For today’s travelers and professionals, a laptop isn’t just a piece of technology—it’s an essential tool for work, communication, and entertainment on the move. Protecting this valuable asset is paramount, which is why investing in a high-quality Laptop Travel Backpack is a smart decision. Whether you’re navigating bustling airport terminals, cycling through city streets, or commuting to campus, a reliable, comfortable, and well-padded backpack is indispensable.
Recognizing the critical need for superior laptop travel backpacks, we rigorously tested over 50 different models in our New York City lab and in real-world scenarios. Our aim was to identify the very best backpacks that offer optimal comfort, durability, and protection for your valuable tech, alongside features that cater to the demands of modern travel and daily commutes. We loaded each backpack with laptops, tablets, clothing, and everyday essentials, simulating real-life use to assess comfort and carrying capacity. To evaluate durability, we performed drop tests from tabletop height, using dummy laptops to ensure no devices were harmed in our pursuit of the perfect laptop travel backpack.
This comprehensive guide unveils our top selections across various categories, ensuring you find the ideal laptop travel backpack to match your lifestyle, budget, and specific needs. From overall excellence to specialized features like leather finishes or solar charging capabilities, we’ve got you covered.
Our Top Picks for Laptop Travel Backpacks
- Best Overall: Stubble & Co. The Everyday Backpack
- Best Leather: Bee & Kin The Midi Nomad Backpack
- Best Expandable: Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack
- Best Solar-powered: Solgaard Lifepack Backpack
- Best Splurge: Lo & Sons Rowledge
- Best Budget: Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack
- Best Organization: Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe
- Most Versatile: Monos Metro Backpack
- Best for Students: Fjällräven Räven 28
- Best Basic: Béis The Backpack
Best Overall Laptop Travel Backpack
Stubble & Co. The Everyday Backpack
PHOTO: Stubble & Co.
Why We Love It: The Stubble & Co. Everyday Backpack stands out as the best overall laptop travel backpack thanks to its exceptional versatility and organizational prowess. This backpack is designed to keep your digital life in order with a plethora of pockets in varying sizes, making it ideal for both daily commutes and travel adventures.
What to Consider: During our rigorous testing, we encountered a minor issue with the chest straps detaching, and reattaching them proved to be unexpectedly difficult. However, this was a singular incident and didn’t detract significantly from the backpack’s overall performance.
The Stubble & Co. Everyday Backpack not only impressed us as a top-tier laptop travel backpack but also during our waterproof backpack testing. Its stylish, slim, and compact design belies its spacious interior, capable of accommodating a 16-inch laptop, headphones, chargers, a jacket, a water bottle, notebooks, a travel pouch, and even a small toiletry case.
“The sheer quantity and variety of pockets in this laptop travel backpack are a dream for anyone who values organization,” noted Travel + Leisure testing editor Jackie Cucco. “The diverse sizes and shapes of the pockets are perfect for giving every item a dedicated space.” The backpack features a dedicated back compartment for laptops up to 16 inches, a main compartment with six internal pockets, a small top pocket for quick access items, a tiny strap pocket for earbuds, dual water bottle side pockets, and a large front exterior pocket. While it includes an adjustable chest strap for added stability, we did experience the strap detaching during testing.
Beyond its impressive organization, this laptop travel backpack excels in weather resistance. We subjected it to showerhead tests, and our electronics remained completely dry, offering peace of mind for use in rainy conditions.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 18.1 x 11.8 x 5.5 inches
- Capacity: 20 liters
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Materials: Recycled PET, recycled RPET lining, polyester air mesh
- Laptop Pocket Size: 16-inch
- Special Features: Waterproof
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Close-up view of a laptop being securely placed into the padded laptop compartment of the Stubble & Co. Everyday Backpack, highlighting its protective design.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Detail shot of a person smoothly zipping up the main compartment of the Stubble & Co. Everyday Backpack, showcasing the quality zippers and sleek design.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Image depicting the Stubble & Co. Everyday Backpack being easily stowed in an airplane overhead compartment, illustrating its travel-friendly size.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: A user conveniently storing headphones in one of the many pockets of the Stubble & Co. Everyday Backpack, emphasizing its organizational features.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Lifestyle shot of a person comfortably wearing the Stubble & Co. Everyday Backpack, showcasing its ergonomic design and suitability for daily use.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Waterproof test demonstration on the Stubble & Co. Everyday Backpack, water beads up on the surface, illustrating its water-resistant properties.
Watch Our Laptop Backpack Testing Process
Watch Us Test the Best Laptop Backpacks
Best Leather Laptop Travel Backpack
Bee & Kin The Midi Nomad Backpack
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PHOTO: Bee & Kin
Why We Love It: For those seeking a touch of luxury and style, the Bee & Kin Midi Nomad Backpack is the best leather laptop travel backpack. Its sleek Italian leather construction elevates it beyond typical nylon backpacks, offering a sophisticated aesthetic without compromising functionality.
What to Consider: We noted that even at their shortest adjustment, the straps are a bit long, which might cause the bag to sit lower on the back than some users prefer. However, this is a minor drawback considering the overall quality and style.
Crafted from soft, supple Italian leather, this mid-sized backpack perfectly marries style with practicality. It comfortably fits laptops up to 13 inches, making it versatile enough for travel, commuting, and everyday errands. After four months of consistent use, we found it to be an ideal medium-sized bag, easy to maintain and clean, solidifying its place as a top laptop travel backpack for daily use. It effortlessly accommodates a laptop, water bottle, wallet, notebook, and headphones, with ample room to spare. Travel-friendly features include a dedicated pocket for a wireless charger (sold separately) and multiple interior pockets for accessory organization.
The leather material’s plush feel enhances carrying comfort. While we wished for slightly shorter straps, the lightweight nature of this laptop travel backpack mitigates this issue. We believe the high-quality craftsmanship and stylish design make it a worthwhile investment for travel, commuting, and daily activities.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 13 x 11.6 x 5.5 inches
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
- Material: Leather
- Laptop Pocket Size: 13-inch
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Detailed view of hands gently placing a laptop inside the plush, protective laptop sleeve of the Bee & Kin Midi Nomad Backpack.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Close-up shot emphasizing the luxurious leather texture and detailed stitching of the Bee & Kin Midi Nomad Backpack, highlighting its premium quality.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Image demonstrating the easy access to accessories in the outer pocket of the Bee & Kin Midi Nomad Backpack, showing a charger being retrieved.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Detailed focus on the adjustable leather straps of the Bee & Kin Midi Nomad Backpack, emphasizing the quality of the leather and strap hardware.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Lifestyle image of a person stylishly wearing the Bee & Kin Midi Nomad Backpack, illustrating its elegant design and suitability for everyday carry.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Bee & Kin Midi Nomad Backpack displayed on a table, showcasing its compact size and design while a person reaches for a laptop in the background.
Best Expandable Laptop Travel Backpack
Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack
PHOTO: Samsonite
Why We Love It: The Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack earns the title of best expandable laptop travel backpack due to its ingenious expandable zippers, which dramatically increase packing space when needed. This feature makes it incredibly versatile for travelers who need to adapt to varying packing requirements.
What to Consider: While highly functional, the Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack is only available in limited color options, which may not appeal to everyone seeking more stylistic variety.
Having tested countless backpacks, I found the Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack to be a standout for its exceptional features hidden within a simple design. This laptop travel backpack is packed with pockets for every conceivable travel essential, including dedicated compartments for laptops, tablets, notebooks, chargers, and passports. A secure side water bottle pocket prevents spills, even when subjected to drop tests. The laptop pouch is designed with a hammock-like suspension system, providing superior protection against impacts. The expandable zipper is a game-changer, adding 1.5 inches of extra depth, perfect for accommodating an extra jacket or souvenirs. Its airplane-friendly size allows it to fit comfortably under seats, and the enhanced padding on the back panel and shoulder straps ensures exceptional comfort during travel.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 17.8 x 12 x 6.5 inches
- Capacity: 22.75 liters
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Material: Recycled polyester
- Special Features: Expandable design
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Hands carefully inserting a laptop into the protective laptop sleeve of the Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack, showing its secure and padded compartment.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Image highlighting the organizational features of the Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack, with hands placing a smartphone into one of its many pockets.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Illustration of the Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack fitting perfectly under an airplane seat, demonstrating its compliance with airline personal item size restrictions.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Image showing the Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack placed on top of a rolling suitcase, highlighting its trolley sleeve feature for convenient travel.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Close-up of a water bottle being inserted into the secure side pocket of the Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack, showcasing its spill-proof design.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Durability test in action: the Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack being pushed off a counter, demonstrating its robust build and laptop protection.
Read more about durable backpacks: The 13 Most Durable Backpacks for Every Adventure, Tested and Reviewed
Best Solar-powered Laptop Travel Backpack
Solgaard Lifepack Backpack
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PHOTO: Solgaard
Why We Love It: The Solgaard Lifepack Backpack is the best solar-powered laptop travel backpack, standing out for its integrated solar-powered USB charger and commitment to sustainability. Constructed from recycled plastic bottles collected from beaches, it’s an eco-conscious choice for the tech-savvy traveler.
What to Consider: Its capacity is somewhat smaller compared to other backpacks we tested, which might be a limitation for those needing to carry a large volume of items.
The Solgaard Lifepack Backpack not only impressed us with its features but also with Solgaard’s dedication to environmental responsibility. Made using patented Shore-tex material derived from recycled plastic bottles, this laptop travel backpack is a step towards sustainable travel gear. It includes a built-in solar-powered USB charging port, allowing you to charge devices on the go without relying on power banks. In our lab tests, it accommodated our standard packing list, including a laptop, tablet, sweatshirt, notebook, and water bottle, though space was limited. The fleece-lined laptop sleeve, located at the back, provided adequate protection during our durability tests. Ample padding and an adjustable chest strap ensure comfortable wear, even when fully loaded.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 12.4 x 6.9 x 19 inches
- Capacity: 19 liters
- Weight: 4.85 pounds
- Special Features: Anti-theft lock, USB port, solar-powered charging
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: Solgaard Lifepack Backpack standing upright on the floor, showcasing its design and features in a lifestyle setting with a person seated nearby.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: The Solgaard Lifepack Backpack elegantly displayed on a leather chair, highlighting its modern aesthetics and durable construction.
Best Splurge Laptop Travel Backpack
Lo & Sons Rowledge
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PHOTO: Lo & Sons
$485 at Amazon View on Loandsons.com
Why We Love It: The Lo & Sons Rowledge is our pick for the best splurge laptop travel backpack, offering a blend of sleek style and robust protection. Its nylon material and leather accents provide a sophisticated look without sacrificing durability, making it ideal for discerning travelers and professionals.
What to Consider: The laptop compartment is designed for laptops 13 inches and smaller, which may not accommodate larger devices. Consider this limitation if you have a larger laptop.
The Lo & Sons Rowledge laptop travel backpack is a premium option that justifies its price with exceptional performance. The nylon exterior, accented with leather, gives this timeless bag a luxurious feel, perfect for both travel and office environments. Despite its seemingly compact exterior, it comfortably fits essentials like a sweatshirt, laptop, tablet, notebook, and water bottle. The 13-inch laptop pocket is its main limitation for users with larger laptops.
Adjustable straps and extensive padding ensure comfort and durability. Although initially feeling slightly stiff, the material quickly conforms to the body for a more comfortable fit over time. While it performed well in initial drop tests, after six months of use, we observed some minor scuffing and tarnish on the hardware, suggesting it might require gentle handling over extended periods.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 11.5 x 6.75 inches
- Capacity: 21 liters
- Weight: 3.2 pounds
- Materials: Nylon, leather
- Laptop Pocket Size: 13.5-inch
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: Hands opening the Lo & Sons Rowledge Backpack wide, showcasing its spacious main compartment and organizational features.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: Lifestyle shot of a person carrying the Lo & Sons Rowledge Backpack, highlighting its stylish design and comfortable fit in an urban setting.
Best Budget Laptop Travel Backpack
Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack
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PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: The Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack is the best budget laptop travel backpack, delivering exceptional value with a wealth of smart, travel-friendly features typically found in higher-priced models. It’s an excellent choice for travelers seeking functionality without breaking the bank.
What to Consider: The materials, while durable, are noticeably lower in quality compared to premium backpacks. However, this is expected given its budget-friendly price point.
This remarkably affordable laptop travel backpack exceeded our expectations during testing. After four months of regular use, we were particularly impressed with its padded laptop sleeve, which securely protects laptops up to 15.6 inches. It’s equipped with numerous smart features, including a USB port for on-the-go charging, a passcode lock for enhanced security, and a headphone port for easy access to audio. The main compartment is generously spacious, easily accommodating bulky items, and the front compartment offers extensive organizational pockets for smaller essentials.
Constructed from polyester fabric, the Tzowla backpack feels surprisingly durable and withstood our durability tests without damage. While the material quality isn’t on par with more expensive options, the comfortable, padded straps and adjustable buckles ensure it remains comfortable to carry.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 11.8 x 5.5 inches
- Capacity: 34 liters
- Weight: 1.83 pounds
- Material: Polyester blend
- Laptop Pocket Size: 15.6-inch
- Special Features: USB and headphone port, password lock
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: A hand carefully sliding a laptop into the padded laptop compartment of the Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack, demonstrating its protective sleeve.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Image highlighting the USB charging port feature of the Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack, with hands connecting a USB cable for device charging.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Detailed close-up of the zipper lock mechanism on the Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack, emphasizing its anti-theft security feature.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: A person comfortably wearing the Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack, showcasing its ergonomic design and practical style for everyday use.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Image demonstrating the side water bottle pocket of the Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack, with hands placing a water bottle inside.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Alt text: Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack presented on the floor, highlighting its overall design and features in a product showcase.
Explore more affordable luggage options: The 13 Best Affordable Luggage Pieces, Tested and Reviewed
Best Organized Laptop Travel Backpack
Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe
PHOTO: Amazon
$169 at Amazon View on Timbuk2.com
Why We Love It: For those who prioritize organization, the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe is the best laptop travel backpack. It features an extensive array of interior and exterior pockets, ensuring efficient and systematic storage of all your belongings, making it ideal for meticulous packers.
What to Consider: While highly organized, the overall capacity could be larger for users who need to carry a significant volume of items daily.
The Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe excels in keeping your gear systematically arranged. This laptop travel backpack provides designated spaces for all your essentials, including a padded laptop pocket in the back, a main compartment with slip and zippered pockets, and a spacious front pocket for notebooks and larger items. Additional features like a side slip pocket for water bottles and a trolley sleeve for suitcase attachment enhance its travel utility. We appreciated the dual access to the laptop compartment, either through the back zipper or the main compartment. Compression straps allow for capacity adjustment, though we felt the main compartment could be slightly more spacious. Padded straps ensure comfortable carrying, and the water-resistant recycled nylon exterior is perfect for rainy climates.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 18.9 x 11.42 x 5.31 inches
- Capacity: 20 liters
- Weight: 2.51 pounds
- Material: Recycled nylon
- Laptop Pocket Size: 17-inch
- Special Features: Water-resistant
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: A person adjusting the straps of the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe, showcasing its customizable fit and comfortable design.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe elegantly placed on a leather chair, highlighting its sleek design and durable material.
Most Versatile Laptop Travel Backpack
Monos Metro Backpack
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PHOTO: Monos
Why We Love It: The Monos Metro Backpack is the most versatile laptop travel backpack due to its innovative removable front pocket. This detachable pouch adds significant extra capacity, making it adaptable for various travel needs, from minimalist day trips to extended journeys requiring more gear.
What to Consider: The shoulder straps have minimal padding, which might be less comfortable when carrying heavier loads for extended periods.
The Monos Metro Backpack’s standout feature is its detachable front pocket, providing expandable space that’s incredibly useful for travelers. The updated design cleverly conceals the snaps when the front pocket is removed, maintaining a clean aesthetic. When extra space isn’t needed, simply detach the pouch using the discreet cord at the back. Even without the pouch, this laptop travel backpack retains a sleek look, thanks to Monos’ modular design.
We appreciate the sophisticated vegan leather appearance and found the materials effectively protected laptops during drop tests. The interior features several pockets, with the laptop compartment separated at the back. Ideal for both air travel and daily office commutes, this stylish bag is perfect for those seeking adaptable functionality. It’s also available in nylon with a broader color selection.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 11.5 × 16.5 × 6 inches
- Capacity: 18 liters
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Materials: Vegan leather or nylon
- Laptop Pocket Size: 15-inch
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: Durability test of the Monos Metro Backpack, shown being pushed off a counter to assess its protective capabilities for laptops and contents.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: Lifestyle image of a person wearing the Monos Metro Backpack while standing at a counter, showcasing its sleek profile and urban style.
Best Laptop Travel Backpack for Students
Fjällräven Räven 28
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PHOTO: Amazon
$93 (Sale Price) at Amazon View on Fjallraven.com
Why We Love It: The Fjällräven Räven 28 Backpack is the best laptop travel backpack for students, offering exceptional comfort for campus commutes and ample pockets for academic essentials. Its breathable back padding and comfortable design make it ideal for students navigating busy campuses.
What to Consider: The polyester blend fabric tends to attract dust and lint more easily than we’d prefer, and the water bottle pockets could be larger to accommodate standard reusable bottles.
For students moving between classes or across campus, the Fjällräven Räven 28 Backpack is our top recommendation. The breathable back padding provides excellent cushioning and support, enhancing comfort during extended wear. Its slim design prevents bulkiness, making it easy to navigate crowded hallways and pathways. The main compartment offers numerous pockets for classroom necessities, and each side features a water bottle slip pocket.
While the fabric can pick up dust, it effectively protects laptops in the padded sleeve. Its compact design is perfect for crowded environments, and it has proven durable over six months of daily commuting, even protecting contents from rain. Larger water bottles might not fit comfortably in the side pockets.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 14 x 6.1 inches
- Capacity: 28 liters
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Materials: Polyester and cotton with wax coating
- Laptop Pocket Size: 15-inch
- Special Features: Water-resistant
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: A student wearing the Fjällräven Räven 28 Backpack, showcasing its comfortable fit and practical design for campus life.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: Fjällräven Räven 28 Backpack displayed on a chair, highlighting its classic design and durable construction suitable for academic environments.
Discover more messenger bag options: The 13 Best Messenger Bags, Tested and Reviewed
Best Basic Laptop Travel Backpack
Béis The Backpack
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PHOTO: Beis
Why We Love It: Béis The Backpack is the best basic laptop travel backpack due to its simple, versatile, and no-frills design. Its straightforward approach makes it a reliable choice for anyone needing a functional and unassuming backpack for various uses.
What to Consider: Its size might be larger than necessary for everyday use, potentially feeling bulky for minimalists or those carrying only a few items.
We appreciate the simplicity of the Béis backpack, which is packed with thoughtful features making it an excellent laptop travel backpack for travelers, students, and commuters alike. The main compartment offers a large capacity, easily accommodating packing list items, including tech devices and a water bottle in one of the two side pockets. The fully opening main compartment and multiple smaller pockets enhance packing efficiency. “I love how the main compartment zips fully open for easy packing and visibility, and it fits so much,” says T+L Associate Editorial Director Morgan Ashley Parker. “It’s a great value for a basic black backpack without a sporty aesthetic.”
While the padding effectively protected laptops during drop tests, the lack of bottom padding raised some concerns about overall protection. After six months, we noted that the straps could benefit from additional padding for enhanced comfort, especially when the backpack is heavily loaded.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 19 x 13 x 5.5 inches
- Capacity: 22 liters
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
- Materials: Cotton, PVC, polyester
- Laptop Pocket Size: 14.5-inch
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: Hands holding an organizer insert from the Béis The Backpack, highlighting its modular organizational system and versatile storage options.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Alt text: Lifestyle shot of a person wearing the Béis The Backpack, demonstrating its comfortable fit and classic, understated style.
Best Style Laptop Travel Backpack
Paravel Alta Via Backpack
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PHOTO: Paravel
$245 at Amazon View on Tourparavel.com
Why We Love It: The Paravel Alta Via Backpack is the best style laptop travel backpack, combining compact elegance with surprising spaciousness. Its vegan leather accents, recycled water bottle construction, and monogramming option make it a stylish and eco-conscious choice for fashion-forward travelers.
What to Consider: The vegan leather accents may require more careful maintenance to preserve their appearance over time compared to more robust materials.
Whether you’re a minimalist or an over-packer, the Paravel Alta Via Backpack adapts to your needs. Despite its sleek, compact shape, it offers ample space for bulky items like jackets, water bottles, laptops, tablets, and toiletry bags. This laptop travel backpack is rich in organizational features, including a padded breathable mesh back with a zippered pocket, a trolley pass-through sleeve, an exterior mesh side pocket, a front zippered pocket, and multiple interior pockets, including a padded laptop and tablet sleeve for devices up to 16 inches.
We especially loved the personalization option, with monogramming available to add a touch of quiet luxury. Made from recycled water bottles and water-resistant inside and out, this backpack features recycled vegan leather accents and zippers. While these stylish details enhance its appeal, the vegan leather may require extra care to maintain its condition.
The Details:
- Dimensions: 17.7 x 12.4 x 6.3 inches
- Capacity: 17-liter
- Weight: 2.09 pounds
- Materials: Recycled vegan leather and zippers
- Laptop Pocket Size: 16-inch
- Special Features: Water-resistant exterior and interior
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Stylish person wearing the Paravel Alta Via Backpack over one shoulder, showcasing its fashionable design and comfortable carry.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Image showing the wide opening of the Paravel Alta Via Backpack, revealing its spacious interior and organizational pockets.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Close-up of a laptop securely placed within the padded laptop sleeve of the Paravel Alta Via Backpack, emphasizing its protective design.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Detail image of a person adjusting the straps of the Paravel Alta Via Backpack, showcasing its adjustable and user-friendly features.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Close-up of a hand holding open one of the pockets on the Paravel Alta Via Backpack, highlighting its organizational compartments.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Image showing the versatility of the Paravel Alta Via Backpack, carried by a side strap, illustrating its multiple carrying options.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: Detail shot of a person zipping up the Paravel Alta Via Backpack, emphasizing the quality zippers and the backpack’s secure closure.
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Alt text: The Paravel Alta Via Backpack fitting comfortably under an airplane seat, demonstrating its travel-friendly size for carry-on and personal item use.
Other Laptop Backpacks We Liked
While the backpacks above are our top recommendations, several other models we tested are worth considering for specific needs:
- Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack: Sleek and functional design, but could use more padding for laptop protection and comfort during rough handling.
- Vohler Laptop Backpack With Charger: A strong contender for best budget, offering sturdy construction and good padding, but lacked some of the standout features of our top budget pick.
- Swissgear Travel Gear 1900 Scansmart TSA Laptop Backpack: Durable and with ample storage, ideal for students and commuters, but less comfortable than desired for prolonged wear.
Our Laptop Backpack Testing Process
We put over 50 laptop travel backpacks from leading brands like The North Face, Away, Samsonite, and Swissgear through rigorous testing across multiple lab sessions. Our evaluation criteria focused on four key aspects: capacity, design, comfort, and durability.
Capacity: We used a standardized packing list, including a laptop, tablet, sweatshirt, water bottle, notebook, and toiletry bag, to assess how much each backpack could hold.
Design: We evaluated the design for intuitive features like laptop pocket padding, pocket variety, and ease of carrying using handles and straps. Top-rated designs featured thoughtful pocket placement and robust laptop protection.
Comfort: Testers wore each loaded backpack for at least 10 minutes, assessing shoulder and sternum strap comfort, potential pinching, and overall ergonomic design. Comfort leaders provided ample back and strap padding, minimizing irritation and awkwardness.
Durability: We performed drop tests from tabletop height to assess damage resistance, checking both external wear and internal content protection. Long-term real-world testing over four months further validated quality and functionality to finalize our top product recommendations.
As we continue to test new laptop travel backpacks, we will regularly update this guide with our latest findings.
Tips for Buying a Laptop Backpack
Choosing the right laptop travel backpack involves considering several key factors to ensure it meets your needs for protection, comfort, and functionality.
Check the Laptop Sleeve Size
Ensure the laptop travel backpack you choose has a sleeve that fits your device. Laptop sizes typically range from 10 to 17 inches. Always check the backpack’s specifications for laptop sleeve dimensions to guarantee compatibility.
Travel + Leisure
Alt text: Close up shot of hands carefully placing a laptop into the dedicated laptop sleeve of a Swissgear backpack, emphasizing size compatibility.
Padding is Key for Protection and Comfort
Adequate padding is crucial for both laptop protection and carrying comfort. Look for laptop travel backpacks with substantial padding around the laptop sleeve to safeguard against impacts. Back panel padding enhances comfort during wear. Padded shoulder straps are also essential for comfortable carrying, especially when the backpack is fully loaded.
Travel + Leisure
Alt text: Image depicting a durability test where a person is tossing a Monos Metro Backpack off a counter, highlighting the importance of padding for impact protection.
Consider Additional Features
Beyond laptop protection, think about organizational features and extra functionalities. Depending on your needs, look for laptop travel backpacks with specialized pockets for shoes, water bottles, or tech accessories like USB charging ports to streamline your packing and daily carry.
Frequently Asked Questions about Laptop Travel Backpacks
Here are answers to common questions to help you choose the best laptop travel backpack.
Should I put my laptop in a backpack without a case?
Our testing showed that high-quality laptop travel backpacks offer sufficient padding to protect laptops without needing a separate case. However, for extra peace of mind or for added protection against scratches, using a slim laptop case inside the backpack is a personal preference.
How do you measure a laptop for a backpack?
Laptop screen sizes are measured diagonally in inches, typically from 13 to 17 inches. To measure your laptop, use a tape measure from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner diagonally. Check the laptop pocket dimensions of the backpack to ensure a proper fit.
Is a laptop backpack a personal item on flights?
Generally, yes, a laptop travel backpack is considered a personal item on most airlines and can be carried in addition to a carry-on bag. However, size restrictions apply, and if your backpack is too large to fit under the seat, it might need to be counted as a carry-on. Always verify specific airline policies before traveling.
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Alt text: Image illustrating a person easily placing a Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack under an airplane seat, confirming its suitability as a personal item for air travel.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure for Laptop Travel Backpack Reviews
T+L associate editor Anna Popp, who authors most of our tested content, is deeply involved in every lab and real-world product test, including luggage, outdoor gear, and beauty products. Anna personally uses laptop travel backpacks from brands like Monos, Troubadour, and Lo & Sons. Her extensive experience and testing insights are crucial in recommending the best laptop travel backpacks.
Explore more carry-on luggage options: The Best Carry-on Luggage, Tested and Reviewed
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Edited by Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco is a testing editor at Travel + Leisure, overseeing product tests and writing/editing travel product reviews based on rigorous testing. With a background as a travel agent and in journalism, she brings over eight years of product coverage and gift guide expertise.
Updated by Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba, a trilingual writer based in Boston, specializes in food, travel, and history, contributing to diverse topics from travel products for India trips to medieval history.
