Best Professional Work Backpacks for 2024

Backpacks are convenient, keeping your hands free during your commute.

But not all backpacks are suitable for work, and some can leave you looking unprofessional.

In this post, we'll go over the best work backpacks for 2024.

Best Work Backpacks for 2024

Here we go over our top picks for work backpacks that keep things professional:

Our Picks

Winner: Liberty Leather Backpack

Pros:

• Full grain leather
• 14 inch laptop sleeve.
• Multiple front zipped compartments.
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
• Handmade in Italy
• Can be personalized

Best Large Work Laptop Backpack 2024

Winner: Prime Leather Backpack

Pros:

• Full grain leather
• 14 inch laptop sleeve.
• Multiple front zipped compartments.
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
• Handmade in Italy
• Can be personalized

Best Convertible Work Backpack Briefcase 2024

Winner: 10X Leather Laptop Backpack

Pros:

• Full grain leather
• Can convert from backpack to shoulder bag
• Top and side handles.
• Backpack straps hide in zip compartments.
• Fits up to 15.6 inch laptop or tablet.
• Handmade in Italy
• Can be personalized
• Available in brown, tan, black, or red leather.
• Unisex.

Best Satchel Business Backpack 2024

Pros:

• Full grain leather
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• Magnetic snap closures.
• 10 inch tablet pocket.
• Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
• Handmade in Italy
• Can be personalized
• Available in tan or black leather.

Is a Backpack Suitable for Work or Is It Unprofessional?

Backpacks can be worn to work whilst still looking professional, providing that they look like they're designed for work. The best option is to choose a full-grain leather backpack (like these, as it avoids the "slouchy" appearance of fabric or nylon backpacks.

There is also a strong association with leather and professionalism, due to the common use of leather briefcases in professional settings (here are our favorites).

Can I wear a backpack to an interview?

If you have the option, then I'd recommend against wearing a backpack to an interview, as you want to be portraying your best possible appearance, and so you don't want to leave anything to chance. Opt for a briefcase or laptop bag instead.

Can adults wear backpacks?

Adult backpacks are perfectly fine, as long as they look modern and professional. They are very useful for running errands around town, commuting to work, or carrying your kid's extra belongings. Avoid slouchy looking backpacks, or bags that look tatty, and opt for a leather backpack instead. A leather briefcase backpack is a great choice when you want to remain professional, and they can often carry a laptop too (shop them here).

Can you wear a backpack with a suit, or will it damage your clothing?

It's recommended not to wear a backpack with a suit, as it can damage the padded shoulders and wrinkle the back part of the jacket, causing the suit to lose shape. The straps of the backpack will likely wear down other types of clothing a little over time due to friction from the straps, but that's something you can monitor.

Benefits of Wearing a Backpack to Work

Backpacks keeps both of your hands free, allowing you to carry an umbrella, card, and other items. You can use your phone, eat a sandwich, or sip your coffee. All of these get a bit more awkward if you are carrying a briefcase in one hand already.

It can also be better for your back, as you are carrying the extra weight more centrally, rather than being off-balance with a case in one hand.

Backpacks also usually have space for you to carry a laptop with you, which is excellent for the flexible worker, especially with the increased choice of remote working during the pandemic.

Best Alternatives to a Work Backpack

If you don't want to carry a backpack, but you still want the convenience of a work bag, then here are the best alternatives:

Laptop Bag

A classic alternative to a work backpack is to choose a laptop bag, particularly if you need to carry your tech along with you.

A laptop bag needs to be sleek enough to look professional, but still have enough padding and size to handle carrying your laptop.

If you need some inspiration, browse our Men's range or our Women's range.

Messenger Bag

A messenger bag is typically a bag with a shoulder strap, allowing you to carry it with your hands free, but looking much more professional than a backpack.

You can shop our men's messenger bags here, or our women's shoulder bags here.

One of our favorite messenger bags is the Essential Modern Briefcase, pictured below:

Briefcase

A leather briefcase is about as professional as you can get for a work bag. They are ideal in business settings, and have been used for generations by commuters and busy professionals.

You could also consider a laptop briefcase as a good alternative (shop them here).

Duffel Bag

A leather duffel bag is usually designed to carry a lot of things with you at once. They are typically held using two handles that wrap over the top of the bag, which is usually longer than a traditional bag. They make excellent travel bags as well, making them multi-use (shop them here).

Our favorite is the Weekender bag here, which is available in 2 different colours.

Carry-on Luggage

If you do a lot of flying as part of your job, then choosing a carry-on bag makes a lot of sense. You want to look for one that has wheels, to save yourself from carrying it around in the Airport and beforehand.

We like the Voyager leather carry-on bag, as it has a built in laptop compartment for up to a 16" laptop, and it's made from premium full grain leather.

Is Carrying a Backpack Suspicious?

For most people it will not be suspicious to carry a backpack. If you're carrying a very large bag into a department store, then employees or security may keep an eye on you just in case, but as long as you aren't doing anything wrong, you should be fine.

Related post: What is Leather Tanning?

Can a store make you take off your backpack?

A store in the USA is considered private property, so they can set the rules of whether they allow people with backpacks to enter or not. If they have a policy of leaving it at the front desk (due to shop lifting) then they should be accepting liability for the contents of it. The best policy would be for the store to provide secure lockers for you to place your bags into. This is not legal advice, and it may be different by state or country.

Summary

The space and flexibility of the backpack mean you can accomplish many tasks in the day with just one bag. And if you make use of a Von Baer leather backpack, you have something which can carry some shopping, as well as being suitable for business meetings. This makes a leather backpack an ideal choice for a short business trip.

Backpacks give the wearer more freedom of movement, and also more freedom in what they carry. Being able to combine all these benefits with the beautiful leather construction is really the icing on the cake.

Read next: Types of Bags for Men