The Best Backpacks for Work and Play
If you’re looking for a backpack that can handle both your professional and personal needs, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options available. How do you choose the best backpack for work and play? Here are some factors to consider and some recommendations to help you find your perfect match.
– Size and capacity: You want a backpack that can fit your laptop, documents, books, and other essentials for work, but also have enough space for your gym clothes, snacks, water bottle, and other items for play. Look for a backpack that has a padded laptop compartment, multiple pockets and compartments for organization, and a spacious main compartment that can expand or compress depending on your needs. A good size range is between 20 to 30 liters.
– Style and design: You want a backpack that can blend in with your work environment, but also express your personality and style. Look for a backpack that has a sleek and minimalist design, but also comes in different colors and patterns to suit your taste. Avoid backpacks that have too many logos, straps, or buckles that might look too casual or sporty for work.
– Comfort and durability: You want a backpack that can withstand daily wear and tear, but also feel comfortable on your shoulders and back. Look for a backpack that has a sturdy and water-resistant material, such as nylon or polyester, reinforced zippers and stitching, and a padded back panel and shoulder straps. You might also want a backpack that has a sternum strap or a waist belt to help distribute the weight evenly.
Some examples of backpacks that meet these criteria are:
– The North Face Borealis: This backpack has a 28-liter capacity, a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to 15-inch laptops, a fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses or electronics, two mesh water bottle pockets, and a front elastic bungee system for extra storage. It comes in various colors and patterns, such as black, blue, green, red, and camo. It has a FlexVent suspension system that features a breathable mesh back panel and custom injection-molded shoulder straps.
– Timbuk2 Authority: This backpack has a 28-liter capacity, a padded laptop compartment that fits up to 17-inch laptops, an internal organizer for pens and keys, a side zip pocket for quick access, and a rear zip pocket for documents or magazines. It comes in different colors and styles, such as jet black, fog gray, surplus green, and nautical blue. It has an air mesh back panel and shoulder straps that provide ventilation and comfort.
– Herschel Little America: This backpack has a 25-liter capacity, a fleece-lined laptop sleeve that fits up to 15-inch laptops, a media pocket with a headphone port, a front pocket with a hidden zipper and key clip, and magnetic strap closures with metal pin clips. It comes in various colors and designs, such as navy blue, ash rose, raven crosshatch, and woodland camo. It has contoured shoulder straps and air mesh back padding that offer support and cushioning.