We love a laptop backpack that's spacious, has organizational pockets, and will keep our laptops safe during travel.
Anna Popp is a Commerce Writer at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Since living overseas in 2018, Anna has been a travel writer and began reviewing products in 2021. Laptop Backpack
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Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker
Since a laptop usually comes at a high price, it’s well worth it to invest in a backpack designed to protect your technology when you’re on the go. Whether you’re traveling on an airplane or trekking through campus, a comfortable, well-made backpack with a padded laptop pocket is a must-have.
Since comfort and durability are arguably the two important factors when investing, we tested 43 laptop backpacks on two separate occasions in our New York City lab and in the real world to find the best ones for everyday wear with these considerations in mind. We packed each bag with computers, iPads, sweatshirts, and more, and carried them around to see how they felt. We then tossed each one onto the ground from a tabletop to test the bag’s durability (using dummy laptops, of course). Keep reading to learn more about our top picks for style, comfort, value, and more.
The bag looks and feels compact but has a surprisingly large interior.
It’s not the most stylish backpack we tested.
Solo’s Re:Define Backpack is equipped with everything a traveler or commuter needs for long days away from home. At first glance, the bag looks like a normal-sized backpack but it has a deceptively large interior with plenty of pockets to store both big and small items. The 15.6-inch laptop pocket in the back is fully padded and the bag also has an external USB port and a headphone port for traveling seamlessly with electronic devices. Even when we had the bag packed full of accessories and clothing, it felt nearly weightless and exceptionally comfortable to carry thanks to the padded and adjustable shoulder straps.
Made with recycled polyester, the backpack performed perfectly during our durability tests and didn’t sustain any scuffs or scratches after we tossed it onto the ground several times. All of the contents packed appeared to be in their original condition so we feel confident in this backpack’s protective abilities. The zippers also impressed us by being super smooth even when the bag was packed to the brim. While it’s not the most stylish backpack on the market, its functional and simple design makes it well worth it.
Price at time of publish: $83
The Details: 18 x 13 x 7 inches | 1.43 pounds | Recycled PET polyester | 15.6-inch laptop pocket | USB port
It’s made with 100 percent recycled materials that can be fully recycled if the bag can no longer be used.
The main zipper has a fabric trim over it which makes it difficult to open and close the bag.
This backpack from Troubadour is one of the most unique backpacks we’ve ever tested. Not only is the bag made with 100 percent recycled fabric but when it’s no longer able to be used, it can actually be recycled instead of going into a landfill. While we’re big fans of the sustainability of the bag, it’s also extremely comfortable to wear and looks very sleek from the outside.
The back panel and shoulder straps have lifejacket-level padding so you’ll be plenty comfortable wearing the bag for long periods of time and your laptop will be thoroughly protected thanks to the cushioned pocket in the back. There are the ideal amount of small and medium-sized pockets sprinkled throughout the interior and exterior so it’s easy to pack a sweatshirt, book, phone charger, keys, and more for a trip. The design and materials of the bag feel exceptionally durable and the only issue we ran into was with the zipper being slightly difficult to find because of the fabric hood that covers the main zipper.
Price at time of publish: $295
The Details: 17.6 liters | 16.5 x 11.8 x 5.5 inches | 3.3 pounds | Recycled polyester | 16-inch laptop pocket
The sleek leather material looks nicer than a typical nylon backpack.
The straps are a bit too long, even when they are adjusted to the shortest setting.
Constructed with soft and sleek Italian leather, this mid-sized backpack has the perfect combination of style and functionality. It’s big enough to fit a laptop up to 13 inches long but it’s small enough that it can be used beyond traveling or commuting for everyday activities like running errands. It can easily fit a laptop, water bottle, wallet, notebook, and headphones with plenty of room left over. While we love the size for versatility, it still has plenty of thoughtful features for travelers like a pocket for a wireless charger (sold separately) and several interior pockets for storing accessories.
The leather material has a soft and plush feel to it which makes carrying the bag comfortable but we wish the straps were a little shorter since the bag sits a little low on the back. Since the backpack is smaller and lightweight, this isn’t a huge issue and we still think the high-quality backpack is worth it for traveling, commuting, and everyday use.
Price at time of publish: $275
The Details: 13 x 11.6 x 5.5 inches | 2.6 pounds | Leather | 13-inch laptop pocket
It can be used as a duffel bag or backpack.
The laptop sleeve is just a slip pocket in the main compartment.
We love that the Aer Flight Pack 3 can be used as a daily commuter’s backpack or it can be converted into a duffel bag or briefcase for a business trip or weekend getaway. There are plenty of pockets for organization with a designated laptop sleeve in the main compartment, another compartment with more than seven smaller pockets, and a small zippered pouch in the front. The laptop sleeve is only a slip pocket and, while it kept the laptop in place during our durability test, it isn’t as secure as it could be if it was a zippered pocket. We also found that there is tons of space for clothes for a quick weekend getaway or if you’re traveling for work, there is no shortage of space for a laptop, iPad, and other office essentials. Because the pack is made with abrasion and tear-resistant ballistic nylon, it feels sturdy and durable, sustaining no damages after we dropped it off a tabletop. Plus, the backpack, top handle, and duffel straps were equally comfortable when carrying the bag in all three ways.
Price at time of publish: $179
The Details: 20 liters | 18 x 12 x 5.5 inches | 3.4 pounds | Cordura ballistic nylon | 16-inch laptop pocket
It has a sleek, professional design with a variety of pockets for extra organization while traveling for work.
The capacity is on the smaller side.
The Samsonite Just Right Standard Backpack is thoughtfully designed with business travelers in mind. Equally professional and functional, the backpack is outfitted with a sleek nylon material, silver zippers, and a silky, purple patterned fabric lining. When we packed the backpack with a laptop, an iPad, a sweatshirt, and a few more small items, we were impressed with the capacity, but it likely can’t fit too much more in the main compartment. However, we love that there are pockets throughout the backpack that makes it easy to pack smaller items and stay organized between the two main compartments. The zippered laptop sleeve in the back is padded and provided enough protection to keep it safe when we dropped it from a tabletop. The padding on the back and on the straps made the backpack noticeably comfortable to wear even when it was packed full.
Price at time of publish: $170
The Details: 16.5 x 12.25 x 5.5 inches | 2.43 pounds | Nylon | 15.6-inch laptop pocket | USB port
The backpack is outfitted with thick padding.
It doesn’t have a water bottle pocket or trolley sleeve.
The Incase Icon Pack thoroughly impressed us with very thick padding throughout the backpack which adds an abundance of protection and comfort. The back has a padded laptop sleeve that was noticeably thick when we first opened up the backpack. When we dropped the bag onto the floor to test for durability, none of the contents were damaged. The thick padding in the back and on the straps provides comfort while wearing the pack, and we love that the adjustable strap is lined with a soft fabric. Although we wish this backpack came with more features like a water bottle holder or trolley sleeve, the pack has two spacious compartments, a front pocket, and a variety of smaller pockets for exceptional organization on the inside making it well worth the investment for the comfortable and durable backpack.
Price at time of publish: $220
The Details: 20 liters | 19 x 13 x 9 inches | 2.7 pounds | 840D nylon | 15-inch laptop pocket
It’s made out of recycled plastic bottles found on beaches and a built in solar-powered USB charger.
The capacity is smaller than other backpacks we tested.
While this backpack impressed us during testing, it also won us over thanks to Solgaard’s sustainability mission where all of their products are made with ocean-bound recycled materials. The brand uses its patented Shore-tex material to create this backpack with recycled plastic water bottles found on beaches or river banks. In addition, the backpack includes a solar-powered USB charging port so you can charge on the go without having to worry about the life of your power bank. In the lab, we were able to fit all of the items on our packing list, including a sweatshirt, a laptop, an iPad, a notebook, and a water bottle, but there wasn’t a lot of space left over. The laptop sleeve is in the back of the bag and although it’s just a slip pocket, it wasn’t damaged during our durability tests. When it comes to padding, the backpack is outfitted with ample cushioning that makes it comfortable to wear with the adjustable, supportive chest strap, too.
Price at time of publish: $336
The Details: 12.4 x 6.9 x 19 inches | 4.85 Pounds | Anti-theft lock | USB port
It has a simple, no-frills design for extra versatility.
It may be too large for every-day use.
We love the simple design of the Béis backpack and found that it’s packed full of thoughtful features making it the perfect backpack for travelers, students, commuters, and more. We were impressed with the large capacity of the main compartment that could easily fit all of the items on our packing list, including tech items like a laptop and iPad on the inside and a water bottle in one of the two slip pockets on the sides. The main compartment has several smaller pockets and a designated padded laptop sleeve. After we did our drop test to evaluate the durability, the padding did a good job of protecting the laptop, but there isn’t padding at the bottom of the bag which had us questioning how much protection the backpack offers. Even when it was completely packed, the padded straps were comfortable to wear and the back had more padding for added comfort, too.
Price at time of publish: $88
The Details: 22 liters | 19 x 13 x 5.5 inches | 1.8 pounds | Cotton, PVC, polyester | 14.5-inch laptop pocket
The nylon material and leather accents give the backpack a sleek look without sacrificing protection.
The laptop compartment is too small for any computers over 13 inches long.
Lo & Sons’ The Rowledge laptop backpack is one of the most expensive bags we tested, but it seriously delivered in performance. The nylon exterior outfitted with leather accents makes this sleek and timeless bag a dream for travelers and office-goers. While it may small from the outside, we found that it was possible to fit a sweatshirt, a laptop, an iPad, a notebook, and a water bottle with ease. Our only gripe is that the laptop pocket can only fit laptops that are 13 inches or smaller so you'll want to consider that if you own a larger computer. The adjustable straps and ample padding throughout the entire backpack add to the comfort and durability of the pack. Although the bag felt a little stiff at first, the material quickly contours to the shape of your shoulders and back over time for a more comfortable fit after a few wears. After tossing the bag off of a tabletop, the laptop remained unharmed in the designated sleeve in the back of the bag and the exterior showed no signs of damage so we think this sturdy, well-made backpack is worth the splurge.
Price at time of publish: $465
The Details: 21 liters | 16.5 x 11.5 x 6.75 inches | 3.2 pounds | Nylon, leather | 13.5-inch laptop pocket
The bag has lots of smart features for travelers.
The materials feel lower in quality.
This wallet-friendly backpack exceeded expectations during testing due to all of the thoughtful designs that rivaled the most expensive bags we tested. The bag has a variety of smart features including a USB port, a passcode lock, and a headphone port to make traveling with electronics a breeze. It also has a designated laptop pocket in the very back of the bag to conveniently and safely store a laptop up to 15.6 inches long. We found that the main compartment is very spacious and easy to pack with bulkier items like a jacket or lunchbox and the front compartment has tons of little pockets for organizing smaller items.
Made with polyester fabric, the backpack feels fairly durable and didn’t get damaged during our durability tests but it is noticeably lower quality than the other bags we tested with a higher price point. However, the straps have comfortable padding and adjustable buckles so the bag is still very comfortable to carry.
Price at time of publish: $37
The Details: 18.5 x 11.8 x 5.5 inches | 1.83 pounds | Polyester blend | 15.6-inch laptop pocket | USB and headphone port | Password lock
It has plenty of pockets for organizing all of your belongings efficiently.
The capacity could have been bigger.
The Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe has a variety of interior and exterior pockets to stay orgnaized on the go. There’s a designated spot for all of your must-haves with a padded laptop pocket in the back, a main compartment with slip and zippered pockets, and a spacious front pocket for items like a notebook. Plus, there’s a side slip pocket for your water bottle and a trolley sleeve for attaching the pack to a suitcase. We love the ability to access your laptop from the back zipper or through the main compartment of the backpack. Additionally, we appreciated the sleek pack’s compression straps so you can adjust the capacity of the bag, but we still thought the main compartment could have held a bit more. The padded backpack straps are comfortable to wear for long periods of time and if you live in a rainy climate, the durable recycled nylon exterior is also water-resistant.
Price at time of publish: $159
The Details: 20 liters | 18.9 x 11.42 x 5.31 inches | 2.51 pounds | Recycled nylon | 17-inch laptop pocket
This lightweight backpack has a sleek and contemporary design that comes in several earthy colors.
It has a smaller capacity than many backpacks and can only fit a day or two of clothes.
If you’re looking to travel in style, Everlane’s The ReNew Transit Backpack is the perfect fit. Functional and contemporary, we found it to be best suited for day outings because of its smaller capacity. The bag fit all of the packing items during testing, but it would be difficult to fit much more in the main compartment. The ReNew Transit was also comfortable to wear thanks to its lightweight polyester material and compact build. The front flap of the backpack has an external pocket for smaller items, and it folds over to attach magnetically to the front of the backpack.
During our durability tests, the front magnets stayed securely together, and the body of the backpack didn’t get crushed or damaged. We liked how it can fit under an airplane seat, making it a versatile backpack when traveling, too. The laptop sleeve keeps a computer safe and there's also a water bottle holder on the side and an additional front zippered pocket below the folding magnetic lock. With five earthy tones to choose from, this is a bag to fit all travel style preferences.
Price at time of publish: $95
The Details: 27 liters | 12 x 17.5 x 7.25 inches
The front pocket comes off so you can travel with or without the extra space.
The original model has visible snaps when the front pocket is removed but that's been updated with the newer version.
The Monos Metro Backpack has a removable front pocket that adds quite a bit of extra space which is a game-changer for traveling. For other times when you may not need the excess room, all you have to do is pull the discrete cord in the back of the pouch to release it and take it off. Best of all, when you take off the pouch, the backpack still looks sleek and it doesn't look like any part of the bag is missing thanks to the brand's modular system for taking on and off the pouch.
We love the soft vegan leather look of the pack and found the materials to provide protection against laptop damage when we dropped it. There are several pockets inside the main compartment and the laptop pocket is in the back, separated from the rest of the bag. Whether traveling on an airplane or heading into the office, this stylish bag is ideal for those looking for a versatile backpack. It also comes in nylon fabric with more colors to choose from.
Price at time of publish: $200 for nylon
The Details: 18 liters | 11.5 × 16.5 × 6 inches | 3 pounds | Vegan leather or nylon | 15-inch laptop pocket
The high-quality material and functional design is similar to pricier bags we tried.
You have to clip the laptop pocket with the provided carabiners otherwise the bag will open and your laptop will drop.
Rivaling higher-priced backpacks we tried, this option from Bagsmart proves that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for a lower price so we dubbed it the best backpack for its high value. During our tests, we found that this bag is spacious enough to fit a laptop, an iPad, a notebook, and a sweatshirt with plenty of room left over to add more. The backpack is made with a cushioned polyester fabric and foam padded straps that had us raving about comfort when wearing. However, because the bag is made out of fabric, it may get dirtier than a nylon pack but it didn’t show any signs of damage during our durability tests.
With four separate zippered compartments and over 10 interior pockets, travelers will also appreciate the variety of spots to organize everything. The pack also has anti-theft zippers, a USB charging port, a side water bottle pocket, and a trolley sleeve making this one of the best-designed laptop backpacks we tried.
Price at time of publish: $43
The Details: 18.5 x 12.5 x 7 inches | 1.5 pounds | Polyester | 15.6-inch laptop pocket | USB port
It comes with velcro separators for added protection for camera or video gear.
The magnetic top opening has a slight learning curve to open the backpack easily.
The Peak Design Everyday Backpack will give you peace of mind when it comes to protecting your camera or video equipment while traveling. Its structured design adds extra protection and the backpack comes with four stiff velcro separators to further protect fragile technology. Plus, the padded laptop sleeve in the back will ensure that your laptop travels safely. The icing on the cake of this backpack is how lightweight it feels to wear, especially for long periods of time. The weatherproof nylon exterior didn’t scuff or get scratched when we threw the backpack onto the floor and best of all, the laptop and iPad remained unharmed. Since the bag is designed for photographers, it comes with three separators that velcro to the side of the backpack to protect and organize camera gear. The magnetic top latch was slightly finicky to open at first, but once done, it gets easier to use.
Price at time of publish: $300
The Details: 30 liters | 24.5 x 14.2 x 7.8 inches | 4.10 pounds | Recycled nylon, polyester | 15-inch laptop pocket | Fits DSLR cameras |
The backpack is comfortable and breathable to wear while walking.
The polyester blend wasn’t as durable as we hoped.
For students walking across campus or between classes, the Fjällräven Räven 28 Backpack is the best option. We love how breathable the back padding is, and that it provides plenty of cushioning and support when it's on. The design itself is not bulky, so we weren't worried about brushing up against other people while walking through crowded places during our real-world test. Plus, there are tons of pockets in the main compartment for classroom essentials, and each side of the backpack has a water bottle slip pocket.
We did notice that this bag easily collects dust or lint after it is tossed on the ground. Despite the slight dirtiness of the fabric, we found that the backpack does an excellent job of protecting a laptop in the designated padded sleeve in the back. It's not difficult to fit varying needs, even after using it on a daily commute for two months, and we found it battled the elements well, keeping a computer untouched by rain, too.
Price at time of publish: $120 for 28-liter
The Details: 28 liters | 18.5 x 14 x 6.1 inches | Polyester and cotton with wax coating | 15-inch laptop pocket
Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack: The design is sleek and functional, but we think there isn’t enough padding for comfort or laptop protection if the bag is handled roughly.
Samsonite Classic Leather Slim Backpack: The slim design is sleek and professional without sacrificing capacity, but the outer material did scuff a bit during our durability tests.
Vohler Laptop Backpack With Charger: This pack was a serious contender for the best budget bag thanks to its sturdy build and protective padding, but our pick had a few more standout features than this one.
Swissgear Travel Gear 1900 Scansmart TSA Laptop Backpack: Ideal for students, travelers, or commuters, we loved that this bag is durable and has plenty of storage solutions, but it wasn’t as comfortable as we hoped.
Between two different lab testing occasions, we tested 43 laptop backpacks from highly rated brands like The North Face, Away, Samsonite, Swissgear, and more. We evaluated each pack on a rating scale of one to five based on capacity, design, comfort, and durability.
First, to test for capacity, we used a packing list to fill the bag with a laptop, an iPad, a sweatshirt, a water bottle, a notebook, and a toiletry bag. Backpacks scoring a five for capacity were able to fit all of the packing items and provided an appropriate amount of organization solutions for the laptop, as well as the other items both big and small. During the packing process, we evaluated the design of each bag, and our top picks for the design category had plenty of padding around the laptop pocket, a variety of helpful pockets, and handles or straps that made carrying the backpack effortless and intuitive.
Then, we put on the backpacks and walked around for at least ten minutes to get a feel for the bag. We looked out for any pain caused by shoulder or sternum straps, pinching, or any other type of discomfort. The best bags for comfort were outfitted with padding in the back and straps and didn’t cause any awkwardness or irritation from the pack. To test for durability, we pushed the backpacks off of a tabletop and checked the interior contents and exterior for any scuff marks, scratches, or damage. The backpacks also went out for long-term testing in the real world so we can monitor the quality and functionality over the course of several months.
Most laptops measure anywhere from 10 to 17 inches in length, so it’s important to double-check the dimensions of the laptop sleeve to ensure it fits in the designated pocket. Usually, you can find the laptop length capacity of a backpack in the “specification” description of the bag.
The more padding around the laptop, the better protected it will be if that bag is handled roughly. Since the laptop pocket or sleeve is usually in the back of the bag, there should be padding in the back to add comfort while wearing the backpack. Also, be on the lookout for additional padding on the straps to make the bag even more comfortable to wear.
During our tests, we placed the laptop directly into the pocket without a case on it and found that the top-performing bags had enough padding to protect the laptop from getting damaged. However, if you feel more comfortable keeping the laptop in a case and placing it in the backpack, feel free to do so if that all will fit.
T+L commerce writer Anna Popp writes most of the team's tested content and participates in every lab and real-world test to try out luggage, outdoor, and beauty products. Anna owns several laptop backpacks including ones from Monos, Troubadour, and Lo & Sons. She pulled from her own experiences traveling with backpacks and combed through thorough testing insights to recommend the best laptop backpacks.
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