The Best Laptop Bags For Creators and Gamers

With the world now open and more people travelling, here at CGMagazine, we wanted to revisit the age-old question of which is the best laptop bag. With the magazine now travelling to more events and having to take all our gear with us, we found ourselves in the same position and wanted to find the best bag for the job. We needed to figure out how to take our precious laptop with us and make sure it was safe on our upcoming trips to game previews and events. Plenty of alternatives are on the shelves of your local shop, and online shopping malls are a wasteland.

With that in mind, we have put together a list of recommendations for the best laptop bags, whether you are going on holiday, back to school or just need to travel for work. We looked at a wide range of bags to find the best options across a wide range of prices and features.

We have compiled a list of the best laptop bags based on price, value, style and features. We may add to this list as more bags become available throughout the year. We also only include bags we at CGMagazine would personally use, so while there may be many more options on the market, if we would not personally carry our laptops or gear in one of these bags, they sadly will not make the list.

Bellroy Tokyo Work Bag

Brand: Bellroy
Price: $189.00

With its split front pockets, tasteful leather accents, and durable coated zipper, the Bellroy Tokyo Work Bag projects an aura of refined readiness and is our current top choice for the best laptop bags for 2023. The ultra-wide main zipper provides easy access to the deceptively spacious and neatly organized interior. Under the minimalist exterior lies an array of pockets, including slip and zip compartments, that neatly stow small essentials and eliminate awkward rummaging.

This clever commuter bag is constructed using sustainably-sourced materials like recycled PET plastic from water bottles and nylon from industrial offcuts, diverting waste from landfills. The result is a durable, eco-friendly bag that reflects Bellroy’s commitment to responsible production.

Designed to serve as an office away from the office, the Tokyo Work Bag features a padded 16-inch laptop sleeve to protect your tech and a tablet slip pocket for your iPad. The divided front pocket with built-in organization and key clip keeps smaller items in their place. A luggage pass-through slides smoothly over a suitcase handle for easy transport.

With its fusion of minimalist design, urban practicality, and conscious craftsmanship, the Bellroy Tokyo Work Bag is a sophisticated choice for professionals who value both style and function. Its versatility allows it to transition seamlessly from boardroom to cafe and everywhere in between.

Alpaka Alpha Messenger Bag

Brand: Alpaka
Price: $196.00

At $196.00, the Alpha Messenger Bag from Alpaka is on the high end of this list of the best laptop bags for travel and back to school. However, the features on offer make it well worth a look. This sleek, minimalist case is packed with features that make it perfect for students and travellers who need to carry advanced electronic devices. The sleek, contemporary bag has a front pocket that blocks RFID signals and lockable zips to prevent unauthorized access to your valuables inside.

Yet the Alpha Messenger Bag is so well designed that you won’t even notice you’re carrying it, even for long periods of time. Comfort is ensured by the bag’s ergonomic shape and padded shoulder strap, and its adaptability is enhanced by thoughtful details such as a reversible strap and the ability to carry it like a briefcase.

The Alpha Messenger Bag has plenty of room for all your electronic devices, from a 14″ laptop such as the Matebook 14S to headphones and an iPad Mini in the padded front pocket. With so many compartments and pockets, this bag makes travelling a breeze and keeps you from feeling cluttered. The Alpha Messenger Bag is one of our best laptop bags for keeping school supplies organized and safe.

URTH Norite 24L Backpack

Brand: URTH
Price: $180.00

The URTH Norite 24L Backpack is a sleek, stylish, and functional laptop bag perfect for the modern professional on the go. I’ve been testing this backpack for about a month now in my day-to-day life as a tech journalist, and I have to say I’m very impressed.

First off, this thing just looks sharp. The clean lines, muted colour palette, and subtle branding give it an understated yet sophisticated vibe. But it’s not just about looks with the Norite. It’s thoughtfully designed with a modular layout that features dedicated, padded compartments for your laptop (up to 16″), tablet, and other gadgets. There’s also a weatherproof recycled nylon shell and durable zippers to protect your gear.

Despite packing a ton of organization, the Norite still manages to be lightweight and comfortable to wear. The shoulder straps are nicely padded, and it has both a sternum strap and waist belt to stabilize heavier loads. Ventilation is also surprisingly good, thanks to the air channel back panel. But what makes the Norite 24L Backpack so exciting is that it is built with creators in mind with an optional camera Insert, making it possible to bring the camera and other creator gear and keep it safe while accessible.

The URTH Norite 24L Backpack is a bag that seamlessly blends form and function in a way that looks and feels fantastic. It carries, protects, and looks better than most bags twice its price. My only concern is the long-term durability of those front zippers, but so far so good.

Freitag F304 MOSS

Brand: Freitag
Price: $280.00

Perhaps one of the more unique choices on our 2023 list is the addition of the Freitag F304 MOSS laptop bag. This compact and padded laptop bag is perfect for your laptop up to 15″, a tablet, or your Kindle Oasis with the latest book you are reading. Unlike many bags on this list, the Freitag Freitag F304 MOSS is not made from traditional fabric and instead is made using truck tarps, discarded bicycle inner tubes and car seat belts. While it sounds a bit strange, especially considering these bags will set you back $280.00 USD, the company puts a lot of thought into each item they produce. 

FREITAG is based in Zurich. This is where a large part of the truck tarpaulins are taken apart, washed and cut to size. The bags are carefully designed to give each one a unique and special look. While they are constructed using recycled materials, each bag you purchase has an almost bespoke feel, ensuring no two bags are the same. They are incredibly comfortable to use, and the rugged material makes them great for unpredictable weather conditions.

Even better, the Freitag F304 MOSS has everything you would need to ensure your laptops and all your items for travel are safe and secure for the journey. While a bit more expensive, the unique characteristics and distinctive style, along with the innovative method of manufacturing, make them well worth the investment and one of the best laptop bags of 2023.

Targus Cypress EcoSmart 15.6″ Hero Backpack

Brand: Targus
Price: $103.99

The Targus Cypress Hero backpack caught my eye as soon as it came into the CGMagazine offices, especially with its slim, understated look that belies its sizable storage capacity. This bag can accommodate laptops up to 15.6 inches, with a dedicated padded sleeve to protect your device. The Cypress Hero doesn’t look like rugged mountaineering gear despite its ability to easily fit bulky gaming laptops up to 15.6 inches. It has a streamlined, professional aesthetic suitable for the office, classroom or walking the floors of a Con.

Inside, you’ll find well-designed storage to keep you organized. There’s a roomy main compartment for files, plus a secondary area with storage for pens, phones, and other everyday carry items. On the outside are two stretchy side pockets, which come in handy for water bottles. The back panel and shoulder straps have plush padding, making this pack comfortable, even when loaded up. If you happen to be a creator, there are plenty of pockets and compartments to keep all your gear safe, even while travelling. If that were not enough, the bag is also made from 26 recycled water bottles, so you can feel good about doing a small part for the environment.

With its understated looks, savvy storage design, and tracking functionality, the Targus Cypress Hero hits a sweet spot between form and function. It protects your tech while cutting a slim profile, making it one of the more intriguing laptop backpack options out now.

TIMBUK2 Classic Messenger Bag

Brand: TIMBUK2
Price: $89.00

If you’re looking for a bag with a timeless design, look no further than TIMBUK2’s Classic Messenger Bag. With its comfortable design and versatile use, the Classic Messenger Bag offers everything a frequent traveller could want. Timbuk2’s Double-Loop CAM buckle allows you to adjust the straps quickly and easily, and the curved Air-Mesh strap padding ensures comfort. It will fit your new Macbook, Surface Laptop or anything else you could use for work and does so securely and comfortably.

With SR buckles partially hidden behind the flap, this messenger bag has an ingenious and secure closure system. The TPU liner and corner flaps protect the internal water bottle pocket from the elements, and the TPU liner and corner flaps also repel water from the outside, helping to keep water out of the bag. A variety of internal pockets and organizational features allow you to distribute your load effectively. The polyurethane exterior has a water-repellent coating and can be worn as a cross-body bag in sizes small and above. The shoulder strap can also be worn as a crossbody, although it is removable.

Kensington Contour 2.0 Executive Briefcase

Brand: Kensington
Price: $74.99

Last but not least, the Kensington Contour 2.0 Executive Briefcase is a reputable brand of laptop case. It’s a great option for those on a tighter budget, as it can double up as a laptop bag while still providing the necessary padded and zipped laptop compartment.

The Contour 2.0 is a stylish laptop sleeve that fits laptops up to 14″ and is perfect for carrying to and from work, school or other appointments. By conforming to the shape of the user’s body, the Contour moves the weight of the laptop away from the shoulders and closer to the user’s centre of gravity, reducing strain on the back and shoulders. Strategically placed pockets allow it to be carried comfortably over one shoulder.

The padded interior holds all your accessories, and the durable, puncture-resistant fabric keeps your electronics safe while you’re on the move. The Kensington Contour 2.0 is one of the most versatile laptop cases around, especially considering its low price. It may not have as much room as some of the other options on the best laptop cases, but it is still a great buy.

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