Help me sort my bag options out for work

[Coffeesnob11]

At the moment I have a very boring and old laptop backpack and a cross body bag I use for work. To give you background I commute via train to work plus also travel for my job. I spend a fair amount of time out the office and essentially carry an office with me. I don't think it helps matters that I carry a water bottle and reusable coffee cup to try and reduce my environmental impact.
I don't feel I look very professional with the bags I have seeing clients but not sure how much I can cut down with travelling. Below is what I carry across the 2 bags daily.
Train pass
2 x work passes
2 x phone
Earphones
Laptop
Charger
Phone charger
Water bottle
Coffee cup
Pen
Notebook
Lipstick
Glasses
Tissues
Meds
Chapstick
Business cards
Hdmi cable
1 personal debit card
1 work debit card
1 power bank
I miniature perfume spray.
1 umbrella
Car and home keys

Can anyone recommend 2 bags or one bag that would look good maximum of 250. I prefer a backpack due to shoulder issues for the hea u stuff.

Not a bag recommendation but for the tech-related stuff like cables I would recommend a Grid-It to keep it all tidy.

I would recommend you get spares of power leads, charging cables, etc and keep one in the office!

I do but a lot of the time I am in coffee shops between meetings, on trains etc so need them on me.

I bought a Kapten & Son backpack, and I love it. It looks very professional whilst being very practical. It’s all black/leather type top.

kapten-son.com/en/p/bergen-all-black-77?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlYCYksfb_QIVl8vtCh1wQgfHEAQYAiABEgJSpvD_BwE

However I do struggle to get coffee cup and water bottle in.

Might be a starting point for a browse?

Also one of those backpacks that also have the pull up roller handle on, might be a good shout for travelling? They still look professional. Someone else might know what I mean.

OP I was in your same position with almost the same daily carry and the need to have it on me all the time.
Look at changing backpacks - it sounds weird but they have loads of pockets and lots of them have laptop sleeves

I had this one but it was a little heavy as it's leather

pkbeau.co.uk/collections/shop-the-collection/products/riva-backpack

so I got this cheapy off Amazon while doing research for a new one and it's AMAZING and light because it is nylon

www.amazon.co.uk/Bebamour-Nappy-Changing-Backpack-Waterproof/dp/B01H1FOA4I/ref=sr_1_57?crid=1M67MUE894N64&keywords=changing+backpack&qid=1678801800&sprefix=changing+backpack%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-57

some of them even have charging ports which i have found useful

Also there’s a company I think called the inspired stories that do a notebook/diary organiser with slots for phone, business card, pen, charger cable etc. I use mine and love it but I’m sure there’s lots of other companies that do similar. Just incase this helps the organisation aspect.

theinspiredstories.com/collections/2023-accessories/products/organiser-portfolio-sage

I have a samsonite black ruck sack for work it isn’t the most stylish, but it is functional and practical for what I need . I commute by train and travel a lot for work.

It holds the following of mine :

15 inch lap top
chargers /leads
1 full outfit of work clothes (ex shoes)
wash bag with travel sized toiletries
pjs and micro fibre towel (if travelling)
breakfast containers
medium lunch box
water bottle
coffee mug
keys
mini perfume
note book and pen
slimline diary
lip balm
pocket tissues
umbrella
train pass
purse
gym leggings, top and trainers (if needed)

it was £200 but it’s a good rucksack for work and travel.

I have a similar job. I would cut down what you’re carrying to the bare minimum and look at what choices you can make so you aren’t wrecking your back. Such as, can you upgrade your phone and laptop? Mine go a full day on one charge so no need for chargers, cables and power banks.

Then you have a better choice of smart rucksacks. I would go for leather and fairly minimalist/streamlined.

This Fossil backpack looks great and comes in different colours.

I do something similar and i have bought a really nice cabin bagc with wheels. It has a laptop compartment and lots of sections, it's a nice leather, there's room to bung in a lunch or if i need to discard a jumper, etc. I then use a small near hand bag for the wallet type stuff, but it's small, so i don't appear cluttered.

I use the Mia Tui sydney backpack for work - it has two bottle/cup holders on the outside and holds loads (I carry at least as much as you listed).

sydney

I tend to keep my phone/train pass/credit cards in my pocket so I can get to them without taking off my backpack - or I use a small cross body bag if I have no/rubbish pockets.

I have this one - I like the way it opens up wide at the top do I can find things!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lekesky-Laptop-Backpack-Computer-Rucksack/dp/B07S3F2ZZL/ref=ascdff_B07S3F2ZZL/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=375497533358&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17181409099854752982&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9050364&hvtargid=pla-816484804761&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=80854340630&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=375497533358&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17181409099854752982&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9050364&hvtargid=pla-816484804761

The Nordace Sienna is a bit smarter

I have a knomo backpack, its really smart and well designed. I have the smaller size (for a 14" laptop) but I generally only carry 1 water bottle and a few less items than you but I think you'd be fine with the larger size
knomo.com/collections/laptop-backpacks-for-women/products/beaufort-laptop-backpack-black-119-410-blk2

If you want to reduce the number of things you are carrying, you could invest in a Cupple. It's a bottle and cup combined:

www.cuppleup.com/

I have a Knomo backpack which I find looks professional and has lots of space and compartments.

Thank you all. I love the samsonite especially as its waterproof and works witg an overnight case. I have emailed a couple of the others suggested. In an ideal world I would buy something made here. If it can't be the UK as close as possible but will wait to hear where they are made before I decide finally. I am hoping I can ditch the handbag, I have adhd so the less things to remember/lose the better!

I have been looking for similar too.
A couple of features I spotted, which seem excellent ideas to look out for:

A tiny pocket in the front of the over-shoulder strap, for cards and passes, so it makes it easy to get to them if you don't have pockets or a separate small bag.

An opening to tuck in the shoulder straps when they are not in use, so they don't flap around everywhere, and a sturdy handle on top to pick up the bag using that instead of the shoulder straps.

I quite like the Mia Tui bags, they have pots of practical pockets for water bottles etc. But cheaper looking than some and I dislike the blue linings but otherwise great.

miatui.com/products/adele-laptop-backpack

I got a Nordace Sienna recently and it's really good. Loads of pockets and a roomy main compartment. It's only got one side pocket for a bottle though so you'd have to put one of your drinks cups inside.

I would recommend a decathlon bag.
Search for: HIKING BACKPACK 23L - NH ESCAPE 500 ROLLTOP

It's quite pain and inoffensive, should that be a concern.
it's a good size, has tons of organisation and it opens out fantastically so you can see all your gear. It's also very comfortable, for me anyway, far more so than bags that cost 4 times as much. Best £40 I spent last year tbh.

Based on your list...

2 x phone - are you able to just switch to one phone with a dual SIM?
Earphones - these should fit in your glasses case
Phone charger - drop this, just use your power bank to charge from
Water bottle, Coffee cup - you can get a 2 in 1 bottle that will hold both
Notebook - can you reduce the size? either width, thickness or both
Business cards - if you don't need many at once, you could get a wallet style phone case for your work phone and slot a bunch in the debit card slots and refill as needed.

Depending on the size of your laptop and charger, it should be fairly easy to get down to one bag.

I have a proper laptop backpack with good strap padding and various compartments/pockets. It's black and grey so inoffensive and goes with everything.

Then I have a small crossbody bag for my wallet, phone, rail pass etc. It's a camera bag style so easy access to everything. I like having the separate bag as I can leave the backpack under my feet on the train, in the office at lunchtime etc.

I have a Kipling Seoul backpack which I use for overseas work travel and when I have loads to carry into the office. I know Kipling is a “love it or hate it” brand but I find all the pockets and compartments in my bag soooo helpful

I have this. It’s a bit more expensive, but totally worth it. The heritage brown version is lovely.

La Mansio bag