My backpack is showing its age. It was a hand-me-down to begin with, and though I have enjoyed its simple design, spacious capacity, and free-ness, it’s time for something new.
In a perfect world, I would be getting one of these:
A laptop satchel that converts to a backpack, has a 100-year guarantee and boasts the tagline “bags they will fight over when you’re dead.”
Unfortunately, it also comes with a hefty price tag. ::SIGH::
So more likely, and more affordably, I will be getting one of these:
Basically, I’m looking for something that will carry my stuff comfortably (ie as a backpack, and not a shoulder bag), but doesn’t make me look like I should be carrying a lunchbox and a pre-algebra textbook as well.
As I’m an external-motivation junkie, the new pack will not be acquired until I finish and submit the short story I’m working on.
Jess Faraday 
I can’t find the bag I want, in the material I want, at a price I can afford.
So I did something crazy. I bought a big piece of leather. It was a remnant, on clearance, and there was just enough. Now I have to decide whether I will ever get around to/develop the cojones to craft it myself, or if I should just take it to a local place and pay them to do it.
Wow, you’re brave. I would recommend taking it to someone, though that sounds pricey….