I hate my Roka bag. Help me find something else

[Jamfirstest]

I bought a Roka backpack for work. Yes it doesn’t hurt my back like shoulder bags do but otherwise I hate it so much. It’s hard to get things in and out because it’s so narrow front to back. The straps hurt if you carry it in one shoulder even for 5 minutes.
i carry a laptop for work and some hardback notebooks and some fidget toys I use for work. I need a laptop space and a few pockets. Even getting my carkeys out of the Roka feels like an injury.
any ideas?

Poli and Joe

You want a "wide mouthed" backpack - this isn't the most elegant but there are some nice colour combinations https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09W4D9MZK?linkCode=gg2&tag=4packstravel-20&th=1

Smarter version https://www.amazon.com/OIWAS-Backpacks-Backpack-Waterproof-Breathable/dp/B0DPK9KH9P/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Bq55Nt_xykbzjBBCepfIQio8YOC026rQbQpylrzpiHgiiyarsjpYj4pBqq-w0waG7LWACX5p9jxRlvbOdHo6KttJKkMkIPGCpGZFlXMpOvYhEIDBsCFExzkTzVlpVvkTfNgb-ENJ5bBA_RaXYYwM6KbxbgLTW0WIDWpkJPyRWtQjPHSuQ0P1TAjXnh-Bzz652KjOkYCRDsqVgsLFw0Npn3nQ8b8xWP32fQ3s4d3hgNc.hRCUyN3hhOjjjbMTk3oQvguxnDzSnWy09Dm95sZ3Xtg&dib_tag=se&keywords=wide%2Bmouth%2Bbackpack&qid=1771096905&sr=8-7-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

My daughter has a rains mini which again has a wide opening but not great for pockets

@Tortephanthow much!

@Londonmummy66you are right. The bottom one is quite nice but still a bit too outdoorsy for my liking. Lots of my colleagues have wide moth back packs I can see why now!

How about this one? A bit less rugged https://www.johnlewis.com/sweaty-betty-city-goer-backpack-navy-blue/p113081742

Or this by Calvin Klein https://www.johnlewis.com/calvin-klein-rolltop-backpack/p113184861

FUn colour with a laptop sleeve https://eu.eastpak.com/en-gb/collections/roll-top-backpacks/products/up-roll-ek0a5bgf8v1

What about a messenger bag rather than a backpack.

https://www.trooplondon.com/products/troop-london-classic-messenger-bag-trp0210

can wear crossbody or one shoulder comfortably.

Have a look at lefrik, lots of styles available. Mine was very comfortable - better than my ROKA.

Agree - much more stylish @Jamfirstest , & can be simple leather. That's the type of thing I use for my laptop etc - I wear mine crossbody & it's not caused any issues - but I'd just swap it across if it did.

I hate backpacks!!! Even more, I hate them at gigs ... people seem to have zero awareness of the fact that they have the depth of another person on their back.

I have a cabaia. Really comfy shoulder straps and loads of room. I carry my laptop and several files every day for miles.
https://www.cabaia.com/en-gb/collections/backpack-adventurer-medium

I don't like my Roka backpacks either and, to be honest, I don't really like backpacks; however, I have two from Nordace, one for travel and one for work (although I retired almost immediately after buying it 😅) and I find both of them comfortable to carry and easy to organise. They may be too big for you needs but they're worth a look.
https://nordace.com/en/product/nordace-siena-smart-backpack/?attribute_pa_color=black&alg_currency=GBP&utm_source=Google_Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleShop_GB&utm_content=siena_black&cmpid=60b0ff6a6e422d0001876195&sub2=&sub4=187725781321&sub6=22910524050&sub7=m&sub9=Google_Ads&ref_id=Cj0KCQiA18DMBhDeARIsABtYwT2QUdPLGp3grp60Q4P0GhUbyF9jtodY2wLLE24Xo9wy-7WJs1LS_NEaAq1SEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22910524050&gclid=Cj0KCQiA18DMBhDeARIsABtYwT2QUdPLGp3grp60Q4P0GhUbyF9jtodY2wLLE24Xo9wy-7WJs1LS_NEaAq1SEALw_wcB

Another vote for Cabaia.

my favorite backpack ever is by Lefrik. i've had it about 8 years now and it's still going strong and i love it to bits.

www.lefrik.com/collections/all-backpacks

i have a Consigned one which I like.

Take a look at Stubble & Co

DH and I have a few of their bags and they’re amazing

I've got a Nordace Sienna too (one of the ones linked by a PP) and it's great for work. Loads of pockets and separate compartments, and different colourways to choose from. I've had mine for a few years and it's still holding up well with daily use.

I like Herschel

https://herschelsupplyco.co.uk/shop/backpacks/herschel-survey--backpack-weather-resistant?showSales=0&v=11649-04281-OS

Sandqvist
Ally capellino
Rains
Stubble and co
Kapten and son

Which Roka style do you currently have?

Antler makes some nice looking backpacks. I really like this one:

https://www.antler.co.uk/products/urban-core-zip-top-backpack-clay-brown

Roka is really nice in that it’s waterproof (kind of essential in certain climates … ) but I too find getting things in and out is a little awkward.

Bought a stubble & co for my son in law. He loves it.

Rains.

Stubble and Co are popular at my work so I bought DH one. He loves it and it’s pretty comfortable too. (He walks a lot and carries laptops, notepads and often lunch!)

I hated mine too and sent it back. I bought this instead. It’s brilliant.
https://seventeenlondon.com/products/wimbledon-backpack-pink-grey

Another vote for Cabaia bags. My 11yo discovered them in France 6 years ago and the one I bought her to start y7 is still going strong.

I second Herschel. Really comfy and smart.

I found that the ROKA backpack straps dig into my arms and the bags are not at all practical. As you say the opening is small and makes trying to get anything out feel like you’re dragging your hands through a holly bush.