A backpack is one of life's most unequivocally useful items, whether you're commuting to work, going to school, university or consider yourself a digital nomad who loves to travel. Finding a convenient, stylish and reliable way to carry your tech around with you on your back can be a real challenge.

That's why we've rounded up some of the best backpacks designed to carry your camera, laptop and tablet - as well as any other devices and stationery - or even clothes that you might want to have with you on a journey. So if you've just bought the new MacBook Air 15, and want a fancy new bag to carry it in, read on.

Peak Designs Everyday Backpack V2
Peak Design Everyday Backpack (V2)
1. Best overall

Brilliant bag

This backpack is simply fabulous for how it brings both massive capacity and rugged protection.

Pros
  • Clever design
  • So many compartments
  • Really well-made
Cons
  • Very expensive

Peak Design's approach to bags is a little different to everyone else's. The company designs bags to be easy to get into, easy to expand and that make it easier to organise all your different devices. Whether you carry a camera, Mavic Pro drone or just a laptop, you can choose an Everyday bag to work for you.

The 30-litre option is the most spacious and can fit more than you'd expect inside it. The so-called FlexFold dividers help to separate your camera or drone, keeping them organised and protected. What's more, there are built-in side panel pockets to protect batteries, cards, hard drives and battery packs as well as your usual laptop and tablet/document sleeves. The big pockets on the outside are big enough to fit tripods or water bottles into.

All this is protected from the outside by a 500D weatherproof Kodra shell and high-density padding, with the metal fixtures built from strong anodised aluminium.

mousbackpack
Mous Extreme Commuter Backpack
2. Best protective backpack

Water and shock-resistant champ

The Extreme Commuter Backpack features Mous' amazing shock absorption for your laptop, water-resistant seals and zippers, plus lots of space for additional items. 

Pros
  • Shock and impact-absorbent design
  • Splash and rain proof
  • Lots of pockets and space for different accessories
  • Really comfortable to wear
Cons
  • It's not cheap
  • Only comes in one colour - black

What do you get if you cross Mous' world-renowned drop and impact protection from its smartphone cases with a backpack? The answer is the Mous Extreme Commuter Backpack. Its headline feature is the tech compartment towards the back of the bag, which features Mous' AiroFoam material for shock absorption. It's a non-Newtonian material, so stiffens and becomes more rigid upon impact, absorbing the shock of any drops and bangs, to ensure your laptop or tablet inside the back don't get damaged.

Adding to its protective credentials, the Mous backpack also features a rain-proof and storm-proof design achieved by using water-resistant materials like PU coating and nylon on the outside, plus YKK's water-sealed AquaGuard zippers. Plus, the zippers are lockable, and the outer catch is magnetic, and requires a specific movement in order to open and - upon opening - reveals two inter-lockable zippers underneath. It's easy enough to use and open, but not for thieves while it's on your back.

With all this, plus lots of space and pockets on the inside for all the small accessories, chargers, cables, headphones and books, the Mous backpack is a fantastic bag for just about anyone. It's also nicely padded and very comfortable to wear for long periods.

Waterfield Designs Miles Backpack
Waterfield Designs Miles Backpack
3. Best backpack material choices

Superb design

This incredibly handsome backpack is gorgeous in whatever version you select.

Pros
  • Brilliant materials
  • Superb lining
  • So classy
Cons
  • Very expensive

Waterfield Designs makes a wide range of impressive bags that are all made with tech storage front-of-mind, and its new Miles backpack is a stunning addition to the lineup.

It's available in a few finishes, from more restrained black versions to a gorgeous leather and waxed canvas look that will only get nicer with age. The real clincher is inside, though, where Waterfield's genius golden lining genuinely makes it easy to see what's inside even the deepest reaches of the bag.

A tablet and laptop sleeve means you can store loads of tech without worrying about them getting scratched, making it a simply outstanding option, albeit at a very high price point.

Best Bags For Tech image 16
The North Face Borealis Classic
4. Best backpack for comfort and space

Old faithful

A more classic bag, which can house lots of tech but will also do you well for outdoor activities.

Pros
  • Good value
  • Nice and subtle
  • Loads of colours
  • Comfortable and spacious
Cons
  • A bit fiddly

The North Face has built its brand on a reputation for durable outdoor clothing and equipment, but its everyday backpack, the Borealis Classic, has been a tried and tested option for us here at Pocket-lint for some years. For its price point, it's an easy recommendation.

First, the padding on the back and on the straps means it's a really comfortable backpack that's easy to wear. It doesn't cause friction on your shoulders or overly strain your neck.

Second, there's space for a lot of stuff inside. There are individual little slots for pens and pencils, smartphones and other little daily carry items in the front compartment, with a section at the back for carrying your laptop or iPad.

Third, there's a camo option, in addition to all the other colours that definitely aren't just plain black or grey. There are bright blue, khaki, mint green, dark green and dark blue versions as well as the usual light grey and dark grey colour-ways.

Best backpacks - Harber London
Harber London Commuter Backpack
5. Best designer tech backpack

Great looks and versatile

The Harber London Commuter Backpack is beautifully made, super comfortable to wear and it's gorgeous too, delivering a stylish, practical and waterproof backback in one.

Pros
  • Super stylish
  • Waterproof design
  • Very comfortable
Cons
  • Minimal outside pockets

The Harber London Commuter Backpack is gorgeous and we find it super comfortable to wear thanks to the padded straps. We say that even when we have packed it to the brim with our MacBook Air, iPad Pro and camera, alongside everything else we lug around too so there's some high praise here. Despite offering a material finish - which comes in three colours, though the Olive is our favourite - it is waterproof and it's also made from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles too.

You can fit any laptop between a 13-inch model and 16-inch model inside in one pocket, which has a button fastening, while a second pocket fits up to a 13-inch tablet. There's also a large zipped pocket on the opposite side, two drinks pockets, which are perfect for storing our water bottle, and a key clip too. The entire inside can be secured with a zip too and while it's slim, there's plenty of depth, so you can fit plenty in.

Our only complaint is there aren't many outside pockets, though there is one clever pocket tucked just under the hood, which we use for our wallet and our Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max - the latter of which fits like a glove to give you some idea of the size and depth. It's hidden when the bag is closed so you have to open the lid to get to it but that does mean it's secure too. An all-round great backback that looks great on too.

Best Bags For Tech image 17
STM Myth Backpack 18L
6. Best affordable everyday backpack

Intriguing design

A bit more of a futuristic look is in store if you go for this sleek bag from STM.

Pros
  • Sci-fi looks
  • Good compartments
  • Stands out
Cons
  • Not to everyone's tastes

STM makes great bags that aren't hideously expensive, and the Myth builds further on that reputation by offering a nice look and practical features for everyone. First off, there's a laptop protection feature called SlingTech, which adds extra padding and gapless corners in the laptop compartment to ensure that the laptop is protected even in the areas that it would typically be bumped on a daily basis.

Hidden away inside the bag are various compartments and pockets on the front. Most notably, there's a channel for cables to let you charge your phone via your own battery pack without anyone being able to see it. You even get a fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses. Plus, there's a pocket specially designed for AirPods.

On the back, STM added a pass-through so you can slip it over the handle of your suitcase while travelling. You also get generous padding with good lumbar support and a channel for air movement.

Add some water-repellant coating to it, and you have a bag that's lightweight, small, protective and durable. It looks particularly good in the Windsor Wine colour variant too.

Best Bags For Tech image 10
Herschel Pop Quiz
7. Best value designer backpack

Nice and simple

If you want something a little more relaxed and low-key, Herschel's bags are becoming extremely popular.

Pros
  • Good value
  • Nice colourways
  • Laptop sleeve
Cons
  • No real compartments

If the overly tech-focussed approach to bags is too much for you, and you just want something well-made and trendy that will still carry your laptop and other devices, Pop Quiz is ideal. Herschel is a brand synonymous with fashionable, durable bags, and this one is a prime example. It's available in no less than 34 different colour/design options, from plain to patterned and everything in between.

The laptop sleeve inside is padded, felt-lined and will fit up to 15-inch laptops, while the front pocket has its own internal organizers and a key clip. There's even an internal media pocket with a headphone port, and a fleece-lined sunglasses compartment. The zipper is also waterproof. As a bonus, it also happens to be one of the lightest bags on our list, and has an impressive 22-litre capacity.

Best Bags For Tech image 14
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
8. Best carry-on backpack

Super useful

Peak Design's backpack has a collapsible design that makes it really useful when you're on the move.

Pros
  • Huge capacity
  • Clever compartments
  • Sleek looks
Cons
  • Pricey

If you're after a backpack that's versatile and fits just within most airlines' allowances for cabin luggage, Peak Design's second option on this list is definitely worth a look. In its fully expanded form, it's a little big for everyday carrying around, but the beauty of it is that it can collapse.

Specially placed pop fasteners mean you can make it smaller, taking it down from 45L to 35L, making it much easier to be carrying around with you.

Like the Everyday version, there are tonnes of pockets, compartments and brilliant organisation. You can tuck the straps away inside a magnetically-sealed panel on the back, using a handle instead, or use the built-in waist support for more support.

The entire bag is made from a recycled nylon 400D shell that's also weatherproof, thanks to sealed zippers. It's genuinely brilliant, with spaced for your gadgets and the main compartment has enough space to store your overnight clothes and shower bag.

Marry those features with the abundance of external clip-on points and expandable side pockets for water bottles of any size (or compact tripods) and you have one of the most versatile options out there.

It's not the most comfortable bag we've ever worn, but for travelling, it's been fantastic.

How to choose a backpack for your tech.

Just like any purchase decision, it's important to consider a few things before taking the plunge and ordering something for carrying your expensive tech gear. We've rounded up some of those to help you prioritise what's important to you and filter out bags that might not work for you.

What's your budget?

In most of our guides, this is our first question to consider, because the difference between the cheapest backpacks and the most expensive ones is pretty significant. You can easily range from just $50 up to $300 for a backpack, and so going into the decision knowing what you're comfortable spending on a bag is essential. The good news is that you can get good bags for under $100, but the very best will cost more.

How frequently do you use it?

If you're someone who carts their tech around in a backpack most days of the week for school, college or commuting to work, the most important thing to consider - we think - is comfort. You want a bag that's lightweight, well-padded, comfortable, and easy to wear. Most on this list fit that description, but some are more comfortable than others.

Do you need weather-proofing?

If a solid chunk of your time with your bag is spent walking between campuses outside, or walking from the metro stop to your office, or you walk to work because you live close enough, it can really help to have a bag that's built to resist inclement weather. Bags like the Mous Extreme Commuter Backpack are worth looking at because they're designed to protect whatever's inside from rain and splashes, thanks to a clever choice of materials and zippers. Some other models include a protective cover you can fit over the bag like a jacket for when it rains.

What about durability and protection?

Another important quality to consider is durability and protection. We mean that in a couple of ways. First, you might want to have a back that protects your laptop or tablet inside from being damaged if the bag is dropped or banged. Second, you want to make it hard to get into when you're wearing it, making it harder for would-be thieves to get at your items inside. Again, the Mous backpack is really well-designed for this, with shock absorption and hidden, lockable zippers.

What size bag do you need?

Some of the backpacks on this list are available in a couple of different sizes, so it's worth weighing up how much stuff you need to carry regularly to make sure you're buying a bag with the right amount of internal space. Similarly, check the maximum laptop size supported to make sure you've got enough space for that in the dedicated laptop compartment. 15-inch laptop users will have different needs to 13-inch laptop owners.

Do you need a camera bag?

If you're tech mostly evolves around cameras - and you need a camera bag - the Peak Design Everyday backpack is the one. It's got clever compartments that you can organise to fit your camera, lenses and other accessories. You can - of course - check out our guide on the best camera bags too.