Ahhh, Buyer’s Guides… These are posts when we get to step back and think about all the amazing bags we monitor and review, picking out some of our favorites.
In a similar vein to our Work Messengers, a good Work Backpack should look appropriate in the work environment, carry your work tools, and perform well getting to and from work.
More specifically, it should take a laptop (and/or tablet computer), some tech, a change of clothes, and be comfortable enough on a ride to work. It should travel well on a plane trip, and generally not look like you’ve only just graduated from school. In fact, it shouldn’t look too much of anything, otherwise it references your life outside of work too much, rather than showing your respect to the workplace.
Oh, and there has to be a touch of sex appeal. Too many work bags are nothing but synthetic geek.
Following are some of our favorites. Anything with an [R] has been previously reviewed by our team…
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Haglöfs Connect
For anyone that mountain hops, you will have seen countless traveling Swedes ducking ropes and poaching freshies wearing this cult local brand. While better known for their ski and snowboard packs, they also make a mean work bag. Very similar to the Arc’teryx Blade packs, the Haglöfs feels just a touch simpler.
Interested? Buy it now.
Incase Premium Backpack
When Incase first released their Nylon backpack, it got our attention as a refined and dialed work pack. With price pressure and an evolving edit, this pack was gradually de-tuned and simplified, but we finally see its heir re-emerge to fill the gap. The Premium has the right amount of sections, pockets and organising for most work needs. It won’t get attention, but that’s kinda the point.
Interested? Buy it now.
KILLSPENCER Utility Backpack
We wanted to include something worth a little more coin, so it was going to be something like Visvim or Haerfest. We feel that the KILLSPENCER just gets the vibe better for an office space, and the newer versions of their Utility backpack add just the right level of organising. This is a playfully naive silhouette, beautifully finished with just the right level of personality. We like the waxed canvas the most.
Interested? Buy it now.
(R) Gravis Metro
One of our favorite value packs might start to disappear from much of the world, as Burton contracts their Gravis brand into just a Japan and Asia-Pacific focused brand. Tough luck for most of you, as we love our Metros, and will continue to talk up its strengths.
Interested? Buy it now.
(R) Chrome Ivan
While there are packs with more features and more dialed functionality, there are few that look as interesting and dialed as the Ivan (and its smaller sibling). One of the first cycle roll-tops in this format, it’s a classic pack with lasting appeal.
Interested? Buy it now.
Côte&Ciel Isar
The Saab of the carry world, Cote&Ciel love rocking to a different beat. And just as it’s architects that embraced Saab, we find architects and office creatives that love C&C. Cool enough to rock it, but geeky enough to froth on the design quirks, we’re stoked that these guys continue to bring new formats and ideas into the carry world.
Interested? Buy it now.
While we love the MW Vandal as a versatile travel pack, we think the Fitzroy format is simpler and works better for the day to day of a work bag. It’s water-resistant, reasonably versatile, and attractive. You might need additional organising pouches, but it has the basics covered. The VX adds a more premium feel if that’s your thing.
Interested? Buy it now.
(R) Goruck GR1
The GR1 looks good pretty much anywhere doing anything. And with a dialed system of pockets and attachments, you can make it function at pretty much any level you care for. It doesn’t have the same weatherproofing of the bike packs, but will perform across a range of tasks for generations to come.
Interested? Buy it now.
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Do you realise how many times you used the word ‘dialed’ in this article?
I’m not even sure I know what it even means in this context.
Refined, cohesive, nailed.
I got panned for the overuse of ‘awesome’, so tried out a new word.
Maybe I’ll just start substituting ‘eminently suitable’…
The answer is 4.
It’s also important that a bag be “cool enough to rock it”. That’s what the kids are into these days. Seeking out bags of appropriate temperatures for rocking purposes.
Yessums.
Nice list. I’d also recommend Timbuk2′s Swig Backpack. It’s super thin but actually has decent padding, unlike a lot of the hip/heritage bags I looked at.
Yep, solid recommendation.
Thought I’d share my experience with my Killspencer – I bought the Special Ops instead of the Utility backpack because I like the more streamlined profile and I feel it’s more versatile for work. The size and compartments are perfect for the office and the construction and minimal design is very versatile. The quality of the materials are also top notch, so I would definitely recommend them.
However I also wanted to share two design issues that I feel take way from an otherwise almost perfect work backpack for me. The first is the metal strap adjusters. These are obviously high quality and seems strong enough to pry open a vault, but they’re also big. Therefore when i wear the backpack with both straps, they dig right into my chest / armpit area at certain angles. I’m about 6-1 and slightly athletic built so I would imagine bigger guys might really have an issue with this. No problems if I’m going one strap.
The second issue is the lining in the bag right under the zippers. There’s a very thick reinforced lining under the riri zippers that I guess improves durability and prevents minor leakage should the backpack be in the rain. The problem is again it’s a bit too thick and reinforced. It constantly gets caught on the zipper when opening and closing, and if you’re not careful the zipper may catch on it and pull the threading out.
Having said that, I absolutely love the backpack as a whole and I use it regularly for work. The metal strap adjuster prevents me from also using it for travel, and the the lining under the zipper isn’t a huge deal. But I just feel if those two items are addressed in the future, the backpack would be in a class of its own.
Great feedback JT. We’ll make sure Spencer checks out your comment.
Why is it always the same few brands that you guys look at? With the exception of Haglof, I feel like you pedal the same brands again and again. There is so much choice out there, yet for some reason the “best” cary items in any category always come from a handful of brands.
Hi Brad,
I am just speaking for me here and not the team but quite frankly it’s very hard to keep track of the industry. I live and breathe bags and am constantly reading about them whether it’s on Hypebeast, Selectism, Cool Hunting, Facebook, Pinterest, you name it. The reason you keep reading about the same brands is because of a few reasons: 1. The author really really loves the brand or bag and feel like it is versatile enough to be noteworthy in many different discussions 2. The brand has really good marketing/PR/availability. I am a fan of the French colllective Cote et Ciel but they are rarely mentioned. They also don’t reach out at all. Compare that to Timbuk2 which is super active on Facebook and Twitter, constantly engages in feedback with users, has PR that does outreach, etc. 3. The sheer volume is overwhelming. It’s very very hard to keep track of brands and models and seasons.
I know I can improve. I know we can improve. We need your help though. Feel free to shoot us an email with some brands that you come across that you like or you want us to cover. Or just reply to any posts, just like you did here, and give us suggestions.
Yep, fair call. Adding a little to David’s response…
- We don’t like to rag out on brands. If there is crap carry, we’d prefer not to mention them. That immediately cuts down on lots.
- We really like brands that kick some functional goals, but then also have at least a little sex appeal. That cuts out most of the brands you see for sale in computer shops.
- Recently, we’ve been more guilty of covering just a select group of brands, because we’ve all been loving their stuff lots, and none of us have been to Japan for awhile, which also radically cuts back on new brands.
If you dig back through our archives, you’ll see a tonne of varied brands (ie: http://www.carryology.com/2011/07/19/winners-test-your-carry-knowledge/)
But we’ll pledge to broaden things a little going forwards (right after some of our upcoming tests of favorites).
While I cringe every time I see a man in a suit with a backpack, I love the selection here. Except maybe Metro which is probably one of the ugliest Gravis backpacks. Personally I’d have chosen Battery or Uno. And points for not immediately going to Hershel or Eastpak.
Haha, I think it’s just that colorway. Lots of the Metros can look rad.
But yeah, while Eastpak have some great packs, you won’t find many of us falling for the H brand.
For me the key to a good work pack is to limit the contrast. All black everything is key (or pick your muted color). The moment the eye catches too many things going on, it disrupts the flow and that’s when things seem off.
I have this backpack, fantastic
http://www.piquadro.com/us/shop/computer-backpack-with-padded-ipad-compartment_CA2823W52-AV.html
I just stumbled on your site in a google search for a “work laptop bookbag.” I commute daily from VA into DC and unfortunately have to bring my laptop home with me every night for security reasons, and I have been using this bag for a year or so http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/samsonite-womens-laptop-friendly-tote?ID=609227&CategoryID=25547&LinkType=#fn=BRAND%3DSamsonite%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D33%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId%3D19 and I think my back has had enough. I had been dreading going the work backpack route as a woman bc a) they are not very feminine and b) this market seems to cater to men (see a)) and c) all the options I’d found were just plain dorky. For the sake of my back I’m going to make the leap, though. I love the Côte&Ciel bag you link to above. Are their any other styles out there you can recommend for a female commuter? I don’t love the idea of a messenger bag bc what they do to the chest area on a women isn’t very…professional, and it also doesn’t fix the distribution of weight problem. I have serious back issues due to carrying a heavy bag on one side of my body for years and years.
Definitely go the backpack option, and probably check out Timbuk2 for a number of nice smaller backpacks. But yeah, the Cote&Ciel is neat.