I have never been much of a backpack person. I often need to scratch in my bag while I am walking, and I use crowded public transport up to 8 times a day, where I don’t want to smack someone in the face with my backpack and I want to sit comfortably.
So for me it has always been handbags. And not just handbags, but leather totes which fit my laptop, ring organiser, A4 papers, water bottle, books, jumper, snacks, umbrella etc etc. And I carry said bags for up to 12km every day.
Finally it happened. Back pain, shoulder pain, and sciatica so bad I have been unable to use a handbag for a couple of months. I have really been in agony.
A few months ago I bought a light, canvas, Eastpak backpack (model Back to Work) in grey. The reason I chose this brand and colour is because I carried a grey Eastpak duffle bag around the world with me when I did a lot of travelling in the mid-1980s. I also used it the first time I travelled to Sweden in 1997. It wore amazingly well and had such sentimental value to me.
Plus this model is light, water resistant and has padded straps (which the Kånken does not) and a separate laptop/paper section. The zips also go almost all the way down so it is easy to get things in and out.
AND it was 70% off so cost me $20. I did not want to spend much money in case it did not work out. So far so good. Let’s see how long it lasts. At present I am still taking muscle relaxants and relying on liniment and painkillers to get me through the day and night.
