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What's you choice for work, readers — a great work tote or a backpack?
For my $.02, I've always preferred a tote — I just think they look sleeker and more polished in general than most backpacks. But there are some great work backpacks out there now (including the Tumi one, pictured) so let's debate.
Great Totes for Work: The Pros
In my mind, there are a lot of pros to totes for work — they expand and collapse as needed, accommodating to fit extra shoes, water bottles, folders, work papers, and more — yet always kind of read like “big purse.” I think for years they've been the classic choice if you're a woman lawyer or other professional, much more so than a proper briefcase or another choice.
The cons: They are not ergonomically great! If you're regularly schlepping a lot of stuff to and from work, you can definitely feel a little lopsided. (Every massage therapist I've ever had has been able to tell which shoulder I carry my bag on. Tiny violins, I know.)
{related: how many bags should you bring to work?}
More cons: Depending on the tote, they may or may not hold their structure well — although you can always try organizing inserts like Omystyle (12,000+ good reviews at Amazon) or Olunsu (5,600+ good reviews at Amazon).
We've pictured the Seville laptop tote from Lo & Sons in the blue graphic at the top of the post — I've always loved the structure and organization of the tote.
Our Latest Favorite Totes for Work
Some of the best work bags for women as of 2024 include great totes from Cuyana (with a zipper), Tumi, Tory Burch (lightweight, a laptop tote), Lo & Sons, and Madewell (north/south). Also try this highly-rated organizing insert or these clever pouches with some of the less structured bags! If you're looking for a budget tote (or one in a specific color) check this Amazon seller (22K+ good reviews) or this Amazon seller (60K+ good reviews).
(Looking for a luxury work bag? Here's our latest roundup…)
Backpacks for Work: Pros and Cons
On the flip side of things, you've got the stylish backpack for work, which has really gained a lot of traction in recent years.
The pro here is that a backpack is ergonomically correct, and if you get a sleek one it can blend with most work outfits.
The con here is that (to my mind, at least) you may face some underlying assumptions about using a backpack for work, even if they aren't necessarily negative. Oh, she must bike to work, I might think — or huh, maybe she's got back problems. I tend to also associate work backpacks (at least, work backpacks worn to networking events) with either very young women (especially those who went straight through from college to law school or grad school), women who have a long commute, or women who, in general, don't care about style very much. But again, these assumptions aren't necessarily negative, and maybe they're particular to me.
We've pictured the Carson bag from Tumi in our graphic at top.
Our Latest Favorite Work Backpacks for Women
Update: Hunting for the best work backpacks? Some of our favorites in 2024 are below — see the full post for all the details!
The Best of Both Worlds? Convertible Backpacks for Work
Something I'm seeing more and more of these days is convertible work bags, most often ones that turn from a backpack into a north/south tote or another handheld bag. The idea here is that you get the ergonomic benefit from the backpack during your commute, and then as you're walking into the building or meeting you can transfer the bag to your hand and look sleek and polished.
The downside is that you're often losing one of the things you really want — if it's a proper backpack with ergonomic straps it may look a bit funny as a tote, for example. This is one of the reasons I've always recommended the Lo & Sons Rowledge backpack — there are actually zippered little pockets to hide the backpack straps (AND there's a trolley sleeve!). The other two big convertible backpacks I know of right now (M.Gemi and Senreve) both look great as totes but have skinny little backpack straps that may dig on a long commute and easily break.
The Rowledge backpack is pictured below and ooh: it's on sale.
Our Latest Favorite Convertible Backpacks for Work
As of 2024, some of our favorite convertible backpacks for work include options from Lo & Sons and M.Gemi.
Readers, what are your thoughts: backpack or tote? (Or messenger bag, or convertible backpack, or… some other option?) What is your preferred bag for commuting to the office?
Anon
I would love to be able to use a tote. But it’s not realistic. I’ve been using a backpack for years. It’s not even a sleek one, it’s a regular Puma backpack. It has two side holders (one for coffee, one for water), a laptop compartment, a main compartment, and a front organizer. There’s an adjustable chest strap to help distribute the weight. I’m in government though – so I don’t feel pressure to have something extra sleek and stylish.
Clara
I just got the lululemon commuter backpack. It’s so much easier than than a tote and fits both gym + work stuff. Its necessary because we are “hot desking” – if I wasn’t carrying my laptop back and forth I would probably go for a tote.
Cb
Team backpack for ever. I carried a tote for years and then switched to a backpack and felt free as a bird. I could take the long way home or get off the bus early and walk b/c I wasn’t dragged down by my bag.
Anom
I switched to a backpack before pandemic bc of having to carry my computer back and forth on the subway. Also, bc now firmly in my early 40’s, IDGAF.
Anon
Rolling laptop bag forever! Getting bags off my shoulders has been a big help with both my sciatica and hair breakage. (YMMV with convenience; I drive my personal car to a private industrial park.)
Ribena
I bought the Passenger Boondocker backpack to go back to the office this autumn and I love it. It isn’t sleek or sophisticated but I don’t find that I mind – I can’t see it when I’m wearing it, after all. It helps that I’m in the climate world so there is inevitably a huge pile of backpacks in the corner at networking events.
I have been using my Le Pliage tote when I don’t need to carry as much, but it’s definitely a ‘laptop plus handbag stuff’ bag rather than an ‘everything I might need for a long day’ bag.
anon
Team backpack! Most partners at my big-law firm use them– men and women. Some of the older men use briefcases, some of the older women use totes, but for the 55 and under crowd, it is backpack city. It is just so much easier. When you are meeting with a client, then totes come out.
Anonymous
Bicycle pannier. :)
JuniorMinion
I am now at long last team backpack. I work in a major corporate HQ in a major city (although not NY / SF) and almost everyone has a backpack. It helps probably that we have a free corporate gym onsite so I imagine there are a lot of folks doing what I’m doing – ie going to the gym before / at lunch / after work and combining work stuff with gym stuff.
LaurenB
I’m an Old, and I was firmly of the belief that young professionals needed totes (women) or messenger bags (men) but times have changed and I think we all realize backpacks are ergonomically better and that’s how it goes.
Catherine
I had a lovely black convertible bag that I bought through travel smith about two decades ago. I used it when I commuted via public transit. By the time I wore it out they no longer carried it and I have never found one that converted as easily and looked as nice as a regular bag since.
The one I now have just doesn’t function all that well as a backpack as the strap(s) are actually just one continuous leather strap that threads through a third point to make it a backpack, but it can slide freely so it is hard to put on.
I now commute via a short drive and have a short walk to my office and use a black leather tote. If I were still commuting via public transit I would definitely want a backpack.
hollow rock
I have both. If it’s a light gear day – tote. Kitchen sink gear day – backpack. I’ve seen a few messenger/backpack convertibles, but I’m not totally in on them. I’m not young, but I wouldn’t mind people thinking I was. Getting a backpack is far cheaper than a lift.
Coach Laura
I started carrying a backpack when I started having to stand on the commuter bus. I’d taken the same route downtown for 25+ years but bus service started getting cut when ridership increased. In my 20s I wouldn’t have minded standing for 45-60 minutes but in my 50s it sucked. (I felt so sorry for the elderly and pregnant people who were never given seats. But I digress…) I have a sleek eBags Pro Slim Laptop backpack that has space for two laptops or one laptop, one file, plus cubbyholes for cords and mice, kindle/iPad padded pocket, easy access pockets and it’s fantastic. I use it as my travel carryon too, as it has a suitcase sleeve.
OMFGLT!
Also Team Backpack 4-eva….I’ve had the Lo & Sons Rowledge for maybe 3-ish years and would purchase again in a heartbeat.
Anon
Um… what’s wrong with biking to work, exactly?