ddd
Want your laptop backpack to last longer than your laptop? A good one can easily outlive rapidly evolving electronic gear. The good news is that choosing the right laptop backpack isn’t complicated once you know what to look for. Material quality, construction methods, and a few key design features separate the bags that will protect your gear for years from those destined for early retirement. In particular, plenty of compartments, interior and exterior, will help road warriors keep their gear organized and accessible. Let’s look at how to make the right choice. The first decision is whether a laptop backpack is the right style of bag for you. [Note: Per normal, some of the product links here are affiliate links, i.e., I get a small piece of the action if someone clicks through and makes a purchase. You can trust my comments, whether positive or negative, to be my real opinion.]
Ultimate Laptop Bag Guide Home
What Are the Pros of Laptop Backpacks?
- More Comfortable. Carrying a laptop backpack without the aid of a roller/spinner bag is much easier than lugging a traditional laptop bag. The weight is well-distributed and little extra effort is required to carry even for long distances.
- Higher Capacity. Laptop backpacks come in many sizes, but their shape lets them not only hold more than a typical laptop bag but also accommodate bulkier items like cameras and water bottles. If you want to carry, say, a change of clothes then a backpack will be a better choice.
- Hands-Free. A huge advantage is that once the laptop backpack is on your back, you have both hands free to wrangle large suitcases, carry a plate of food at the airport eatery, etc.
- Adaptable for Other Uses. Even without your laptop or tech gear, a laptop backpack will work on a hike, a city tour, or other activities. I’ve used a laptop backpack on the flights to a vacation destination and then used it as a day pack while touring.
What Are the Cons of Laptop Backpacks?
- Less Professional/Formal. Most executives won’t pair a backpack with their Brioni suit. While business dress conventions continue to be more casual, a laptop backpack looks less professional and formal than a traditional laptop bag or stylish messenger bag.
- Less Organization. A few laptop backpacks have a multitude of pockets and compartments, but most offer relatively few. This can make a consistent gear storage plan more difficult.
- Less Accessibility. The capacious compartments of a laptop backpack can make finding things effortful. Once an item drops to the bottom, the user must feel around to find it or try to peer into the bag’s cavernous depths.
- More Difficult to Attach to a Carry On. Laptop backpacks often lack a trolley strap for easy attachment to a roller/spinner bag. Even when they have one, their height makes them a little less practical.
- Bulk and Maneuverability. If you’ve ever been whacked by someone’s backpack as they maneuver through a crowded space, you know this problem. Some caution is necessary to avoid bumping people, items on store shelves, etc.
- Security. Theft of items from a backpack isn’t a big issue in airports, airport lounges, business offices, etc. But if you spend some of your time on crowded city streets, particularly in tourist destinations, there’s a chance someone might try to open (or even cut open) your backpack to grab your expensive electronics. Some guides recommend switching your backpack to your front under those conditions – safer but uncomfortable.
- Height. Larger laptop backpacks are inherently taller than laptop bags. This can cause a problem with airline luggage sizers – check allowable dimensions for the airlines you fly. Most laptop backpacks fit under airline seats, but occasionally they can extend out far enough for the flight attendant to object.
What Are the Most Important Laptop Backpack Features?
It goes without saying that a laptop backpack must have good laptop protection and enough capacity to handle the gear and other essentials you travel with. If you want to carry a change of clothes or bulky camera, allow for that. Here are a few of the less-obvious features to look for.
- Exterior Pockets. There are a few items I want to be able to access without rooting through the interior of the backpack, like charging cords, sunglasses, passport, etc. Your list may differ, but having exterior pockets and pouches is a road-warrior must. Easy accessibility is particularly helpful if you are trying to retrieve something in a hurry (as when stowing the backpack in an overhead bin) or in the dark (when the backpack is under the seat in front of you in a dark airplane cabin).
- Trolley Strap/Sleeve. There will be times when you don’t want to sling the backpack over your shoulder and instead place it on your roller bag. A trolley strap or sleeve makes this much easier than trying to MacGyver the shoulder straps into a makeshift attachment. Beware – if the trolley strap opening isn’t wide enough, you might find it difficult to fit the roller bag’s handle through. My Briggs & Riley carry-on has a fairly large pull handle, and it’s a tight fit on some backpacks. If you buy a laptop backpack, check this out as soon as it arrives – don’t assume it will fit easily.
- Key Leash. Some laptop backpacks have a nylon strap inside with an easy-open ring to attach your keyring. This reduces fumbling to find your keys when you finally get home. I don’t use it for keys, but I secure a tiny dual-compatibility USB flash drive to it. (I use this to transfer presentations and other files at speaking gigs, and the two USB formats ensure I can connect to any weird computer, new or ancient, PC or Mac.) The drive is so small it’s easy to lose track of, but I can always find it with the key strap.
- Sternum Strap. This is a small strap that snaps together and connects the two backpack straps across your chest. This prevents slipping and helps distribute the load. Most backpacks don’t have one, but you can easily add an aftermarket sternum strap. The sternum strap can function as a makeshift trolley strap, too, albeit a less secure one.
- Safety Features. Depending on your level of paranoia, you might consider lockable zippers and/or RFID-blocking pockets. Few backpacks come with locks, but cable-type luggage locks will work in most cases. I don’t worry too much about these details, a bigger concern is someone stealing the entire bag. Be sure to stick an AirTag or SmartTag in an inside pocket.
Keeping all that in mind, here are our recommendations for the best laptop backpacks:
Samsonite Modern Utility Double Shot Laptop Backpack
Roger’s Choice – Best All-Around
This one is my go-to laptop backpack. It bridges the gap between business travel and recreation with a professional, uncluttered look. A couple of large exterior side pockets keep things like charging cables handy. It has a trolley strap and key strap. The front side has three zippered compartments, some of which include additional pockets and organization. One has the usual “business” slots like pen holders, business or credit card pockets, etc. The main compartment is roomy enough for bulky items like a camera, clothing or even a pair of shoes. The laptop compartment is well protected and in addition to the laptop can easily hold some files, a tablet, or other flat items. As a “personal item” on airplanes, it fits under every airline seat I’ve tried it on. (I don’t normally overstuff it.) The only minor flaw I’ve observed is that the padding on the bottom of the laptop compartment is thin. That hasn’t been an issue for me, but could be improved by adding a bit of foam or other soft material to the bottom.
I’ve logged 100K+ miles with this backpack and it still looks like new. Amazon reviewers tend to like it, too, scoring it 4.7 stars. Comments like, “Just the right amount of organizational pockets,” “This truly is a dream bag,” and “Sleek, roomy, durable, looks great, and TONS of pockets,” echo my own feelings. Many noted that its various pockets allow carrying multiple laptops, tablets, etc.
This is Roger's go-to laptop backpack. It combines a sleek appearance with lots of compartments and useful features. Small enough to fit under airline seats, big enough to hold more than your electronics and gear.
TUMI Alpha Bravo Search Backpack
A High-End Choice for Professionals
Remember that part about backpacks not looking professional? Well, that’s not entirely true. If you have to show up in a boardroom with a laptop backpack, the TUMI Alpha Bravo Search backpack will turn heads… in a good way. The sleek leather edition oozes high quality and status. More importantly, it is packed with lots of useful features that serious road warriors will appreciate. It’s got multiple exterior pockets, great office gear organization, a trolley sleeve, a separate padded tablet pocket, a key leash… even TUMI’s proprietary Tracer system to protect your investment.
This backpack is definitely on the pricier side, but if you’re looking for a long-term investment rather than a quick fix, it might be worth it. If you like the look but want to save a few bucks, it comes in ballistic nylon versions that are a bit more affordable.
Flying in to do an important presentation to the board of directors? This is the backpack you want to walk in with. Don't be surprised if you get asked where you found it.
Kenneth Cole Reaction ProTec Laptop Backpack
Best Large Laptop Backpack for Weekend Travel
Sometimes, you don’t need both a roller bag and a backpack. A few years ago, doing a year-end mileage run to get your airline status was a thin. I booked a round-trip from Austin to Taipei because it was the cheapest flight I could find to hit my miles target. I did stay overnight, but with just one full day to wander around and zero business meetings, I didn’t need to pack more than toiletries and a few clothes. I used a Kenneth Cole Pack of All Trades backpack, and it was perfect – one bag for everything. I could stow it overhead and leave the under-seat area clear for stretching my legs. That pack is, sadly discontinued. It’s been replaced by the Kenneth Cole ProTec Laptop Backpack. It, too, is big – it can accommodate laptops as big as 17″.
The ProTec pack has plenty of storage compartments inside and out. The organizer compartments include RFID shielding. The most unique hiding spot is a zippered compartment inside the built-in trolley sleeve. There’s a USB cord pass-through for easy charging. Overall, this pack is a worthy successor to my previous Kenneth Cole model – there’s a place for everything and room enough for almost anything.
This is a newer model of Roger's favorite Kenneth Cole laptop backpack. It's notable for plenty of pockets and compartments, rugged construction and overall capacity. Special features include a USB charging pass-through, RFID shielding in some areas, and a hidden "stash" pocket inside the trolley sleeve. Big enough for a weekend trip.
Jueachy Tactical Backpack
Best for Adventure Travel
There’s a story behind this backpack. Prepping for an expedition-style trip to the Galapagos Islands, I decided my business backpacks weren’t going to be great for wet Zodiac landings and hiking around lava fields. So, a tactical backpack was in order… one that I could use like a conventional laptop backpack on the flights to Quito and then Baltra. After that, I’d use it to keep camera gear dry, hold water bottles, tripod, trekking poles. This Jueachy Tactical Backpack was inexpensive but fit the bill perfectly. Plenty of room for laptop, tablet, and tech gear but also my bulky camera case and plenty more. The MOLLE webbing let me attach stuff to the outside for easy access while hiking. The one thing this backpack lacs is a lot of compartments and organization features. So, I supplemented with some MOLLE pouches that could be attached to the exterior or dropped inside and a pack of MOLLE straps and clips to attach other gear.What this back lacks in fancy features it makes up for with ruggedness and customizatbility with MOLLE accessories. This isn't for boardrooms, but if your travel involves wet Zodiac landings or dune-bashing in an open Jeep this might be just the ticket.
MATEIN Business Laptop Backpack
Incredibly Inexpensive with 80K+ 5-star Reviews
I didn’t expect to include a sub-$25 backpack here, but with over 100K total reviews averaging 4.7 stars, The MATEIN Business Laptop Backpack is an incredible bargain. It’s a no-frills, budget-friendly option for travelers and professionals who need something reliable in a pinch or even for a one-off trip. It’s got just enough space to fit a 15.6-inch laptop, plus a few essentials, without feeling oversized. The water-resistant exterior adds some extra protection, and it’s not completely without handy features. There’s a USB charging port, a trolley strap, a key hook, a front side pocket, and an anti-theft rear pocket.
There’s not a lot of downside to this laptop backpack. If you need a solid, affordable backpack, this one does the job without breaking the bank. 100K Amazon reviewers can’t be wrong. (Can they?) It even comes in four sizes and dozens of colors.
