back packs

I have often thought this would be a good idea when 'about town' the only thing that puts me off slightly is the thought of keeping my purse safe

I have a foldable nylon one that I keep in my handbag instead of a shopping bag. Very useful.

I use a backpack all the time. I only ever carry a handbag if I'm going out and need to be smartish.

I use one whenever I go into town, generally have at least six library books to change, plus all the other junk I seem to carry around, not necessary needed, I only carry bank card, not a purse, so I put that in a pocket, the weight is evenly distributed on my back, never seems to be heavy, also leaves me hands free to peruse other must have purchases, what’s not to love?

They are a godsend for those of us who suffer from painful hands or shoulders. I've been using one for a few years now, have a couple in different sizes and can thoroughly recommend.

Oh dear, now you have got me looking at lovely soft Italian leather backpacks ???£££

Those of you who have used and recommended you have made up my mind for me, i will purchse one next time i am in town.Thanks for the feedback.

My daughter has always used them as she is a cyclist. I have bought her a lovely one for her birthday. You can’t always get them in the uk but at present they seem to be popular again. Tk Max has some lovely ones. Smart, more casual, I use them too, it makes shopping much easier. Make sure there is a good purse pocket.

Apart from purse security concerns. I am fed up with being bashed about in crowded situations by people with back packs turning around, without thinking about how far they stick out at the back. I am only 5ft 3, so I usually get hit in the face.

I do understand that some people need them as they cannot carry a load on one shoulder, but I think users should have to pass a test and have a registration number on their back pack before they are allowed to venture out into crowded places.

Do look very carefully at different back packs, some are much better than others.
There are some that are lightweight & foldable, that look useful, but they are useless for anything heavy.
I would never have one without a frame - that puts up the cost, but makes such a difference. Look for different height frames, if you are shorter. Also look for waist straps that spread the load.
I have just retired my 15 year old back pack in favour of an Osprey which has a lovely frame, space on the side for water bottle & walking poles, and the waist strap has small pockets for my cards & change.

However, for going about town, I use a 'back bag' that is easier to manage than a backpack: www.thehealthybackbag.co.uk/

Mine has a zipped pocket in the back. The part that is against your back when wearing the backpack. This is where I keep my purse.

I have several backpacks of different sizes for different situations. I don't have a car, so anything I buy has to be carried home. If it is going to be very heavy, I either take a wheeled shopping trolley or I get a delivery. Most used backpack is a 12 litre one, which takes a few books, a camera, a comb and lipstick, purse, gloves and a knitted hat. In it I keep a couple of plastic carrier bags for overflow. My emergency nylon shopper, kept in an ordinary shoulder bag for unexpected shopping, is a featherweight fold-up nylon back pack which cost me £4.95 and takes up hardly any space. Very handy for unexpected purchses when I have a conventional handbag with me. For events which involve a fair bit of walking around carrying bits and pieces, but no shopping, I have an M&S black leather backpack.

If you have a Decathlon near you, go there and try on as many as you can, to see which feel comfortable and have all the features you want.

I use a back pack regularly it’s quite a pretty one too and when I do my shop on my cycle I fill front basket, two large panniers at the back and a back pack on my back and get it all in
Like a Elegran I don’t have a car so backpacks are the way to go

Oh yes Although I have a frame one for camping I d never use a frame one for shopping, too heavy neither do I spend much on them my pretty one was a fiver off the market about four years ago and still going strong

I have two backpacks which are useful when walking into town, just in case I forget I don't have the car with me and get carried away at the greengrocers shop! Delicious greengages today!

I have a small chain bought from Amazon which I attach to my bag so anyone trying to steal it would come unstuck. I use one also for my mobile phone.

Nan what is the other end of the chain atrached to? Is it you?

I have a selection of rucksacks from a large one which I use when airlines limit the weight of luggage in the hold to a silver one from Primark which I use to go out in the evenings in the summer. My favourites are those which can also be used as handbags if I need to look a bit smarter as I hate changing bags. My DiL had one from Gucci when she was pregnant. I’d recommend looking for bags by Fanatasie. They are similar to Kipling but a lot cheaper and can be found on eBay (hope I’m allowed to say all this).

I have a small leather backpack that I use as a handbag and a larger one for sports kit etc. Both from TK Maxx. I suffered from aches and pains caused by heavy shoulder bags. It's the way to go.
Looking in Primark, it seems bumbags are back in fashion too.

Backpacks are great and they usually have a secure zipped section inside for your purse. Some lovely lightweight nylon ones around. Or a large cross body bag absorbs the weight better than a normal shoulder one.

I like the adverts for the (Wolf?) ones that you can unhook. The bag is on a string and you can bring it round in front of you.

I've used a small lightweight rucksack for a year or so now as have a painful back etc. It's brilliant. If you are in a busy place and worried about the purse, you can put it on backwards. problem solved. Only use my leather ones when I go out to dinner etc now. They are cheap too.

I only ever use a back pack. A nice leather one for daily use, big ones for trekking. If you get a smaller one make sure it is either waterproof or you can get a separate cover for it. They seem to catch the rain rather well otherwise.

From a skeletal point of view they are much better for you than carrying heavy bags especially if one is heavier than the other and you are unbalanced. For heavy shopping I cycle and use the panniers on my town bike. I have one handbag made of silk in Vietnam. It goes to weddings and funerals and is pretty useless at carrying anything!

I note bumbags have been mentioned, but would advise against them if you are carrying anything of value in them. Easily stolen by slitting the strap. I saw it happen in Barcelona.