If you're looking to haul a laptop around town, you might think hitting up your local outdoors retailer for a backpack with roomy tech sleeves would be your best bet. But while those bags are great for safely carrying pricey electronics, they tend to fall short on organization, style, and comfort - especially if you're planning to tote around lots of stuff.
Commuter Backpacks With Separate Laptop Storage: Why a Standard Laptop Backpack Falls Short
The better approach? Look for a commuter backpack with separate laptop storage. Most commuters offer plenty of room for your gear - and they're usually constructed with tough, slick fabrics that stand up to daily wear and tear. Plus, they're typically designed with comfort and organizational needs in mind, so you can easily find and grab what you need throughout your day.
While some commute-specific backpacks have a place for a laptop, we found others were too bulky or awkward to carry. The best commuter backpacks for laptops look and feel like they were meant to protect your expensive screen - because they were.
What To Look For in Commuter Backpacks With Separate Laptop Storage
One key element to look for in a good commuter backpack is impact-resistant construction. You want to find a bag with internal or padded compartments - which will help reduce damage from bumps, scrapes, and drops. Choose a backpack with zippers for easy access, and be sure to look for multiple pockets and compartments for easy organization.
For example, the able backpack featured below has roomy - zippered compartments, plus a large main compartment to hold all your stuff. Finally, look for padded straps to ensure that your backpack is comfortable to wear, even if it's heavy. Some backpacks, such as the best overall bag on our list - the Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe, feature breathable mesh panels, which will keep you cool even on hot summer days.
The Best Commuter Backpacks With Separate Laptop Storage
Looking for the best backpack to protect your laptop on the go? Below, we've rounded up nine options with roomy, padded sleeves for laptop protection along with plenty of room for books - documents, snacks, and other essential daily carry items.
- The Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack is 30% off, originally $98, now $69.
- The Thule Paramount Daypack Lite 20L is $120.
- The Aer Travel Pack 3 costs $249.
Can You Bring a Laptop Backpack Through Airport Security?
The answer is yes … sort of. However - they must be screened separately at airport security checkpoints. This means you'll need to get your backpack opened up and the laptop removed for screening.
That's why we recommend looking for a backpack that makes it quick and simple to remove your computer from its sleeve. The best laptop backpacks for travel will likely have a sleeve or compartment that unzips completely on one side or that opens downward from the bottom. An added bonus: Bags with 180-degree laptop sleeves mean you won't have to pull your computer out of its sleeve to be screened.
As mentioned above, the Tolaccea R10 is one example of a backpack with an 180-degree flat-opening main compartment for security checkpoints. If you fly frequently, consider signing up for TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck participants don't need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids - belts or light jackets for screening.
Should You Get a Laptop Backpack or a Rolling Laptop Bag?
As we mentioned earlier, choosing a laptop backpack is a matter of personal preference and needs. While rolling laptop bags offer room for more gear, as well as a shoulder strap and retractable handles for easy transport, they're limited in terms of how much weight you can load up . As such, rolling laptop bags are typically better for air travel and road trips than for commuting.
Plus - rolling laptop bags can be difficult to maneuver through busy airport terminals or crowded city sidewalks. Ultimately, if you prefer to roll your electronics around rather than sling them over your shoulder, a rolling laptop bag might be the right choice for you. But if you're mostly traveling short distances and you want to keep your valuables close at hand, a backpack is probably the better option.
Further reading
- https://www.wired.com/story/best-laptop-backpacks/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6267109/
- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-957T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-957T.htm
- https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/backpacks/buying-guide/
Disclaimer
This article is a personal reflection shared for general informational purposes only. It is not medical or health advice, and it is not a substitute for care from a qualified professional. Please talk to your doctor about your own health.
