There should be an official law which dictates that commuters cannot stand in a crowded tube carriage with full-sized backpacks on their shoulders.
As if the daily commute to an office in a big city isn’t stressful enough, there’s simply nothing worse than squeezing oneself onto an already delayed tube just to be squashed further by unruly and unnecessary daily luggage. We’ll repeat it until we’re blue in the face: put your large backpacks on the floor between your legs, people. It's far from an arduous task and will make everyone’s journey infinitely more pleasant.
Yet there’s another, even lesser-used solution which we’d love to encourage our faithful readers to consider – and it involves ditching your oversized backpack for good. Daypacks offer a lighter, far more versatile alternative to traditional backpacks that’ll have your neck and shoulders thanking you long-term.
Let’s be realistic, having an extra-large backpack strung over your shoulders on a quotidian basis only encourages you to carry around more than you really need. From gym kit that remains in the bottom of your bag for weeks on end and multiple fiction and non-fiction books depending on your morning reading mood, to superfluous stationery items and supplemental beauty products, classic backpacks are rarely emptied or organised. They instead accumulate months’ worth of untouched goods, adding unnecessary weight to an already bustling daily essential.
Daypacks come in many forms, though are most often realised as mini, incredibly lightweight backpacks. Large enough to fit a tablet, journal, water bottle and essentials like a wallet, keys and medicine, but small enough to take up little to no tube carriage real estate, they also happen to be far more stylish than a bulky office-standard commuter accessory.
An even more compact example of a daypack is the cult-favourite Uniqlo bum bag. Though it might not look like much, its Tardis-like structure allows commuters to house daily essentials with ease while keeping valuables close. Smaller options like the crescent-shaped Uniqlo bag are better suited to those who have a desktop set-up waiting for them at the office.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best daypacks for work that are perfect for your daily commute below. Go on, make the journey easier for all those involved.
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Patagonia Atom Sling Backpack
Perfect for lovers of all things Gorpcore, the Patagonia Atom Sling Backpack is a retro-inspired daily accessory designed for packing the essentials. We’re big fans of the fact that the sling design makes reaching for items quickly while on the move an absolute breeze. The impressive eight-litre capacity is large enough for bringing lunch, water and a book into the office while preventing users from overloading the bag with superfluous items.
It's made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and has a water-repellent PU coating to protect against the elements, while the adjustable belt and compression straps keep the bag snug against your person. It’s also available in khaki and grey.
Buy now £55.00, Ellis Brigham
The North Face Borealis Mini Backpack
Despite measuring approximately 35cm in height, this mini backpack from The North Face has a whopping 10-litre capacity. Whether used for cycling to work, short weekend hikes or trips abroad, the lightweight and spacious accessory fits oodles of items without taking up too much space.
It’s made with recycled materials, is water-repellent and even has a handy water bottle pocket. The bungee cord system helps keep items in place when the bag isn’t full, and also helps to keep larger loads compressed.
Buy now £65.00, The North Face
Sierra Designs Flex Lumbar 3-6L Bumbag
Thanks to its excellent expandable design, the Flex Lumbar Bumbag has an impressive variable capacity of between three to six litres. We’d wear this extended and clipped over our shoulders while cycling or walking to work, rather than around the waist as a traditional bumbag is worn. It’s made from a durable nylon-poly ripstop material and is equipped with a mesh water bottle pocket, as well as a zippered valuables compartment.
Buy now £55.00, Mountain Warehouse
Longchamp Le Pliage Original Backpack
The ultimate chic, Parisian-style mini backpack is certainly Longchamp’s Le Pilage. Light as a feather with elite durability, it’s as practical as it is lovely to look at. Le Pliage is offered in an array of colours and folds away (like all Longchamp bags) when not in use.
Buy now £110.00, John Lewis
RAINS book daypack mini
Upgrade your handbag to this daypack and have plenty of space to store all your in-flight essentials, from hydrating skincare and vital tech to your beach read. The cute daypack is cut from the same waterproof PU fabric that the brand is known for, meaning your stuff will stay safe and dry in case of a downpour.
A slim front pocket in addition to the main compartment means organisation is easy. And you can wear it three ways: over the shoulder, cross-body, and around your waist like a giant bumbag.
Buy now £99.00, RAINS
Mismo Day Pack
If you're worried about looking like an overgrown schoolchild on a trip, it's time to rethink what you know about backpack design. Mismo does it through a luxury optic, complete with full-grain bridle leather trims secured with solid brass hardware. Its tote-slash-backpack can be worn in myriad ways, so whether you need hands-free or somewhere to stash your travel blanket with easy access, it will deliver.
Inside you'll find extra pockets to keep travel essentials like documents, tickets and passports.
Buy now £393.00, Mismo
M&S Rubberised Waterproof Stormwear Plus Backpack
Slimline and expandable, M&S has this travel-ready backpack at a snip of the price of competitors. The design is teeming with pockets with two external in addition to the main compartment which features a roll-top opening. This means you can roll it up or down in tune with your contents - good news if you've overdone souvenir shopping or want to chuck your handbag in at the departure gate.
The straps are wide and adjustable and the exterior features M&S's trademarked Stormwear Plus fabric which will keep your things protected, even in heavy rain showers.
Buy now £50.00, M&S
ROKA London Finchley A Small Sustainable Canvas Backpack
The ultimate sustainable rucksack, Roka’s roomy commuter bag is complete with roomy internal pockets, organisational sections and a padded sleeve for your laptop or tablet. It’s made with weather-resistant canvas with a matte nylon lining and has been crafted with the help of 12-15 recycled plastic bottles. It’s also offered in an array of eye-catching hues and varying sizes.
Buy now £64.95, Amazon
Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag
The summer of the sling bag has trickled over into the winter of one too. Uniqlo has released a corduroy version of its viral shoulder bag and, as any owner will attest, it’s the perfect day bag. Acting like a Tardis in housing more of your essentials than you ever dreamed was possible, this style is currently offered in five colours: green, cream, black, light tan, navy and brown.
Buy now £14.90, Uniqlo
Fjallraven Re-Kånken
You’ve probably heard of – or at least seen – the iconic Swedish Kånken backpack by Fjallraven. Loved by adults and schoolchildren alike, the Kånken is an all-rounder that comes in a variety of styles, prized for its ability to evenly distribute the weight of its contents across both shoulders so that it feels like you’re barely carrying anything.
This special edition Kånken is made entirely from polyester recycled from eleven plastic bottles. Very precise. Utilising the novel SpinDye technology, Fjallraven has drastically reduced the amount of water, energy and chemicals used throughout the production process. Like the Kind Bag, it’s also ready to be recycled again in the very distant future.
For the eco-conscious lot who are always on the move, the Re-Kånken comes with a removable seat pad that is stored in the inside back pocket, which also works to add some extra protection between your back and the contents of the bag.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon
