We’re still in lockdowns, what do you need a backpack for?! Okay, okay - things are starting to open up, and travel will hopefully return soon. How soon is soon? Well… we still need to get around the city, right? So if you’re in the market for a great backpack, here are the best options today.
The Hitch Backpack from Coach. Full leather, full size. You can carry a 15” notebook computer here, with adequate space for other city gear. The side pockets are good and spacious, and big enough to fit your hand in - so no problem placing small items inside and getting them out. The straps are anchored by snap closures or magnetic locks, so they’re easy to open. Coach leather goods are consistently good, and this item is well designed. At SGD 1,295, this is a very good but considerable purchase. So make sure the style and colors are what you want. There are many color options, and new and fresh ones have just come out. Going with a leather & canvas version with signature Coach prints will give you the same design at a more competitive price of SGD 1,100. And there are much more designs available.
At the Coach boutiques, you could still catch the earlier season backpacks with up to 50% off. Super pricing. Check out the design from a previous blog post (link). What I like with the previous model is the lighter color version in my blog, and the buckle closure for the main compartment that adds security to the drawstring closure.
Bally Howie, Alpine-style full leather backpack would have been my choice for Best Urban Backpack - just last week! But Alas, the Bally great sale has ended, and this choice is no longer on the online store. If you’re seriously interested in this - you may still try to call the Bally online store to check, or visit a Bally Boutique like at the Shoppes by Marina Bay Sands to just try and see. This is a generous sized backpack, with distinctive Bally styling and in a bright but not too loud manner, making it flexible for both the office and for weekend use. Bally is reknown for it’s refined and premium leather goods, so this was a really good deal. If you were able to snap this up at the great price of SGD 865 - then congratulations!
At the not-too-distant price range you could get the Bally Crew at SGD 1490, regular priced, somewhat similar in design and styling as the Howie, but this is a nylon backpack, and so the styling is also a bit more casual, a bit more for the weekend or vacation travel.
An excellent proposition now is the Tumi Ridge Rucksack from the Harrison collection, particularly this Asia Pacific limited edition with reflective organic leaf patterns. It’s in a deep black color that would have made it look quite formal, but with the artistic accents it makes it a great allaround choice! I just recently got the sling bag from the same collection (see my blog post), so I know it’s a great buy! Now just this morning, this bag was still in the Tumi Online store and tonight, it’s gone. If you want this - rush to the Tumi shops like in Raffles City Shopping Center or The Shoppes by Marina Bay Sands, and you may still get the remaining piece!
The Tumi Brief Pack Alpha 3 with a carbon design would be another great buy if you need a tank, a workhorse of a backpack. The website says this is made of ballistic nylon, but as I remember and also from the pictures, this actually a full leather backpack. That would make the pricing consistent with theh sale price on this Tumi business classic. A highly recognizable backpack, this landmark design is always renewed and refreshed with variations, but stays mostly the same through the years. A bit too much for weekend use, I would say, but excellent for business travel. See a more complete review of this design here (link). I’ve used this on trips where I just need a lot of space, and normally I used this when I wouldn’t have my Rimowa rolling cabin bag (lots of past posts on Rimowa cabin bags, like here), as it is too much to have these 2 bags together unless you’re on a business class seat. If I do travel with my Rimowa, I would bring along a more compact backpack like my Tumi Norman Backpack as these could get through on an Singapore Airlines SQ flight. Now this Alpha 3 was also on the Tumi website this AM, but tonight it was no longer available. So rush to the Tumi boutiques if you want a chance to grab any remaining piece. These Tumi Brief Packs are an excellent choice when you want a premium, hard-working backpack.
Louis Vuitton backpacks. I’ve reviewed a number of these from the past. You’d have to shell out about SGD 2000 to SGD 4000, and by God’s grace - I do have an LV backpack as well. Always valuable and always appreciated, but they come at a substantial price. When you get one - the buying is a big part of the enjoyment, so do so at your own pace - decide if you really want it. There’s no rush anyway, since these items don’t go on sale!
So what’s the best urban backpack for now? Depends on what you need. I would go for the Tumi Ridge Rucksack as an easy choice. The Bally Howie was an excellent buy, but it’s now gone. Go to the Coach boutique at Marina Bay Sands and you’ll get to see Bally, LV, Gucci, Tumi or go to Raffles City Shopping Centre and you’ll get to see Coach and Tumi, then take your pick. But if you’re in the market - go for it quick, as these prize selections at great prices, are running out super fast!
PS - "the Bally Sale Has Ended” - the door has closed. It can happen so quickly. Or the last piece can be snapped up, and it’s gone - no more stock on sale. Your decision needs to be timely, or you may just loose it. This just reminded me of the story or parable of the ten bridesmaids in Matthew 25:1-13, and when the door closes - it’s done. This is a common them in the Bible. Well, of course this talks about more important things then just shopping, but hey - what’s more important? And like when buying things at a special sale, your decision can be so important, as things can change in an instant!
That’s it for now! Happy Travels! Even if it’s only within the city. Stay safe!
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