It had been a while since I felt the weight of two backpack straps on my back – in fact my DofE expedition rucksack or my year 7 school bag might even be the last time – but as soon as I decided I must convert to a shoulder bag, I’ve never looked back.
I’ve long known how backpacks would be far more practical for my commute, and I’m often reminded by The London Underground tannoy that my zip-less shoulder bag is a pickpocket’s dream, but I’ve never found a backpack that feels stylish enough to make the swap.
That was until I tried Troubadour’s latest backpack, which has completely converted me. The company known for its minimalist designs, high-quality and functionality created two bags designed for women. Samantha Jacob, Troubadour’s chief product design officer, explains: “Women’s bodies are different to men’s, yet so often a women’s backpack is essentially a successful men’s backpack made smaller.
“Women tend to have narrower shoulders, smaller necks and different proportions and curves through the chest and back. All of that affects where a strap sits, where pressure is created and how weight is carried. I didn’t just want to make something beautiful for women. I wanted to make something that genuinely looks after them.”
Intrigued about how a backpack can revolutionise my commute, I tested the arc tote backpack from Troubadour for weeks to see if it could convince me to ditch my shoulder bag.
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Troubadour arc tote backpack
Why we love it
- Sleek design and durable materials
- Very comfortable
- Plenty of pockets and compartments
- Waterproof outer that's spun from recycled plastic bottles
- Fits on a suitcase's telescopic handle
Take note
- Expensive
- Water bottle holder inside is less practical
The arc tote backpack is a beauty to behold – sleek, simple, and functional. The more I use it, I find new ways to be wowed thanks to the thoughtful and practical design. As its name suggests, the backpack doubles up as a tote bag to be carried by its two top handles. It has a bucket-like shape with 15l capacity that holds my work essentials (two Tupperware containers, a small make-up bag, chargers, water bottle and a jumper).
I took it away for a night and found it had space for a change of clothes, a slim wash bag, chargers and a jumper. There’s also a section for your laptop (up to 16in), which is super soft and cushioning so you can do away with your laptop’s case.
The outer features a sleek black waterproof material (the brand’s fortiweave fabric), which was quick to dry off after walking through rain showers and kept all my items inside completely dry. The zippers and lining are also waterproof and feel really high quality, as does the whole bag.
Talking of details, I found the vegan leather front pocket a game-changer for reaching for my wallet on the move, but with the added security of its magnetic closure.
I wore the backpack walking to work and on long travel days, and I could not fault its comfort thanks to the 3D mesh foam back panel. It contoured to the spine with cooling ventilation – though I found it was still pretty warm when walking during this summer’s heatwave. The straps are comfy and I never felt that my back was strained. Compared to other backpacks I tried, I felt my body’s shape was better aligned to the backpack’s form.
Samantha Jacob, Troubadour’s chief product design officer, says this comes down to the design process where they “looked at everything from weight and construction to where the back panel sits and, particularly, the shape of the shoulder straps”. She spent over a year refining the S-shaped straps and worked with women’s physiotherapist Emma Tailby “to better understand the female form, pressure points and how [to] distribute the load more effectively.”
Inside the pockets keep on coming. There’s a larger zipped pocket on the front with two slip pockets inside, which are perfect for keeping valuables secure and organised, though if your bag is full, you’ll struggle to fit bulky items in here. There’s also a large compartment and five smaller ones to keep items (like my cables, headphones, snacks, hair accessories) tidy. Inside, there’s also a water bottle pocket that keeps the overall look sleek, but as my water bottle has a tendency to leak, I found the design less practical.
The backpack closes with a zip at the top, which maximises its space, and for travelling, it has a sleeve that fits on a suitcase's telescopic handle. I found the tote way of wearing the bag made it versatile and chic, but I’d recommend putting it on your back if you're travelling, as it becomes heavy if you have your laptop inside.
At £179, it’s an investment but one that will last a lifetime.
Key specifications
Buy now £179, Troubadourgoods.com
Is the Troubadour arc tote backpack worth it?
As I noted, the arc tote backpack comes at a premium price but the quality cannot be understated. It’s incredibly comfortable to wear on my commute and I continuously find new roles for the multitude of pockets. My workbag is now as stylish, as it is built for purpose and I won’t be going back to my shoulder bag.
How I tested the Troubadour arc tote backpack
I wore this backpack to work for weeks and took it on weekend aways with me. When testing I looked for:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alice Reynolds is a writer at IndyBest so has reviewed a wide range of products from women’s clothing to footwear and sports supplements, so she knows something worth buying when she sees it. A lover of products that combine style with substance, she was the ideal candidate to test the backpack as someone who walks to work, navigates busy London tubes and travels on public transport frequently.
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