They’re not just for school, you know. Whether you reach for yours before your morning commute or for a weekend away, backpacks should be fun.

The backpack provides a bridge between a formal briefcase and a casual gym bag, and as well as being commuter-friendly, also come in designs suited to those who cycle. They are ideal for storing everything you need for the day and most will even keep your laptop safely tucked in.

Usually seen in block colours, these accessories have now progressed to see brands using recycled and sustainable materials or in more interesting styles. Some brands even allow for personalised designs.

Every brand worth knowing have given their offering of backpack design, and as always, some do it better than others. To get you started, keep scrolling for my selection of some of the coolest backpack options currently out there.

Maverick & Co Explorer Light Backpack – £129

GQ summed this bag up perfectly by describing it as “Luxurious yet affordable”. Not only does it look ready for business, it comes loaded with very useful features. A 16” laptop sleeve along with multiple other internal pockets, but the best feature for me has to be the fact that it’s water repellant, a light drizzle is no longer a problem.

Rains Rolltop Rucksack Reflective – £105

I’ve mentioned Rains in previous articles but if they weren’t so damn good I wouldn’t have to. This waterproof rucksack delivers a city-ready staple, perfect for commutes on the bike or on foot.

Accented with reflective bindings, Rolltop Rucksack Reflective is cut in Rains’ signature waterproof PU fabric, engineered for strength and durability with a smooth feel.

Zara Soft Quilted Backpack – £59.99

Zara have pulled it out the bag (pun, absolutely intended), this ticks all the boxes for me, the perfect backpack to wear on work days with a suit for a pop of colour but also fantastic for carrying all of the important needed for a weekend day out.

Written by Tom Loughran