Finding the Right Laptop Backpack: The Top 10 Picks for Style, Protection and Comfort
As digital nomads, remote workers and traveling professionals, our laptops are among our most prized and essential possessions. More than just an expensive device, our laptops are the hub of our working lives, storing important files, enabling us to communicate and create. So it‘s crucial that we keep them safe and secure as we shuttle them between home, office, coffee shop and airport lounge. That‘s where a high-quality, well-designed laptop backpack comes in.
A good laptop backpack is an investment in protecting your computer and making your life on the go a whole lot easier. It should offer ample padding and a snug compartment for your laptop, plenty of space for your other gear and accessories, a comfortable fit, durable and weather-proof construction, and of course, a healthy dose of style. After rigorously testing a wide range of laptop backpacks from leading brands, we‘ve chosen our 10 favorite picks that tick all the boxes. Let‘s dive in.
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When it comes to the ideal blend of laptop protection, intelligent organization, rugged durability and sleek urban style, the Timbuk2 Authority wins hands down. Its thickly padded interior sleeve accommodates laptops up to 17" and is nicely elevated off the bottom of the bag to protect against drops. Multiple pockets, including a tricot-lined zip pocket for your phone or sunglasses, provide ample storage and organization.
Made from tough, water-resistant 400D nylon, with weather-proof zippers and a reinforced bottom boot, this pack is built to endure the elements. An air mesh back panel and plushly padded shoulder straps ensure all-day carrying comfort. Backed by Timbuk2‘s legendary lifetime warranty, the Authority is a backpack you can rely on for years of service. At around $130, we think it‘s worth every penny. -
Best Budget-Friendly Pick: Matein Travel Laptop Backpack
Proving you don‘t have to spend a fortune to get a great laptop backpack, the Matein Travel pack delivers an impressive array of features at an easy-on-the-wallet price point under $30. With a well-padded and felt-lined laptop compartment, durable water-resistant polyester fabric, a luggage strap for sliding over your suitcase handle, and external USB port for charging devices on the go, this backpack is an incredible value. -
Best for Frequent Flyers: eBags Professional Slim Junior Laptop Backpack
Designed with input from business travelers and flight crews, the eBags Professional Slim Junior is the perfect companion for trips through the airport and up in the air. Its checkpoint-friendly lay-flat design allows your laptop to stay inside the bag when going through security. The pack‘s structured, slimline shape prevents it from tipping over, while a plethora of smartly placed pockets, including a removable organizer for tech accessories, make this an exceptionally efficient mobile office bag. -
Best for Stylish Professionals: ISM The Backpack
With its sleek Scandinavian design aesthetic and beautiful full grain leather accents, the ISM Backpack oozes understated sophistication that‘s perfectly at home in creative offices and client meetings alike. But it‘s not just a pretty face – a plushly padded laptop compartment, ultra-durable waterproof Cordura materials and carefully considered pockets make it a joy to use. This is a laptop bag you‘ll be proud to carry. -
Best for Bike Commuters: Chrome Industries Hondo Backpack
Built extra tough to handle the rigors of bike commuting, the Chrome Industries Hondo is like a tank for your tech. Waterproof tarpaulin liner construction ensures your laptop stays bone dry even in a downpour, while a super rugged nylon exterior and military-grade truck tarpaulin bottom can take a serious beating. A handy side-access laptop compartment makes for quick retrieval without having to dig through the roll-top main compartment. -
Best Expandable Option: Peak Design Everyday Backpack
For creatives who carry varying loads, the 20-30L expandable capacity of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack offers impressive flexibility to adapt to changing needs. The pack‘s clever rotating shoulder straps and waist belt tuck away instantly when not needed. Unique origami-inspired dividers create endlessly customizable organization in the main compartment. But the real star is the uber-dense padding surrounding the laptop sleeve – this backpack offers some of the most robust protection we‘ve seen. -
Best for Organized Techies: Aer Tech Pack 2
With a sleek, MOLLE-style webbing grid and array of perfectly sized pockets, the Aer Tech Pack 2 is an organizer‘s dream. There are dedicated, plushly padded compartments for both a laptop and tablet, plus a clever quick-access top pocket for stashing your smartphone, wallet and keys. The recycled 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon exterior is as tough as they come, while maintaining a smart, minimalist aesthetic. -
Best Eco-Friendly Option: Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 15"
The classic Fjallraven Kanken Backpack gets updated for the modern age with a padded laptop compartment in the 15" version. Made from Fjallraven‘s signature weather-resistant Vinylon F fabric, which is produced with minimal waste, emissions and water usage, the Kanken is an environmentally sound choice. Plus, the laptop compartment is removable, converting the pack into a traditional Kanken for more casual use. -
Best for Versatile Freelancers: Incase A.R.C. Commuter Pack
Sleek and stylish, yet seriously functional, this mid-sized laptop backpack from Incase is ideal for creative freelancers who work in varied environments. It features a unique convertible strap system, allowing you to carry it as a backpack, shoulder bag or briefcase to suit the situation. With a plushly padded 360-degree laptop compartment, soft faux-fur lining and articulated shoulder straps, it offers top-notch protection and comfort. -
Best for University Students: The North Face Jester
Offering the perfect blend of laptop protection and spacious storage for textbooks and class supplies, the North Face Jester is a campus-ready winner. The large main compartment features a padded laptop sleeve and is roomy enough for a jacket and lunch, while the front compartment with internal organizer keeps your smaller items tidy. The FlexVent suspension system with compression molded shoulder straps and padded air mesh back panel ensures ergonomic comfort even when heavily loaded.
Tips for Choosing the Right Laptop Backpack
With so many great options out there, how do you pick the laptop backpack that‘s perfect for you? Here are a few key considerations:
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Laptop Size – Make sure to choose a backpack with a laptop compartment that snugly fits your specific device. A too-large compartment leaves room for the laptop to jostle around, while a too-small compartment is a no-go.
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Padding and Protection – Look for a backpack with thick padding in the laptop compartment, ideally with a suspended design that keeps your laptop elevated off the bottom of the bag. A waterproof or weather-resistant exterior fabric is also a huge plus.
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Carrying Comfort – Hauling around a laptop and other gear can get heavy fast, so opt for a backpack with well-padded, adjustable shoulder straps and a breathable back panel. Sternum straps and waist belts can help distribute the load on longer hauls.
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Organization and Capacity – Think about what other items you‘ll want to carry alongside your laptop – chargers, hard drives, notebooks, pens, water bottle, etc. – and choose a backpack with enough capacity and an inner pocket layout that works for you.
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Style and Aesthetics – Your laptop backpack makes a statement about your personal style, so don‘t be afraid to choose one that speaks to you, whether that‘s elegant and understated or bold and outdoorsy.
Invest in Your Laptop‘s Safety and Your Comfort
At the end of the day, a laptop backpack is more than just another accessory – it‘s an investment in keeping your most essential work tool safe from damage, and in keeping yourself comfortable and organized in your day-to-day grind. Whether you‘re a student, creative professional, frequent business traveler or coffee shop freelancer, treating yourself to a high-quality laptop backpack is a small expense that can pay huge dividends in the long run.
With options like the ultra-protective and versatile Timbuk2 Authority, the budget-friendly yet feature-rich Matein Travel pack, the flyer-friendly eBags Pro Slim Junior, or the eco-conscious Fjallraven Kanken on the market, you‘re sure to find a laptop backpack that checks all your boxes. So shouldering the burden of your laptop doesn‘t have to feel like a burden at all. Pick the perfect pack for your needs and get out there!
