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Whether you’re heading to class or commuting to the office, you’ll need a decent
laptop bag to keep all of your accessories or supplies together in one easy-to-carry package. That’s where a good laptop backpack comes in, with the convenience of an over-the-shoulder bag, and the practicality of pockets, secured compartments and handy organization.
These days, laptop backpacks come in a number of grown-up styles that wouldn’t look out of place in college classroom, a conference room or worn with a suit and tie at the office.
The backpacks we gathered for this article were tested based on how they keep your laptop safe and secure during daily commutes from home to your school or office. We picked laptop backpacks that are stylish, durable and comfortable to wear — especially if you’re going to be wearing something on your back throughout the day.
Backpacks are also spacious with more than enough room to carry your laptop (up to 17 inches in size), school or office supplies, headphones, a water bottle, keys and more.
TOP PICK
Nike Sportswear RPM
Best Modular
The Nike Sportswear RPM, which goes for $107 at Nike.com, is an all-purpose backpack that features plenty of space at 26 liters to stay organized with your laptop, books, notebooks, pens and other things you use at school or work. One of the biggest draw for this backpack is it’s covered in nylon MOLLE webbing to attach compartments for complete customization.
PREMIUM YKK ZIPPERS
Able Carry Daily Plus
Best for Waterproof
Priced at $188, the Able Carry Daily Plus is ideal as a laptop bag for everyday use, but it’s durable enough and waterproof to take into the wild too as a hiking or camping sack. The backpack makes our list for being spacious and stylish. It has a number of clever (and even hidden) pockets that are smartly-engineered for protection and easy access to the things you bring to school or the office. And it keep them all dry when it rains. The dome-style shape is sleek and minimalist, while a top handle allows for an additional carrying option.
HEAVY DUTY
Mous Extreme Commuter Backpack
Best for Photographers
If you’re a photographer, then the Mous Extreme Commuter Backpack, which goes for $259.99, is a must-have thanks to its clever design, secure fit and secure lid with heavy-duty locks. The backpack fits a laptop, camera and all your accessories. Everything has its own place inside, with a padded laptop sleeve, main padded compartment for your camera, and zip pockets for things like your charger, flash drives and more. The material also helps to keep what’s inside safe and dry from roaming pickpockets or nasty weather.
ULTRA DURABLE
Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe
Best for Commuters
For students and professionals who commute to school or work (and priced at $179), the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe is best for daily use. Timbuk2 is known for its lightweight and durable bags, which can easily be worn while biking or walking to work. This one has a two compartment system for folders and books, as well as a dedicated space for your laptop.
Brown Buffalo Conceal Pack
Best Organization
If organization is your thing, then the Brown Buffalo Conceal Pack, which is priced at $229, is the backpack for you. Just about everything has its place with this backpack. It’s a 21-liter, water-resistant backpack with a large number of secure compartments for everyday carry, from a laptop, to charging cables, to pens and a water bottle. Multiple straps fold down and buckle to keep your stuff secure with ripstop material withstands scratches, drops and weather elements with ease. The interior of the backpack is bright orange, so you can easily find things at a glance instead of digging through darkness.
SLEEK
Monos Metro Backpack
Best Stylish
Monos may be best known for their luggage, but they made a great backpack option too, with the Monos Metro — priced at $215. A more professional-looking bag, this backpack is sleek, stylish and designed to hold your stuff with ease (while maybe turning a few heads too). It’s spacious enough for a laptop, tablet, books and files, while the minimalist nylon and vegan leather construction pairs well with a power suit at the office.
FAN FAVORITE
Fjällräven Kånken
Best Compact
A popular pick amongst adults and young adults alike, this Fjällräven Kånken backpack, priced at $130, is big enough to carry a laptop up to 17 inches in size. This lightweight bag is made from a water-resistant nylon and comes in 12 fun colors, including sky blue (pictured), blackberry, ox red and more. A padded computer sleeve keeps your laptop secured inside while a large exterior pocket is great for your wallet, charger, keys and more. Fjällräven also makes this bag in 13-inch and 15-inch laptop versions.
BESTSELLER
Herschel Retreat
Best Classic
The Herschel Retreat, which goes for $120, is a no-frills backpack that’s stylish on the outside and surprisingly spacious on the inside. If you’ve seen this bag everywhere, you’re not alone: this is one of the bestselling backpacks online. This Herschel bag has a main compartment with a dedicated laptop sleeve and small dump pocket on its front for easy-to-access things like keys or hand sanitizer. In our testing, we found it secure and lightweight to wear, and we liked that it kept our belongings safe and secure in a minimal design.
Away Everywhere Zip Backpack
Best for Comfort
Priced at $198, the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack is designed with comfort in mind, thanks to its breathable mesh back panel and nylon materials. It’s made with two compartments: one for your things, like books and folders, and another for your laptop that sits close to your back for security. The backpack has a passthrough sleeve for a rolling suitcase, like the classic Away Carry-On, just in case you want to take it on your next business trip or spring break.
