9 Best Men's Backpacks for Travel, Work, and More, Tested by Experts

Leatherology is known for its premium leather goods, and we most recently tested a travel jewelry case from the brand. Made from full-grain leather designed to be buttery soft, the Sloan Backpack has a built-in laptop sleeve, two side pockets for water bottles, a zippered exterior pocket, and two interior pockets. Its main compartment can fit everyday essentials you need for work or school, and you can also opt for a mini or large version too.

Choose from several neutral shades, but note that each backpack may have a different texture that varies from a fine to a lightly pebbled grain.

The right bag can make or break your commute. This lightweight pick from Osprey, a brand known for its hiking backpacks, is impressively comfortable to carry and has ample organizational features to keep the interior organized. The bag also has compression straps, so it stays snug to your body and doesn’t bump into people on a crowded train or bus. It has a built-in laptop sleeve that can accommodate 14-inch laptops and comfort features like padded shoulder straps and chest and hip straps to help distribute the pack’s weight. Don’t be fooled by its compactness—it has ample storage space and many testers commented that it held more than they expected. It includes two side water bottle holders too.

“This backpack is perfect for the train and subway because it fits my laptop, water bottle, lunch, wallet, headphones, AirPods, Apple charger, book, notebook, pencils, deodorant, mints, and a bunch of other random things I carry,” shared one consumer tester. “And then I just tighten all the straps and adjust the bag so that it's as compact as possible, which I really like for standing in a crowded subway.” Testers highlighted that this bag works great for everyday use and also on hikes, although some found the appearance a bit plain.

We named the Apex the best backpack for work in our latest evaluation of the best laptop backpacks. It has a super sleek design that features a faux leather trim. The backpack also has a padded 17-inch laptop sleeve and multiple pockets including a zippered pocket in the shoulder strap that is ideal for stowing a commuter pass or work ID. Plus, a luggage sleeve makes it easy to use this backpack as your personal item during travel. The bag only opens two-thirds of the way around, so some consumer testers found it tough to grab items at the bottom of the bag.

At nearly $280, it isn’t an inexpensive backpack, but it isn't our most expensive pick on this list and may be a worthwhile purchase if you want to invest in a work backpack that will hold up over time. Another plus is that the outer shell is designed to be water resistant, protecting your items even in rainy weather.

We have included Cotopaxi products in various product guides including the best daypacks and men's rain jackets. When we tested this travel backpack in the Lab, it fit everything in our standard packing test and then some.

Its mesh compartments make it easy to see what you put inside and we appreciate the breathable mesh back. It has chest and hip straps as well as padding in the shoulder straps for comfort. Not only does the backpack have a water-resistant coating, but it also comes with a rain cover. These features come at a heftier price of over $200.

The pack comes with a laptop sleeve so you can easily bring your tech on trips. Our consumer tester liked the color-blocked design and found the backpack was spacious enough to fit everything he needed for a two-night camping trip. "I fit a sleeping bag, some tent equipment, clothes, some toiletries, and food and water," he said, adding that the mesh fabric allowed for nice airflow.

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Our analysts in the Textile Lab often recommend Bagsmart pieces because of the brand’s affordable pricing that doesn't correlate to lower performance. In fact, this travel backpack outperformed pricier styles in our most recent test of the best carry-on backpacks.

It is expandable so you can alternate between a 25- to 40-liter bag as needed and the compression straps allow you to fit the most, while cutting down on bulk. The backpack boasts interior and exterior zippered compartments as well as two packing cubes, a shoe pouch, and a laptop sleeve. Our consumer tester found the bag "incredibly spacious" and added, "I really pushed it to its limits but was always able to fit what I wanted inside."

While it may not be the most stylish carry-on available on the market, when it comes to a top-performing carry-on backpack you can take on your adventures without spending too much, this is our best pick.

Reknown for its long-lasting luggage, TUMI may be worth the splurge if you travel often, especially for business, or are searching for a professional work backpack. GH staffers who tested the Alpha Bravo Search Backpack reported that it was very spacious and felt high quality. A testament to its durability: One GH analyst used this backpack on both domestic and international flights for school and work over more than a decade.

Over $600 is not a small sum to spend on a backpack, but you will receive free repairs and a lifetime registration to help you track lost luggage.

When I was in high school, The North Face was probably the most popular backpack because its basic design lends itself to being versatile well beyond the school's doors. The Borealis Commuter Laptop Backpack in particular impressed our pros with how much it can hold while still being comfortable to wear.

It has a separate padded compartment for your laptop as well as a fleece-lined zippered pocket for glasses and a front bungee system to hold a sweatshirt or jacket. Consumer testers reported that the padded shoulder straps as well as the chest and waist straps helped make the backpack comfortable to carry—even when stuffed.

In Lab tests, the backpack's exterior fabric held up to abrasion and water-resistance tests, which makes the around-$100 price tag all the more worth it. Our tester appreciated the well-designed compartments, saying, "I love the side pockets built into the interior; they're the perfect size for my water bottle and umbrella.” While they liked using it for commuting and as a personal item, they wished the shoulder straps were a bit thicker.