ByKat Hours Updated
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The Best Bags for Walking to Work

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a stylish professional woman walks to work, trying to carry too many things in her hands -- she could use a great bag for walking to work

What is the best bag to carry if you walk to work? Reader A wonders…

I've had a bag dilemma for years and though this venue might provide a solution. I thought perhaps someone out there might have found the holy grail of bags to address the following issues, and I'm sure others are looking for the same. I would certainly love a post on this. I'm a lawyer and I walk almost two miles to work everyday.

Here's what I'm looking for:
– Big enough to carry folders, papers, occasional laptop and occasional change of clothes
-Color-neutral enough to be worn with anything for everyday use
-Professional looking
– Comfortable to carry long distances, such as a cross-body style with comfortable strap. Maybe a backpack style?

Does such a bag exist? I sure hope so.

N.B. This post was originally written in 2012, but updated in September 2026 by Kat Griffin.

What Is the Best Bag for Walking to Work?

When we first answered this question in 2012, I reluctantly conceded that a backpack was probably the smartest choice even though I thought it was “at the bottom of the pile” fashion-wise. And then rounded up large shoulderbag/hobos despite going into all of the neck pain I've had.

Well! Times have changed. Readers have increasingly prioritized comfort and ergonomics for their commutes, with backpacks emerging as a clear favorite. We have a big roundup of the best work backpacks, and many of our top picks are sleek, minimal options with dedicated laptop compartments and comfortable straps (so important!). You can also find thoughtful details like trolley sleeves, shoe pouches, water-resistant water bottle pockets, convertible straps, and even detachable wristlets.

We've also had discussions on how much stuff you bring to work, how to pack a gym bag for the office, and how many bags to bring to work. We've also rounded up ALL of the best work bags for women.

The Best Backpacks for Walking to Work

Our latest favorite work backpacks in 2026 include options like Tumi, Lo & Sons, Lux & Nyx, Cuyana, Quince, Knomo, and Everlane.

woman wears black nylon backpack with interesting fold detail
Lux & Nyx
black backpack for work with gold hardware
Tumi
black convertible backpack for work
Lo & Sons
affordable laptop backpack from Everlane under $100 (and ecofriendly)
Everlane

Lightweight but Durable Tote Bags

If you do prefer a tote bag, you have a number of choices that are polished as well as super lightweight because they're made of nylon or neoprene.

Nice brands with lightweight bags include BÉIS,  Bellroy, Calpak, MZ Wallace, and Away — as well as reader favorites for a smart splurge, Tumi and Lo & Sons.

A Lesson From My Own Commute

When I originally answered the reader question in 2012, I shared these hilarious thoughts:

I've always loved walking to work, and I've regularly schlepped about that distance. While there are so many benefits to walking to work (fresh air! clear head! some exercise!), I do feel like I've done some serious damage to my body from walking so much.

For example, whenever I get massages, the masseuse always comments on the huge knot on my right upper back (where I usually carry my bag), and I honestly blame the first few years of walking to work (back in the days when I wore Steve Madden 3″ stacked heels regularly — for the 2 mile commute!) for the feet problems I have now.

(I suppose there's another post idea there, but my secret belief is that feet problems are like dreams: no one else wants to hear about them.)

So: I gotta say that Reader A may be asking for too much. A laptop? A change of clothes? This all seems like a lot for a regular commute, and probably the smart advice to her is to find another means of transportation if she has to carry so much. That said, on the rare occasion where I wanted to carry a computer or a change of clothes, I suppose I could have fit a super-lightweight, small laptop into my bag, and I also could have possibly fit a pair of jeans (for a night out) — but not both, and certainly not with a change of shoes.

And then I proceeded to round up hobo bags for the readers! So: don't be a dummy like me and carry the wrong bag for your commute until you're in crippling pain. Demand a better bag — there are a ton of nice options out there now.

Readers, do you walk to work? What bags do you carry? Have you developed any “best practices” for commuting?

113 Comments

  3. Here is another option http://www.luglife.com/

    I use the Taxicab tote – holds a 15.4 inch laptop, small purse, two cellphones, make-up, lunch. It has lots of pockets to keep things separate, and is water-resistant. The non-zip pocket has a magnetic close which is useful. It has shoe compartments as well, but they aren’t great for heels (mine all live under my desk anyways! :)

  4. I can’t believe Lo & Sons O.G. bag (http://www.loandsons.com/the-og) hasn’t been suggested! It was featured on this blog a while ago and I drooled over it until I finally received one for Christmas this year. It has so many compartments and is perfect for carrying around a laptop (there is a special padded compartment) and couple files along with whatever else you would normally have in your purse/briefcase. It also has a special compartment specifically for carrying around shoes or anything else you want to keep separate from the rest of your bag (ie that wet umbrella). The fabric is super durable and stain resistant. The straps are long enough to fit comfortably over your shoulder without hanging too low and it comes with a longer removable strap if you’d rather wear it across your body. I love this bag and use it almost exclusively.

  5. There’s something really wrong here with blaming walking, especially a mere 2 miles, for wrecking your body. Walking is good for you, and if you’re at all healthy a nice walk is the best start/end to a work day.
    What you did is wreck your body with neglect. If you’re carrying more than a few pounds you must use a backpack. If you’re walking further than the parking lot you must wear sensible shoes, ie no significant heels. These are not negotiable. You can keep whatever you think is more suitable at work if you need to, whether lady purses or heels.

    That said I think there’s room for technology to make commutes easier. If you are sshlepping a computer, make sure it’s a netbook and not a heavy laptop. Make sure you have on both ends of the commute the extra stuff that adds weight and can be easily left, such as chargers, large screens and full-size keyboards etc. Load up what you need from the work server instead of carrying paper, because pretty much every document you need is in electronic form at some point. Don’t be a masochist..

  6. I’m in the two bag camp. I work in higher ed and walk about half a mile to work. I carry a regular-sized purse and a tote bag for the large stuff (lunch, shoes, umbrella, iPad, etc). Some days I don’t need the tote and others it’s completely full. I don’t think there’s one bag to rule them all. ;)

  7. What about a wheelie? There are some really stylish ones out there, in mock crock and faux ostrich. No weight to lug on your person, just pull.

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