I once saw a cool, New York Girl walking nonchalantly into an office building, laptop tucked under her arm like a clutch bag. While I’d love to be that girl, naked laptop carrying isn’t….ever going to work for someone like me. I’ve got stuffs, ya know? Thankfully, finding a good laptop bag – one that is both useful and really, really cool – is definitely something we’ve turned into personal quests over the years, and each member on our team has pretty strong opinions about the best laptop bags. Some swear by laptop backpacks, some swear by big ‘ol totes, and a few of us have been trying to find good, crossbody laptop bags (no luck on these yet – we’re still hunting).
So. Whether you’re commuting, occasionally working from a coffee shop or need one laptop bag for both work and travel, we’ve got ideas.
The Best Laptop Bags: At A Glance
| Bag | Best For | Fits | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tumi Voyageur Celina | The office, overall | 15″ | 19–22L |
| Everlane ReNew | Everyday + travel | 15″ | 27L |
| Matt & Nat | Vegan leather | 13″ | ~9L |
| Aer Fit | Work + gym | 16″ | 18.7L |
| AUGUR Canvas | Rugged, work + hiking | 16″ | 30L |
| Cuyana Classic Easy Tote | Tote for the office | 16″ | ~20L |
| Quince Woven Leather Tote | Tote that hides it | 16″ | ~10–12L |
| Calpak Luka Duffel | Weekends + gym | 15″ | ~25L |
| Calpak Terra | Flying | 17″ | 26L |
| Case-Mate Organizer | Switching totes | 16″ | 20L |
What To Look For In A Work Bag With A Laptop Compartment
For most of us, our laptop bag is the one bag we need day-in and day-out. And we’re not the only ones. We asked readers on Facebook, and got TONS of responses, some as thorough as this one:
“My ideal is to have only one bag to carry, so I’ve compromised on this list when choosing bags in the past but: Large enough to hold a 15” laptop (laptop sleeve is ideal), lunch, and other misc work/commute extras (notebook, Kindle for reading, small knitting project bag, umbrella — used to have to be big enough to hold an additional smaller insulated bag for transporting breast milk, but that is no longer an issue). Easily accessible pocket(s) for metro card and/or phone. Exterior water bottle/coffee cup pocket. Interior pockets for some organization of pens, cables, etc., is a nice to have. Comfortable to schlep around.” – Elizabeth.
Many – especially those of us traveling on foot, by bus or by train – want a unicorn bag, the one that does it all. We’re looking for enough room for at least a 13″ laptop, as well as a whole host of other needs and wants. Here’s a brief summary of a few considerations that we’ve taken into account over the years:
wide-open space. pockets. compartments. zip pockets. easy-access pockets. water bottle. umbrella. metro card. phone. wallet. laptop accessibility & protection. gym shoes. notebook. waterproof lining. bright- or light-colored lining. clutch for meetings or a little bag for breast milk. key leash — I can never get those b*tches when I need them—…shoulder straps. handles. crossbody. coat fit. shoulders slide. hands-free. versatility. weight. length. RFID lining. zippers. a latch. potential spilling during the commute. pickpockets. leather. canvas. nylon. hot & sweaty commute. neoprene. washable. vegan leather. man-made leather. bonded leather. waterproof. water-resistant.
There are also the special specific details: little feet on the bottom, transition from day to night, lunch situation. What women really want from a bag, is a lot.
The Best Laptop Backpacks For Work & Office
If there’s ONE category that we can get behind whole-heartedly, it’s the laptop backpack. Many of our favorite laptop backpacks have been in near-constant rotation for over five years…a few of them more than ten. Laptop backpacks are the best option for anyone with shoulder/knee/whatever issues, since the weight distribution is even, and since there’s so many niche laptop backpacks (with a duffel feature, minimalist, works for hiking), this is the most foolproof category we’ve found.
Here are our favorite laptop backpacks of all time, each has been incredibly well-tested (aka used for YEARS).
1. Tumi Voyageur: Best Overall Laptop Backpack For The Office
Where To Buy: TUMI Voyager Celina, TUMI Voyager Montana, TUMI Voyager Raina (leather)
FITS LAPTOP SIZE: 15″
WEIGHT: 2 lbs (nylon), 2.8 lbs (leather)
CAPACITY: 19 – 22L
DIMENSIONS: 16” H x 11” L X 6” D (on average – all three are around there)
PRIMARY FABRIC: Nylon or Leather
I have been carrying a TUMI laptop backpack for over a decade. In fact – see that blond toddler I’m carrying in the photo above? That little guy turns sixteen this year (sob!). I’ve used all sorts of TUMI laptop backpack styles, and they are ALL incredibly well-designed and virtually indestructible. TUMI backpacks have all of the pockets a mom could want, as well as little travel-friendly details I’ve always appreciated: keyfobs, zip-out water bottle pockets, luggage panels, shoe compartments (depending on the model), etc.
And they’re chic enough and look fancy enough (thanks to really high quality hardware + expensive-looking fabric) to be carried into even the most traditional, formal office environments. Of course…because they’re also so hardy, I’ve also carried my TUMI backpack on almost every trip I’ve taken, it’s spent Vermont winters being thrown into the car down by my feet where the slush and salt-covered boots go, and it’s been on my back walking all over many, many cities. Nothing in my TUMI backpacks ever unravels, loosens, or rips. I cannot recommend these backpacks enough.
TUMI Laptop Backpacks: Celina, Montana, Raina (leather)
The longtime high performer for us is TUMI’s Celina Backpack. It’s a TUMI classic, comes in a ton of colors, and is a very practical size for laptop + stuff. That said, I’m totally intrigued by their newest style, the Montana, which is very similar, but has an expandable space feature, something that would be incredibly helpful for travel or going to the gym after work.
For a truly luxe experience, TUMI’s Raina laptop backpack is made from real leather, and is an absolute stunner. All three of these backpacks fit a 15″ laptop, have a luggage sleeve, and have enough capacity for my tech stuff, small makeup kit, sunglasses, and a pair of shoes (my minimum requirements for TUMI backpacks).
2. Everlane ReNew: Best Everyday Laptop Backpack
Where To Buy: Everlane
FITS LAPTOP SIZE: 15″
WEIGHT: 1.5 lbs
CAPACITY: 27L
DIMENSIONS: 17.5” H x 12” L X 7.25” D
PRIMARY FABRIC: 100% Recycled polyester with a water-resistant finish
This is Linzi’s absolute top recommendation for an everyday and travel backpack (that also happens to have a great spot for a laptop). It’s the backpack she’s been wearing, traveling with, recommending, and buying for others for YEARS.
Linzi says: “It’s the perfect simple, stylish bag that’s not too sporty, not too fancy, and not too trendy. It has TONS of compartments for staying organized, and it’s the ideal size—big enough to hold everything you need, but small enough to slide easily under an airplane seat.
I own both the Warm Quartz and Charcoal colors, but it also comes in Black, Grey, and a fun Bright Blue.”
3. Matt & Nat Fabi: Best Vegan Leather Laptop Backpack
Where To Buy: Matt & Nat
FITS LAPTOP SIZE: 13″
WEIGHT: ~1.5 lbs
CAPACITY: ~9L
DIMENSIONS: 8.5″L x 12.5″H x 5″D
PRIMARY FABRIC: Vegan leather
“Truth be told other than leaving the country, I’m not doing a whole lot of commuting,” says Kat. “That said, when I did commute to work this was (and still is) my favorite bag for carrying everything I needed. It features a back compartment to hold your 13 inch laptop, and has ample room for anything else you might need. Not to mention I love that the brand Matt & Nat is 100% vegan and designs their bags using 100% recycled windshield glass resin, fruit skin fibers, and recycled water bottles. I’ve had my bag for ten years now and it’s still in incredible condition! A win in my book.”
4. Aer: Best Laptop Backpack With Duffel
Where To Buy: Aer Fit Water Resistant Nylon Backpack
FITS LAPTOP SIZE: 16″
WEIGHT: 2.5 lbs
CAPACITY: 18.7L
DIMENSIONS: 17.5″ L x 12.5″ W x 8″ D
PRIMARY FABRIC: 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior
This AER backpack is a SERIOUS backpack. It has all of the rugged, technical details I could ever want in a backpack (ballistic nylon exterior, YKK® zippers, Duraflex® plastic hardware, etc) and the interior is even treated with antimicrobial coating to control bacterial odors & growth. The design is really interesting, too: it’s basically a padded laptop sleeve at your back, with another (very slim) section for a notebook, folders, and pens/wallets, etc…and a larger duffel on the outside. This larger duffel also has a separate shoe compartment which keeps yucky gym shoes away from gym clothes.
The only downsides to this backpack are: one – the laptop sleeve/bookbag area is really slim. It worked great for me, but it’s not ideal for someone who needs to travel with a ton of bulky books or binders, and two – I found the straps a little scratchy on bare skin, so this is not a backpack I wear in the summer.
That said, it’s great for travel (there’s a little pocket on top that’s lined in fleece for sunglasses, phone, etc) and it was REALLY great when I was trying to work, workout, and do momming stuff with the littles. I stuffed alllllll sorts of things into that duffel area and/or shoe compartment.
As Raines got older, he actually ended up using this backpack as his school backpack. While it’s not ideal for carrying a ton of books…kids don’t really seem to do that much anymore. And it was perfect for a kid who has after-school sports. What’s incredible about this bag is Raines spilled a TON of stuff inside it, and it definitely resisted odors (and washed up just fine in the washing machine). It also looks…exactly the same as when I bought it, which is saying something. Raines loved this one so much that we actually upgraded him to the larger size as he got bigger. This bigger size is the exact same backpack my husband uses for work, also.
5. AUGUR Canvas Backpack: Best Rugged Laptop Backpack For Work & Hiking
Where To Buy: Amazon or Walmart
FITS LAPTOP SIZE: 16”
WEIGHT: 2.4 lbs
CAPACITY: 30 L
DIMENSIONS: 18 x 12.5 x 7.8 inches
PRIMARY FABRIC: cotton canvas & leather trim
Syd has owned this backpack for longer than she can remember. “It has plenty of pockets inside and out, a laptop sleeve, and is super durable,” she says. And bonus – because of the canvas exterior, it was also easy for Syd to sew on patches and make it her own (looks so cool, right?). “I have taken this backpack literally everywhere and use it almost every day. I haul all my tech to work in it, I use it on every hike, and any time I fly it’s right there with me on the plane. It has survived downpours, snow, brutal summers, coffee spills, and more than 9 years of constant use.”
The Best Laptop Totes For Work
Always a classic choice, totes are great when you really want your work bag to vibe chic (and you don’t mind carrying everything on one shoulder). While there are a zillion totes on the market, there are two in particular that we especially love for work.
6. Cuyana Classic Easy Tote: Best Overall Laptop Tote For The Office
Where To Buy: Cuyana (size “classic”, color “stone”)
FITS LAPTOP SIZE: 16″
WEIGHT: 1.6 lbs
CAPACITY: ~20L (estimated)
DIMENSIONS: 12.5″ H x 20.5″ W x 5″ D
PRIMARY FABRIC: 100% Pebbled Italian Leather (environmentally certified by LWG)
Full disclosure: Cuyana sent me this tote. Well, they actually were going to send any of their totes, but I picked this one – it was the two handles (long, short) that intrigued me. For the record, I am NOT typically a tote kind of girl. But Cuyana’s range of colors are pretty darn spectacular, and we’ve gotten a bunch of reader questions about Cuyana in general, so I thought I’d give it a try.
Fast forward six months…I LOVE this stupid tote. Passionately!!! Desperately!! With the power of ten thousand suns!!
The leather is shockingly good – it’s soft but sturdy, and seems to wear nicely (I LOVE a worn, broken-in look – it’s not quite there yet, but will be someday). This tote is – honestly! – that “buttery soft” everyone talks about, and feels great on bare skin (which is why I’ve been wearing it all summer). The tote is also unlined and doesn’t try to mess around with a ton of pockets, something I appreciate. If I’m going to carry a tote, I really just want to be able to throw a ton of crap inside and not worry about it.
But it’s really the double-handle thing that is so freaking good. I love being able to carry it over my shoulder OR by hand. And the fact that the straps just tuck in nicely – either way – is a really nice feature. It’s this easy carry that makes this particular tote my favorite.
And for those of you Type A people who prefer a really well-organized tote…Cuyana does make an organizer just for this tote, as well as an official laptop sleeve.
Bottom line? This tote is beautiful (it looks sooooo expensive in person!!), practical, and can easily be organized/upgraded, if needed. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
7. Quince Woven Leather Tote: Best Laptop Tote That Doesn’t Look Like A Work Bag
Where To Buy: Quince
FITS LAPTOP SIZE: 16″
WEIGHT: 1.7 lbs
CAPACITY: ~10-12L
DIMENSIONS: 14″ H x 20″ W x 3″ D
PRIMARY FABRIC: 100% handwoven Italian leather, 100% cotton lining
If you need something more for everyday that doubles as a purse, this Quince woven tote has been Laura’s tried and true workhorse (that doesn’t look like one!). The weave and fabric lining make it super strong and structured enough to hold a computer with ease, but the vibe is much more chic than a typical tote bag. Laura says that she “usually pops my laptop into a padded sleeve (like this one) and then into the tote, mostly to keep the little ports clean. Oh my gosh they now have it in suede and I want so much.”
The Best Laptop Duffels
While the team primarily uses our laptop duffels for traveling, if you are someone who needs to carry a ton of stuff (not just a laptop!)…a laptop duffel is a pretty solid answer. After a ton of testing, these are our favorites.
8. Calpak Luka Duffel: Best Laptop Duffel
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Calpak (more colors) | Roller Bag
FITS LAPTOP SIZE: 15″
WEIGHT: 2 lbs
CAPACITY: ~25 L
DIMENSIONS: 12” x 16” x 8”
PRIMARY FABRIC: Polyester
Laura has had this Calpak Luka Duffel for years now, and she still takes it on most of her trips, weekends away, or even when headed to the gym or coffee shop. “It’s such a perfect size and holds a ton,” says Laura. “The padded laptop sleeve is in that front pocket…it also has a trolley strap to sit securely on your suitcase, a detachable shoulder strap option, a side water bottle pocket, lots of interior pockets and a collapsible shoe compartment in the bottom (also great for holding sweaty gym clothes.)”
She’s right. I ended up using this duffle as my carry-on overseas for our last two trips, and couldn’t believe how much more freaking room it has than my usual backpacks. The downside of course, is that it gets freaking heavy, but the upside? Souvenirs. 🙂
9. Calpak Terra: Best Laptop Duffel Backpack For Flying
Where To Buy: Calpak
FITS LAPTOP SIZE: 17″
WEIGHT: 2.9 lbs
CAPACITY: 26L
DIMENSIONS: 18″ x 12″ x 7.5″
PRIMARY FABRIC: Recycled Ripstop Polyester w/ TPU Coating
If globe trotting Kat is catching a flight, chances are she’s carrying this duffel backpack. “I love that I can wear it as a duffel or a backpack, and also strap it to my suitcase,” Kat says. “It has tons of hidden compartments, lots of space, has the ability to open like a traditional suitcase as well as a normal backpack, and a separate laptop compartment for easy access. It’s without a doubt my security blanket when it comes to travel.”
One More: A Laptop Bag Insert (For People Who Switch Totes Constantly)
Where To Buy: Case-Mate | Tote Bag
FITS LAPTOP SIZE: 16”
WEIGHT: ~1 lb
CAPACITY: ~15-20L
DIMENSIONS: 15.5″ (L) x 11.5″ (H) x 7″ (W)
PRIMARY FABRIC: Easy-To-Clean Water-Resistant Material
I know this isn’t technically a laptop bag, but Scotti swears by this product. “I have way too many tote bags to commit to just one,” she says, “and I love being able to switch between them without having to unpack and repack everything. This organizer holds my laptop and all my daily essentials, so I can just lift it out of one tote and drop it into another. It takes about five seconds, everything stays organized, and I never have to wonder where my AirPods or charger ended up.”
Laptop Bag FAQs
In general, if you’re walking to work, a backpack is our top pick. The weight sits evenly across both shoulders instead of dragging down one, which has started to matter more and more as we’ve gotten older. That said, totes are easier to grab one-handed on a train, and they’re really chic. Our rule of thumb? If the commute is longer than fifteen minutes on foot, go backpack. If you’re mostly driving to an office and want the bag to look good walking in, go tote.
Fabric that isn’t sporty and real (and/or pretty!) hardware makes a big difference. We especially love real leather (that gets better when worn) or a high-end nylon with gold hardware, like the Tumi Voyageur. It’s a backpack, but the hardware and fabric are nice enough that it walks into formal offices without a second glance. On the tote side, the Cuyana Classic Easy looks considerably more expensive than it is. The dead giveaways to avoid: exterior mesh water bottle pockets, contrast-colored straps, and anything with a visible sport logo.
Yup. A separate padded sleeve is the best option, and Laura does exactly this with her Quince woven tote. The better solution if you switch bags constantly is a tote insert like the Case-Mate, and Cuyana makes a really beautiful leather laptop sleeve especially designed to fit in their totes (but it would work for any). Two things to actually check on your tote: depth (under 4″ and it’s laptop-only, nothing else will fit alongside), and whether the bottom is reinforced enough that a loaded bag doesn’t sag into a V.
Ideally, a bag should have 4-5″ of depth, and around 20L of capacity. That said, we often break this rule, especially if we’re traveling light. The Quince tote is 20″ wide and 3″ deep, and fits a 16″ laptop, although it takes up most of the bag. Depth is what determines whether a water bottle and lunch fit alongside. For a 15–16″ laptop plus stuff, the AER Backpack (with duffel) and the Cuyana Classic Easy at ~20L are the safest bets here.
Do you have a favorite laptop bag or tote that we missed? We are all always looking for the perfect bag, so please share!
xo,
S
My bag is from lug (luglife.com). They make the best bags that can carry tons of stuff but not look huge and silly. I’ve had it for over 2 years and still very happy with it.
Those are super-cute! We will have to check those out for our next bag post. Thanks for the tip, Sarah! xo
What a great article. Two years ago or so I bought a Vera Bradley bag, just purple quilted and it was okay. Just not big enough. Then I needed a backpack for work travel and I almost bought a Tumi at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. But, instead, I went to Lululemon (I don’t wear their clothes) and bought a backpack there. It has a laptop sleeve, great compartments, it’s light… I loved it and can’t wait to travel again. BUT, I wish I had this article 4 months ago! That’s okay… now I know where to go when I need some variety. 🙂 Thank you!!
Isn’t the process of finding the right bag, so interesting! I finally decided to try Vera Bradley a few years ago, and have a travel duffle I love for that purpose — but I couldn’t use it day-to-day. I hope this post comes in handy next time! Thank for the love. xo
THANK YOU! I have also been on a similar personal hunt for a bag that works. Although I do not work in NYC, I am very mobile and need my hands free. I ended up with a Knomo bag, a slightly less expensive canvas backpack. It has held up beautifully and it is feminine and sleek,while also holding everything I need. I get compliments on it almost daily.
One of my biggest desires was for it to comfortably hold my outdated, oversized and heavy work laptop along with other files and not look like I was going camping for the weekend.
This is the one I have, however in cream canvas and black leather bottom/straps. https://knomo.com/products/harewood-laptop-tote-backpack-119-413-blk
Oooohhh…That looks like a very cool bag, Marci! Thanks for sharing. We’ll try to include that in our next work bag roundup! xo
Could you please remind me of the Tumi backpack model that S wore to Europe this summer? I remember looking at it and want to add it to my Christmas list. Also, I currently have a Knomo bag and it is awesome – just not a backpack, which is what I really need for all of my business travel. Thanks!
Hi Sarah! That’s the Carson Voyageur: https://rstyle.me/n/dakt2acc3a7. It’s a bit smaller than the Ursula, and doesn’t have the T-Pass — S actually meant to get the one I have. She now has the Aer Fit 2 (featured above). Good luck with your wish list :-). xo
Wenjie on Amazon – best backpack on a budget.
Thanks for the tip, Jennifer!Those do look cool. xo
Great article! You accurately and thoughtfully captured the mental process I’ve been going through for years. Kudos for finding a bag that works for you and your life.
Thanks for the love, Allyn! xo
Wonderful article! I finally found my unicorn bag after reading Shana rave about it here: the Tumi Voyager Carson backpack. It holds a ton: lunch, laptop, books, cords, sunnies, water, but doesn’t look over-stuffed or feel heavy. I’d never spent so much on a bag before, but every day my back is happy, and I even get compliments on my bag (never happened with my old Patagonia backpack). 100% worth figuring out what you need and then spending the money on it.
Awesome, Elizabeth! It makes such a difference to carry a bag that improves your daily life. Definitely worth the time and money. xo
Alexis, I just love your articles! they are so well researched, thoughtful and useful 🙂 I need a new bag pronto. This article helped me think about what’s important before I drop some serious cash on a new bag. thank you.
I really appreciate your sentiments, Stephanie. Thank you. Best of luck with your search. xo
I love my TUMI. I went through your process two years ago to find it, returning lots of bags. Eventually I found a TUMI from a previous season (on major sale) that worked perfectly. For me I look for the bag it’s self to be LIGHT because I always have a big stainless steel bottle of water with me. That usually translates to nylon instead of leather. The one from my season was described as ballistic nylon and it is perfect, it holds it’s structure and takes a beating. But the leather details keep it from looking too casual. My only complaint about TUMI is that the zipper is kind of scratchy when you reach your hand in and out all day.