The Return of the Backpack Fashion’s spotlight is firmly on the trusty backpack

The past decade in menswear has been a busy one. Not only has the industry expanded exponentially, with dedicated men’s fashion weeks popping up all over the shop and men focusing on clothes, bags and shoes than ever before - but the speed with which men’s trends are turning over has also rapidly increased.

In the space of the last ten to 15 years we’ve moved from minimalism to the Mad Men-inspired dandification of the runways (helped along by the resurgence of Savile Row); to a universal embracing of sports-inspired tailoring with a firm focus on comfort. Now, if the past few seasons in London, Paris and Milan are anything to go by, menswear has returned to its spiritual stomping ground – the land of function.

Every brand, from Alexander Wang to Gucci has started producing life-ready, serviceable clothing. Field jackets with multiple bellows pockets are everywhere, as are hiking boots and cargo pants. Nothing exemplifies this shift back to function better, however, than the return of the backpack.

Originally used by hunters to aid the carrying of prey and equipment on long-range stalks, backpacks (also known as rucksacks or napsacks) have been around for over a century. A favourite of the military and boy scouts alike, the double strap style has, over the past few seasons, been appropriated by the fashion pack and reimagined in countless intriguing ways.

At Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, backpacks are adorned with intimidating hardware and exotic skins; at Balenciaga, Demna Gvsalia has produced sumptuous versions in the softest of leathers – the kind of fabrics more commonly associated with luxury clothing than high function luggage.

Where once man bags were newfangled and perplexing - most often coming in the form of clunky record bags and slightly awkward briefcases – now the “manbag” has come into its own. For the first time in menswear history it’s now more than acceptable to turn up to a business meeting sporting a sleek nylon backpack, just as it’s fine to carry a full grain leather Gucci backpack to a dinner date.

The perfect combination of function and form, a high quality backpack is a life essential. Here's our edit of the best.