The 15 Best Laptop Backpacks for Women to Carry in 2024 (and Beyond)

Stylish, take-anywhere backpacks that fit your laptop—and everything else, too.

selection of laptop backpacks for women including madewell and everlane
(Image credit: Brittany Holloway-Brown / Courtesy of Brands)

If you’ve recently started commuting to the office again, you know how important it is to have the best laptop backpack to bring with you. While, yes, a regular cotton tote bag would probably cut it, there’s nothing worse than losing your keys, wallet, or your daily planner at the very bottom of your bag. Not to mention, having a secure, zipped-up spot for your laptop or work phone is a game-changer. So Marie Claire chatted with the experts—professionals who love carrying the best laptop bags for women to work and know a thing or two about what to look for—about the very best work backpacks for women that can tote a computer with ease.

A step up from even the very best work bag, the best laptop backpacks on this list make light work of stashing all of your essentials—be it a bevy of charging cables, a water bottle, or a change of gym clothes. And while all of the backpacks on this list are designed with function in mind, many of them are just plain stylish, too. Some are souped-up leather totes with a sleek, modern design, while others are made from water-resistant nylon or canvas. Ahead, Marie Claire asked Cuyana co-founder Shilpa Shah and Bellroy's Co-Founder and COO Lina Calabria for their picks, in addition to rounding up a few of the laptop backpacks that keep the team at Marie Claire going from brands like Calpak, Longchamp, Herschel, and more. 

How We Chose the Best Laptop Backpacks

There are plenty of laptop backpacks to choose from, and it’s Marie Claire's job to discern which are truly the cream of the crop. To that end, there are a few key factors that all of the best laptop backpacks on this list share:

  • Pockets for organizing: If you’re on the hunt for a laptop backpack, it’s most likely because you’re sick of digging your belongings out of the bottomless pit that is your tote. All of the laptop backpacks on this list have several interior and exterior pockets; the majority of them have a dedicated sleeve for your laptop; and some come in several sizes to fit differently-sized laptops and other tech. As Shah says, "When shopping for a laptop backpack, organization is key."
  • Versatile: You likely want a laptop backpack that can take you from your office to happy hour to a date without looking out of place. Each laptop backpack comes in neutral colorways and is sleek by design, so even the most practical bag in your collection looks tailor-made to your personal style. Some of the bags here also are convertible and can be worn as a tote bag or a crossbody bag, while others fold up into your carry-on suitcase for easy travel. 
  • Comfort: Odds are, you’re going to carry this backpack for hours on end. The laptop backpacks on this list have thick, sturdy shoulder straps and are designed with weight distribution in mind so your back and shoulders won’t ache. Some also have padding along the backside of the actual bag (and on the straps!) to keep you comfortable even as your belongings move around.
  • High-quality materials: We want you to love the laptop backpack you choose for years to come. With that in mind, Marie Claire editors only selected backpacks that are made from materials that are built to last like leather, neoprene, canvas, or nylon.

The Best Laptop Backpacks

Tote Bag vs. Work Backpack

While some prefer to carry a laptop tote bag, having a laptop backpack means that your commute will be hands-free, not to mention the security of zippers, the usefulness of pockets, and, oftentimes, more space for your belongings. However, the best laptop backpack "is the one that helps you both at work but also at the activities you do on either side of your work day, including your commute," says Calabria. "Right now, I’m using a work backpack because I want to have my hands free on my way in."  

Still, the key to real versatility is having a few on hand that you can use as your needs evolve and change. "I like to have different work bag options and then I choose the bag that suits what I need to get done on the day," Calabria says. "By using a couple of pouches, switching bags on a day-to-day basis can become pretty quick and easy."

Meet The Experts

Shilpa Shah
Shilpa Shah

Shilpa was drawn to Cuyana for the opportunity to enhance women’s lives by creating high quality products that were produced responsibly, priced accessibly, and that carried a story and a soul that could be delivered through human connection. 

Beginning her career in Interaction Design, Shilpa has over 20 years of designing customer experiences, designing web and mobile interfaces for Fortune 500 companies such as Disney and AT&T. Before starting Cuyana, Shilpa added business expertise  to her design and technical background by completing her MBA at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. Today Shilpa leads the company as its CXO, the Chief Experience Officer, crafting a branded omni-channel journey across digital and physical touchpoints.

Lina Calabria
Lina Calabria

Lina Calabria, co-founder and COO of Bellroy, is an engineer and business leader with a focus on shared learning and development, considering alternative perspectives, and applying care and attention to all facets of the company. Throughout Bellroy’s growth, Lina has also served as CFO and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. Prior to Bellroy, Lina worked as a management consultant with clients such as Australia Post, Royal Mail, and Pfizer.

Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers everything from the latest beauty and fashion launches and sales to celebrity outfits and news. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and STYLECASTER. In her spare time, Julia can be found creating shopping guides for all of her friends, spending too much money on yet another pair of black boots, and cooking in her far-too-small kitchen.