well material would last for that price? If anyone has one are they worth it? Or is there something better out there?!

Do you want leather? Do you need to carry files or laptop?
What’s your budget?

i've just bought this in green

Joh Lewis Kin backpack and really like it. my only issue is that my work lap top is pretty bulky, so i think i'm going to struggle to fit a change of shoes in there too

Laptop lives at work so nope! And I rarely carry files, most paper bits just go in my fat a5 diary/organiser!
I don’t necessarily want leather I just think it may last longer? Most of my other bags are leather and have lasted really well, didn’t want to buy an expensive faux leather to find it falls apart easily! I don’t really have a budget in mind but wouldn’t really fancy spending more than £150 on a backpack! :)

@BernardBlackMissesLangCleg the John Lewis one does look nice, I’m wondering if I’d get shoes and jacket in along with other bits, I don’t need to take laptop but it looks fairly slim to me if that makes sense?

Nordace backpacks are great and really well thought out
nordace.com/en/product/nordace-eclat-backpack/

I’ve found this very tricky, hard to find one that will fit laptop and lunch.

Is there anywhere you can store shoes at work?

Eg that Nordace one looks too small, if that’s an ipad against it in the pic.

@TitsInAbsentia thanks for the Nordace rec, I’ve just had a quick look and it does look very well thought out- but perhaps a bit less chic than I was hoping for? If such a thing is possible!
@Dozer yes I could make life easier and leave a pair of shoes at work, but I am a different shoes for different outfits type of girlI’d never get the wear out of all my shoes either

A friend bought this one. :BOSTANTEN Genuine Leather Backpack Travel Casual Ladies Shoulder Bag Fashion Casual School Bag Grey https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07S9JLL2C/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_VMQwEb7Y4NYD6

It looks super smart, lots of functional pockets. I was even thinking about getting it

I have a Fact & Fiction bag. The zippers are cheap & only last a few months before they fail, as mine was 1 month out of the 6 month warranty the owner refused to replace it & wouldn’t abide by the 2 year EU warranty period. An expensive disappointment.

I love my Herschel - fits loads and very comfy to wear

Also, I kept finding my top zipper open after being on busy tubes - it’s very easy to break into (fortunately never lost anything).

My knomo backpack is great quality and very slimline despite how much fits in it

uk.knomo.com/products/beauchamp-laptop-backpack-black-119-419-bsn

I have this and love it -

uk.knomo.com/collections/backpack-women/products/beaufort-laptop-backpack-black-119-410-blk2

It’s pretty roomy and I have once or twice Used if as an overnight bag .

Ooh, I love that John Lewis one.
Why not keep your heels in the office to save carrying them?

Samsonite have good work backpacks.

Crumpler they are very good.

rokalondon.com/products/canfield-b?variant=30401686175847

Can fit loads in mine!

Thank you for all the suggestions lovelies!
Never thought to look on amazon @bubblesforlife I rather like that one!but the internal organisation of the Nordace and Knomo look brilliant.
So it’s a toss up between looks and function!
@jcurve thank you for the info on your fact & fiction, expensive disappointment is exactly what I want to try and avoid!

I have a Knomo and it’s brilliant. One thing I’ve found where it differs with the cheaper brands is that the straps are really comfortable - makes such a difference, the thinner ones always dig into my shoulders. It’s also really roomy with lots of pockets.

Knomo ones are great! I carry my backpack every day and went for a more fashionable and slightly cheaper brand at first, but a year on it was so battered - knomo still looks fresh after the same amount of time.

I've had my knomo one for over a year and still love it. I would replace it with the same one (although it still looks good after a year so I don't need to yet).

Another Knomo fan here - the Berlin is amazing, would have no problem with the spare pair of shoes etc. Comfortable, waterproof and looks good. I recommend it every time one of these threads comes up but it really is fab.

The other one I always mention is the

M&S laptop backpack which is half the price of Knomo if very slightly smaller (still a pretty good capacity). It's extremely comfortable, also waterproof, and the interior pockets are really well thought-out.

www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/accessories/bags-purses/convertible-leather-backpack-onyx.htm I have this sea salt one and I love it.

It converts between tote and backpack too - useful when rummaging for train tickets!

I have this one from RAINS, in black. It looks quite neat but is huge and fits loads. There’s also a mini one if too big for you. It’s completely waterproof and indestructible but looks quite cool, I think. Bought it for exactly the same reason as you - a hands free nursery run.
www.uk.rains.com/products/backpack?variant=31343141421139