The backpack is a real utilitarian item. Even though for most cases a briefcase or laptop bag will do, some guys like the ease of a backpack. They like being able to throw it on and—I don't know—run, hike a mountain, ride a bike to work, or some sh*t. So we've got to respect it.
We've talked about travel backpacks, briefcases, and other laptop bags before, but today we're tackling the work backpack—the one that fits your machine (typically laptops from 13-16 inches) as well as whatever else you bring on a day to the office. And while backpacks seem easy to parse, there are a lot of options. Like, a f*cking ton. And a lot of them ... they're really bad, bags that adults should not be seen carrying. So to help you, the backpack-loving man who doesn't want to look like a college freshman, we've rounded up the 11 best laptop backpacks that we've tested.
The Classic Laptop Backpack
Herschel Pop Quiz Backpack
Pros
Large and in charge- Solid build and spacious compartments
Cons
- No side pocket
Herschel is the real deal for just about any type of backpack. Whether it's the Classic, the Heritage, or the cult-favorite Little America, they all make great laptop backpacks with padded, fleece-lined sleeves. But we recommend the Pop Quiz. Not only because we like how it looks, but also because we like how it works—easy-peasy and tough. A reliable first home for your laptop, shall we say.
| Capacity | 25L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Sleeve | 15" |
Pros
- Sleek and compact
- Waterproof and highly durable
- Strong enough for outdoors, good-looking enough for the city
Cons
- A bit on the smaller side
A lot of guys want their work bag to double as a something-else bag. I mean, that's why the whole backpack thing started in the first place. You go two straps instead of one because it's more convenient for other uses.
And if your other uses are outdoor in nature, or if you just want a durable bag, the Arc'teryx Granville is your pack. It's sleek enough for the city; it'll work for finance private-equity bros and creative directors all the same. But it's also tough enough to be a day-hike pack or a gap-year carry-on. And at 16L, it's the perfect size for all applications.
| Capacity | 16L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Sleeve | 15" |
Our Favorite Travel Backpack
Tumi Bradner Backpack
Pros
- High-quality nylon body
- Leather trim
- A lovely selection of quick-access compartments
Cons
- Laptop sleeve is a tad small
We've written at length about this backpack, but know this: It's the best travel backpack. Funny enough, that makes it a great laptop bag as well. It looks cool, has premium touches, and is functional.
The nylon body can take a beating, and it's easy to clean when you need to. The leather handle and leather trim all around the backpack make it feel high-end. The interior pockets and quick-access compartments make getting everything a breeze when you're slogging through TSA. All around, it's a great bag.
| Capacity | 20L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Sleeve | 14" |
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Pros
- Supersoft leather, peak of luxury
- Exterior pockets are great for travel essentials
- Looks incredible
Cons
- No dedicated laptop sleeve
I had to do this at least once. First let me say that if you're going to go for a designer backpack, skip the louder options. You're a civilian walking down the street, not a millionaire walking down the NFL tunnel. Go leather, go understated, go with Brunello Cucinelli. It looks great, and that pebble leather is so insanely soft. If you're worried about putting your laptop in there loose, get a laptop sleeve to protect it, simple as.
| Capacity | 32L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Sleeve | N/A |
Pros
- Incredibly high-quality leather
- Separate laptop pocket, a lot of functional space
Cons
- Higher price point
If you're a businessman in Dallas, a tech bro in Austin, or a C-suite boss working from your Jackson Hole cabin, you need to buy Lucchese. Jokes aside, Lucchese—which is more known as one of our favorite cowboy-boot brands—has quietly been building out an incredible suite of men's bags and travel gear. Though a lot of the brand's production happens in the U.S., the Cosimo collection is made in Italy, and the quality easily rivals that of bigger-name Italian brands.
The back pocket on this bag easily fits a laptop, and the leather is heavy enough to keep your tech safe. That means you've got the entire large pocket to store whatever it is you store in there, making this functionally one of the most spacious bags on this list.
| Capacity | 15L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Pocket | About 14" |
Best Overall Laptop Backpack
Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack
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Pros
- Water-resistant finish
- Affordable and commute friendly
- Smart organizations in and out
Cons
- Not the most durable build
Everlane's ReNew Transit is the jack-of-all-trades. At a volume of 27 liters, it's palatial and makes for a great travel backpack. But it probably looks too refined to be associated with such a rugged bunch. In fact, its life belongs in the city, in some office in a soaring skyscraper or the roaring underground metro world. And it packs like a beast, with catchall zip pockets, interior slip pockets, and two water-bottle holders—like we said, jack-of-all-trades.
| Capacity | 27L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Sleeve | 15" |
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Pros
- Retro-inspired design
- Outdoor friendly
- Durable nylon build
Cons
- A little stiff and narrow
$99 at Bespoke Post $99 At Rei
Topo Designs makes modest (price-wise, at least) backpacks that are still always the star among stars, courtesy of its retro, playful color-blocked aesthetic. The Rover Pack is timeless, rugged, and pocketed for the delight of your laptop and other essentials. Take it to the campground, where you'll use it as a rucksack. Or bop around town with it like a solidly cool guy in a solidly cool backpack. Your call.
| Capacity | 20L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Sleeve | 15" |
Pros
- Perfect for packing light
- Easy flap closure
- Signature waterproof PU fabric
Cons
- Small volume with a single main compartment
Rains' waterproof backpack caught my eye a few years ago—first on my friend and second when I saw some stranger carrying it in MoMA. Each time, I asked, What is that backpack with a remarkable silhouette? It's Rains' signature, as I found out later on. Smooth and clean, easy to open and stack—it's got one main compartment and a few inner and outer pockets, that's it—this durable, waterproof backpack is about that no-fuss everyday life.
| Capacity | 13L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Sleeve | 15" |
Most versatile laptop backpack
Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack
Pros
- Available in 3 sizes and 6 colors
- Comes with shoe bag and dust bag
- Water-resistant, washable fabric
Cons
- Smallest size is for laptop plus essentials only
Dagne Dover's signature Dakota will do the organizing for you, with a dedicated spot for every necessity, in and out; just prepare the bits and bobs. It'll then guard them with a water-resistant, quick-drying outer, keeping them safe and sound where you can effortlessly access them. As for where it'll suit best, judging by its look: office, gym, downtown, subway, bar, Guatemala ... just about everywhere on this planet.
| Capacity | 8L, 16L, and 20L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Sleeve | 13" and 16" |
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Pros
- Designed for travel and outdoor activities
- Smart organizations in and out
- Made from sturdy, eco-friendly recycled materials
Cons
- Laptop sleeve only 13 inches
When you're out in the woods or on the trailhead, do you really need to be lugging around a 16" gizmo on your back? Hell no. Get a MacBook Air or something nicely around 13" and load it into the Hanover 2, whose removable padded insert will protect it from the overflowing curveballs of everything else you'll put inside for your excursion.
| Capacity | 21.4L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Sleeve | 13" |
Pros
- Waterproof fabric, lining & zippers
- Fully opens for easy access and packing
- Separate shoe compartment
- Breathable back panel and padded shoulder straps
Cons
- A bit heavy itself
When you pack heavy with a laptop inside, get a heavy-duty backpack to match. Troubadour's pioneer is an absolute monster: big, tough as nails, and ridiculously useful, with pockets on top of pockets, compartment next to compartment. If you've seen far too many laptop backpacks crap out when the occasion calls for “more is more,” never again will you be disappointed with the Pioneer. It's got a shtick for everything you can possibly put in there, shoes included.
| Capacity | 23.5 L |
|---|---|
| Laptop Sleeve | 17" |
What to Look for in Laptop Backpacks
- Capacity: Certainly it's not just a laptop that your backpack will store—no one's life is that simple. Hence you should consider the capacity or volume of a laptop backpack—how much and what kind of stuff it can hold besides the laptop matter just as much.
- Organization: As defined by pockets and compartments, the organization inside a laptop backpack makes or breaks what you'll carry it as and to: If it's got a shoe compartment, you can carry it as a gym bag to Equinox; with water-bottle pockets, it makes for a outdoor-friendly carryall; and if it has a luggage sleeve, bring it to your next flight so you can work on your laptop in the air. And don't forget the many small pockets that you'll find for quick access of stuff—any organization that'll save you from digging through your bag ever again.
- Laptop Sleeves: It's what makes a laptop backpack a ... laptop backpack. Inside the sleeve, padded for better protection or not, is where you'll nicely slip your laptop in and out. The size of the sleeve thus is the game changer here. If you have a 14-inch MacBook Pro, for instance, your sleeve should house at least that much. (Of course, sometimes a sleeve is more of a separate compartment itself, which is more than welcome.)
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How We Picked the Best Laptop Bags
We tried a bunch of them. We wore the backpacks to the office, to the coffee shop, and around town. We traveled with them, and we stress-tested them. The backpacks that stood up to all that while looking good are the backpacks you see here today. Those are the best laptop backpacks on the market.
Why Trust Esquire?
Because we have your best interest in mind. Not only are we style nerds; we're tech freaks. It's not good enough for something to look good. It's got to perform just as well. A laptop bag has got to protect your gadgets and fit your personal style. That's why we had to test these and give you our honest opinions.
