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
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
Montblanc Extreme 3.0 Backpack
The Montblanc Extreme 3.0 backpack makes for an ideal companion for both city commutes and work travels. Spacious and practical with a sporty look, its compartmentalisation offers organisational flexibility for daily essentials and writing equipment, apart from a 13-inch laptop and other gadgets. While the atlantic blue colour makes a bold statement that’ll also elevate your work looks, the padded shoulder straps and back mesh panel promise optimum comfort. Moreover, the M LOCK 4810 buckle and contrasting zippers and pull tabs, maintain the bag’s understated appeal to a T.
Image credit: Montblanc
- Material Cowhide leather
- Measurement 16.14 x 11.8 x 5.11 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment No
Coach Gotham Backpack
A contemporary piece that exudes a timeless aesthetic, the Coach Gotham backpack with its multiple compartments, each featuring divisional pockets and sections, is perfect for the modern man. Crafted in the brand’s signature coated canvas and refined leather in a sleek silhouette, its luxurious feel makes this bag is a style statement in itself. It can store a 16-inch laptop and also has a breathable mesh back, comfortable shoulder straps and a suitcase sleeve on the back, making it easy to carry while travelling as well.
Image credit: Coach
- Material Coated canvas, refined calf leather
- Measurement 16 x 11.5 x 4.25 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Thule Paramount Backpack
If you prioritise both space and comfort for all your travel bags, then the Thule Paramount backpack should definitely be on your radar. Crafted in a sporty aesthetic, it offers an extremely generous space with its wide range of features. Its main compartment, that offers separate sleeves for laptop, documents and iPad can be accessed from both the top and right side. The expandable pockets provide additional space to allow one to carry an additional jacket as well.
Additionally, all the big pockets further feature small slip and zipped pockets for easy organisation of essentials like sunglasses, keys, portable chargers and writing equipment. The durable and water-resistant piece has comfortable and ventilated mesh back panel and adjustable shoulder straps with a sternum clasp to stabilise the load. It can also be attached to rolling suitcases while the bike light loop and reflective details ensure your visibility when travelling at night.
Image credit: Thule
- Material Polyester/nylon
- Measurement 20.2 x 13.5 x 8.2 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack 3.0
Offering peak organisation and easy access to all essentials that you may carry to work or on a business trip is this black functional and compact piece by Troubadour. Featuring cushioned sections to hold your laptop and iPad securely, the lockable main compartment is roomy enough to store other essentials and gadgets as well. Additional pockets on shoulder straps, at the back and on the front offer extra space. Built with FortiWeave fabric that’s made from recycled plastic bottles, the bag with its tear-resistant lining and zippers are all waterproof to ensure the safety of your gear. It’s versatile in style and offers optimum comfort with sculpted and padded shoulder straps, breathable back panel, non-slip grab handle, and a luggage sleeve.
Image credit: Troubadour
- Material FortiWeave fabric
- Measurement 16 x 11.5 x 5.5 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Michael Kors Hudson Commuter Backpack
The Michael Kors Hudson Commuter backpack is made in a classic square bottom-rounded top silhouette in a minimalist design and a luxe feel. It features two main compartments to store your laptop, office documents or even a hoodie for a quick change. The other external and internal pockets can be used for quick access and small essentials like keys, wallet, beauty touch-up items and power bank. While the contrasting trims and gunmetal hardware on the muted green hue makes it a versatile piece to complement all your outfits, it’s lightweight construction offers optimum comfort while carrying.
Image credit: Michael Kors
- Material 100% leather
- Measurement 16.8 x 13.48 x 5.6 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Lapis Bard Stanford Miami Backpack
The Lapis Bard Stanford Miami laptop backpack for men, a part of the brand’s Stanford collection, boasts a relatively contemporary make ideal for the urban traveller. This bag has a padded laptop compartment, an inner cushioned sleeve for tablet, and an external zipped pocket so that this bag will be enough for all your work essentials. Crafted in Italian grain leather with cross-hatch pattern, it exudes 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: Lapis Bard
- Material Leather
- Measurement 14.9 x 11 x 4.33 inches
- Laptop sleeve or compartment Yes
Samsonite Jefferson Laptop Backpack
Combining timeless elegance with functionality to ensure you look your fashionable best at work, the Samsonite Jefferson backpack is ideal for both business travel and daily commutes. Built in a sleek, rounded silhouette, while its simplistic construction makes it look extremely modern, its sectioned compartments and multiple external pockets attest to its usefulness. The shoulder straps and breathable mesh panel feel comfortable, while the back strap can be used to attach it to the roll-on suitcase.
Image credit: Samsonite
- Material Polyester, PU
- Measurement 17.3 x 11.8 x 3.9 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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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
