Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
Laptops are part of just about everyone’s everyday carry, and yet a surprising amount of daypacks offer no padding for laptops. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the most appealing laptop-friendly backpacks. Whether you’re lugging your stuff around campus, bringing you work laptop to and from office, or just want a good bag to travel with, you can’t go wrong with a laptop ready daypack.
1) Beams+ x Jansport: Beams Plus Pack
It would be near criminal to write an article on backpacks and not include Jansport, and luckily for us their newest collaboration with Beams+ makes choosing a pack even easier. Their Beams Plus Pack is a 33.5L pack constructed from 915 Denier Cordura Nylon and features a main compartment, padded laptop sleeve, secondary pouch, two water bottle slots, and two detachable add-ons for even more storage. This pack is finished with EVA padding and cord zipper pulls.
Available for $120 from Jansport.
2) Winter Session: Waxed Canvas Backpack
Winter Session makes great, timeless pieces out of a materials that only get better and better with age, and their Waxed Canvas Backpack is a fan favorite. Constructed from 20oz. waxed canvas with leather straps, YKK zippers, and leather zipper pulls, this bag is one you’ll be happy to put on every morning. It’s not the biggest pack on this list, but with a large compartment, small front pouch, laptop divider, and a couple of internal pockets this bag is more than big enough for most of our daily uses.
Available for $289 from Winter Session.
3) Master-Piece: “Potential Ver 2” Daypack
If you’re looking for a backpack with a bit more of a techy feel, then Master-Piece’s Potential Ver 2 Daypack is a fantastic option. It’s made from Cordura nylon with waterproof zippers, padded mesh straps, and an exterior laptop slot for both protection and easy access. At 20L, this backpack isn’t the largest out there but the large, primary pocket, small accessories pocket, and water bottle pockets make this pack more than large enough for your everyday carry.
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Available for $355 from No Man Walks Alone.
4) Sealand Gear: Archie Colour-Block Canvas and Ripstop Backpack
Sealand Gear might not be the first brand to come to mind when shopping for a new backpack, but after seeing their Archie Colour-Block Canvas and Ripstop backpack maybe it should be. This backpack features a 17L capacity, which should be more than ample for everyday, and is constructed upcycled fabrics with a two-way zipper. Inside you’ll find a padded laptop sleeve to ensure the safety of whatever device you’re bringing with you.
Available for $230 from Mr. Porter.
5) Billykirk: No. 297 Standard Issue Backpack
Billykirk has a way of taking classical patterns and modifying them to create a new, improved products that still feel like the original stylistically; while a lot of brands attempt that, BK achieves it consistently and their No. 297 Standard Issue Backpack is no different. Made in the USA from 10oz. waxed canvas and full grain leather, this backpack is as attractive as it is functional featuring a large pocket with internal laptop sleeve, interior organizer, and several exterior pockets.
Available for $295 from Billykirk.
Plus One – Filson: Journeyman Backpack
Filson has a very identifiable, rugged aesthetic, but that doesn’t mean they can’t produce a tech-friendly backpack with all the features you’d expect on a high end, tech backpack. It’s constructed from their famous 14oz. tin-cloth with bridle leather straps, and features a fully-lined laptop pocket, padded back, and heavy-duty YKK zippers. While synthetics have their benefits, they simply can’t match the raw aesthetic that Filson achieves with their classic, waxed fabrics.
Available for $395 from Filson.
