Best Laptop Backpack for Everyday Carry

“EDC” stands for everyday carry. The abbreviation refers to useful items you carry daily for work, weaponry, survival, hiking, and more. This is a highly individual thing, so no one backpack is perfect for everyone, and individual needs might require different pocket configurations, sizes, materials, and features.

So how do you choose a laptop backpack that you can use for concealer carry, survival needs, and why not even bushcrafting? That’s why we are here. To help you make that choice after testing over 35 brands and models. We made some of the mistakes you would if you chose the wrong product. We found some great products as well!

So without further ado, let’s see what we think are the best laptop bags for everyday carry.

1. Victorinox Altmont Professional Fliptop Backpack

The Victorinox Altmont Professional bag is always prepared with various storage pockets. Its added rear compartment with lockable zippers can protect up to a 15-inch laptop or tablet.

The main section features a file divider, two storage slots, two pen areas, card slots, and two stretch mesh side pockets. You can also see an additional hanging essential organizer featuring a series of pockets, storage slots, and accessory loops that can be removed and hung near a desk or workspace and folded to a compact tri-fold form for usage without the bag.

The exterior features two vertical-zip front pockets. One contains a bottle opener, two multi-purpose zip-away side pockets, a top pocket containing three mesh storage slots, and a key fob. The terrific module has added back panels and padded, adjustable shoulder straps for maximum comfort and a rear sleeve that slides over the handle system of wheeled luggage, making traveling with multiple bags easy

2. TIMBUK2 Authority Laptop Backpack

The authority pack is a supremely organized monster of a work pack optimized for your daily commute. It keeps everything organized with its interior pocket that fits most 15″ to 17″ laptops and the internal organizer for pens, phones, and other small gadgets.

There is a large main compartment for books, a jacket, or other carry-on essentials. The always-wanted side stretch pocket for water bottles is also on point. The Timbuk has clever extras like the rear access to the laptop pocket, protecting your device while giving more space in the main compartment for other things, bottom compression straps for cinching, and grab handles for easy lifting. The extraordinary backpack even has an in-pocket key keeper.

3. Thule Chasm Backpack 26L

Thule Chasm is a durable rolltop pack. It is designed for city life with the best electronic protection and multi-access points to grab belongings while on the go easily. There is a dual-density laptop sleeve with secure flap closure and safe edge construction for superior corner protection and a protective slip pocket for tablets with soft interior lining.

You have two-way access to the laptop or tablet- through the top-loading compartment or the side zipper. The padded valuables pocket will protect your sunglasses or phone. The roll-top compartment has expandable volume and multiple access points. Most importantly, your laptop compartment dimension can reach up to 9.8 x 0.9 x 14.3.

4. Maxpedition Entity 16 CCW-Enabled EDC Bag

This Spring 2018 module is one of the products the designers are most proud of. Starting with a description from the front- the backpack has detachable and concealable drawbridge straps in case you only want to throw something inside quickly.

The spacious interior has many compartments and a loop-lined interior wall for hook-backed accessories. For quick closure, you can use the tuckable magnetic wings. Moving to the backside of the backpack, you will find a lockable padded compartment for your laptop.

The design consists of easily accessible side pockets properly for any sort of gear. Of course, the comfortable rucksack could not go without a slip pocket for fitting your bottle of water and dual side media ports for earpieces or charging cables. The removable waist belt has a quick-release buckle and adjustable sternum straps. You also have a CCW compartment with a security lockout strip (the best place to keep your self-defense gun). Most times, the equipment is pretty heavy, that is when you pull out your trolly handle. 

5. Aer Flight Pack 2

Flight Pack 2 is a convertible backpack remarkably convenient for work travels. Its clever design allows you to comfortably carry it as a backpack (for traveling), a shoulder bag, or a brief with handles (for work meetings). When using your backpack, the second two way, you can hide the ergonomic straps for a clean look. It even has a luggage pass-through for convenient carry! 

Multiple pockets for your daily essentials keep your belongings organized and ready to work on the go. The smart organization compartment has a special place for pens, cameras, headphones, etc. You have quick access to the top pocket for travel documents, so you do not have to go over the whole bag to find your passport.

A spacious main compartment fits all your work essentials, while on the side, you have an extendable pocket for either a bottle or an umbrella. Traveling while it is raining will not be an issue for you, thanks to the ultra-durable, water-resistant nylon exterior. The unique design is large enough to fit all your items and comfortable enough to carry around with its measures- length: 18″; width: 12″; depth: 5″.

6. Topo Designs Rover Pack Premium

The bag features two expandable water bottle pockets, as well as compression straps with custom heavy-duty hardware. The backpack has two exterior zipper compartments- one on the top, which includes a key clip, and one on the base, which includes two interior slip-in pockets.

There are dual latter lock buckle closures, and there is a cinch at the top. There is an internal laptop sleeve willing to fit a 15-inch laptop. As expected, the back of the bag has padded straps, as well as a sternum clip to reinforce support. You can carry the bag by the handle, where you will find the pack fast travel bag attachment loops. 

7. KAKA Carry-On Travel Backpack 35l

Although this item is more accessible to people, that does not make it less than the others. This durable, anti-theft, water-resistant, scratch-resistant, professional design travel bag is made with high-quality terylene oxford fabric. It has straps with high-density and soft decompression foam for your comfort.

The backpack has large compartments with 10 pockets: One main zipped pocket, three front zipped ones, a side mesh area, two small strap pockets, and three in the large front zipped space. It can provide separate space for a computer, iPad, A4 files, wallet, clothes, power bank, and more of your items.

The laptop compartment dimensions – 18 X 11 X 6 inches fit most models of minicomputers. The bag has many conversions- Backpack/Duffle Bag/Shoulder Bag/Travel Bag and can be used in several different ways. Its back and shoulder straps are made from elastic and breathable materials to make your journey comfortable rather than burdensome, even if you load many items. The shoulder straps are stable, with four ring-shaped loops to hold your belongings and an adjustable waistband.

8. DAYPACK – BLACK DYNEEMA

Designed as a lightweight daily carry bag, this daypack is packed with features while maintaining a commitment to the essentials. The durable, reliable, and stable bag highlights a padded laptop compartment (up to 15″ devices), laptop sleeve (9.75” x 14.5”), tablet sleeve (9.75 x 8.5”), internal water bottle pocket, a mesh zip pocket, and a built-in cord management system. The exterior features a water-repelling 5oz Dyneema composite fabric, and the lining is 410D nylon pack cloth. 

9. GORUCK GR 1

GR 1 is an original piece of gear and one of the best EDC ever built. It is designed and proven by special forces all over the globe. GR1 has two sizes- 21L and 26L. If you are 6 feet and over, go with the 26L, if you are under 6 feet and bring only the essentials to your journeys- 21L. So, let’s move on to all the features this remarkable backpack has. You are starting with the flat design, making it easy to organize and pack multiple pockets.

There are extra padded straps to carry heavier loads more comfortably. Special silent zipper pulls are designed, and the laptop compartment is bombproof. A removable, hard plastic frame sheet stabilizes the laptop compartment and allows you to carry more weight comfortably. The designers built a false bottom in the laptop compartment so that when you set your ruck down, your laptop will not even notice.

There is one external slant pocket for quick access to key snacks and other small items. Three rows of external and internal MOLLE webbing let you customize GR1 how you want. The ruck is highly water-resistant, aka rainproof.

10. Incase ICON Slim Backpack

Building on a heritage of over 15 years in innovation and design, the Incase ICON collection is one of the latest evolutions in the mission to create a tech-optimized carrying solution designed to meet the demands of like-minded creators around the globe. With dedicated compartments for your MacBook, iPad, and iPhone, along with intelligent organization for the essentials, this backpack is designed to handle any situation.

A padded mesh back panel with built-in airflow channels combined with adjustable shoulder straps provides a comfortable fit and stable support while moving with your gear. We would call it both modern and minimalist.

The ICON pack simplifies storage for your 16-inch MacBook and other essentials with a faux-fur padded sleeve and designated compartments for any of your tech needs. The high-sided zippers provide easy access to storage, while a front pocket easily holds smaller, loose items. 

How To Choose A Laptop Backpack For Everyday Carry?

Size and Capacity

To figure out which size you need, you must first answer one simple question: How many items do you carry around daily? This is going to determine the size of the backpack you need. If it is usually a laptop, charge, wallet, and a few other essentials, then you do not need a huge backpack. In that case, make sure that the backpack you like is big enough to fit your laptop. 

If you tend to carry around a lot of items every day, then you will need something pretty big that can fit all of your belongings. It would be best to be something with multiple compartments since this makes organizing your EDC items very simple. 

Price Range

Backpacks cost anywhere from $30 to well over a few hundred dollars. So, before you fall in love with a bag that you can’t afford, look at the pros/cons section. If the bag is around or under $50, the pro box will say it’s affordable. And if a backpack is well over $100, the con box will say it’s pricey. This way, you have an idea of what sort of price range every backpack is in.

However, remember that cheap backpacks will never be as durable as pricey ones. If you want a bag that you can use for years, go with something more expensive. If you are okay with having to replace your bag after a year or less of everyday use, then check out the cheaper options. 

Comfort

Your everyday carry laptop/ tablet bag should allow you to run with it if the situation calls for it. Try to imagine the exact way you will hold your bag as you are running, this is the key to figuring out which model you need. You have three choices: wearing it on your back or shoulder or holding on to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to carry a laptop in a backpack? 

Never overload your backpack! Although your laptop is protected in your case, damage to your backpack could still cause trouble. Straps can break or come undone, and the bottom of your bag could rip if you put too much weight on them. Never overload and weaken your backpack.

Which material is best for tech bags?

Nylon and polyester are the most popular pack materials. Heavier fabrics like canvas also make durable bags that you will use for years.

Which is better? A backpack or a shoulder bag?

If you are going between the parking lot and your desk, a shoulder bag is fine. For anyone commuting a distance, a backpack would give you more comfort by spreading the weight between your shoulders and allowing you to use your hands freely. 

Final words

Thank you for reading all our tips till the end. We hope you find the perfect bag for you, willing to give you the comfort you deserve during your little adventures.