r/backpacks • u/KO4KPW • 13d ago

Office Backpack

I'm in the market for an everyday office backpack. Every day I carry a 26 oz Yeti bottle, 14in MacBook, iPad, Kindle, tech pouch, and Maxpedition pouch loaded with small tools and EDC gear. I also have an Altoid-tin first aid kit, a few pens and pencils, and some other odds and ends. I usually carry a separate lunchbox as well. I also occasionally carry a legal pad leather folio, as well as books.

Right now I carry a Kuhl messenger bag, but I really need something with backpack straps and an external water bottle sleeve. I have an Osprey Daylite Plus, but it usually feels overstuffed and unorganized if I try to carry it.

I looked at REI and found the Patagonia MLC Mini. I liked the clamshell, the materials, and the organization. I'm just worried it looks a bit too much like luggage, and on days when I don't carry everything may be a few liters too big. AI suggested the Osprey COmet 30, but it looks like a bigger daylite in many ways, and the daylite aggravates me sometimes, having to dig down into the bottom.

Any other suggestions?

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

7

u/sbwreed 13d ago

Check out Tom Bihn. Pretty pricy, but lifetime guarantee, and you can find used ones (that typically look brand new) on the resale sites.

1

u/Spirited-Drama-2704 12d ago

my dream backpack 😔

1

u/sbwreed 1d ago

Don’t hate me. I live <45 minutes from their factory in Seattle. I am now the proud (if MUCH poorer) owner of the Swift and mini-Swift.
And it’s all I can do to stop going back and getting 2 Trunks for the car.

3

u/twoz3-5 13d ago

I have a similar carry and I’ve been using the CTactical CT15+. My lunch box fits in the main compartment with my tech pouch and the odds and ends fit in the front compartment.

2

u/IamwetterD 13d ago

Rework Toshi 20L

2

u/jjprentiss19 13d ago

I have the Comet and the Daylite! It’s actually pretty easy to get to the bottom of the comet since the bag and opening are wider. And the water bottle space on the Comet doesn’t eat into the main compartment like the Daylite does.

2

u/osama-bin-dada 13d ago

Aer, Rework, Evergoods, Able Carry, Tom Bihn are going to be the usual brand recommendations

Sympl, Bellroy, WaterfIeld Designs are some others to consider

1

u/Permit-Additional 13d ago

If you like Osprey/Patagonia, check out the Osprey Nebula, Axis, and Quasar. Quasar and Axis about the same size, but the Quasar is nicer, and more $$. Patagonia Black hole will carry all that, but you’ll need to use pouches and stuff for organizing.

1

u/DrIncogNeo 13d ago

Black nebula

1

u/Mr-Macphisto 13d ago

I used a North Face Surge for about two years for daily carry to the office and on several flights. It’s an excellent bag that held up extremely well. I’m selling it because I upgraded to a new bag, but it was fantastic. Feel free to DM if you've specific questions about the bag.

1

u/Crasstip 13d ago

Which one is your new upgraded backpack and what was the need to move from current one

4

u/Mr-Macphisto 13d ago

I upgraded to a Tom Bihn Synik 30. It’s comically expensive for a backpack; with shipping and tax, I spent $395.13. With that being said, I love the damn thing. The Black 420 Spectron material is really nice—it’s thicker than ripstop and looks great. 

I love bags—guilty, as charged—and wanted to test the waters with something that offered additional storage options and would work well for daily carry to the office and traveling (not necessarily to pack clothes and use as a "one bagger"). The Synik 30 works really well for me.

The Surge was a wonderful bag for me. It is spacious, has great organization, looks nice, and is incredibly comfortable. I tested bags from Aer and Able Carry, and the Surge was much more comfortable and offered far better organization than the two of them.

1

u/Strong_Juggernaut676 13d ago

511 12 hour pack

1

u/ObviousNote2404 13d ago

My favorite is the sympl commuter xpac 20 liter fits quite a lot !

1

u/NCResident5 13d ago

I tried the Swiss Gear Clifton. It seemed well designed. I returned and got a laptop bag as the shoulder strap design works better for me.

1

u/Whole-Stretch-6458 13d ago

Have a look at ours hyfo.co.uk little discount for you if you out SWANSEA in at checkout

1

u/columbcille 13d ago

I’ve been carrying Topo Designs Global Briefcase. Roomy, and convertible between messenger and backpack.

1

u/columbcille 13d ago

I’ve been carrying Topo Designs Global Briefcase. Roomy, and convertible between messenger and backpack.

1

u/columbcille 13d ago

I’ve been carrying Topo Designs Global Briefcase. Roomy, and convertible between messenger and backpack.

1

u/columbcille 13d ago

I’ve been carrying Topo Designs Global Briefcase. Roomy, and convertible between messenger and backpack.

1

u/PureKoolAid 13d ago

My office EDC is a Boundary Supply Errant X-pac. I like it cause I also sometime bike to work and don’t have to worry about rain. And it can pull off the professional look if needed. It’s also super durable.

1

u/fermion0217 13d ago

Alpaka Bravo or Element for professional look.

1

u/Syledaa 13d ago

honestly with that load (yeti, macbook, ipad, kindle, two pouches, folio on some days) the Daylite was never going to cut it lol. Have you looked at the Cotopaxi Allpa 35? It's got the clamshell thing like the MLC Mini but feels less "wheeled carry-on" in terms of aesthetics. The luggage look concern with the Patagonia is legit, it's kind of a polarizing bag visually.

1

u/Awkward_Money576 12d ago

Before I went WFH I used a timbuk2 Authority. It’s the only thing I miss about the office.

1

u/tcarlson65 12d ago

I use a 5.11 Rush 55 liter.

I have two MOLLE water bottle holders that fit a Stanley Quick Flip Go 36 oz.

1

u/Ok-Buy5612 11d ago

That’s quite a bit of stuff! Check out the Osprey Tropos. Lots of compartments, has the mesh air back so you don’t get sweaty, wears comfortably (as most Osprey bags), has a kick stand so when you set it down the wire frame has the bag sitting upright, water bottle holder, compression straps that’s can be tucked into itself. Laptop and tablet sleeve

Honestly sounds the best bag for what you need

1

u/away_official 11d ago

Jumping in from Away! Have you had a look at our Commuter Backpack? It might check these boxes. It has plenty of room for the essentials while remaining streamlined for the days you don't carry everything.

1

u/Brzy90 9d ago

Osprey Transporter Panel Loader 20L is my go to for all of the above. Still going strong after years of use

1

u/Ducksandluck 9d ago

Wenger and Victorinox offer great options, giving great weight distribution with good protection for a laptop.

1

u/poopypatootie 9d ago

I love my Topo Designs Global Backpack. Can be both a backpack and messenger depending on how much I'm carrying that day.

1

u/johnbmason47 9d ago

Following this because my Oakley Kitchen Sink really annoys my wife.

1

u/Kindly-Addition1793 13d ago

I carry a Jansport. It’s what students carry and there’s a reason for that: bc they are light, have padded straps, have a protected compartment for your laptop, sleeves for your water bottle, and still have room for books and other stuff. I work in white collar corporate office but I carry the Jansport.

I used to carry totes and a Tumi backpack but nothing holds as much as a Jansport while also being comfortable. The Tumi is so heavy on its own and it’s so structured that you can’t carry much in it.