ISO - lightweight laptop backpack recommendations

[chiver78]

good morning, YM. I'm looking for recommendations for lightweight laptop backpacks that I can use for commuting. I don't want to spend a ton on this, either. currently I have a huge Targus one that is amazing, but way too big for public transportation. I've been using my old Eastpak from college, but it's pretty basic and I don't love it for what I'm generally carting back and forth. 

needs - water resistant, on the small/shallow side, not crazy expensive

wants - exterior water bottle holder, pockets for small items like keys/headphones/etc


thanks in advance! 

[thyme4change]

I bought this one. It has the TSA thing, so you don't have to remove your laptop, which doesn't appear to be a concern for you, so I now feel like I am babbling about nothing. Embarrassing.

Okay - back on track.

It is pretty small, but since it is sleek on the outside, it doesn't get caught on anything. It has a laptop slot, and a small inside zipper pocket, two inside open pockets, as well as the outside zipper pocket (which is quite flat) and two side water bottle pockets.

You may want to go to ebags.com. You can look at bunches of different bags and figure out what your priorities are. And, then get super frustrated by having an unlimited amount of choices, and then give up and buy whatever. At least, that is how things go for me. 🙃

[MN-Investor]

You might want to check out what The Wirecutter suggests. Check out both their reviews for laptop backpacks and high school and college student backpacks.

[nidena]

I'm a little partial because I work in the Delaware store but Lands' End has a great selection of backpacks and bags AND you can get them embroidered AND Ebates offers 10% cash back.  

[chiver78]

ha! I don't do well with too many choices either, that's why I'm asking for recommendations. 

as far as the TSA thing, not really a concern in general as I have Global Entry - so even if I am clearing airport security, I still don't have to take my laptop out. that said, the interior pics of the one thyme posted look awesomely functional like I would use everything. that's definitely on the list to consider! 

thanks for the link recommendations, will definitely poke around some. 

[Cookies Galore]

I've been thinking about getting a laptop backpack as well. In the meantime, I've been using this laptop bag for the past three years. It's lightweight enough it doesn't bother me carrying it on the train three days a week (I work from home twice a week).
www.amazon.com/BRINCH-Business-Briefcase-Messenger-Resistant/dp/B07RXJS9QJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=brinch+laptop+bag&qid=1563901402&s=gateway&sprefix=brinxh&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyUTc4Wk85NlRINFBQJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjg4MjQ5M09YNlQwSTRNRjhZTyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTMzOTU4Mk9MWkg2QzNPU09WNiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

[chiver78]

yeah, it's really the time on the tightly packed T that is driving me toward a slim backpack. if not for that, there are so many options. that messenger bag is nice, Cookies. 

so far, this one from MN-Investor's link is leading the pack. I had a drawstring bag like that back in the day, and I loved it. and it looks pretty snazzy too. 
ETA: ooh wait, some of the dealbreakers on the Wirecutter link aren't going to fly for me. back to research! 

[Lizard Queen]

Bummer, I just bought my kid a new Land's End one last week.  It was 50% off through the 16th.   I got myself one on clearance at Target a couple months ago.  It was their store brand, and I completely expected it to fall apart (like every other purse I've gotten there), but it survived the stress of going to Disney with me, so it might just last.  The style is similar to this one:

www.target.com/p/swissgear-16-laptop-backpack/-/A-76625071?preselect=54358390#lnk=sametab

Since it was on clearance, they don't have the same one I have.

[Tennesseer]

chiver78 - did you weather the storms unscathed today?

[debthaven]

Chiver no specific recommendations, but if you bike (not sure you do), they have backpacks that flash now (not sure how that works, I think it's battery-operated). DH got one recently, even though he bikes much much less these days.

[chiver78]

Jul 23, 2019 18:11:36 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

chiver78 - did you weather the storms unscathed today?

the Cape ones, yes. all that stuff was a good half hour east of here. apparently my house never lost power, either. 👍 thanks for asking!

as far as me personally, I got effing drenched walking to my office from the T. my socks and boat shoes were still squishy when I left today, after laying out and airing out under my desk all day (I keep a pair of ballet flats at the office). 🙄

[chiver78]

thanks, debt. I do bike, but not to commute. so that functionality isn't a necessity for me.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I’m not sure what you mean by not too expensive, so this recommendation might be out of your price range.

My kids use North Face backpacks.
They’re durable, weather proof (we live in the PNW with tons of rain), and comfortable. They have the water bottle pockets and laptop sections.

[tskeeter]

Jul 23, 2019 10:32:32 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

good morning, YM. I'm looking for recommendations for lightweight laptop backpacks that I can use for commuting. I don't want to spend a ton on this, either. currently I have a huge Targus one that is amazing, but way too big for public transportation. I've been using my old Eastpak from college, but it's pretty basic and I don't love it for what I'm generally carting back and forth. 

needs - water resistant, on the small/shallow side, not crazy expensive

wants - exterior water bottle holder, pockets for small items like keys/headphones/etc


thanks in advance! 

You might want to check out the Rick Steves Veloce shoulder bag.  Backpack, shoulder bag, handle bag.  Fairly economical (about $55).  I’m not personally familiar with this bag, but my Rick Steves ultra light weight Civita backpack took 10 years of being my go to carry-on bag before years of dragging it across floors started to wear holes in the front pockets where I carried keys, chargers, cameras, and other stuff with sharp corners.  It goes without saying that the replacement was a new Civita.

On Rick Steves travel website under luggage.

[Pants]

I really like my new laptop backpack, but it's Tumi so it probably fails the affordability test. 

[stillmovingforward]

I have a timbuk2 messenger bag for my work computer and love it! Everything you ask for is on it except that 'it's a messenger bag'. But that makes it easy for me to switch to front if I'm nervous on the train. My last one held up great over the years. My new one was about $80 on sale.
My DS1 has 2 of them and loves them both.

[chiver78]

Jul 23, 2019 20:09:02 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

I’m not sure what you mean by not too expensive, so this recommendation might be out of your price range.

My kids use North Face backpacks.
They’re durable, weather proof (we live in the PNW with tons of rain), and comfortable. They have the water bottle pockets and laptop sections.

I've been seeing bags in the $200-300 range and more. this isn't a suitcase. I'm okay with probably up to $100 if I know it is a good one.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jul 23, 2019 10:32:32 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

good morning, YM. I'm looking for recommendations for lightweight laptop backpacks that I can use for commuting. I don't want to spend a ton on this, either. currently I have a huge Targus one that is amazing, but way too big for public transportation. I've been using my old Eastpak from college, but it's pretty basic and I don't love it for what I'm generally carting back and forth. 

needs - water resistant, on the small/shallow side, not crazy expensive

wants - exterior water bottle holder, pockets for small items like keys/headphones/etc


thanks in advance! 

about how old is this Eastpak?

[chiver78]

class of 2001! but honestly, it's sat in a storage crate for most of the years since then. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jul 23, 2019 20:09:02 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

I’m not sure what you mean by not too expensive, so this recommendation might be out of your price range.

My kids use North Face backpacks.
They’re durable, weather proof (we live in the PNW with tons of rain), and comfortable. They have the water bottle pockets and laptop sections.

I just bought a North Face for travel.  It was not inexpensive (I think just over $100 at REI), and I think it is a bit heavier.....even than my old broken Tumi that it replaced.  So far, I like it but I am still learning the pockets.  With my old one, I knew what was where.  With my new one, items now have new homes.

[chiver78]

yeah, I definitely do not want heavy if I can avoid that. 

someone on the train this am had a Timbuk2 bag that looked snazzy. I just found this one on the site for $90 after my new customer discount. has anyone here ever bought this brand? the reviews for this model look pretty good, too. features include a mesh back panel for cool use, internal organization and pockets, and the water bottle pocket that I definitely wanted. I might be pulling the trigger on this one soon 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

One of the things I have discovered for purses, backpacks and suitcases is that buying online is a crapshoot.  I bought my North Face backpack at REI because I wanted to actually see and feel how big the pockets in it are.  

My most recent example of this was a travel purse I bought online.  I had been looking at it for ages, and waited for it to go on sale.  It finally did, and I bit the bullet because it was a bit more expensive than I wanted to spend.  Despite the fact it was touted as a good purse for travel, by the time I put my wallet, sunglasses, phone and a few more smaller items in the purse, I could not access anything without a huge hassle.  The purse even had a clip showing what you could fit into the purse, but it wasn’t until I looked at it after that I realized that only flat items were put into the purse.  Lesson learned.  I still may see if I can return it, but it has been awhile.

[chiver78]

yeah, I remember when I bought my Kate Spade purse on brownie points from an old job. I was irritated when it arrived, it wasn't as nice as I was expecting for the comparable price. I'd have been pissed if I actually had paid for it. 

I did notice dimensions in that link, including pockets. I think I just need to figure out what I'm really bringing on a daily basis. 

[wvugurl26]

It is hard to buy online without seeing it first. I was in Macy's last month and they had a huge selection. I'm fairly picky about what I want in a purse that I will carry daily.

I have some wristlets and a smaller Kate Spade purse I carry for special occasions and events.

I found one I loved but not the color. I went online and found it to be half the price on Macy's website. I still didn't love the color options. From there once I had the name, I went and found other color options from other stores.

I ordered another one from Macy's but I think I'll be returning it. I have a feeling it's going to be more light beige than silver once it arrives.