If you're in a cosmopolitan city with many urban commuters, where high powered Asia Pacific managers travel and take care of business in multiple geographies, and have no qualms about taking the bus or metro (train) to work (I'm thinking Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, but it could be anyplace), then a nice urban backpack is a cool and practical way to tote your stuff and electronic gear. And with classy, luxury options, you don't have to feel tacky or commonplace about it.
My top picks for upscale urban backpacks. Each one is posh, sleek, pricey, fit for the Regional Headquarters, the business class cabin, as well as the metro. You will feel good and look good carrying any of these around town and at the airports. So here they are.
First off, the Louis Vuitton Christopher backpack (pictured here), LV Runner and the LV Polk, available in signature Louis Vuitton Monogram and Damier canvas but with a softer and more flexible feel that suits the bag style well.
Excellent bags for carrying a computer when needed, these I consider as Large size bags, with the Christopher having more generous gusseted side pockets and the Polk more sleek with less exterior extended pockets. At the price range of Singapore Dollar (SGD) 3,250 to SGD 3,800, these are not to be lugged around just anywhere. Check my earlier blog for pictures and a deeper review of these exclusive bags.
This Gucci backpack in classic Gucci canvas goes for SGD 1,700, and has a somewhat light and casual feel. A Medium size bag, this is good for light gear and an iPad. You get the Gucci branding and a secure clasp in front, but the bag material feels a bit too soft for me, and the bad doesn't easily keep shape on it's own.
The front buckle and small leather name tag are nice touches. This is an excellent bag to have, though it feels a bit more suited to the weekends. Two more Gucci backpacks, with dark and more formal colors. The one on the left is made of Gucci's leather with rubberized feel. The Small size makes it good for an iPad and light gear. The material is thick and sturdy. This goes for SGD 2,700. The one on the right is a Large bag made of canvas and can hold a notebook computer. The front extended pocket can carry quite a bit for easy access. This goes for SGD 2,400. Great options for Gucci lovers.
Alfred Dunhill black full leather backpacks. Sleek and uncluttered in front. Large size, luxury name brand with a discreet logo in front but probably too discreet for those unfamiliar with the brand, fine leather, padded computer compartment, padded back area that looks like a technical backpack (same as on the LV Runner which I find somewhat misplaced, not my preference), but the overall styling still isn't too polished in my opinion. There are flaps that are meant to conceal the main zipper, a good intention but they protrude and give the bag an awkward look and shape.
The top carry handle is generously designed and comfortable, but the shoulder straps are not too noteworthy. There's an international warranty, same as other luxury products. This gives a measure of comfort in case something goes wrong, but insider at their ability to carry out the coverage. At SGD 1,250, this is still a good option with a lower spend level.
I checked out some Coach backpacks. The small sling bags is one of Coach's signature styles for travelers and they look really good, but they can barely carry an iPad Air and little else. The bigger Coach leather backpacks are not yet to my expected Coach standards and styling, so I'll leave them out for now.
I've chosen the Tumi Beacon Hill Revere Leather Brief Pack as the best overall backpack. But before getting to the details of this selection, let's step back and ask why we have a fascination for great bags. Bags are practical, they contain and allow us to bring what are important for us. They help us stay organized, keeping us ready for various situations with our gear. They protect our valuables from transport and handling damage, they keep them more secure. All in all, good bags help us travel well. But then why do we enjoy journeying?
For Christians, we believe that this life is not all there is. And just like Abraham, we believe we are pilgrims on a journey. We are just passing through this life.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10 NIV)
Now even if you are not a Christian, you still have a sense of eternity, that there is "something more out there".
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:20 NIV)
But as we go into accounting and judgement before before God, bags are no longer needed. We can't bring anything with us except past actions we have done and decisions we have made.
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27 NIV)
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15 NIV)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. (John 3:36 NIV)
Back to the Tumi Beacon Hill backpack (left side of photo), I will highlight features I think are most desirable, and you can compare these to the Tumi Mission backpack (right side of photo) and other bags you may be considering . (1) The Tumi Beacon Hill has generous external pockets while maintaining a sleek profile, not looking too bulky or too riddled with zippers and gusseted pockets. (2) Has a top carry handle that is generous in size for comfortable carrying, positioned at the middle-too rather than the back-too for balanced carrying, and securely fastened. (3) Good branding in front, not too loud, not too discreet.
(4) There is a separate zippered compartment at the back for a notebook computer and an iPad. Very convenient when passing through airport security so you don't have to open your bag's main compartment and expose your personal belongings to casual onlookers and possibly drop something in the process. (5) The zipper on the main compartment ends near the middle of the bad rather than the bottom of the bag, better at preventing precious gear from unexpectedly falling off your bag.
(6) The shoulder straps are strong and reinforced, while providing flexibility. I don't like thin nylon straps, so the leather and thick canvas straps on the Tumi Beacon Hill are well appreciated. (7) The strap attachments are strong and secure, while enabling movement while carried. It is notable that the design of a triangular ring for the shoulder straps is very similar to the Louie Vuitton backpacks.
(8) Ease of carrying along with other bags. Here the Tumi Beacon Hill has a unique advantage. It is the only classy and upscale backpack I've seen that has a sleeve at the back to allow it to be integrated with the handles of a wheeled bag. Very useful while at the airport Duty Free departure lounges.
So there's my decision criteria. Of course you will add your own preferences on looks, feel, suitability to your specific requirements, etc. A very pleasant surprise is that Tumi, with all the features I like, even has a very competitive price among other luxury leather backpacks, at SGD 995! Then add the exemplary 5-Year Tumi warranty that includes full replacement for damages within the first year, and you can use your bag with confidence and test its capacity on your travels. There's even a Tumi Tracer that assists in recovery of lost or stolen luggage.
So here I am with my Tumi Beacon Hill Leather Brief Pack, looking sleek and secure in one shoulder. If course when walking long distances, it's more convenient and better on the back to carry using both straps.
Check out the Tumi Beacon Hill Brief Pack or Backpack using this link.
That's it for now.
Happy Travels!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
My top picks for upscale urban backpacks. Each one is posh, sleek, pricey, fit for the Regional Headquarters, the business class cabin, as well as the metro. You will feel good and look good carrying any of these around town and at the airports. So here they are.
First off, the Louis Vuitton Christopher backpack (pictured here), LV Runner and the LV Polk, available in signature Louis Vuitton Monogram and Damier canvas but with a softer and more flexible feel that suits the bag style well.
Excellent bags for carrying a computer when needed, these I consider as Large size bags, with the Christopher having more generous gusseted side pockets and the Polk more sleek with less exterior extended pockets. At the price range of Singapore Dollar (SGD) 3,250 to SGD 3,800, these are not to be lugged around just anywhere. Check my earlier blog for pictures and a deeper review of these exclusive bags.
This Gucci backpack in classic Gucci canvas goes for SGD 1,700, and has a somewhat light and casual feel. A Medium size bag, this is good for light gear and an iPad. You get the Gucci branding and a secure clasp in front, but the bag material feels a bit too soft for me, and the bad doesn't easily keep shape on it's own.
The front buckle and small leather name tag are nice touches. This is an excellent bag to have, though it feels a bit more suited to the weekends. Two more Gucci backpacks, with dark and more formal colors. The one on the left is made of Gucci's leather with rubberized feel. The Small size makes it good for an iPad and light gear. The material is thick and sturdy. This goes for SGD 2,700. The one on the right is a Large bag made of canvas and can hold a notebook computer. The front extended pocket can carry quite a bit for easy access. This goes for SGD 2,400. Great options for Gucci lovers.
Alfred Dunhill black full leather backpacks. Sleek and uncluttered in front. Large size, luxury name brand with a discreet logo in front but probably too discreet for those unfamiliar with the brand, fine leather, padded computer compartment, padded back area that looks like a technical backpack (same as on the LV Runner which I find somewhat misplaced, not my preference), but the overall styling still isn't too polished in my opinion. There are flaps that are meant to conceal the main zipper, a good intention but they protrude and give the bag an awkward look and shape.
The top carry handle is generously designed and comfortable, but the shoulder straps are not too noteworthy. There's an international warranty, same as other luxury products. This gives a measure of comfort in case something goes wrong, but insider at their ability to carry out the coverage. At SGD 1,250, this is still a good option with a lower spend level.
I checked out some Coach backpacks. The small sling bags is one of Coach's signature styles for travelers and they look really good, but they can barely carry an iPad Air and little else. The bigger Coach leather backpacks are not yet to my expected Coach standards and styling, so I'll leave them out for now.
I've chosen the Tumi Beacon Hill Revere Leather Brief Pack as the best overall backpack. But before getting to the details of this selection, let's step back and ask why we have a fascination for great bags. Bags are practical, they contain and allow us to bring what are important for us. They help us stay organized, keeping us ready for various situations with our gear. They protect our valuables from transport and handling damage, they keep them more secure. All in all, good bags help us travel well. But then why do we enjoy journeying?
For Christians, we believe that this life is not all there is. And just like Abraham, we believe we are pilgrims on a journey. We are just passing through this life.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10 NIV)
Now even if you are not a Christian, you still have a sense of eternity, that there is "something more out there".
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:20 NIV)
But as we go into accounting and judgement before before God, bags are no longer needed. We can't bring anything with us except past actions we have done and decisions we have made.
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27 NIV)
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15 NIV)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. (John 3:36 NIV)
Back to the Tumi Beacon Hill backpack (left side of photo), I will highlight features I think are most desirable, and you can compare these to the Tumi Mission backpack (right side of photo) and other bags you may be considering . (1) The Tumi Beacon Hill has generous external pockets while maintaining a sleek profile, not looking too bulky or too riddled with zippers and gusseted pockets. (2) Has a top carry handle that is generous in size for comfortable carrying, positioned at the middle-too rather than the back-too for balanced carrying, and securely fastened. (3) Good branding in front, not too loud, not too discreet.
(4) There is a separate zippered compartment at the back for a notebook computer and an iPad. Very convenient when passing through airport security so you don't have to open your bag's main compartment and expose your personal belongings to casual onlookers and possibly drop something in the process. (5) The zipper on the main compartment ends near the middle of the bad rather than the bottom of the bag, better at preventing precious gear from unexpectedly falling off your bag.
(6) The shoulder straps are strong and reinforced, while providing flexibility. I don't like thin nylon straps, so the leather and thick canvas straps on the Tumi Beacon Hill are well appreciated. (7) The strap attachments are strong and secure, while enabling movement while carried. It is notable that the design of a triangular ring for the shoulder straps is very similar to the Louie Vuitton backpacks.
(8) Ease of carrying along with other bags. Here the Tumi Beacon Hill has a unique advantage. It is the only classy and upscale backpack I've seen that has a sleeve at the back to allow it to be integrated with the handles of a wheeled bag. Very useful while at the airport Duty Free departure lounges.
So there's my decision criteria. Of course you will add your own preferences on looks, feel, suitability to your specific requirements, etc. A very pleasant surprise is that Tumi, with all the features I like, even has a very competitive price among other luxury leather backpacks, at SGD 995! Then add the exemplary 5-Year Tumi warranty that includes full replacement for damages within the first year, and you can use your bag with confidence and test its capacity on your travels. There's even a Tumi Tracer that assists in recovery of lost or stolen luggage.
So here I am with my Tumi Beacon Hill Leather Brief Pack, looking sleek and secure in one shoulder. If course when walking long distances, it's more convenient and better on the back to carry using both straps.
Check out the Tumi Beacon Hill Brief Pack or Backpack using this link.
That's it for now.
Happy Travels!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Been looking for the Tumi Beacon Hill backpack and I cant find it in their website. Would you know if this has been discontinued? Is this still available in SG? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Dino. Interesting comment. Until recently I've still seen the Beacon Hill in SG. But lately I see that the focus has been on Alpha Bravo models and variations with different colors, like for the Knox Backpack. I have to say that I was previously keen on this model but not anymore as I see the Dover Backpack as a nicer option for a small backpack.
DeleteI've used my Tumi Beacon Hill Backpack for 11 days in Paris, Versailles, Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp recently and found it a very reliable and comfortable bag, fashionable enough to walk around with and not look too touristy while going around the city (especially with people in winter jackets), and big enough to carry the gear I want. So I'm really happy I got this bag.
If you can't find the Beacon Hill in stores, check out the Knox and the Dover. Happy shopping, happy travels!
The Beacon Hill backpack is available at Tumi in NU Sentral KL, beside the KL Sentral Stesen train station. It is discounted to MYR 2065 or 30% off the regular price for the black full leather backpack. A great time to purchase, if you are in KL this May 2016.
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