The Hunt: The Best Work Backpacks

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 great 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 trek 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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The best work backpacks (all have laptop sleeves!), pictured below: one / two / three / four (not pictured but also great– also check out these lines of waterproof backpacks!)

• Hall of Famers: Tumi, Lo & Sons, MZ Wallace, Herschel
• Laptop Backpacks: Tumi, Samsonite, Lo & Sons, Dagne Dover,
• Convertible Backpacks: Lo & Sons, Samsonite, Senreve, TravelPro, Samsonite x SJP
• Discreet Diaper Backpacks: Dagne Dover, Herschel, SkipHop, Petunia Pickle Bottom
• Waterproof Backpacks: RAINS, Dagne Dover, The Ridge
• Travel backpacks: Lo & Sons, Tumi, Samsonite, Away, Amazon Basics, eBags Mother Lode
• Under $50 options (caveat emptor): Light Flight, KROSER, Banff, LOVEVOOK, Monsdle

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 $81. (It reminds me of this old reader favorite from KNOMO!)

I love the sleek, almost athletic look to the Dagne Dover neoprene bags — the large zipper and monotone hardware feels really modern. These bestsellers come in three sizes and lots of colors; the biggest is $200.

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).

Tumi bags are always amazing for work and beyond — and many readers consider them investment bags. They have a zillion options these days, all generally $395-$495; many of them have travel sleeves as well as laptop sleeves.

We’ve pictured the longtime reader favorite, the Voyager Carson Nylon Backpack ($395) –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).

Readers, which do you think are the best work backpacks for women in 2022?

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