An upcoming trip is a good excuse to upgrade your travel gear, especially if you’re a remote worker who frequently posts up on your laptop from various places. While you can’t control a lot of what happens during your flight, at the airport, or somewhere in between, you can control what you have in your bag and how well you’re organized. Here we’ve rounded up the best work-from-anywhere travel backpack options that are not only fashionable but also super practical.
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| Peak Design Travel Backpack Zip 45L | SwissGear Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack | Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L | Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Backpack 25L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price: $299 | Price: $89.99 | Price: $350 | Price: $149 |
| 45 liters, good for extended travel | 27 liters capacity, good for up to one week on the road | 40 liters, good for extended travel | 25 liters, good for up to one week on the road |
| Easy to separate work gear, clothing, personal items, some padding | Easy to separate laptop | Easy to separate work gear, clothing, personal items, padded straps and back | Not very easy to separate gear |
| Traditional backpack top access | Traditional backpack top access | Opens like a backpack or suitcase | Opens like a duffel or backpack |
Peak Design Travel Backpack Zip 45L
While you might know this backpack as a camera gear bag, it’s actually one of the best options for any traveler thanks to its modular design and spacious compartments. Not only can you slide your laptop into a secure, padded compartment, but the whole bag seamlessly slides onto a suitcase. You can customize the entire interior of the backpack to your needs, putting this at the top of our list. If you work in digital media or are an avid photographer, this is the best pack for you.
Check out Matador’s detailed review of the Peak Design Travel Backpack Zip 45L
Capacity: 45 liters. Weight: 4.55 pounds (2.1 kg). Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 9.5 inches (55.9 x 33 x 24.1 cm). Laptop compartment: Fits up to a 17-inch laptop and an iPad.
Details: Weatherproof 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas external shell, 900D waterproof bottom liner, high-visibility grey nylon interior, anodized aluminum and glass-reinforced nylon hardware, UltraZips with abrasion-resistant UHMPE thread, Hypalon zip pulls and reinforced stress points. Features expandable side pockets, padded laptop + tablet sleeves, main cavity is divisible into 2 compartments via a zippered mesh sleeve, tuck-away shoulder straps and hip belt, 360-degree grab handles, cleverly concealed external carry straps
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: $299
SwissGear Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack
The SwissGear Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack is the perfect choice for digital nomads. This backpack offers plenty of storage and organization with its multiple compartments, including a dedicated laptop pocket that fits a 16-inch laptop no problem, along with space for additional electronics like tablets and phones. The back padding provides comfortable support and there are adjustable straps to help you customize the fit. With multiple pockets designed to hold items such as chargers, sunglasses, snacks, and other small items, it is lightweight yet durable enough to handle all of your travel — and work — gear, and that’s about it. It’s also the most affordable option here.
Check out Matador’s detailed review of the SwissGear Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack
Capacity: Weight: 3.2 pounds (1.45 kg) Dimensions: 18.9 x 14.2 x 11.8 inches (48 x 36 x 30 cm). Laptop compartment: Fits up to a 16-inch laptop. Materials: Ballistic nylon. Triple-protected padded laptop compartment. SmartOrg organizer with multiple compartments for pens, chargers, business cards, flash drives, etc.
Details: Pass-Thru trolley sleeve for easy travel with wheeled luggage. CaseBase stabilizing platform keeps bag standing upright, quick pocket for easy access to essentials. Mesh side pockets for water bottles or umbrellas, shock-absorbing shoulder straps, wire-reinforced ergonomic grab handle.
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: $89.99
Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L
The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L is a carry-on-friendly backpack designed for long-term travel. It is made of durable, waterproof sailcloth and features a front-loading design for easy packing. The backpack has a spacious main compartment with a large mesh pocket, padded, fleece-lined sleeves for your laptop and tablet, a deep front pocket with an organizer panel and Kindle sleeve, two external water bottle pockets, a top pocket with a key clip, and a flat front pocket. The backpack also has a height-adjustable suspension system and hip belt for comfortable carrying. Combined with its dedicated packing cubes, this pack is the most efficient backpack on the market for getting everything you need in a carry-on, without having to struggle to get the zipper shut.
Check out Matador’s detailed review of the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L
Capacity: 40 liters. The exact dimensions may vary slightly, but generally it falls within the range of carry-on size limits for most airlines. For example, it could be around 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm).
Details: Durable and water-resistant materials such as nylon or polyester. Designed to fit the requirements for carry-on luggage on most airlines, allowing you to avoid checked baggage fees. The backpack features a main compartment for clothing and larger items, a separate padded laptop compartment, and various smaller pockets for accessories and essentials. Adjustable shoulder straps, padded back panel, and sternum strap ensure comfort while carrying heavier loads for extended periods. Has front-loading access, which allows you to open the backpack like a suitcase for easier packing and unpacking. Lockable zippers for added security. External compression straps help you secure the load, reduce bulk, and stabilize the backpack.
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Price: $350
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Backpack 25L
Before you scoff at the 25L size of this pack (it’s still larger than the SwissGear Synergy), note that it’s modeled after Patagonia’s acclaimed Black Hole Duffel. It lives up to the “black hole” mantra quite well — giving you complete control over those 25 liters by not obstructing any of the space with unnecessary additions. If you operate like a wilderness backpacker — i.e., you roll your clothes, layer your pack based on how frequently you pull stuff out and don’t want to deal with any added weight — that this pack is for you. Your laptop and work gear fit in perfectly and can be surrounded by clothes and other soft items without making it hard to pull the computer out when you need it. And hey, if you end up taking an overnight camping trip while on the road, you won’t even need a new pack for the adventure.
Check out Matador’s detailed review of the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Backpack 25L
Capacity: 25 liters. Weight: 2.2 pounds (1 kg) Dimensions: 19 x 12 x 8 inches (48 x 30 x 20 cm)
Details: Laptop compartment: Fits up to a 15-inch laptop. 100% recycled 300-denier high-density water-resistant polyester ripstop with a TPU film laminate. Padded laptop compartment. Large main compartment with multiple pockets. External water bottle pockets. Sternum strap, adjustable shoulder straps
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: $149
The best of the rest: More work-from-anywhere travel laptop bags worth considering
Nomatic 30L Travel Bag
Nomatic is known for organization and tech and this bag does not disappoint. If you like to travel light, this is a great option as it doubles as a duffle bag and a backpack. Speed through security with the lay-flat laptop sleeve and handy pockets for all your gear and accessories.
Capacity: 30 liters. Weight: 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg). Dimensions: 9 x 19 x 13 inches (22.8 x 48.2 x 33 cm)
Details: Laptop compartment: Fits up to a 15-inch laptop. Water-resistant tarpaulin material composed of 90% polyester and 10% nylon. Padded laptop and tablet compartments. Shoe compartment with ventilated door. Multiple exterior pockets. RFID-safe pocket. Trolley sleeve. Removable waist belt. Expandable capacity
Warranty: 3 years
Price: $279
Solgaard Lifepack Endeavour with closet
Eco-friendly and efficient as ever, Solgaard’s Lifepack backpack is perfect for the light business traveler. This backpack not only features convenient organization for laptops and other gadgets, but you don’t ever have to pack and unpack on your business trip again. The closet system easily pulls out from the backpack and hangs in any closet. Say goodbye to endless folding and hello to a moveable closet.
Capacity: 27 liters (compact) / 35 liters (expanded). Weight: 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg). Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 6 inches (45 x 30 x 15 cm) (compact) / 20 x 13 x 8 inches (51 x 33 x 20 cm) (expanded)
Details: Laptop compartment: Fits up to a 16-inch laptop. Shore-Tex fabric, recycled polyester, and vegan leather. Removable hanging closet. Sunglasses pocket and suitcase seatbelt. Four secret pockets. Plush shoulder straps with back support. Water-resistant bottom
Warranty: 10 years
Price: $225
TUMI Voyageur Celina Laptop Backpack
For those of you looking for a little more style, check out the Tumi Voyageur Celina backpack. This handy little travel bag features easy-access pockets, a padded laptop pouch for up-to 15-inch computers and a convenient sleeve to slide over your suitcase handle. When you deplane, it easily converts to a handbag-style purse so you can head to your meeting in style.
Capacity: 23 liters. Weight: 2.37 pounds (1 kg). Dimensions: 16.5 x 12.75 x 7.25 inches (42 x 32 x 18 cm)
Details: Laptop compartment: Fits up to a 15-inch laptop. Ballistic nylon with padded laptop compartment. Main compartment with multiple pockets and exterior water bottle pockets. Front quick-access phone pocket. Leather top handles/ Padded mesh back and adjustable straps. Add-a-Bag sleeve. Monogrammable detachable key ring
Warranty: Five years
Price: $475
Calpak Kaya Laptop Bag
If you’re looking for a high-quality laptop bag that’s stylish and won’t break the bank, look no further than the Calpak Kaya. This beauty features a convenient sleeve for easy storage on your suitcase, a padded laptop pocket and a large sturdy compartment for accessories, clothing, and more.
Capacity: 15 liters. Weight: 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg). Dimensions: 15.5 x 11.5 x 4.5 inches (39 x 29 x 11 cm)
Details: Laptop compartment: Fits up to a 15-inch laptop. Materials: Faux leather. Padded laptop compartment. Main compartment with multiple pockets. Exterior zip pocket and exterior zip laptop compartment with snap-tab sleeve. Back sleeve slips over telescoping luggage handles. Fits most 15″ laptops. Interior wall pockets. Synthetic
Warranty: 1 year
Price: $118
Samsonite Classic Leather Slim Backpack
If you’re looking for a backpack with some classic elegance, check out the Samsonite Leather Slim Backpack. While it may look old-school on the outside, this backpack features multiple wide compartments for your gear, laptop and more. It has a, dare I say, sexy subtle sleeve to slide over your suitcase and is currently offered at a great price point.
Capacity: 17 liters. Weight: 1.12kg (2.47 lbs). Dimensions: 13.5 x 41 x 26.5 cm (5.3 x 16.1 x 10.4 in)
Details: Laptop compartment: Fits up to a 14-inch laptop. Materials: Grain leather. Padded laptop compartment. Main compartment with multiple pockets. External water bottle pockets. SmartSleeve for easy attachment to rolling luggage. Adjustable shoulder straps. Carrying handle
Warranty: 10 years
Price: $133
TravelPro Maxlite
TravelPro is one of the most reliable companies in the luggage industry and their bags are known for being lightweight and great for organization. This backpack is ideal for an organized traveler looking for a lightweight option.
Capacity: 33 liters. Weight: 3 pounds (1.4 kg). Dimensions: 18 x 15 x 10 inches (45 x 38 x 25 cm)
Details: Laptop compartment: Fits up to a 15.6-inch laptop. Ballistic nylon. Padded laptop compartment with TSA-approved security pocket. Main compartment with multiple pockets. Exterior water bottle pockets. Front quick-access pocket. Sternum strap. Adjustable shoulder straps.
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: $93
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
If you’re looking for a bit more color, the Cotopaxi is one of the best business travel backpack options. It’s lightweight, fun and has ample pockets and compartments for your tech, and your gear.
Capacity: 35 liters. Dimensions: The exact dimensions fall within the range of carry-on size limits for most airlines. About 21 x 12 x 11 inches (53 x 30 x 28 cm).
Details: Durable and water-resistant materials such as nylon or polyester. Carry-on compatibility: Designed to fit the requirements for carry-on luggage on most airlines. Multiple compartments and pockets. Laptop compartment with dedicated padded compartment to safely carry and protect a laptop or tablet. Adjustable shoulder straps, padded back panel, and a sternum strap. Suitcase-style opening with a zippered clamshell design, allowing you to access the contents easily. Lockable zippers and compression straps.
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Price: $200