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Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
Readers, are you on the hunt for a great work backpack? Work backpacks can be great for your commute whether you’re walking or biking to work. They can also be perfect for business travel because so many of them have trolley sleeves now — that tiny slot at the back of the bag that lets you attach it to a rolling suitcase. So we thought we’d round up the best work backpacks for you!
If you’re in the market for a backpack for work, how important is style versus function for you? Will you only accept a stylish backpack for work, or do you need a rugged, waterproof bag to schlep your extra large laptop on your bike commute? Are you forever on the hunt for a great convertible backpack that can be worn as an ergonomic, hands-free friendly backpack when you’re on the go but looks like a purse, tote, or briefcase when you’re walking into your meeting?
Let’s discuss…
{related: tote or backpack for work? readers debate…}
Our Latest Favorite Work Backpacks
The Best Luxury Backpacks for Women
The Best Backpacks for Work in 2025
The Best Backpack for Work, Overall: TUMI
Tumi bags are always amazing for work and beyond — and many readers consider them investment bags.
(Although we rounded up the best luxury work bags recently, it should be noted that a lot of our readers with the biggest jobs note that they love their Tumi and Lo & Sons the most.)
Tumi has a zillion options these days, all generally $395-$495; many of them have travel sleeves as well as laptop sleeves.
Readers have adored the Voyageur line, and it tends to be on the more affordable end of things ($375+ or so). The pictured backpack (the Celina) is one of their current bestsellers — it features multiple exterior zip pockets, a water-resistant water-bottle pocket, smart phone pockets, a detachable key ring, and a laptop compartment (good for most 15″ laptops).
The Best Convertible Laptop: Lo & Sons
A good convertible backpack can be hard to find, but Lo & Sons’ Rowledge has been a reader favorite for years because it’s a sleek, well-thought out convertible bag. Not only do the backpack straps tuck away, but the bag has a travel sleeve! (Cue the heart emojis and gifs!)
I could see it being great for business travel, but also if you’re hoping to bike to work. The bag is normally $465, but today it’s down to $279.
The brand also has a newer, more minimal nylon backpack, The Beacon, for $298 (currently down to $208).
Other convertible options to consider: Radley, HOBO, and Tumi.
The Best Affordable Backpack for Work: Everlane
This Everlane backpack is one of my personal favorites — it’s sleek and polished, without being overly fancy, and I like that it’s intended for both men and women.
As one reader commented, “I have their Transit backpack and love it. Perfect number of compartments plus a slot to put it on the handle of luggage while traveling. I’ve used it for conferences, travel, and as a diaper bag. Mine is four years old and looks brand new (and you can toss it in the washing machine).”
The bag can fit a 15″ laptop, and features two water bottle holders and a trolley strap for luggage. I also like that there are a lot of intelligent pockets. Also, this backpack is one of several items in their eco-friendly “Renew” line.
The bag is $95 at Everlane.
Other great affordable backpacks include BÉIS, Away, Lululemon, Incase, Samsonite, and CALPAK. (Quince also has both a neoprene and quilted option, both under $100.) In the under $50 category, check out Uniqlo, Muji, or this under $35 option at Amazon.
(The pictured one reminds me of this old reader favorite from KNOMO!)
Other great affordable options for a work backpack: Everlane’s ReNew Transit Backpack ($95) and a classic, minimal Herschel ($60+).
The Best Work Backpack for Your Commute to work: Dagne Dover
If you’re hunting for a water-repellent bag for your commute, it can be really tricky to find one for work because they all look a bit rugged.
Enter the old reader favorite from Dagne Dover, the Dakota — the neoprene, water-resistant backpack has a trolley sleeve, a shoe bag, a zipper laptop pocket on the outside and a slip tablet sleeve on the inside. The bag is also handwashable, insulating, and shock-absorbent.
The bag is $230 at a number of retailers; Dagne Dover has it in 9 colors.
Other great options for water-repellant bags: Hedgren, July, or the RAINS brand, which sometimes has work-appropriate backpacks. This stylish one from Lux and Nyx is also water-resistant. If your commute is just on the subway or other are that leaves you feeling exposed to pickpockets, Knack makes backpacks with lockable zippers.
The Best All-Leather Backpack for Work
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I’m loving the leather work backpacks out there right now — so I’m choosing this affordable option from Portland Leather. I’ll say, to start, that most backpacks for work have some element of neoprene, nylon, or canvas, both to make the bag lighter and more affordable. But there have been good options available in all leather, and the Cole Haan option we’ve picked before is still available (but it looks like it isn’t being made anymore).
The pictured option from Portland Leather looks great if you want a heavier but all leather bag — I particularly like the zippers, so it’s secure, and the top handle that doesn’t stick up too much. I will say that I wish the straps looked more substantial, though. $240
The bag is $214 at Portland Leather, but marked down to $150 today
Quince also has a leather backpack for $150, and if you’re looking to splurge a bit, check out Cuyana’s backpack, for $475+ or Troubador’s for $750+. Other nice options include Poppy & Peonies, as well as Poppy Barley.
The Best Backpack for Business Travel
If you’re looking for a backpack for business travel, a trolley sleeve is a must so you can slide the backpack on the back of a rolling bag.
It features a “breathable mesh back panel,” lots of interior pockets, a 16″ padded laptop sleeve, and a key clip. I like the two exterior pockets for water bottles, also!
Other great options: Aer (with a horizontal travel sleeve!), Troubadour, and Stubble & Co. Luggage brand Briggs & Riley also makes some nice travel-friendly backpacks.
The Best Luxury Backpack for Work: Montblanc
If you DO want to splurge on a backpack for work, one of my favorites right now is this gorgeous backpack from Montblanc. I love how the zippers give it dimension and texture while keeping it so minimal.
The largest size is pictured; it’s available for $1830 at Nordstrom.
Other great options for luxury splurges: Montblanc, MCM, Songmont, and Senreve are great, and readers are always huge fans of all things Tumi. If a smaller backpack is OK, do check out the recently-released one from Kaai.
Readers, which do you think are the best work backpacks for women in 2025?
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
Stock photo via Deposit Photos / alonesdj.
