Discover the best laptop backpacks for travel and work in 2024💻Find the perfect blend of style, comfort, and functionality to keep your tech safe on the go
Finding the best laptop backpack for travel can make all the difference when you’re on the go. The right travel laptop backpack keeps your device safe and accessible while providing comfort and organization for everything else you need to carry. With so many backpacks to choose from, it can be tricky to find the best one for your needs. This article will cover the key factors to consider and recommend the top travel laptop backpacks of 2024.
What to Look for in a Travel Laptop Backpack
Laptop Protection A dedicated laptop compartment is a must for any good travel backpack. It should have thick padding to protect your device from bumps and drops. Some bags also have a suspended laptop sleeve to add extra shock absorption. Water-resistant materials provide protection from the elements.
Laptop Protection is Paramount
A dedicated laptop compartment with thick padding protects your device from life on the road. Suspended sleeves add further shock absorption and water-resistant fabrics shield tech from the elements. Prioritize backpacks designed to safeguard your tech.
Look for Ample Storage and Organization
You’ll need room for more than just your computer. Seek spacious main compartments, exterior stash pockets for items needing frequent access and interior organizers to tame your chargers, cables and accessories. The more tidily your gear is packed, the less likely critical items go astray.
Comfort Matters Over the Long Haul
An uncomfortable backpack that digs into your shoulders quickly sours adventures. Cushy shoulder straps, breathable back panels and weight distributing straps, like sternum and waist belts, reduce fatigue for all-day excursions. Don’t accept sore shoulders as the price for traveling hands-free.
Accessibility Makes Airport Security Easier
Reducing laptop compartment unpacking prevents holds ups for the TSA. Many backpacks allow laptop access without exposing the rest of your gear or feature laptop sleeves that unzip to lay flat for X-ray scanning. Well-designed backpacks recognize the need for laptop accessibility during transit.
Durability Protects Your Investment
Frequent travel can be demanding on gear. Seek abrasion-resistant fabrics like Cordura nylon reinforced with durable water repellant (DWR) coatings to withstand rain and spills. Overbuilt zippers, strap anchors and haul handles stand up to years of global trekking so your trusty pack lasts the long haul.
The Best Travel Laptop Backpacks of 2024
After extensive research, testing, and real-world use, we’ve selected the top travel laptop backpacks for every type of traveler:
Best Overall: NOMATIC Backpack
This sleek, functional pack ticks all the boxes. The 20L capacity strikes a versatile balance, while the suspended 15.6-inch laptop sleeve and abundance of pockets provide stellar organization. Wide shoulder straps and multiple carry options crank up the comfort for long days on the move.
Most Durable: Osprey Farpoint 40
Osprey built this carry-on sized pack to last, with ultra-tough fabrics and backpanel padding that stands up to years of abuse. The lightweight internal frame carries heavy loads with ease while the stowaway harness lets it slip nicely into overhead bins. It holds 17-inch laptops securely and has ample space for extended trips.
Best Budget: Matein Travel Laptop Backpack
You don’t have to spend big bucks to protect your laptop when traveling. The Matein Travel Backpack provides impressive padding at an unbeatable price. Generous storage space fits everything you need and a surprising number of pockets keeps it organized. Just don’t expect fancy features. For the basics on a budget, it can’t be beat.
Most Stylish: Bellroy Transit Backpack
With its sleek silhouette and fashionable color blocking, the Bellroy Transit blends right into cafe hopping and museums. But it’s more than just handsome looks—this pack is thoughtfully designed with a padded laptop sleeve, magnetic closure, water bottle pockets, and 20L of storage.
Best Camera Integration: WANDRD PRVKE
If you’re traveling with both camera gear and tech, meet your new best friend. The WANDRD PRVKE expertly protects fragile equipment with ample padding and a customizable camera cube. It still makes room for a 15-inch laptop in a separate compartment while keeping your water bottle and travel essentials close at hand.
Most Comfortable: Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L
Peak Design understands ergonomics. This top-loading pack carries heavy gear loads with ease thanks to a robust internal frame, thick shoulder straps, and a high-end adjustable harness. Quick access side zips provide camera and laptop access without taking it off. It looks great and works even better.
How to Pack Your Travel Laptop Backpack
Organization is key for keeping your gear safe and finding what you need quickly while traveling. Use the dedicated pockets properly:
Laptop compartment: Just your computer and charger. Having a separate sleeve prevents it from getting lost in the shuffle.
Main compartment: Clothing, shoes, toiletries, headphones, and other bulkier items that don’t need frequent access. Consider packing cubes to stay organized.
Outer stash pockets: Items you access regularly like wallet, phone, passport, book, snacks, etc.
Water bottle pockets: Keep your water outside for easy drinking access (and preventing leaks).
Interior organizing pockets: Cords, adapters, batteries, mouse, hard drive, and accessories.
By consciously packing your backpack with organization in mind, you’ll save time digging for buried items and know right where to reach for what you need. Careful packing also reduces tossing your bag around, preventing damage to your precious laptop and other delicate gear.
And don’t forget the accessories! A travel backpack is incomplete without key companions:
Rain cover: Unpredictable weather is no match for a quality waterproof rain cover. It takes up almost no space when packed.
Cable organizer: Prevent a tangled mess by safely stowing charging cables, memory cards, batteries and small items in a dedicated pouch.
Headphone case: Tossing headphones loosely into your pack is asking for disaster. Protect them in a hard shell case.
Alternate Styles to Consider
Classic Messenger Bag
While backpacks dominate travel landscapes, the unfussy styling and handy shoulder strap of a messenger bag like the Timbuk2 Commute Laptop Messenger still looks sharp whether you’re biking to a client meeting or grabbing an airport coffee before your flight.
Tote Backpack
For those looking to pare down their carry, a hybrid like the Patagonia Lightweight Travel Tote Backpack transforms from grocery shopper to rucksack with its stowable shoulder straps but retains a streamlined, urban aesthetic. Just don’t expect to go ultralight with this one.
Hardshell Backpack
So you only pack the essentials and want styling that reflects a tidy minimalism? The sleek and colorful Away Laptop Backpack keeps your 15-inch device safe in a padded sleeve while a magnetic water bottle pocket and leather handles add sophisticated touches.
With a properly packed backpack optimized for accessories and organization, you can rest easy knowing your laptop and gear are safe and accessible for whatever travel throws your way!
In conclusion, selecting the right travel laptop backpack is crucial for safeguarding your device, ensuring comfort, and maintaining organization during your journeys. Prioritize features like laptop protection, ample storage, comfort, accessibility, and durability. The top picks for 2024, such as the NOMATIC Backpack and Osprey Farpoint 40, cater to diverse needs. Remember to pack thoughtfully, utilizing dedicated compartments, and consider essential accessories like a rain cover, cable organizer, and headphone case. Whether opting for a classic backpack, tote, or hardshell design, a well-organized and accessorized backpack enhances your travel experience, ensuring your laptop and gear are both secure and easily accessible.