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Grown Up
Backpacks
A reader asks ...
“
Can I wear a backpack? I feel like I see more of them these days and I'd like to get a quality, rugged looking one. Maybe with some leather. Any suggestions?”
You're right. Thanks to relaxed dress codes and rucksack-repping dudes like Ryan Gosling, guys are opting for backpacks lately to schlep their stuff. Especially during a season when you're on your bike a lot or heading off for weekend excursions, a backpack is an essential bag. They distribute weight evenly and the best kinds are like a hands-free version of a canvas tote—simple, stylish and utilitarian. We're not going to give you a bunch of crap about how versatile backpacks are. How you can dress them up with a suit or whatever. But we will say that they hold a ton of stuff, make easy work out of packing for your average 9-5 day or weekend trip and look pretty badass while doing it. Here are a few current options that should fit your bill.
FYI
In the US, backpack sales for men over the age of 18 were up 23% over last year, according to consumer-tracking data by researcher NPD Group.
(Source: AdAge)