Last Updated on 10 November 2022 by Colette
This post features product gifted for review
Ever since I became a mum of three, I’ve carried a backpack – when you’ve got three children under five to keep an eye on, you need both hands free! As the kids have got older, I’ve stuck with my rucksack for days out and adventures – I want to be able to carry a camera (or two), flasks of hot chocolate or cold juice, the odd spare item of clothing – I might not need a changing bag any more but I still seem to have plenty to cart around with me!
And whilst I love my Mulberry handbag (cross-body of course – I still don’t want to have to think about actually carrying it in my hands) – I do need something bigger for the days I’m working. When I’m out at meetings or taking photos, I still need my hands free but I need a bag that can cope with my big camera, my laptop (which isn’t all that small if I’m honest!), a power bank, a notebook . . . the list goes on. But on those days, I want a bag that’s a bit smarter than the one I use for taking the kids on adventures, a bag that has the space for everything I need but still looks tidy and stylish.
My Gaston Luga “praper” backpack hits the nail on the head. It’s sleek black styling means it looks good while I’m out and about but is still practical. Made from a combination of sturdy canvas and PU leather, my Gaston Luga bag is a great example of Scandinavian design for every day use.
The bag is spacious inside featuring a padded laptop compartment (which my laptop just fits into – definitely need something smaller and lighter when it’s time to upgrade!), two small pockets for your phone / keys / bank card – basically anything you need to have ready access to without having to root around in the depths of what is then a very spacious bag! There is also a small pocket on the back of the bag – ideal for a travel pass or a smaller phone – my phone does fit into it but sticks out a bit at the top.
The bag fastens with a drawstring before folding over the PU leather flap which then fastens with a really handy hook closure – this is infinitely better than faffing about with buckles as you’d normally see on this style of bag. There are four rows of hooks so that you can choose where to fasten your bag depending on how much you’ve got in it making it super flexible – with my laptop in the bag fastens on the top set of hooks.
The chunky adjustable shoulder straps spread the weight of the bag evenly and mean you can get the bag to sit just where you want it for comfort. What I would say is that the straps are quite wide so if I didn’t get my bag on right, I was quite aware of them under my arms.
Gaston Luga discount code
Use code ADVENTURE for 15% off all items on the Gaston Luga website – and don’t forget they offer free delivery and returns!
Photo credits – Karen @ Mini Travellers
