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Don't waste your money on this overrated backpack – buy one of these instead
Lars is a bloodhound when it comes to sniffing out bargains, including on major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. He is also handy at unravelling tech jargon and anything related to gaming.
You may well have seen this trendy and spendy bag in the wild, figuring its popularity meant it was a good choice. However, it faltered on most fronts in our tests: it's small, uncomfortable and (perhaps most importantly) expensive.
Whether you're heading on a mini-break, hiking, commuting, sending the kids back to school or just looking for something a bit more robust than a tote bag for your days out, a good, comfortable backpack is an important piece of gear.
We tested nine of the best laptop bags and daypacks for comfort, water resistance, size and ease of packing. Our experts put these bags through intense stress-testing, including filling them with ping-pong balls and walking miles with full loads to rate them for comfort.
Save yourself from the disappointment we faced with this popular choice and go for one of our recommended (and cheaper) alternatives instead.
Need a new computer? Read our reviews of the best laptops and the best laptops for students
Meet our overrated offender:
Fjällräven Kånken Classic Backpack
Our score and verdict: 51%, Not recommended
We like: Fashionable and available in lots of different colours
We don't like: Style over substance
There's a high chance that you've seen someone wearing this backpack. One of our writers once even counted 14 different people on the Tube with one during their morning commute.
It failed to impress in our tests, though. The bag is rated as being able to hold 16 litres but, in our tests, the main compartment could only fit 14.4 litres. The zips aren't easy to access either, and the straps are awkward to adjust.
The straps are also unpadded, which our testers unanimously said made it uncomfortable to wear, even without a heavy load. Fjällräven sells separate pads for this daypack, but they add an extra £20 to what's already a pricey bag.
Spare your wallet and your shoulders – we've tested far better alternatives.
Check out our full guide to the best backpacks – great for work, days out and weekends away
Which backpacks should you buy instead?
Targus Octave III Laptop Backpack
Our score and verdict: 83%, Good value, but not water resistant
We like: Very comfortable to wear
We don't like: Lacks water resistance
For just £30, you can pick up this Great Value bag. It was one of the most comfortable day bags we tested, and there's plenty of space in the 17.9-litre main compartment. It's also easy to pack and there are plenty of extra pockets.
The inside got soaked during our shower test, however, so you'll want to keep it away from rain.
Read our Targus Octave III backpack review to see how it compares with more expensive bags.
Don't get caught out in the rain – read our reviews of the best umbrellas
Osprey Daylite Plus Day Backpack
Our score and verdict: 87%, Amazing for adventures
We like: Comfortable, water-resistant and lots of extra features
We don't like: Straps could use a little more padding
If you don't mind spending a bit more, you could go for one of the two backpacks we rated as a Best Buy.
We found this Osprey bag comfortable, with plenty of packing space and lots of pockets to keep stuff organised.
We also measured a 15.5-litre capacity in the main compartment, and it kept its contents relatively dry during our shower test.
It can also be attached to some larger Osprey bags, making it a great choice as a daypack while you're travelling.
Read our full Osprey Daylite Plus review.
Also consider:
North Face Jester Backpack
Our score and verdict: 86%, Almost a Best Buy
We like: Smooth zips
We don't like: Some leakage during our shower test
It might just miss out on being a Best Buy, but this high-scorer from a big-name brand fared very well in our tests and is a great choice.
It has an 18-litre main compartment, benefits from multiple pockets and is easy to adjust. It's also pretty comfortable to wear, though our testers thought the straps could use a touch more padding.
Read our full North Face Jester backpack review.
You've got your bag, now get your boots – read our guide to the best walking shoes
