Everlane has good backpacks, that are less expensive than these others:

https://www.everlane.com/collections/mens-backpacks-bags

My husband has a lovely leather backpack he got from his parents for Christmas.

I bought my husband a swissgear backpack for Christmas. It has a slimmer profile, but it isn't leather. He seems to like it. It was on sale at ebags or zappos - I forget which one.

My husband has both a Jack Spade (Nordstrom) and a Allen Edmunds. The Jack Spade is black fabric and was cheaper. It's a little more casual. The Allen Edmunds is brown leather and was more expensive. Either would work.

The above link looks somewhat like a nice version of the medela breast pump back pack. Which I actually got complemented on when I had to carry it sounds at a conference. Several people told me they love my backpack. He he.

I got my husband a black Tumi backpack. Unfortunately, I did not get it at TJ Maxx.

I got my all black very minimalist Tumi back pack at TJ Max for 189.

wow! it has a pocket for a coffee mug! amazing!

(that might just make it a winner)
(and is _definitely_ something i wouldn't have thought of to look for, but will be a total must-have for my husband -- thank you!!)

I think the two important things to look for here are:

1. appropriate fabric. Either leather or a more expensive looking, non nubby nylon. You don't want cotton, khaki, nubby fabrics.
2. modern/slim styling.

I just did a quick skim through ebags, looked at all backpacks and saw a ton that would do fine.

Here's one of the first i saw (not saying it's the absolute best, but would do fine): http://www.ebags.com/product/travelon/anti-theft-classic-large-backpack/318728?productid=10454195

I think backpacks aren't that unusual for people traveling, etc, even while wearing suits, so i wouldn't sweat this too much. Just get something in black.

i do sooo little shopping and am sooo behind on fashion that i don't even know where to look, and would love help --

my husband has asked for a backpack that looks acceptable with a suit
it doesn't have to be the height of fashion, just better than a jansport

he often has to walk a fair amount and would like it to be something with two shoulder straps
(i.e., not a suitcase or a messenger bag)

and definitely something under $200 -- i googled "backpack alternatives" and clicked on a nice bag and it was $795 and that's when i decided to post here

thank you!!