More Bellroy bliss: the Melbourne Backpack

I know it might seem counterintuitive to be investing in a new backpack while we’re all in lockdown, but I won’t claim to be the most rational shopper. Especially when it comes to Bellroy.

Readers of the blog will know I’m a big fan of their bags and accessories and have accumulated quite a few excellent Bellroy goods over the years. Just last Christmas, I got their beautiful notebook cover and pen as a gift. This afternoon, my latest investment arrived: the new Melbourne Backpack.

I’ve been in the market for a new backpack for trips to the office. I want something big enough to hold my iPad Pro, a notebook, some accessories and assorted bits and bobs. The bigger the bag, the more likely I am to carry more than I need and then feel like I’m heading off on some kind of military mission, rather than the morning commute.

This backpack is just what I’ve been looking for. It’s very compact, but big enough for a 13″ laptop if I need to bring one. Excellent design, as you can expect from Bellroy, means the pockets and pouches are right where you’d need them while the zips and fasteners are top quality.

But it doesn’t extend, which means I can’t squeeze in more than a reasonable day’s contents. A pouch with wires and chargers, a Kindle, a water bottle, some pens, the ubiquitous hand sanitiser and my keys. I’ve just checked and this will easily accommodate both my MacBook Pro and my iPad Pro, though I can’t see why I’d need both if I’m going to the office.

Business travel? What’s that…?

Design-wise, I’d describe it as minimalist and sleek. It wouldn’t look out of place in a corporate environment or in the Business Class cabin of an aircraft. It doesn’t draw attention to itself but it also doesn’t look like I’m on my way to school.

Anyway, consider this a statement of optimism and hope – hope that before long, I’ll be going places where a backpack will be helpful, if not absolutely necessary. I bought mine from the lovely people at Bear & Bear – excellent customer service and a fine selection of beautiful things.