Backpacks get a bad rep, plain and simple. Many guys refuse to wear them despite their utility, comfort, and all-around superiority because the wrong backpack can make you look like a schoolboy. The key word here is ‘wrong.’ The best backpacks avoid this trap with premium materials and fire color palettes.
Sure, your tote is easygoing, and you can throw it over the shoulder with minimum effort when it has a water bottle in it. But what happens when you’re on a weekend trip and the canvas handle is ripping at the seams while simultaneously giving you a week’s worth of shoulder pain and a wonky spine.
What we’re saying is that each bag has its place and time, but the thing about backpacks is that they’re applicable almost everywhere and almost all the time, far more than any other style of bag.
Below, we’ve put together a list of 10 of the best backpacks to wear in 2023, ranging from technical builds from the likes of Oakley, and wander, C.P. Company, and more to refined luxury from Troubadour, Bottega Veneta, and Bao Bao.
Keep scrolling for the best backpacks to buy right now.
Loewe Convertible Backpack
Loewe combines technical features with flashes of its signature luxury for this masterpiece. Unclip the bold orange strap to convert the backpack into a versatile holdall.
Troubadour Orbis 2-Pocket Backpack
British label Troubadour has been making some of the best minimal backpacks in the world for years, and it’s time to pay attention. With the release of its newest line Orbis, the brand takes a significant step towards sustainability, with each bag being built from recycled polyester and 100 percent recyclable.
Oakley Kitchen Sink Backpack
Oakley’s star has risen once more in the past few years. The ’90s stalwart has made a resurgence with its retro-futuristic designs settled nicely into the Y2K trend. The Kitchen Sink backpack is a departure from the brand’s iconic sunglasses, but lives by the same rules.
C.P. Company Nylon B Backpack
C.P. Company is a safe bet if you’re hunting for anything vaguely technical. Backpacks are well within the Italian label’s remit, with the Nylon B Backpack proving it with its beautiful washed-out palette and no-fuss practicality.
Bao Bao Daypack Backpack
Issey Miyake’s Bao Bao is perhaps more famous for its handbags and tote bags than its backpacks, but luxury backpacks are always in high demand. Featuring signature geometric detailing, this green iteration is a visual punch as well as being the perfect size for your daily carry.
Diesel Debossed Backpack
Aided by the genius of Glenn Martens, Diesel has become one of the hottest brands in the world. This debossed backpack rolls the years back to the early ’00s, slotting naturally into the current luxury landscape.
Rapha Travel 25L Cycling Backpack
When you’re in the market for a backpack, distinguishing between luxury backpacks and functional backpacks is essential. This Rapha pack falls into the latter group with its waterproof build and easy-to-carry size.
EASTPAK x Undercover Padded Doubl’r Backpack
EASTPAK teams up with Undercover again a year after the partnership debuted. This year, we’re treated to some stylistic variations on EASTPAK’s classic pack.
and wander X-Pac 30L Backpack
Technical master and wander is an obvious place to look if you’re in the market for a backpack to do everything with. From hiking to weekend breaks, this 30L pack will eat up any task you give it.
Bottega Veneta Hidrology Intrecciato Backpack
From the highly technical to the highly luxurious, Bottega Veneta’s Hidrology Intrecciato Backpack features the house’s signature woven leather build for a refined finish.
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