Best Laptop Backpacks

Today's Wall Street Journal (subscription required) rates five laptop backpacks. The Journal's Overall Favorite and Best Value pick: eBags' Downloader Laptop Backpack ($45). "Tons of storage space without being bulky," said one of the Journal's testers, of the eBags backpack.

I'll add one laptop backpack for your consideration: Codi's new Sling-Pak. The black bag with red accents borrows a bit of its design look from Tumi. And at $148 it's expensive. But I've been using the bag for several weeks now, and I like its compact size, multiple pockets, asymmetrical design touches, and built-in padded laptop compartment.

Comments

[chuck]

I'd rather not sound like Dwight K. Schrute here, but--Question: Do you feel that laptop backpacks offer as much protection as a well-padded attaché-style computer case? I've never used a backpack to carry my laptop because every one I've examined has a seeemingly thin (in my estimation) laptop sleeve that slips into a relatively lightweight backpack. Maybe it's just me, but I've never thought a laptop in a laptop backpack would survive the bumps and bruises of travel. Am I being too cautious?

[Jon]

I think it does offer good protection, as I've carried backpack computer cases for about seven years now. My first one was a Trager bag, bought off eBags.com.

The bag recommended by the WSJ has a really high satisfaction rating according to eBags. 94%, based on nearly 2,600 product reviews written by owners of that bag.

[Chris]

I recently bought the Everki Venture Light Laptop Backpack - its only 14 OUNCES! It is so light it feels empty when my laptop is in it.

I wish it came in black, and it has this kooky sporty emblem on the back, but comments on eBags says it can be removed - oh and its lik $35.

I wrote about some pros and cons of commuter laptop bags and the everki here:

http://www.stationstops.com/2008/03/23/choosing-a-commuter-briefcase-or-backpack-for-the-train/

Chris

[Aage]

That's nice!!