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If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best commuter backpack is, then we recommend the eBags Professional Slim Laptop Backpack as the best one.
If you cannot leave your house without your laptop and books – a commuter backpack is what you need.
The good thing about commuter backpacks is that they are a reliable and handy way to carry everything you need.
If you’re looking for the best commuter backpacks, you’ve come to the right place.
Since commuter backpacks are available in different price ranges and are extremely versatile, it might get a little overwhelming to find the right one for yourself.
Don’t worry – read ahead to learn more about the top-rated commuter backpacks and why you should get one today.
At a Glance: Our Top Recommendations
- eBags Professional Slim Laptop Backpack
- Thule Paramount 24L Daypack
- Herschel Supply Co. Little America Backpack
- Timbuk2 Q Laptop Backpack
- Chrome Urban Ex Rolltop Backpack
How to Choose the Commuter Backpacks
Mode of Transportation
It is important to consider how you travel when you are buying a backpack. How do you get to work or school every day?
Make sure to ask yourself this question before investing in any backpack.
If you ride a bike, it’s better to get a backpack that doesn’t weigh too much and is made of high-quality material that can withstand any weather.
This backpack should also come with a strap or a belt so you can easily attach it to yourself so that it doesn’t bother you while you’re riding a bike.
If you walk, again, it’s a good idea to invest in a commuter backpack that doesn’t weigh too much and comes with a strap.
You can attach such bags to your body before leaving the house and walk to your destination comfortably.
If you drive yourself to work, the kind of backpack you have won’t be too much of an issue as long as it can fit in your car seat.
If you take the bus or ride the subway, a good idea is to get an anti-theft commuter backpack.
These bags are specially made for public transportation.
They have zippers that can be easily locked and are made of fabric that is cut proof, preventing anyone from breaking into your bag and stealing your items.
Organizational Features
A backpack allows you to carry all your essentials in one place. Hence, when buying a commuter backpack, it is important to know the number of items it can carry.
A good idea is to choose a backpack that can hold it all. If your backpack can hold plenty of items, make sure it doesn’t jumble them up inside.
Your backpack should be able to hold your items neatly without causing any damage.
For example, a good commuter backpack will have a separate compartment for your pens and your glasses and a sleeve for your laptop.
This way, you can simply store each item in their preferred slot.
Read about the best smart backpack for work that has a lot of awesome features here.
Comfort
Since you’ll be using your commuter backpack every day, it is important to make sure it is comfortable.
Some bags are made of the wrong material, which makes them unnecessarily heavy.
These backpacks end up causing more trouble than they are worth. A heavy backpack can cause back pain so make sure your commuter backpack is comfortable to carry around.
This is why it’s a good idea to get a bag that is lightweight and small. If you have too many items, the size can vary, but a lightweight backpack is the best option.
Besides the weight, your backpack should be breathable, so it allows ventilation, keeping the items inside cool.
If your backpack has thick padding, it will be able to protect your items from unexpected weather.
Hence, during rain or thunderstorm, you will not have to worry about your items getting wet.
Furthermore, without padding, the essentials in your bag might rub against your back.
The thick padding will prevent this, which means you can easily keep all kinds of objects in your commuter backpack.
Here is the recommended backpack for those who have back pain.
Versatility
Since there are various backpacks to choose from – you have to decide what you need your backpack for.
If you tend to travel from country to country, a big commuter backpack is a good choice because you can easily use it as a carry-on.
If you mostly ride your bike in town, a bag with a strap and thick padding is the best choice for you.
Commuter backpacks can also be used for hiking and trekking, which makes them extremely versatile. Make sure to pick the right one according to your needs.
The Best Commuter Backpacks Reviews
1. eBags Professional Slim Laptop Backpack
Best Commuter Backpack for Professional
No products found.
See this backpack on Amazon now
The eBags Professional slim laptop backpack can fit most 17-inch Macbooks and other computers.
This commuter backpack also has a separate sleeve for tablets. It comes with a removable AC adapter, which is crushproof, and a pocket where you can keep your water bottle.
The eBags Professional slim laptop commuter backpack can easily pass through rolling luggage.
It comes with a sternum strap, which makes it easy to carry around while traveling. It also has top and side carry handles, which makes it a great travel companion.
The eBags Professional slim laptop backpack comes with several compartments, a front zipper pocket, which can be used to store anything, from your headphones to your clothes.
It also has a stash pocket in the center compartment, which gives the user enough space to store whatever item they like.
This bag is 18 inches long and 12.75 inches wide.
PROS:
- Extra pocket in the middle compartment
- Separate laptop and tablet sleeve
- Sternum strap
- Separate water bottle pocket
CONS:
- Not quite large
2. Thule Paramount 24L Daypack
Best Commuter Backpack for Urban
No products found.See this backpack on Amazon now
The Thule Paramount commuter backpack is one of our favorites. It is made of high-quality nylon, which will prevent the bag from sticking to you during the hot weather.
The nylon will make sure your sweat doesn’t get on the bag, either.
One of the best things about the Thule Paramount backpack is that it comes with a lot of space.
This bag has a dual-density laptop sleeve and comes with a safe edge corner protection, which means the corners of your laptop won’t poke into your back when you’re wearing your bag.
The corner protection will also protect the contents inside your bag if your bag accidentally hits something or falls to the ground.
The Thule Paramount commuter backpack can easily carry laptops like a 15-inch Macbook, so you don’t have to worry about the size of your laptop.
It also comes with a protective tablet pocket, which is lined with a soft interior and can hold tablets that are 10 inches wide. The soft lining will protect your tablet from damage.
This commuter backpack has two-way access to the laptop and tablet pocket, which is made of durable nylon. The Thule Paramount is waterproof, so you can wash it and continue using it for ages.
Most of the pockets are padded, which ensures quality. Plus, the padding will ensure that the contents in the bag don’t poke you.
This backpack also includes a roll-top compartment, which can expand if more space is needed.
PROS:
- Made of high-quality nylon
- Separate laptop and tablet compartments
- Stain-resistant
- Waterproof
CONS:
- No hip belt
3. Herschel Supply Co. Little America Backpack
Best Commuter Backpack for Women
No products found.See this backpack on Amazon now
The Herschel Supply commuter backpack is made of 100% polyester—this protects your belongings from unexpected weather and keeps them dry.
The interior of this bag is lined with high-quality nylon, which guarantees durability.
The Herschel Supply commuter backpack comes with a drawstring, which means you can easily wear it when you’re walking or riding a bike. This backpack is 20 inches high and 12 inches wide.
This backpack would be a good choice for people who commute every day since it is reliable and lightweight. Its classic design complements almost any outfit.
You can take the Herschel Supply bag anywhere, whether you are going to work or to the beach.
From your heavy books to your passport, this bag has enough space to fit all your contents for travel or work. The bag stands out because of its design.
It has magnet fastened straps and metal pin buckles, which add to its sleek design.
The Herschel Supply commuter backpack is quite spacious and tech-friendly. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, which means you can simply return it if you are not satisfied with the product.
PROS:
- Spacious
- Sleek design
- Drawstring
- Made with high-quality nylon and polyester
CONS:
- Quality could be better
4. Timbuk2 Q Laptop Backpack
Best Commuter Backpack for Everyday Use
No products found.See this backpack on Amazon now
The Timbuk2 Q Laptop backpack is made of high-quality nylon and comes with an elasticized external side pocket, which can be used to keep a water bottle on hot days.
This backpack comes with a fully padded laptop compartment, which is lined with quilted tricot fabric.
This fabric will keep your laptop safe and sound. The Timbuk2 Q laptop backpack is great if you have a lot of items because it is very spacious.
It can fit 17-inch Macbooks and keep them secure in the soft, nylon material.
This backpack comes with a lifetime warranty, which makes it durable. This bag is not too big or too small, which makes it a good choice for people who like to travel light.
It comes with iPad protection and has organizational features, which protect the items in the bag from damage.
The front panel can be easily unzipped and has a separate compartment for cords, cards, pens, and your keys.
There is also a bottom zip pocket where you can keep your charger, headphones or even a change of shoes!
PROS:
- Large laptop sleeve compartment
- Made with tricot fabric
- High-quality nylon material
- Water bottle compartment
CONS:
- No sternum strap
5. Chrome Urban Ex Rolltop Backpack
Best Commuter Backpack for Biking
No products found.See this backpack on Amazon now
The Chrome Urban commuter backpack is 100% waterproof, which means you can wash it after use and it will look brand new again.
It comes with a two-strap harness, which is added for extra comfort and makes sure the user can easily carry the bag, whether they are walking, traveling or riding a bike.
The Chrome Urban commuter backpack includes five handlebars, so you can carry the bag from any side.
It also has a padded iPad sleeve, which will keep your iPad safe and secure when you store it inside the bag.
Besides an iPad sleeve, it also has a laptop sleeve that can carry 15-inch Macbook laptops or other computers.
The Chrome Urban commuter backpack is versatile because it has 10 liters of storage space and can store all items – no matter how big or small.
It has a compartment for keys, wallet and your phone. It also has a harness, which makes the bag super comfortable and allows the user to carry the bag around for hours without any physical pain.
PROS:
- Waterproof
- Access compartments
- iPad and laptop sleeves
- Harness design
CONS:
- Pricey
Note: If you’re a big person, this is the backpack that might be suitable to you.
Conclusion
Backpacks come in handy when you are traveling. From all the backpacks discussed, the eBags Professional Slim laptop backpack is our favorite pick.
Not only is this bag extremely affordable, but it also comes with various features, which are not found in other backpacks.
It can be easily used as a travel bag, a work bag, and an everyday bag, no matter how you commute.
The eBags Professional Slim commuter backpack has everything a commuter backpack should have – it’s versatile, comfortable and has organizational features.
It has various compartments and includes zipper pockets, which can be used to store whatever you may like.
It may not be as spacious as other bags, but its multiple compartments allow you to organize everything and store all the essentials.
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