Most of us like to have our laptop close to us, preferably in a ergonomically designed bag with plenty of room, protective padding, and some nifty extra features. For commuters, students, and travellers, an ergonomic backpack is an absolute necessity.
While style is no doubt important, one thing you shouldn’t compromise on is safety.
An ergonomic backpack is going to protect your spine from any injury.
OUR REVIEW:
Our team has reviewed some of the popular backpacks and sling bags on the market, and put them to the ergonomic test. We also scored based on design, features, and overall quality.
Favorite Ergonomic Backpack
SwissGear Travel Gear Laptop Backpack
- Weather resistant - does not absorb water
- Designed to make airport security checks easier
- Separate iPad compartment
- Plenty of pockets and extra storage space
The SwissGear Travel Gear Laptop Backpack is definitely our top choice. It is a very user-friendly and compact bag with multiple pockets for storing various items. There is even space for an oversized water bottle. Designed to help you pass faster through airport security, the bag opens quickly and the laptop can be scanned in the bag.
More cool features are the contoured shoulder straps with mesh fabric and adjustable compression straps. These ensure the bag sits comfortably on your back and is easy to carry. The back panel even has airflow ventilation technology for added support.
Look and feel: Unobtrusive in a standard black color, this bag has various silver zippers and has a nice, streamlined shape and design. It is equally suited for work, travel, hiking or holiday purposes.
What we like best about it? The fact that it is water resistant. One customer said he was caught by rain and after 30 minutes of getting wet, none of the water had penetrated to the inside of the bag.
What we like
- It sits comfortably on the back
- The many different storage pockets inside
- Offers lay-flat technology for quick access
What we don’t like
- While the majority of customers seem to love their bags, a few people have complained about the zippers breaking. So it may be worth keeping in mind not to yank too hard on the zippers as they could break.
Runner Up Backpack
Matein Travel Laptop Backpack
- Has a charging port to make phone charging easier
- Holds a laptop of up to 15.6 inches
- Lots of extra padding
- Water resistant
The Matein Travel laptop backpack is in a close second place. It is much bigger than it looks from the outside, offering you lots of space to store not only a laptop, but iPad, a change of clothes, and some extra items. There is a luggage strap too, so you can easily fit it onto a suitcase. It is made of durable polyester fabric that is water resistant, so it is able to withstand a fair amount of wet weather or splashing accidents.
Look and feel: This bag is light-grey in color, which will appeal to those looking for something different from the usual black bags. It has more of a sporty feel but will work well for professionals too.
What we like
- A hidden anti-theft pocket on the back to protect valuables
- The built-in USB charging port and cable for charging phones more easily
- Has plenty of space for books, binders and files
- Customers say it relieves back pain too – a big plus!
What we don’t like
- There is so much to like about this product, but unfortunately it does not appear to the strongest bag out there. Some customers say it broke fairly quickly after purchase, with seams coming loose or zippers breaking off.
Best Sling Bag
Under Armour Compel Sling 2.0 Backpack
- Sexy look
- Soft-lined laptop pocket
- Padded with a crossbody strap
- Water resistant
This is a very attractive option for people who want a light and comfortable bag for their laptop, that doesn’t look like a backpack or laptop bag. In fact, nobody will guess that a laptop of up to 15 inches can fit in here! This bag is quite roomy but it is not recommended for those who want to pile lots of things into it. The strap seems to work better for right-handed people and quite a few left-handed customers have complained that it does not work when worn over the other shoulder.
What we like
- Very comfortable to wear
- Front zip organizational pocket
- Excellent for airline travel
What we don’t like
- Compared to other products, the Under Armour Compel Sling 2.0 Backpack is a bit pricey. It is considerably more expensive than similar products and one has to wonder if that is because of the brand name.
Other Great Ergonomic Bags
Kopack Slim Business Laptop Backpacks
This product features an attractive, sleek design with lots of storage space for your laptop, pens, books etc. There is an anti-theft, hidden compartment which hides from view your laptop, should you open your bag. The detachable USB cable and charger port come in handy when wanting to charge devices without taking them out of the bag. It also has plenty of support for the back, padded straps and a comfortable frame. But on the down side, it is not really waterproof and some customers have complained about things getting wet inside.
Yorepel Extra Large College School Backpack
As the name suggests, this bag has a lot of room and is ideal for young people who are going traveling and need to put lots of things, including a laptop, into the bag. It unfolds easily for airport checks and also has a USB charging facility. While the product claims to be made of a very durable material, lots of customers have complained of it not being sturdy enough.
AmazonBasics Backpack for Laptops up to 17-inches
This backpack offers customers value for money. It comes in a lot cheaper than other bags with similar features and a good choice for those eager to save a few cents. It has a large sleeve for a laptop and can take up to 17-inch devices. There are many pockets and compartments as well as being made of water retardant fabric. Many customers have complained, however, of the backpack not being long-lasting, and coming apart or breaking after a few weeks or months.
Modoker Vintage Laptop Backpack for Women & Men
This bag has a very distinctive style reminding a bit of the old-school satchel. While strong on aesthetics, it also comes with all of the features of other bags. It can take laptops of up to 15.6 inches in size and has an external USB charging port and charging cable. With a total of 6 compartments, there is lots of space to hold various items. Made of a strong nylon fabric, the backpack is scratch-resistant and water retarding. Some of its critics claim that the bag is too small and more suited to people who are not too tall or big-boned.
Other Great Sling Bags
NeatPack Versatile Canvas Sling Bag
This bag has a modern, grey look and comfy ergonomic design with a padded, breathable strap for easy wearing. You could fit a laptop in here as well as some extra items. There is room for books and iPads and it is water retardant. On the upside, there is a lifetime guarantee on this product which really counts in its favor. On the other hand, it does seem to be smaller than other products so not ideal for longer travels.
OutdoorMaster Sling Bag
Perhaps the best thing about this bag is its price. Considerably cheaper than other similar bags, this product offers almost all of the same features too. It has plenty of space and can even take a small laptop of up to 12 inches. There is an anti-theft pocket, water bottle holder and a padded shoulder strap for either right or the left shoulder. Some customers have complained that the bag is too small and not as sturdy as expected.
So it seems whether you are looking for a backpack or a sling bag, there is more than enough in terms of market choice. The majority of these bags are ergonomically sound with great features, with mostly only design differences.
