These Laptop Bags for Men Will Make Your Coworkers Jealous

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The laptop has enabled people to work from virtually anywhere, from bustling coffee shops to remote locations. Consequently, having a bag that can reliably protect these powerful machines has become essential in today’s mobile work environment. Whether it’s a backpack, a messenger bag, a tote bag, or a minimalist briefcase, there are myriad ways to carry and safeguard a laptop and other gear.

While many of today’s bags feature a pocket that can fit a modern laptop — typically up to 15 inches — our expectations don’t end there. A good laptop bag should also be comfortable, offer ample storage and organizational pockets for accessories, and have a versatile design that fits in when in both professional and casual settings. To find the best laptop bags for men that are great for lugging gear safely and in style, we combed through options from leading makers like Bellroy, Patagonia, and Filson, among others.

Here’s quick info on the best, followed by aspects you should keep in mind while buying. Keep scrolling for our in-depth reviews.

The Best Laptop Bags for Men

• Best Backpack: Peak Design Travel Backpack

• Best Budget Backpack: Amazon Basics Laptop Bag

• Best Messenger Bag: Bellroy System Messenger Bag

• Best Budget Messenger: Targus Classic Slim Briefcase

• Most Stylish Briefcase: Filson Dryden Briefcase

What to Consider

The most important thing to look for in a laptop bag is reliable protection for a computer. That means the bag should feature a padded compartment to shield a laptop during commuting. Beyond that, the bag should offer ample storage for accessories like portable chargers, cables, and anything else for school or work. Of course, a good bag should also be comfortable, so consider features like adjustable shoulder straps with padding for ease of carrying.

Interior Storage

As we mentioned, a padded space for a laptop is essential. In some bags, it takes the form of a sleeve within the main body of the pack. Others are separate compartments with their own zippers that quarantine the computer from the rest of the contents, preventing surface scratches and scuffs.

Additionally, the bag should be tailored to your recipient’s lifestyle. Are you buying it for an athlete who frequently goes to the gym? Ensure the bag has a main compartment that’s large enough to hold shoes and gym clothes. The configuration of the bag impacts this, and there’s a range — from the traditional messenger bag style to backpacks. A good laptop bag should also feature ample organizational storage to keep chargers, cables, pens, and other personal items neatly arranged and easily accessible.

Comfort and Durability

Whether you’re buying a bag for a student or a professional commuting to the office, it must be comfortable. This can help prevent long-term health issues by reducing strain on their shoulders, neck, and back. The bag should have padded, adjustable straps. If it’s a backpack, look for back padding and a sternum strap (the one that clips across the chest), which can help distribute the weight evenly across the wearer’s back and shoulders.

How We Selected

With over a decade of frequent traveling under my belt, I’ve relied on various bags to safely hold my laptop and other essential gear. This experience has allowed me to test and evaluate different bags in the real world and understand the needs of the modern professional. To find the best laptop bags for men, I drew on my extensive experience and performed rigorous research, considering top-rated options from some of the most reputable brands. When I updated this article, I also left in top-performing laptop bags that Best Products tech editor Stefan Vazharov and former editor Brandon Carte have tested and liked — the Bellroy System Messenger, the Timbuk2 Classic Messenger, the Targus Classic Slim Briefcase, the Troubadour Pioneer Backpack, and the Herschel Retreat Backpack. The reviews for those bags are theirs. Finally, I considered professional and customer reviews when evaluating my picks.

Travel Backpack 30L Laptop Bag for Men

Thanks to its carefully crafted design, the Peak Design Travel Backpack is an excellent choice for both weekend getaways and everyday use. It’s a smaller version of the brand’s fantastic 45L Travel Backpack, offering a more manageable size capable of protecting your laptop and other essential gear. It may look minimalist from the outside, but the pack provides a lot of clever touches. Think tuck-away shoulder straps, a side pocket that can hold a tripod (Peak Design got its start with a humble but well designed camera clip, after all), and grab handles on all sides.

Peak Design’s backpack stands out further for its large main compartment can open all the way like luggage, making it easy to pack and unpack. A sizable top pocket features separate pouches for items like keys, glasses, and a wallet. And there’s a dedicated laptop compartment, so it’s safe from other gear in the bag. The backpack also features a luggage pass-through, padded shoulder straps, and a zipper that, when undone, expands the capacity to fit more stuff during an extended trip.

Laptop Bag for Men

The Amazon Basics Laptop Bag is a no-frills, practical option that’s affordable and functional. But despite its low price and straightforward design, it doesn’t compromise on space or features. It has several compartments, organizational pockets, and a dedicated laptop sleeve for computers up to 17 inches. There are also two mesh water bottle pockets, allowing you to carry water on one side and coffee on the other.

The backpack also features mesh-like back padding that boosts airflow and ventilation. That airflow helps reduce discomfort by dissipating sweat and heat buildup on the wearer’s back.

While there isn’t much to fault with the Amazon Basics Laptop Bag, the orange stitching on the front and pull tabs makes an otherwise simple design look cheap when, in reality, reviewers say it’s a “quality backpack,” with an average of 4.5 stars from over 17,000 customers.

System Messenger Bag

The Bellroy System is our favorite messenger bag, thanks to its elegant design, top-notch craftsmanship, and versatility. I like that the bag has a removable shoulder strap and convenient handles for carrying it like a briefcase.

The secure laptop storage area has plenty of padding. And the bag’s internal and external compartments accommodate daily gear, a foldable magnetic closure has an additional hook for security (though I still wish this had a zipper), and a carry-on luggage slip provides a handy spot for credentials and contact info. Bellroy made the System messenger from a water-resistant fabric with a woven finish, so it — and its contents — will hold up in the rain.

Classic Slim Briefcase Laptop Bag for Men

This super affordable bag from Targus — a brand with a long history of making such products — has a no-nonsense, decidedly utilitarian design, a tough exterior with metal zippers, and a lightweight build. Its foam-padded laptop compartment offers a level of protection that defies its sticker. Plus, the large front pocket has a ton of compartments for storing and organizing additional gear.

Sturdy handles, a removable shoulder strap, and a trolley strap for attaching it to carry-on luggage round out the Classic Slim. Impressively, the product has a lifetime warranty despite its low price.

Classic Messenger Bag Laptop Bag for Men

Timbuk2 has been iterating on its Classic Messenger Bag for decades, so it’s hardly a surprise that this is one of the best options for carrying your laptop and daily essentials. In this latest version, we love its waterproof exterior (with a waterproof liner for additional insurance), secure two-buckle closure, and removable strap. In addition to its internal laptop sleeve, the bag has many compartments for other items, including two pockets for a water bottle.

You can order the Classic Messenger Bag in several sizes and various colors. Timbuk2 backs the workmanship with a lifetime warranty.

Dryden Briefcase Laptop Bag for Men

The Dryden features a timeless and classic design that balances that work-leisure look, making it just as at home in the office as it is on vacation. The bag features durable nylon that resists scuffing and water, along with bridle leather handles and an adjustable strap to sling it over your shoulder (it weighs only 2 pounds, so it’s light). There’s also a trolley strap, making it easy to slide over luggage handles during trips.

The main compartment can fit up to a 15-inch laptop, and there are two exterior pockets for storing chargers, cables, and other miscellany. The Dryden is pricy and on the small side, but its thoughtful design makes it an excellent option for working professionals who travel light. And Filson’s reputation for high-quality gear means this bag will last several years. The only problem is determining which color (otter green or whiskey) to buy.

Black Hole Backpack Laptop Bag for Men

Black Hole is right. This 32-liter pack is appropriate if you’re buying for the outdoorsperson in your life. Its durable and weather-resistant polyester, made entirely from recycled materials, allows it to handle a city commute and a backcountry hike. The bag’s thoughtful design allows easy access to its spacious main compartment via a full-zip back panel that splays open to reveal all the contents — no rummaging required. An interior zippered mesh pocket keeps your belongings organized and easily accessible.

There are large front and top stash pockets for keeping essentials within easy reach. Additionally, a dedicated pocket fits most 15-inch laptops. The mesh back panel also provides ventilation as it supports, helping mitigate back sweat during walks around the city or on the trail.

Pioneer Backpack Laptop Bag for Men

The Troubadour Pioneer backpack is ideal for lugging tech gear and daily essentials around — and it’s well worth the hefty price tag. Even though it has ample space and many convenient compartments, this backpack has an elegant design and a slim profile.

Troubadour crafted the Pioneer from eco-friendly materials, including fabric with a water-repellent finish and faux leather. The backpack has a padded slot big enough for a large laptop, a generously sized main compartment with additional pockets for small essentials, and a convenient sleeve for looping over the handle of a carry-on suitcase.

City Backpack Laptop Bag for Men

Aer makes sleek travel gear built for the modern worker. The City embodies this functional, spacious, and straightforward approach with its several pockets and weight of just 1.3 pounds. The ample main compartment can fit gym gear, headphones, and a dopp kit, while the padded laptop pocket accommodates laptops of up to 16 inches. A “smart tracker” pocket is available specifically for Apple’s AirTag. In contrast, the top pocket gives quick access to daily items like chapstick and sunglasses.

The City also features an exterior side pocket for a water bottle and a luggage handle pass-through, ideal for longer trips. It’s made of durable nylon and is outfitted with YKK zippers, known for their high quality and reliability. And it’s available in an attractive ranger green, which works with a range of styles. All said, the City is for someone who is looking to thread the needle of carrying just what they need, but not too much, whether on their way to the office or coffee shop.

Retreat Backpack Laptop Bag for Men

It seems like anything Herschel makes has a timelessly hip design, and this backpack is no exception. It can fit up to a 15-inch laptop in its padded, fleece-lined pocket. I tip my hat to the brand for keeping its signature buckles, even if (better that?) they’re just for looks and you don’t have to fiddle with them. The straps hold the lid down via magnetic snaps, and underneath is a drawstring closure.

Like so many other Herschel products, the Retreat comes in a variety of sizes and colors. This 19.5-liter iteration offers a nice balance between storage capacity and portability. A reinforced base, one external pocket (which, sadly, doesn’t close), and contoured shoulder straps complete this cool backpack.

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