[Closed] Decent casual backpack? Trackworld

If you’re bothered about keeping it UK made, something from Millican or Aguille Alpine might work for you.

I’ve got the standard 40l Aguille for exactly what you want to do. It’s just a plain pack so neither comes in nor goes out of fashion. Will outlast me.

Being an alpkit fanboi, I got an alpkit one 18 months ago, waxed cotton and maybe made in the UK. They don’t seem to make the same one anymore but this is pretty similar. It seemed to be very similar to one of the scandi brands (fjallraven I think) not sure who copied who or used the same catalog! Other than not having tabs for the zips it’s been great (bought some off eBay)

a bag for general carrying duties change of clothes or shopping whatever

I am the first to admit that I have far too many bags ,but the one that is always grabbed (by me and the rest of the family) for the above duties is a Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30.
It’s a simple single compartment with 2 side stores and a pocket in the lid.
Fairly waterproof and strong enough to carry a decent weight if needed.
Like this one

I bought my fashionable brother a Osprey Arcane for Christmas for carrying gym kit, stuff to work, shopping etc. He’s really pleased with it - easy roll top just to dump everything in, Osprey quality and works with casual clothes.

https://www.ospreyeurope.com/shop/gb_en/osprey-arcane-roll-top-22-2020

Mrs_oab has a 24lt Patagonia that refuses to die. It was bought as a baby change bag - it's been used daily - the baby is now 19....

We've a few different cheapy Karrimor and Regatta bags.

The cheapy Lowe Alpine is a cut above all the other school / shoppy / college bags.

TNF Borealis user for the past 22 years. Used daily and for travel. Refuses to give up.

If budget isn't a consideration these are really brilliant.

https://evergoods.us/

Have a look at a company called Madlug
They’ve got a pretty good selection of styles and colours at what seems a decent price

And for a really great cause as well - for every bag sold, Madlug will donate another to a child in care. there’s a huge number of children who turn up with barely any possessions and what they do have is packed in to black bin bags

I bought an Osprey escapist for similar duties, but it also does day walks, commuting, skiing. It's a great back, right size, pockets and is adaptable.

My very very old Karrimor Mountain Marathon refuses to die so I can't help with modern stuff.

Petfu Hiking Backpack 40L Waterproof Trekking Rucksack - Amazon £32.99

Bought this last year - I reckon it's better than the NorthFace Borealis it replaced.
Large capacity and excellent quality.

My wife uses an Osprey as per the above, I'm a Chrome fanboy so use my old Chrome Citizen messenger for those kind of duties. Cracking thing and will likely outlive me!

I use a Crivit ‘cycling rucksack’ from Lidl. 14 quid does the job nicely, very lightweight, good straps, feature-rich, not sweaty. Downside is the small pockets only have one zip. Surprisingly good for such an inexpensive item.

Also have a GENUINE FORCES BCB 25L DAY SACK which is top notch rugged and a bit bigger. Downside are the large rain flaps on pockets can make it a bit faffy (but they are extra-security on the + side)

I’m fussy with rucksacks and prefer wide straps and some system at the back for reducing perspiration.

I'm a huge fan of Dakine stuff. Not too expensive and well made.
US brand, but I don't care as long as it lasts which it always has for me.

Checked out madlug, what a great company. Didn't get a bag for me but I did donate one.

If you're reading this click here to find out about madlug and spread the good word.

Cheap and cheerful Berghaus 24/7 in whatever size suits.

It seemed to be very similar to one of the scandi brands (fjallraven I think) not sure who copied who

Are you really not sure? 🙂

Rapha do one for the discerning cyclist 😉

Are you really not sure?

I think those Osprey retro looking packs are a fjallraven ripoff also.
Considering what a departure it is from Osprey's usual styling I think it's a bit out of order really

Eg

I've had a couple of saline bags and they both failed in the same place at the bottom where it joins the back piece. Two different designed bags too.

Went for an osprey and it's been brilliant

Sorry for the massive pictures I only noticed once it was too late to edit.

saline = Dakine?

Dakine used to be good but my biking backpack from them feels cheap. It works fine but I don't like it.

Eh, they both look like green rucksacks??

Another vote for the Alpkit waxed canvas ones - if they're back in stock. I've the 35 which I bought for overnight work trips via plain/trains as it was easier/more comfortable to cart around London than a suitcase and didn't wreck the shoulders of your suit like the technical ones.

TBH, it's turned out to be so comfortable I now use it in the hills occasionally too.

Are you really not sure? 🙂

Haha no, I could have a good guess. Alpkit seem like nice people so I don't want to go throwing accusations around 🙂

Perhaps that's why the design has changed.

Just went to check what model bag I got from Alpkit (Pelmo) and realised what I got for £50 Jan-2020 is now showing on the website as £80! Albiet with a slightly changed design.

Eh, they both look like green rucksacks?

Don't really want to derail the thread any further but Osprey have never made packs that look anything like that before now, whereas fjallraven have for tens of years. I saw them in person and assumed they were made by fjallraven until I got up close. It's quite blatant imo.

More on the spendy end, have a look at Sandqvist.  Stylish and practical with environmental credentials.  Very happy with the Harald model I bought for work duties (laptop plus office bits plus plenty of room for more).

YOU PEOPLE, The OP just asked for a SIMPLE CASUAL rucksack to go to the JESUS CHRIST shops FFS. JANSPORT LIKE

Keep yer backpack on!  If you don’t want suggestions don’t post!

Anyhow, for a more reasonable price and still decent looking, TK Maxx often have various Herschel models for sale (at RRP they are overpriced).

Keep yer backpack on! If you don’t want suggestions don’t post!

It's not me that wants suggestions, just making the point of some of the ridiculously expensive / inappropriate suggestions to someone who just wants a Jansport level general purpose shopping rucksack, not a scrambing/climbing or silly expensive rucksack.

Not sure a lot of these suggestions would class as "casual", more sporty.
I've got a Herschel one from TK Maxx, plain black, big enough for my gym kit and a laptop and suitable low key.

Eh, they both look like green rucksacks??

+1

Someone else made a green rucksack, seriously who GAS?

TNF Surge - deceptively large capacity and refuses to die. I use it daily for work (or at least I did before WFH), for overnight trips and also for a week's trip to NYC.

I think those Osprey retro looking packs are a fjallraven ripoff also.
Considering what a departure it is from Osprey’s usual styling I think it’s a bit out of order really

There's been many more packs in that style, way before Fjallraven started doing them.

The Millican packs are bit twee in that self-consciously retro, canvas sort of way, but they actually work really well as every day bags. I have one of the Fraser the Rucksack 32L ones and aside from being quite a nice thing, it's really well equipped with cunning little pockets, sleeves, pen holder niches etc. There's a neat zipped pocket in the back system that's ideal for easy acccess to phones, wallets, chocolate etc.

I didn't pay for mine and I'm not sure I'd ever splurge £150 on one, but they do work and mine gets - used to get - used for everything from work trips to shopping.

ps: before I get my head chewed off, I realise the OP actually wants something that's the next step up from a bin-bag and costs a fiver, but I'm posting this in case anyone is interested in the Millican stuff now or in the Google-inspired future. Please don't shout at me 🙂

I have a Millican Smith the Rollpack - mine's the bigger one with the external pockets. I've had it for about three years now and it's used as my daily commuting bag (well, it was) as well as shopping trips, weekends away and walking. Still looks good as new.