Our urban backpacks are designed for modern city dwellers who want practicality without compromising on style. Whether you’re commuting for work, school, or leisure, these bags are crafted to provide optimal organization. With their thoughtfully designed compartments and elegant look, they’re the ideal accessory for your urban life.
Durability is key in the design of these backpacks, crafted with quality materials to withstand daily wear and tear. They are made to simplify your life while offering a look that’s both modern and understated. Easy to carry with their ergonomic straps, these urban backpacks are the perfect solution for securely and stylishly carrying your belongings.
Choose an urban backpack that meets your needs and accompanies you on all your urban adventures.
Find the very best of urban backpack design on KEUS. We’ve brought together, in one place, a selection of backpacks built to meet the demands of the urban jungle and today’s new mobilities. Because yes – the street runs through the DNA of KEUS. Like many of you, we move mainly through the city – by bike, on foot, or on public transport. We’re proud to offer urban backpacks from established brands (RAINS, Sandqvist, Ucon Acrobatics...) as well as from more low-key names (Mission Workshop, Code of Bell, Crafted Goods...) that meet our standards in terms of design, quality and functionality (storage, pockets, etc.).
How to choose the right urban backpack for the city?
First of all – what makes a good urban backpack? It should be tough and made from strong, durable materials. Why? Because even if you’re not using it for belly-sliding contests, you’ll be handling it constantly. Your urban backpack will spend much of its life on your shoulders, hanging off a bar hook, crammed against strangers in the metro, scraping along walls or… lying on the ground (yes, it happens to the best of us). Choose a backpack with good abrasion and tear resistance, such as nylon or Cordura®, like the black Daybreaker Cordura® Ripstop from Able Carry or the Bernet backpack from Sandqvist.
An urban backpack must be versatile and functional. Look for a model with internal compartments to keep your gear organised, and a padded pocket to protect your laptop. Also choose an urban backpack – for men or women – with closable outer pockets. It’ll help prevent theft, which is a must if you regularly commute on public transport. The urban backpacks by Able Carry are designed for city life. They’re packed with clever and highly practical storage options. For public transport, backpacks with compression straps are a good idea – they help reduce the bag’s volume and avoid annoyed “tsss” from other passengers when your pack takes up too much space. For a colourful urban pack with straps, go for a hiking-inspired model from Topo Designs.
Digital nomad, student or freelancer? Choose an urban backpack with quick access to your laptop from the outside. The Blok Medium by Pinqponq is a charmer with its iconic two-dot logo, well-designed compartments and side opening.
An urban backpack should also be rain-resistant and waterproof – especially if you’re using it to carry a laptop. Some urban models have fully waterproof rolltop closures, like the sleek Hajo city pack from Ucon Acrobatics. Waterproof gear brand RAINS also offers minimalist waterproof backpacks perfect for the city.
Finally, an urban backpack must be comfortable. Opt for padded straps, mesh back panels, and a sternum strap if you’re using it for cycling. Choosing the right size bag also makes a difference in comfort. Need help? Read our article on how to pack and pick the right backpack size.
A selection of unique urban backpacks for the city
Fancy a city backpack with a truly original design? Or maybe a full black one that can be carried multiple ways? Stand out with designs you won’t see on every street corner.
Discreet yet highly technical, Code of Bell’s urban backpacks are inspired by sling bags and courier packs. The X-PAK is the perfect example with its many pockets and compartments, plus its single shoulder strap. Slide it to the front for quick access to your personal belongings (even your laptop). It’s a design made for city life, where we’re always reaching into our bags.
Another standout brand offering minimalist, versatile city bags is Crafted Goods. Their motto? “Swiss Urban Active.” Their iconic black Simplon backpack can be worn on the back or over the shoulder. It fits both your tablet and a 15-inch laptop. The Cubly from Crafted Goods is the ultimate in flexibility – you can carry it three ways: by hand, over the shoulder, or on your back. There’s something for everyone.
An urban backpack for cycling or scooting around town (or not)
More and more of us are getting around the city by bike. We’ve found urban backpacks that look great and are perfectly suited to urban cycling (and even wheelies in car parks...).
Inside Line Equipment makes backpacks designed for the city and built for cycling. They’re inspired by messenger bags but more refined and complete. ILE backpacks come in a variety of colours, and some models include reflective elements – a major plus when cycling at night or early in the morning.
For a practical black city pack where you can strap on your bike lock, go for models by Chrome Industries. Made in the USA, they’re guaranteed for life and usually come with laptop compartments.
For a minimalist, urban black design, check out the Elite X-PAC™ from Polish brand Blahol. Needless to say, these cycling-ready backpacks also work if you commute by unicycle, scooter... or pony.
Also discover our:
messenger backpacks
made in France backpacks
military-style backpacks
urban backpacks for men and women
waterproof backpacks
ethical backpacks
laptop backpacks
American-style backpacks
stylish backpacks
