Find me a work laptop backpack

[Frenchcremefraiche]

I carry it for at least an hour a day and it weighs as much as a small family car.

Budget about £150 but would prefer under £100.

It needs:
Padded, comfy, non-fall down straps
Strong!
Flat base to stand it up.
A seperate laptop pocket/section
Outside water bottle holder.
Zip up outside pocket.
Pref waterproof but that isnt a deal breaker.
Not leather
Not overly work laptop carrier looking iyswim
No big logos/patterns
Not black or grey or brown coloured
Not look like I'm going for a hike!

I'm using a Nordace Sienna which is about the right size but the straps which were never great have gotten thin and twisted.

I also use a Roka rucksack but the straps are too thin to carry any weight.

Thank you!

Not sure if someone has already mentioned but Lipault are my go to for rucksacks. Light as a feather but so far after three years of tube commuting with laptop, cables and other essential tut it’s still like new. A few different styles and colours and definitely within your budget .

Kapten and Son as well. Also bought one for a friend (female) and other for a family member (male). Both different from mine. Great sales too

https://kapten-son.com/en/backpacks

i'd recommend a kipling. quite a few would probably tick off most of your boxes and the straps on my work one is great.

Here's some for laptops:
eu.kipling.com/en-gb/collections/work-backpacks?f_Laptop+Size=15%22

The Kazuki looks nice.Mine's more like the soeul but with a separate laptop bit at the back. Might be worth checking them out.

Second this! Love mine and meets all your requirements I think. Also made from recycled materials in the uk.

meant to add this to the stubble and co roll top backpack: www.stubbleandco.com/products/the-roll-top-20l

Are you on the tube commuting? Backpacks get opened regularly on the tube. My London neighbour got rummaged a few times on way home and she didn't even notice. Need one to lock, if possible?

I went to John Lewis and tried loads when I was looking for a laptop bag when I had to go back in after the pandemic. It needed to be comfortable, secure and easy to carry as I had a walk to the station and then a 20 minute walk at the other end to the office.

I took my laptop with me to try various makes for sizes and weight and ended up with a Knomo Beaufort which suited me. Even though I've retired I've still kept it as it's great for travelling. I got it in black, but they do it in navy as well.

I've just had a look at the Knomo website and see that they are doing some new styles and colours which might be suitable for you. What about something like this?

Quilted fabric in Portland Stone Berlin 16" Laptop Backpack | KNOMO London - KNOMO

They also do this style

Black Reykjavik Womens 15" Laptop Tote Backpack | KNOMO London - KNOMO

I have a knomo Berlin in brick that I love. I've switched back to my knomo beaux (leather so not for you OP) this week. Love them both but the Berlin fits so much in it!

I'm eyeing up this at the moment: Bergen Pro Leo – Backpacks | Kapten & Son | Kapten & Son

(comes in lots of colours if leopard isn't your thing)

Do the ones with internal drinks holders have waterproof laptop sections? I have a great travel mug but I don't think I'd trust any mug next to my laptop, especially when running around on the tube.

lovevook laptop bags

https://www.oliverbonas.com/accessories/mami-black-laptop-backpack-388602?utm_source=google&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping%20UK&utm_term=1953916&utm_term=&utm_id=19581556946&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19573636947&gbraid=0AAAAADrENChar2pbG9-BNpAShwzoA6pTM&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl9PUmLrRkgMVvotQBh28gxMBEAQYASABEgLCHvD_BwE

I have this laptop bag and would highly recommend it.

Hi OP 👋

I know this is totally out of your budget and is black, but it does look pretty good...

Sorry, the link disappeared...! Here it is:

https://www.lipault.co.uk/lost-in-berlin-backpack-pro-with-wheels-black/157129-1041.html?fbclid=IwT01FWAP4T9FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6ywr0KF3ApyIdqO72tG1aQrs8Er5gVyUWFe5XHqwRDJ92L4aF5B9shkpnlSA_aem_UjfDMDEfWQma7UbKLs_g-w

I had similar criteria to you and went for this one from Away. It's slightly above your budget though - I managed to get it with a couple of discounts stacked (I think black friday and a new customer code): https://www.awaytravel.com/en-gb/products/commuter-backpack-olive-green

I love my Lipault - Lost in Berlin(towards the top of your budget) it’s perfect for work+ fits gym wear + fully waterproof and you can easily attach it to a carry-on when traveling www.lipault.co.uk/lost-in-berlin-backpack-pro-ash-stone/157127-A776.html?tm=tt&ap=gads&aaid=adabReQYAVEia&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=18545141708&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18545293415&gbraid=0AAAAADiC7qyP3n_zo6eRK0D9V7Jck3VJC&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7rDMBhCjARIsAGDBuEASrv2D7CPGlEL-R_d3lzHgQ3AgwRAag69-gK_DOnXrfyiEDyYcKDgaAjAFEALw_wcB

If you want all that, I would just get a hiking one that is all black.

I use a supermarket bag for life for my laptop as it is waterproof and a bit padded. I bung that in my standard backpack.

@Frenchcremefraiche what did you go for in the end? I'm looking for a new work bag now and have similar criteria to you!

I gave up and just bought another Nordace Sienna.

Do you like it? It's one of the ones I'm considering. I don't know why it feels like such a big decision!!

I like my Stubble 15L rolltop. I did get black but there are plenty of colours. (Edit I already posted on same thread ages ago )

I have this one - super smart navy and the red stripe adds to it. It folds out to be a cabin bag as well.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0G7XX9JSV?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Good points:
My old one was 6 years old and as good as new apart from the padding the straps (which was why I was replacing it) and one corner where I'd obviously scrapped it on something. I'm hard on my bags, overfill them and throw them about so that is impressive
It's a clean, simple design. No one is going to compliment you on it but equally it is classic and minimalist
The water bottle holder holds a decent sized bottle and once you've used it a few times, it isn't stiff.
It doesnt feel heavy even when packed to bursting.
You can fit a lot in there. I used it as my work bag and I can get my water, phone, purse, (large) laptop, headset, penguin mouse, small keyboard, notepad, pencil case, running leggings, t-shirt and maybe lunch in it and various other peices of detritus. I think the packing videos overegg the capacity a bit but you can get a lot in it.
It stands up. Even if the only thing you have in it is a laptop in the back pocket, it doesnt fall over. I didnt realise how much I appreciate this feature until I had a bag that has the structural integrity of a soggy pancake!

Bad points
The charging gizmo is ridiculous. If Id bought it for that I'd be really annoyed. It's basically an internal wire that you plug your battery into and an external port that you plug your phone into. The wire gets in the way a bit and I cant ever see me wanting to use a phone plugged into a bag. I have considered.cutting the internal wire off.
You have to buy the waterproof cover seperately (and it's expensive)
Too many internal pockets. I think some people might like that but I dont because my stuff gets lost in them and if I'm pitting lots in the bag, the pockets themselves catch on things.
The strap padding could be better
There are 4 sections. One at the back for your laptop, then the main section and then two smaller, thin sections at the front. The 2 smaller sections aren't much use for anything other than keys, glasses, maybe a book. If I use them I always forget which side I've used!

Hope that helps!