Few fashion-sportswear partnerships have been more successful than the one between adidas and Yohji Yamamoto. Together, the German sportswear manufacturer and the avant-garde Japanese designer have turned Y-3 into one of fashion’s most consistent brands.

Now over 15 years old, Y-3 has seen its fair share of influential and successful designs. Chief among them has been the brand’s Vest Backpack concept, which has been channelled through various designs and shapes over the years. The main idea, though, is a form-fitting backpack that tightly hugs the wearer’s back. Different iterations of the bag have also featured straps that can be zipped together at the front, turning the backpack into a vest—hence the name.

The Y-3 Vest Backpack won’t fit as much as some of the other bags on this list, but what it lacks in space, it makes up for in streamlined, ergonomic design and clever storage options.

Founded in 2008, Parisian label Côte+Ciel quickly established itself as a brand worth paying attention to. Côte+Ciel’s claim to fame is two-pronged—the brand’s bags are innovative and utilize advanced technology, but they’re also aesthetically unique. You know a Côte+Ciel bag the moment you see it.

The Isar is, arguably, Côte+Ciel’s most famous creation. The bag has almost sculptural properties, born from ergonomic design that seeks to maximize carrying capacity without creating something that was needlessly bulky. The Isar features a zippered laptop pocket, as well as a fold-over pouch that can be compressed or expanded per your needs.

But, what makes the Isar—and Côte+Ciel more broadly—special are the array of unique, ultra-technical fabrics used. From coated canvas, to leather or EcoYarn, Côte+Ciel has developed a reputation for textile innovation over the years and that means the Isar is not only built to last—there’s always a new, unique iteration in the works.

The 3A-7TS Messenger backpack was Acronym’s first foray into backpack design. As to be expected from the techwear label, functionality was the number one consideration with this product. The final design was the result of over three years of prototype testing. Produced by Berlin-based manufacturer Bagjack, the 3A-7TS is made made of Limonta material with Cordura components.

For anyone who needs tons of carrying capacity, this backpack is an excellent option. The bag features a main compartment that’s lined, a laptop sleeve and internal pockets. As is customary on Acronym pieces, the bag features removable logo tape and the outer shell utilizes the “Tec Sys” grid which allows the user to add multiple attachments to the bag.

While Acronym has not made a proper, true backpack since 2009, you can still acquire new modular attachments such as the 3A-MZ5 zip pocket for this backpack. Any attachment that is compatible with Tec Sys can be used to customize the bag’s loadout. These backpacks are increasingly difficult to find in the wild and tend to fetch prices above their original retail.

Visvim’s 20L Ballistic backpack has been one of Hiroki Nakamura’s most popular products over the years—alongside the brand’s famous FBT sneakers and Social Sculpture denim.

While the Japanese brand is best known for its aesthetic that blends traditional Americana and Japanese style, the 20L Ballistic backpack is not something born from either. Instead, Visvim’s flagship backpack is extremely modern, and worthy of being lumped in with technical backpacks produced by mountaineering brands.

As the name suggests, the 20L Ballistic is crafted from Cordura ballistic nylon, it’s also outfitted with waterproof zippers and an array of internal pockets for organized storage, which makes it ideal for travel. Waterproof Riri zippers (known for their exceptional quality when compared to the more common YKK zippers) keep the bag locked tight in even rainy conditions. The sleek, understated design makes it a timeless bag you won’t get tired of, while the sturdy Cordura and reinforced suede bottom, ensure it ages exceptionally well.

Plus, the 20L Ballistic is among the most affordable products in Visvim’s offering, which makes it an essential for Nakamura’s acolytes.

Traditionally, backpacks are made of heavy-duty canvas, built to stand the test of time and hold up to the rigors of day-to-day use. Prada, though, is famous for its nylon accessories and while the brand has produced canvas rucksacks, it’s the aforementioned nylon iterations that have become famous.

Made in a range of sizes, the Prada Nylon Backpack is, arguably, the ultimate luxury backpack. Over the years, the Milanese label has released the bag in a variety of colors, ranging from white Vela nylon to a high-fashion military green. But, the black nylon version is a masterclass in understated luxury, while that distinct nylon finish and tell-tale triangle metal logo detailing mean it can be the product of but one brand: Prada.

The North Face Purple Label was started in 2003 with nanamica’s managing director Eiirchiro Homma at the helm. The Japan-exclusive label brings together the technical performance expected from The North Face products with a fashion-forward mindset. This marriage of style and function is apparent in its backpack designs as well. While the aesthetic of the daypack does not stray too far from a traditional book bag, it’s done with tastefully chosen colors and materials. The pack is minimally branded, only featuring a stitched-on The North Face Purple Label patch that gives the bag a vintage ’70s look.

Each daypack features a reinforced suede base and sturdy metal zippers. It’s lightweight, easy to carry and provides just enough room for daily essentials. It’s hard to go wrong with this bag if you’re looking for something relatively simple and affordable. The daypack design is produced seasonally.

Porter-Yoshida Kaban is one of the world’s most respected purveyor of bags. Originally founded in 1935, the brand was reformed after World War II, in 1951, under the Porter-Yoshida Kaban name.

Over the last seven decades, the orange lining of Porter bags has become famous, and the brand’s shiny tanker nylon is ubiquitous in the world’s best retailers. Porter’s bags are, for the most part, still made in Japan and the brand has become synonymous with quality and durability.

While the Tanker series itself has produced bags in various shapes since its debut in 1983—spanning everything from waist bags to tote bags—the Tanker Rucksack incorporates embodies Porter’s commitment to utility and daily use. Produced using a nylon twill and nylon taffeta, the backpack takes obvious cues from the timeless MA-1 bomber jacket; its neutral, military-inspired colors (namely olive green, silver gray or black) make the bag stealthy enough to fit in with pretty much any outfit.

The Rucksack is built on a classic military-inspired silhouette and features one large main compartment along with two zippered pouches at the exterior. Adjustable fastening straps offer comfort and the bag features a sleeve for interior laptop storage. If there’s one set of design that embodies what’s great about the Porter brand, it’s easily its Tanker products.

Techwear minimalism is what Arc’teryx Veilance excels at. The Nomin is a product that exemplifies that design outlook. This Nomin backpack is perfect for daily use with its lightweight construction and durability. Made from coated nylon with taped seams, the pack is designed to repel water and keep your belongings safe. The two main compartments have internal dividers and sleeves that offer an array of storage options. The rigid composite rear panel, low profile shoulder straps and handles at the top and side make this a very comfortable, versatile bag.

In an interview with Veilance design director Taka Kasuga on Carryology, he described the design process behind the Nomin:

“Lots of people like me grew up with backpacks and sneakers, regular streetwear and they’re professionals now who want quality things. But, they don’t associate with “heritage” products and they don’t necessarily want a briefcase. Leather and other traditional textiles don’t have the same performance as high-end outdoor materials, especially in harsh or wet climates, so that’s always a key part of what we are trying to accomplish. It’s a detail-oriented, weather-resistant, aesthetically minimal backpack that works in both professional and casual settings.”

If you favor products that are are more likely to blend in with your outfit than stand out from it, the Nomin is definitely a smart choice. While the Nomin’s initial iteration has evolved and updated, this OG is certainly worth getting your hands on. Very few bags manage to bridge the gap between urban functionality and business briefcase quite like the Nomin’s initial iteration.

While Kanye West has spawned countless fashion trends throughout his reign in pop culture, the [Louis Vuitton](V) backpack was one of the first examples of his influence. The self-appointed “Louis Vuitton Don” was rarely seen without a Vuitton bag on his back after the release of his debut album College Dropout in 2004. Soon the monogrammed backpack became a staple among rappers from Pharrell to Jay-Z and T.I. While Kanye himself moved away from the look over time, it’s once again come to prominence thanks to the 2017 collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Supreme.

The architect of the collaboration, Kim Jones, certainly must have considered the relationship between hip-hop and Louis Vuitton when he decided to adorn the Christopher Backpack with Supreme branding as part of the Fall/Winter 2017 collection. While the Supreme variants of this bag are hard to miss, the bag continues to be manufactured in a variety of colors and prints as part of the regular, evergreen Louis Vuitton luggage collection. It’s commonly available in red, khaki, maroon, navy, black and in various prints including the classic monogram canvas, Epi leather and Damier graphite. While trends will always ebb and flow, few things embody the middle ground between classic streetwear and logo luxury like a Louis Vuitton Christopher backpack.

Supreme’s backpacks change from season to season and there’s no single, definitive style that is the de facto Supreme bag. That said, the skate brand’s backpacks—in their varied forms—have become bonafide staples within the streetwear community. Supreme’s bag designs aren’t just based on hype; sure the brand’s items sell-out, but its bags—often produced with Cordura nylon—have functionality and durability at heart.

The first Supreme backpack was introduced in 1995—a rucksack—while the sportier board bags only made their debut in 1996. Since Fall/Winter 2010, Supreme has also regularly collaborated with The North Face on a variety of backpacks, ranging from the brand’s Daypack to the Base Camp Duffel.

Supreme’s backpacks have become increasingly popular due not only to the brand's fame, but also to the fact they’re built to withstand the rigors of skateboarding in New York. They’re great for your everyday carry, or to use as a carry-on.