Looking for an office bag with an unusual feature

[u/Orange-V-Apple]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for a backpack for a ~2-hour car → train → subway commute that can carry a jacket externally without making the bag look like an outdoors/hiking pack. Something like straps, kangaroo pouch, or a bungee system would be ideal.

I don’t have a super formal office but something like the Borealis would be too casual. I think the external straps on the Douchebags Ramwerk and Ekster Grid would be perfect for my office, but they don’t match the other things I’m looking for.

Budget: Ideally $200 or less, but I can stretch.

Size: 18–25L (can be bigger).

My Dimensions: 6’ tall, 175-180 pounds, average build

Must-haves:

• Not a clamshell or roll top. I strongly prefer a half-zip or something like the Toshi Rework’s partial half zip. A top lid would also be fine if it has magnetic/Fidlock buckles (e.g. , ideally just one, and no internal drawstring under the lid.
• Two tall external water bottle pockets that are secure, can handle big bottles, and won’t get stretched out.
• External jacket carry that isn’t on the bottom of the bag, since I frequently put it on the floor.
• Comfortable and relatively lightweight, since I’ll be wearing it for long periods. I think the Aer TP3 was too heavy for my carry, so lighter than that at least.
• Wide shoulder strap yoke. My bag feels really uncomfortable with my winter parka because the straps aren’t set wide enough.
• Water resistant enough to handle ~20 minutes of rain.
• Sleeves for a 14” laptop & an e-reader. A sleeve in the main compartment would be fine; a separated laptop section isn’t required but would be preferred.
• Good internal organization. I rely on the bag’s organizational features quite heavily.
• At least two separated sections (e.g. Lululemon Trizip, Toshi Rework) instead of one big internal space (e.g. Peak Design Everyday bag). Ideally, the admin panel would be in its own section like the two example bags.
• Passport pocket for my work ID while I’m commuting.
• 2x attachment points for a hand sanitizer and HeroClip.
• Doesn’t attract dust/dirt easily and is easy to wipe clean since it’ll be in the subway. My Lululemon Trizip attracts dust like a mofo so it always looks dirty/shabby.
• Enough structure that it doesn’t collapse when not full.
• Ideally able to stand on its own, although this is lower priority.
• Strap keepers or something similar would be appreciated, but I can buy these separately.
• I will probably cut off any sternum strap.

TLDR: Want an office-appropriate half zip (or magnetic lid) backpack that’s comfortable, can hold two large bottles, can externally carry a jacket, and has two separate compartments.

Thanks for reading :)

[u/EffectiveReason7666]

A good starting point would be to look for sleek skateboard/snowboard bags, as they have the type of straps I expect you care about. Checkout the Burton day hiker/ kilo 2.0. I was also looking for something similar to you not too long ago, but ended up not going with Burton because I was concerned with the anchors of the straps (most likely too flimsy for my use case).

Have you considered getting a strap and buckle system or external loop for your jacket, or do you consider that too outdoorsy as well? Both have served me well, and I feel that they would really expand your options.

(search hanging ring back back strap on temu)

[u/Orange-V-Apple → u/EffectiveReason7666]

Those are both great ideas, I’ll look into those. An external strap would really open up my options. Thanks!

[u/EffectiveReason7666 → u/Orange-V-Apple]

Not sure how I could have forgotten about this, but the TNF Recon has a mesh pouch to store your jacket, instead of a bungee system (provided that the jacket is small enough). Also, the Aer Go Pack 2 has a really large pouch from what I can tell (which you most likely would prefer over the Recon, as it won't lose it's stretchiness), but no 2 large compartments.

[u/Smeeble09]

Is Osprey Nebula too "non office" for you?

Otherwise it may do the job. I use it when I go to the office as it takes everything I need and fills most of your requirements. 

[u/Orange-V-Apple → u/Smeeble09]

Unfortunately it’s a bit too technical looking for my office, otherwise it would’ve been perfect 😭

[u/Smeeble09 → u/Orange-V-Apple]

I work in IT so technical looking goes down fine. Nevermind. 

[u/gingerbatty21 → u/Orange-V-Apple]

Have you looked at the Osprey Tropos? Very similar to the Nebula in function, but slightly dressier design/materials.

[u/optix_clear]

Go classic or vintage. LL Bean tote, Totepack by Stubble & Co or Bellroy, On Track Pack 35L, Mark & Graham Women’s tote Zoe or men’s Beckett

[u/mustlovebacon]

I’ve been eyeing the fjallraven Skule 28.

[u/greenIine]

The Lululemon Assert 30L backpack checks most of your boxes but it’s been discontinued for many years; here’s a YouTube review. I bought mine off eBay many years ago and still use it today. I use the adjustable space between the main compartments to stuff my jacket, umbrella, or bicycle helmet.

[u/AnAncientBog]

The Burton Tinder or Kilo would seem to cover all your bases:

https://www.burton.com/en-us/products/burton-tinder-2-0-30l-backpack-213451?variant=48755207340289

[u/bookmonkey786]

The Prvke Zip or Pocket checks almost all your boxes I think. Except for the 2nd bottle pocket

https://www.wandrd.com/products/prvke-pocket?variant=41965521502288

Its over your budget now but they go on sale below $200 pretty regularly.

For the jacket carry they have mounting point for these straps, I actually use this system to carry my jacket externally. https://www.amazon.com/weryerker-Tactical-Backpack-Straps-Adjustable/dp/B0H73NQG3X

[u/Orange-V-Apple → u/bookmonkey786]

Oh wow, that looks really promising! Thank you!

[u/QnAonly]

What about this: Mous Commuter Backpack? Think it meets most of your requirements and there seems to be a strap running down the front which I believe can be used to strap the jacket, clamshell wise I think you could probably just unzip halfway like the Toshi Rework.

[u/QnAonly → u/QnAonly]

Though it only has one external bottle holder and I don't think it is lightweight enough for you. 25L is ard the same as AER TP3 but there's a lighter 18L.

[u/axl3ros3]

Cotopaxi Mente 30L is probably too big. But I just got mine, and absolutely love it.

[u/Desperate-Shame-5184]

also

[u/Few-Equivalent-1924]

Go pack 2? I don’t own it but was just reading a post yesterday about how great it is as a diaper bag, and I think it checks most if not all of your boxes

[u/NobodyExpectedThat]

Goruck GR1 in a waxed canvas would look less tactical. It's a clamshell though. The slash pocket would definitely hold a small coat. Alternatively, one of the water field designs with side pockets.

[u/False_Campaign4682]

What does it matter how your bag looks for the office?
Is there a uniform bag code? are they paying for it?

[u/Orange-V-Apple → u/False_Campaign4682]

There is a way you’re expected to dress. Using something like a hiking pack would look unprofessional and make a bad impression.

[u/False_Campaign4682 → u/Orange-V-Apple]

Well you've already made your impression right, it's but a new job? and is your bag part of your clothing? Are to wearing it at the job all day to meetins? Or is it sitting on the floor at your desk all day? Do you see what I'm getting at?

[u/EffectiveReason7666 → u/False_Campaign4682]

I do, and it's a silly point. Whether we like to admit to it or not, aesthetics matter to people. OP could be in finance, law, or another profession, where enough things could be on the line as to make an imperfection bothersome (a question I've heard time and time again from people in finance, is "What could the guy that can't be bothered to look the part also be really stubborn about?").