The Best Work Backpacks, According to ‘Women’s Health’ Editors

ProsStylish, structured shapeKeeps laptop protected in a cushioned, suspended sleevePadded straps and backConsExpensive, but the quality, size, and style make it worth the buy The Troubadour Apex 4.0 has made me a backpack person. I’ve been carrying it almost every day for the past three months, and the biggest surprise is how much better my shoulder feels at the end of a long day. The padded shoulder straps are super comfy and do a great job of evenly distributing the weight across both of my shoulders. Plus, I love the somewhat futuristic look with the structured shape and (vegan) leather details that never clash with my office clothes.And it holds a lot. The standard Apex is 22 liters and fits laptops up to 17 inches, with plenty of room in the main compartment for lunch, a sweater, shoes, or whatever else I’ve decided to bring to the office that day. There are also two expandable water-bottle pockets (one zips closed), a flat front pocket for smaller essentials, and a bunch of interior compartments for chargers, cords, and other little things that turn into a tangled mess at the bottom of a bag.I love that the laptop compartment is padded, sits toward the back of the bag, and suspends your computer above the bottom for extra protection. The straps are cushy and curve slightly inward, making it comfortable even when I’ve packed it pretty full. There’s also a padded top handle for carrying it by hand and a luggage sleeve for travel.It’s worth noting that the standard Apex is a hefty backpack—I’m 5-foot-6, and while I like all that space, it can feel like a lot of bag when I’m not carrying much. For something more compact, there’s also a 16-liter Apex Compact that fits up to a 14-inch MacBook or 15-inch PC. For me, the extra room has been worth it.Read More: Best Work TotesDimensions18.9 in. x 12.6 in. x 5.9 in.Weight2.7 lbsCapacity22LMaximum laptop size17 in.Colors4ProsTons of organization and storageGreat for commuting or travelExcellent value and durabilityConsNot the most sleek or stylish optionFor an affordable bag perfect for work and travel, this Amazon pick is your gal. I can’t even keep track of how many times I’ve seen this bag out in the wild (on the streets of NYC, the airport, the train) since I bought it on a whim over three years ago.For starters, it has so much storage: There are two main compartments, separate sleeves for a 14-inch laptop and 13-inch tablet, a dedicated shoe compartment, and a water-resistant pocket for wet clothes or towels. (Gym-to-office people, this one’s for you.) The padded shoulder straps make it comfortable to carry, and the monochrome design doesn’t scream “I’m going on a backpacking trip.”It has enough room for work essentials and a change of clothes, so I’ve used it for everything from my daily commute to weekend getaways. The separate compartments are especially handy when you’re trying to keep your sneakers away from your clean clothes or stop your laptop charger from getting tangled. It weighs about 2.2 pounds, so it’s not the lightest bag on this list, but the storage space you get is worth it.And the real selling point? Mine has been going strong for more than three years with minimal wear and tear. Considering how much I’ve dragged it around NYC and how many airplane seats I’ve stuffed it under, that’s pretty impressive for an Amazon impulse buy. It doesn’t have the luxe materials or refined finish of a pricier work backpack, but it’s functional, roomy, and versatile enough to earn its keep well beyond the office. Plus, in a neutral color (like the beige option I chose), it doesn’t clash with any of my work outfits.Dimensions16.9 in. x 11.8 in. x 7.9 in.Weight2.2 lbsCapacityN/AMaximum laptop size14 in.Colors18Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSpacious and well organizedComfortable for commutingDurable, easy-to-clean materialConsMay be too large for someIf you’re the kind of person who leaves the house with a laptop, a water bottle, a change of clothes, and approximately 47 other things, the lululemon Everywhere Backpack is for you. It has a roomy 22-liter capacity with tons of compartments to fit everything you need and then some. The durable, easy-to-clean nylon material makes it super practical, while the streamlined shape goes with everyday office wear, says associate editor Olivia Luppino.Inside, there’s a padded laptop sleeve that fits devices up to 16 inches, plus a spacious main compartment for all your daily essentials (and extras). A front zippered pocket keeps smaller items within easy reach, while side pockets give you a spot for your water bottle. “It’s roomy enough for work necessities and a change of clothes for post-office plans or a workout,” says Luppino.Even when it’s packed to the brim, the bag doesn’t skimp on comfort. The adjustable padded straps distribute weight evenly, and Luppino found it comfortable for walking around the city and commuting—especially compared to her heavy tote. One small gripe: The straps can be a little finicky to adjust, and at 22 liters, the bag might feel oversized if you tend to pack light.Dimensions11.4 in. x 5.9 in. x 16.9 in.WeightN/ACapacity22LMaximum laptop size16 in.Colors10ProsExceptionally comfortable shoulder strapsSpacious and well organizedLightweight, sleek, and travel-friendlyConsMay feel larger than necessary for light packersIf your backpack has been leaving your shoulders sore and achy by the time you get to the office, meet the Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack. Fitness & Reviews Editor Natascha Grief noticed a difference almost immediately, thanks to the strap design: “The straps are set closer together at the top so that they sit in a more comfortable place and then flare out, which eliminates the sore and achy shoulders I'd get from my previous backpack,” she says. The bag itself is lightweight, too, so you’re not adding unnecessary bulk before you’ve even packed your laptop. After more than a month of commuting with it, Grief found it durable and super easy to carry.Don’t let its streamlined design fool you: the backpack holds a whopping 27 liters, including a separate exterior laptop compartment that fits a laptop up to 15 inches. That means you can pull out your laptop without unzipping the entire bag or excavating your lunch and notebook in front of officemates. There are also two zippered pockets, two interior slip pockets, and water bottle holders inside and out. Grief especially loved the flap pocket for stashing sunglasses, keys, and a phone within easy reach, while the discreet zippers add extra security.Made from smooth polyester, the bag also has a clean look that works well with office clothes and travel fits. Its pass-through strap makes it easy to slide onto a rolling suitcase.Dimensions17.5 in. x 12 in. x 7.25 inWeightN/ACapacity27LMaximum laptop size15 in.Colors5Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsLightweight with tons of storage capacityExcellent organization for everyday useComfortable alternative to a work toteConsLighter colors can pick up dirt quicklyThe Calpak Luka might just convert you into a backpack person. Just ask Associate Health and Fitness Editor Addison Aloian, who “used to think backpacks were kind of dorky to wear after high school,” but is now “totally obsessed” with her Calpak after making the switch from a work tote that had been contributing to her back pain.The Luka is lightweight and made from Calpak’s signature puffy fabric, but it can hold a lot. Aloian regularly packs breakfast, lunch, coffee, a water bottle, workout clothes, and whatever else the day calls for, and somehow, it all fits. The magic? All the compartments.There’s a dedicated padded laptop sleeve for devices up to 15 inches, plus multiple interior and exterior pockets to keep chargers, mints, hand sanitizer, keys, and other little essentials from becoming one giant jumble. A luggage sleeve makes it travel-friendly, with a hidden zippered pocket for valuables tucked inside. Basically, everything has a home, which is great news for anyone who’s ever had to dump an entire bag onto their desk just to find a lip balm.One small heads-up: Aloian loved the pink color but notes that lighter shades can show dirt pretty quickly. The scratch-resistant exterior helps with everyday wear, but you may want to opt for a darker color if you’re tough on your bags.Dimensions16 in. x 12 in. x 7 in. Weight1.8 lbs.Capacity22LMaximum laptop size15 in.Colors15ProsStylish designThoughtful travel-friendly organizationComfortable for everyday carryConsLess spacious than other travel backpacksJuly makes travel gear that looks great well beyond the airport. Beauty Editor Nicole Saunders loves its “sleek design” and “non-bulky appearance,” which makes sense: The 20-liter backpack has a structured shape with a smooth nylon-twill finish, leather-wrapped handle, and gunmetal hardware that feels more “office to drinks” than your average commuter pack. The lightly cushioned straps are comfortable, and Saunders says they don’t dig into her shoulders even when she overpacks.There’s a padded laptop compartment that fits up to a 16-inch laptop, a smaller interior zippered pocket, a front-access pocket for things you want to grab quickly, and a side zip pocket that fits a water bottle or umbrella. The coolest travel feature by far is the “QuickPass” travel pocket—a hidden, magnetic compartment at the top of the bag for storing a passport or phone. It also has a luggage pass-through strap, so you can slide it right onto your suitcase handle when you’re racing through the airport. Saunders likes having the laptop sleeve and smaller compartments separate from the main 20-liter space, even when she travels light and doesn’t use every pocket.It has plenty of room for a laptop, travel essentials, and your daily necessities, but it’s more of a medium-size carry than an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink situation. Saunders found it smaller than some of the other backpacks she tried and said it wouldn’t be her pick for weekend trips.Dimensions17.3 in. x 11 in. x 6.3 in.Weight2.2 lbs.Capacity20LMaximum laptop size16 in.Colors3Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsImpressive storage in a compact designThoughtful organizationGreat for travelConsMay be too compact for bulky gearThis briefcase-like silhouette sneakily packs a ton of stuff. Copy Group Director Marli Higa put it through an afternoon at the coffee shop with a laptop, two notebooks, two books, chargers, an umbrella, a flannel, two 20-ounce water bottles, and multiple pairs of glasses. Somehow, it all fit. The dual exterior bottle pockets are a big help, freeing up precious room inside, while the padded, fleece-lined laptop sleeve is basically a “comfort blankie” for your computer, she says.There’s a main compartment with a zippered mesh sleeve, a front compartment with organizers and a key clip, plus a zippered front pocket for quick-access items. There’s even a hidden shoulder-strap pocket for wireless earbuds. Despite all those options, Higa says it has “the exact right amount of internal organization,” meaning you won’t spend five minutes digging around for your keys—or wondering which pocket you put them in.Then came the real test: an 11-hour flight. The Kaslo worked as an under-seat carry-on, leaving enough room for Higa’s feet while still holding her lunch, headphones, neck pillow, sweatshirt, and a last-minute airport gift. The luggage trolley sleeve made it easy to attach to her rolling carry-on, too.Dimensions16.73 in. x 11.02 in. x 5.91 in.Weight1.85 lbsCapacity20LMaximum laptop size16 in.Colors7ProsElegant, stylish designWell-organized for daily essentialsHigh-quality materialsConsLimited capacity for heavy packersThe Quince Marlow Laptop Backpack is proof that a work backpack doesn’t have to look, well, like a work backpack. Made from 100% top-grain leather with a pebbled finish, it has a handbag-esque look that plays well with dressier office outfits—something WH’s Director of Special Projects Amanda Lucci appreciates.At $150, this is a steal for a genuine leather backpack—especially since it closely resembles bags from brands like Cuyana and Tumi, which retail for upward of $500.Inside, the main compartment has four slip pockets and a zippered pocket for keeping smaller essentials organized, while a separate back compartment houses a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to a 16-inch laptop. There’s also an exterior zip pocket for quick-access items and a luggage sleeve on the back for travel.It has a slim profile—and Lucci found that it isn’t the best choice when she needs to pack a lot. There’s also no exterior water-bottle pocket, so your bottle takes up precious real estate inside the bag. But when she’s traveling light and wants something that looks especially nice with a dressier outfit, the Marlow is the one she reaches for.Dimensions15.5 in. x 11.5 in. x 4.25 in.Weight3.1 lbsCapacityN/AMaximum laptop size16 in.Colors5Shannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women's Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.