The Find: 10 chic backpacks that prove double shoulder straps don’t have to be dorky
The Find: 10 chic backpacks that prove double shoulder straps don’t have to be dorky
By Jean Grant | March 10, 2014
By Jean Grant | 03/10/2014
If you haven’t worn a backpack since lugging textbooks home in a raggedy MEC tote, it may be time to reconsider the practical springtime accessory. Sleek, urban backpacks are everywhere this season. They’re chic, understated and so exquisitely comfortable that you might just ditch your shoulder bag for good. Here, 10 packs that are anything but dorky.
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264067 Montreal-based online menswear retailer <strong>Frank and Oak</strong> have come out with a limited-edition Black Series canvas and leather backback. We love the elegance and simplicity of the two-tone detailing. $95 <a href="https://www.frankandoak.com/product/17215#!shopid=shop " target="_blank">frankandoak.com</a> The Find: cool backpacks that scream sophistication https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/black_series_backpack_1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/black_series_backpack_1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/black_series_backpack_1.jpg 800 800 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/find-backpacks/slide/black_series_backpack_1/ black_series_backpack_1 0 0
264070 Toronto-based accessories brand <strong>Eleven Thirty</strong> has devised a few backpacks that transform into a shoulder bag. The simple and chic Haley Backpack is our favourite. $360 <a href="http://eleventhirtyshop.com/new-in-shop/haley-black-w-salt-pepper " target="_blank">eleventhirtyshop.com</a> The Find: cool backpacks that scream sophistication https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Eleven-Thirty-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Eleven-Thirty.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Eleven-Thirty.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/find-backpacks/slide/eleven-thirty/ eleven-thirty 0 0
264077 Canadian brothers <strong>Dexter</strong> and <strong>Byron Peart</strong> are behind accessories label <strong>Want Les Essentials de la</strong> <strong>Vie</strong> (and they just won a <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/galleries/canadian-arts-fashion-awards-2014/8279d2e63b00a44d11c6769aedc5d891/#dexter-and-byron-peart1">CAFA)</a>. The Kastrup backpack comes in a variety of colours, but we prefer this royal blue. $510 <a href="http://www.wantessentiels.com/ca_en/in-the-city/backpacks/kastrup.html" target="_blank">wantessentiels.com</a> The Find: cool backpacks that scream sophistication https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/want-les-essentiels-de-la-vie-kastrup-backpack-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/want-les-essentiels-de-la-vie-kastrup-backpack-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/want-les-essentiels-de-la-vie-kastrup-backpack-02.jpg 624 469 {"credit":"Photographer: Simon Duhamel","copyright":"Copyright: Simon Duhamel Visuels inc. 2012"} https://torontolife.com/shopping/find-backpacks/slide/want-les-essentiels-de-la-vie-kastrup-backpack-02/ want-les-essentiels-de-la-vie-kastrup-backpack-02 0 0
264076 This relaxed black leather Aitoeri backpack from <strong>Tiger of Sweden</strong> is suitable for weekend adventures or toting around work shoes. $750 <a href="http://www.ssense.com/men/product/tiger_of_sweden/black_leather_aitoeri_backpack/97648" target="_blank">ssense.com</a> The Find: cool backpacks that scream sophistication https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tiger-of-sweden-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tiger-of-sweden.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tiger-of-sweden.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/find-backpacks/slide/tiger-of-sweden/ tiger-of-sweden 0 0
264097 The City Backpack from Vancouver-based <strong>Hershel</strong> reminds us of an old-fashioned book bag. $50 The Find: cool backpacks that scream sophistication https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/10089-00335-OS_01_grande-96x96.jpeg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/10089-00335-OS_01_grande.jpeg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/10089-00335-OS_01_grande.jpeg 624 624 {"aperture":8,"camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1379686435,"copyright":"HERSCHELSUPPLY","focal_length":"70","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.00625"} https://torontolife.com/shopping/find-backpacks/slide/10089-00335-os_01_grande/ 10089-00335-os_01_grande 0 0
264075 <strong>Saturdays Surf NYC </strong>makes this unisex army-style backpack. $145 <a href="http://www.gravitypope.com/handbags/product/977-saturdays-surf-nyc-manhattan-backpack" target="_blank">gravitypope.com</a> The Find: cool backpacks that scream sophistication https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Saturdays-surf-nyc-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Saturdays-surf-nyc.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Saturdays-surf-nyc.jpg 624 451 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/find-backpacks/slide/saturdays-surf-nyc/ saturdays-surf-nyc 0 0
264074 For the ultimate luxury backpack, Belgian designer <strong>Kris Van Assche </strong>has it covered. This one features a white etched crocodile pattern. (You'll want to abstain from bringing it to the park). $1,675 <a href="http://www.ssense.com/men/product/krisvanassche/white_etched_croc_pattern_backpack/94210" target="_blank">ssense.com </a> The Find: cool backpacks that scream sophistication https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/krisvanassche-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/krisvanassche.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/krisvanassche.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/find-backpacks/slide/krisvanassche/ krisvanassche 0 0
264073 Made in Canada, this slouchy backpack by Toronto designer <strong>Krane </strong>is all about the understated cool factor. Wear it with a beanie, sneakers and cape for the full arts-student look. $670 <a href="http://www.gravitypope.com/handbags/product/670-krane-ander" target="_blank">gravitypope.com</a> The Find: cool backpacks that scream sophistication https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/krane-ander-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/krane-ander.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/krane-ander.jpg 624 451 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/find-backpacks/slide/krane-ander/ krane-ander 0 0
264071 This <strong>Herschel</strong> backpack is only available in Canada. (Who else would appreciate the mountaineering style?). $100 <a href="http://www.sportinglife.ca/sportinglife/product/24223612/Backpacks/Little-America-Mid-Volume-Backpack-%5B2014%5D" target="_blank">sportinglife.ca </a> The Find: cool backpacks that scream sophistication https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Herschel-only-in-Canada-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Herschel-only-in-Canada.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Herschel-only-in-Canada.jpg 624 624 {"aperture":8,"camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1370773923,"copyright":"HERSCHELSUPPLY","focal_length":"70","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.00625"} https://torontolife.com/shopping/find-backpacks/slide/herschel-only-in-canada/ herschel-only-in-canada 0 0
264066 French fashion label<strong> APC</strong> collaborated with the functional <strong>Eastpak</strong> for this trendy, practical pack. $250 <a href=" http://jonathanandolivia.com/APC-X-EASTPACK-KNAPSACK-32875-P.html " target="_blank">jonathanandolivia.com</a> The Find: cool backpacks that scream sophistication https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/apc-eastpak-collection-2-630x420-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/apc-eastpak-collection-2-630x420.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/apc-eastpak-collection-2-630x420.jpg 630 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/find-backpacks/slide/apc-eastpak-collection-2-630x420/ apc-eastpak-collection-2-630x420 0 0