We like large Best Laptop Backpacks, that have organizational compartments and will keep our computers secure while traveling.
A backpack is our preferred method of transporting and protecting a laptop and other items on a commute. It’s more comfortable than a tote or messenger bag, contains more than a briefcase, and looks better than a rolling bag.
Since 2015, we have tested over 75 backpacks on buses, trains, vehicles, motorcycles, and aircraft. The next five are the finest: a fitted professional bag, a sturdy pack with a lot of gear, a sleek traveling companion, a fashionable and affordable alternative, and an ergonomic office-to-gym workhorse.
A structured, polished-looking bag: Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack
If you want a more polished-looking bag with contemporary briefcase vibes, the Troubadour Apex 3.0 bag is an excellent alternative. It’s sophisticated enough for the boardroom while yet providing all the convenience and comfort of a backpack.
It’s lovely and wonderfully crafted. The Apex is our most costly selection, but its elegance and craftsmanship deserve the high price. The backpack’s robust, recycled polyester body is both sturdy and elegant, with vegan leather accents for added glam. It features a fitted, gently geometric form that stays sleek when filled and does not collapse when empty.
The sturdy Apex protects your goods against harsh weather. Its body is treated with a fluorocarbon-free waterproofing treatment, and the smoothly working zippers are covered with waterproof tape for further protection.
It is surprisingly ergonomic. The Apex backpack is a delight to carry thanks to plush, vented back panels and curved memory foam shoulder straps, which are rare for such a beautiful, non-technical-looking backpack. Even while carrying heavy goods, the cushioning feels soft and comfortable.
The flexible top handle is coated with neoprene on the bottom, making the bag easy to carry by hand—an especially useful feature for commuters on packed buses or trains. A baggage pass-through sleeve also works well to keep the bag secure on the handle of a rolling suitcase.
When the Apex isn’t extremely filled, its robust construction and padding may make it seem, as one tester put it, “like a lot of backpacks.”
Flaws, but not deal breakers
This backpack’s construction, padding, and size might make it seem large, even if you’re not carrying much.
The bag contains a zipped pocket on the left strap for storing essential goods such as a phone, however, its location is uncomfortable for carrying a phone (or any other stiff, rectangular object).
Dimensions: 19 by 12.5, by 6 inches.
Weight: 2.2 pounds.
Capacity: 25 Liters
Maximum laptop size is 17 inches.
Warranty: Troubadour warranty its goods for five years against manufacturing flaws.
A rugged backpack for wrangling tech: Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe
When you’re carrying a lot of technology, keeping everything organized and secure is definitely at the top of your priority list. The Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe is capable of holding and protecting expensive stuff, and it will endure a long time. It also includes a variety of ergonomic and comfort features to assist lessen your burden.
It has an astonishing amount of gear packed into a small design. This 20-liter Timbuk2 backpack seems tiny, but it can hold a lot of gadgets. We tested it with a 13-inch laptop and charger, a keyboard, a tablet, two power banks, a Nintendo Switch Lite and charger, several cables, a cable stable full of accessories, a planner, a notebook, keys, and a travel mug, and there was still space for more.
When you have less to carry, compression straps at the bottom front of the bag enable you to tighten the pack down—a huge advantage on crowded buses and trains. However, several of our testers hated the appearance of the conspicuous metal buckles.
It’s full of compartments and pockets. The Authority Deluxe’s front portion is a pocket paradise, complete with a flexible mesh zipped bag, pen holders, and two plush-lined tech sections. Just beyond that area is a spacious main compartment with a comfortable cushioned sleeve. Closest to the rear, the well-padded laptop compartment—the biggest of all our picks—can accommodate devices up to 17 inches. Finally, two outside front zip pockets hold quick-grab necessities, while a flexible side pocket snugly fits a 24-ounce bottle.
It’s difficult. The robust recycled nylon shell of this Timbuk2 backpack protects against bumps and bruises, while the substantial padding and waterproof boot (located at the bottom of the bag) provide further security for carrying valuable technology. Furthermore, Timbuk2 backs the Authority Deluxe with a lifetime guarantee.
A sleek office-to-airport travel pack: July Carry All Backpack Series 2
Whether you’re dashing to the workplace or an airport terminal, the July Carry All Backpack Series 2 is a reliable travel companion. It looks as luxurious and well-put-together as a structured tote, but it has the comfort and practicality of a backpack, with some extra smart features to make going from A to B a bit simpler.
It’s a stylish spin on a traditional silhouette. The Carry All features a clean, structured form composed of sleek nylon-twill material. The bag’s leather-wrapped carry handle and zipper handles, as well as its dazzling gunmetal hardware, elevate the otherwise understated design.
It’s perfect for traveling. The Carry All’s freestanding design and robust luggage sleeve make it an excellent travel accessory; among our recommendations, this bag and the Troubadour Apex 3.0 fit the most firmly on the handle of a rolling suitcase. Its secret passport compartment, located behind the top carry handle, is a great feature.
And, while travel may be unpredictable, it’s good to know that the outside of this bag is durable, protective, and water resistant—something we can personally speak to after being caught in cat and dog rain.
Its pockets are very useful—and pleasant. The Carry All’s boxy main pocket has a tablet sleeve and a sleek zipped bag. A top-zip laptop compartment for laptops up to 16 inches is located in the pack’s rear, while a wide quick-access front pocket is ideal for storing smaller goods.
The Carry All’s completely enclosed, zipped water bottle compartment, positioned on the left side of the pack (when worn), however, was the most appealing feature to us. The innovative design, which enables you to store your drink in a safe compartment out of sight, guarantees that a brightly colored bottle never clashes with your stylish bag.
A well-priced bag that’s functional and stylish: Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack
Everlane’s The ReNew Transit Backpack is a stylish, feature-rich backpack that shines in both design and function. It’s adaptable enough to travel from the office to a weekend trip, and it can easily carry medium weights.
It exudes modernity and versatility. The Transit’s sleek style is balanced with a somewhat slouchy form, making it suitable for both the workplace and on the move. The recycled polyester exterior comes in a variety of subtle hues.
It’s practical and filled with features. The Transit’s main compartment has two slip pockets for laptops or tablets, as well as an internal water bottle pocket. A zipper down the bag’s side opens to a separate, cushioned laptop pocket that can hold devices up to 15 inches in size, however, the side-access positioning may be difficult to adjust to.
The wide zipped front compartment allows you to easily reach your commuting items, while the exterior side water bottle pocket comfortably holds a 24-ounce water bottle. The backpack’s fold-over top contains another large zipped compartment and is fastened with an invisible magnetic latch, which was a popular feature among all of our testers and is especially useful if you have limited manual dexterity.
It’s best suited to medium-sized loads. The Transit weighs just 1.42 pounds when empty, making it the lightest of our options. Its straps are softly curved, and you can simply modify the length while wearing it to ensure a great fit.
Although the Transit has a large, 27-liter capacity, we don’t advocate stuffing it to the full with your bulkiest items; its lightly cushioned straps make it ideal for relatively modest loads. We were completely content carrying a laptop, water bottle, notepad, and sweatshirt in it.
A large, ergonomic gym backpack: Aer Duffel Pack 3
Fitness enthusiasts who go to the gym before or after work—and don’t mind carrying a longer bag—will like the Aer Duffel Pack 3, which is elegant, durable, and incredibly ergonomic.
It’s the most comfortable of our selections for hauling hefty weights. The Duffel Pack 3 outperformed all other laptop backpacks we evaluated in terms of weight distribution. It’s also the heaviest bag we suggest, at 2.9 pounds—but the additional weight isn’t apparent because to its ergonomic design.
The back panel and curved shoulder straps are padded with luxurious, breathable mesh material. A sturdy, readily adjustable sternum strap clicks over the chest to properly situate the bag—a feature strongly suggested by physical therapist Sarah Lloyd and particularly useful when the bag is heavy.
It keeps gym equipment apart. Clever compartments separate sweaty garments and shoes from the rest of your belongings. True to its name, the Duffel Pack 3’s big, well-designed main compartment opens wide for top-to-bottom access to your belongings; the internal lining is covered with an antibacterial coating to reduce smells. A ventilated shoe pocket that unzips at the base of the backpack keeps filthy sneakers apart from your other belongings.
It’s equally suitable for work and the gym. The Duffel Pack 3 is not a one-trick pony. You can store your computer and other electronics in the well-padded rear compartment, which contains multiple slip pockets and a flexible mesh zipped bag ideal for carrying a laptop charger.
This Aer pack includes two zippered pockets on the front that integrate into its pleated design, providing easy access to your valuables while on the road. You’ll also discover an easily accessible phone pocket at the top of the bag, which is lined with plush material, as well as two elasticized side water bottle pockets.