11 Best Work Backpacks for Men Who Mean Business

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.portland / aer / stubble&co2 min readLook, there’s no shame in a backpack being your favored form of work bag. Quite the opposite, in fact. Though you might think a backpack is just a vestige if your student days—meant to be brushed off your shoulders in favor of a sleek attaché as you embark into your great, big grown-up years—it’s actually far more practical than messenger bags, brief cases, and flimsy totes that feel like they’re about to rip your shoulder off. No, a backpack is comfortable. It’s practical, evenly spreading weight across your back and shoulders rather than weighing down one sagging side of your body. And, if you get the right work backpack, it’ll pack just as big of a style punch as that sleek attaché.Best Overall Work Backpack: Troubadour Apex 4.0​Best-Looking Work Backpack: July Carry All Backpack​Most Versatile Backpack: Filson Journeyman Backpack​We’re aware that a lot of work backpacks are, for lack of a better term, hideous. Some look like you’re about to summit Everest on your lunch break, while others go so hard on practicality that they forget you still have to walk into an office and be seen by all your coworkers. Then there are the stylish ones—sleek, minimalist bags that photograph well but can barely hold a laptop, let alone your chargers, water bottle, lunch, and everything else you need to get you through the workday. Looking good is important, and so is having durable materials, enough pockets, a real laptop compartment, and a decent capacity for everything you need.So we found the best work backpacks for men who truly mean business. These bags can handle your daily grind, survive the craziest commutes, organize all your stuff, and still look sharp enough to pair with your best suit. In other words, they’re functional, tough, and pretty damn sexy, all at the same time.Colors5Dimensions18.9" x 12.6" x 5.9"Capacity22 LSpecial FeaturesErgonomic shoulder straps with origami quiver pocket, crash-pad cocoon laptop sleeve, lockable zippersIf there’s one backpack that has it all, it’s Troubadour’s Apex backpack, and the new 4.0 version is even better than before. It’s about as futuristic as backpacks come, looking almost space-age-esque (especially in this stone-gray colorway). The exterior is made from waterproof FortiWeave fabric, so it protects your valuables even in the rain, and it has not one but two expandable side pockets (one of which zips closed) for a water bottle or umbrella. The zippers even have small rings that match up so you can lock them, should you leave your backpack out and want to protect your belongings.The small front pocket has a hidden slot for an AirTag so you’ll (hopefully) never lose your backpack (does anyone else still have that anxiety dream once a month?), and there’s even a sneaky little pocket in one of the straps that magnetically closes, so you can toss your phone or keys in there. The back is also padded in all the right places, adding extra comfort for your shoulders and lower back (since the luggage sleeve is padded too).On the inside, this bad boy has three large interior zippered pockets, one of which is mesh, along with three slots for small items like chargers or a pack of tissues. Finally, the laptop compartment—which fits up to a 17-inch laptop—is heavily padded with a crash-pad cocoon, ensuring your most valuable piece of tech is safe, no matter how much the bag jostles or gets thrown around on your commute.Colors6Dimensions17.3" x 11" x 6.3"Capacity20 LSpecial FeaturesHidden pocket with magnetic closure, weighted water-resistant nylon exterior, tall side-zip pocketTalk about a handsome backpack for a handsome guy—July’s Carry All backpack might be the sleekest, most refined backpack we’ve ever laid eyes on. At first glance, it looks like a pretty minimalist bag, but we assure you it’s got features galore, including a discreet padded laptop compartment that fits up to a 16-inch laptop and an even more hidden pocket that closes magnetically. It also has internal pockets for tablets, books, and accessories, and its tall side pocket zips up, making it a safe place for an umbrella or thin water bottle.Premium leather handles, trims, and other details add polished accents to the already stylish bag, whose exterior is made from water-resistant twill nylon fabric. Every colorway is gorgeous (we need the dark-olive color back in stock ASAP), but the wheat-colored option pictured here may be our favorite. The brick-red and lavender colorways do provide a fun pop of color, however. Whichever one you go with, it’s a great choice.Colors3Dimensions48H x 14.5D x 29WSpecial FeaturesSuspended laptop sleeve, doubles as a water bladder holderCapacity20LStubble & Co. has a straightforward market promise. It is, pretty easily, the best maker of active backpacks out there. The Motion backpack is our call out if you’re the type to pack away the work clothes because your commute is especially sweaty. It’s stable on your back, lightweight, and easy to clean. During the work week, laptop goes in the interior sleeve; on the weekend, put a water bladder in it.ColorsOtter Green, TanDimensions17.5'' x 12.5'' x 5.5''Capacity23LSpecial FeaturesWater resistant, made with tin cloth and twillThis Filson backpack’s for the man who grinds away in a silver skyscraper five days a week, then spends his weekends hiking and fishing ‘til the sun sets. As they say—born to fish, forced to work. But hey, Hannah Montana doesn’t have to be the only one with a double life, so consider this your version of a blonde wig.The main thing that sets the Journeyman apart is the material it’s made of. Filson uses their patented “Tin Cloth” and Rugged Twill” to make a water-resistant waxed cotton pack that’s got a slightly more elevated gloss than your average canvas backpack. It’s not quite as refined as a supple leather, but it does allow the Journeyman to seamlessly transition between indoor and outdoor use. (If you’re heart’s set on leather, Filson also makes the Journeyman Backpack in a sexy leather. It’s an especially great option if you love the Brunello backpack, but don’t love the $6,000 price tag that comes with it.) There’s also a padded back panel for an extra bit of comfort. No, “laptop digging painfully into my back” happening here.Credit: Courtesy of Mr. PorterColorsBurgundyDimensions18.9'' x 14.2'' x 7.9''Capacity34 LSpecial FeaturesLightweight leather with vintage-inspired finishConsider this the backpack equivalent of a classic leather briefcase—the 21st century man’s version of Don Draper-worthy attaché. Though Brunello Cucinelli is widely seen the “King of Cashmere,” the luxury brand’s known for their high-quality craftsmanship—suits, jackets, and even leather backpacks worthy of future CEOs.That’s perhaps the most notable feature on this splurge-worthy backpack: the glossy deep, albeit lightweight Italian leather. This is the kind of piece you want by your side (or on your back) when making your first impression in the office. Crafted at the brand’s birthplace in Solomeo, Italy, the material’s treated with a vintage-finish to give it that nice “perfectly aged-whiskey” patina.But don’t let the old-school look and feel fool you—this backpack was crafted for the modern working man. The supple leather gives way to a water-resistant lining inside, so no accidental spills can destroy this material. You’ll also find plenty of places to store your laptop, ballpoint pens, and more—including two exterior pockets, two slip pockets inside the bag, and a zipped pocket and sleeve.ColorsBlack, navy, oliveDimensions17.5" x 12" x 7"Capacity20 LSpecial FeaturesLightweight nylon material, lay-flat main compartment, hidden smart-tracker pocketIf you’re looking for something a little more industrial, Aer has tons of great options. The City Pack Pro is a worthwhile option for more than just the typical workday: Its lay-flat main compartment makes it easy to pack larger items, like a folded jacket, over-the-ear headphones, or even a pair of gym shoes. A thinner front pocket has interior dividers to store smaller items, and the quick-access top pocket is a great place for your phone or keys.Speaking of keys, it has a handy removable key chain so your keys aren’t just floating around among all your other belongings. Its exterior and interior are both made from lightweight nylon so it’s more breathable and not such a pain to carry around. With this useful backpack, you’ll keep discovering pockets you didn’t even know were there.Colors18Dimensions14" x 9.75" x 7.25"Capacity13.5 LSpecial FeaturesWeatherproof material, wire-frame top, two perforated water-bottle sleevesWe wrote a whole endorsement of Portland Gear’s 21-liter Cascade Backpack, which I argue is the perfect backpack (and the only piece of luggage you’ll ever need) for weekend trips. For a normal workday, however, the compact version of the Cascade is probably more practical. It’s essentially the same as the standard version, just with a capacity of 13.5 liters instead of 21. Like the Weatherman Venture Dry Pack, the Cascade backpack is completely weather resistant, thanks to its exterior of polyester with a TPU matte coating, which provides a waxy finish that protects the bag from rain, snow, dirt, and whatever else you’re up against.Another special feature of this small but mighty backpack is the way it opens: It has a wire-frame top that opens into a rectangular shape, which means there’s more usable space inside for packing everything you need. The padded laptop sleeve fits a 13-inch laptop, and it has two laser-perforated water-bottle sleeves, meaning water won’t pool in the pockets. And you know my favorite part about this backpack? It comes in 18 fun colorways, so you can pick your favorite color or match it with your other gear. I’m obsessed with my Cascade backpack in the Capers color.Credit: Courtesy of Bennett WinchColorsOlive, black, navy, chocolate, and sandDimensions11.8'' x 5.5'' x 17.7'' Capacity22 LSpecial FeaturesDetachable shoe/gym gear compartmentIf you want a more elevated canvas backpack and have a bit of extra budget to play with, then might we suggest this looker from Bennett Winch. Available in five different colors, this bag is made up of a series of luxurious subtleties and British sensibilities trademark of any piece from Bennett Winch.The British dyed cotton canvas is waterproof and insanely durable, while leather accents add a nice contrast. The slim profile makes it easier to carry around or store when traveling, but trust there’s still plenty of storage space and pockets for all the necessary accoutrements. There’s even a detachable waterproof compartment for storing shoes, gym clothes, and more.Colors9Dimensions16" x 12" x 5"Capacity15.7 LSpecial FeaturesFive options for text personalizationNo, monogrammed backpacks are not just for kindergarteners whose parents are worried about them losing their backpacks. While this one may not have all the extra features that some of these other options have, Leatherology’s Sloan backpack is the one to go for if you want something simple, polished, and, most importantly, personalizable. With an exterior made from the full-grain leather the brand is known for in nine gorgeous colorways, it doesn’t get more classic than this guy right here.The large zippered main compartment includes a neoprene laptop sleeve that fits laptops of up to 15 inches, and it has a slim profile while still being spacious enough for your work essentials. You can personalize it with two or three initials in your choice of five designs, including this serif style, which you can get in gold, rose gold, or silver, or you can have it embossed for a subtler effect. Oh, and it makes a great gift for the guy who needs a backpack upgrade.Credit: Courtesy of Mr. PorterColors1Dimensions16.1'' x 13.0'' x 5.9''Special FeaturesFull-grain leather and suede liningThis Métier backpack has just about everything—looks, space, pockets. The knapsack design gives a rustic charm while the glossy Italian leather lends the perfect air of sophistication you need when strolling into any conference room meetings.The knapsack design also means ample room. There’s a laptop sleeve and extra pouches to store your wallet and keys in the spacious main pocket (though it does sadly lack the exterior pockets other options on this list feature). Use the straps to sling it over your shoulders like a classic pack, or swing it by the top handle for a little bit of flourish.ColorsBrown, black, bluestone, portDimensions11.5" X 18.5" X 7.5"Capacity21 LSpecial FeaturesDurable water-resistant polyesterIf you’re on a strict budget, but don’t want to sacrifice style, you really can’t ever go wrong with Carhartt. This brand is a big name in the backpack space for a reason. While Carthartt’s Top-Load pack is a little pricier compared to some of their other sacks, the top-flap design offers just the sort of sophistication you need for a work bag. It’s also made from durable polyester and coated canvas that’s water-resistant and super sturdy, making it worth every single penny.Why Trust UsWe’re always keeping tabs on things here at Esquire. We keep on an eye on new product releases, pay attention to what styles people are gravitating towards, what brands are leading the pack, and testing everything that they’re making. Even if we haven’t tried or tested something firsthand, we’re well-versed on anything and everything high-quality—so you can rest assured that a recommendation from us comes with plenty of research and personal familiarity.