We did encounter a couple of bugs during our testing. The teeth of the zipper came apart early in our evaluation, exposing the interior of the bag. We were able to easily fix this, but it caught us by surprise, especially for a bag at this price point. In addition, the placement of the water bottle holder can make it tricky to reach the zippers. These are minor quibbles, and by and large we’re quite impressed with the bag’s overall design and pocket layouts (even the padded laptop compartment has internal organization). Finally, for folks who aren’t about that MacBook life, this is the rare laptop bag that can accommodate a 17-inch Windows laptop.
Best Commuter Laptop Backpack: Topo Designs Rover Pack Tech
Material: 100% recycled nylon | Size: 11” x 17” x 5” | Capacity: 24.3L | Laptop Size: 15”
Topo Designs bags are popular picks among college students thanks to their signature color blocking. While you have to live without the fun colorways with the brand’s special-edition tech pack, we can’t resist an all-black bag like this ( also available: navy, tan, charcoal, and forest green). As the tech edition of the popular Rover Pack, this bag adds a heavily padded external laptop compartment. Otherwise, it carries over the best features from the Rover, including daisy-chain webbing, durable materials and hardware, and water bottle pockets. The large internal pocket even has space for a second laptop or tablet if your work demands multiple pieces of tech.
Best Budget Laptop Backpack: The North Face Jester Backpack
Material: Polyester | Size: 11” x 18.13” x 8.25” | Capacity: 28L | Laptop Size: 16”
College students and budget shoppers will appreciate this under-$100 backpack from the North Face. It’s even got an endorsement from the American Chiropractic Association, according the brand. This pack has a padded back, a lumbar support panel, and a sternum strap to support your spine. On the front, bungee cords make it easy to clip on carabiners or other attachments, while dual water bottle pockets let you hydrate to the max.
Of course, since it’s not the most attractive bag, what’s on the inside really counts. This bag has quick-access pockets, a tablet or phone holder (in addition to the laptop compartment), and a place to secure your keys. Finally, the bag stands up on its own, so it’s no pushover despite the humble price tag.
Best Travel Laptop Backpack: Evergoods Civic Travel Bag 35L
Material: Nylon | Size: 14” x 20.5” x 8.75” | Capacity: 35L | Laptop Size: 17”
In the exact center of the Venn diagram between attractive laptop bags and functional carry-ons, you’ll find this Evergoods pack. This carry-on bag fits under airline seats, and it has a tightly woven, water-resistant nylon shell for more adventurous trips. It comes in two different sizes, but the 35-liter version should cater to most long-haul travel scenarios. Evergoods outfitted this travel bag with curved straps that naturally fit your shoulders, while an optional ergonomic waist strap distributes weight for long-haul journeys. We also love the combination of a luggage passthrough and a side handle, which lets you breeze through the terminal and then squeeze through the aisle for boarding.
