Best backpacks for work: Professional styles perfect for the office

Commuter essentials 101: a good podcast, a brolly, and a great bag that has enough space for all the things you need for your day at the office - and after hours too.

Filled with essentials like your laptop and lunchtime sarnies, a great bag must be able to cram all those essential in without it weighing you down so much that you feel your back’s going to break – if the strap doesn’t beat you to it.

While some people carry totes or briefcases, a backpack is the perfect option for a work bag, as the two straps evenly distribute the load across your back and shoulders, and freeing up your hands to hold yourself steady on the train, tube or bus - or more importantly, to read your free copy of the Evening Standard.

But even after you’ve narrowed it down to design, it’s difficult to know where to focus your attention, so overwhelming is the choice. So before considering which to purchase, there are a few things you should bear in mind to ensure you bag the right one for you.

Capacity: A standard commuter backpack should be around 10-30 litres to allow you to carry everything comfortably.

Usage: London’s infamous weather means a surprise shower is never far away. Opt for a waterproof design that will keep your possessions safe and dry when the heavens open.

It may make you feel like an overgrown schoolchild, but it pays to wear a backpack properly, with both straps on your shoulders. Trust us your