I want a really stylish (leather?) laptop rucksack. Any recommendations?

[PersephoneJames]

I am self employed and go into some quite swanky businesses still carrying my uni laptop back (battered, enormous - from the days of massive laptops - stained, now bit ripped..its dying a death.)

I would like a grown up version of this bag to match my wonderful job! I have no idea where to start. I love my ugly bag because it is very padded with a velcro strap inside the laptop pocket to hold it in and is really roomy and waterproof.

Has anyone seen anything like this that is also very nice looking and handbaggy? Preferably in leather? I looked at Knomo which is nice but slightly too pricey.

Thank you!

I was going to suggest Smythson but then OP said Knomo was a bit pricey so even Smythson in the sale will be too much...

I'll second Matt Fothergill. Excellent quality and always good to support a small business.

Brics might also be an option but a 15 inch laptop is huge these days and I honestly don't think I've seen any leather backpacks that would cater for that (although admittedly I haven't been specifically looking for that size).

That fossil one is beautiful @Changes17 thank you for the recommendation. It wouldn't suit me though a) because my laptop is 15 inch, and b) it doesn't seem to have a strap/padding. I'm on my fourth laptop due to knocking them. Actually for this latest one I got the laptop that children use at school... it is very robust! Still I think I need to give it as much of a chance of survival as I can. I agree with buy once though (or at least get another 20 years out of it, by which time laptops will be mythical fingerprint projectors!

@greyinganddecaying thank you that is good to hear! It is at the top of my list, I just wish it were slightly smarter looking/leather but it is a million times nicer than my current bag. I haven't heard of alice's wonder so ill havea look now, thank you

I agree Matt Fothergill bags look beautiful but unless I'm missing something they don't seem to do laptop bags? Specifically for holding a laptop in place, with padding and an interior strap. I have a Mulberry Alexa which is my normal bag, but I went back to the old trusty laptop rucksack because my laptops weren't surviving in it.

The nature of my job means I go from a CEOs office to a room of schoolkids, often by bike in the rain and the bag (and my clothes!) need to do it all.

I have a Fablou shoulder bag for mine and love it. The rucksacks also look great. Not leather but look fab.
fablou.com/collections/medium/products/cosmopolitan-in-navy

Something like this from Etsy?

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/984227031/london-velvery-original-leather?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=leather+back+pack&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&cns=1

Have a look through op, there are lots on Etsy:

www.etsy.com/uk/search?q=leather%20back%20pack

This a selection of 15 inch laptop bags:

www.wardow.com/uk/laptop-backpacks?laptop=15%20inches

I think you might be asking a bit too much though. If you're cycling in the rain and want to carry clothes as well, you'll quickly trash a leather backpack. I think you'd be better with non-leather. There are lots of stylish, still smart options.

Other option is to invest a separate hard shell case for your laptop, such as this:

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07R75TC25/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pf_rd_p=a8d38b47-cfdf-4208-95a0-1af779cb6e7d&pd_rd_wg=lPr2j&pf_rd_r=1WGJMFXS5PZPW170VH9B&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE4S1BYSjhSS09UREcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxMjM2OTkyTkY3OU1PTUZCWFNSJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyOTk2NTIxSTdYVEpBVFAxUTJJJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==&pd_rd_i=B07R75TC25&pd_rd_w=wgk1V&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&pd_rd_r=d38e56c6-eec5-4923-9905-0c36d6cd487a

Would getting a separate soft [fabric?] padded bag/cover
to put your laptop in before it goes in a backpack give
you more choice of bags, op?

I use this laptop case when I'm travelling:

www.smythson.com/uk/black-panama-15-laptop-case-1029887.html?cgid=9A18

It means I can then put it in whatever bag I'm using (backpack/tote/briefcase etc) and/or just carry it under my arm in offices.

Laptop looks pristine still and it bounces pretty well. Although I've only dropped it on carpeted floors (so far).

Victorinox do a nice travel range with a variety of laptop bags:
www.victorinox.com/uk/en/Travel-Gear/cms/travelgear-main

Or what about this? It's water-repellent, padded with a strap to hold the laptop in plus sections/space for clothes as well. Not leather but looks smart/businesslike:

www.eustonbags.co.uk/products/bange-sg-type-iii-business-laptop-backpack

Sorry - I mean I have to wear clothes which work for both settings but o don’t carry them. I do a sort of ponte trouser thing and wear a me and em jersey undershirt with a fake collar under a merino fine knit jumper a lot! I’ve even found comfy heeled boots! It’s just the bag I’m struggling with. I might be asking for too much, yes!

I could go down the route of a hard case but I hoped to get a bag - I can’t cycle with a cross body bag
It doesn’t have to be leather but I’d like it not to look like a school bag as I’m quite baby faced and I worry about being mistaken for a sixth former (maybe wishful thinking!!)

Thank you for all these ideas. The smythson ones are gorgeous but not within budget, the Victorinox (did not know they did bags!!) and Euston (perfectly practical) are really strong contenders thank you. They look smart without being leather, so that’s fine. I’m loathe to use the word “feminine” but it would be nice to find one with a bit of metallic hardware, it’s not the be all and end all though and I am probably asking too much!!

Some of my schools have those sodding slides desks which two laptops have slid off

www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/men/accessories/bags-wallets+belts/black-square-leather-backpack/p/34505302

How about this one from TKMaxx - they also have this one which is very similar

www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/men/accessories/bags-wallets+belts/black-cubic-leather-backpack/p/34505363

I saw those yesterday CamperVan and nearly ordered them but there isn't any detail about the interior, but that is an excellent price for leather! Maybe I should order them and try them out..

Very easy to return to tkmaxx. If you order both you'd get free delivery.

@PersephoneJames

I agree Matt Fothergill bags look beautiful but unless I'm missing something they don't seem to do laptop bags? Specifically for holding a laptop in place, with padding and an interior strap. I have a Mulberry Alexa which is my normal bag, but I went back to the old trusty laptop rucksack because my laptops weren't surviving in it.

The nature of my job means I go from a CEOs office to a room of schoolkids, often by bike in the rain and the bag (and my clothes!) need to do it all.

That said, Matt Fothergill being a maker, I'm sure you could phone him up and ask him to adapt one of his standard designs.

He's based just up the road from me in Ludlow and works out of a workshop just above his shop, with a couple of assistants.

I've got this one and I love it. I use it for my laptop and work notebook, plus umbrella etc. One of the few backpacks that don't hurt/pull at my neck. www.oliverbonas.com/accessories/brooke-curve-pocket-black-faux-leather-backpack-midi-330727

I second Alices Wonders - I got a love leather backpack from there. All different colours, great straps and multiple ways to carry. The lady is really lovely too, she’s on Instagram and easy to find

www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/p/AC989033?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8eOLBhC1ARIsAOzx5cFakPUsw8cKRfc0IyAzhN1AHaDrJRcrZGdd00Zgu2CHR7UcGgFJWqoaAueuEALw_wcB&utm_source=linkshare&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=TnL5HPStwNw&utm_content=10&utm_term=UKNetwork&ranMID=41462&ranEAID=TnL5HPStwNw&ranSiteID=TnL5HPStwNw-kpv0l_g_.Gk0qUdGUUuiiA

Not sure what you think but I've just bought this for work and so has my friend ! It's durable and spacy for laptop space at the back!

What did you go for PersephoneJames?

I'm currently looking for the same....

I like this one:

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-leather-alina-backpack-black/p4901126?sku=238300018&s_ppc=2dx92700064093776820&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImOb3v46J9AIVmJftCh0pBA0dEAUYASABEgKgPPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or this one:

stackers.com/black-backpack

Or this one:

www.fossil.com/en-gb/products/parker-convertible-backpack/ZB1515001.html

How about this?
www.eastpak.com/uk-en/backpacks-c120/ciera-brandy-leather-pEK-00076B-A96-OS--1-.html