Mtn will be a good resource for you. I’m sure she will see this and give you ideas.

I have a leather backpack purse that is both convenient and inconvenient. It's nice that it's hands free, but it's a nuisance to have to slip out of it to get my phone or billfold or keys. All the zippers on mine are against my back while I'm wearing it, supposedly making theft by picking much more difficult if not impossible, and it has a belt to go around my chest to help prevent it being yanked off my back as well, but I've never used that. I can also wear mine on my front but that isn't comfortable for me.

I've been using mine for about two years and it still looks great but I don't remember the brand. I think I got it at Kohls for around $50-60.

What's your style? I look at them all the time and particularly like Patricia Nash and Brahman but I know lots of people who carry KAVU bags and love them.

I have no style! Really, just a basic bag would suffice. I will research your suggestions. Appreciate the resources

I looked at the video on Amazon about the KAVU bag and I like it. It can be worn at your back, side, or front.

It's canvass and won't be nearly as heavy as leather. I like the clickable rope handle too, easy to get off.

What size are you wanting? For myself there is no way I'll carry a backpack. Hard to get into and you can't see behind you. But the KAVU looks to take care of that problem.

Oakley, my black leather bag is light and very soft. As I said above, it is inconvenient to get things out of but not imposssible, but it is light and very attractive, almost like it's not there. I have no concerns about it being picked or taken off my back. Mine is small but just the right size for my stuff, including the four nylon bags I always have for purchases, keys, phone, sunglasses, kleenex, wallet, small hairbrush, gloves in winter, and miscellany. It also has a.short strap so I can carry it like any other purse, but I rarely do that.

I prefer crossbody bags as well for much the same reasons as stated above. I can reach into them without taking them off and they're great to wear for walking. I use a regular backpack along with a purse, for traveling and day trips.

I like this style:

And I have one like this in burgundy:

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/giani-bernini-florentine-glazed-leather-venice-crossbody-created-for-macys?ID=525552&CategoryID=54507

And here's a sportier style that came up in an image search for 'crossbody bag':

If it's going to be somewhat heavy, wider straps are more comfortable than narrow ones.

Thank you all for responding. I just spent a week traveling with a friend who had one and it seemed so convenient. She carried a water bottle and was able to put a couple of small purchases inside. She suggested a medium. I did try on one that seemed to ride too high if that makes sense. (Even with adjusting the straps). I do see how the on/off could be a hassle. Thanks for the pictures of the cross body bags, Carol. I do have one very small cross body but yours look to be a bit larger and might hold a tad more.

I have a very nice small black backpack purse from Wilson's leather goods store and use it all the time, especially traveling. In fact, I think it is at least 10 years old now and still looks great. Get a good one with sturdy straps, and buttery soft leather is so luxurious and holds up so much better than the typical cheap plastic-y materials many are made of. I[m 63 and have no trouble getting it on and off; it feels great to be hands-free when walking. If you are in a crowd and worried about theft, you can move it to the front of your body. It expands enough to hold a small travel umbrella, and everything I need for a day trip. This is not mine (I don't see mine on their website anymore) but close to it https://www.wilsonsleather.com/product/le-donne-small-top-round-zip-leather-backpack.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=fn&selectedOption=452195

I tried a backpack but only use it if we're hiking or walking through the woods. I find that isn't isn't convenient when traveling. My neighbor carries a Lug crossbody bag that she purchased from QVC that has a velcro pocket on one side for a water bottle. The water bottle is on the outside for quick access. They're also on Amazon in different sizes and colors.

https://smile.amazon.com/Lug-Womens-Shimmy-Cross-Body-Brushed/dp/B074JJ877C/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=Lug+crossbody+water+bottle&qid=1581250751&sr=8-12

I still love my Baggallini. The back of the bag which you can see in the pictures has a large pocket for an iPad. The sides hold a water bottle. The interior isn't big enough for purchases and the one thing I don't like is the inside credit card slot area. I find it a wasted space.

They have back packs too, and you get 20% off your first purchase. You can also get them on Amazon.

I love the Kipling crossbody bags. Altho I just have basic black, there are wonderful colors, too. Check the shoulder bags, too, they come in all sizes, and many can carry water bottles and other travel paraphernalia.

https://www.kipling-usa.com/handbags-crossbody/

My DIL asked for a LaBante purse/backpack for Christmas. They are based in London, but it shipped from somewhere in the US. Their products are vegan and I thought it was nice and well-made.

Radley London makes some wonderful leather backpacks. I have one of their older models but am mighty tempted by this cutie.

Thanks, all. I plan to spend the afternoon researching your suggestions. Ida, that bag looks exactly like my friends! The red is very cool 😎 in person too (if that sways you at all:)

I buy travel bags at Magellan's. They have a store in Santa Monica that I go to, but they also sell on line. I like that the zippers lock for anti-theft, which is something you might want to consider if you have a backpack. It's very easy for someone to access a backpack without your knowing it. A friend demonstrated that to me once.

I have used a variety of backpack purses for 10+ years, for both every day and travel. I find them super convenient and love being hands free, and will never go back to a regular purse/hand bag. (I also don't care for cross body.)

I don't carry a ton with me and prefer lightweight bags. I like nylon, as well as lightweight leather. I typically find them on Amazon. Macy's has some nice ones, and I frequently see them at TJ Maxx and such.

I follow the Travel Fashion Girls group. Many there love the Rebecca Minkoff Julian backpack-purse as a personal item for travel. It comes in both leather and nylon in colors besides black and often can be found on sale or at discount sources like Nordstrom Rack. I can’t personally vouch for it but it looks cool.

OutsidePlaying, I just came here to say the same thing. I too follow Travel Fashion Girls. I bought a nylon Rebecca Minkoff Julian during the Black Friday sales - some of the colors were deeply discounted on her website. Mine is cobalt blue - a color I absolutely love, but maybe not so practical. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it definitely has a huge following on TFG. Depending on how much I like it, I might consider upgrading to a leather one.

This one is also recommended a lot, at a much cheaper price point:

I got the second backpack shown above for a beach vacation. It was fine, but not spectacular. I have a hobo backpack that is similar to this https://www.hobobags.com/collections/backpacks/products/cliff-black-leather-backpack-purse

it has a slot on the back to slide a phone into that I find very functional.

I;m a big fan of backpacks. They are very common across all price points and demographics in NYC.

I don't like them to be too heavy or stiff; otherwise they are hard to get on and off and they bang against your back when you walk. YMMV. For that reason my first choice is nylon. I like Prada, but that is a lot of money for Nylon. Plenty of knockoffs around. I often see Tumi backpacks on the train. They have a lot of nice black ones with clean lines and pretty gold zippers. I think they are 400ish.

Thanks again to all who provided links and advice. I decided to try this bag from QVC. The price and size were good, variety of colors (I ordered the “cafe” although navy and tan were strongly in the running) and it has a zipper in the back. Free return if I do not like. I am a bit concerned about the comfort but will try it out. I never knew there were so many options in the backpack purse world!

You can buy a cell phone holder which attaches to the straps on your front. I had one like that and it was very convenient for keeping my cell phone.

Good idea! Universal, I assume?

I have one that is comfortable when it is on (straw with leather straps), but I hate it. I find backpack purses awkward to get on and off. Once in place, they are fine. I end up carrying it most of the time or slinging it on one shoulder-not ideal.

I keep thinking that I would like one, but I really want to know how to wear it on the one shoulder? I see that some are able to convert but I am clueless how to do this.

I want the option of wearing as a true backpack OR as a shoulder bag on one shoulder.

I also have the same concern as Lars, that while it's on my back someone could access it without me knowing (obviously not a daily concern but I can see this in crowds in the city for example).

I always use a shopper for shopping time. Sometimes I take it with me to work or for a walk. In addition to a shopper, I often use backpacks. I have liked to use them since my school days. I wouldn't say I like small lady bags because nothing fits in them. Now I'm in medical school, and a big backpack is the best option. I have a lot of heavy textbooks, notes and documents. I also carry a laptop and a medical gown. On https://www.improvingeachday.com/reviews/best-backpacks-for-nurses/ I found a great backpack for nurses and medical students. They are designed with the best technology to carry everything you need in a comfortable place.