If your laptop is one of your most relied upon tools for school, work or entertainment, then it probably goes everywhere with you. Thus, having a dedicated place to keep your laptop while travelling is essential.
But with so many options available, how do you know which size backpack is right for you?
How to measure your laptop
To determine which size bag is best for you, you should first measure your device.
You’ll need:
- The diagonal - make sure this includes the bezel around the display!
- The width and height
- The depth or thickness
How to tell if your laptop bag will be big enough
Most bags are measured two ways - volume and dimensions (W x H x D) - and you can find this information on the product page online.
Unfortunately, volume is not always indicative of whether or not your laptop will fit. For example, the Lefrik Handy backpack has a volume of 12L, but it’s slim profile and wide rectangular design allow it to carry laptops up to 15.5inch.
On the other hand, the Vans Construct Skool backpack has a volume of 21L, but can only fit most laptops up to 15inch.
So, it’s better to use the width, height and depth measurements available on the product display and compare them to your laptop’s measurements to determine if your laptop will fit in the bag. You should always aim to have a bit of wiggle room left around your bag to avoid overstretching the material or damaging the zip , but it should still be snug and secure. However, pay attention to shape of the backpack - bags with a curved top mislead you into thinking they are high or wide enough. Read the description of the bag carefully to find our if it will fit your laptop.
Useful features of a backpack for your laptop
- Laptop sleeve/pocket - a dedicated spot for your device to help keep it secure. It’s also worth considering if the laptop sleeve has added padding which offers more protection
- Waterproof fabric and zips - essential for commuters who have to make the journey come rain or shine
- Security features like zip clips - helpful in keeping your laptop extra safe during your journey
- Separate pockets - it is advised to keep your plugs separate from your screens.
- Internal organiser - helps keep your cords, pens and other accessories tidy
- Padded or ergonomic straps - to promote comfort and good weight support.
The bag needs to suit your needs, so choose accordingly. If you know you need a lot of storage, pick a backpack with different compartments. To make your search a little easier, we’ve put together a shopping guide including some of our most popular laptop backpacks.
Backpacks for 13” laptops
The Doughnut Macaroon is an ideal everyday bag with a modern twist on the classic mountaineering style. It has a padded laptop compartment which can fit devices up to 14”, as well as a padded iPad compartment. It’s also made from water-repellent fabric and has multiple internal pockets to help you stay organised.
The Lefrik Capsule backpack offers a stylish design featuring a roomy main compartment with a padded sleeve for tablets and up to 13" laptops, as well as a front quick-access pocket with zip closure and two side pockets with snap fastenings. It also has a security pocket and top handles with a snap fastening.
The Eastpack Padded Zipplr+’s high-functionality and classic design are just a few of the things that make it a staple bag. It has a padded laptop sleeve that can fit devices up to 13.3" and a good-sized double zip front pocket to help you keep all your essentials close by, and external bottle holders.
Backpacks for 15” laptops
The Herschel Heritage Eco backpack is made from 16 recycled water bottles, and it features a roomy main compartment with a 15" laptop sleeve, a zipped front pocket for easy organisation, and dual water bottle pockets.
The Lefrik Mountain backpack is built for comfort and easy organisation, perfect for urban adventures. It features a padded back pocket, an interior organising panel with small grid pockets to help keep everything in its place, and dedicated 15" laptop and tablet compartments.
The Dakine 365 Pack has a large main compartment with a dedicated 15" padded laptop sleeve and a fleece-lined iPad sleeve. It has a handy insulated cooler pocket perfect to help keep your packed lunch fresh, and a mesh side pocket for your water bottle. Breathable air mesh shoulder straps and an adjustable sternum strap provide all-day, year-round comfort and help distribute the weight of your backpack evenly.
The Dakine Campus M backpack has a padded 15" laptop sleeve and plenty of room inside the main compartment with additional storage compartments and a handy insulated cooler pocket for your lunch, an organiser pocket and mesh side pockets are perfect for carrying your water bottle. The S-curved back panel and shoulder straps and the adjustable sternum strap help distribute the weight evenly for all-day comfort.
The Doughnut Christopher backpack is made with durable CORDURA fabric which is water-repellent, and sturdy YKK metal zips. Inside the backpack includes a 15" laptop sleeve that can be accessed from the side, multiple internal pockets and a water bottle compartment to help you stay organised.
The Jansport Union Pack backpack has one large main compartment with an internal laptop sleeve that fits a 15" device and another roomy front zip pocket for easy access to smaller items. It also comes with dual water bottle pockets.
The Lefrik Handy backpack has a slim silhouette and features a flap and double strap closure system. Inside, the main compartment has an interior 15.5" laptop sleeve and is lined with waterproof recycled polyester. It’s made from waterproof recycled materials and has adjustable shoulder straps.
12L
The Eastpack Floid backpack from Eastpak has a large main compartment with a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to 15" laptops, as well as a multitude of functional pockets including a multi-purpose pocket, security pocket and a concealed side bottle holder.
The Vans Construct Skool backpack has a padded laptop sleeve that can fit most laptops up to 15" and a slip-in tablet pocket, as well as an easy-reach media organiser for your phone. It also comes with an internal organiser for cords, pens and other items you need to keep close by. This bag is ideal for back to school and for commuters.
Backpacks for 17” laptops
The Eastpak Tranzpack Double backpack is an ideal travel companion! With a 40L capacity, it has 2 main compartments, 1 divided into two smaller pockets for improved functionality, 2 more roomy front pockets and an interior padded laptop sleeve that can fit laptops up to 17".