How We Tested Laptop Backpacks

By Ben Applebaum-Bauch, Maggie Nichols, Katherine Elliott, and Amber King

Monday November 18, 2024

To test the bags featured in our laptop backpack review, we loaded them up with our laptops and other supplies and took them to the office, coffee shops, biking around town, and on airplanes and assessed them in controlled environments. In this review, we consider five important metrics to rate each backpack.

laptop backpack - we take these laptop backpacks everywhere. from the trail to the... — We take these laptop backpacks everywhere. From the trail to the office. We commute with them and bring them traveling. We've tested for many years, with the best options in hand. Here, we bike commute to work on a cool day in the Fall.
Credit: Amber King

Laptop Protection

We assessed the thickness and cushion of the primary laptop pocket as well as any auxiliary electronics sleeves. We review suspension systems and additional layers of padding in backplates. We also look at water resistance, as well as any features that make it more difficult for someone to steal the computer.

laptop backpack - dedicated laptop pockets are great for both protection and easy... — Dedicated laptop pockets are great for both protection and easy access.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Comfort and Fit

We rated the straps — including their width, thickness, shape, and padding quality — and assessed their adjustability. We also looked at the back padding, similarly examining thickness, rigidity, and airflow. We also weighed these packs and looked at other features like waist and sternum straps to determine how well a load is distributed across the body.

laptop backpack - back padding is an important feature for comfort with both heavy... — Back padding is an important feature for comfort with both heavy loads and warm weather.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Storage

Here, we were interested in the total capacity of each pack and the functionality of the space. We also look at the stability of each pack and how easy or difficult it is to keep the pack weight well-balanced.

laptop backpack - some packs have a ton of pockets and others have just a couple of... — Some packs have a ton of pockets and others have just a couple of open pockets for throwing in supplies.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Ease of Use

We scored all the features that make a laptop backpack easier or more difficult to use. This includes things like the utility and array of pockets, gear accessibility, zipper quality, and any additional features like key clips or special openings for cables.

laptop backpack - zippered interior pockets keep items easily accessible. — Zippered interior pockets keep items easily accessible.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Versatility

For this metric, we look at how valuable each pack is for a variety of uses and situations. We assess the look and style of each pack, the number and type of available colors, and any special features like luggage pass-throughs, daisy chains, and elastic cords that may give a model an edge over the others for a particular use.