Best 17-inch Laptop Backpacks for Traveling (2023)

Sosoon 17 Inch Laptop Backpack

Not all laptop backpacks need to look like the typical bulky kind we normally see. The Sosoon Laptop Backpack is a great option for urban warriors looking for a sleek design without sacrificing functionality.

The Sosoon Laptop Backpack can weather through changing conditions in the city. Whether rainy or sunny, the backpack remains cool and dry. The water-repellent, tear-resistant, and anti-scratch 1680D double-pile polyester ensures lasting durability and overall protection.

The 17-inch laptop bag is designed for you to keep all your valuables even when you can’t see your bag. The anti-theft zippers, hidden under a flap and facing away from the crowd, are a great feature when going through crowded streets and long commutes.

There’s a back pocket to hold your wallet, secure card pockets on the shoulder straps, and a side pocket that can fit a water bottle. As a bonus, you can connect your power bank to the external USB feature. This way, you can charge your phone without having to hold your power bank on the other hand.

Because it’s meant for the city-dweller, much thought was put into providing proper comfort. It has a weight balance design so it feels like you’re carrying up to 25% less weight. The back panels and shoulder straps are made with mesh padding for comfort and ventilation.

The biggest drawback is the lack of compartments. There’s a front organization pocket for small items and accessories. However, the main compartment is meant to hold all of your other items. While there are tons of slip pockets and straps to keep small items from falling out, the main compartment zips all the way down, which risks other unsecured items falling out of the bag.

KROSER 17.3 inch Travel Laptop Backpack

This 17-inch laptop backpack from Kroser is another budget option that might suit some of you well. It has some smart features that are impressive for such a budget-priced bag.

For example, it has RFID pockets, an anti-theft back pocket, a luggage strap for travelers, a hardshell sunglasses pocket on the top, and a USB connection for charging on the go!

Phew, that’s a lot of great features. On top of that, there are lots of organization options on the inside, including the expected 17-inch laptop sleeve. Just be careful if you have a really big 17.3-inch laptop, as some buyers report issues with fitting it in. If you buy from Amazon you can always return it, so that is that :>

Also, keep in mind that this is not a top-end backpack like the Victorinox we absolutely love (more on that below) or the one from Case Logic, but for the price, you get a decent, feature-filled back that works in lots of situations: travel, work, school or just around town.

Victorinox Altmont 3.0 Vertical-Zip Laptop Backpack

If you don’t want to risk durability and comfort, then grab the Victorinox Altmont 3.0 Vertical-Zip Laptop Backpack.

While there’s nothing particularly special and unique about this Victorinox backpack, it’s a better version of any laptop backpack you have in mind. It has a padded rear laptop compartment that holds up to a 17-inch laptop. The same compartment has dividers to organize everything else you need for school, work, or the gym.

The front compartment is a padded 10-inch device pocket to store tablets and other accessories. The middle compartment has organization features that include a full-length zippered mesh pocket, dual storage pockets, pen slots, and key fob.

There are more storage options on the outside such as the vertical-zip front pocket and multi-purpose zip-away stretch side pockets for a water bottle or umbrella.

Comfort is also a top priority for this bag. It has a compression-molded back panel and compression-molded, adjustable shoulder straps for maximum comfort. It has an adjustable sternum strap to evenly distribute weight.

The material is very lightweight, but that also means it doesn’t hold its shape very well. When loaded, the bag tends to tilt or fall over.

AmazonBasics 17 Inch Laptop Backpack

A good back doesn’t have to come with all the bells and whistles and fancy names (that usually come with a fancy price tag). The AmazonBasics Laptop Backpack is a straightforward laptop bag that fits everything you need to bring your work with you. This spacious bag is armed with many pockets and compartments that are fit for both work and play.

The rear-most compartment is a padded laptop compartment to keep your device snug and protected. There are several organization options, including slip and zippered pockets to keep small items and documents neat.

A side mesh pocket can hold a water bottle as well. Despite all the compartments, however, it lacks a media pocket to easily access earphones and chargers.

At under $30, this backpack is a good budget find for all your tech needs. However, as the name suggests, the bag is very basic and is simply designed to carry what you need for an average commute. The laptop padding can be thicker, and the bottom is not reinforced. However, it’s a very good everyday bag that can fit more than what you need.

Swiss Gear 1900 17 Inch Laptop Backpack

One of the most inconvenient things about going through airport security is taking out your laptop, placing it on a tray, then putting it back on. The Swiss Gear 1900 Laptop Backpack solves that problem, plus a lot more features fit for the digital nomad.

Swiss Gear’s ScanSmart feature makes going through security a breeze. At any checkpoint, this backpack lies flat to reveal the dedicated laptop or tablet for quick checks. The laptop encased in a padded compartment with a quick recognition window, which is a mesh layer where security can simply look through.

This way, you don’t have to take anything out and back in. As a bonus, the laptop compartment has adjustable padded straps to keep any size of laptop snug and protected.

The Swiss Gear 1900 Laptop Backpack features an Airflow Back System to keep comfort at a maximum. The multi-panel airflow design allows for better ventilation and additional padding for better back support.

All in all, there are 3 other compartments to hold different items, including your portable monitor if you have one. The front is an organizer pocket for pens, mobile phones, and accessories. There is also a small media slip pocket for easy access to paraphernalia like earphones and chargers.

However, the compartments are very slim and there are no other internal pockets to keep things organized. At over $130, it can use a few more pockets and better stitching.

KAKA Backpack for 17-inch Laptops

Tall people, rejoice! Here’s a laptop backpack that’s meant for you. The KAKA Backpack for 17-inch Laptops is a sturdy bag that’s longer and taller than the usual backpack. It’s a comfortable fit for tall people or those with a longer torso but still, fit for any other person looking for a roomy bag.

The backpack with a laptop sleeve is not just for electronics! It is functional with a lot of buckles and straps. The bag is well-padded on the lower back and shoulder areas, as well as the shoulder straps. There’s also an adjustable sternum strap for extra support.

Even with a heavy load, the backpack will be very comfortable to carry. The pockets are built symmetrically as well to help with the balance and comfort in carrying a loaded bag.

The zippers are are bigger than usual so they don’t get easily snagged on the lining. It zips very smoothly. For extra security, the zippers on the main compartment can be locked with a sleek 3-digit combination lock that also comes with the bag.

The material is thick and sturdy, and the lining is water-resistant. The well-padded laptop sleeve in the main compartment has an elastic Velcro tab to secure any size of laptop in it. The rest of the main compartment is deep and spacious enough to store a lot of things.

The smaller front compartment has organization pockets for pens and accessories and still big enough to put a few documents in. There is a quick-access pocket at the top of the bag and two side pockets that can fit a water bottle or an umbrella.

While this bag almost sounds perfect, there is one design flaw. If you look at the front of the bag, you’ll see a horizontal strip of material that separates the upper front compartment and the lower pocket. While this looks like a cool detail, it’s not flexible and ends up working as a permanent compression strap.

If you have to load bulky items, you’ll have to strategically place them either under that strap or above it. Once the bag is fully-loaded, the outer compartments also become too tight and become slightly unusable.

Despite this little setback, the KAKA Backpack for 17-inch Laptops is very versatile and sturdy for a normal workday or weekend trip. Just don’t expect it to survive a rough hiking expedition, for that you might want to consider a survival backpack.

Samsonite Tectonic 2 Large Backpack

The Samsonite Tectonic 2 Large Backpack is a second-generation backpack of the very popular Samsonite Tectonic line. This upgraded version has solved a lot of the fraying and durability problems of the first generation to create a very dependable laptop backpack for just about anyone.

The bag’s poly ballistic fabric ensures absolute durability to bear wear and tear and rigorous use. Its diamond ripstop accents also serve as reinforcements to keep the material intact. The rear-most compartment is a padded drop-in laptop compartment that will accommodate most 17-inch laptops.

In the case that your laptop won’t fit this compartment, the second and main compartment is larger and has a built-in sleeve to help secure bulkier laptops. There are also several organization slip pockets and sleeves to keep documents and tools neat and in place.

Outside is an external slip pocket for random items. On the top is a tricot-lined pocket to protect sunglasses or store earphones. There is a total of 15 external pockets to store all kinds of accessories in different parts of the bag. This includes mesh side pockets to hold a water bottle.

Since it’s Samsonite, the Tectonic 2 also has nifty features to make traveling with this bag a breeze. The back is very well padded with channels in between to let airflow. Shoulder straps are equally comfortable even with big loads. It also has a smart sleeve on the bag you can use to slide this backpack over a luggage handle.

Despite all the features, this won’t be a great replacement bag for trips. The main compartment is built to organize documents and tools. These pockets and sleeves will be an inconvenience when it’s time to pack clothes or shoes.

Ambor Laptop Backpack

For a sleek bag without the bulk, go for the Ambor Laptop Backpack.

This water-resistant and padded laptop bag is great for anyone looking for a stylish bag to tote around the city. Not only can it fit a 17.3 inch laptop and tablet inside, it has its own combination lock at the top – to help keep the thieves out.

The front organisational pocket is perfect for your laptop  accessories. And there is a dedicated inside pocket for things like cables and a mouse. On the back is a secure hidden pocket if you are traveling and have your passport or credit cards with ou. Making it easy to check in at the airport.

Even when loaded with two devices, the bag has enough space for a few notebooks and other documents. There’s also an external headphone or cable port for easy connection.

The backpack shoulder straps and backpacknel are padded and there is a luggage strap for easy attachment to your carry-on. It is lacking a sternum or hip belt and the grab handle at the top is very basic, but considering the price this is a great option for a travel 17-inch backpack

Case Logic 17-inch Laptop Backpack

A cheap bag doesn’t always have to look cheap. The Case Logic 17-inch Laptop Backpack proves this point at under $25.

There are three compartments in this bag, the back being a 3/4 zip laptop compartment. It holds up to 17″ widescreen laptops, so even some gaming laptops can fit in here. The front compartment has organizers for small accessories like pens and cards.

The middle compartment is a spacious compartment for books, documents, and other bulky items. It can even fit rubber shoes and gym clothes for after-work fitness routines. For the more techie-inclined, this backpack can even fit two 17-inch laptops without a problem.

It has an external speed pocket in the front for quick access items. You can quickly stash it in your phone or watch if you have to pass through airport security. It also has a side mesh pocket for your water bottle.

At under 2 lbs, this bag is virtually weightless. However, this isn’t meant for heavy-duty travels. The corners and bottom are not reinforced and rough handling can cause the stitches to fray.

Everki Beacon Laptop Backpack

Gaming laptops can be quite gargantuan, but it’s not impossible to carry around. With the Everki Beacon Laptop Backpack, gamers can have everything they need wherever they go.

This laptop backpack has a sizable ultra-soft padded laptop compartment that can fit up to 18-inch laptops (so, yes even 17.3-inch laptops). It also comes with a console sleeve that can fit different game consoles such as an Xbox and Playstation.

The rest of the bag is equipped with lots of handy sleeves, pockets, straps, and compartments to accommodate all the accessories serious gamers carry around. The main compartment houses most of the organizational features.

It’s large enough to carry several power sources, lots of peripherals, and even notebooks and documents. The compartment has a 180-degree opening, but an adjustable buckle control stops the zipper if you don’t want it fully open.

There are hip pockets as well for easy storing of keys and pens without having to take off your bag. With all that load in the bag, the backpack features a 5-point balance strap system to distribute the weight of the bag. Padded shoulder straps and back panel also adds to comfort. It does come with a sternum strap for support, but its position cannot be adjusted.

Most importantly, the bag comes with a water-resistant cover to protect all those valuable gadgets. It also protects the bag against dust and snow so you’ll never worry about your stuff in any kind of weather condition.

Despite all that space, the bag doesn’t end up too bulky even when fully loaded. However, it does have some specialized parts that can’t be replaced. The most important and most vulnerable are the zippers, which, if broken, have no replacement parts. It’s also one of the heavier laptop backpacks on this list.

Kensington SecureTrek 17" Lockable Anti-Theft Laptop and Overnight Backpack

Frequent flyers and mobile workers carry their lives in their bags. The Kensington SecureTrek 17″ Lockable Anti-Theft Laptop and Overnight Backpack make sure your belongings remain secure and intact wherever your work takes you.

The bag itself has a rear padded laptop compartment to protect your laptop from bumps and movement. The laptop sleeve is secured in place with a velcro strap and has a tablet sleeve attached. In the same compartment is ample space for overnight necessities secured with a zippered divider.

A second compartment opens up for business essentials like documents and notebooks. It has pockets for small items like your mobile phone and passport. On the outside, a flap pocket serves as an easy-access pocket for items you need to stash quickly.

There are two main functions for this bag: travel and security. It’s TSA-friendly for easy checkpoints. It also has a rear strap so that you can secure the bag over a luggage handle. When it comes to security, the bag is equipped with SecureTrek technology.

The zippers of the main and front compartments are secured to the Secure Trek lock base that opens with a key. You can also add your own padlock for extra security. If you buy the Kensington Portable Laptop Lock (sold separately), you can attach it to the lock base and secure your entire bag to a fixed object. The zippers are also reinforced with an anti-puncture feature.

It’s a great-looking back with exceptional quality and features. It’s sleek enough to carry as a regular business bag and large enough to function as a travel backpack.

While there is ample storage, don’t be tempted to overload the bag. It’s durable as a business bag, but the straps are not strong enough to carry a heavy load.