Bloody backpacks and Satchels. Advice required
Discussion
Started a new contract. I have been using a three year old Berghaus 24-7 30litre. I walk probably 3 miles in total daily over the course of the commute with the backpack on.
Laptop, charger and other stuff such as a mouse, VGA to Hdmi adaptor need to all be lugged. Fair enough you say?
Then a lunch bag inside the backpack and my docs etc, and. I commute in trainers... I value my bloody shoes and feet. So work shoes also go in the bag. And other random stuff.
The Bergahaus seems fine, but bloody hell it's becoming heavy. Never tried a satchel....
Seen a lot of powerfully built CEO / Office plebs carrying these fancy brown leather things with them.
Best way to carry such weight would be as I am doing so now? I don't want a locker as quite frankly I am a contractor and not part of the bloody furniture.
I don't tend to get comfortable where I work. Leave that to the office bods.
I assume those who don't have thin clients at their workplace lug a fair bit of weight on their commute?
Laptop, charger and other stuff such as a mouse, VGA to Hdmi adaptor need to all be lugged. Fair enough you say?
Then a lunch bag inside the backpack and my docs etc, and. I commute in trainers... I value my bloody shoes and feet. So work shoes also go in the bag. And other random stuff.
The Bergahaus seems fine, but bloody hell it's becoming heavy. Never tried a satchel....
Seen a lot of powerfully built CEO / Office plebs carrying these fancy brown leather things with them.
Best way to carry such weight would be as I am doing so now? I don't want a locker as quite frankly I am a contractor and not part of the bloody furniture.
I don't tend to get comfortable where I work. Leave that to the office bods.
I assume those who don't have thin clients at their workplace lug a fair bit of weight on their commute?
I bought one of these...


From Rohan. Can be used as a satchel or rucksack. Really well made with nice features. Sadly though I had to return it as it wouldn't quite squeeze in my 17" laptop. Would be fine for any 15" machines though. Plus plenty of room for shoes, peripherals, lunches etc.


From Rohan. Can be used as a satchel or rucksack. Really well made with nice features. Sadly though I had to return it as it wouldn't quite squeeze in my 17" laptop. Would be fine for any 15" machines though. Plus plenty of room for shoes, peripherals, lunches etc.
For that weight and volume, I'd stick with a rucksack. I wouldn't want that weight on one shoulder, nor swinging around. I'm currently lugging slightly less weight around for similar distances a few times a week. I use an old canvas haversack ... bag on left hip, webbing shoulder strap over right shoulder. It's nice and stable, but the asymmetry is giving me a bit of persistent neck ache on the RHS, so I really ought to either reduce the weight or switch to a more ergonomic bag. Ho hum.
HannsG said:
Laptop, charger and other stuff such as a mouse, VGA to Hdmi adaptor need to all be lugged.
Then a lunch bag inside the backpack and my docs etc, and. I commute in trainers... I value my bloody shoes and feet. So work shoes also go in the bag. And other random stuff.
How much of that stuff HAS to be carried each day? You could lighten the load a lot by leaving some of it in a drawer or locker on site.Then a lunch bag inside the backpack and my docs etc, and. I commute in trainers... I value my bloody shoes and feet. So work shoes also go in the bag. And other random stuff.
If you're worried about losing chargers, mice, adapters, etc., buy a set for that contract, expense it and keep them onsite.
My trip to work is 1 mile walk/DLR/I mile uphill walk and sometimes Tube or cab journeys during the day.
Might seem selfish but having a busted left shoulder I dont like people banging into me I have gone for a briefcase on wheels. It creates a little bit of space behind me.
Note that you carry your work shoes with you, mine get left at work.

Might seem selfish but having a busted left shoulder I dont like people banging into me I have gone for a briefcase on wheels. It creates a little bit of space behind me.
Note that you carry your work shoes with you, mine get left at work.
bigandclever said:
I use a 25litre OMM Classic rucksack for all that and more. But I'm a scruffy sod 
I have the same bag, very comfortable for both walking and running, but agree on the scruffy comment. I leave my work shoes in the office and commute in trainers or walking shoes and a quilted jacket or fleece, probably wouldn't go too well with a smart woollen overcoat. 
I use one of these (although it wasn't legacy when I bought it, it also houses a 17" laptop): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wenger-600631-LEGACY-Lapt...
Laptop compartment is separate to everything else which keeps it protected but also makes the rucksack more comfortable to carry. Certainly has enough room for a pair of kicks, chargers, spares and lunch etc
My current one is 3 years old and still looks new, my old one is still being used (handed it over to an old colleague) and it is about 8/9 years old!
Laptop compartment is separate to everything else which keeps it protected but also makes the rucksack more comfortable to carry. Certainly has enough room for a pair of kicks, chargers, spares and lunch etc
My current one is 3 years old and still looks new, my old one is still being used (handed it over to an old colleague) and it is about 8/9 years old!
I carry all the same excluding the lunchbox but do have a bottle of fountain pen ink instead in mine and am also a contractor.
I have recently migrated from a satchel to a North Face rucksack and the difference is astounding and I don’t even notice the weight now whereas the satchel (which I used for the past 10yrs) was always a burden.
ETA: this one; the Recon Pack - not cheap but I got it in the US for $60

I have recently migrated from a satchel to a North Face rucksack and the difference is astounding and I don’t even notice the weight now whereas the satchel (which I used for the past 10yrs) was always a burden.
ETA: this one; the Recon Pack - not cheap but I got it in the US for $60
Edited by alorotom on Monday 28th January 11:53
LimaDelta said:
I bought one of these...


From Rohan. Can be used as a satchel or rucksack. Really well made with nice features. Sadly though I had to return it as it wouldn't quite squeeze in my 17" laptop. Would be fine for any 15" machines though. Plus plenty of room for shoes, peripherals, lunches etc.
Ooooo, I like that very much. Need a new bag for use when commuting and as a carry on. I take it that it fits the relevant dimensions.

From Rohan. Can be used as a satchel or rucksack. Really well made with nice features. Sadly though I had to return it as it wouldn't quite squeeze in my 17" laptop. Would be fine for any 15" machines though. Plus plenty of room for shoes, peripherals, lunches etc.
Berghaus Freeflow Adult's Outdoor Backpack https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N4S4QLS/ref=cm_sw_r...
Not for a commute but I use one of these for lugging the kids stuff around as I was fed up of using the change bag my wife bought.
Waist strap is big if you’re not using it, but very supportive otherwise. And the airflow system should avoid any sweaty back issues!
Only problem may be the curve not allowing for easy laptop stowage. And you look like you should be stomping across Dartmoor!
Not for a commute but I use one of these for lugging the kids stuff around as I was fed up of using the change bag my wife bought.
Waist strap is big if you’re not using it, but very supportive otherwise. And the airflow system should avoid any sweaty back issues!
Only problem may be the curve not allowing for easy laptop stowage. And you look like you should be stomping across Dartmoor!
silverthorn2151 said:
Ooooo, I like that very much. Need a new bag for use when commuting and as a carry on. I take it that it fits the relevant dimensions.
Depends on the carrier. Ryanair have got massively s
tty about carry-on size recently. I’ve also had problems with Jet2 in the past, using a carry-on that had been on Lufthansa and BA without issue.Yeah yeah, I know, budget carrier = council etc.
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