Although I was Having worked from home for the past 15 years, both freelance and full-time, this often means having to be available 24/7, so I usually carry my laptop everywhere I go, including sports practices, day trips, and vacations. I’ve used a lot of laptop backpacks over this time, and the dividing line between a comfortable work backpack that fits seamlessly into your daily life and one that irritates you at every turn is a thin one. If you have limited closet space, it also helps if the backpack can do double duty and be used for traveling and/or hiking. The backpacks below are ones that I or another WIRED reviewer have used extensively in real life: on airplanes, on hikes, on vacations, and on work trips. For more bag and backpack recommendations, Bag Check features the WIRED staff’s favorite bags, sleeves, and backpacks. For more portable gear, check out our guides to the best wireless chargers, best Bluetooth trackers, and best travel adapters. Updated September 2026: I have added the Paramount Daypack Lite 20L and the Navigator Backpack to my list of staples. I also included the Eagle Creek Tour Lite Travel Pack, North Face Voyager Pro Base Camp, Bagsmart Moss Backpack, Brown Buffalo Conceal Pack, and GoRuck G1 on our honorable mentions list. Recommended Products Best value for money Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack Read more Best for commuting Thule Paramount Daypack Lite 20 l. Read more Best minimalist Backpack Troubadour Apex 4.0 Read more Best Laptop Bag Everlane Updated transit backpack I took this backpack on a week-long work trip where I complained endlessly about it to anyone who would listen. However, I must fairly and objectively conclude that this bag offers excellent value for money. It’s a lightweight, attractive backpack-style backpack that’s sleek and discreet enough for work. And that’s less than $120. The 27-liter compartment holds enough gear for a full day’s travel, from an airplane scarf to a water bottle, snacks, and other in-flight essentials. It has a slim profile and lies close to your back, so it’s easy to carry and won’t bump into people on the subway. The pockets are very minimalist—just an external laptop pocket, an internal tablet pocket, an internal zippered pocket, and two large utility pockets—but they work if you already put your stuff in the bags anyway. Some design elements felt cheap. I didn’t like the curved zipper that gives access to the main compartment; zippers that don’t work straight are bound to get stuck. One of the utility pockets is located on the lid flap, where everything inside slams and bangs. The luggage compartment is a simple piece of strap. It all works, though: it’s lightweight, affordable, and looks beautiful. The fabric is also water resistant so you can wear it in the rain! For most people, that’s all that really matters. —Adrienne So Best Laptop Bag for Commuting Thule Backpack Paramount Lite 20 l The newest addition to Thule’s already solid line of backpacks was built specifically for hauling gear to and from work every day, and it shows. The silhouette is sleek and aerodynamic, making it suitable for bike commuting (there’s even a loop on the front for attaching a bike light), and it’s large enough for a laptop, multiple notebooks, and maybe a jacket without feeling too big or bulky. The side water bottle holder is elastic and fits different sizes. I also like the organization on the inside for small items like pens and notepads (the flap also folds down to access the inside so you can access those things next to your desk), as well as the hidden but easily accessible small pocket under the flap for your wallet, keys, and phone. It’s not the roomiest backpack, so you won’t be packing it with sports gear or taking it on an overnight trip, but if you’re just heading to and from the office with basics and a laptop, it’s the most thoughtful option I’ve tried. Post navigation 3 Travel Investors Watch Flight Disruptions to Indonesia Will Scots have to travel further to get care from the NHS?