I bought a 5.11 Rush 12 bag 5.11 last year. I'm happy with it so far.
Normally, I carry a 15" laptop, small binder and a thermos with a little room to spare in the main compartment. There are a ton of interior pockets that I use for spare bike tubes/compressed air, chargers, and other small things.
After daily use, the only wear has really been the cinch buckles, as one of them cracked pretty early. Build quality is solid. Overall, I'd buy it again for $80 on amazon.
Edit. It won't fit a professional aestethic if you need that. Just read the end of your post...
5.11 rush 12 backpack. I have bought 2 from amazon. last one got stolen tho :(
Used it for everything. Taking to haul clothes at the gym, carrying office laptop/iPad to meetings, 25 mile bike ride through city, mountain biking, and even took it to 3 Disney theme parks in 3 consecutive days.
You can fit a water bladder in it, has great space and opens up 180 degrees to sort your things out. At Epcot we got rained on HARD for a few hours but we decided to keep going through the park, nothing, And I mean NOTHING inside the pack got wet.
They retail for 100 but I’ve seen them on amazon for like 70 bucks. The black one is 89 dollars right now but the price changes every other week.
5.11 Tactical Rush 12 Backpack, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003HHV0QQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_eDs-zb8BAPFRH
Had this for a while:
5.11 Tactical Rush 12 Backpack, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003HHV0QQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_KJ6TybJVXT2RM
It's extremely well built, opens clamshell style, and thoughtfully organized. I liked most everything about it except the tacticool look...that said it's pretty understated in all black.
Yeah, I mean, unless you want to look like you're assaulting Starbucks, for urban use I think 34-40L is just....big.
That said, if your options are then limited to the GR1 and you're forced to using the main pocket for your laptop, consider saving a bunch of money and looking at the 5.11 Rush 12. A little excessively tacticool, but it's very well made, has nice organization, and is only $81 in black. (the shoulder yoke doesn't work for everyone though).
The Rush 12 can be found on Amazon for about $80 if you can wait a bit for some sales (say around black friday). Currently it looks like the going rate is about $96.
Well I have a 5.11 Rush 12 for my EDC. I absolutely love that pack. Here is a link to the Rush 12 on Amazon.
I use my Rush 12 as my edc bag, not to big, not to small. I can easily fit whatever i need for the day plus my Toshiba Satellite without any problems whatsoever. This bag has a pocket for everything and you can always get some MOLLE compatible pouches to increase space.
Yes it is indeed molle. The pack is the 5.11 Rush 24 hr pack that has a 37 L capacity. Its pretty big, but 5.11 has the 12 hr version of this pack thats 24L capacity. If you’re looking for a good small backpack, thats the one. If you can’t find one used or the price is too high, you should look into the LA Police Gear Atlas bag line that is the EXACT same thing as the Rush series. The differences are minor. But the LAPG bags are half the price of the Rush bags.
5.11 Tactical Military Backpack - RUSH12 - Molle Bag Rucksack Pack, 24 Liter Small, Style 56892 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003HHV0QQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_YVJG3ZDGDEKDCT9CHWMV
LA Police Gear Atlas 12H MOLLE Tactical Backpack for Hiking, Rucksack, Bug Out, or Hunting https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MT90RD5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_99GS34WKS2T8Z5KGS3AA
I grabbed a larger backpack to take with me to the range. Been pretty nice. Link if you are curious as to what I got.
5.11 Rush 12 for EDC
This one is the best I ever had and it is in budget.
5.11 Tactical Rush12TM Backpack Rucksack - 019 Schwarz https://www.amazon.de/dp/B003HHV0QQ/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_UuURub15W8W6T
I'm assuming you're in the UK from the currency you're using, but I would suggest the 5.11 Rush 12 if you don't mind the tacticool look.
Here's a link
Check out my sub's sidebar at /r/Whatsinthebag
I've got lots of good manufacturers and there are a few good options that seem to fit your description that won't break your bank.
For quality though, you're looking at the $80-130 range. The upside is you won't be replacing it every year or so. When you factor in $40-60 a year, if you have it more than two years it will have saved you money in the long run.
$90 bucks will get you this beaut' from Grey Ghost Gear
For the same amount of money, you could get a 5.11 Rush 12, which I assume you know about.
I paid $93 for it on Amazon.
Glad to see you've narrowed down your specifications a bit! Have you found what you want yet or are you still looking for options?
From the extra info there, I would suggest the:
Whichever Grey Ghost Gear Pack that tickles your fancy
out of the ones I previouly listed.
Also, as mentioned before the GoRuck GR0 if you're under 6' tall or the GoRuck GR1 if you're taller than 6' but again, those are right at your $300 limit, and I would guess not a whole lot better than any of the previously mentioned packs for the price.
A couple more neat options are by Spec-Ops Brand. Recon Ruck Ultra Looks like a new take on an old design (the A.L.I.C.E. pack which was military issue during Vietnam up until it was replaced by the M.O.L.L.E pack)
T.H.E. Pack - Tactical : Much more of a standard "tactical pack" which should still be plenty durable to handle whatever you throw at it. A combat medic buddy of mine loved Spec-Ops Brand stuff as it was both affordable and reliable.
Another cool bag that I just learned about is the Pegasus Pack from Warrior Assault Systems although I don't know where I could suggest you get one. They have a little, "Find a retailer" button to help out with that I guess.
Anyway, good luck.
I've got this 5.11 bag and its tremendous. Super high quality and it holds everything I need.