Stylish backpack recommendations

[Jeclop]

Looking for some recommendations for smart / classic / stylish backpacks to replace a handbag on days out with my young boys.

Really struggling as I'm not usually a backpack person but find handbags a faff and limiting when running around.

Hit me with your best recommendations. Something that looks a little like a handbag. Maybe leather? Open to all options. 🙂

Depends what you want.

Carrying laptop to work and home?
Look at Aer bags.

Want budget options?
Look at TomToc bags.

Want cute?
Look at Doughnut bags.

I love, but don't own Troubadour Apex

Want bomb proof? Hurl it down a mountain and it'll survive? GoRuck bags.

Or want simple, a decent bag for the cost that looks fine for daily but also nice on a country walk or visit to the peak district?
Google: Osprey Daylite Plus or Patagonia Atom.

Couple of my favourites, some i own, some I dpont:

(Just copy and paste into Google)

Chrome Industries Ruckas 14L

Decathlon NH500 Escape Roll Top 23l

Osprey Daylite Plus

5.11 Rush 12

Troubadour Apex

Able Carry Daily

Doughnut Macaroon

PacSafe Go

Honourable mention of a bag that I think is beautiful:
Peak Design Everyday Totepack in Bone

........

That should get you started. 😁

Thank you.

Not quite what I'm after. They are too "backpacky"

May not have made my post clear enough. We live in London so this would be for city days out. Something that looks like a leather handbag but is a backpack.

Does this exist?😬

You want a Fossil Parker or (older design) a Camilla! basically a handbag with backpack straps!!

Mat and Nat are excellent choice, great colours, durable, many styles, comfy to wear but smart looking. They do good sales too.

Googling leather backpack brings up loads. There seem to be some nice ones at John Lewis.

I like Roka but probably not stylish enough.

I’ve got one that fits your requirements from Oliver Bonas of all places.

For days out with two kids though, we have a more normal backpack, because we need the capacity!

They don’t exist. Honestly, I know lots of people love them and I get that they’re very practical but they really aren’t stylish.

I am not a backpack person and resisted getting one with DS1 but by the time DS2 came along I admitted defeat. I really love the Away featherlight backpacks. Very simple designs and very light. I personally wouldn’t go with leather because of leaks/rain/spills/ and the backpack getting squashed in and under things. It’s nice not to have to worry about it.

https://www.awaytravel.com/en-gb/products/featherlight-backpack-large-jet-black

https://www.awaytravel.com/en-gb/products/featherlight-cargo-backpack-jet-black

I have a rains one which is good but find the straps are a little uncomfortable. On the plus side the material can be wiped down . I’ve Just been looking at the longchamp ones , they look a little less backpacky not sure what the quality is like .

I'd get an Eastpak one and use a nice small cross-body bag for phone and wallet.
Padded Pak'r Backpack in Black | Eastpak Official Store

I'm guessing that the backpack will be full of things like drinks, snacks and, packaway coats.
I have a leather one and it was from TKMaxx.

The leather one isn't an Eastpak, it's Paul Costelloe.

Mia Tui Mickey backpack looks fairly smart. Loads of handy pockets, security pocket lies against your back when wearing it. Comes in loads of colours. Usually get one in VGC on vinted for about half price.