Work / commuting rucksack

[mrsfoof]

Please could someone recommend me a new work / commuting rucksack. I am starting a new job and will be travelling by train to and from the office.

I prefer fabric rather than leather (no ethical reasons, just prefer the look of fabric). It needs to have:

Padded laptop compartment (15")
External pocket for 500ml Chillys water bottle
Preferably waterproof or at least shower resistant (it rains a lot here!)
Comfy straps (I have a 1.5 mile walk from the station)
Organiser pocket with key clip would be nice

I bought futliit bags for my kids because l wanted them to be seen in the dark (they light up). They are so beautifully made with gorgeous, padded straps, laptop pocket, generous water bottle pocket etc that l bought one for me too. I’m a teacher and l can fit in a whole set of books, my laptop etc and carry it comfortably. Hth futliit.co.uk/products/futliit-backpack

I would say - check the weight of the bag before you buy it. It's hard enough lugging stuff to and from work and keeping it all as light as possible has helped me. Adding a heavy bag to the weight of your stuff only makes it harder.

I have this one. It’s brilliant, loads of room, laptop compartment, key strap, external bottle holders etc everything you’ve listed, I’ve had it over a year, taken it on holiday etc and it still looks smart
Lekesky Laptop Backpack 15.6 Inch School Travel Computer Rucksack with USB Charging Port for Work/Women/Men amzn.eu/iFdwfTk

Have you tried looking at kipling? I have the seoul and the Osho and they are both great, though I prefer osho due to the separate laptop section. It doesn't have an outside water bottle section though but the seoul does. However they are very lightweight with great quality fabric and have really comfy straps and lots of pockets. I def recommend them.

www.kipling.com/uk-en/backpacks-c10565/osho-ki470953f00-999.html

www.kipling.com/uk-en/backpacks-c10565/seoul-ki474453f00-999.html

@Picoloangel yours is very similar to mine. They’re great aren’t they!

@wherestheweightlosspill I have to keep talking myself out of getting the matching lunch bag. 😬 I can’t believe how much you can get in these rucksacks, they are just great.
😊

These are the best backpacks, worth every penny, my daughters both have them and they are great.

www.fjallraven.com/uk/en-gb/bags-gear/backpacks-bags/laptop-bags?Family=Kånken

I love my Kanken but it’s v v uncomfortable if I have much more than bare essentials in it. lovely bags but not for a long commute with a heavy load.

Adore mine.

Anvanda are great bags. Their sales technique is unusual but the bags are great. Or Kovered which are waterproof but they can't claim that because they use recycled materials.

I own one of each and use both a lot. They are very comfortable.

My nordace bag absolutely fell
apart within a couple of months, I tried to speak to customer services but no where. I was really annoyed as it was £90. I down have a leather John Lewis one as a stop gap, but I am on the look out for something more padded, so this thread is very helpful!

@Picoloangel I have rammed so much in (wine and shopping on my way home from work for example 🤣) it’s like Mary Poppins bag

I also have the Nordace Siena. Very comfortable, and sturdy even when fully loaded (honestly I just did 8 bottles of wine in it 🙈).

Sized for laptops and just about anything you want to carry. Fits my chillys bottle and has a key clip and various organising compartments. I've had lots of compliments on mine

I'm looking at the Kind Bag rucksack at the minute.

I like the practicality and the colours remind me of a Kanken (but with better straps), but with the design features of the Nordace. It's also shower proof. Only thing holding me back so far (apart from my indecision) is that I don't know anyone else with one so no idea about quality

I have this one - similar to a couple already mentioned but all grey. I unstitched / removed the Leke label on the outside as I didn't like that bit.

Deal: Lekesky Laptop Rucksack 15.6 Inch Computer Backpack School Bag for Travel Business College Women Men, Grey amzn.eu/d/bGh2T2o

@wherestheweightlosspill we should be on commission 🤣💷💰

Nearly checks all your boxes, but not really waterproof. I like my Jansport 'right pack premium'. It has comfy straps, separate padded laptop section, front pouch with key clip, side water bottle holder, and is fabric with a leather bottom. They have other models that have different capacity and possibly have a hiking range with a rain cover. I use mine for my work commute (walking and trains/tube).

I've recently got a Built for Athletes backpack.
Everything you have described in it. Mine is the mint green

builtforathletes.com/collections/25-litre-hero-2-0-backpacks

I also have a grey Lekesky bag. Been using it for over a year to carry laptop, water bottle, large diary, large a4 pad, make up bag and random stuff I never seem to empty out. I often manage to stuff my waterproof jacket and a pair of socks in there too plus lunch. I get the train and walk to the office or to off site meetings and it does me fine. I had a roll-top bag before this and hated it as although I could fit loads in I always felt like I had to climb in it to get it back out.

Osprey would work. Not stylish but very practical. I bought a cycling specific model about 5 years ago, bike 14 miles a day and it’s still,going strong. Very comfy. Ticks all boxes.

Can everyone looking here for backpacks please check out www.madlug.com

their bags are great and it’s a brilliant social enterprise.

That colour is gorgeous.

I'd just go to Decathlon and try a load on. You want the actual bag to weigh very little. I think mine was less than £10.

@Picoloangel we need to share the commission with @PoppyBlunt and @HobnobsChoice 🤣

@RealDeeBliss Have you got a Sandqvist one? Do you like it?