Best laptop rucksack (with overnight space)

I don’t want a Samsonite (or similar) middle aged office bag (sorry to offend half the forum). I’m not quite mid 30s so like to think I’m still cool (my wife would disagree).

A change of role means more long day trips and short stays away. Currently using my gym bag which is big and tatty (can’t really take it to a meeting) and also have to carry my leather laptop satchel.

Looking at the Mammut and Eastpak options as they look fairly slim and neat. Just need space for a one night stay to save a second bag really. Would love to take running stuff etc but might have to accept Mary Poppins doesn’t do work travel!

what does the hive reccomend?

Osprey, Flare or something similar. I have a Quasar and can fit a weeks worth of kit in it.

Funnily enough I’ve just bought a new one as my existing 20 odd year old bag is getting a bit tatty. I don’t really have the same requirements for overnighting but both bags I looked at claim to be able to support it. Wenger Carbon and the Targus Corporate Traveller 15.6″. In the end I went for the Wenger. I suspect neither bag will fulfil your desire to look cool – but I liked them. 🙂

I currently use a Fjällräven Kånken laptop bag. Takes my 17″ laptop, charger and a trackball style mouse in a case. Plus all the other junk that guess along with it.

When stripped down to the bare minimum for work, I’ve managed 3 nights worth of clothes in there. Was a tight fit.

Also, two handy external pockets for thermos mug of tea and bottle of water.

Prior to that I used a 17″ Timbuk2 courier bag, which now does service as “budget airline carry on” without the laptop, but it’ll comfortably take a long weekends worth of kit anywhere in Europe, and I used it for occasional overnight trips with work as well, with laptop etc.

I’ve got the smaller timbuk2 as well. Had that ~10 years, that’s still doing solid service still for overnight trips. (Not with the laptop though!)

Black Diamond Street Creek is pretty decent in a variety of sizes but if 32l is enough for you I’d get a Patagonia Black hole.

in the spirit of recommend what you have…

https://www.sandqvist.co.uk/p/bernt-orange/

It’s great.  Fits my laptop and kindle in the padded laptop space, a water bottle in one side, coffee mug in the other and I can fit all manner of crap in it.  It’s expensive but I’ve had it for 3 years now and no issues.  People often compliment me on it too 😉

I’ve an eastpak out safe pack which I rate. Small enough to count as small hand luggage (under seat), does me for a laptop and clothes for a few days, nice and slim

I basically lived out of an Eastpak Provider for 4 days/week for 4 years- it survived weekly flights and daily bike commute for 4 years and still looks like new. I once managed to fit a 15″ desk fan and a laptop in it, and managed to check it in as hand baggage on easyJet.

I like the DB products (formerly Douche Bag). You should find something you like on their site.

Thule.Take your pick. I’m happy with mine. I’m not a Samsonite person either – this was bought for school but they’ve finished now, So I get the hand me downs! Mine is a Lithos which will do overnight.  Would want bigger for multiple nights though.

https://www.thule.com/en-gb/laptop-bags-sleeves/laptop-backpacks

I’ve got an Osprey Nebula which is pretty much perfect for what you describe. 32L so big enough for travel/hand luggage but can also be snuggled up so it’s still stable when half full. Full complement of sleeves, pockets, etc.

Also technical enough to work as a day hiking pack, not sure about using it for runs though…

Have a PeakDesign everyday backpack the last 8 years. Great as a laptop bag, and plenty of room in the main compartment for other kit (gym/travel/photo). Has been everywhere on travels (but not on the bike) and there are no signs of wear and tear. It’s a bit leftfield, a bit pricy, but will def do what you want it to do.

https://www.peakdesign.com/en-gb/products/everyday-backpack?Size=30L&Color=Black

Patagonia MLC mini. Bomber.

Wow that peak design option is very STW (left field and pricy!). Some good ideas here.

The Thule and Osprey options look to be the best balance of cost (looks!) and size/ practically.

Certainly not the trendiest option, but an absolute beast of a laptop rucksack – Wenger Carbon

It’s literally a bloody tardis.

I have in mine

Dell XPS 17 laptop

Surface Pro laptop

Outikel tablet

All the chargers

A4 size books and notepads

Various stationery items

Glasses case

Camera

I would have a look at the maxpedition range as they are nice and tough, look good and have great functionality. They’re also very comfortable on the back

Again a recommended what youve got…

If you’re after something on the smaller side, Big Agnes impassable 20L.

Laptop sleeve, loads of features, probably ok for a night away but pushing it more than that..looks cool. Lack of hip pockets is slightly annoying.

Look on Sportpursuit

For a similar ask I got this…

https://www.regatta.com/shilton-20l-backpack-black/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAo5u6BhDJARIsAAVoDWsBjYt1bpbouAw55KSKm4rD8ohu7_v2tSPQ4a_XwYoZxODVapLG1-EaAuhTEALw_wcB

The flap on the bag means you can overfil it when needed, and have it normal the rest of the time. Has a separate laptop bit against your back. I use it for work and running gear, then got my lad one for school and he can overfil it when needed on PE day.

Has lasted ages without going tatty and cost me next to nothing

Targus?

Laptop Backpacks

I’m about to retire one after maybe 20 years of near-daily use, and it’d still be in good nick if one of the cats hadn’t used the liner as a scratching post.

Thule Chasm 26l is what I currently use and I would say it’s pretty ideal for your purposes. It’s as good or better than an Arcteryx Blade which I had for several years and doesn’t look like a typical laptop backpack. I’ve used it a few times for days out/light hikes when travelling too.

I tend to carry a lot and have trashed Samsonite and OGIO pretty quickly (straps and zips failed), so would avoid them.

Son2 has a Patagonia MLC Mini. Ideal for Ryanair flights and will manage a week away at a push. If you can source one, which is easier said than done!

I bought this https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/backpack-nh500-23-l-escape-roll-top-yellow/_/R-p-334561?mc=8736382&c=carbon%20grey

Been using it for about 6 months to carry laptop, lunch, scrubs, water, coffee etc.

Like lots of Decathlon stuff its good and excellent value.

Wow that peak design option is very STW (left field and pricy!)

Hold my beer

Synik 30

Just bought one of these and it’s the best bag I’ve ever had.

The Adventure Bag

This is bigger than needed – I can do a week away with one of these! It’s like an even better version of the Cotopaxi Allpa that I reviewed previously. And has 20% off at the moment making it less eye watering. Great for regular travellers using carry on only.

TKMaxx often have a decent selection in

@slackboy does it come with a PA to take notes in meetings, fetch coffee and buff your shoes?!

really like the Patagonia one, but availability is terrible. Might try the Decathlon offering and see what works and what doesn’t.

Chrome something or other is worth a look. Go for a simple roll top with a large single strap and metal buckle. Avoids the usual zip failures then. Usually 20+ litres so should be enough.

Edit – current one like that might be the yalta3.

You’ve not said how much public transport vs car transport you’ll be doing, the big difference in my experience is the amount of walking you’ll be doing.

I’m assuming public and IME a bag that can be pulled (with wheels) is a godsend.  Big enough for all your gear but also with enough space for a separate ‘briefcase’ (mine was just big enough for laptop, power and A4 notebook) for actually pulling out when in the office/meetings and/or not putting into the hold (of a plane).

This is based on years of doing jobs where I was constantly travelling, but often just an overnighter (from a clothes/washkit perspective).

If I was in the car, just a ‘professional’ rucksack and a separate travel bag.

I just picked up a Lowe Alpine Depot 28 which is exactly the same as the Rab offering of the same name.

Well thought out, comfortable, loads of space for overnight kit. doesn’t look too bad IMO, but my wife thinks it looks terrible

Apologies, thought the 12year old rucksack here was a Chrome one. It’s a Mission Workshop one. Similar though – durable, rolltop, metal buckle, laptop sleeve bit, 20+ something litres. Anyway it’s very durable and supportive with a heavy load.

My other half has an Osprey Soujourn Porter 30 which I borrow when working away. Was v spendy but would recommend.

RM.

I like the Alpkit wax cotton one for less of the outdoor activity tech look

Finisterre do something similar, youngest llama has one, its nice

Stubble+Co are all over my media bubble, they look nice, no experience though

I often do a night away for work, travel by train, and use a Timbuk2 courier bag, the medium sized one. Mainly because a) I had it already and b) I think courier bags look less lame than backpacks.

What I get in it – laptop, small tablet, charger, folding laptop stand, little keyboard, notepad, folding headphones, spare shirt/pants/socks, toothbrush/toothpaste, emergency takeaway eating spoon, mini brollie, plus various pens/cables/chargers. All goes in nicely.

If I put it across my back (like you’d do if you were on a bike with it), I walk the mile or so between the station, hotel and office with it fine. It also has the advantage that you can just have it on one shoulder though, so you can get stuff out of it on the go more easily than you can with a rucksack

I have done two nights away with it, which meant doubling the shirts/pants/socks and a bigger wash kit as I had to take shaving stuff, was a bit of a squeeze but still worked.

Have a look at Kovered l, nice kit, reclaimed materials and pretty stylish (I think)

https://kovered.co.uk

The Henty travel brief is my go to for a single overnight (and I can squeeze some running kit in as well) – https://henty.cc/shop/travel/travel-brief/

I used to use the Wingman when I commuted by bike and had to take a suit with me.

Both very well made and look like new.

I also use a timbuk2 messenger bag as well – Had mine about 20 years and still going strong.

All the above are speedy, but have all been well used and mainly look like new still.