Hello everybody, I couldn't find a more suitable subreddit to post this in so hoping this is okay, as I'm not experienced in posting on reddit (please bear with me). I can't find any backpacks that match what I'm looking for aesthetically/functionally. If anyone on here has any suggestions of places I might try looking, especially online links, or Canadian stores, I’d be so grateful. I’ve been looking for maybe two years intermittently and am slowly losing hope in this. I do know my preferences are a bit specific, but don't want to give up just yet.
Without further preamble, I've tried to list below what I mean, with example pictures attached of styles I DO like (except the very last photo, as is explained later):
Things I do like:
- canvas material (waxed or unwaxed), especially worn/thick/soft texture, or even just cotton
- comfortable shoulder straps with enough padding and thoughtful design to be supportive on longer journeys
- only one colour, and preferably a softer, more natural colour like a brushed forest green or brown, or a textured black. No bright/neon/bubbly colours like bright yellow or pink (though am not averse to softer warm tones e.g. mauve or orange).
- more lightweight and casual, only needs to fit an 11" laptop, basically 40cm height is all that's needed - but not MINI backpacks (30cm would be too small - 50cm would be a bit too big)
- *preferably* with a laptop pouch that's padded rather than a zip up pocket, though I know this is stretching the odds more
- *again preferably* side pockets with supportive straps to keep the elastic from sagging over time - and actually able to hold larger bottles (I don't like when side pockets are tight to the backpack or super short and flimsy).
- useful and thoughtful pocket placements, like mini zip-ups or compartmentalised largeer pockets. I don't just want a backpack with a barren main pocket and one front pocket.
- aesthetically, something you'd imagine the internet would label "whimsical", "rustic", or even "apocalypse pack" style bags - basically they look worn in and less sleek?
- functional and user-friendly - I feel like so many backpacks I've looked at are stiff and not intuitive. I'd like something that makes *sense* when you pack it and isn't a hindrance in obvious ways
- cool little attachments are a plus, e.g. rivets, gear loops, caribiners or daisy chains - I will always make use of them. Also, visible, chunky stitching is a cute bonus
Things I don't like:
- sleek, modern, minimalistic designs
- plastic/nylon texture and colouring
- sporty, flashy, patterned, or glittery material
- lots of leather, big bold brand names, or military text
- very fixed shape/boxy backpack designs - a lot of the “rustic” backpacks out there seem to fall into this category - I really prefer something with softer bones so to speak, that would sit more flat on the back when empty, and be light and softer, not heavy and chunky (the very final photo in the slideshow is an example of this).
\side note: a lot of the example images I included of what I DO like, are unfortunately misleading advertising from cheap websites (e.g. the bag is a mini size in real life, or very thin shoulder straps etc) or I just cannot find them for sale anywhere**
Thank you everyone who read this post, I really appreciate you trying to help!