Before starting, let's clarify what is a laptop backpack?. You can certainly stuff a laptop into whatever you have and call it a laptop bag. We won't stop you. Alternatively, you can have a backpack that also happens to be capable of holding a laptop. Take, for example, travel backpacks, which are intended for travel yet often include a laptop sleeve. Notice the difference?
Choosing the correct travel backpack is an essential aspect of vacation preparations. If you select a laptop backpack that is too large, you will have too much excess weight to carry around. If it's too little, you'll never be able to put everything inside! If you choose the wrong material, your belongings will be drenched when it rains.
There are so many backpacks nowadays that it can be confusing knowing how to pick the right one. Read this article to know.
What to Look for in a travel laptop Backpack
The best laptop backpacks are durable, long-lasting, and waterproof. Don't buy a laptop backpack until it checks all of the following boxes:
Water-Resistant Material
While your pack does not need to be completely waterproof (unless you are going on a long multi-day walk), make sure it is constructed of a semi-waterproof material so that nothing gets wet in the rain.
Your regular laptop backpack is never truly waterproof. Some brands/backpack models use phrases like water resistant, water repellent, or even waterproof, but be cautious. The majority of them are not truly waterproof.
They will temporarily block the water flow and survive a light rain, but that is all. If your laptop gets wet, you'll need a waterproof laptop backpack. A waterproof laptop backpack will safely transport your laptop and other items such as dry clothes, books, food, or camera equipment, even in strong storms, upstream river excursions, and boat trips. If placed into the sea, it will float, giving water no opportunity of entering.
Ensure the material won't remain damp for a long period and develop a musty smell. Everyone wants material that is sturdy but lightweight. The fiber of treated nylon is excellent. You should be able to pour a cup of water over it without the insides getting wet.
Hardshell laptop backpacks like the Cyberbackpack are designed to be water resistant and hold a rigid structure that protects your laptop from accidental compression.
Multiple Compartments
Multiple sections are essential for a decent bag. You may use this to divide your items into smaller groups, making locating the things you need simpler. For instance, my flip-flops and umbrella are on top of my bag, my clothing is in the main compartment, and my shoes are in a separate side section (so they don't get everything filthy). You won't need to look in your bag.
Do not carry a water bottle in the same bag.
Keep your water bottle out of the same bag.
Despite what you may expect, a surprising number of people carry their water bottles in the same bag as their laptops. Water bottles like the Splitflask do not leak and are perfect for carrying inside your backpack.
Have you ever heard of a thief stealing a backpack while the victim makes their way to the car? Or perhaps you've been stranded with nowhere to keep your laptop at an airport after hours? Even in a secured automobile, anything can be taken (my mom's car was broken into last year, and the criminals grabbed her laptop, for example).
Internal Frame
Most backpacks on the market now are internal-frame models, which conceal the frame and support rods within the bag. There are still external-frame backpacks, which have a large, obtrusive metal frame and are reminiscent of the backpacks you see in vintage hiking movies or films about individuals traveling around Europe in the 1970s.
Get one of them instead. Make sure the Backpack you purchase has an internal frame. Besides looking nicer, the rods won't tangle with anything, and your Backpack will be thinner, making moving about simpler.
Furthermore, internal-frame packs usually weigh less than external-frame packs because they include a sturdy plastic or carbon fiber frame that makes them more resilient and kinder on your back.
Padded Hip belt
You'll need a cushioned belt to help carry the weight more comfortably as the majority of it will be pressing against your hips. The belt will help support and distribute the load evenly on your back, causing less strain.
The hip belt should also be adjustable so you can tighten it for extra support. Look for a bag with zippered pockets in the hip belt for easy access. These pockets are good for loose change, bus passes, and other small things you need quick access to.
Padded Shoulder Straps
Because the weight of your pack will be pressing down on your shoulders as you carry your load, padded shoulder straps help ease the pain. Your shoulders and lower back will experience fewer strain thanks to the padding. Make sure the padding is substantial and made of a single cloth, so it doesn't split and thin out.
The easiest method to test this is to go to a store and try on the bag. Load the bag with items so you can feel how it feels on your shoulders when completely loaded.
Size of Your Laptop
The size of your waterproof Backpack will depend on the size of your laptop. Laptop sizes typically range from 13 inches to 17 inches. These measurements refer to the screen size rather than the laptop size. Therefore, take caution while using computers whose actual dimensions differ from their screen dimensions. A contemporary, ultra-thin laptop with nearly no bezel can be substantially smaller and more compact than an older 15-inch one.
The backpack size often poses no issues, but you should measure the pocket or sleeve for your laptop. However, hardly any waterproof backpacks even come with a laptop pocket. Here, keeping the water out is the major objective. To safeguard the computer, you may place it inside the Backpack in your regular neoprene laptop sleeve. If the Backpack includes a dedicated laptop sleeve, it should be labeled with the laptop size that it can accommodate.
Most waterproof backpacks on the market can accommodate a 15-inch laptop and, naturally, lesser sizes like the 11-inch and 13-inch. You will have to use your sleeve for a 17-inch laptop.
Front Loading
A front-loading backpack allows you to zip open the face from the side and access all your stuff. A top-loading bag only allows you to access your stuff from a hole in the top. This makes it difficult to get your stuff (especially if it is at the bottom of your bag). Always get a " front-loading " backpack, so you have easy access to all your gear.
The Best Travel Backpacks: Does Size Matter?
The size of backpacks is an important factor to consider. Everyone is curious about the ideal size. There isn't a better backpack size than another. It's important that your Backpack is sized appropriately for your frame; this may imply a 40- or 60-liter bag.
Your back may ache, and you might even fall over if your Backpack is too big or too little since the weight won't be evenly distributed. You don't want a pack that is too tiny and stuffed to the brim with your belongings, but you also don't want a skyscraper from your back.
You need a backpack that is just big enough to accommodate everything you are taking plus a little bit more, but not more. The ideal backpack size accommodates all your needs, feels comfortable, and has extra storage. For each model, manufacturers also provide recommended torso and waist measurements, but I've discovered that the easiest way to determine whether a backpack fits comfortably is just to put it on.
It's crucial to remember that the probability that you can bring your Backpack on a flight decreases as it becomes bigger. Additionally, if your luggage contains liquids and soap, you must check the bag since liquids in containers greater than three ounces are no longer permitted on flights.
If you purchase a backpack that fits within the standard carry-on size range of 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9 in) or 115 centimeters (56 x 36 x 23 cm), you will be allowed to check it in. This is around 45L. (depending on the brand and shape). Aim for a 40-45L bag if you want to take a carry-on.
