Nice backpacks?

[slowpoke]

Since you did say "small", I'd recommend the Mission Workshop offerings as well. However, I want to emphasize two things:

- The Vandal / Ramblers don't have the best pocket layout. Putting a pen in them generally means they get lost, or they fall out of the small side-zippers.

- The Sanction / Fraction I see all over SF. Half the time, the bags are stuffed to their gills and it doesn't look like it'd be easy to take things out without having to unpack everything.

You should ask yourself if you can continue to live with a rolltop (minimalistic, but not easy access), or if you want the easier accessibility of a panel zip.

Tom Binh bags are highly functional, but they're often not the most aesthetic. However they have a strong following for a reason.

[martl]

Originally Posted by CNY rider

Slightly OT.....
I am looking for a nice, small backpack.
The type of thing you wear walking around a city, or take with you on an overnight. In civilization, not in the woods.
It's not for camping.
It's replacing my Filson Ranger backpack, which took some unfortunate rodent damage last year.
Filson has updated theirs......something like this:

https://www.filson.com/rugged-twill-...-fco-000000074

Made in USA preferable.
Thanks for any suggestions.

The Fjäll Raven Stuff might fit that description. Hefty pricetags, but good quality.

[Billybob62]

I really like the stuff Jandd makes:
https://www.jandd.com/search_results...el=2&subcat=23

[deechee]

I've never seen most of these brands; the kids around here just use Fjalraven or Herschel bags which look like the cheap bags I used as a kid. I don't get it. Do people never encounter rain or snow? Or carry their bags in their hand? And these bags look like top loaders. I am past digging through my bag for whatever is at the bottom. Side zippers all the way.

I'm currently using this Vaude . I appreciate Vaude's green and cruelty free statements, and people compliment the bag. Its super comfortable, and I've used it on the bike occasionally with no issues (laziness). The only downside is the zipper isn't the strongest so it's hard to close the bag when you've overstuffed it. I can't imagine having a backpack without a suspension system. To be honest, I wish it were a smidgen bigger.

[EricChanning]

I recently bought a Peak Design 20L everyday pack for all weather commuting and possibly travel.

It's waterproof without looking technical. Carry straps, waist belt and sternum connecting strap can be easily hidden.

Since it was designed with photography in mind, it uses interior padded separators which you can adjust as needed. It also has lots of small item storage sleeves. It's great for organizing things like gloves, jackets, caps, etc.

I bought this because of the functionality. I'm tired of digging through roll top style bags to find what I need. Anyone with a top loading bag knows that you can easily end up taking out half the contents out to reach something thing that has fallen to the bottom of the bag.

This 20L pack opens on both sides and it means you can get at what you need easily and without taking the bag completely off and no more digging to find things. Build quality is top notch.

[ftf]

For something completely different there are these:

https://packs.point65.com/collection...hell-backpacks

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by deechee

I've never seen most of these brands; the kids around here just use Fjalraven or Herschel bags which look like the cheap bags I used as a kid. I don't get it.

Herschel and Fjallraven make simple backpacks, but the shoulder straps generally leave more to be desired if one's carrying loads for longer periods of time.

Originally Posted by ftf

For something completely different there are these:

https://packs.point65.com/collection...hell-backpacks

OP asked for a small backpack. These were "cool" in the early 2000s, but fell out of favor for good reason: unnecessarily heavy and hard to access.

[Skenry]

Huge fan of Eddie Bauer, cheap and lifetime replacement. I usually go for the larger Bacon, but this is the smaller version, the Butter:
https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/8230018...to&size=ONESZE

[tsarpepe]

The Timbuk2 Swig backpack is currently on sale for $59:
https://www.timbuk2.com/products/162...-backpack-sale

[rnhood]

That Timbuk2 looks good but, it seems to me that it's a pretty bad idea have slots for the phone, passport and iPad on the back with only the flap covering (or partially covering) them. Kind a theft waiting to happen, if you know what I mean. But maybe I am interpreting this incorrectly.

That Eddie Bauer "Butter" is price competitive, and appears to be a very nice pack. Some other nice recommendations in this thread.

[Tickdoc]

Why has it taken so long for someone to suggest Italian and Leather?

I mean this one doesn't say Campagnolo on it, but it might as well!

Really a classy number if you ask me, and quite a bargain at $249:

[Likes2ridefar]

Originally Posted by Tickdoc

Why has it taken so long for someone to suggest Italian and Leather?

I mean this one doesn't say Campagnolo on it, but it might as well!

Really a classy number if you ask me, and quite a bargain at $249:

If you are going to heft around that kind of weight why not go all in? saddleback leather...

[chrismoustache]

For another option, check out Moop bags.

https://www.moopshop.com/collections/all-backpacks

They are simple, good looking, and made in Pittsburgh. I've been impressed with their workmanship and the waxed canvas they use is really great stuff.

[ibis]

Originally Posted by Tickdoc

Why has it taken so long for someone to suggest Italian and Leather?

I mean this one doesn't say Campagnolo on it, but it might as well!

Really a classy number if you ask me, and quite a bargain at $249:

I used to see a few people carry these at Interbike back in the day...

https://www.brooksengland.com/backpacks

They looked uncomfortable (stiff), but I have no first hand experience with their bags.

[whateveronfire]

Originally Posted by Likes2ridefar

If you are going to heft around that kind of weight why not go all in? saddleback leather...

Saddleback stuff is nice, but wow are their bags heavy. I would never want to use their backpack however great it looks. I've sold everyone I've had except for one small ipad one and I've tried a bunch including an older model of the backpack.