Thule Crossover 2 Laptop Backpack
Dimensions: 12.6 inches x 9.4 inches x 18.5 inches | Weight: 2.95 pounds | Colors: Black | Max laptop size: 15.6 inches | Water bottle holder: Yes
Swedish company Thule’s motto is “bring your life,” which is fitting for this weather-resistant backpack. The versatile design has a crush-resistant pocket to protect smaller items, a padded laptop compartment, a front panel pocket to organize electronics and charge them when traveling, an RFID-blocking pocket to keep personal info protected and a pass-through panel to attach the backpack to a rolling suitcase. It got the top vote for being good looking, well-made and durable—plus it stands up on its own without tipping over.
Best Stylish Laptop Backpack
Sleek With Thoughtful, Functional Details
Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack
Dimensions: 15.5 inches x 7.25 inches x 12 inches | Weight: Not listed | Colors: Black, Warm Charcoal, Warm Quartz, Nutria, Kalamata | Max laptop size: 15 inches | Water bottle holder: Yes
Unlike most backpacks that hold your laptop in the main compartment, Everlane’s ReNew Transit features a padded side pocket for your computer, which is especially handy for accessing on the go. Made from recycled plastic bottles with a water-resistant finish, the ReNew also get high marks for its exterior zip pockets, interior slip pockets and spacious but slim profile. Many even say it fits a laptop slightly larger than 15 inches. A negative: The magnetic flap closure may not stay secure when the bag is full.
Best Value Laptop Backpack
Affordable And Roomy
Amazon Basics Laptop Backpack
Dimensions: 13.4 inches x 7 inches x 19.3 inches | Weight: Not listed | Colors: Black | Max Laptop Size: 17 inches | Water bottle holder: Yes
If you like lots of compartments and pockets—and don’t mind a backpack on the larger side—this is the option for you. It’s got a spacious, padded sleeve to ensure your laptop is cushioned, along with four separate compartments to keep belongings securely organized. With its pockets for notebooks, textbooks, pens, a cell phone and water bottles, this hardworking bag is practical for students or those who carry a lot of work home. One drawback: Some users wish the zippers glided more smoothly.
Best Laptop Backpack For Work
Sophisticated Work Bag With Clean Lines
Troubadour Apex Backpack
Dimensions: 11.5 inches x 16 inches x 5.5 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Colors: Black | Max laptop size: 16-inch MacBook/15-inch PC | Water bottle holder: Yes
For bags that perfectly combine professionalism, practicality and style, Troubadour is a go-to. The British brand’s Apex is made with waterproof fabric and zippers, well-padded back and shoulder straps, a top carry handle, cleverly placed pockets and a luggage trolley sleeve for easy transport. Plus, its polished gender-neutral style goes with everything from a suit to business casual, making it a suitable work bag for women or for men. Bear in mind though, this can fit the necessities, but it’s not overly roomy for lots of extras.
Best Weekender Laptop Backpack
Carry Clothes And Toiletries Along With Tech
Dakine Verge 32L Backpack
Dimensions: 20 inches x 13 inches x 9 inches| Weight: 2.15 pounds | Colors: Geyser Grey, Dark Ivy, Black Ripstop, Muted Clay and more (7 in total) | Max laptop size: 16 inches | Water bottle holder: Yes
Dakine laptop backpacks are a favorite of Angie Licea, travel advisor and president of Global Travel Collection. The Verge pack has a split-level organization system with padded pockets for tech items, including a laptop and tablet, and mesh dividers for clothes and toiletries. There’s a luggage strap—key for travelers with rolling luggage—as well as thoughtful details such as a secure zippered pocket, sunglass slot and an expandable water bottle holder. If you’re looking for a reliable weekender bag to carry all of your essentials, the Verge is the way to go.
Best Travel Laptop Backpack
Customizable Pack With Plenty Of Room
Peak Design Travel 45L Backpack
Dimensions: 22 inches x 15 inches x 5.75 inches | Weight: 2.95 pounds | Colors: Black, Sage | Max laptop size: 16 inches | Water bottle holder: Yes
When you’re embarking on a big trip, the ability to customize the size of your luggage is a huge asset. This laptop backpack from Peak Design can expand to a volume of 45 liters when you need to squeeze in extra gear or compressed down to 30 liters once you reach your destination. In addition to an easily accessible laptop sleeve, the versatile, padded pack is designed with multiple handles—including on the side and back panel—so you can conveniently grab it from the security check table or the trunk of your taxi. The recycled nylon-polyester fabric is durable and water-resistant, wicking away moisture in the case of an unexpected shower.
Best Slim Laptop Backpack
Minimalist Bag In A Slender Size
Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack
Dimensions: 12 inches x 5.9 inches x 17.7 inches | Weight: 2.45 pounds | Colors: Black, Navy, Coast, Asphalt, Garnet | Max laptop size: 15 inches | Water bottle holder: Yes
Away bags are beloved for their statement-making style and efficiency. This water-resistant nylon backpack features a 15-inch padded laptop compartment—and iPad slip pocket—with a magnetic locking zipper and an internal organization system with lots of pockets for supplies. The extended clamshell opening with a full wraparound zip makes it easy to get items in and out, and it has padded shoulder straps and a breathable mesh back to keep you comfy when sprinting for a train or flight. For travel specifically, the trolley sleeve attaches to a rolling suitcase to give your back and shoulders a rest.
Best Sport Backpack
A Lightweight Pick For The Gym
Lululemon Everyday Backpack 2.0
Dimensions: 11.4 inches x 5.9 inches x 16.5 inches| Weight: 1.5 pounds | Colors: Black, Medium Forest | Max laptop size: 16 inches | Water bottle holder: Yes
Lightweight and streamlined, Lululemon’s Everyday Backpack can easily go from the office to the gym, offering similar sleek-sporty appeal as the cult-favorite Everywhere Belt Bag. Despite its relatively compact design, the backpack’s exterior padded pocket can accommodate laptops up to 16 inches. It’s made of a water-repellent nylon fabric with a polyester liner and includes helpful features like an exterior water bottle pocket (because eventually, you’ll need to hydrate). The interior pockets are perfect for holding your earbuds, sweatbands and other exercise essentials, while the trolley-compatible sleeve makes it ideal for travel, as well.
Best All-Weather Backpack
Rugged Pack That Stands Up To The Elements
Patagonia Black Hole Backpack
Dimensions: 22 inches x 10.5 inches x 5.5 inches| Weight: 1.43 pounds | Colors: Touring Red, Tinamou Tan, Smolder Blue, Black, and more (7 in total) | Max laptop size: 15 inches | Water bottle holder: Yes
Made with 100% recycled body fabric, lining and webbing and finished with an exterior TPU film laminate, this rugged backpack holds up incredibly well in all weather. The main compartment has a top-loading padded laptop compartment, zip-front side pocket, interior zipper mesh pocket, vertical daisy chain webbing loop and padded shoulder straps. Users also like that the 25-liter size offers plenty of space for your essentials, and despite its depth, it’s easy to get items in and out. A mesh back panel promotes maximum airflow to keep you from overheating while a built-in luggage strap enables you to slide the pack onto your rolling suitcase.
Best Waterproof Laptop Backpack
Stylish, All-Weather Option
Rains Rolltop Rucksack
Dimensions: 18.8 inches x 12.6 inches x 4.3 inches | Weight: 1.8 pounds| Colors: Black, Navy, Green, Ash, and more (8 in total) | Max laptop size: 16 inches | Water bottle holder: No
Rains has a wide variety of waterproof laptop backpacks, all made from the Danish brand’s signature polyurethane-coated fabric. This rugged rolltop design snaps shut and stays closed with a carabiner. It has a side zipper for accessing your laptop, so you don’t have to unfurl the top of the bag. Other helpful features include a carry handle and an adjustable chest strap, which is especially convenient if you ride a bike to work. Take your pick from eight shades, ranging from neutral to eye-catching (just keep in mind that full color selection is only available through the Rains website).
Best Laptop Backpack For Students
Hard-Wearing Classic
Fjällräven 15-Inch Kånken Laptop Bag
Dimensions: 16 inches x 10 inches x 6 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Colors: Black, Super Grey, Ochre, Cobalt Blue and more (6 in total) | Max laptop size: 15 inches| Water bottle holder: No
Originally designed in 1978, the Kånken pack from Swedish brand Fjällräven has experienced a surge in popularity recently, especially with students. It offers safe storage for a 15-inch laptop, and users like that it can also be carried from the top. The water repellant fabric is stiff to start but wears well over time. The Kånken also comes with a handy foam seat cushion stored in the interior back pocket, and is available in 13-inch and 17-inch sizes, too.
Best Laptop Backpack With A Charging Port
Practical Pack With USB Capabilities
Matein Travel Laptop Backpack
Dimensions: 18 inches x 12 inches x 7.8 inches| Weight: 1.68 pounds | Colors: Black Charcoal, Austere Grey, Blue, Yellow and more (12 in total) | Max laptop size: 15.6 inches | Water bottle holder: Yes
When you’re traveling with tech, a backpack with a built-in charging capabilities can be invaluable, says Forbes Vetted deputy editor and tech expert, Dave Johnson. This top-rated and affordable model, from California-based Matein, is equipped with an external USB charger and cable (you just need your own power bank.) There’s also a padded anti-theft pocket, a large separate padded compartment for your laptop and tablet, and a luggage strap. Users love its durable fabric that resists scuffs, too.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
This story was written by Molly Calhoun, a regular contributor who’s written over two dozen fashion stories for Forbes Vetted. To gather in-depth insights on choosing the best laptop backpacks for different use cases, she tapped three experts for this piece. Angie Licea, a travel advisor and president of Global Travel Collection, shared what to look for in a laptop backpack from an airport travel perspective. Forbes Vetted tech experts Dave Johnson, deputy editor and Melissa Perenson, former tech editor were consulted on the crucial details that make a laptop backpack stand out, including versatile pockets, ports for charging and comfort while carrying. Finally, the production, publishing and updating of this piece is overseen by Kari Molvar, senior fashion editor and resident style expert.
This article is regularly updated by our team to ensure you have access to the most current products, information and pricing. In its August 2023 update, we trimmed some of our readers’ least favorite picks and added the Lululemon Everyday Backpack, the Peak Design Travel Backpack (one of our favorite backpacks for men) and the Patagonia Black Hole Pack.
How We Chose The Best Laptop Backpacks
To narrow down the best laptop backpacks, we pored over product specs, prices and customer reviews so you don’t have to. We sussed out details like dimensions, weight, color options, laptop size accommodations and additional features like water bottle holders to help you zero in on the best pack for your needs. Customer reviews were also considered to give you a better sense of what each product is like day-to-day (and how they hold up over time).
On the whole, we took into account the must-haves for any backpack: Durability, comfort, style and of course, value for the money. And, we made sure that our choices aligned with the advice from our travel and tech experts. Finally, we aimed to offer a variety of products to cater to different uses and budgets.
What To Consider
There are countless backpacks out there, and they can be labeled as a “laptop backpack” if they simply have a laptop sleeve. But a truly superior laptop backpack meets a variety of important criteria, which are listed below.
If you’re buying a laptop backpack for work, you’ll likely be looking for something minimalist and sleek, similar to a laptop bag. For school, you may want a pack that’s durable with lots of compartments to store books, notebooks and writing utensils. If you’ll be frequently exposing your backpack to the elements, experts advise looking for weather-proof bags—which are often treated with a durable water repellant (DWR) coating so they can repel moisture—or waterproof bags.
Meanwhile, travelers may prioritize a bag with a trolley sleeve or luggage strap that allows the backpack to be attached to a rolling suitcase. If you’ll be using your laptop backpack for airline travel, Licea advises to make sure it will fit under an airline seat, is made from a tough, snag-resistant fabric and can be wiped clean easily. “For international travel, you still need to take your laptop out when going through security at the airport,” she says. “Look for backpacks that are designed to open and lay flat so that you don’t have to remove your laptop completely.”
You don’t want to purchase a laptop backpack that will weigh you down before you even begin to fill it with your belongings. “A lot of laptop bags are really heavy, but that completely defeats the purpose of having a lightweight computer,” says Forbes Vetted tech editor Melissa Perenson. “In general, the smaller the bag the more lightweight it is, but that usually means you can only carry the basics,” she adds. Larger, more rugged picks tend to be heavier, which may be a worthwhile tradeoff if you’re looking for a backpack with extra room for clothes and toiletries.
Next, measure your laptop to determine the bag dimensions you’ll need. To get an accurate size, measure from the bottom left corner of your laptop screen to the top righthand corner. “In terms of backpack sizes, a 15-inch space in a backpack is adequate for most laptops and will accommodate most people,” says Perenson. If you’re not certain a bag will work for your laptop, double check the return policy before purchasing. It’s also worth it to think about the size of your body frame. “Make sure the bag size is proportionate to your torso and shoulder width,” says Licea. “If the straps are too narrow, it can dig into your shoulders; if they’re too big, the bag won’t sit on your back properly.”
Depending on your lifestyle, it may be important for your laptop backpack to have additional features such as extra pockets. Slip pockets are ideal for thin notebooks, tablets and documents, while zippered pockets work well for stashing things like cords, charging bricks, cash and cards. Extra padding, too, may be important. Keep an eye out for backpacks with strategic padding along the laptop sleeve, as these bags offer extra protection for your laptop. Padding located at the shoulder straps and lumbar region is another plus, especially if you plan on carrying your backpack for long periods of time. “Some additional helpful features to look for include a USB charging pass through so you can put a power bank inside your bag and easily charge your phone,” says Perenson.
