Luckily, its quite comfortable to carry as a backpack as the adjustable shoulder straps are anchored to the bag in a way that lets them rotate, so they move with your body.
(Its also padded with a slight false bottom.) Though backpack mode can feel a bit clunky, this briefs organization makes it easy to keep all of your gear in place so that quick grabs can stay, well, quick.
Smaller laptop bags tend to be easier to lug around and can work as lightweight daypacks when you want to carry a little more than your pockets allow. Were not going to take a detailed look at these bagssince they have pros and cons unique to the specific bagsbut we wanted to point out that they exist in case youre less than impressed with the above options. You can also read through our detailed reviews, as were dedicated to helping you decide whether or not a bag is worth the money. Now, all of us here at Pack Hacker think that an optimal laptop bag has more than just padding. Some totes close at the top, while others dont have a closure at all. While tote packs are more comfortable to carry long distances than a regular tote, they usually arent as comfortable when worn as a backpack. On the other hand, some of our team members appreciate laptop bags that feature enough padding that you dont feel like you need to put your laptop in a separate sleeve and/or case first. The bag has enough space for all the daily essentialsand it expands via a roll-topalthough were disappointed in the lack of water bottle pockets. Some bags make it super easy to customize your organization, going beyond simply having empty compartments where you can dump accessory pouches. The Good:
Lets say it takes 15 extra seconds to grab and put away your laptop because of a quirk in the design. That usually means a brand makes quality products that theyre happy to guarantee.
Its exterior also has a good amount of water-resistance. You can get as intense as you want here, organizing your gear in color-coded pouches that you evenly distribute throughout the various compartments in your bag, or just throw most of your gear into one pouch, toss it in the main compartment, and call it a day. We appreciate laptop sleeves that feature a soft lining, which will help prevent your laptop from getting scratched up.
For simplicitys sake, were going to refer to these spots as laptop sleeves throughout the rest of this guide. You cant just leave the top of the backpack unzipped (unless you want to risk things falling out) like you can with a tote so it may be frustrating if you need to frequently get in and out of it. First of all, if you havent already gathered from what youve read thus far, there are a ton of laptop backpacks on the market these days, so, you have a ton to choose from. What were trying to say is that were usually fans of laptop bags that have a dedicated laptop compartment. Unless you can guarantee that you will never drop your laptop bagor set it on the ground with a little too much oomphthen youre going to want a false bottom. So, clumsy folks beware. Theyre usually small enough to stick in your bag on the daily, which comes in handy if you get caught in a storm on the way home from work. Wed recommend looking for something above a #5 for all exterior zippers, although #8-#10 will treat you the best. Modular Basically, its a bag that has stowable straps you can pull out whenever youd like to have a backpack and hide whenever youd like to have a tote. Thats important to keep in mind unless youre a #rebel who likes to break the rules. But if you carry things that vary in size and shape from product to product, like a battery bank, you may feel limited by built-in organization. It also features O-rings for some customizable organization. The folks there put O-rings in most of their bagsa lot of O-ringsso you can create a complex organizational system with pouches and other accessories. There are different pros and cons to each modewhich well discuss belowbut its also one of those things thats a personal preference. The Cote&Ciel Isar has a separate laptop compartment that features a well-padded laptop sleeve. In true Topo Designs fashion, the interior of the Topo Designs Rover Pack Tech is a cheery, neon yellow that helps with visibility (and style, of course!). Of course, youll find many exceptions on both sides. Regardless of whether or not a laptop sleeve is in its own compartment, we appreciate laptop bags that have bright interior linings. Were big fans of the durability, though the straps can get a bit finicky to use.
But the organization is truly where this pack shines. Putting a laptop inside helps some, but we dont like it when a laptop has to act as a bags frame sheet.
aer The Tom Bihn Cadet is as durable, well-constructed, and intelligently designed as most Tom Bihn gear. The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is made of durable materials that should hold up against the test of time (and the company has a great warranty, if not). Put on your glasses, pull out your calculator, and lets do some math. Plus, its just a huge hassle to have to work your laptop around tough angles or annoying straps. It has plenty of spaceand organizationfor everything you need for a long weekend away (well, within reason). The best way to combat overwhelm is to think through a few key considerations, which weve listed below. Multiply that by 5 days a week = 150 seconds per week. 
The Bad: The laptop sleeve is also super padded, offering great protection. Your use-case comes into play here. Its super handy. It securely holds your laptop and tablet in a soft, padded embrace. As zippers tend to be the first place water will leak through a bag, choosing a laptop bag with a roll top will help add water resistance to that compartment (as long as the fabric is weather-resistant too). If you ride the subway to work, school, or wherever else you want to bring your laptop bag, a challenge may be limited legroom and space. Plus, its adjustable, so you can ensure your laptop is being held firmly. The Good: One companys 20L can be another companys 15L. EVERGOODS Civic Panel Loader 24L (CPL24 V2), Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Anti-Theft Backpack, Heading to the gym before or after work (try the, Business Casual (the bag version of a button-down and khakis), Classic (a slightly elevated version of your elementary school bag), Various types of CORDURA branded fabrics.
Get it together, brands!). The most sophisticated-looking totepack on our list, the Bellroy Duo Totepack will be at home at whatever professional events you have on the docket. across three continents (!). Simple The laptop compartment sits at the back of the Incase Icon Backpack and features super-soft lining on all sides. One brands 13 sleeve will easily fit a 16 laptop while anothers 13 sleeve will barely fit a 13 laptop. To put it another way: a laptop bag is a laptop bag first and a camera, travel, hiking, makeup, dog, etc., bag second. Overwhelmed by all of the laptop bags out there?
The fuzzy lining will protect your laptop from scratches.
These coatings will wear off with time, reducing the water resistance of your bag, but there are some things you can do to help with longevity. There are just so many options. The Osprey METRON has a solid amount of organization and features a specific spot to store a helmet on the outside, making it a great option to consider if youre into bike commuting. While the massive zippers can be a little sticky around the corners, they will (probably) last you decades to come. The pros and cons are the same. Lets take a closer look. Conversely, you can have a bag that just so happens to be able to hold a laptop. Learn more.
Its a minimalist bag designed to fit your laptop and some daily essentialsand not much more. They may seem like a small thing, but a broken zipper or buckle can render some bags inoperable. The harness system is nice enough for a 15L bag, but theres nothing particularly fancy going on (no sternum strap, load lifters, mesh, air channels, etc). Why is this important? 
You may be thinking to yourself, Obviously, Im planning on using my laptop bag to carry my laptop.
You may want a laptop bag that can hold your lunchbox, change of clothes, and go-to encyclopedia as well as your laptop. If you walk to work every day, but live in a climate that rarely has inclement weather (lucky you! Plus, you dont have to sort through all your stuff to get to it. Roll-Tops Still, the thoughtful design, comfortable carry, and overall durability make the Tote Pack worth considering. Of course, you probably already know this. Were fans of secondary access points as they make it easy to quickly grab your laptop. As we mentioned oh-so-long ago (read: toward the beginning of this guide), bags with simple organization tend to be more versatile. Or maybe you take a bus that has plenty of legroom, but your bus stop is over a mile away from your destination. To be extra sure, its probably best to size up. If you can afford it, we suggest investing in a laptop bag that will last you for years instead of continually needing to replace a cheaper one. Now, keep in mind that expensive doesnt always translate to durable.
Some are designed only to fit a laptop, while others have a little more room and bill themselves as a tech compartment.. Your laptop may move around during transit, which opens up more opportunities for damage. You will also find bags with covered zippers (i.e.
Youre likely going to be accessing the laptop sleeve/compartment at least twice a day, so its worth paying attention to how easy it is to get to. Some laptop sleeves will have a very small one, which is basically like not having it at all. We wish we could, because lets be real, it would be a lot easier to simply write the name of a single bag than an entire guide about a bunch of them. The point is there are so many laptop bagsand pasta saucesto choose from. Were digging the organization, which falls toward the more complex end of the spectrum. Taylor is a writer who receives way too much joy from finding the perfect word for every situation. Is it tight to the back compartment? Totes can be uncomfortable to carry over long distances or when you load them up with heavy gear. Most people should be okay with a water-resistant laptop bag as opposed to a completely waterproof bag. Though theyre not often as comfortable as a backpack, messenger bags can be enjoyable to carry for short periods.