Good Quality Rucksack / Backpack (off the bike, hiking)

Currently pondering buying either of these two rucksacks to replace my current reliable but non-cycling specific commute bag,

Brooks Pickwick

http://www.brooksengland.com/images/cache/shop/shop_bags/cycle_bags___accoutrements/pickwick_backpack/colors/pickwick_backpack_orange_-_front_w375_h275_vamiddle_jc95.jpg

Mission Workshop's The Fitzroy

http://missionworkshop.com/images/product-galleries/sanction/rucksack-sanction-olive.jpg

love the simplicity of the Brooks; but prefer the durability (lifetime guarantee!) of the XXXX, and its front pocket, waterproof-ness for the winter, method of opening and closing..

.. gonna re-visit Condor for further mulling-over..

I love my MW Vandal, it's an amazing bag... Tho' lack of pockets can be a bit of a pain at first, you get used to it...

MW all the way.

a vote for T Level Challenger - essentially the same as MW but with loads of pockets and clever little details

Wasn't someone selling one of those type of bags in classifieds?

still owe rive gauche a few beers
when will you be collecting ?

I love my MW Vandal, it's an amazing bag... Tho' lack of pockets can be a bit of a pain at first, you get used to it...

having browsed the impressive website page for it (massively contrasting against Brooks poor website effort - to which surely more of their marketing budget could go!),

i'm adding it to my 'to-check-out-at-Condor' list;

unless of course my current local bike shop (Fitzrovia Cycles) has these editions.. - as i'll find out on a lunch-time visit today..

Trakke have started making some lovely rucksacks recently:

http://www.trakke.co.uk/products

Mission Workshops look ace but nearly 200 boys for a fucking backpack? Jog on.

They're £200 worth of aceness.

Basically the Rapha of backpack.

Carryology have some review of some of them, like their review of the Vandal, it's also a good site to find a decent rucksack that'll fit your need.

Trakke have started making some lovely rucksacks recently:
http://www.trakke.co.uk/products

looks like amazing workmanship, so great value for money if you can wait for it (recall a four weeks wait from the website);
wondering-mind left Condor and cycled to Brick Lane Bikes - the aim being
after reassessing the Brooks Pickwick and MW's Fitzroy and Vandal, my to check out their usual unusual offerings,

this consisted of the Y Not Cycle range - previously unseen by my eyes;

after testing the Medium and Large size Gulper for the fit of my daily contents, i settled upon the Large, 2012 edition - unaware that there was a fresher-looking 2013 edition (shown below),

given that they're the new-kids-on-the-block, it seems a bit of a pricey purchase (at £195 before matching an LCC 10% discount, to round off at £175) compared to the more established life-time guaranteed Mission Workshop,

but - they are a little different and seem to have the funk, so embracing their offering for now..

I am tempted with a Seagull backpack, have a summer special black bag from a couple of years ago (it's green) and cannot fault it.
also want a millican for casual duties.
ParryWife would have a shitfit if I drop £350 on a couple of bags.
Must do it sneaky style...

Mission Workshops look ace but nearly 200 boys for a fucking backpack? Jog on.

I only paid £100...
taps Pisti's nose

How's the wet back situation with those?

^not racist

I only paid £100...
taps Pisti's nose

first time I've heard it called that

Mission Workshop rocks... get that one.

Buy Restrap! Handmade in Yorkshire by the founder, designer, engineer, sewer, manager, buyer, seller and bossman of the company.

darn - forgot about those guys!

Naot being a dick but....

Still get a workshop. I'm sure it's a great bag, but MW are ridiculously good bags.

Not really relevant to the OP but just got an Ortlieb Messenger off Wiggle and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. Absolutely cavernous, seems like it'll be waterproof as a frog sphincter, really comfortable and the typical, expected quality.

I was looking at the other messenger backpacks - BigTop, Restrap etc but couldn't justify the spend. The Ortlieb is much more utilitarian (it consists of one big BIG pocket) but at £70 I',m more than happy.

I just bought an Ortlieb Messenger, it's also just below the size limit for Cabin bags on Ryanair.