Which overnight hiking/camping backpack is better?

Tell me about your favorite sophisticated-looking backpack.

  • I have been using an LLBean backpack every day for my commute and to take my kids places. But my husband has grown weary of finding my belongings in the backpack every time he wants to use it. In his defense, I bought the backpack for him and it has his initials on it. Help me find a replacement backpack to call my very own. Some details below... What I like about the LLBean backpack: roomy, lightweight, stands up to daily city-suburb use, thick and soft shoulder straps, plenty of pockets, fits my standard-size laptop. I do a fair amount of schlepping, so it should be roomy without being enormous. Comfort is very important. What I don't like: not the most stylish or sophisticated backpack in style-conscious NYC. To clarify, comfort and practicality trump looks (function over form, so to speak), but if I'm getting something new, it may as well look good! I am not really interested in any other style of bag right now - a backpack is best given my current needs (young kids, frequent sprinting for public transportation, history of back problems). Looking to spend under $150, if possible. I am open to a variety of materials / colors / shapes. What is your favorite backpack that meets the above criteria, and looks a little more stylish and sophisticated (and "feminine"?), while still being super comfortable to wear? I'm in the US. Thanks!

  • Answer:

    You want the https://www.everlane.com/collections/womens-backpacks. It meets all of your requirements while maintaining a sophisticated look. They are more ubiquitous now but I used to regularly get stopped on the street by strangers to ask where I got it. It's a lovely, functional, and durable bag.

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IKEA has a decent set of attractively sleek, unobtrusively stylish, durable, not-too-label flaunty backpacks in the http://m.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=upptacka&_=1436799817228 range for under $30! They hold up very well as commuter bags and are quite comfortable and breathable on the shoulders and back. Haven't brought them out into the field or on a long backpack trip, but for around the city they are just fine.

Queen of Spreadable Fats

Depending on your definition of stylish and sophisticated and whatnot, and knowing that you like L.L. Bean, you might like http://www.fjallraven.us/collections/bags.

box

I have the messenger bag version of http://ogio.com/women-s/soho, and I love it. It's impossibly cute and (my messenger bag version) has pockets in all the right places. It has also stood up to daily use and abuse for three years come August and hasn't quit on me yet. Did I mention how impossibly cute it is?

phunniemee

box

I also have a Duluth Pack bag, mine is an over-the-shoulder style. They make durable and handsome stuff and when I contacted them for a minor customer-service issue, they were great.

wolfnote

I'm a huge fan of my http://www.duluthpack.com/business-school/backpacks-bags backpack. Handcrafted in a small factory in Duluth, guaranteed for life, classy as hell. Check out something like thehttp://www.duluthpack.com/business-school/backpacks-bags/laptop-scoutmaster-pack.html

Lutoslawski

We have http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/toromiro-pack-22-liters?p=48015-0 and it's proven not only to be the one we grab for carryon use, but also I find myself choosing it over my http://www.mountainhardwear.com/fluid-26-OU4526.html even for hiking and camping. The simple, three-pocket design and squarish shape make it easy to use, and it comes in a few colours.

a halcyon day

Seconding the Everlane bag recommendation. I use mine a lot. It's proven very durable, I love its polished look, and I have gotten many compliments on it.

orange swan

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