17 Professional Women’s Backpacks for Work & Travel

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Tracking down the ideal professional women’s backpack can be tough. Many backpacks on the market will either looked like travel and hiking backpacks, or will be too small to carry anything useful. I have compiled a list of professional backpacks for women here, to help you identify your next bag that you will take to work.

When looking for a professional backpack, consider what you will be carrying on a daily basis. If you are traveling frequently for work, you will want a backpack with pockets on the outside so that you can easily access a boarding pass or identification. If you have a longer commute that involves walking outside, make sure that the backpack you choose has a waterproof material that is easy to clean.

On the other hand, if you are not carrying too many items between your workplace and home, you might consider a lightweight women’s backpack that only needs to hold the essentials. This list provides a wide variety of women’s professional backpacks, with the prices listed in USD.

The best professional backpacks for women highlighted in our post include:

• Medium Expandable Laptop Backpack from Knack Bags
• Diana Convertible Backpack from Glass Ladder & Co
• The Backpack from ISM
• City Backpack from MZ Wallace
• Logan Backpack from Packs Project
• Beaufort from KNOMO
• 15″ Nylon Tech Backpack from Kate Spade
• Modern Day Briefcase from Breton Company
• Tilda Zip Backpack from Tory Burch
• Dakota Backpack from Dagne Dover
• Bedford from STATE Bags
• BISCAYNE Backpack from MILLENNY
• Maxlite 5 Women’s Backpack from Travelpro
• LUXE Smart Backpack from Modernistlook
• Zalia Backpack from Samsonite
• The Backpack from Away
• The Rowledge from Lo & Sons
• Carson Backpack from Tumi

Professional Backpacks for Women

I looked at a few other professional women’s backpack lists for inspiration, and was disappointed at the results I was seeing. Many of the results I found either listed backpacks that were too casual for the workplace, or did not seem functional. When putting together my list of professional backpacks for women, I wanted to focus on backpacks that could actually carry a laptop, and looked good.

Medium Expandable Laptop Backpack from Knack Bags

We did a review on the Knack Pack a while back, and my husband actually uses this backpack now as his daily work backpack. With plenty of pockets, a laptop compartment, and event an expandable compartment if you need to pack a day trip, the Knack Pack is a great professional backpack option at $195. Knack Bags just came out with their second version of these backpacks, and I am obsessed with the Knack Pack in sangria red as shown here.

Diana Convertible Backpack from Glass Ladder & Co

Glass Ladder & Co is a woman-run small business specializing in vegan bags for professional women. The Diana Convertible Backpack comes in many colors, and can convert between a backpack or crossbody as needed. This is great walking in busy areas like the train station or airport, where you want to be able to pull you bag and hold in front of you. It holds 13″ laptops, and has a variety of pockets. I have a Diana Mini Backpack that I use for travel, and love it!

The Backpack from ISM

The Classic Backpack from ISM is a great professional backpack that can carry all of your essentials to the office. The Backpack is $235, and comes with either silver or gold accents. It has a laptop compartment for up to a 15″ laptop, and also offers a unique leather flap for phone charging. 

Logan Backpack from Packs Project

The Logan Backpack by Packs Project is made of high quality vegan leather, and can hold up to a 13″ laptop. This backpack at $129.99 comes in three colors. Packs Project also makes the Ghost Backpack, which is similar and comes in fun prints.

Beaufort from KNOMO

KNOMO’s Beaufort Women’s Backpack at $199 will hold a lot, with many pockets and a compartment for a 15″ laptop. KNOMO makes backpacks in a variety of sizes, so you can also size down if you have a smaller laptop. The full grain leather is weather resistant, and you can register a KNOMO ID so your bag can be reunited with you if it is lost.

15″ Nylon Tech Backpack from Kate Spade

The 15″ Nylon Tech Backpack from Kate Spade at $258.00 is exactly as described – a nylon backpack that holds up to a 15″ laptop. This sleek professional women’s backpack is sure to get the job done, with straps that are designed to be comfortable.

Modern Day Briefcase from Breton Company

The Modern Day Briefcase comes in either a large or small, both priced at $199. This bag can be carried as a messenger bag or a backpack, and has 8 internal pockets to store everything that you need. The large bag fits up to a 17″ laptop, and the small bag fits up to a 15″ laptop. This backpack also comes in three colors and is made of waxed cotton.

Tilda Zip Backpack from Tory Burch

This Tory Burch nylon backpack comes in three fun colors and holds up to a 13″ laptop. The Tilda Nylon Zip Backpack at $228 is durable and lightweight, perfect for when you have to make that commute.

Dakota Backpack from Dagne Dover

The Dakota Backpack comes in three sizes and a variety of colors. The large backpack costs $195, with many colors currently on sale for $100. This backpack is made of premium neoprene and performance air mesh, and has nylon lining. This backpack will fit most 15″ laptops.

Bedford from STATE

STATE offers a few different backpacks of different sizes and features, but the Bedford makes a great professional women’s option. This polyester backpack fits up to a 15″ laptop, and has plenty of organizational pockets. At $95 USD, this backpack is a steal. This backpack comes in 8 different neutral colors, including a navy and olive. 

Travel Backpacks with Luggage Sleeves for Women

When I am looking for a professional backpack for travel, the biggest differentiating factor is the luggage strap on the back. The following women backpacks have a luggage strap to slip your backpack over your suitcase while traveling.

BISCAYNE Backpack from MILLENNY

MILLENNY’s BISCAYNE Backpack costs $285 and is currently offered in four colors. This professional backpack for traveling women will fit up to a 13″ laptop. The two exterior zip pockets are perfect for storing your ID while you are in the airport, and the large inner compartments leave plenty of room for all of your work essentials.

Maxlite 5 Women’s Backpack from Travelpro

Coming in 5 sharp colors (including dusty rose!), the Maxlite 5 Women’s Backpack is a great pick for the office. At only $99.99, this backpack is a great choice if you are starting out in your career. With a slim profile, it still has plenty pockets and a laptop compartment. There is also a luggage sleeve for your business trips. 

LUXE Smart Backpack from Modernistlook

The Modernistlook LUXE Smart Backpack on sale for $89.99 in the quilted design is built for looking professional while traveling. This backpack has hidden pockets, a luggage strap for your suitcase, and has a USB charging port.  The LUXE Smart Backpack comes in black, navy or burgundy.

Zalia Backpack 14.1″ from Samsonite

Coming in beige or black, the Zalia Backpack from Samsonite will fit up to a 14.1″ laptop. A sleek profile with a luggage strap, you will look sharp carrying this backpack to work. This backpack is $190, but there are often many sales on the Samsonite website. 

The Backpack from Away

Away offers two backpacks, the slimmer Daypack and the Backpack at $195. This professional backpack is built for travel with plenty of pockets and hidden zippers. This nylon backpack fits up to 15″ laptops.

The Rowledge from Lo & Sons

Lo & Sons offers the Hanover and the Rowledge Convertible Backpack,  costing $375. This bag can be used as a backpack or a professional tote, depending on your day. Tons of pockets, a place for everything, plus a sleeve to slip this backpack over your suitcase handles. 

Carson Backpack from Tumi

The Tumi Carson Backpack at $425 is a high quality backpack which is a common consulting staple. This nylon professional backpack for women has plenty of pockets for every item you will need, along with a laptop compartment for a 15″ laptop. Get a free custom monogram for your Tumi as well. This is my primary work backpack that I have used and loved for years.

Finding the Perfect Professional Women’s Backpack 

There are so many women’s backpacks on the market, but not all of them will be professional. Consider the material and color of the backpack. For a professional backpack, you will want to gravitate towards solid colors, especially if you will be visiting clients. Leather and nylon are popular materials; you will typically want to stay away from cloth or mesh backpacks, which will give the backpack a more adventurous look. You will want to make sure that the backpack has the right pockets for your lifestyle, and appropriate padding in the back and straps as needed. Most importantly, make sure that your women’s backpack is big enough to carry everything that you need.

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