The Hunt: Laptop Sleeves

2017 Update: We still think a lot of these laptop sleeves are awfully cute, but you may also want to check out our 2017 roundup of the best laptop bags for work.

Sure, we all know what basics 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.

Inspired by Amelia’s law school bag question, we thought we’d do a Hunt for laptop sleeves — they’re lightweight, simple, and mean you don’t have to carry techie bags that scream “I have a laptop in here” (or that fugly faux leather thing your laptop comes with). Sleeves can save you significant space/money when traveling (especially with all the crazy new restrictions these days), and can also make it easier to get through security elsewhere (such as, say, courthouses).

Waterfield makes custom sleeves for computers of all kinds, including Amazon’s Kindle and those teeny lightweight laptops that are all the rage. Prices start at $99, and the neoprene cushioning and ballistic nylon coating will keep your computer well protected. Alas, they only come in basic black.

LeSportsac’s colorful laptop sleeves come in three sizes and range between $25 and $39; the nylon exterior and padded interior will keep your laptop clean and protected. Also available in black. Also available at Nordstrom.

Built has awesome sleeves for just about everything you can imagine — laptops, wine bottles, camera cases, etc. The laptop sleeves come in 3 sizes and a variety of colors, including black (although we like the wood grain one, pictured at left). It’s made of wetsuit grade neoprene, has easy grips on the side, and costs between $30 and $43. Other cute things to check out if you’re visiting the site: the tidy bib, the Hoodie camera case, and their iPod and iPhone cases.

If you have a larger laptop — especially a 12″ or 14″ Mac, these GYMS Pacific bags are perfect for you. (The one pictured at right is specifically for the iBook, in fact: Sukie iBook Notebook Sleeve.) Made of neoprene and lined in felt, these cases, most costing around $40. (They also have very cute iPod cases for $12.) The brand is also available at eBags.com, which has free shipping over $50.

If neoprene isn’t your thing, Fabrix has some truly great cases to fit your Macs. The internal quilted padding will keep your laptop safe and sound, while the external fabric looks gorgeous. Pictured at left: Black Suit, available for between $36-$45.