One of the best ways to make a sartorial style statement with your work or business trip outfit is to elevate it with a stylish bag such as a laptop backpack. Offering a balanced blend of practicality and a fashionable aesthetic, it is the perfect accessory, taking all kinds of work looks (think formal, business casual and casual) a notch above.
Ergonomic and highly functional, these laptop backpacks are far more comfortable to travel with than messenger or tote bags. Moreover, if you carry your laptop everywhere, a backpack offers enough space to store other essentials. Offering more than just a protective sleeve for your laptop, they are a reliable on-the-go companion. Featuring multiple compartments and pockets, these backpacks keep you organised and sorted while securely storing all your valuables.
Also, check out these best carry-on backpacks to travel light and smart for quick getaways and work trips.
While their functionality is non-questionable, laptop backpacks’ fashion prowess is equally timeless. The designs have come a long way, from traditional, round-shaped fabric bags to contemporary pieces crafted in distinctive silhouettes and styles. Luxury-design houses such as Bottega Veneta, Montblanc, Gucci, Ferragamo, and many others constantly reinvent the quintessential backpack aesthetic, and there’s a wide variety for you to choose from. While there are sleek, versatile laptop bags for the minimalists, there are some of the best weather-proof backpacks for seasoned adventurers. There’s something for everyone!
To help you choose and purchase your favourite laptop backpack, we’ve created this list featuring some of the most versatile pieces. We carefully considered their durability, materials, size and capacity, and anti-theft technology.
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The best laptop backpacks: Travel to work in style
Brunello Cucinelli Grained Calfskin Backpack
Combining timeless elegance with functionality to ensure you look your fashionable best at work, the Brunello Cucinelli backpack is ideal for both business travel and daily commutes. While its grained calfskin construction makes it look extremely plush, its sectioned compartments and external pockets attest to its usefulness. The shoulder straps feel comfortable, while the back strap can be used to attach it to the roll-on suitcase. All the metal accents are nickel-free, which maintains the luxe appeal of the piece.
Image credit: Brunello Cucinelli
- Material Real leather
- Measurement 16.93 x 12.20 x 7.09 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Dunhill 1893 Harness Flap Backpack
The Dunhill Flap laptop backpack for men, a part of the brand’s 1893 Harness collection, boasts a relatively contemporary make ideal for the urban traveller. This bag has a padded laptop compartment, an inner sleeve, and an external side pocket for an iPad mini so that this bag will be enough for all your work essentials. The vintage palladium hardware lends the piece an understated class that’ll complement your formal and business casual looks equally well. The rear panel made of mesh ensures breathability, while the adjustable and padded shoulder straps promise ease of carrying.
Image credit: Dunhill
- Material Full grain calf leather
- Measurement 17.7 x 12.2 x 5.5 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Backpack
This bag is rather distinctive for the brand since it’s made of nylon instead of the staple genuine leather. However, it’s designed in their signature Intrecciato pattern, lending it the classic Bottega Veneta flair. Stylish, practical, and comfortable to carry, the bag features an interior laptop compartment to store it securely, a zipped pocket, and two external side pockets. Its adjustable straps sit comfortably on the shoulders, while the flap-style opening is secured with a double buckle fastening.
Image credit: Bottega Veneta
- Material Nylon
- Measurement 14.9 x 10.2 x 5.9 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Christian Louboutin Loubideal Backpack
If you prioritise both space and comfort for all your travel bags, then the Loubideal backpack should definitely be on your radar. Crafted in a sporty aesthetic, it offers generous space with its two main compartments and many zipped and bottle pockets. What makes this piece stand out from the rest is the side adjusters that can be used to compress it for a compact look or expand it to its maximum length for generous space. Additionally, the soft and cushiony shoulder straps and mesh panel at the back make carrying the bag for long commutes absolutely effortless.
Image credit: Christian Louboutin
- Material Nylon
- Measurement 16.5 x 10.6 x 7.8 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Rick Owens Porterville Backpack
The Rick Owens Porterville laptop backpack is made in a classic square bottom-rounded top silhouette with a subtle grainy texture and a natural hand feel. It features an internal padded pocket that can fit up to a 16-inch laptop, while the rest of the compartment space can store important documents. The external zipped pouch can be used for quick access and small essentials like keys, wallet, beauty touch-up items and power bank. While the leather and cotton webbing shoulder straps are adjustable, the padded back provides extra comfort, making it ideal for all your travels. The classic black hue lends it a versatility and will complement almost all of your outfits.
Image credit: Rick Owens
- Material 100% calf leather
- Measurement 17.3 x 13.3 x 9 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Bally Oeden Backpack
A contemporary piece that exudes a timeless aesthetic, the Bally Oeden backpack, with its multiple pockets and sections, is perfect for the modern man. Crafted in grained calf leather for a luxurious feel and hammered palladium hardware to accent it elegantly, this bag is a style statement in itself. Apart from the two main compartments (for a laptop and other documents), the bag also features multiple interior and external zipped pockets to store smaller essentials separately. It also comes with a suitcase sleeve on the back, making it easy to carry while travelling as well.
Image credit: Bally
- Material Grained calf leather
- Measurement 20 x 17 x 7 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Montblanc Sartorial Backpack
The Montblanc Sartorial backpack makes for an ideal companion for both city commutes and work travels. Equipped with three different-sized compartments allowing organisational flexibility, you can easily fit daily essentials and writing equipment, apart from a 13-inch laptop and other gadgets. While the cyprus blue colour makes an elegant statement that’ll elevate all your work looks, the padded shoulder straps and back mesh panel promise optimum comfort. Moreover, the tonal zippers and pull tabs, contrasted by minimal metal hardware and the brand logo, maintain the bag’s understated appeal to a T.
Image credit: Montblanc
- Material Saffiano leather
- Measurement 15.75 x 12.99 x 5.12 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Ferragamo Backpack
Offering peak organisation and easy access to all essentials that you may carry to work or on a business trip is this black functional design by Ferragamo. Featuring three separate zipped compartments and additional front and interior pockets to store smaller items, this designer laptop backpack will spoil you for others. Its silhouette is marked by slightly folded sides to resemble a star shape, while silver metal hardware adds the final finishing touch with sheer class. It’s versatile in style and offers optimum comfort with adjustable shoulder straps, along with security for your valuables, with soft padding running throughout the internal bag space.
Image credit: Ferragamo
- Material Calfskin
- Measurement 15.35 x 12.9 x 4.3 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
TUMI McLaren Velocity Backpack
An ideal laptop backpack for travelling, the TUMI McLaren Velocity backpack is fashioned in a highly utilitarian design that looks stylish. It comes with multiple pockets (card, open, padded tablet, back open, laptop compartment) providing sufficient space to store more than just your essentials. Other noteworthy features include a key ring hook, the TUMI Tracer, a built-in USB port, a luggage tag, and an add-a-bag sleeve to attach it to a suitcase. Not to forget the sleek moulded front panel, Papaya highlights, and CX6 carbon filter accents, lending the iconic McLaren touch to the design.
Image credit: TUMI
- Material Polyester
- Measurement 20.1 x 16.2 x 7.5 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
How to choose the best laptop backpacks?
If you prefer a backpack for your laptop and are looking to buy one that promises both style and functionality, consider these factors:
- Always consider the size of the backpack to ensure it fits your laptop. Most backpacks can easily store a 13- to 15-inch laptop.
- The bag should always have a padded sleeve or a separate compartment to hold your laptop securely and with protection.
- Choose the material according to your needs and requirements. A nylon or polyester backpack is ideal for rough handling, whereas a leather piece is more suitable for formal settings and business trips.
- Look for extra compartments and pockets in a laptop backpack to store all other valuables, edibles, and a water bottle separately.
- The quality and durability of the bag should not be compromised. Ensure the use of premium-quality materials and fine craftsmanship, from the fabric and zippers to sliders, buckles, and stitching.
(Feature image credit: Polina Kovaleva/Pexels)
Related | Travel Lighter And Faster – Buy The Best Carry-On Luggage For Hassle-Free Trips
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Prices of the products mentioned are subject to change.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Most standard-sized laptop backpacks can fit a 13 inch to 15 inch laptop easily.
Yes, there are many anti-theft laptop backpack options available in the market to choose from. They’re usually equipped with built-in locks, have hidden pockets and double zippers that can be locked using TSA-approved padlocks (numbered or bluetooth enabled).
Yes, you can carry your laptop backpack on an airplane. It’ll be considered as a personal item in addition to your cabin luggage and you can store it underneath the seat in front of you.
All bags mostly come with their own set of cleaning and maintenance guide based on the materials used in their make. For instance, while genuine leather backpacks will need to be cleaned using a soft dry cloth or a leather cleaner, a fabric backpack may be dry-cleaned or wiped using a damp cloth.
Yes, some work and laptop backpack designs these days do feature built-in charging cables and external USB ports allowing you to charge your devices on the go.
Written By
Divya Arora
With an academic background in Public Relations, Divya has a flair for writing about topics spanning ..Read More
