The best laptop backpack for a daily commute protects your laptop from drops, not only from scratches. Most backpacks hold the laptop in a thin fabric sleeve at the base of the bag, so a fall onto concrete, tile or wood sends the impact straight into the device.
Commuter wearing a laptop backpack on a metro platform
What to look for in a commuter laptop backpack
- A laptop compartment that sits above the base of the bag, not on it.
- Padding on every side of the laptop, not only against your back.
- A soft lining that will not scratch the lid or screen.
- A compartment sized for your laptop, such as 16 inches.
- A fabric and fit that suit your commute; see our guides to monsoon-proofing your daily commute and backpack ergonomics and spine health.
Why a standard laptop sleeve falls short
A thin sleeve at the bottom of the bag leaves very little between your laptop and the ground. A hard drop can dent metal corners, strain hinges and crack screens.
What is a suspended laptop compartment?
In a suspended design, the laptop chamber sits above the base of the bag, so the laptop is held off the ground when the bag lands. In our backpacks with a 16-inch laptop compartment, the chamber sits 1.5 inches above the base.
Cutaway of a laptop compartment sitting 1.5 inches above the base of the bag
Three layers of protection
- Closed-cell foam around the edges to absorb side impacts.
- An air-cushioned, fluted layer to absorb vertical impacts.
- A fleece-lined microfibre interior that protects against scratches from vibration.
Foam, air-cushioned suspension and fleece lining inside a laptop compartment
Your laptop deserves a better carry
For most of us the laptop is the tool we earn with, so the bag that carries it deserves care. Shop our laptop backpacks, or if you are buying for a team, request a wholesale or custom backpack quote.