Recommend me a bag for days out with the DC that doesn't leave you looking like a hiker or packhorse?

[ablastfromthepast]

Looking ahead to our "summer" holiday (in October half term!) I have visions of being able to waft around European cities looking effortlessly stylish when I know the reality is there will be water bottles, snacks, spare clothing and all the rest to lug around, as there always is.

I have a perfectly serviceable rucksack that I use for the standard National Trust day out, but can mumsnetters suggest bags to (comfortably!) carry all the crap that one must carry while maintaining an air of cosmopolitan chic (or at least, not look like my natural habitat is hanging round an adventure playground on a rainy bank holiday).

I just got a Fjallraven Raven, 20l. It's a rucksack but quite smart looking. Lots of useful pockets and has 2 water bottle holders. It's our new bag for days out with the kids.

Yes bottle holders are where a lot of the more stylish city/commuter style bags seem to fall down. My current rucksack is wonderfully practical with lots of pockets where you want pockets but its vibe is "outdoorsy".

I'd say that Fjallraven is still a bit more on the ourdoorsy side compared to my platonic ideal citybreaking day bag.

If you want a backpack, I recommend this - https://www.awaytravel.com/en-gb/products/featherlight-backpack-large-jet-black?srsltid=AfmBOopTXcNoAGahewMybbFsoJ2Dz2Fah8PtsXpDh2Do7WF0TJi14M0o&track=hybrid-pdp (I’m not a fan of the outdoorsy look either), but if you want a shoulder bag, depending on budget, LV Neverfull or Longchamp Le Pliage are both good options. Very hard wearing (I have both and have used both for this purpose). I resisted a backpack altogether until we had DC2.

That's pretty nice (though does slightly put me in mind of a school rucksack?).

I like the idea of a shoulder bag but fear the reality might just be an achey shoulder?

You need something convertible. Tote to backpack.

What is the budget?

bellroy.com/products/lite-totepack?ad=&adgroup=&adtype=pla&campaign=17857238360&color=river_rock&device=m&gad_campaignid=17425243172&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADl6792CQf2_KNeWiTGMIzziZsMpq&gclid=CjwKCAjwzNTUBhAjEiwA7zcvWn9Pls0RzFNDoadLpcliBeyrTdCOeBEIGdJdUw3IYN0qmnMw3b2XKRoCJTEQAvD_BwE&keyword=&location=9044955&material=dura_lite_nylon&network=x&price_list_identifier=BpxmBaMDPhkYyg82EFytxg%3D%3D&product=BLKA-RVR-234&shipping_to_country=GB&store_currency=80525dfa80b1c4d080ba7d2e9291ff1dd1c8b183&target=&utm_content=mixed#slide-3

oooh that ticks a LOT of boxes! That's on the pricier end of what I'd be looking to spend but for the right bag that I think I'd get the use out of, I would consider! Disadvantage being it a bucket shape is that it's maybe a bit feminine so less likely to be one I can share with DH (i.e. I end up being the packhorse).

In a similarish vein I was just eyeing up this Antler one which has the advantage of being a bit of a bargain in the sale, and highly unisex, but I think the lack of any external pockets would upset me.

Icon 2-in-1 Tote and Backpack in Beige | Travel & Lifestyle Bags | Convertible Bag – Antler UK

I suppose it could look a bit like a school rucksack 😅 it’s very lightweight though which I love, and washes well. Lots of pockets and two bottle holders.

I guess you won’t know until you try but I found a shoulder bag was fine for me with one, and now DC2 is 2.5 yo and not sick over himself all the time (reflux, meaning I don’t have to carry three changes of clothes everywhere I go anymore!) I’m starting to use a shoulder bag more again.

Is it just you and the children? If not, what is your OH carrying

How old is the oldest, can they have a little back pack?

DH will be with us some of the time but not all.

They are both more than old enough to be carrying their own backpacks around! But previous experience suggests with their ability to lose them, moan about the weight, insist they want to prioritse carrying every Dogman book ever written over such practicalities as a raincoat and waterbottle...sometimes it's easier not to bother!

I would splurge on the one that converts. It has so many pockets and is convertible. And you’ll be able to use it on your NT walks and the playground.

Look at the black - it’s definitely suitable for males and females.

you could maybe find a discount code to get the price down!

Oliver Bonas do a lovely leather backpack

Well I had a look at Vinted and found one of those Bellroy tote-backpacks for a bargain price! Snapped it up in excitement and then realised there were a few other similar listings and it's most likely a fake. Oh well, hopefully it will turn up and be serviceable! If anyone else wants a Bellroy bag of potentially questionable provenance you know where to look.

I love my Sanqvist backpack. Available online and in John Lewis. I use it for travelling and commuting. Very comfortable. There are different models and sizes.
Herschel has some lovely bags too.

I have a cross body large tapestry style handbag that’s like the tardis, sunscreen, water bottle, snacks, tissues, sunhat and glasses all fit along with folded canvas bag for overspill/duty free. Zips for security with inner pockets for phone, keys etc

Is it just city things you’ll be doing? Or do you mean you want a bag for hand luggage while travelling as well?

If it’s just days out in cities, my son is 5 and I just carry my handbag. It’s a small Bayswater satchel but fits more than you’d think looking at it. It could definitely carry water bottles and snacks for two kids, along with my stuff. It could also fit spare underwear or t shirts, but we don’t generally take them.

If I need to carry more on travel days (eg iPad, kindle, books etc), I usually use a Le Pliage bag.

I want this.

https://annapugh.co.uk/products/hally-french-navy

But I have bought my partner two of these bags, & often nick them myself. This is the larger: https://www.kaft.com/en/store/storm-unisex-messenger_horizontal-bag-nevend_storm/644

And this is the smaller, which I bought on eBay.

https://www.kaft.com/en/store/sulphur-unisex-messenger_vertical-bag-methone_sulphur/652

I really hate the look of backpacks - & I hate how so many people wearing them seem to forget about them in public spaces! So many times I've been walloped by a rucksack as the wearer turns around, in supermarkets, gigs, galleries ...

The Bellroy one is definitely the closest thing to being exactly what I was looking for! I hope the quire-possibly-fake one I found on Vinted doesn’t fall apart!

the factors that clinched it:
-Decent size external pockets so smaller essentials don’t get lost in the depth of the bag,
-Somewhere for water bottles (internal which is maybe mildly inconvenient, but that does help it look less like a hiking bag).
-Proper rucksack straps for comfort when there is lots to carry for a full sightseeing day, but these tuck away completely when not in use
-will look very non-hiker/non-touristy in tote bag mode (say if out at a restaurant in an evening).

Whats up with looking 'outdoorsy?' 😆

I love "outdoorsy", I spend most of my life looking outdoorsy but when the opportunity arises to pretend to be just a bit stylish and sophisticated it must be grasped with both hands!

Ive git a longchamp rucksack - absolutely love it. Fits everything in that I need & is stylish.

www.longchamp.com/gb/en/products/backpack-m-10284089002.html