5 Best Bag Brands for Work and Travel
An office bag does not necessarily fit long journeys. You may require some room for carrying your laptop, charger, papers, a bottle of water, and some personal things. It is important to have a bag comfortable on your back or shoulders. A heavy bag becomes a significant nuisance when you walk across an extensive airport or commute via train. best bags for work and travel will depend on your daily requirements.
There are some people who need a stylish bag for client meetings, whereas others require a rugged backpack for both work and travel. If you need to take your laptop along with some other little things, then perhaps you do not need anything too fancy. There are five brands that you must take into consideration: Samsonite, TUMI, Away, Bellroy, and Longchamp. They all differ in style and price. Here is the guide that tells you about their strengths and what to consider before buying one.
What Should You Look for in a Work and Travel Bag?
Before you decide on the best bags for work and travel, consider what you will be carrying around. The bag may seem perfect in an image, but that does not necessarily mean it will be comfortable to use for a week or more.
Laptop protection: It is important to check whether the bag is able to accommodate your laptop in its designated space. Your 15-inch laptop may not fit perfectly into any bag that claims to fit a 15-inch laptop.
Space and pockets: You will require space for your laptop charger, notebook, keys, wallet, and perhaps lunch. Having separate pockets makes it easier to locate small things without unloading all the contents of your bag. If you need to carry work documents, it is wise to ensure your bag has enough room without crumpling the corners of the documents.
Comfort: A backpack with broad, padded shoulder straps would be preferable for those who do a lot of walking. A tote could be ideal for a brief trip, but carrying a bulky bag would strain your shoulders.
Travel features: The trolley sleeve allows you to pull a bag onto the handle of a suitcase. This makes moving through an airport much simpler. Also, a zipper can make sure that nothing will spill out of your bag as you navigate through crowded places.
Weight and size: Consider the empty weight of the bag rather than only its capacity. An oversized bag may have more space but may not fit your needs for a typical workday.
Consider the following recommendations for choosing the best bags for work and travel.
1. Samsonite — A Practical Choice for Daily Work
If you need one backpack for work, trips, and everyday use, Samsonite would be an acceptable choice for your needs. The company produces different-sized backpacks at varying prices that will meet anyone’s requirements, from simple office backpacks to those who need bigger backpacks.
The company has backpacks that can fit laptop computers up to 14.1, 15.6, and 17 inches on its US website. Some backpacks also have water bottle holders, a separate pocket for a laptop computer, and a SmartSleeve, which helps when moving from your home or office to the airport.
Samsonite backpacks could suit your needs for everyday transportation of a laptop computer when you do not want to spend too much on an office bag. The company produces backpacks both under $100 and more expensive ones. The prices could vary, so check the current price before ordering.
One important thing you should keep in mind is a backpack’s size. A big backpack could be oversized if all you need is just a laptop computer and some papers. When traveling regularly, look for a backpack with a separate pocket for your laptop computer and a sleeve for your suitcase handle.
Best for: Office workers, students, and people who take short work trips.
Official website: Samsonite
2. TUMI — For People Who Travel Often for Work
There are those who travel on business trips a number of times per month. Such travelers would require a bag for flying, accommodation, meeting with clients, and working. TUMI designs bags that have more of a professional look and enough room for all necessary items.
TUMI backpack collection features laptop compartments, phone compartments, and places for chargers and other accessories. There are bags made of ballistic nylon material, while there are those made of leather or other fabrics. There are also additional space and pocket backpacks designed for those who carry more than a laptop.
TUMI is more expensive compared to many other bag brands used in everyday life. For instance, the company’s website for the United States features the price of the TUMI Brief Pack at approximately $695, while some other backpacks are more or less expensive. Consider this: Is the premium cost justified by the product quality?
It depends upon the manner of using the bag. In case you frequently have business trips and require a good design, a bag with some room for gadgets and documents, TUMI can be a perfect option for you. Otherwise, if you have to carry only a couple of things to your close-by workplace, a less expensive product will serve you equally well. It is recommended to consider such features as laptop capacity, weight without cargo, and the number of pockets.
Best for: Frequent business travelers who want a smart, well-organized bag.
Official website: TUMI
3. Away — For Work Trips and Weekend Travel
Though Away is famous for travel bags, its backpacks also meet some requirements for daily office use. An example is its commuter backpack. As of now, the Commuter Backpack holds 25 liters. Its dimensions are 12.4 by 6.5 by 17.7 inches, and it weighs 2.5 pounds. As Away claims, there is a padded pocket in which you can store laptops that fit in the bag measuring 16 inches or less.
Besides, there is a tablet pocket, a key clip, outside pockets, and a trolley sleeve that fits into the handle of an Away suitcase. Such details are important while traveling from the train station to an office or from the airport to the hotel. You will be able to keep your laptop in a separate pocket and get access to all other small things without opening the backpack.
However, the bag can be useful for those who visit the gym after their work routine or avoid coming for a couple of days. Nevertheless, 25 liters of capacity can appear excessive in case you carry only a small laptop and your mobile phone. At the same time, it makes sense to pay attention to the bag’s weight, considering that you are likely to have an additional laptop. The Away bag seems to be a decent choice if you value travel qualities as well.
Best for: People who mix office days with flights, train rides, and short breaks.
Official website: Away
4. Bellroy — For People Who Like Everything in Its Place
Do you sometimes find yourself wasting time looking for your keys, charger, or work pass? If so, then a bag that allows easy storage of your possessions will come in handy. Bellroy provides work bags and laptop backpacks designed to make storing convenient and comfortable. Bellroy’s work bags include totes as well as backpacks. Laptop backpacks are designed for office travel, daily trips, and weekend city getaways.
Bellroy can be a good choice for those who seek a bag that does not look extravagant but still has all places for daily possessions organized. A well-thought-out pocket structure can allow you to separate your laptop from smaller items such as cables, pens, and keys. In addition, it will be helpful for packing the same things every day.
These bags from Bellroy will be a good option for those who do not like a bulky bag with a number of straps or compartments. Still, one should not expect that all Bellroy bags have the same features. Sizes of pockets and limitations regarding laptop capacity can differ.
Remember to consider your activities before making the decision. In case you are going to take a laptop, headphones, a water bottle, and your lunch to work, ensure that the bag can accommodate all four items. Also, in case you pack clothing for overnight trips, ensure you have a bigger one.
Best for: People who want an organized work bag with a clean, simple look.
Official website: Bellroy
5. Longchamp — For a Simple Work Tote
Not everybody requires a backpack. Those people who love carrying a handbag along with their office wear can go for a tote bag. There is a Longchamp Le Pliage Original L Tote bag available that can suit customers who are looking for a lightweight and basic-looking bag.
The price of the large tote on the US website is nearly $180. The dimensions of this bag include 12.2 inches of width at its base, 11.8 inches of height, and 7.5 inches of depth. The weight of the tote bag is 0.76 pounds, and it has zip and snap closures along with two flat interior pockets.
Its lightweight design is helpful when you do not want to carry a heavy bag in the morning. Another great thing about this tote is that it has long straps, allowing you to wear the bag on your shoulder. The bag can be folded when you do not need it.
However, there is one disadvantage you should bear in mind. The Longchamp tote bag rests on your shoulder. Hence, it cannot be compared to a backpack because if you need to carry a big laptop, books, lunch, and a bottle of water, you may feel uncomfortable carrying such a thing. It has fewer compartments when compared to other work bags. Therefore, a small pouch will help you organize all cables and other items. This brand will be good for you if you need to carry a laptop and several things.
Best for: People who prefer a light, stylish tote for office days and short trips.
Official website: Longchamp
Quick Comparison: Which Brand Should You Choose?
Brand | Main strength | Best fit |
Samsonite | Practical options at different prices | Daily work and short trips |
TUMI | Business-focused design and storage | Frequent work travel |
Away | Travel features and useful laptop storage | Flights and weekend trips |
Bellroy | Simple designs with organized storage | Daily office use |
Longchamp | Light tote with a classic look | Lighter workloads |
This table will give you an easy head start. It does not mean one brand suits all. The decision will depend on budget considerations, what you carry, and how frequently you travel.
How to Pick the Right Bag for Your Routine
The best bags for work and travel should fit the way you live, not just look good online.
- If you value budget above all else: Pick Samsonite. Look at the sizes and characteristics of some models before making a decision.
- If you travel for business often: Take a look at TUMI and Away. Pay attention to a laptop pocket, suitcase sleeve, and additional compartments for your items.
- If you like simple organization: You may consider Bellroy. See the pocket configuration of the desired model.
- If you like a tote, then Longchamp may suit you. It can be a perfect bag for a light load.
Consider also how you will get to where you need to go. If you take a lot of walking every day, the padding in your backpack’s shoulder straps is more important than style. On the other hand, if you drive and bring just a few items from your car to your desk, you might want a tote or a work bag.
Final Thoughts: Best Bags for Work and Travel
The best bags for work and travel are those that fit your requirements on a day-to-day basis. It is not essential for you to get the costliest brand or the largest one. What is required from you is that there should be sufficient room for your work stuff and ease of carrying it.
Choose between Samsonite, TUMI, Away, Bellroy, and Longchamp according to their size, weight, capacity, and cost. Look at the specifications of the particular bag you want. A little research will save you from buying the wrong bag that looks nice but serves no purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Bags for Work and Travel
What are the best bags for work and travel?
All of Samsonite, TUMI, Away, Bellroy, and Longchamp provide bags for work and travel. Samsonite is ideal for individuals looking for functional products with varying pricing. TUMI is ideal for frequent business travelers. Away emphasizes traveling features, Bellroy provides organized work bags, while Longchamp is an option for those who prefer to use totes.
Is a backpack or tote better for work travel?
For carrying a laptop along with other luggage for prolonged durations, it is generally more comfortable to use a backpack because the load will be distributed across both shoulders. In contrast, a tote bag allows easy access to all your possessions and may be more professional-looking; however, it could apply more pressure to one shoulder.
What size bag should you use for work and travel?
First, consider the size of your laptop and then add room for your charger, documents, water bottle, and personal belongings. You can use a smaller bag on an ordinary working day in the office, and a larger bag for overnight trips. It is better not to purchase a large bag simply because it has extra room to store unnecessary things.
Should a work bag have a suitcase sleeve?
The sleeve for the suitcase is useful if you use a suitcase that has wheels. The sleeve enables you to put your bag over the handle of the suitcase, and thus, you will not have to carry the bag on one shoulder.
