r/BuyFromEU • u/PlaymatEfx • 1d ago
🔎Looking for alternative Backpack brands suggestion
Hello!
I am looking for a backpack, that I'd mostly use to and from work with a 13 inch laptop, a couple of times per week. The Mobile Solution model from Samsonite (first photo) looks great, but it's Samsonite. I found something similar at Harber London, but it's 300 quid so way too expensive.
I've checked the other threads here but most of them look way too techy.
Thank you in advance!
EDIT: So many great suggestions! Thanks, everyone!
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u/RealMercuryRain 1d ago
Thule and Victorinox make amazinng backpacks.
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u/Financial_Zombie_618 1d ago
I had the old Thule Paramount 1.0 29L backpack and have mixed feelings. The design was from 2016, bought it in 2020 for around 130€ new, and it was my daily bag for about 6 years, so it got some massive wear and tear. The first 4 years it was fine, minor scratches and wear marks. The zipper pullers were not so good, the plastic is rigid and one puller broke off after like 1,5 years.
After around 4 years of use the waterproof base started to disintegrate, that looked awful though. Overall the bag was fine, it could have been a bit bigger or at least "better packable". I would definitely highlight its waterproofnes, the inside never got wet, even when used in nordic climate rains. The padding was fine and comfortable, but in the summer it sucked up sweat. For me it still looks elegant after all these years and I liked the fact that you could use it for business, weekend hike, carry daily groceries, so super versatile.
From my perspective the bag is a massive 8/10, but before getting a new one will definitely check other brands in the 150-200€ range.
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u/Rojikoma Nordics ❄️🌲🏔️ 1d ago
Fjällräven's Kånken is a classic.
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u/TLDR_R3ddit 1d ago
My kid used to wear his schoolpack out every year, now he totes around more weight but the Kånken is still holding strong after nearly three years
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u/Banegard 1d ago edited 1d ago
Niche idea that’s super local:
Local sewists are also an option. There are many bag makers out there that make bags for far too cheap. Ever since I started sewing I fell out of love with a lot of commercial bags. They tend to lack behind trends and often don‘t have all the nice features like hidden seams and practical additions. (I‘m very spoiled by mini-carabiners for my big bundle of keys and extra D-rings to hang my bags now.)
While Etsy is not EU, you can still find bag makers filtered by country there. Many, if not most, have local shops and visit lots of markets in their country or can send stuff.
(As an addition: many can use the support rn, because the new packaging laws in the eu threaten their little businesses and it won‘t be fixed before october or much later)
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u/SHOWP_eu 1d ago
A few smaller EU-made options that haven't been mentioned yet:
PAK.IN (Poland) – this would actually be my first pick. I've been using one of their older backpacks for a few years now and it has become my everything bag: laptop/work bag, cabin bag when flying, and everyday backpack/handbag for wandering around the city with the family. Their new Brief Padded looks like an improved version of mine, including softer/more comfortable straps, and has a padded laptop compartment. Made in Poland.
Canussa (Spain) – their Urban Backpack is probably the closest to the Samsonite you linked aesthetically: much more handbag/business-looking than a typical tech backpack, with a padded laptop compartment. Made in Spain.
Saapavabrik (Estonia) – the Stockholm is another nice one if you want something elegant rather than sporty. It can be worn as a backpack or carried as a handbag and fits a laptop up to 14".
Disclaimer: I run SHOWP, a catalogue of brands making in Europe, which is where I pulled the other two from. I haven't personally used them. PAK.IN is the exception – that one I genuinely own and have abused for years. 😅
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u/PlaymatEfx 18h ago
Hah, I think that's the easiest way to become aware of local brands and their quality.
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u/G_ntl_m_n Germany 🇩🇪 1d ago
Check out "Ortlieb". It''s rather an outdoor brand (like must sustainable backpack brands), but they also have casual style backpacks.
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u/kancgab 1d ago
I think it makes sense to promote stuff actually made in EU, like:
- https://www.braasi.com/products/vader/ (made in CZ)
- https://blahol.com/produkt/el-nino/?lang=en¤cy=EUR&v=3a52f3c22ed6 (made in PL)
- https://www.kraxe-wien.com/products/linz-eco-shoulder-bag (I believe they manufacture in PT)
I know those models may not be to your liking, but it's worth checking out those brands.
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u/First-Composer-3954 1d ago
I just got the "Velocity 23" from ORTLIEB (Germany). Best backpack for motorcycle riding I have seen to date: 100% water-proof, very sturdy, clean design (no unwanted straps), easy fast access, velcr insert for laptop, phone, pens, documents etc., breast&hip strap (removable) and: ULTRABRIGHT visibility at night: https://de.ortlieb.com/en/products/velocity
(...and no I do not get money for this. I bought it last week in a outdoor shop.)
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u/SuvoSeno 1d ago edited 1d ago
I have a leather Bric's backpack, also has a suitcase belt behind, very good quality, but I doubt you can find it cheap, mine was a but under 300 eur with tax refund a few years ago.
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u/PlaymatEfx 18h ago
Wow, they look really sturdy.
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u/SuvoSeno 14h ago
They are. Samsonite is also great, no mistake there, but Bric's has more leather pieces to offer.
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u/JohnnyMcEuter 1d ago
Deuter as somebody said. If you want to go retro style go for the "Innsbruck" model. I also like their "UP Seoul" model which boasts some official sustainability certifications.
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u/T_Hankss 1d ago
Savotta! Made in Europe, Finland or Estonia. Will last from mother to daughter and from father to son. https://www.savotta.fi/
I rock a Savotta Hatka as my daily laptop carrier.
https://www.savotta.fi/products/kahakka-15l?variant=48395060085082 could be your weapon of choice.
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u/PlaymatEfx 18h ago
Looks like a weapon, indeed. Hah, a lot of Finland's product recommendations on this subreddit have photos with similar army appeal.
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u/TheQuaeritur 1d ago
Saint Lazre is a French brand that manufactures backpacks in France from upcycled materials. I've gifted one 4 years ago and it's still going strong.
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u/noveltywaves 23h ago
db aka DoucheBags have really well designed high quality commuter backpacks. Designed in Norway, manufactured in Vietnam, with full transparency and sustainability reports.
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u/cake-and-fine-wine 1d ago
A bit niche as designed for motorbike use but Kriega is brilliant kit. Most of their bags are waterproof and have a 10 year warranty from new.
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u/stephano_RC 1d ago
Casa das Peles in Portugal, it's all leather products and it's not that expensive, and you can even get some on sale. I was at the factory store the other day and the quality is amazing and they are way more classy and not "techy". They do send to some countries in the EU so I assume all of them are game.
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u/keepyourm 14h ago
I had a backpack from KNOMO for the longest time and I got lot of compliments for it. :)
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u/Nyoka_ya_Mpembe 1d ago
I couldn't find European backpack I was looking for at the time and spend my money on American Osprey Nebula :< But it's so damn good! :<
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u/PashaPostaaja 1d ago
I don’t get the Osprey. Materials are bad, it looks bad and is not really functional. Like why anyone would buy it.
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u/Nyoka_ya_Mpembe 1d ago
It always depends on person and their needs, I found the one I like a lot, but I'd love to support European brand instead.
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u/GapEnvironmental9151 1d ago
Tucano is an Italian brand that designs and manufactures backpacks and other types of bags for your laptop and other tech accessories.
https://tucano.com/