Grown up Backpacks

[CooperS]

Don't know where to put this. Looking for the buying wisdom of Pistonheads for a relatively mundane bit of kit.

I'm back to doing more day trips away with work so flying up and down in a day.

I've got the usual lightweight pull alongs, I've had all in one pull alongs from Samsonite (heavy and last a year or so before going rattly) so fancy trying a backpack.

Problem is they either look incredibly dull or have reviews which say they're uncomfortable or wear quickly (North Face Vault as an example).

Cost isn't an issue as it'll be with me every day.

My day to day office bag is a fossil leather satchel which tbh is holding up well but once you have a laptop, cables etc along with notebook, pens, food a bottle of drink..... Enough pharmaceutical drugs to stave off a plauge it gets uncomfortable especially when you have to lug is across the car park or even worse have a 1 mile walk in from their office car park.....

So what do you guys use?

[bitchstewie]

Tom Bihn

[snake_oil]

Osprey.

[CooperS]

bhstewie said:

Tom Bihn

Damn you they look brilliant! Now to justify spend a little more than I was expecting.......

Have you used them in the past?

[CooperS]

snake_oil said:

Osprey.

I've got an Osprey hiking backpack but the reviews say padding and compartment separation isn't great?

[alorotom]

I’ve been using a north face Recon backpack for coming on 12mths now and it still looks like new (used week-daily) and is very comfortable to wear with excellent protection for laptops and iPads etc. inside.

[Tango13]

Kriega

[snake_oil]

CooperS said:

snake_oil said:

Osprey.

I've got an Osprey hiking backpack but the reviews say padding and compartment separation isn't great?

I use mine for cycling but it's got separate laptop compartment, two more main compartments one big enough for shirts, trousers etc folded in a travel envelope thing. Plus plenty of other random storage along with a breathable back which to be fair doesn't really work.

ETA: Momentum 26

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B019TTANZY/ref=cm_sw_r...

Edited by snake_oil on Saturday 28th September 13:34

[caelite]

alorotom said:

I’ve been using a north face Recon backpack for coming on 12mths now and it still looks like new (used week-daily) and is very comfortable to wear with excellent protection for laptops and iPads etc. inside.

That's a good choice, I've had mine 7 years, has done me through 3 years of college and countless overnights & some camping. Still looks almost new baring a few scuffs, can just about squeeze a chunky-ish 15.6" laptop into it, although I think you'd want a 14" or 15.6 with real narrow bezels to be comfortable (my Gigabyte P35 has bezels from the 90s).

Not something I'd want to wear with a suit though.

[Doofus]

CooperS said:

bhstewie said:

Tom Bihn

Damn you they look brilliant! Now to justify spend a little more than I was expecting.......

Have you used them in the past?

I've got four Tom Bihns, and I swear by them.

[bitchstewie]

CooperS said:

Damn you they look brilliant! Now to justify spend a little more than I was expecting.......

Have you used them in the past?

I have one which has been with me on a couple of trips.

Absolutely love it.

I could easily spend a small fortune on Tom Bihn stuff and it's only the falling pound and shipping cost that makes me think twice.

If nothing else treat the brand name as something that, if you Google, opens the door to a lot of blogs and review sites that will throw up some brands that you just don't see anywhere mainstream over here.

[Nik da Greek]

+1 for North Face

I've had one as my workbag for several years now and it's indestructible. Kicked around train cab floors, fallen from cab height onto ballast, chucked around all day long and generally mistreated all the while carrying several pounds of kit every day. Must have used the zips literally into the thousands of times without anything breaking

Not especially waterproof (even less so now) but shrugs of a light shower OK. I liked it initially because it was boring black without adornment so I didn't look like I was fulfilling any "One Life Live It" Bear Grylls fantasies

[wolfracesonic]

I think these are supposed to the ne plus ultra of backpacks Kifaru though they do have more than a hint of Seal team six about them; nobody will mess with you in the departure lounge though.

[Alex Z]

I bought one of these. Really nice quality and they look good too.
https://herschelsupplyco.co.uk/shop/mens

[bitchstewie]

wolfracesonic said:

I think these are supposed to the ne plus ultra of backpacks Kifaru though they do have more than a hint of Seal team six about them; nobody will mess with you in the departure lounge though.

If you like stuff like that look at Hennie Haynes.

You suddenly find yourself in a world of "tactical assault pants" rather than cargo pants but they sell some good stuff.

[red_slr]

Maxpedition do a good low profile pack called the Entity. Only down side is 2 colours. Comes in 3 sizes.

[anonymous-user]

Briggs & Riley

Lifetime warranty too

[Roofless Toothless]

This thread has reminded me of my loved and lost black leather rucksack that I bought many years ago in Cucuta. Real Indiana Jones stuff. It literally fell apart in the end, lining first, as is the way with leather things, but it was used every day for many years. I have just spent some time Windows shopping leather rucksacks via Google, but they cost the best part of $200 for anything comparable, and I don't think I could justify that now.

[HRL]

Waterproof, comfy, and you can add additional parts to it if needed. Been hiking and climbing with mine and still use it 5 days a week for work too.

https://www.511tactical.com/bags-packs/backpacks.h...

[Depthhoar]

Have a look at the stuff from these people:

https://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/

Made to order and 'Made in England'. Their stuff is very well regarded for comfort, durability (and 'quiet' style) in my line of work. Plus they're not one of the mass market brands or one of the poncy labels. Reasonable prices, too, considering.