A recent social media ad for the Senreve Maestra Midi reminded me of my eternal quest to find the perfect convertible backpack/crossbody for everyday use. For me, “perfect” means:
1) High quality and luxe. Doesn’t need to be well known designer brand, just very good quality, durable, and beautiful
2) Spare, minimalist design. The Senreve Maestra has a little too much going on on the front for my taste ideally, but would be OK.
3) East/West shape. Most backpacks are more North/South, and I find it too easy to lose things in the bottom of bags with that shape. Additionally, the E/W shape works better as a crossbody for me.
4) Size just large enough to fit my 11” iPad, wallet, sunglasses, keys, and a few other small items. But not much larger than that. The ones sized for laptops are too big.
5) Bonus points for an exterior slip or zip pocket for fast access to my phone (the Maestra’s slip pocket on the back side where it’s protected is nice), and a completely enclosed top for protection from pickpockets and rain.
Searching the threads on these forums, in addition to the Senreve Maestra, I’ve seen mentions of the Wool & Oak All Day Bag, and the Kaai Hero (both of which come in Mini sizes that I think would work). The style of both imore to my taste, but I can’t find much about quality, durability, etc. And I can’t find anything similar from higher-end brands. The Maestra is close, but the design, thickness, and openness of the top at the corners makes me hesitate. And other posters have had complaints about quality.
Any suggestions of other bags that check all or most of these boxes?
1) High quality and luxe. Doesn’t need to be well known designer brand, just very good quality, durable, and beautiful
2) Spare, minimalist design. The Senreve Maestra has a little too much going on on the front for my taste ideally, but would be OK.
3) East/West shape. Most backpacks are more North/South, and I find it too easy to lose things in the bottom of bags with that shape. Additionally, the E/W shape works better as a crossbody for me.
4) Size just large enough to fit my 11” iPad, wallet, sunglasses, keys, and a few other small items. But not much larger than that. The ones sized for laptops are too big.
5) Bonus points for an exterior slip or zip pocket for fast access to my phone (the Maestra’s slip pocket on the back side where it’s protected is nice), and a completely enclosed top for protection from pickpockets and rain.
Searching the threads on these forums, in addition to the Senreve Maestra, I’ve seen mentions of the Wool & Oak All Day Bag, and the Kaai Hero (both of which come in Mini sizes that I think would work). The style of both imore to my taste, but I can’t find much about quality, durability, etc. And I can’t find anything similar from higher-end brands. The Maestra is close, but the design, thickness, and openness of the top at the corners makes me hesitate. And other posters have had complaints about quality.
Any suggestions of other bags that check all or most of these boxes?
