

The laptop sleeve fit my 13-inch MacBook, and a second pocket fits a tablet or Kindle. ★ A casual alternative: We love Cuyana's leather tote, and its backpack for $478 is just as beautiful. But the side pockets are too tight to fit a water bottle. The front pocket can store a few other slim items, and he likes the tiny pocket near the handles for keys or sunglasses. There's decent organization in there with a spare zippered pouch and padding at the base to protect your goods. He stowed a 13-inch MacBook Air (it can fit up to 16-inch laptops), an iPad in the second laptop sleeve, chargers, cables, his camera, and a separate flash. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu made it through CES 2023 with this on his back. If you're prepared to spend almost $600, this leather bag is sophisticated and doesn't compromise on function. Look at Rains' other backpacks if you like its understated, Scandinavian style.
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There's a small phone zip pocket on the back panel, but when I'm commuting I like to keep my wallet there so I know no one can grab it. They're waterproof and come in fun colors (I bought it in lavender a few years back), and the Mini has held up well over the past few years.
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You can upgrade to the 13-liter version for $110, but both sizes have the same-size laptop sleeve. I've even packed this little bag with an extra outfit and toiletries (in addition to my laptop) for a night away.

It holds my 13-inch MacBook and the accessories I need for work. The 8.5-liter Rains Backpack Mini helps me maintain my sense of style without stripping away function. When I leave my work-from-home bubble to venture outside, my bag should look like a perfectly curated accessory to my outfit, not a ragged relic or a rugged pack. I (Medea) am a working, grown adult, not a high schooler headed to algebra or a hiker traversing the Alps. It’s a good thing, because at this price, you only want to buy it once. It's also hand-sewn in the US from PFC-free material and has a lifetime warranty that’s as bombproof as the ballistic nylon fabric. It has a huge luggage pass-through and hefty padded shoulder straps. Like all Tom Bihn bags, the pockets are metaphysical perfection, with a huge laptop pocket with two-way access that also has a tablet pocket for my Kindle, and front pockets with O-rings to hook keys and other sundries. And if you live in a rainy area, roll-tops keep water from seeping through the top zippers. Too much? Roll it down to compress the space. Don’t have enough room? Unroll it and stick your bike helmet in. Roll-top bags are more versatile than zippered ones.

★ A roll-top Tom Bihn: The Tom Bihn Addax for $294 has become one of my go-tos. It's the perfect, organized conference companion, but it's on the highest end of what we think is worth spending on a bag. But in the 22-liter size, I didn't notice the extra weight. And the dense fabric and plentiful hardware-the zippers, O-rings, and buckles-make it a little heavy. Each bag has a lifetime guarantee.īecause the bag is so small, the pass-through on the back is only 7 inches wide-too narrow to slip over the handle of a carry-on. The exterior is made from Bluesign-certified 400-denier ballistic nylon with top-of-the-line YKK water-repellent zippers. The pen pockets are located in flaps on the side rather than in the middle top, for convenient access. For example, the zippered water bottle pocket is located in the middle of the backpack instead of on the side, so it won't tip you off balance. It has a lot of pockets, and they're all thoughtfully designed. When I (Adrienne) travel for work, I typically carry a Tom Bihn bag, and the clamshell Synik 22 is my favorite. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). We've also added the Targus Zero Waste to the honorable mentions. Updated May 2023: We added two all-leather options from Harber London and Cuyana. Don't see anything you like here? Check out our other guides, including the Best Recycled Bags, Best Laptop Totes and Purses, Best Messenger Bags, Best Camera Bags, and the Best Travel Bags. We inspect backpacks for a suspended, padded laptop sleeve durable fabrics and water-resistant zippers and versatile storage options. Whatever your needs, we have a fit and functional backpack for you. It's also easier on your neck and shoulders than an overstuffed purse, duffle, or briefcase. Whether you're commuting to an office or school, working from coffee shops, or going on a weekend trip, a good backpack will carry your stuff and keep it organized. The number of backpacks out there is endless, and they range in price from under $50 to several hundred dollars, but finding a life-changing bag isn't easy.
