9 Most Stylish Laptop Bags for Travel

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon.

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at smcmahon@smartertravel.com.

See recent posts by Shannon McMahon

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined index: wrapper in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 159

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined index: wrapper in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 159

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined index: wrapper in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 159

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined index: wrapper in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 159

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined index: wrapper in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 159

Laptop bags aren’t just for the business traveler anymore—and they’re no longer relegated to the humble padded messenger bag. Stylish laptop bags now range from trendy backpacks to designer tote bags, and the best ones will protect your hardware as much as they complement your style.

They’re also the best underseat personal item for the plane if you plan on plugging in to watch a downloaded movie or get some work done; you’ll still have plenty of space for all your other in-flight necessities.

Stylish Laptop Bags for Travel

Here are the laptop bags to consider, according to how you travel and what your personal style is.

Dagne Dover Ryan Laptop Bag

Redefine the standard messenger bag by opting for one made of high-performance fabric that stands out. Dagne Dover’s Ryan Laptop Bag is equal parts work and play. Its neoprene outer is strikingly stylish, and practical features include a back luggage-handle sleeve, two main zippered compartments, organizing pockets and elastic straps, a key leash, a cross-body strap, and two long tote handles that make it a shoulder bag to boot.

STM Goods’ Myth Backpack 18L

A sleek unisex backpack and laptop bag that’s not bulky, STM Goods’ Myth 18L has a 15-inch “slingtech” laptop sleeve—which means it suspends your laptop to shield it from potential bumps and pressure. And it has several more cool features: hidden cable feeds so you can charge your electronics, AirPod and non-tangle headphone compartments, a water-repellent outer coating, and a luggage-handle sleeve.

VASCHY Water-Resistant Waxed Canvas Laptop Tote

For an affordable water-resistant laptop bag that’ll fit all the necessities, VASCHY’s Vintage Leather Laptop Tote is made of waxed canvas and real leather. The refined materials plus shock-proof padding and a reinforced bottom make it a sturdy bag that’s a steal—it’s under $50 at the time of writing.

DELSEY Chatelet Soft Air Shoulder Bag

A smaller laptop bag that would definitely fit in with business class, DELSEY’s Chatelet Soft Air Shoulder Bag looks like a luxe designer purse but packs two electronics sleeves. Its interior measures 16 inches wide, 12 inches tall, and six inches deep. Vegan leather, studded bottom “feet,” and a soft-padded lining make it durable, and it also includes a removable matching pouch for smaller items. It comes with a 10-year warranty.

KELTY Ardent 30L Laptop Backpack

A cool and affordable soft-sided laptop bag that comes in several colors, KELTY’s Ardent 30L Backpack can fit a 15-inch laptop in its rear back-panel sleeve—which also has an added secret passport compartment and a plush-lined tablet sleeve. The main compartment is huge, so you can keep clothes or gear separate from your protected valuables, and a smaller front compartment is full of pockets for organizing small accessories like your phone, sunglasses, and medications. This bag easily goes from day hikes to plane rides for super-organized travel.

TETHY Unisex Backpack Diaper Bag

Traveling with kids? TETHY’s Unisex Diaper Backpack suits new parents with its hidden diaper-changing pad and roomy inner organizing pockets designed for bottles, diapers, and wipes. It looks less like a diaper bag and more like the stylish laptop bag it also happens to be. Thanks to the padded tech sleeves, it can fit a 14-inch laptop and an iPad, plus the outer water-resistant nylon and leather trim give it a chic, stylish look.

Osprey Arcane Large Laptop Backpack

A large, light daypack that’s a workhorse for planes or commuting to the office, Osprey’s Arcane Large Laptop Backpack has a main compartment sleeve for a 15-inch laptop. Its soft back panel provides plenty of support, and the internal organization will help you keep everything where you can find it.

Lux and Nyx Bella Laptop Bag

If you’re willing to splurge on a travel bag, make it one you can use for everything—and I mean everything: work, gym, travel, and any other packing occasion. Lux and Nyx makes fashionable luxury bags with shoe compartments, laptop sleeves, and comfortable shoulder straps. The Zoe has more than 18 compartments, with space for clothes, a pair of shoes, a water bottle, a laptop, and a tablet. It even has utility straps at the base to secure a yoga mat or tripod.

Fjallraven Kanken

Even if you’ve never heard of Fjallraven, you’ve still likely seen the Swedish outfitters’ on-trend tote backpacks at the airport. The Fjallraven Kanken’s roomy main compartment has a 15-inch laptop sleeve and makes it an ideal day pack, weekender bag, or personal item. SmarterTravel’s Ashley Rossi says, “It’s great for storing a laptop and all your essentials during a short or long flight, and it doubles as a great daypack for walking around a destination.”

More from SmarterTravel:

Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

Editor’s note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at editor@smartertravel.com.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Codey Albers contributed to this story.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.