5 Best Backpacks for Everyday Carry In 2024 ( Backpack Buying Guide)

 

Briefcases, tote bags, and purses are great everyday carry (EDC) bags when going to work, to the gym, to college, to meet with friends, or to any other destination where fun or duty calls.

But have you ever stopped to think that backpacks can be even greater EDC bags?

Well, I speak from experience.

For many years, needing something not in my purse while at work made me think, “What if I replace my purse with a backpack?” 

To make a long story short, I listened to my inner voice, and I’ve never turned back.

But making the most of a backpack for everyday use means getting the best there is on the market.

That’s regardless of whether you are a man or woman, professional or technical worker, young or mature.

So, let’s kickstart this review of the 5 best backpacks to buy for everyday carry with a quick buying guide. 

 

What to Look for When Buying an EDC Backpack

 

 

 

You won’t consider carrying a backpack every day unless you know it works just as great or better than other bag options.

And if you are going to carry it on your back day in and day out, it should be the best on the market, one that ticks all the boxes for what you are looking for.

For guaranteed EDC backpacks best buy, here are 4 key features to look for. 

 

Size: All essentials in one bag

 

 

Unlike a regular bag's measurable shapes, a backpack is curved to fit your back for greater comfort.

As such, the size of backpacks is measured by the amount of stuff they can hold, expressed in volume or cubic inches.

Since you only put the essentials for a typical or atypical day, such as the smartphone, computer, water bottle, a snack, and an umbrella for when it rains out of the blue, a 15-35 liter EDC daypack is more than enough.

 

Comfort: Even weight distribution

 

 

Different from a purse, tote bag, or briefcase that you carry on one shoulder or hand, the weight of a backpack is evenly distributed on your body.

But you need to ensure your EDC backpack has features that aid even weight distribution and comfortable carrying.

Such features include padding in the shoulder straps and a breathable back.

Shoulder straps help to distribute a backpack’s weight evenly while the hip belt redistributes it to the hips.

Although your EDC backpack is not as heavy as a rock, these comfort features must be present to avoid straining your muscles.

 

Quality: Sturdiness and durability

 

 

You certainly don’t want a backpack you will use for only a few weeks, then it’s ruined.

To avoid such a scenario, go for a study and durable option from the very beginning.

Specifically, choose a backpack made of strong materials like nylon, polyester, canvas, and leather.

Add an element of waterproof to the material choice as well.

Additionally, check that the zippers and straps are strong and won’t buckle under consistent opening and daily carrying in a few weeks.

 

Style: Color and Structure

 

 

Since it will be your daily carry bag, it must bear a sense of style and fashion to match your outfit.

For example, you should choose a dark backpack color if you tend to wear bright colors, and vice versa. 

Also, consider a fashionable backpack structure with access pockets for your gadgets and more carrying options, like crossbody, holding from the top handle, one or two should carriage.

With these key features of the best everyday carry backpacks, we can now consider a few options.

 

5 Best Everyday Carry Backpacks to Choose 

 

The best everyday carry backpack is what works best for you.

You could choose it based on personal and gender preferences, fashion, what you will carry in the bag, and the occasion, whether work or travel.

So, which of these 5 would make your backpack best buy?

 

Best Overall:  Travel Laptop Backpack

 

 

Nothing beats an everyday backpack whose brand speaks for itself.

The  travel laptop backpack is anyone’s choice for office, travel, or weekend escapades.

Its neat structure will give anyone an executive look at the workplace and a feeling of elegance in every other context.

Key Features:

• Plenty of Storage: The  travel backpack has multiple compartments and pockets for ample storage, including a 15.5" maximum laptop compartment and a central spacious compartment for all your personal items and gadgets.

• Multiple size and color options: you can choose between 14", 15.5", 17", and 18" and over 10 colors, including austere gray, lavender purple, yellow, red, black, and galaxy.

• Sturdy and comfortable: The backpack has a soft-padded back design with multi-panel ventilating padding for maximum back support. The shoulder straps are adjustable and breathable, and the foam padded top handle supports easy carry on one hand.

• Strong and durable material: The backpack is made with water-resistant polyester and strong metal zippers.

• Safety and functionality: Includes a luggage strap and anti-theft pocket for your valuables.

• USB Port: You can charge your gadgets on the move at the external USB charging port. 

 

Best for Women:  Laptop Backpack for Women

 

 

The  laptop backpack for women combines elegance with functionality to give you a work backpack that will turn heads at the office.

The polyester and leather blend, color combination, and golden zippers give this bag the look of elegance any serious business or working lady would hate to resist.

Key Features:

• Large Capacity: The rectangular frame of this backpack allows you quick access to a large interior stuff capacity.

• Multiple compartments & pockets: With 5 compartments and 19 pockets, this bag is what any woman desires for easy organization of work and personal items.

• Dual-carriage options: Depending on where you are, you can use the top leather straps for a confident entry to the office or the foam and breathable shoulder straps for easy back carriage when commuting.

• Anti-theft pocket:  has a luggage strap that lets you fix it on the trolley case for safe traveling.

• USB charging port: With a power bank, you can charge your phone or tablet at the external USB port anytime, anywhere.

• Multiple sizes and color choices: Choose between 15.6", 17.3", and 18" and a range of colors, including beige-black, pink-grey, green-black, and black-gray, among others.

 

Best for Men:  Business Smart Backpack

 

 

Men don’t carry around as much personal stuff as women.

But a high-quality backpack for their gadgets and work stuff is indispensable.

The  Business Smart Backpack has three pockets for the kind of stuff organization a man needs, whether for day-to-day work and business, travel, or overnight luggage.

Key Features:

• Durable waterproof material: The BANGE business laptop backpack is made of high-density Oxford material. It is both waterproof and scratch-resistant.

• Multiple pockets: Up to 5 pockets. The main compartment will carry a change of clothes and personal items for overnight luggage, while the laptop pocket opens at 180° and will hold a 15.6-inch machine.

• External USB charging port: Fit your power bank inside and charge your phone on the go using the external USB port.

• Comfortable carriage: Has padded and anti-sweat breathable shoulder straps and back.

• Safety features: Features a luggage strap and an anti-theft card/phone pocket on the back part.

 

Best Sling Backpack:  Crossbody Sling Backpack

 

 

If a double shoulder strap backpack feels like it’s a handful, the sling backpack will save you the trouble.

And if you are tempted to underestimate its size, you shouldn’t. This daypack-size backpack will contain everything you need for a day at work, in college, and when traveling or hiking.

Key Features:

• Big space in a small bag: You have an inner pocket that fits a 9.7-inch iPad, a buckle pocket for a 7-inch screen gadget, and other internal and external pockets to organize the rest of your stuff.

• Superior comfort: The back part and shoulder strap feature breathable material to keep you comfy when traveling, hiking, or commuting to work or college.

• Adjustable shoulder strap: You can move the shoulder strap from a right to a left fit by swapping it from one side D-ring to the other.

• Concealed earphone port: You can access your earphones using the small hole at the front and enjoy music while you go about your day.

 

Best Laptop Backpack: Jester Backpack

 

 

If safely and comfortably carrying your laptop is the key reason you are turning to a backpack,  Jester Backpack is what you should go for.

The 28L backpack will bring along all your work and personal items wherever you go while sending a message of cool vintage.

Key Features:

• Stands unsupported: Jester Backpack takes organizing stuff to the next level by standing unsupported while you pack your 16” laptop in its padded sleeve and the rest of your stuff in the zip pockets. 

• Back health endorsement. The manufacturer indicates the backpack is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.

• Has the Comfort of Flex Vent Technology: Includes flexible yoke and shoulder straps and a padded mesh back panel for comfort and breathability. 

• Customizable: Can be customized to include women-specific features.

 

Final Thoughts

We often consider backpacks as the large luggage bags we carry on our backs when traveling or hiking. 

However, backpacks can be your everyday carry bag in place of your purse or briefcase, whether traveling, going to work or college, or just stepping out for fun.

The best backpack to buy for everyday carry will depend on your needs.

When shopping, consider the size, comfort, quality, and style of the backpack.

That way, you can say you got your backpack best buy every time you carry it on your back.

 

References

• KNACK. What to Look for in an Everyday Carry Backpack. https://knackbags.com/blogs/one-bag-blog/what-to-look-for-in-an-everyday-carry-backpack. 

• The Pedal Project. AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO BACKPACK SIZES AND VOLUMES. https://thepedalproject.org/guide-to-backpack-sizes-volumes/.

• The Pedal Project. DAYPACK VS BACKPACK: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? https://thepedalproject.org/daypack-vs-backpack-the-difference/. 

• RevolutionRace. How to choose a backpack. https://www.revolutionrace.co.uk/campsite/choose-backpack.