Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
Readers, are you on the hunt for a great work backpack? Work backpacks can be great for your commute whether you’re walking or biking to work. They can also be perfect for work travel because so many of them have trolley sleeves now — that tiny slot at the back of the bag that lets you attach it to a rolling suitcase. So we thought we’d round up the best work backpacks for you!
If you’re in the market for a backpack for work, how important is style versus function for you? Will you only accept a stylish backpack for work, or do you need a rugged, waterproof bag to schlep your extra large laptop on your bike commute? Are you forever on the hunt for a great convertible backpack that can be worn as an ergonomic, hands-free friendly backpack when you’re on the go but looks like a purse, tote, or briefcase when you’re walking into your meeting?
Let’s discuss…
{related: tote or backpack for work? readers debate…}
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- Hall of Famers: Tumi, Lo & Sons, Herschel
- Laptop Backpacks: Tumi, Samsonite, Lo & Sons, Dagne Dover
- Convertible Backpacks: Lo & Sons, Samsonite, TravelPro
- Discreet Diaper Backpacks: Dagne Dover, SkipHop, Petunia Pickle Bottom
- Waterproof Backpacks: Hedgren, RAINS, Dagne Dover
- Travel backpacks: Lo & Sons, Tumi, Samsonite, Away, Amazon Basics, eBags Mother Lode
- Under $50 options (caveat emptor): Light Flight, KROSER, LOVEVOOK, Monsdle
The Best Backpacks for Work in 2023
The Best Backpack for Work, Overall
Tumi Celina
Tumi bags are always amazing for work and beyond — and many readers consider them investment bags.
(Although we rounded up the best luxury work bags recently, it should be noted that a lot of our readers with the biggest jobs note that they love their Tumi and Lo & Sons the most.)
Tumi has a zillion options these days, all generally $395-$495; many of them have travel sleeves as well as laptop sleeves.
Readers have adored the Voyageur line, and it tends to be on the more affordable end of things ($375+ or so). The pictured backpack (the Celina) is one of their current bestsellers — it features multiple exterior zip pockets, a water-resistant water-bottle pocket, smart phone pockets, a detachable key ring, and a laptop compartment (good for most 15″ laptops).
The Best Convertible Laptop: Lo & Sons
Lo & Sons’ Rowledge
A good convertible backpack can be hard to find, but Lo & Sons’ Rowledge has been a reader favorite for years because it’s a sleek, well-thought out convertible bag. Not only do the backpack straps tuck away, but the bag has a travel sleeve! (Cue the heart emojis and gifs!)
I could see it being great for business travel, but also if you’re hoping to bike to work. The bag is normally $465, but today it’s down to $279.
The brand also has a newer, more minimal nylon backpack, The Beacon, for $298 (currently down to $208).
The Best Affordable Backpack for Work
Samsonite’s Mobile Solutions
I just discovered Samsonite’s affordable line of “mobile solutions,” available at tons of places and generally highly rated.
This pictured backpack has a laptop sleeve and a trolley sleeve, and is $79. They have larger options for $200+.
(The pictured one reminds me of this old reader favorite from KNOMO!)
Other great affordable options for a work backpack: Everlane’s ReNew Transit Backpack ($95) and a classic, minimal Herschel ($60+).
The Best Work Backpack for Your Commute
Hedgren
If you’re biking to work or otherwise hunting for a water-repellent bag, it can be really tricky to find one for work because they all look a bit rugged.
That said, I think Hedgren has a ton of really minimal-looking bags that are also billed as being water-repellent. I love that diagonal zipper, but they have others that look even more classic.
This backpack (also available in a pretty green) has a water-repellent exterior, “plenty of pockets,” and a laptop compartment. For $120, I think it looks like a great bet.
Another great option for water-repellant bags: the RAINS brand, which sometimes has work-appropriate backpacks.
The Best All-Leather Backpack for Work
Cole Haan’s Grand Ambition Backpack
Most backpacks for work have some element of neoprene, nylon, or canvas, both to make the bag lighter and more affordable. If you’re on the hunt for an all-leather version, though, you should check out Cole Haan’s Grand Ambition backpacks.
They come in a variety of sizes, and some have textured leather or quilting details, but they’re mostly all leather. They’re also convertible, which is nice if you’d like a backpack for your commute but a regular tote once you get inside.
The pictured backpack is $328 at Nordstrom and Cole Haan.
Another minimal, all-leather option: Cuyana’s backpack, for $475+.
The Best Luxury Backpack for Work
Montblanc Sartorial Leather Backpack
If you DO want to splurge on a backpack for work, one of my favorites right now is this gorgeous backpack from Montblanc. I love how the zippers give it dimension and texture while keeping it so minimal.
The largest size is pictured; it’s available for $1625 at Nordstrom.
Other great options for luxury splurges: Senreve and MCM — and don’t forget to check out lines designed for men such as Valextra.
Readers, which do you think are the best work backpacks for women in 2023?
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
Sloan Sabbith
I have the Lo and Sons Rowledge, which I love. I also have the Lo and Sons Hanover, which I also love.
C
Love my Knomo Beauchamp backpack – 3 years of carrying laptop and files easily and securely! It’s my everyday carry.
Anonymous
+1 Mine is about 5 years old and still going strong.
anonamama
Just bought the Samsonite bag after seeing it here. Pleasantly surprised! Much lighter than the OMG/OG model I had been carrying from Lo & Sons. Works with BB&B coupons, too. Only about a week in but so far, so good.
Mj
I came here to plug my Samsonite backpack. The one I have does not have a leather strip, but it’s worn like iron. The only thing I dislike is that the straps are nylon, and so if I wear a puffy coat, they are both slippery and the straps want to slip around. This is generally not a huge issue, but a slight annoyance. For the cost per wear, I am super-pleased with the quality of construction and have used it a lot over the past year. It’s not a big backpack, but it’s perfect for a laptop and a few smaller things (lunch, water bottle, makeup, glasses) and I just love it.
Cannot recommend samsonite more highly. And it often goes on sale at ebags.
BostonBikeCommuter
I am on my second Dakine backpack in several years. My requirements are for it to be lightweight, have thoughtful pocket design, large main compartment, big side water bottle pocket, and laptop sleeve. I put mine in a large pannier bag during bike commutes, carry on public transit, and in the past used as air carry-on. I need it to look reasonably profession, and some water resistance is welcome. I don’t love the patterns this year, but they mix up colors and patterns frequently enough. I have this one in a grey textured pattern. https://www.dakine.com/products/essentials-26l-backpack
Anon
None of these would be good for cycling to work. In general, a backpack is a crappy option unless you absolutely can’t mount a rack on your bike because your back will sweat no matter what.
If I must pack a backpack (daily driver bike is in the shop), the Osprey Day Lite plus is the best I’ve found.