Commuter Essentials 101: a good podcast, a brolly, and a great bag that has enough space for all the things you need for your day at the office - and after hours too.
Filled with essentials like your laptop and lunchtime sarnies, a great bag must be able to cram in all those essentials without weighing you down so much that you feel your back will cave in – if the strap doesn’t beat you to it, that is.
A backpack is the perfect option for a work bag. The two straps evenly distribute the load across your back and shoulders, freeing up your hands to hold yourself steady, or more importantly, to read your copy of the Evening Standard.
But even after you’ve narrowed it down to design, it’s difficult to know where to focus your attention, so overwhelming is the choice. So before considering which to purchase, there are a few things you should bear in mind to ensure you bag the right one for you.
- Capacity: A standard commuter backpack should be around 10-30 litres to allow you to carry everything comfortably.
- Usage: London’s infamous weather means a surprise shower is never far away. Opt for a waterproof design that will keep your possessions safe and dry when the heavens open.
- Comfort: It may make you feel like an overgrown schoolchild, but it pays to wear a backpack properly, with both straps on your shoulders. Trust us your spine will thank you.
- Wearability: There’s nothing worse than being face-bashed by another passenger’s big, clunky bag - so don’t do it to others. Stow your backpack between your ankles where there’s more space for luggage.
Whether you want a stylish one, one made for cyclists, one that’s laptop-compatible or just a bog-standard design, we’ve curated an edit of the best backpacks in town for commuters.
Needless to say (but we’ll say it anyway because - puns), we’ve got this one in the bag.
Best backpacks for work at a glance
- Best for overall performance: Stolt Podium Backpack - £149, Stolt
- Best for Scandi design: Rains Rolltop Rucksack - £105, Rains
- Best for skater boys: Db Journey daypack 15L - £69, Db Journey
- Best for covering all the bases in a compact design: Eastpak Out Of Office Backpack - £32, Amazon
- Best for eco-friendly construction: Patagonia Fieldsmith recycled-polyester backpack - £95, Blue Tomato
- Best for a practical backpack on a budget: Lovevook Laptop Backpack - £28.99, Amazon
- Best for all weather commutes: Stubble & Co Roll Top Backpack - £120, Stubble & Co
- Best for capacity to double as a weekender bag: Built for Athletes Small Black Gym Backpack - £109.99, Built for Athletes
- Best for those who cycle to work: Rapha Reflective Travel Backpack - £130, Rapha
- Best for a stylish commute: Ucon Acrobatics Lotus Hajo Medium Rolltop backpack 17″ - £109.99 Amazon
- Best for a 2-in-1 tote and backpack: Fjallraven High Coast Totepack - £88.49, Amazon
- Best for multiple compartments: STM dux 30L 17” - £179.99, Amazon
- Best for sustainable shoppers and giving back: Gandys Black Coated Cotton Bali Backpack - £99.99, Gandys
- Best for business travel: Mous Extreme Commuter Backpack - £199.99, Mous
Keep scrolling to shop the edit
Stolt Podium Backpack
Best for: overall performance
Combining high-tech features with a streamlined design, say hello to the commuter’s dream. The podium business set, which is available in blue or black, is one of the most compact backpacks I’ve seen – but crucially, without compromising at all on space.
In fact, this set has everything the happy worker could need to take them right through the day, including a folding garment card and hi-vis rain cover for those who cycle, as well as space for storing a laptop, valuables and even a built-in garment sleeve. For those staying in town mid-week, the expandable pocket gives you that little bit of extra room, whilst still remaining incredibly lightweight in design.
As well as the three-way shield that protects the bag from rain, sweat and odour, the podium has an amazing strap system that allows you to carry it as a backpack, briefcase or shoulder bag and the straps can be zipped neatly away when not in use.
For those looking for something a little larger, the Alpha C has all of the basic features and more, with a separate garment box and laundry bag taking the backpack game up a step.
Buy now £149.00, Stolt
Rains Rolltop Rucksack
Best for: Scandi design
For something unique, take a look at Danish company Rains. Touted as a great option for cycling, the Rolltop Rucksack is classically Scandinavian: simple, striking and uniquely cool.
Rains is known for its splashproof designs so if you’re heading somewhere currently going through a wet season, this is a great option. As the name suggests, it comes with a roll top, so you can adjust the amount of space you need depending on how much stuff you’re carrying but will have to forgo more sophisticated fastening and compartment options available on other bags.
Ultimately, this one is a no-frills option but is practical enough to be worth consideration - it comes with both a front and laptop pocket, back padding and adjustable shoulder and chest straps.
Plus, with its unique design and four earthy colourways to choose from, it’s stylish as well, meaning you’re more likely to get decent use out of it even whilst not travelling. Great for commuters.
Buy now £105.00, Rains
Db Journey daypack 15L
Best for: skater boys
As good for weekend adventures as the daily commute, this 15-litre backpack may look compact, but unzip the main compartment to reveal a considered space full of pockets, sleeves and inserts to make organisation a breeze. Available in a range of earthy tones, the 46 x 27 x 10cm design is actually made for skate gear which is a bonus if you're into the sport. Also available as a 20L version.
Buy now £69.00, Db Journey
Eastpak Out Of Office Backpack
Best for: covering all the bases in a compact design
Everyone’s favourite backpack brand is back with a bang in terms of the ‘out of office’. This nifty bag, which comes in at under £60, is made specifically with commuters in mind, providing all you could need for a smooth journey to work. With a padded laptop sleeve to keep your hardware safe, to multiple pockets in the middle that allow you to compartmentalise your stuff, this is a great mid-range option for those on a budget.
Many backpacks aren’t gender specific and so can come up a little large, but this is the perfect size – allowing you to carry all you should need and still fitting comfortably even for smaller-framed people. It also has a padded back panel and adjustable shoulder straps for maximum wearability, which is always a bonus.
Buy now £32.00, Amazon
Patagonia Fieldsmith recycled-polyester backpack
Best for: eco-friendly construction
This 100 per cent recycled polyester backpack by Patagonia has a whopping 30-litre capacity. For the adventurer who is always prepared, you’ll be able to fit enough in this bad boy to feed a small village. It’ll store all the essentials (15” laptop included), is totally waterproof and is also dyed with a method that reduces water consumption by up to 90 per cent.
If there’s an eco-conscious brand to get behind, it’s Patagonia. With the brand’s founder having recently given away the entire company in order to fight climate devastation, you can be sure you’re taking a step in the right direction in purchasing this backpack.
Buy now £95.00, Blue Tomato
Lovevook Laptop Backpack
Best for: a practical backpack on a budget
A good backpack can often be a hefty investment – but not here. Lovevook’s backpack is an all-in-one masterpiece, and all for under £35. Maximising storage, there are multiple zippable compartments, including three on the front alone, with a designated padded pocket at the back to store a laptop. And speaking of pockets, it also has a nifty, anti-theft pocket on the back which is perfect for keeping a bank card or phone in.
Taking it to the next level is the external USB port with a built-in charging cable, ensuring your phone will never run out of battery again. It also comes in a wide array of colours, including red and light blue, which couldn’t be further than that dull executive look you often come across.
For all you could need, with a neat price, this is the one to choose.
Buy now £28.99, Amazon
Stubble & Co Roll Top Backpack
Best for: all weather commutes
Stubble & Co’s roll top is THE all-weather backpack. It describes itself as functionality meets performance and boy does it live up to it.
Not only is it made from recycled materials, which always sits high in my estimations, but it also has a large 20L capacity and is all wrapped up in a sleek, stylish design.
One of the best features is a direct-access laptop pocket on the side, which slides in neatly behind your back and is a complete innovation for those who want to work on the commute, as you don’t have to pull everything else out of the bag.
Its lightweight nature means it doesn’t feel heavy on your back but for those who tend to clock up the foot miles, the cushioned back panel and adjustable chest strap provide maximum comfort all day long.
With sealed seams, water-resistant zips and reflective trim, as well as separate bottle and bike lock pockets and a bike light anchor point, you can tell this bag was made with cycling and the outdoors in mind.
Buy now £120.00, Stubble & Co
Built for Athletes Small Black Gym Backpack
Best for: the capacity to double as a weekend bag
Despite its military-esque exterior, this backpack has been crafted with athletes in mind. Offered in 25L and 45L models, this is about as close as you’ll get capacity-wise to a cross-country backpacker’s kit, only without the cumbersome size.
Featuring two side bottle holders capable of holding 750ml each, this backpack is also equipped with adjustable sternum and waist straps for comfortable carrying when hiking and camping.
The best bit? This backpack opens flat to 180 degrees for speedy packing and unpacking. A great option for commuters, cyclists and travellers, the water-resistant and rip-proof design will keep your belongings safe no matter how far you’ve got to travel.
Buy now £109.99, Built for Athletes
Rapha Reflective Travel Backpack
Best for: those who cycle to work
Cycling aficionados out there, listen up. Bike specialists Rapha have pulled out all the stops with their travel backpack. Not only is it reflective (yes, you heard me right), making it great for those on the move after dark, but it also has a waterproof coating and rain cover so your stuff remains protected, whatever the weather.
Despite its deceptively slim size, this backpack can hold 15L – roomy enough to hold all your office wares, as well as for an overnight stay. Other top features include the chest strap, which has a magnetic closure to keep your bag in place when loaded, which makes the release so much easier than traditional clips. Honestly, try it.
This is also one of only a few bags that has a small zip pocket at the back to store essentials like keys and phones, and it can be accessed even when the rain cover is on, which is a massive plus point. Added to this, it also unzips like a clamshell so you can lie it flat and access everything with ease. There’s also a moulded back panel with channels to promote airflow, for maximum comfort.
Seriously, is there anything this backpack can’t do?
Buy now £130.00, Rapha
Ucon Acrobatics Lotus Hajo Medium Rolltop Backpack 17″ green
Best for: a stylish commute
This sleek and compact wonder from Ucon Acrobatics is any style-conscious commuter’s saviour. If anyone can prove that you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for functionality, it’s the design-conscious label. With a 16-litre capacity and a laptop sleeve suitable for screens up to 17 inches, the commuter essentials are fulfilled from the get-go.
The back system and straps on this backpack are padded, so you can comfortably wear this design on both shoulders and slip it off with ease using the top handle when needed (people who don’t take off their bags on a busy tube, we’re looking at you). The roll-top design paired with an extra velcro fastener ensures that, whether you’ve filled your backpack to the brim for the workday or are carrying a lighter load, that your belongings are secure and compact.
Something that particularly stands out to us in this design is the dedicated key holder. That’s right, no more rummaging around for what feels like hours for the right set of keys, for the right door. With this handy dandy compartment, you’ll know exactly where to reach to get out of the inevitable British rain ASAP. It’s also water-repellent, so all of your belongings are totally protected on that treacherous journey to and from the office.
Buy now £109.99, Amazon
Fjallraven High Coast Totepack
Best for: a 2-in-1 tote and backpack
Made from recycled materials, Fjallraven describe this particular design as versatile, light and practical – and we couldn’t agree more. The High Coast Totepack boasts expert multi-functionality. It not only features a double top handle for easy access on the go, but it also can be an over-the-shoulder tote bag with an extra-long strap for leisurely use on the weekends.
If, like us, storage continues to be a problem in your home – you’ll be pleased to know that the entire bag can be folded into its front pocket when it’s not in use. Give that doorhandle a break from the weight of 1,000 bags and fold this backpack up to free up some storage space. You’ll thank us later.
Rest assured, this model features the ever-important laptop sleeve and an extra valuables pocket. For the cyclists among us, there are also attachment points for a bike lock or a small light on the front.
Buy now £88.49, Amazon
STM dux 30L 17”
Best for: multiple compartments
This backpack is the ultimate work companion for those who have production-led and creative jobs. That is, the kind of role that requires you to carry around a tripod and gimble alongside multiple cables, wires and hard drives. The STM dux 30L 17” - complicated name aside - makes organising all your gear simpler than ever. Included in the many pockets throughout the bag is a dedicated laptop sleeve, two side water bottle pockets, a discrete security pocket, a key clip, and even a cable keeper.
The reason we think that this backpack is so fantastic for those with multiple gizmos and gadgets is because it has a convertible floor that zip-drops open to allow access to the full depth of the pack. The cascading foldout pockets on the front further elevate this hatchback-esque access. If you need to grab something in a hurry, however, the bag also has a top-loading pocket for quick access.
Carry as much as you need without putting pressure on your shoulders and back for this backpack has ergonomic dual-foam shoulder straps, as well as a moulded EVA foam back panel complete with fancy cooling airflow channels for the utmost, sweat-free comfort.
Buy now £179.99, Amazon
Gandys Black Coated Cotton Bali Backpack
Best for: sustainable shoppers and giving back
Set up by two brothers orphaned in the 2004 Tsunami, this is a London brand with a heart. Every purchase goes towards one of the five kids’ campuses in Sri Lanka, Malawi, Brazil, Nepal and Mongolia, but that’s not the only reason to get involved. The men’s apparel is understated and pared down; both un-gimmicky and stylish. With simple cuts and classic colours, this is the go-to shop for high-quality and stylish outdoor gear.
The Bali is a stylish, sturdy backpack that will set you apart from the crowd. A coated exterior protects against the elements, while buckle detailing and handy pockets are perfect for storing office essentials.
Buy now £99.99, Gandys
Mous Extreme Commuter Backpack
Best for: business travel
Built to withstand the vigours of the daily commute, Mous’s backpack boasts plenty of thief-repelling features, from a minimum of exterior pockets to a shell-like lid to keep unsavoury fingers out. The cherry on top is the Fidlock mechanism that won’t come undone without you knowing. The wide padded shoulder straps mean weight is evenly distributed.
Lined with AiroFoam and armed to the eyeballs with internal pockets, zipped compartments and other features to make organisation a breeze, it’s also brilliant for short business trips as your sole bag or hand baggage for longer jaunts.
It is undeniably pricey, but probably not more than it would cost to replace all your stolen tech.
Buy now £199.99, Mous
Verdict
For those after a backpack exclusively for commuting, Stolt’s podium business set has thought of everything, containing all you could need for a full day (and night) in the office. But if you’re looking for something a bit more stylish and multipurpose, the Rains Rolltop Rucksack is your best bet. With ample room and lots of pockets, and all wrapped up in a sustainable shell, there’s nothing not to love about this future-facing bag.
