suggestions for work Backpack with Laptop room

Jmora · **on:** August 23, 2011, 10:03:51 PM

just wanting a recommendation for a backpack. I ride my bike to work every day, with my laptop, which does not fit in my present backpack. I'm in the absurd position of having a backpack and a traditional laptop briefcase slung around my neck. I'll drop my work computer one day on the road and that will be bad.

the only main criterion is that it fits the computer (15-16 inches), and that the thing is safe there,
some extra room for books, lunchbox etc

I have done some searching, and the Maxpedition Kodiak Gearslinger looks to fit the bill. Just wondering if I am missing something even cooler, in this range or from another brand. Any suggestions for Europe-based online shops would be good too, it will be easier than shipping from US.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2011, 10:17:18 PM

I tend to prefer camera bag rucksacks - excellent for organisation of items that are too big for conventional pack organisers

I believe Lowepro do some packs which accomodate laptops and can vouch for their quality. I've had both the Orion Trekker I and II. The first disappeared when my car got stolen, and the second is my daily carry bag

Gareth · **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2011, 10:19:39 PM

Nothing to add I'm sorry to say, but I am interested in any suggestions as my wife is looking for something similar.

Millhouse · **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2011, 10:55:47 PM

I quite like some of the Wenger laptop backpacks. Been looking for a replacement myself.

I have one of their traditional laptop bags which is very nice, but is a pain in the a** for extended carry.

jekostas · **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2011, 12:10:04 AM

I am a big fan of Osprey's commuter backpacks. They're designed for carrying a laptop on a bicycle and have a lot of nice features.

One such example: http://www.rei.com/product/788567/osprey-flapjack-pack

GraysonK · **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2011, 02:21:38 AM

It's not based in the UK but if you find something you like, I will help you get it there if they don't ship overseas. Check out Timbuk2. They have been making bike friendly stuff for years and i swear by them. They have a lot of new styles of backpacks with lots of really bike friendly and convenience-minded features. Plus they are practically bomb proof! You'll spend about as much on one of those as the MaxPed, I think.
www.timbuk2.com

I have the Swig and I love it! But they just came out with a bunch of new ones too so you might want to check them out.

airballrad · **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2011, 04:31:26 AM

I have a SwissGear Maxxum that I used for a couple years to get my laptop and other sundries around:

http://www.amazon.de/Wenger-Notebook-Rucksack-Notebookfach-Polyester/dp/B000NPEX8C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314152933&sr=8-1

I switched to something smaller because it was so spacious that I overloaded it with gear and looked like I was on a weekend campout.

Whoey · **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2011, 10:22:23 AM

I have a swissgear backpack as well, it's an older model that was intended for 15.4 laptops, but my 15.6 still fits...

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #8 on:** August 24, 2011, 01:32:53 PM

I also have a SwissGear backpack and they are great- if I was going to take my laptop on a bike, that's the way I'd do it.

Def

chills · **Reply #9 on:** August 24, 2011, 03:15:07 PM

+1 on the Swiss gear pack, I have had mine a few years and it's bullet proof, with good protection for a lap top and as much space as you'll ever need for anything else as well. I think it's very "city smart" looking too.

Jmora · **Reply #10 on:** August 24, 2011, 09:48:47 PM

thanks for all the suggestions, and also the shipping offer GraysonK

that's really given me a lot of surfing to do. I think I'm going with the majority vote and choosing a SwissGear bag, either the Maxxum or Carbon. Probably the maxuum will fit my other computer too (that is a Dell inspiron - also 15 inches, but more chunky than a MB). My old rucksack is a Summit Gear bag, (small Australian company), which is very tough, made for outdoors, etc, but perhaps too basic (2 compartments) for me now.

sysbox27 · **Reply #11 on:** August 24, 2011, 11:59:35 PM

Hi,
Take a look at the Osprey range of backpacks.
Just this last week I ordered the Quantum 34 litre backpack. It has space for jacket, lunch, books etc, as well as my laptop, power leads, cables, and such and still more room.

I can't offer much in the way of a review just yet as I have only used it properly for 3 days now, but I'm quite impressed thus far, and as my urban edc bag it easily beats my maxp falcon II.

Other options could be Crumpler, Timbuk2, TomBihn, and if you want to get acrried away Kifaru.

Kind regards,
G.

Jmora · **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2011, 09:38:19 AM

those Kifaru backpacks look pretty amazing, way beyond my needs or price range, but interesting to look at.

I bought the Maxxum, so I'll see how I get on with it. I had some second thoughts afterwards that the bigger carbon would be good if I should ever wnat to transport 2 laptops, but anyway.

airballrad · **Reply #13 on:** August 27, 2011, 04:14:22 PM

Quote from: Jmora on August 25, 2011, 09:38:19 AM

I had some second thoughts afterwards that the bigger carbon would be good if I should ever wnat to transport 2 laptops, but anyway.

I frequently transported two laptops with the Maxxum. In the compartment where the laptop goes there is a pocket for a laptop, and then another space that is sandwiched between the laptop pocket padding and the padding for your back. All is safe and secure. It's hard to picture just how much the thing will hold until you get your hands on it. You'll likely run into weight issues before space issues.

Gareth · **Reply #14 on:** September 03, 2011, 04:49:48 PM

My wife just picked up a SwissGear Cobalt backpack.

http://www.swissgear.eu/the-cobalt
It was one she picked out for herself from a rather large selection at TK Maxx, it just so happens that I was there to back up her feeling that it was a far better made item than any of the others she was looking at.

I also just might have added a Wenger Traveler to the tool pocket.

Jmora · **Reply #15 on:** September 03, 2011, 07:05:25 PM

I've had my Maxxum for a week and it is great, it is very comfortable on the bike and the computer feels nice and secure. It was a good recommendation.

- I get that feeling too that I have to buy a Wenger evogrip SAK to put in the tool pocket. but right now the CT41 is happily ensconced there.

Jmora · **Reply #16 on:** October 18, 2011, 10:38:19 PM

small update on the bag. Overall I'm happy with it, it is very comfortable, has lots of convenient compartments. I think it has one curious design flaw, that I have not seen mentioned before, that is, the opening for the laptop compartment is directly beneath the outside zipper. I got a bit of rain on the bag, and enough went through to the laptop compartment. Fortunately, I had the computer packed in a slimline case.
I don't expect a bag to work miracles, it will have limitations, and I should have enough commonsense not to chance walking through a rain storm. However, this could be so easily fixed by having an extra flap of gortex or something over the laptop compartment. For now I will carry an extra plastic bag or something in case I get caught in the rain.

airballrad · **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2011, 12:05:11 AM

When I bought mine (used, from a friend) it came with a coated nylon pack cover. So hadn't even thought of that part. $:-\$

Jmora · **Reply #18 on:** October 19, 2011, 10:51:42 AM

that's a good idea. I'll get one this afternoon.

Jmora · **Reply #19 on:** October 20, 2011, 09:50:54 PM

..later that afternoon

cover is bought, computer is safe.

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suggestions for work Backpack with Laptop room

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