Traveling as a remote-working man has been game-changing.
Now, all I have to do is make sure to pack all my essentials—laptop, charger, phone, tablet, cables, mice, headphones, and battery backup—and I can work anywhere in the world.
And yes, I do mean that literally (I’m typing this from an AirBNB in Buenos Aires, Argentina).
One thing I’ve learned over the last few years of remote working is that a good laptop backpack can make or break my working holiday.
I’ve gone hard into researching the backpacks that fit comfortably under my seat as a carry-on but still offer plenty of space for everything I need to pack (plus a change of clothing and a few extras, just in case).
After personally testing over 20 backpacks, reading hundreds of reviews, and analyzing every decent backpack on the market, I’ve narrowed down my list below to the laptop backpacks I recommend for any guy who plans to travel and work on the go.
So tough it might even be bulletproof (and yes, I mean that literally). Made from ballistic nylon and reinforced with waterproof zippers, this bag offers protection from the elements and rough handling while providing you with 15+ internal compartments to keep all your work essentials neatly in place.
You won’t find a tougher backpack than this one. Built from military-standard CORDURA ballistic nylon, it’s tough enough to withstand rips, drops, scuffs, tears, and abrasions.
It’s got three roomy storage compartments that feature more than 15 pockets, with space enough to store all your essentials and more.
Thanks to its thickly padded back panels and shoulder straps, you’ll be comfortable no matter how heavily you’re loaded down.
Gotta haul around big laptops? This bag’s for you. Sized to fit up to a 17” computer plus a whole host of essentials (including two water bottles), it’s a serious backpack for those who need to carry a lot of electronics everywhere they go.
It’s also 100% vegan, crafted using synthetic products that will stand up to hard use—which is why it’s proudly backed by a 5-year warranty.
I love the durability and user-friendly designs of Patagonia’s backpacks. This is their largest—30L of storage space—and can accommodate more gear than any other backpack on our list.
It’s made from recycled materials (nylon, spandex, and polyester) and features a PFC-free DWR coating that’ll keep your gear dry on any adventure.
It’s suited for both city getaways and mountain trails, thanks to its hiker-friendly design.
Keep your daily loadout compact and streamlined.
The clamshell opening lets you access all your items at once, and the multiple compartments ensure you’ve got space for your work essentials and backup clothing.
The internal stretch pocket can be expanded to hold gym shoes or an extra outfit, and on top of the multiple compartments (including a padded laptop pocket), you’ve got a dedicated pocket to hold Apple AirTags.
Guys who struggle with back pain (like me), will be glad to know this bag is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.
It can stand on its own thanks to its internal structure, and the sternum strap and lumbar panel offer extra support to take the weight off your spine. It’s also incredibly spacious, easy to organize, and waterproof. Take it everywhere you go and it’ll serve you well.
Half bag, half briefcase, all excellence. This 2-way backpack can be slung over your back or carried like a briefcase, and your contents are easily accessible any way you carry it, thanks to the full-zip opening and multiple zippered compartments.
The CORDURA nylon body shrugs off water and damp, but the back panel is breathable enough you won’t be soaked with sweat after hours trudging under the hot sun.
World-travelers, this one’s for you. In addition to dedicated laptop and tablet sleeves, the backpack features a secure passport pocket, water bottle pocket, fleece-lined phone pocket, key clip, and internal mesh pockets to keep everything neat and tidy.
The roll-top closure adds to the backpack’s weather-resistance, making it a bag you’ll be glad to take on any jungle tour or beach adventure.
Organization is a breeze with this high-efficiency, ultra-flexible laptop backpack. It’s sized for laptops between 15 and 17”, with a rear laptop access pocket that makes getting at your computer a breeze.
Details like compression straps on the bottom, top-mounted grab handle, and luggage pass-through make it incredibly easy to pack and haul anywhere in the world. It’s backed by a lifetime warranty.
Store your tablet, smartphone, and laptop each in their own dedicated pocket, and fill the other pockets with all the cables, chargers, pens, and other knickknacks you need to pack.
The laptop compartment is both padded and fur-lined to keep bumps and scratches from harming your electronics. Thanks to its engineered airflow channels in the back panel, padded shoulder straps, and sternum straps, it’s the definition of comfortable carry.
Sleek, slim, and ultra-tough, this is the ideal laptop backpack for the fast-paced commuter lifestyle.
The internal dividers let you customize how you want to carry everything, and you can get at your bag’s contents both from the side and top for easy access anywhere, anytime.
The bag is already beautifully spacious, but can be expanded to accommodate an extra 8L of space for back-up clothing or extra accessories.
Modular interior components let you change the internal layout of your backpack for high-efficiency organization no matter what you’re packing.
Dual padded pockets protect both your laptop and tablet, while stretch-mesh pockets provide convenient expandable storage for small items.
Thanks to its wide-zippered opening and lay-flat design, packing and unpacking is incredibly easy. It’s also one of the toughest backpacks on our list.
Pakt builds tough, reliable, and versatile bags, and though this 22L backpack is on the smaller side, you’ll be surprised by all it holds.
The interior laptop pocket holds up to 16” laptops, and the multiple interior compartments and dedicated EDC pocket provide you plenty of storage space.
Its DWR exterior coating shrugs off rain, mud, and damp—I’ve personally put that water-resilience to the test on multiple trips.
Carry this bag however you want: on your back, slung over one shoulder, or in your hand. The hybrid tote-and-backpack design makes it easy to switch it up depending on how you’re traveling.
It’s definitely on the slimmer side, but it’s the ideal backpack to carry on a plane when you’ve got all your backup essentials in your checked luggage, or in a separate gym bag.