Everyone needs a trusty bag that they lug around with them to work, school or just running errands. A lot of us carry more things than we can keep in our pockets, so the next best thing is a nice quality bag. Here are our picks for the best bags for everyday use.
Incase Icon Slim Backpack
The Incase Icon Slim Backpack is one of the best backpacks there is, period. That’s coming from a guy who had one on his back for the better part of two years.
The geniuses at Incase have nailed the perfect design with many of their products. The Icon Slim is simple, sleek and practical. The best feature on it is the small top pocket that is located in front of the top handle. It’s the perfect size for storing your wallet, keys and other small object, and the placement is very convenient.
Big enough to fit your laptop comfortably with room left over to bring your iPad along for the ride. I recommend the Icon Slim Backpack for young professionals who are looking for something to carry their supplies in.
Be prepared to drop a little bit of money for the Icon Slim. Although it may seem pricey, the quality is out of this world!
Pros:
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Very conveniently placed pockets
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Soft interior for device protection
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Padded straps and back for added comfort
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Near-perfect design
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Comes in a variety of colors
Cons:
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A bit pricey
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Nylon body prone to scuffs
Get the Incase Icon Slim Backpack here.
Timbuk2 Spire Backpack
The Timbuk2 Spire Backpack is a little more on the outdoorsy side. Featuring a waterproof body and a slot big enough for a 15″ MacBook. The rucksack style large pocket is very useful when you’re just trying to lug around larger items and need a bit more space.
The Timbuk2 Spire Backpack was designed exclusively for Apple and you can see it in the design. It shares the simplicity and practicality of other Apple Products.
Pros:
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A lot of storage capacity
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Convenient bottle opener located on strap
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Easily accessible laptop pocket
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Water resistance
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Slots for bike lock
Cons:
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Only two pockets
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Not enough padding for fragile devices
Get the Timbuk2 Spire Backpack here.
Fossil Haskell Weekender Bag
Fossil is one of my favorite brands. From watches to luggage and accessories, they offer good looking, quality products. Fossil is a great brand if you’re going for a classy look.
The Fossil Haskell Weekender Bag is probably one of their most casual bags that isn’t too flashy. It’s a little bit large, able to fit up to a 16″ laptop, but it’s better to have too much room than too little.
The Haskell Weekender bag is more of a travel bag, but its design and storage make it a great work bag as well. Made of nylon with leather trim, this is a great option for a simple work bag.
Pros:
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Large enough for those who carry a lot of stuff
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Classy and simple design
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Main pocket big enough for some clothes
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Laptop pocket
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Convenient side pocket
Cons:
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Might be a little too large for some people
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More of a luggage bag than a practical work bag
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Can get bulky if you carry a lot of stuff
Get the Haskell Weekender Bag here.
Fossil Graham Messenger Bag
The Graham Messenger Bag, also by Fossil, is another example of their ability to make simple, attractive and practical products. A bit smaller than the Haskell Weekender Bag, this is more of a laptop bag for work or school.
Offered in a variety of colors, the laptop pocket is large enough to fit a 15″device and it has a couple more slots for additional items.
This messenger bag is perfect for a young professional who doesn’t need to carry much other than their laptop and a couple of extra items.
Pros:
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The size is convenient for an everyday shoulder bag
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Laptop compartment is comfortably placed
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Small profile
Cons:
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Not much storage capacity
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Too small to fit larger items
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Not very many pockets
Get the Fossil Graham Messenger Bag here.
Chrome Industries Citizen Messenger Bag
Who better to get a bag from than a company founded solely to make them?
As they say themselves, Chrome Industries was founded in Boulder, Colorado when a couple of guys needed some bags, but nothing lived up to their standards. So they decided to make their own.
The quality of their work shines in the Chrome Citizen Messenger Bag. It’s large, tough and very useful. Perfect for cyclists, creative professionals, students and just about everyone else.
The Citizen Messenger Bag has storage capacity for days, and slots for your everyday essentials. The shoulder/sling strap has Chrome Industries’ signature seat belt buckle-like latch that makes it so much easier to put on and take off.
Although it does not have a dedicated laptop sleeve or pocket, it can fit one that is up to 17″ if needed. Topping our list in regards to overall size, the Chrome Citizen Messenger Bag can fit a change of clothes, some snacks, water bottle, laptop, wallet, keys and more all at once!
The inner lining of the bag is waterproof for you outdoorsy people and the outside is made with “1,000 denier cordura” and is offered in a few color options.
Pros:
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Lots of storage capacity
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Waterproof inner lining
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Convenient Belt Buckle strap
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Buckle doubles as a bottle opener
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Comfortable padded shoulder strap
Cons:
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May be a bit too large for most people
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Seriously, there’s not much to dislike about this bag!
Get the Chrome Industries Citizen Messenger Bag here.
Chrome Industries Conway Messenger Bag
This is my personal bag that I actually use everyday. The Chrome Conway Messenger Bag found its way to my home as result of a lot of research on which bag would suit me best. Yeah, I’m weird like that.
Once again, Chrome Industries’ quality products knock it out of the park. Unlike the Citizen Messenger Bag, the Conway has a padded laptop sleeve that perfectly fits my 13″ MacBook Pro and the sleeve is conveniently placed on the outside of the bag so you don’t have to go digging for it.
It’s a lot smaller than the Citizen bag and has the same qualities that make it great. There’s enough storage to keep all the essentials without feeling cluttered.
The waterproof inner lining makes it ideal for storing your lunch or water bottles if needed. I highly recommend this bag for professionals, students and cyclists!
Pros:
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Perfect size for work and school
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Convenient laptop sleeve location
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Padded shoulder strap
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Lots of storage capacity
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Reflective molle webbing
Cons:
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The main pocket flap is sometimes a pain
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Some of the compartments seem tight fitted
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Hard to find for a decent price!
Get the Chrome Conway Messenger Bag here.
GoRuck Bullet Ruck
The Bullet Ruck Backpack by GoRuck has been on my wishlist for a while. It’s slim, simple and badass. If you haven’t checked out GoRuck’s website, you should! They’re an awesome tactical bag company out of Florida with a great story.
The Bullet Ruck is one of the smallest bags they offer and it’s made for the basics. It’s big enough to fit a moderately sized laptop as well as your books and essentials.
What I love most about the Bullet Ruck is the simplicity. No flashy designs or exaggerated colors (although it’s offered in some tactical colors).
Pros:
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Slim, simple and practical
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Basic design with convenient pockets
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Padded back and straps
Cons:
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May be too small for most people
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A bit pricey for its size
Get the GoRuck Bullet Ruck here.
Fjällräven® Kånken
As Fjällräven says themselves, the Kånken backpack is the “perfect backpack for everyday adventure”, and you now what? They may be right.
The Kånken is probably the simplest, trendiest and most affordable bag on this list. It has one large pocket that’s big enough to fit your daily essentials, and one small one to fit the little things.
The availability of top handles and shoulder straps makes it really convenient no matter how you wear it. It also comes in pretty much every color you can think of.
Pros:
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Very affordable
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Simple
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Trendy appearance
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Small and lightweight
Cons:
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Only one pocket for larger items
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Shoulder straps aren’t thick or padded
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Very little protection for electronics
Get the Fjällräven® Kånken Backpack here.
Have a different opinion? Which bag do you think should have been on the list?
