The Best Laptop Backpacks for Work (and Life)

Medea Giordano Adrienne So

The number of backpacks out there is endless, and they range in price from under $50 to several hundred dollars, but finding a life-changing bag isn't easy. Whether you're commuting to an office or school, working from coffee shops, or going on a weekend trip, a good backpack will carry your stuff and keep it organized. It's also easier on your neck and shoulders than an overstuffed purse, duffle, or briefcase.

Whatever your needs, we have a fit and functional backpack for you. We inspect backpacks for a suspended, padded laptop sleeve; durable fabrics and water-resistant zippers; and versatile storage options. Don't see anything you like here? Check out our other guides, including the Best Recycled Bags, Best Laptop Totes and Purses, Best Messenger Bags, Best Camera Bags, and the Best Travel Bags.

Updated May 2023: We added two all-leather options from Harber London and Cuyana. We've also added the Targus Zero Waste to the honorable mentions.

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When I (Adrienne) travel for work, I typically carry a Tom Bihn bag, and the clamshell Synik 22 is my favorite. It has a lot of pockets, and they're all thoughtfully designed. For example, the zippered water bottle pocket is located in the middle of the backpack instead of on the side, so it won't tip you off balance. The pen pockets are located in flaps on the side rather than in the middle top, for convenient access. The exterior is made from Bluesign-certified 400-denier ballistic nylon with top-of-the-line YKK water-repellent zippers. Each bag has a lifetime guarantee.

Because the bag is so small, the pass-through on the back is only 7 inches wide--too narrow to slip over the handle of a carry-on. And the dense fabric and plentiful hardware--the zippers, O-rings, and buckles--make it a little heavy. But in the 22-liter size, I didn't notice the extra weight. It's the perfect, organized conference companion, but it's on the highest end of what we think is worth spending on a bag.

? A roll-top Tom Bihn: The Tom Bihn Addax for $294 has become one of my go-tos. Roll-top bags are more versatile than zippered ones. Don't have enough room? Unroll it and stick your bike helmet in. Too much? Roll it down to compress the space. And if you live in a rainy area, roll-tops keep water from seeping through the top zippers.

Like all Tom Bihn bags, the pockets are metaphysical perfection, with a huge laptop pocket with two-way access that also has a tablet pocket for my Kindle, and front pockets with O-rings to hook keys and other sundries. It has a huge luggage pass-through and hefty padded shoulder straps. It's also hand-sewn in the US from PFC-free material and has a lifetime warranty that's as bombproof as the ballistic nylon fabric. It's a good thing, because at this price, you only want to buy it once.

I (Medea) am a working, grown adult, not a high schooler headed to algebra or a hiker traversing the Alps. When I leave my work-from-home bubble to venture outside, my bag should look like a perfectly curated accessory to my outfit, not a ragged relic or a rugged pack. The 8.5-liter Rains Backpack Mini helps me maintain my sense of style without stripping away function. It holds my 13-inch MacBook and the accessories I need for work. I've even packed this little bag with an extra outfit and toiletries (in addition to my laptop) for a night away. Plus, it looks so pretty.

You can upgrade to the 13-liter version for $110, but both sizes have the same-size laptop sleeve. They're waterproof and come in fun colors (I bought it in lavender a few years back), and the Mini has held up well over the past few years. There's a small phone zip pocket on the back panel, but when I'm commuting I like to keep my wallet there so I know no one can grab it. Look at Rains' other backpacks if you like its understated, Scandinavian style.

The Tom Bihn is priced out of many budgets, but you don't have to settle for a crappy bag if you want to save money. Despite being more affordable than most of the bags on this list, this Herschel looks just as nice and is just as capable. I (Medea) used the Heritage as my school bag and filled it with a day's worth of textbooks and a laptop in its dedicated 15-inch sleeve. I've also used it as an overnight bag stuffed with clothes and a pair of shoes, and as a carry-on with essentials should my luggage get lost. It has since followed me into my work life too. It's made from 600-denier polyester with a faux leather bottom and handle.

After years of heavy use, it has only recently started to show signs of wear, especially on the top handle. The bag itself hasn't ripped, and the straps are holding strong. The downside? There's no water bottle pocket. If the Heritage isn't what you're looking for, take a look at the rest of Herschel's backpacks.

If you're prepared to spend almost $600, this leather bag is sophisticated and doesn't compromise on function. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu made it through CES 2023 with this on his back. He stowed a 13-inch MacBook Air (it can fit up to 16-inch laptops), an iPad in the second laptop sleeve, chargers, cables, his camera, and a separate flash. There's decent organization in there with a spare zippered pouch and padding at the base to protect your goods.

The front pocket can store a few other slim items, and he likes the tiny pocket near the handles for keys or sunglasses. But the side pockets are too tight to fit a water bottle.

? A casual alternative: We love Cuyana's leather tote, and its backpack for $478 is just as beautiful. The laptop sleeve fit my 13-inch MacBook, and a second pocket fits a tablet or Kindle. Two front magnetic-close pockets held my Owala. You get less protection than with the Harber London bag, though, since it doesn't zip close--instead there is a clip and magnet.

WIRED Staff

Adrienne So

Martin Cizmar

Omar L. Gallaga

Everyone knows JanSport. Nearly every kid in school had the ultracheap Superbreak ($38), which has a laptop sleeve but isn't designed to keep it well protected. The new Pro Pack System, on the other hand, is a great bag. It fits a 15-inch laptop in its dedicated, plush laptop compartment, and there are enough pockets and slots to fit whatever you need during the day, like a tablet, notebooks, pens, chapstick, and multiple drinks.

Where it really shines, though, is in the detachable front pack. I initially thought it was similar to the Monos Metro Backpack below, but this is actually two bags in one. When unhooked, the front pack is a fully functioning cross-body bag, and the backpack works with or without it. The strap unclips so it can be safely tucked away inside. Plus, the whole thing is made from recycled polyester, and the bottom (the "boot") is recycled 1,689-denier ballistic fabric with an up-cycled windshield liner as the coating.

? A cheaper JanSport: The Right Pack Premium for $80 is $70 less, but still offers enough room, organization, and protection for all your school or work needs. The padding is a little more comfortable against your back than on the Pro Pack System.

United By Blue's Carryall tops our list of best recycled bags. It goes from tote to backpack easily--just unzip the back pocket, pull out the comfy backpack straps, and clip them onto the sturdy D-rings at the base. The material is water-resistant, and it's padded, so your 15-inch laptop is safe. The Carryall has two bottle pockets and enough organizational pouches to keep organized. Everything from the zipper pulls to the padding is made of recycled materials too.

You've probably seen a Fjallraven bag in nearly any crowded area. The 13-inch Kanken pack is especially small and good for everyday use, and it manages to fit a Macbook Pro in its laptop pocket. Plus the large main compartment and smaller front pocket can fit a Kindle, a thick planner, and a notebook, with room for lunch or a change of clothes. A reviewer on Fjallraven's site called it a Mary Poppins bag, which is apt. The fabric is rigid and repels water, and the company offers lifetime repairs (with a focus on sustainability). I love the colors the bag comes in, but arguably the best part is that you can customize the Kanken.

The side pockets are quite tight, so they won't fit every type of bottle. (It held a 20-ounce Starbucks bottle, but anything wider won't do.) The Kanken comes with a foam pad that adds an extra layer of cushioning while you wear it, and you can take it out to use as a cushion when you need to sit on a hard surface. (It's not super cushy, but it's better than the cold, hard ground.) The Kanken also comes in a 17-inch version if you need the extra space.

? A convertible Kanken: We also like Fjallraven's Kanken Totepack for $100, which is essentially the same as the backpack but can switch from shoulder bag to backpack. It's smaller and not as padded as the United by Blue bag, but it's cute and compact, and it repels water. You don't have to unzip and clip the straps either, so if you're in a rush, just pull the straps over your shoulders.

WIRED Staff

Adrienne So

Martin Cizmar

Omar L. Gallaga

Out of the Woods makes its bags from what it calls "supernatural paper"--responsibly sourced tree cellulose--and it says 93 percent of the water used for manufacturing is returned to the source. It looks a little like leather but does feel like a piece of paper. And it's just $32!

The main compartment has a snap-closure laptop sleeve, and the front pocket fits a 9.5-inch tablet (barely, but it zipped). I wouldn't overpack this bag, for risk of putting too much weight on the straps, but they're comfier than I thought they'd be, considering that they aren't padded. However the square of fabric where the straps are sewn to the actual bag needs to be worn in. It feels a little like an annoying shirt tag on my back.

The Never Stop is marketed toward women, but anyone with smaller shoulders and a shorter torso will love it. It has a sleek, teardrop-shaped silhouette, a recycled nylon face fabric that comes in a multitudinous array of fashionable colors, and silky grab handles in addition to the shoulder straps.

There are two (two!) bottle pockets, one for coffee and one for water, a 15-inch laptop sleeve, and a concealed small pocket up top so that your phone, wallet, and mask are easily grabbable.The one thing I (Adrienne) don't really like are the concealed zippers, which can occasionally snag on the face fabric when I'm in a hurry. But it looks great, fits easily under an airplane seat, and mysteriously expands to hold any size of jacket. My mom asked me if she could have one after she saw mine, and there's no higher recommendation than that.

The Metro Backpack's sophisticated look appealed to me a la the Rains bag--they're just nicer to look at if you like to match your bag to your outfit. This one has a secret, too. The front pocket is actually a pouch that snaps on and off, so you can pack it full of things you may need on your lunch break, like makeup, tampons, or even just your wallet and sunglasses. There's a Folio Kit for $55 you can get separately that can be snapped on in its place.

The rest of the bag is solid too, with a clamshell opening. There's a zippered pocket and mesh slot against the back of the main compartment, and against the front side there are felt-lined pockets made from recycled water bottles. These easily hold a laptop and a tablet, but there's an additional 15-inch laptop pocket against the back of the bag. The straps are comfortable, but it gets heavy quick. I tried this vegan leather option, but for a few bucks less you can opt for the nylon.

WIRED Staff

Adrienne So

Martin Cizmar

Omar L. Gallaga

While toting around the Morrison backpack, a friend immediately said to me (Adrienne), "That's the coolest bag you've ever tested." North Street bags are made by hand in Portland, Oregon. The exterior fabric is durable 1,000-denier Cordura, and the interior is a waterproof X-Pac VX21 liner with a drawstring closure underneath a buckled flap. The interior laptop compartment is suspended over the bottom of the bag, and we like that the key ring and zipper pulls are made from bright, easily findable red webbing.

It converts from a backpack to a pannier in about a minute. Just pull the backpack straps out of the pouch on the back and clip them on, or tuck them back into the pouch to switch to the pannier clip. I didn't find the rack clips to be uncomfortable at all. North Street switched to padded straps since we tested, which may be more comfortable, if bulkier.

The Dux's design takes some getting used to, but its organizational options might make you forget about its looks. This bag is very structured and surrounded by foam padding, so it can take a few bumps without breaking everything inside. Unzip the front pocket to unfurl two mesh zipper pouches and an additional fuzzy zipper pocket that fits fragile gear like sunglasses. Plus, there's a clip for keys, and if you need more room, you can unzip the bottom of this top pocket to directly access the main compartment of the bag.

This main section has three separate compartments you can access via either side of the bag, and it comes with a small pouch. You can fit cameras and lenses, or shoes and an outfit--whatever the day requires. (You can also remove the dividers.) The side entry flaps have their own pockets too, so every little thing you need to keep track of is accounted for. The two bottle pockets can unzip to expand--handy if you're carrying a tripod. The back is plushly lined with suspended pockets for a 16-inch Macbook Pro and tablet. There's yet another deep pocket on the very back of the bag near the handle, and slots on the shoulder straps to hold your phone, though it was tough to fit an iPhone with a Popsocket on the back.

Reviews editor Julian Chokkattu loves Wandrd's Prvke series bags to hold all his gear, from his mirrorless camera and extra lenses to a 16-inch MacBook Pro and various other accessories. Despite months of regular use, it's in fantastic condition, thanks to the 1,680-denier ballistic nylon exterior and the weather-resistant zippers. Lots of little pockets adorn the bag to store cables, card readers, microfiber cloths, and the like--even one underneath that houses a rain fly to keep the bag dry when it's raining.

Julian opted for the Photography Bundle, which adds a camera cube filled with foldable Velcro dividers you can use to organize camera gear and keep them secure. It's also easy to access a camera from the side pocket without needing to take off the entire backpack. Read our Best Camera Bags guide for more options.

WIRED Staff

Adrienne So

Martin Cizmar

Omar L. Gallaga

The GoRuck GR1 was designed by a former member of the Special Forces, so it's tough enough to take whatever you or nature can think to dish out. Its slim profile in no way betrays its awesome carrying capacity, which is bolstered by a hefty amount of MOLLE webbing to accommodate all sorts of straps, carabiners, or other items you might choose to clip to the interior or exterior.

The thick, padded straps take a while to break in, and at 3.5 pounds it's heavy for an everyday pack. But if you've spent years customizing your own idiosyncratic carry system, complete with hand-sewn straps and just the right pouches for all your gear--or if you exit and enter your workplace by busting through a plate-glass window--then the GR1 will thrill you.

We've tried tons of bags. Below are some other good backpacks, but we also have roundups of recycled bags, totes and purses, messenger bags, camera bags, and travel bags.

Adrienne So

Scott Gilbertson

Medea Giordano

Michael Sawh

Jaina Grey

Scott Gilbertson

Adrienne So

Gear Team

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