How to buy the perfect laptop backpack
What is a Laptop Backpack?
We define a laptop backpack as a bag that has specifically been designed to hold a laptop.
Laptop backpack are not only designed for carrying laptops, but they also come with several additional features that facilitate the storage of other essential accessories such as chargers, mouse, and other peripherals. They come in different sizes, shapes, styles, and materials to cater to the diverse needs of consumers. Laptop bags are also designed to offer protection to your laptop from scratches, dust, and other external factors that may damage your device.
Apart from their functional benefits, laptop bags have become a fashion statement for many individuals, and they come in trendy designs that complement different outfits. With the increasing demand for laptops, laptop backpack have become a necessity for students, business professionals, and anyone who uses a laptop. So, if you own a laptop, investing in a good quality laptop backpack is a wise decision that will protect your device and make your life much easier.
/ Factors To Consider While Choosing A Laptop Bag
Comfort
When choosing a laptop backpack, comfort should be the top priority, for example, in a good-quality women’s pack, the straps will be designed for narrower shoulders and the hip belt will be designed for riding on wider hips.
Consider the laptop backpack size and your own height, and try on different sizes to find the most comfortable fit. Backpack capacity is measured in liters, with slimline bags being 10-16L, versatile packs around 20-25L, and professional camera gear and weekender bags being 30L and beyond.
When carrying heavy loads in warm weather, a mesh covering between you and the pack can reduce sweating. If you have physical limitations or are carrying heavy loads, consider a wheeled pack, but keep in mind that the wheels add weight if you plan to carry the pack as well.
Protection
- Padded Compartment
Padding will protect your laptop from other items in your bag, but our team is split on how important we think padding is. Some of us prefer to stick our laptop in a separate case or sleeve before putting it in a laptop bag, which means it’s not as important to have a heavily padded internal sleeve. Members of the Seperate Laptop Sleeve Club say that they give extra peace-of-mind, plus they’re portable from bag to bag and add protection when you’re carrying the laptop by itself.
On the other hand, some of our team members appreciate laptop bags that feature enough padding that you don’t feel like you need to put your laptop in a separate sleeve and/or case first. These members of the Dedicated Laptop Sleeve Club like bags with consistent, dense padding on all sides of the internal sleeve.
Now, all of us here at Pack Hacker think that an optimal laptop bag has more than just padding. In fact, we think that too much padding can lure you into a false sense of security. So, look out for other security features, which we’ll talk about next.
- False Bottom
A false bottom is a laptop sleeve or compartment that ends before the backpack’s bottom, suspending your laptop from the bag’s base. This is crucial because if your backpack drops suddenly, your laptop won’t hit the ground, which helps protect your computer. Unless you can guarantee that you’ll never drop your laptop bag or place it on the ground too forcefully, it’s recommended that you use a false bottom.
However, not all false bottoms are the same. Some laptop sleeves have a small false bottom, which is essentially the same as having none at all. We suggest looking for a false bottom that is at least an inch above the base of the bag.
- Soft Lining
We appreciate laptop sleeves that feature a soft lining, which will help prevent your laptop from getting scratched up. We don’t think this is as necessary as a false bottom or padding, but it’s just one of those things that’s nice to have.
Organization
When it comes to organization, everyone has their own style – it’s as personal as a cup of coffee. Some prefer a laptop bag with vast, empty compartments, while others prefer a designated spot for everything. As gear reviewers, our team can attest to this. Laptop bags come in a range of organizational options – from simple to complex, or anything in between. In addition, some bags offer exterior organization if that’s what you’re into. However, beyond the amount of organization a bag provides, there’s the matter of accessibility. It’s a complex topic, so let’s delve deeper.
- Interior Organization
Bags with simple organization tend to be more versatile. You aren’t limited by all of the pockets and can use the bag for travel, picnicking, carrying around your rock collection, etc.
These bags also allow you to take organization into your own hands by utilizing packing cubes and pouches. You can get as intense as you want here, organizing your gear in color-coded pouches that you evenly distribute throughout the various compartments in your bag, or just throw most of your gear into one pouch, toss it in the main compartment, and call it a day. Plus, you can take the whole thing out of your laptop bag and keep it on your desk for easy access too all your tech.
- Exterior Organization
When choosing the perfect bag, it’s important to determine what you prioritize in the external design. Are you looking for a minimal, polished look? Or do you prefer a bag with external pockets and attachment points for quick and easy access to your belongings? These attachment points can also be used to carry items outside of your bag, such as a rain jacket, to avoid getting your other items wet.
- Access
You’re likely going to be accessing the laptop sleeve/compartment at least twice a day, so it’s worth paying attention to how easy it is to get to. We prefer quick access because time is money and all that. Plus, it’s just a huge hassle to have to work your laptop around tough angles or annoying straps.
You’ll usually find one of two things: the laptop sleeve is inside the main compartment or the laptop sleeve in its own compartment accessible from the outside of the bag. Let’s take a closer look.
Material
We suggest investing in a bag that’s made from high-quality materials with excellent craftsmanship. In your search for a laptop bag, you’ll probably come across materials like:
- Standard Nylon
- Printed Jute – Zebco Bags®
- Ballistic Nylon and/or Ripstop Nylon
- Polyester
- Canvas
- Leather Tarpaulin or TPE Fabric Laminate
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and sustainable laptop backpack, you might want to consider one made of jute. Jute is a natural fiber that’s biodegradable and compostable, making it an excellent choice for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. Additionally, jute is a durable material that can withstand wear and tear, making it a great choice for a backpack that will be carrying a laptop and other essentials.
Leather backpacks are strong, water-resistant, and stylish but heavy and expensive. Consider buying one with leather highlights to compromise between cost and design.
When choosing a backpack, it is important to test zippers for smooth operation and look for rain protection. Metal zippers are more durable than plastic ones, and 90-degree corners can be problematic. Magnetic latches and clasps can be convenient but may also be annoying.
Nowadays, most packs are made with either nylon, polyester, or some variation thereof. For most people, these will work just fine. If you’re looking for real stamina and / or you prefer a more textured feel, textiles such as Cordura will provide additional strength.
Style
We probably don’t need to tell you that aesthetic is a key factor when it comes to choosing a laptop backpack . You’ll likely use it frequently—maybe even daily—so you should love how it looks. Luckily, there are so many high-quality laptop backpack that you should be able to find one that’s not only your style but also durable with thoughtful organization and adequate laptop protection.
We’re not here to tell you what a fashionable laptop bag looks like—beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all—but we’ve noticed the most common styles you’re likely to come across, including:
- Techy
- Heritage
- Business Casual (the bag version of a button-down and khakis)
- Sporty
- Classic (a slightly elevated version of your elementary school bag)
- Fashion/Slick
Price
The last factor to consider while choosing a laptop backpack is the price. This factor has been kept at the end to drive home that it is best not to sacrifice other factors like size, material, usability, and style to meet the desired price. You will suffer from the consequences of such a decision.
If it is quality and durability that you are after, the price has to take a back seat in the case of laptop backpack. Some of the best laptop bags in the market, like the Zebco laptop bag, are bound to cost you some money, but it will be worth the price. printed jute bags tend to cost a lot, but they also last for years, so that you don’t have to invest in a laptop backpack any time soon.