We wish we could, because lets be real, it would be a lot easier to simply write the name of a single bag than an entire guide about a bunch of them. It also has a soft finish, which makes it easy to slide your laptop in and out of the sleeve. This yellow liner really allows you to see the gear youve tossed inside your bag, so you dont waste valuable seconds looking for whatever it is you need. You can reposition the height of the sleeve to fit either a 15 or 13 laptop, ensuring that theres a substantial false bottom regardless of the size of your machine. Complex Looking for a laptop bag with a rain shellor buying one separatelyis great if you need hefty water protection sometimes, but not always. Luckily, its quite comfortable to carry as a backpack as the adjustable shoulder straps are anchored to the bag in a way that lets them rotate, so they move with your body. While a traditional briefcase carry is a top handle you hold in the hands, modern briefcases tend to have a crossbody or shoulder strap as well. In your search for a laptop bag, youll probably come across materials like: Were not going to take a deep dive into all of these fabrics in this guide (check out our Travel Backpack Guide if thats what youre looking for.) Weather resistance is almost always achieved through some kind of coating. This goes without saying, but make sure to choose a pack that has a laptop sleeve that will fit your laptop. So, clumsy folks beware. They often have more structure than messengers and are a little bit smaller and square-er. Consider: Its worth spending time figuring out the challenges of your commute and how your bag will meet those challenges. Youll see things like hooks where you can attach a MOLLE panel to strips of velcro to connect sold-separately organizers to dividers you can fold up to create a unique interior layout. On a similar note, if you plan to put your laptop inside of a separate sleeve or case before putting it into your bag, make sure you consider that when looking at the laptop size limitations. Were also digging the MOLLE webbing, which makes it easy to store your stuff. Plus, theres also welted fabric over the zipper of the main compartment for even more water resistance. Do your best to avoid unbranded zippers and hardware (weve had some bad experiences). Plus, you dont have to sort through all your stuff to get to it. Does it close with a buckle, velcro, or magnets? You do you. Regardless of whether or not a laptop sleeve is in its own compartment, we appreciate laptop bags that have bright interior linings. Not only is this great for your expensive machine, but because the laptop compartment is against your back, it makes for a comfortable carry to boot. However, the harness system isnt super comfortable since the straps have minimal padding and theres no sternum strap (note that the straps on the original Kanken do not have any padding). While there are no real air channels on the back panel, it has a ribbed texture beneath a layer of mesh that helps with ventilation (something you frequently dont see with tote packs). Smaller sizes work fine for internal pockets. Some laptop sleeves will have a very small one, which is basically like not having it at all.
(Its also padded with a slight false bottom.) Plus, theyre a step up from a backpack as far as professionalism is concerned. Thats a lot of seconds, people! If youre not familiar, a tote pack is the combination of a tote and a backpack (tote pack, get it?). Moreover, they can also be cumbersome to convert from tote to backpack and back again.
For that reason, we dont generally recommend them for travel or if your commute involves a lot of walking. Some messengers even have an extra stability strap to secure the bag to your body for better weight distribution and security while commuting. If your additional protection is too bulky, it may not fit inside. You may work at a traditional office, a coworking space, a coffee shop, the pool at your apartment complex, your father-in-laws attic, and so on. The pros and cons are the same. Keep in mind, that 1) there are many exceptions to this rule and 2) there is no standard backpack liter measurement. Throughout this guide, well also provide laptop bag recommendations that are, once again, based on our rigorous testing.
So, good luck, and happy shopping! You may want a laptop bag that can hold your lunchbox, change of clothes, and go-to encyclopedia as well as your laptop. A little bit of weather and water resistance is nice to haveafter all, laptops + water = not a good time (to put it lightly). Hint: Its somewhere between 0 pockets and 1,000. Note that most brands who design bags with modular organizational systems sell accessories and pouches they think would work inside the bag. Or maybe you take a bus that has plenty of legroom, but your bus stop is over a mile away from your destination. Were big fans of the durability, though the straps can get a bit finicky to use. Thats important to keep in mind unless youre a #rebel who likes to break the rules. If you ride a bike to work or school, youll want something with solid weather resistance, whereas if you drive, you may want a tote or briefcase for convenience and accessibility. Roll-Tops Editors Note: These days, theres not a hard line between briefcases and messengers. Heres what to look for when scrutinizing a laptop bags weather-resistance: Coatings Of course, laptop bags wont work for every single occasion. We do think the laptop sleeve could be improved as it lacks both substantial padding and a false bottom. The laptop sleeve is also super padded, offering great protection. Now, not all false bottoms are created equal. The Osprey METRON has a solid amount of organization and features a specific spot to store a helmet on the outside, making it a great option to consider if youre into bike commuting. This isnt a huge deal if you dont need to convert between modes frequently, but it can get annoying if youre doing it every day. These coatings will wear off with time, reducing the water resistance of your bag, but there are some things you can do to help with longevity. As it stands, we suggest using a separate laptop sleeve for proper protection. That said, its slim design means its best to load up the bag with thinner items. Multiply that by 5 days a week = 150 seconds per week. That means diving into all the different components of laptop bags and explaining what works best for a variety of situations. Some bags make it super easy to customize your organization, going beyond simply having empty compartments where you can dump accessory pouches. Bags made from Tarpaulin or TPE Fabric Laminate will be highly water-resistant but will also pick up marks and scratches quite easily. So, look out for other security features, which well talk about next. The Minaal Daily 3.0 Bag is a solid pick if youre looking for a laptop bag with premium protection. All of the pockets are laid out in a clever, intuitive way and there are plenty of O-rings for customization. The Good: For simplicitys sake, were going to refer to these spots as laptop sleeves throughout the rest of this guide. There are multiple iterations of the Kankenincluding a version made of recycled plastic bottlesand multiple sizes, so you can pick up one that suits your needs. Plus, you can take the whole thing out of your laptop bag and keep it on your desk for easy access too all your tech. We probably dont need to tell you that aesthetic is a key factor when it comes to choosing a laptop bag. See the difference? Even if you only scooter to work for the summer months, youll want a laptop bag that can keep up with your epic scootering. The Timbuk2 Closer Laptop Briefcase has an adjustable, well-padded shoulder strap you can throw over one shoulder or crossbody. To be extra sure, its probably best to size up. She likes traveling by plane only slightly less than by Prius, and when shes not writing (a rarity), youll find her cooking or exploring the great outdoors. The most sophisticated-looking totepack on our list, the Bellroy Duo Totepack will be at home at whatever professional events you have on the docket. Its also nice when bag companies do all of the thinking for you. Conversely, you can have a bag that just so happens to be able to hold a laptop. Is it tight to the back compartment? While wide, the shoulder strap isnt well-padded. The Good: All that said, most people will probably want organization thats somewhere between simple and complicated with a few specific pockets, but nothing over the top. In true Topo Designs fashion, the interior of the Topo Designs Rover Pack Tech is a cheery, neon yellow that helps with visibility (and style, of course!). A false bottom is exactly what it sounds likethe laptop sleeve or compartment ends before the bottom of the backpack. As we mentioned oh-so-long ago (read: toward the beginning of this guide), bags with simple organization tend to be more versatile. We know that these may seem like small details, but they matter. The Osprey Arcane Tote Pack works well as both a tote and a backpack. These linings are particularly helpful with bags like roll tops that can often become a deep, dark pit of gear. Weve looked at each one, even fully testing and reviewing several of them. You may be thinking to yourself, Obviously, Im planning on using my laptop bag to carry my laptop. Note that zippers come in sizes on a scale from one (small) to ten (large). While these bags are great if you want to really optimize your organizational setup, they arent as cost-effective as having a bag with built-in organization already. Some totes close at the top, while others dont have a closure at all. Unless you can guarantee that you will never drop your laptop bagor set it on the ground with a little too much oomphthen youre going to want a false bottom. All that said, it does not have much structure. You can find bothand theres a big difference between them! Youll usually find one of two things: the laptop sleeve is inside the main compartment or the laptop sleeve in its own compartment accessible from the outside of the bag. Plus, its available in several fun colorways to give your daily routine a splash of style. If you ride the subway to work, school, or wherever else you want to bring your laptop bag, a challenge may be limited legroom and space.
A bright lining really turns on the lights inside of a bag, helping you see whats going on (anyone else start singing Marvin Gaye? We prefer quick access because time is money and all that. Theres quite a bit of overlap, and some people use briefcase and messenger interchangeably. Thats because if your bag is underneath the seat in front of you, youll have to fully pull it out to grab your laptopa problem you wouldnt have with top access. Keep in mind that a roll top backpack isnt as quick to get in and out of as traditional zippered compartments. The Bad: While the massive zippers can be a little sticky around the corners, they will (probably) last you decades to come. Theres also a bonus attachment point at the bottom of the bag to secure a bike light. Multiply that by 50 weekstaking into account two weeks of vacation and you get 7,500 seconds. The external bungee cord that stretches across the face of the North Face Borealis backpack is perfect for lashing on additional gear you dont want to carry inside the bag. But, keep in mind, smaller things may disappear into the Bottom of the Backpack Blackhole (a.k.a fall to the compartments bottom never to be seen again). Sleeve Size Still, the thoughtful design, comfortable carry, and overall durability make the Tote Pack worth considering. Remember, it all comes down to personal preference and use-case. For example, if you regularly work at a coffee shop its nice to have a laptop bag that stands up on its own. Of course, youll find many exceptions on both sides. The bag sits relatively close to your body as youre wearing it, so it feels secure. They may seem like a small thing, but a broken zipper or buckle can render some bags inoperable. Plus, you can find bags with exterior organization if thats your thing. Smaller laptop bags tend to be easier to lug around and can work as lightweight daypacks when you want to carry a little more than your pockets allow. Take public transportation, for example. Get it together, brands!). It has plenty of spaceand organizationfor everything you need for a long weekend away (well, within reason). As we mentioned earlier, larger capacities do tend to make for more versatile bags, but they can be a pain to carry around. Unfortunately, we cant tell you what the best laptop bag is. Were speaking in generalizations here.) You may prefer more organization if you like to have a dedicated spot for all of your gear, including notebooks, pens, and love letters from your crush.
Were fans of secondary access points as they make it easy to quickly grab your laptop. Keep in mind, everybody has different needs and lifestyles, so your future favorite may not have made the list. Hopefully you know enough to go out into the world and find the best laptop bag for you.
Now, keep in mind that expensive doesnt always translate to durable. Can you get to the compartment from the top, side, or both? But beyond how much organization a bag has, theres the question on how easy said organization is to access. That said, it will get heavy. Phew, youve made it to the end of our guide. Its solid all aroundgood harness system, good organization, and good laptop protection. A good rule-of-thumb is to look for brands that proudly back their gear with generous warranties.
(Its also padded with a slight false bottom.) Plus, theyre a step up from a backpack as far as professionalism is concerned. Thats a lot of seconds, people! If youre not familiar, a tote pack is the combination of a tote and a backpack (tote pack, get it?). Moreover, they can also be cumbersome to convert from tote to backpack and back again.
For that reason, we dont generally recommend them for travel or if your commute involves a lot of walking. Some messengers even have an extra stability strap to secure the bag to your body for better weight distribution and security while commuting. If your additional protection is too bulky, it may not fit inside. You may work at a traditional office, a coworking space, a coffee shop, the pool at your apartment complex, your father-in-laws attic, and so on. The pros and cons are the same. Keep in mind, that 1) there are many exceptions to this rule and 2) there is no standard backpack liter measurement. Throughout this guide, well also provide laptop bag recommendations that are, once again, based on our rigorous testing.
So, good luck, and happy shopping! You may want a laptop bag that can hold your lunchbox, change of clothes, and go-to encyclopedia as well as your laptop. A little bit of weather and water resistance is nice to haveafter all, laptops + water = not a good time (to put it lightly). Hint: Its somewhere between 0 pockets and 1,000. Note that most brands who design bags with modular organizational systems sell accessories and pouches they think would work inside the bag. Or maybe you take a bus that has plenty of legroom, but your bus stop is over a mile away from your destination. Were big fans of the durability, though the straps can get a bit finicky to use. Thats important to keep in mind unless youre a #rebel who likes to break the rules. If you ride a bike to work or school, youll want something with solid weather resistance, whereas if you drive, you may want a tote or briefcase for convenience and accessibility. Roll-Tops Editors Note: These days, theres not a hard line between briefcases and messengers. Heres what to look for when scrutinizing a laptop bags weather-resistance: Coatings Of course, laptop bags wont work for every single occasion. We do think the laptop sleeve could be improved as it lacks both substantial padding and a false bottom. The laptop sleeve is also super padded, offering great protection. Now, not all false bottoms are created equal. The Osprey METRON has a solid amount of organization and features a specific spot to store a helmet on the outside, making it a great option to consider if youre into bike commuting. This isnt a huge deal if you dont need to convert between modes frequently, but it can get annoying if youre doing it every day. These coatings will wear off with time, reducing the water resistance of your bag, but there are some things you can do to help with longevity. As it stands, we suggest using a separate laptop sleeve for proper protection. That said, its slim design means its best to load up the bag with thinner items. Multiply that by 5 days a week = 150 seconds per week. That means diving into all the different components of laptop bags and explaining what works best for a variety of situations. Some bags make it super easy to customize your organization, going beyond simply having empty compartments where you can dump accessory pouches. Bags made from Tarpaulin or TPE Fabric Laminate will be highly water-resistant but will also pick up marks and scratches quite easily. So, look out for other security features, which well talk about next. The Minaal Daily 3.0 Bag is a solid pick if youre looking for a laptop bag with premium protection. All of the pockets are laid out in a clever, intuitive way and there are plenty of O-rings for customization. The Good: For simplicitys sake, were going to refer to these spots as laptop sleeves throughout the rest of this guide. There are multiple iterations of the Kankenincluding a version made of recycled plastic bottlesand multiple sizes, so you can pick up one that suits your needs. Plus, you can take the whole thing out of your laptop bag and keep it on your desk for easy access too all your tech. We probably dont need to tell you that aesthetic is a key factor when it comes to choosing a laptop bag. See the difference? Even if you only scooter to work for the summer months, youll want a laptop bag that can keep up with your epic scootering. The Timbuk2 Closer Laptop Briefcase has an adjustable, well-padded shoulder strap you can throw over one shoulder or crossbody. To be extra sure, its probably best to size up. She likes traveling by plane only slightly less than by Prius, and when shes not writing (a rarity), youll find her cooking or exploring the great outdoors. The most sophisticated-looking totepack on our list, the Bellroy Duo Totepack will be at home at whatever professional events you have on the docket. Its also nice when bag companies do all of the thinking for you. Conversely, you can have a bag that just so happens to be able to hold a laptop. Is it tight to the back compartment? While wide, the shoulder strap isnt well-padded. The Good: All that said, most people will probably want organization thats somewhere between simple and complicated with a few specific pockets, but nothing over the top. In true Topo Designs fashion, the interior of the Topo Designs Rover Pack Tech is a cheery, neon yellow that helps with visibility (and style, of course!). A false bottom is exactly what it sounds likethe laptop sleeve or compartment ends before the bottom of the backpack. As we mentioned oh-so-long ago (read: toward the beginning of this guide), bags with simple organization tend to be more versatile. We know that these may seem like small details, but they matter. The Osprey Arcane Tote Pack works well as both a tote and a backpack. These linings are particularly helpful with bags like roll tops that can often become a deep, dark pit of gear. Weve looked at each one, even fully testing and reviewing several of them. You may be thinking to yourself, Obviously, Im planning on using my laptop bag to carry my laptop. Note that zippers come in sizes on a scale from one (small) to ten (large). While these bags are great if you want to really optimize your organizational setup, they arent as cost-effective as having a bag with built-in organization already. Some totes close at the top, while others dont have a closure at all. Unless you can guarantee that you will never drop your laptop bagor set it on the ground with a little too much oomphthen youre going to want a false bottom. All that said, it does not have much structure. You can find bothand theres a big difference between them! Youll usually find one of two things: the laptop sleeve is inside the main compartment or the laptop sleeve in its own compartment accessible from the outside of the bag. Plus, its available in several fun colorways to give your daily routine a splash of style. If you ride the subway to work, school, or wherever else you want to bring your laptop bag, a challenge may be limited legroom and space.
A bright lining really turns on the lights inside of a bag, helping you see whats going on (anyone else start singing Marvin Gaye? We prefer quick access because time is money and all that. Theres quite a bit of overlap, and some people use briefcase and messenger interchangeably. Thats because if your bag is underneath the seat in front of you, youll have to fully pull it out to grab your laptopa problem you wouldnt have with top access. Keep in mind that a roll top backpack isnt as quick to get in and out of as traditional zippered compartments. The Bad: While the massive zippers can be a little sticky around the corners, they will (probably) last you decades to come. Theres also a bonus attachment point at the bottom of the bag to secure a bike light. Multiply that by 50 weekstaking into account two weeks of vacation and you get 7,500 seconds. The external bungee cord that stretches across the face of the North Face Borealis backpack is perfect for lashing on additional gear you dont want to carry inside the bag. But, keep in mind, smaller things may disappear into the Bottom of the Backpack Blackhole (a.k.a fall to the compartments bottom never to be seen again). Sleeve Size Still, the thoughtful design, comfortable carry, and overall durability make the Tote Pack worth considering. Remember, it all comes down to personal preference and use-case. For example, if you regularly work at a coffee shop its nice to have a laptop bag that stands up on its own. Of course, youll find many exceptions on both sides. The bag sits relatively close to your body as youre wearing it, so it feels secure. They may seem like a small thing, but a broken zipper or buckle can render some bags inoperable. Plus, you can find bags with exterior organization if thats your thing. Smaller laptop bags tend to be easier to lug around and can work as lightweight daypacks when you want to carry a little more than your pockets allow. Take public transportation, for example. Get it together, brands!). It has plenty of spaceand organizationfor everything you need for a long weekend away (well, within reason). As we mentioned earlier, larger capacities do tend to make for more versatile bags, but they can be a pain to carry around. Unfortunately, we cant tell you what the best laptop bag is. Were speaking in generalizations here.) You may prefer more organization if you like to have a dedicated spot for all of your gear, including notebooks, pens, and love letters from your crush.
Were fans of secondary access points as they make it easy to quickly grab your laptop. Keep in mind, everybody has different needs and lifestyles, so your future favorite may not have made the list. Hopefully you know enough to go out into the world and find the best laptop bag for you. Now, keep in mind that expensive doesnt always translate to durable. Can you get to the compartment from the top, side, or both? But beyond how much organization a bag has, theres the question on how easy said organization is to access. That said, it will get heavy. Phew, youve made it to the end of our guide. Its solid all aroundgood harness system, good organization, and good laptop protection. A good rule-of-thumb is to look for brands that proudly back their gear with generous warranties.