Laptop backpack for travel

[clodhopper]

I spend time travelling (plane, car, etc) and regularly carry a laptop along with other normal stuff. I have a lesser expensive laptop pack from a big box store. It works OK, but the dimensions are a bit strange and when it is full and heavy, rides a bit strange. It was clearly developed for carrying the laptop alone, well, maybe with a pen too. I am looking for a pack that will accommodate the laptop, but has room for some small office supplies, some travel gear and a change of clothes. I have been looking at tac bags as they tend to be of the size I am looking for, but so far haven't found one with appropriate storage for small items AND a lappy. Either it is a museum of minipockets or it is a single cavernous hole. Anyone seen something cool or slick for humping around travel necessities? Oh, not a fan of pure black or camo. It is business related travel, so coyote or similar would work.

[nynco]

Size of laptop?

[nynco]

I currently own this in a small for my 14in laptop. I love this bag too. I purchased my STM from Microcenter years ago. I paid more than double what the cost now too. If it broke, I would buy it again and still be happy to pay regardless of price. If I upgrade to a 15in I will buy another one. This bag carries my laptop everyday with me everywhere and protects it amazingly well. Also the back area is very well padded and the straps are the perfect balance of cushion and strength. I have loaded with close to 50 pounds of stuff and it still did not dig into my shoulders plus the back area is padded perfectly too but with a center cut our for my spine and breathing room. My last bag before this one lasted me 8 months and it was destroyed. This one is going on 2 years and nothing has broken or worn. Zippers work like new. It cost a lot at the time but it is so worth it. Plus its all stream lined which was great for me while riding my motorcycle when I needed too.

http://www.amazon.com/STM-Medium-Revolution-Backpack-Screens/dp/B00429U492/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[sellersm]

Timbuk2 and Swiss Gear have some that work well.

[clodhopper]

Size of laptop?

Company supplied Dell Lattitude E6530. Heavy mofo. About 15"x11" with the extended battery pack.

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/latit/dell_latitude_e6530_spec_sheet.pdf

[nynco]

The backpack that I linked to will get the job done. I honestly love mine. I carry my laptop with me everyday. Somedays with a ton of extra gear including cameras, external HDs and other garbage and no matter how heavy, the straps don't bite. I wish I could clone those straps for other bags. The top handle seems to have some sort of gel in it too.

[nynco]

If you are traveling a bunch, this might be a better option. I believe it is bigger too. Though I think Revolution version is FAR superior in the way it protects the laptop. http://www.amazon.com/STM-Impulse-Backpack-Integrated-stm-111-024P-14/dp/B00BHHBK6S/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_4

[zuke]

I have used the Quantum laptop bag from REI for years. It has several compartments and I have carried a ton of stuff in it along with a 15" screen laptop.

[fj605]

I have a Swiss gear backpack for my work laptop. The laptop is huge and heavy but this pack makes it bearable.

I would highly recommend it.

[asmo]

I do 150k miles a year domestic.. For the last 2 years I have used a Camelbak Urban Assault Pack 70 oz/2.0L. Its got enough space for laptops, water bottle, umbrella, tablet, books, and other office/desk things. Organized fairly well and its priced right. Very comfortable. Also fits under the seat on every commercial plane I have been on.

My pack goes everywhere from flight lines and Humvees to executive board rooms and customer presentations without any issue.

[brutal]

I don't do half the miles asmo does, but for the money, I've been very pleased with my older Wenger SwissGear Synergy. http://www.notebookreview.com/review/wenger-swissgear-synergy-backpack-review/

I can get a small toiletries bag, a change of socks, skivies, a shirt and sometimes a pair of slacks depending on what else I'm humping, but if you're packing shoes, it's not big enough for all that, a big laptop, tablet, cables and power brick, etc.

[Great-Kazoo]

Company supplied Dell Lattitude E6530. Heavy mofo. About 15"x11" with the extended battery pack.

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/latit/dell_latitude_e6530_spec_sheet.pdf

I use the DELL back pack bag. perfect for my carry on, clothes etc.

[cmailliard]

Tactical Tailor Urban Operator (http://www.tacticaltailor.com/urbanoperatorpack.aspx)

I have used almost everything from junk to Tumi. Tumi has been the best I ever used and has lasted for almost ever, but I wanted a backpack.

The TT Urban Operator is awesome. I put a Blue Force Gear Small Utility Pouch (http://www.blueforcegear.com/small-utilty-pouch.html) on the side with the MOLLE straps and it fits perfect. The pack holds everything I need (I use WaterField Design (http://www.sfbags.com/products/ipodpouch/ipodgearpouch.htm) bags on the inside for organization). So far I have had zero issues with the backpack or how I have it set up. I have been using it for almost a year now.

EDIT - I use an 11" MBA but it can hold up to a 17" laptop.

[ANADRILL]

thule of sweeden makes a nice one

[DocMedic]

I've used a Targus drifter for about 10 years now. Heres the link to the drifter2.
http://targus.com/US/16-drifter-ii-plus-backpack-tsb702us

[TheBelly]

Tactical Tailor Urban Operator (http://www.tacticaltailor.com/urbanoperatorpack.aspx)

I have used almost everything from junk to Tumi. Tumi has been the best I ever used and has lasted for almost ever, but I wanted a backpack.

The TT Urban Operator is awesome. I put a Blue Force Gear Small Utility Pouch (http://www.blueforcegear.com/small-utilty-pouch.html) on the side with the MOLLE straps and it fits perfect. The pack holds everything I need (I use WaterField Design (http://www.sfbags.com/products/ipodpouch/ipodgearpouch.htm) bags on the inside for organization). So far I have had zero issues with the backpack or how I have it set up. I have been using it for almost a year now.

EDIT - I use an 11" MBA but it can hold up to a 17" laptop.


This. I got one of these for trial purposes, and I ended up just giving them the money so I could keep it.

[Aloha_Shooter]

My last two trips were to Australia and Hawaii. I used the LA Police Gear 3-day bag. It held my 15-inch MacBook Pro, 100-400 mm SLR lens, SLR flash, water bottle, 3 spare USB drives, 4 Li-Poly power packs, overnight toiletries, and other odds-and-ends (yeah, the carry-on weighed more than the checked luggage) AND fit under the seat of both CRJs and Embraers. There's no separate compartment for the laptop but I really didn't need one, I just laid the laptop in the very back and packed everything else toward the front. You COULD put the laptop in the inner pocket where the water bladder would go but I didn't bother.

[clodhopper]

Currently running this: HP Sport Backpack

http://www.mysoft.hu/details.aspx?pn=ru350aa
http://h10003.www1.hp.com/digmedialib/prodimg/lowres/c00980955.jpg

It works well for use as a briefcase, such a laptop and some documents. It is pretty narrow at the top and limited on adding some minimal clothes to extend to a couple day trip. The straps are a bit strangely shaped and the inner guts tend to roll when one-strap carrying. Makes bulking the bag with extra weight a problem. I has too many different interior separators, while this seems a benefit, it greatly limits the thickness of any single item, like a thick ring binder won't fit.

I would probably keep it for daily office use, but want to find/outfit a larger pack out of town travel.

Been carrying this for a few years. Picked it up on sale for cheap. Has performed well. Time to upgrade.

[TheWeeze]

I've been eyeing this one for a while now:

http://www.511tactical.com/covrt-18-backpack.html

[asmo]

I've been eyeing this one for a while now:

http://www.511tactical.com/covrt-18-backpack.html


I tried that one for a few months. Didn't like it. The yolk was too hot, the rubber on the bottom always caught on my shirt and pulled it up my back, the overlapping pockets never could hold anything of use, the mesh pockets caught on everything, and it was a little too big for my tastes.

Fun part of that URL, is the 'perp' in those videos (balding guy with beard) is a really good friend of mine. He's a graphic designer at 5.11. He used to be anti-gun and now he shoots 3-gun matches. Good dude.

[clublights]

Peilcan 1510 LOC

[Kraven251]

Sneaky Bag.

http://www.sneakybags.com/store/ToT_Trick_or_Treat_Bag_Large