Everyday Carry

10 Laptop Bags to Everyday Carry Back to School

Authored by:
Adam Molina
10 Laptop Bags to Everyday Carry Back to School

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It’s that time of year again. Summer is over and school's starting back up. That means writing papers, online assignments, and probably more Netflix than you’d care to admit.

Whether you’re commuting to class or staying on campus, you’re going to need to invest in a solid laptop to get things done. Which means that it may be a smart idea to get a backpack that will not only carry your laptop, but also protect that investment.

Textbooks aren’t cheap, and neither are laptops. If you’re looking for a bag that will make your trips to class just a little easier, these are all great options.

The Best EDC Laptop Bags for School

DSPTCH Daypack

Despite its unassuming design, the USA-made DSPTCH Daypack is the furthest thing from your generic bookbag.  DSPTCH is known for making quality bags, and the 22L Daypack checks all the boxes when it comes to a modern, urban EDC. Inside the main compartment, you’ll find a dedicated tablet sleeve, zippered stash pocket, and internal water bottle pockets on both sides. A separate padded compartment fits up to a 15” laptop and maintains the bag's sleek structured silhouette. The water-resistant 1680D nylon exterior keeps your belongings dry, and a large front pocket equipped with MOLLE-like elastic webbing gives you quick access and organization for your smaller essentials.

Buy


Timbuk2 Parkside Laptop Backpack

Biking is a great way to get around campus, but you don’t need even need a bike to enjoy the benefits of the 20L Parkside Laptop Backpack from Timbuk2. While you can easily use the elastic side pocket to carry your U-lock, it also fits a water bottle just as well. On the front are two slip pockets for smaller essentials, while the two larger compartments can hold notebooks and a 15” laptop. The strap also has a convenient bottle opener on it for… academic purposes.

Buy on Amazon


5.11 RUSH 12

In our recent Carry Smarter article, we detailed the benefits of a MOLLE-compatible backpack. One reason this type of bag might appeal to you as a student is simple: customizability. The 5.11 RUSH 12 gets its name from being able to hold up to twelve hours worth of gear, which can sometimes be how long a full day of classes lasts. This pack already has two robust front pockets and a larger main compartment, so having the option to attach MOLLE-compatible pouches means this bag can be as versatile as you need it to be.

Buy on Amazon


VRSDesign ARK

One pack that’s been making its way around the internet is the VRS Design Ark Backpack. It was designed for the frequent traveler, but those same features are what makes it great for school. One of the two main compartments opens flat for easy access to your laptop or tablet. That makes it perfect not just for getting through airport security, but also good for quickly stowing your laptop between classes. The second compartment is large enough for a binder but has smaller pockets perfect for pens, battery packs, or calculators. If you do end up using it for travel, you can also just slip it onto the handle of your rolling luggage.

Buy


Topo Designs Y-Pack

Topo Designs offers beautifully designed backpacks for almost any occasion, but the Y-Pack is a great inexpensive option for anyone looking for a reliable EDC pack with an adventurous look. With this bag, Topo ditched the zippers and went with a drawstring closure and a flap that protects the contents of the bag from rain. The main compartment has a laptop sleeve that keeps a 15” laptop securely out of the way to make room for any other essentials you may need to carry.

Buy


CaseLogic 15.6" Laptop Backpack

Sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice functionality. This Case Logic backpack covers all your bases in a low-key design. The main compartment has enough space for a textbook or two, along with a tablet sleeve and two zippered mesh pockets for holding pens and other supplies. You also get two front pockets for quick access to your keys or wallet, but it’s the dedicated laptop compartment that sets this pack apart. The padded laptop compartment is actually located underneath the straps. So if you’re in a rush to leave class and forget to zip up your backpack you won’t have to worry about your laptop slipping out.

Buy on Amazon


Aer Fit Pack

The Freshman Fifteen is real, but you don’t need to be a freshman to take advantage of the campus gym. One pack that’s great for getting a workout in after class is the Aer Fit Pack. Not only can you stow your 15” inch laptop in it, but you can also pack a spare change of clothes and still have room to throw your sneakers in a separate zippered compartment. You would think all this functionality would have you looking like you're wearing a turtle shell on your back, but the pack maintains a slim and minimal silhouette.

Buy


The North Face Access Pack

There are gadget bags, and then there’s the Access Pack. The North Face designed this 22L bag for the modern commuter, which nicely sums up many students. The bag opens with a unique quick release latch system that reveals a compartment dedicated to pockets. Pens, battery packs, notebooks, and a tablet all have their place in the Access Pack's highly organized main compartment. Then there’s the dedicated laptop pocket that lets you retrieve your laptop with a handy pull tab. For a head-turning backpack that gets the job done and protects your tech, the Access Pack is a solid choice.

Buy


GORUCK GR-1

The GORUCK GR-1 is arguably the holy grail of durable backpacks. If you’re looking to invest in a pack that will be with you throughout school and beyond, look no further. The GR-1 is completely rainproof, can hold up to 400 lbs, and has silent YKK zippers so you can keep a low profile when you’re late to class. It also has a separate padded compartment that can hold up to a 17” laptop and is MOLLE-compatible so you can attach pouches and extra gear. The GR-1 is literally ready for war, so hauling it to and from Bio 101 should be a piece of cake.

Buy


Incase Icon Slim

If you’ve been reading the site for a while, you'd know there are always cool new backpacks being announced. But there’s nothing quite like a classic. Take the Incase Icon Slim backpack for example. While it's plenty durable with a water-resistant nylon exterior, it's how well executed it is on the inside that counts. The Icon Slim has five internal pockets for tablets, notebooks, and other essentials, with a faux fur lining in the main laptop compartment that makes this Incase so popular. The safer your laptop, the better.

Buy on Amazon


For more back to school essentials, check out these guides:

Adam Molina

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Adam Molina is a product review expert and seasoned everyday-carry enthusiast. They have covered gadgets and niche items for almost ten years and are passionate about exploring the ever-evolving landscape of consumer electronics and everyday carry gear. Having always been drawn towards electronics, they began their career reviewing audio gear and personal electronics for outlets like Soundguys, Android Authority, and Business Insider. They are currently a member of MKBHD network of channels, including an executive producer role on the Waveform Podcast.

In addition to their expertise in the tech realm, Adam possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in everyday carry gear ranging from watches to niche carabiners. He has used more backpacks than he can count, a plethora of different kinds of wallets, all kinds of multi-tools, and many random gadgets that never even make it into a recommended buying guide. Adam has developed a deep understanding of the nuances and practicality that make these items indispensable to modern-day life.

Adam is an avid runner and reader in their spare time and loves to learn random skills. Adam is the go-to resource if you are looking for an expert opinion on a product or want to learn more about everyday carry. They are happy to answer any questions and help you find the best products for your needs.

Discussion (23 total)

GrubbyGear ·
My Oakley Kitchen Sink backpack has held up amazingly for the past 4 years and has dealt with tasks ranging from EDC laptop bag, Traveling back and forth in Australia on holiday and even transporting a carton & a half more than on a few occasions.
Merrill Gold ·
Interesting selection. But I have a few issues with this article. First of all, most folks are either back in school already or starting right after labor day. They needed this info a month (a few weeks) ago to be helpful.

Second, the article should be the best etc baths for college. Anyone with kids will recognize that there is simply not enough room for a grade schooler's laptop, notebooks, textbooks, etc. They need far more storage than these bags appear to offer. Slim and stylish is nice only if everything fits.

Ok, that's all. Thanks for a nice selection of bags to consider for my work commute!
White Knight ·
'Second, the article should be the best etc baths for college'. ??
Man, how much gear do you carry?! ;)
Merrill Gold ·
"etc baths for college"? Wow, how did I miss that typo. I meant EDC bags for college...

It was a minor point, but as a parent of school aged children, "back to school" means grade school. And these kids carry a ton of stuff- large binders, a thick heavy laptop (remember, schools can't afford thin and light laptops), the occasional textbook, lunches, jackets, etc. So yeah, these little kids carry a TON of stuff.

I personally carry my gear in an iPad bag! It's a tiny bag from ful (Office Depot brand) and carries my ultralight, a power cord, reading specs and some odds and ends. It weighs nothing and forces me to travel light. It's fantastic.
Aassddsa fdfdsgdf ·
.
I too would like to know what type of thermos that is.
Thanks Bernard. That is exactly what I have been looking for.
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Andrew ·
The GR1 and Rush12 are both great choices. Topo left me unimpressed.
TKsovereign ·
Anyone serious about good EDC,GHB, and BOBs as well something good for school and hiking have to check Utah based 3VGear.com. I've been into the EDC and preparedness (reasonably prepared) and researched a lot of packs and at this point own 3 different packs from 3VGear. I plan to get the Velox II soon and that is the pack I think should mentioned here especially given its lifetime warranty and lower price. Just my opinion... I own the Paratus, Outlaw, and Posse and they are not to shabby.
Newb Tactical ·
I use 3v gear posse bag and love it. Just wish i got the outlaw one instead
TKsovereign ·
Dude at their prices you can afford to get the Outlaw. Every month you can enter their drawing and if you lose you get a 20-25% coupon. I can't remember paying full price for anything, I almost feel bad. Lol
Newb Tactical ·
Imma wait another 2 weeks then order outlaw and hope it comes when the woman aint home and just switch it real fast lmao
Also check out Amazon's own line of backpacks (search "Amazon Basics backpack" at Amazon.com) - ranging from $16 to about $47.
Wow, these look great! Lots of well placed pockets for all those edc essentials, and great price point for a product that looks comfortable and quality.
Having just recently quit my job and gone back to school full time, I've discovered how quickly school expenses can add up. I find myself buying the 17-cent spiral notepads from Target because I feel like I can't afford the nicer 75-cent memo pads. Same with all my other supplies. So I personally can't take many of these bags seriously as "back to school" bags. Certainly not the North Face, Goruck, and DSPTCH off this list. A few of the others seems okay for the price, but for $40, can't go wrong with the Victorinox Swiss Army laptop backpack. Super comfortable with an easy access laptop compartment that doesn't require you open a flap/cover and drawstring to get to like the Topo bag mentioned above does.
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