Best Business Travel Backpack: Professional And Functional

AMBOR Travel Laptop Backpack

The Ambor travel backpack is a great budget-friendly option. It is under $50 and it’s a really good business backpack for the money. This bag has a total capacity of 40 liters, which is spread over multiple compartments and external pockets.

That’s a great capacity for a carry-on bag; in fact, it is as much as you would get in a traditional carry-on suitcase. But with the backpack, you have better organizational features, and that’s exactly why we prefer them for business travel.

This travel pack has a spacious front-loading main compartment that’s great for clothes. There’s a separate shoe compartment at the bottom of the bag, as well as a wet pocket in the front compartment. Additionally, the laptop compartment is located in the back, and it features TSA-friendly opening, with sleeves for a 17” laptop and a tablet inside.

The Ambor backpack is also super comfortable to wear, with thick padding and breathable mesh on the backpanel. The shoulder straps are also soft and comfortable, and they feature a convenient sternum strap for improved stability.

With a pair of compression straps on either side of the bag, you will be able to dictate the size of the laptop backpack. If you don’t fill it to capacity, you can make the backpack smaller in order to stabilize the load a bit better.

This pack also has some travel-friendly features. You can hide the shoulder straps behind the backpanel, so that it’s easier to store the backpack in the overhead compartment. And there’s a luggage strap in the back, allowing you to mount the backpack onto a bigger suitcase, for easy manoeuvring of multiple luggage pieces.

Samsonite Kombi Large Business Backpack

You can’t go wrong with a Samsonite bag, whether we’re talking about backpacks, suitcases, or briefcases. The Kombi backpack is one of their best backpacks for business travels, with a tough and durable exterior and a very spacious interior.

The exterior of the bag is made from durable ballistic nylon, which has excellent abrasion and tear resistance. Nylon is also water repellant without any additional coating, so it will protect the contents of the pack in light rain. There are also some genuine leather details on the pack, which make it look more sleek and professional.

The only thing I don’t like about this laptop backpack is that the laptop sleeve is inside the main compartment, meaning that it is not TSA-friendly. But, at least the main compartment features a lot of smaller slip pockets, so it should be pretty easy to stay organized.

There are three extra compartments on the front of the pack, one of which is equipped with a tablet sleeve and an organizer panel. And there are zippered pockets on the side of the backpack, for all those smaller items you want to have easily accessible.

Additionally, this is also a great business backpack in terms of carrying comfort. The backpanel and shoulder straps are both padded and covered with breathable mesh, for excellent ventilation. The shoulder straps are even ergonomic, for an exceptionally comfortable fit on your body. There’s also a handy luggage strap in the back, which allows you to mount the Kombi backpack on top of a suitcase.

It is also important to note that the Kombi backpack is available in smaller sizes as well. But only this one can fit 15.6” laptops – the other packs can fit only smaller devices, and no Kombi backpacks are big enough for 17” computers.

Briggs & Riley Work Large Laptop Backpack

Briggs & Riley is one of the best high-end luggage brands out there. They are actually the brand behind one of my favorite business travel suitcases, which has some mind-blowing innovative features. And this travel backpack is pretty amazing as well, with lots of features that are going to make your life a whole lot easier.

For one, this work travel backpack is made from 1600D ballistic nylon with sturdy YKK zippers, so it’s virtually indestructible. If you don’t make a conscious effort to tear it into pieces, you should be able to wear this business backpack for years and years.

It’s also pretty amazing that the travel backpack has a lot of different compartments and pockets for easy organization. There’s the main storage area, the padded 17” laptop compartment that is almost TSA friendly, three zippered pockets on the front, one on the top, and two on the sides.

Plus, all of the front pockets are equipped with internal organizers, so there’s plenty of space for all those smaller accessories.

It’s also important to mention that the backpack has an RFID safe pocket, as well as a luggage tag. And you can actually fit it under airplane seats, which is pretty amazing.

This is also a very comfortable business backpack, with thick padding in the backpanel and shoulder straps. And the bottom of the backpanel actually doubles as a luggage sleeve, allowing you to secure the backpack to a larger suitcase.

If it weren’t for the hefty price tag, this would be my favorite backpack out of the bunch. But it’s aimed at a very specific audience – if you’re a modern professional with an affinity for luxurious items, this is the best travel backpack for you.

TUMI - Alpha Bravo Search Laptop Backpack

In case you want a luxury business backpack for travel, the Alpha Bravo Search by Tumi is one of the top options for you. It’s an excellent high-end backpack with some amazing features that will make your travels more enjoyable, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

The Tyndall Utility backpack is made from ballistic nylon, which is a very durable material. It has great water resistance without any additional coating, as well as excellent tear and abrasion resistance.

On top of being incredibly durable, this backpack is also extremely functional. It has a spacious laptop compartment that’s not entirely TSA-friendly, but it opens at the back at an angle separate from the rest of the bag. There are sleeves for a 15” laptop and a standard tablet inside, with lots of thick padding for excellent protection of your expensive electronics. Plus, there is even a slot on top near the handle for your phone!

And there’s lots more to like about this business backpack. The main storage area is top-loading, and it can fit enough clothes for a weekend away. The bottom front pocket is equipped with an organizer panel and a key clip, while one of the side pockets boasts a waterproof lining.

You will also love how comfortable the Tumi Search pack is. With thick padding and breathable mesh all over the back system, it will keep you dry and comfy wherever you go. It doesn’t come with a chest strap, but there are points where you can attach one.

This brings me to my final point – the incredible versatility of this bag. Tumi’s entire Alpha Bravo collection is primarily designed for travelers, but this backpack is suitable for much more and not just because of the insanely rugged exterior.

It’s actually because the pack has multiple different attachment points (D-rings and webbing straps) – versatile features we usually see on outdoor backpacks, and not fancy business travel bags.

Samsonite Armage II Travel Backpack

The Samsonite Armage II Travel backpack is the perfect combination between business and travel. It has a roomy front-loading main compartment for all your clothing for a short business trip. And there is a dedicated, padded laptop pocket on the back for quick access at security. Your phone and sunglasses also have specific spots too!

Samsonite has added lots of thoughtful features to make life on the road so much easier. Using their trademarked StackIt™ Strap, you can easily throw this business backpack on top of your other luggage.

There is a 3-1-1 TSA-friendly wet pack for your wet or used clothing – so if you hit the gym on your trip, you don’t have to worry about everything smelling when you get home. Same for your tech accessories – they have a dedicated pouch so you can just remove it and get set up for that meeting in minutes!

The laptop pocket features two padded sleeves – one is suitable for computers up to 15.6”, and the other one will fit most tablets. And there is another useful organizational pocket right at the front.

The materials Samsonite have chosen for this professional travel backpack are premium with reinforced areas where they are needed and quality YKK zippers all around. And inside, it feels nice and soft, protecting your gear – with the fact that the materials are recycled ensuring you feel good about it too!

This is also a great backpack in terms of carrying comfort. The back panel and shoulder straps are both well-padded and covered with breathable mesh for excellent ventilation.  You don’t get a hip belt, but that’s not a big downside since this isn’t a very large bag.

Victorinox Architecture Urban Rath Slim Backpack

The Victorinox Urban Rath backpack is a good mid-range option for people who want a versatile travel backpack. It is carry-on sized with lots of travel-friendly features, but it is also just a really good laptop backpack in general. And it is also a really good everyday/work backpack, thanks to the versatile design.

This travel bag has two large compartments and five smaller zippered pockets on the exterior. The main storage area is top-loading, and it is very roomy with a large open pocket inside. You can easily fit a tablet in this pocket, while your laptop is safely tucked away in the dedicated compartment in the back.

Oh, and this backpack can fit even the bulkiest 17” devices, so it’s a great option if you usually struggle to find a bag that’s big enough for your computer. It’s not entirely TSA-friendly, but it will still help you get through checkpoints a little faster.

The Urban Rath pack also features an organizer panel in the bottom front compartment, with a key clip and enough open pockets for all your smaller must-haves. And the zippered pocket on the top of the business backpack features a waterproof zipper, so it’s the best spot for the valuable things you want to keep protected from the elements.

The backpanel features thick padding and parts of it are covered with breathable mesh for great ventilation. The only part of the backpanel that’s not covered with mesh is the luggage strap, and that’s fine.

Additionally, the shoulder straps are stowable, which is a convenient travel-friendly feature. It makes it a bit easier to store the backpack in an overhead compartment and it ensures that the straps won’t accidentally get caught on anything.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Business Travel Backpack

If you want a professional business backpack that looks luxurious, the Kenneth Cole Reaction travel backpack is a great choice for you. It is made from full-grain Colombian leather, and it looks a lot more expensive than it actually is! And the interior of the backpack is lined with tear-resistant polyester, and it should hold up pretty well even with frequent travel.

This laptop backpack for business features a TSA-friendly laptop compartment that can fit computers up to 16”. And it has three zippered pockets inside, so you will be able to store all of your must-have laptop accessories here as well.

In addition to that, the laptop backpack has a very spacious main compartment with three pockets inside. There’s lots of room for clothes here, and one of the pockets can easily fit a standard 9.7” tablet. This pack also features a front compartment with an organizer panel and a key clip, as well as a small zippered pocket on the top.

The back panel features three padded inserts that are covered with breathable mesh, for excellent carrying comfort. The bottom inserts also double as a trolley sleeve, But you won’t get a chest strap or a hip belt, so it might not be the comfiest business backpack to wear when it is filled to capacity.

The Kenneth Cole Reaction travel backpack is a really good bag, but it is far from perfect. It does not have any side pockets, meaning there’s no space for a water bottle. Also, the exterior of the bag is very high maintenance, and you will need to equip yourself with products for leather care if you want to keep the bag looking shiny and new.

Bopai Business Travel Backpack

The Bopai backpack is another really good option for people who prefer sleek and simple-looking backpacks. Its exterior is made from waterproof microfiber leather and ballistic nylon, which will protect the contents of the bag in light rain.

This business backpack has a dedicated laptop compartment for 15.6” devices in the back that also opens up completely – aka TSA-friendly. It also has a spacious main compartment that opens up with an organisational panel on the front. On top of all that, the capacity of the bag is expandable, and you can get 40% more space with the expansion zipper.

The Bopai is a great business laptop backpack overall, but there are some things that could be improved. There’s breathable mesh on the back panel, so the ventilation is going to help on those hot days. But there is thick foam, so at least it’s going to feel very comfortable against your body. And the straps actually are covered with breathable mesh, so the front of your torso will stay dry and cool.

They have added a hidden pocket on the back panel, to stash your passport or credit cards securely. And one on the strap for easy use during bus rides or shopping trips. There’s a luggage strap in the back, which lets you attach it to your suitcase handle for easy maneuvering with multiple luggage pieces.

There are so many handy features on this pack for business travel like a USB port on the outside, specific space for an iPad, a side opening zipper on the front for easy access and more.

Kroser Laptop Travel Backpack

The Kroser travel backpack is a great option if you want something affordable and filled with features. This work laptop backpack is stylish on the outside and has everything you need.

This laptop bag features three spacious compartments, all of which have their own use. The front one is great for the smaller technical stuff. The main compartment is roomy for your clothes, camera, papers and books.

The laptop pocket has a padded sleeve for a 17″ computer and a tablet, but it is not entirely TSA-friendly. It doesn’t open up 180 degrees and your laptop won’t be fully visible, but it’s still going to help you get through those TSA checkpoints a lot quicker.

The shoulder straps and back panel are padded, so it’s comfy enough to carry. And it looks great too with a modern gray plus brown leather accents in all the right places.

They have also thrown in a USB port on the outside for quick charging. Although, you will need your own battery on the inside to connect it to. Which makes sense in this price category!

All in all, I found this professional laptop travel backpack to tick all the boxes and for the price to be something of a bargain.

Ytonet Rolling Laptop Backpack

Have you thought about getting a wheeled backpack? They are a great option if you don’t want to wear the backpack at all, but they are a bit less convenient for travel. The Ytonet rolling backpack features two in-line skate wheels and a telescopic wheel handle, and it’s still carry-on size.

This is a great option if your carry-on is usually very heavy. You can hide the shoulder straps so they won’t get in the way when you’re rolling the business backpack, which is really convenient. And there is a cover for the wheels so that your clothes don’t get dirty when you’re actually wearing the backpack.

The Ytonet wheeled bag has a very spacious compartment, with internal sleeves for a laptop and tablet. It’s great that you can fit a lot of clothes in the compartment, but I’m not impressed by the fact that the laptop is supposed to be stored there. It means that the laptop backpack is pretty far from being TSA-friendly, but at least it’s pretty easy to get the device out quickly.

And you do get lots of smaller pockets, for all the other stuff you want to keep organized. The front compartment actually features an organizer panel with a key clip, and there are two other zippered pockets on the pack’s front panel. You also have two stretchy water bottle pockets on the sides, as well as a zippered compartment for the retractable wheel handle.

Let’s stay on that handle for a minute – it is made from aluminum, so it is very durable and lightweight. And this pack is actually really light for a wheeled bag; it’s about 1lb heavier than most other bags features here – pretty impressive considering this thing has wheels and a telescopic handle.