My Béis Backpack Moonlights as Luggage and Gets More Use Than My Suitcase

I have a handful of bags I'm constantly rotating that all serve wildly different purposes. There's the grab-my-keys-and-go fanny pack that's glued to my chest during weekday mornings, the chic but casual weekend tote that holds everything from hand wipes to sunscreen, a crossbody bag when I want to look more pulled together, and a mini bag when I'm child-free and only need my card wallet, phone, and lipstick. While I haven't owned a backpack since college, I've been wanting a hands-free option to make kid excursions easier and figured it would also be handy for toting my laptop around when I'm not working from home. I went with The Backpack by Béis ($88) since I'm a huge fan of their carry-on roller suitcase, and let me tell you, it's living up to the hype.

The Backpack by Béis

From

$88

$88 at Nordstrom

Like Béis's other travel accessories, the backpack is loaded with tons of thoughtful organizational compartments. There's a padded sleeve that's perfect for carrying laptops, iPads, Kindles, and other delicate tech; an equally large compartment with suitcase-like compression straps to hold clothes or packing cubes; two smaller, zippered internal compartments (one with clear plastic and one with mesh); and a smaller external compartment to stash things you need to reach for quickly (think: keys — yes, there's even a key leash — your cell phone, wallet, and even a pen). It functions like a mini carry-on suitcase you can wear on your back.

I appreciate that there are extra design elements that you don't typically find on backpacks, like two water bottle pockets instead of one — an essential feature as a mom with two kids — and even a trolley sleeve, so I can slip my suitcase handle through it to give my back a rest while traveling. I also love the backpack's minimalist aesthetic. It's monochromatic with subtle branding and has just a touch of faux leather on the water bottle sleeves and along the base. It's utilitarian but luxe and is the perfect gender neutral bag, so my husband and I can share it.

This backpack is big, with an extra-large interior capacity. While it's awesome for traveling and daytime outings with the kids where we need to carry a lot, you might not appreciate its sheer bulk and seemingly endless compartments if you're looking for a more lightweight and compact option. It took me a bit to get used to wearing something so large, but it quickly grew on me.

If you're looking for a true work horse of a backpack that packs like a suitcase, can keep you organized, fits a surprising amount of stuff, and looks just as good with a power suit as it does with jeans and a T-shirt, this is your backpack.

This backpack is available at Nordstrom (in black and beige only) and Béis.

Rating:
★★★★★

Angela Elias is a contributing editor for PS Shopping. In her former roles at PS, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.