If 2023 was The Year of the Tote Bag, what makes 2024? Whatever you call it, we aren’t ready to give up our totes yet. Bellroy’s affordable carryall is a functional and compact laptop bag that’s just the right size for a MacBook Air. Best known for its slim men’s wallets, the Australian brand has a reputation for clean, space-saving designs with thoughtful details—and that’s exactly how we’d describe the Tokyo Tote. The padded handle straps are long enough (and comfortable enough) to wear over your shoulder on long walks. The entire bag also zips up for rainy days, while interior and exterior pockets keep your phone, water bottle, MacBook, journal, charging cables, and extra clothes organized.
Think of this as an unpretentious bag for secretly pretentious people. And for shoppers who believe a laptop bag shouldn’t cost as much as the laptop itself, it’s a smart alternative to overpriced fashion totes.
Best Laptop Briefcase: Filson Tin Cloth Compact Briefcase
Material: Waxed cotton | Size: 11.5” x 15” x 2.75” | Capacity: 9L | Laptop Size: 15”
Men’s wardrobes used to fall into two camps: city and country. Formalwear for the city, sportswear for the country. (And by sportswear, think tweed, sports coats, and Filson, not joggers and running shoes.) Filson’s outdoor-ready gear has evolved along with the times, and its famous Tin Cloth briefcase now has a compartment for your laptop. This handsome bag will keep you light on your feet, and you can carry it over the shoulder or by hand. It also works well as a companion to your luggage while traveling. Check or stow your suitcase and keep this waxed cotton briefcase on hand for your work laptop.
With a water-resistant finish, this bag will keep your gear organized and dry. And if you do have a country estate for your leisure time, Filson bags like this are still tough enough to handle wet and muddy conditions.
Best Leather Laptop Backpack: Coach Gotham Backpack
Material: Leather | Size: 11.5” x 19.25” x 6.75” | Capacity: 24.5L | Laptop Size: 15”
A handsome black leather backpack will always be a smart option as your work bag. Don’t overthink it. And Coach’s Gotham bag has a streamlined design and high-quality pebbled leather. While it won’t accommodate oversized 17 inchers, it can handle your MacBook with no problem. The bag has two zippered compartments on the outside and one inside, plus a few more internal pockets for easy organization. Best of all, the back of the bag is made from a breathable mesh, so you won’t show up to the office with back sweat darkening your favorite work shirts.
Best Slim Laptop Backpack: Aer Slim Pack
Material: Nylon | Size: 10.25” x 15” x 4” | Capacity: 9L | Laptop Size: 14”
We love AER’s minimalist EDC bags, and not just because of the all-black aesthetic. (Technically, you can buy some AER bags in other colors, but why would you?) For guys and gals who want a laptop carrier that’s as lightweight and compact as possible, try the brand’s tech sling bag. The aerodynamic over-the-shoulder bag has a sleek nylon exterior with a durable, water-resistant finish (DWR). On the inside, it’s got just enough pockets for daily essentials, including a special compartment for a Bluetooth tracker. The tech compartment can fit tablets and small- to mid-sized laptops, with enough space left over in the bag for notebooks, chargers, and headphones. And for commuters, the padded strap and mesh back won’t chafe as you move.
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What to look for in a laptop bag
Laptops are non-optional for college students and most office workers, so unless you want to carry that laptop commando-style, you’ll need a bag to keep it safe on your daily travels. For a lot of folks, that means a tech-friendly backpack, but that’s not your only choice. (Most laptop backpacks leave a lot to be desired, style-wise.) Over the past few years, we’ve seen more guys moving away from laptop backpacks, so don’t limit yourself when choosing a laptop bag. We’ve personally tested a few of these bags, and we’re in the process of testing more. When picking our favorites—backpacks, tote bags, duffels, and briefcases—here’s how we narrowed the field:
- Padded laptop compartments: We ruled out many great bags with a laptop compartment but lacked padding to protect said laptop. We also chose bags that could fit a variety of laptop sizes.
- Materials: You’ll find a lot of durable performance fabrics like nylon and polyester here, but also leather and cotton. Bags with DWR finishes or weather- and water-resistant materials earned extra points in our evaluation.
- Style: Good style is its own reward. (Random compliments from strangers are also much appreciated.) Before it earned a spot on our list, our editors reviewed each bag to ensure it met our aesthetic standards and performance requirements.
- Organization: We looked for bags with pockets inside and out so that you don’t have to dig around your bag every time you need something. (Purses—we’re looking at you.) We also favored bags with additional features such as durable hardware, luggage pass-throughs, and water bottle holders.
We’ll continue to update our top picks as we test more laptop bags, so keep checking back if you haven’t found a bag to suit your style.
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