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The best bag for work isn’t one-size-fits-all. Sometimes, I need a work bag to do everything at once: look professional but not too stuffy, accommodate gym sneakers and a laptop, and organize all the miscellany you definitely don’t need (reading material, makeup bag, and even the odd wine bottle). Other times, I settle for a stylish bag that fits the essentials — a workhorse tote from Baggu, for example — or something that can go from in the office to after-work drinks — like a timeless leather shoulder bag.
To help you find the work bag that suits your lifestyle and budget, my colleague Rachael Griffiths and I surveyed a bunch of stylish, industrious women about the multitasking tote bags, backpacks, and over-the-shoulder options they rely on to get them through the workday — and beyond. Then, along with a few other discerning Strategist staffers, we tested their recommendations over several months to find the best work bags for all kinds of people — all of which you’ll find below. And if you’re looking for something for longer hauls, check out our buying guides to weekender bags and carry-ons.
Update on November 10, 2024: Removed the Kaai Midi Helix, which has been discontinued; updated prices and checked stock for all other products.
What we’re looking for
Material
In general, you want a work bag that’s strong enough to hold heavy laptops and durable enough to survive being squished on the subway but still looks good to bring to the office. The material will be the main thing that determines that. Leather is a no-brainer in that department, but it can be expensive. Canvas, especially waxed or coated, is another common option; it’s still durable and usually less expensive than leather. I’ve also found some nice nylon options, which are generally easier to clean than either leather or canvas.
Price
Prices for work bags are broad, ranging from $20 to a few hundred dollars, depending on their durability and materials they’re made of. Most of our picks are in the range of $100 to $250, and I’ve found that’s generally the sweet spot for durability and looks. But I included affordable options as well as worth-it, and every bag is denoted as either $ (under $100), $$ (under $250), or $$$ (over $250).
Best work bag overall
Material: Leather | Price: $$
The Madewell Transport Tote has been a favorite of Strategist editors and readers alike, since it was first recommended to us by Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen in 2018: “I do not have very exciting or expensive tastes in handbags; I just need a bag with a handle-drop length, so I can shove it over my shoulder while wearing a puffy jacket that holds a laptop, water bottle, and all the toys my kids swear they want to play with that I get stuck carrying home,” she told us.
With Perelman’s (and so many of my colleagues’) praise for the bag in mind, I knew I needed to try it for myself. Though I’ve used it for only a few weeks, the Transport Tote has become my main everyday bag, whether I’m running a quick errand or packing for a weekend trip. That’s because it’s just the right width (and depth) to fit everything I need: There’s enough room for both my 13-inch work laptop and my personal MacBook Pro, plus a charging cable, a hefty book, a few snacks, and a small pouch carrying other daily essentials, like makeup and hand cream. I also love that its design is simple yet classic without any branding on the exterior, making it easy to dress up or down. The leather is slightly grained but still smooth, and while I haven’t been able to test it for long, I have a hunch that it will patina beautifully season after season. And I recommend taking advantage of Madewell’s complimentary personalization service: It’ll give you up to ten characters to play with, so feel free to go for your initials or favorite (short) phrase.
Best (less expensive) work bag
Material: Faux-leather | Price: $
For the cost of a Sweetgreen salad, you could sport this “super-affordable work bag” from Dreubea. It comes recommended by Dianna Baros, who chronicles her life as a frugal-fashion expert on her style blog the Budget Babe. She notes that there are “lots of colors to choose from, making it easy to swap out your bag for different color trends as the seasons change.” She’s not the bag’s only fan: It has more than 5,000 Amazon reviews, 75 percent of which gave four and five stars. This soft, structured bag can comfortably hold an iPad, as well as your wallet, phone, keys, Dopp kit, and the latest novel.
Best work tote bag
Material: Cotton | Price: $
Baggu’s Duck bag has been a favorite work bag here at the Strategist for a number of reasons. It has a snap closure, top handles, an adjustable strap long enough to make it a crossbody, and it’s deep enough to accommodate documents and a laptop. Elizabeth Tamkin, stylist and content director at KULE, also counts herself as a fan. For about five years, she has used Baggu’s tote whenever she has her laptop on her. She likes that it is extremely long-lasting and sturdy, comes in fun patterns, and is machine washable.
Best small work tote bag
Material: Cotton with TPU coating | Price: $
For a slim yet mighty tote, consider the Everyday Small Tote from the Australian-based travel brand July. Our senior editor Ailbhe Malone received it as a press sample two years ago and hasn’t stopped using it since. Malone describes it as an “elevated tote bag,” given its structured design, zippered top, and many clever pockets. “It’s especially nice if I’m taking my laptop to a co-working space, then going out again,” Malone told me, adding that it can fit her laptop, mouse, chargers, and water bottle, plus her makeup bag. The TPU coating also means it’s waterproof, so it’s easy to wipe clean unlike most cotton tote bags. And if you’re going to be traveling, the bag has an exterior band that can slide over luggage handles.
Best leather work tote bag
Material: Leather | Price: $$
My favorite work bag from Madewell is also available with a top zip, in case you’re worried about accidentally dropping something from a too-stuffed tote. It’s also got two different sets of straps: two short top handles, plus a detachable shoulder strap that allows you to wear it across your body.
Best sustainable work tote bag
Material: Nylon made of postconsumer plastic | Price: $
While other bags on this list are made partially out of sustainable materials, this Kokolu tote is made of 100 percent recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. Former Strategist senior editor Chelsea Peng, who has been carrying her work computer in the yellow Kokolu bag for three months now, says she “swears its springiness (probably thanks to the water bottles it’s made from) gives some sort of energy return that makes things feel lighter” than in other totes she’s owned. Peng also appreciates the bucket shape, because it can fit “a sweater, pouches, and other softer things around your laptop both to protect it and to obviously fit more inside.”
Best convertible work tote bag
Material: Recycled tarpaulin | Price: $$
Suitcase Magazine columnist Anna Hart and designer Tyler McGillivary told us they use the sturdy bags from Freitag as their workhorse. The Swiss brand recycles truck tarpaulins into sturdy bags. Hart says her tote is a “compact yet virtually indestructible carry-on that can be converted into a comfortable backpack with a simple clip-on strap.” McGillivary also loves the strength and look of her bag: “It’s the perfect shade of yellow, in my opinion, and paired with a washed-out orange, it reminds me of fruit and fresh paint.”
[Editor’s note: Freitag lists all prices in Swiss francs, so the price shown is an approximate conversion to U.S. dollars.]
Best work bag with zipper
Material: Leather | Price: $$$
Former Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson was a devoted Madewell Transport Tote user until one ill-fated trip to the airport, when the strap on her “(admittedly overstuffed) tote tore off” while she was waiting in the security line. She ordered an older version of the classic zipper Cuyana bag from her phone on the spot and called it a “big upgrade.” “The pebbled leather doesn’t show scratches or wear as easily, and it holds everything you’d need for a workday,” she says. Another fan is Strategist contributor and law student Mya Gelber, who, after six years of looking for her ideal sturdy-yet-lightweight work bag, finally landed on Cuyana’s classic tote. Gelber describes the leather as “so soft” and says it sits comfortably on her shoulder “even while carrying my thousand-page textbooks.”
Both Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo and writer Arielle Avila tested Cuyana’s pebbled-leather Easy Tote. It comes in two other versions — small and tall — and Avila chose the latter. “I appreciate its slim, streamlined silhouette and that it’s still able to fit my laptop, wallet, phone, keys, and even a couple journals,” says Avila. Corsillo’s bag is her go-to for her New York City subway commute. “My favorite thing about it is how light the actual bag is, so I’m not adding any weight to what I’m carrying,” she says. “It also has double handles, so I can carry it two ways really easily.” You can shop the tall tote in eight colors, including pine and cream.
Best suede work bag with zipper
Material: Suede | Price: $$$
This handsome suede bucket bag is the go-to work bag for Strategist writer Dominique Pariso. If you’re wondering why it looks familiar, it’s because the bag went viral on TikTok last year — but Pariso says it’s no fad. “I really do love it and think it’s worth the hype,” she says. “It’s very sturdy: It holds all my daily essentials including my laptop. And I always get compliments.” The bag’s buckle strap means it can be adjusted to sit comfortably on any shoulder, and handy credit card pockets and a zip closure means all your valuables stay put. “I haven’t had any issues keeping it clean, but I’m very careful with it,” Pariso says. (Banana Republic also makes the bag in regular leather, which Pariso recommends if you’re after something that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance.)
[Editor’s note: This bag is currently sold out, but a “slouchy” version is available for $40 less, at $260.]
Best luxury leather work bag
Material: Leather | Price: $$$
Annelise Sealy, founder of the Fall Bride, says this Acne bag was on every single shopping wish list she wrote until she finally made the investment. “It fits everything I need in it for any type of day, whatever the season: whether I’m commuting to the shop in London or rushing between bridal presentations in New York and Barcelona,” she says. “It’s leather and that is important to me in a bag — to know that it has longevity.” Sealy says that the waterproof leather also suits the London weather well. The bag is available in four shades, but Sealy chose black — she wanted a work bag that would go with all outfits for maximum use, but one that still had an element of style. “Previously I’ve had more utilitarian (read: less chic) options that I felt needed to be swapped out for different times of day or events, but this bag comes with me to anything.”
Best work bag with compartments
Material: Canvas | Price: $$
For a versatile bag with some serious structure, try this tote from Dagne Dover. When I tested the Signature Tote, I immediately noticed how sturdy the shoulder straps felt, even when I’d filled the bag to the brim. But what was most impressive was the tote’s eight interior pockets, which kept all my daily necessities in order. The largest interior compartment perfectly fits my 13-inch laptop on one side of a padded divider; meanwhile, the opposite side can easily hold a tablet or Kindle. This technology pocket also has a wide strap with magnetic closure, so I don’t have to worry that my MacBook Pro is sliding around. Compact items, such as my wallet, phone, and lip balm, easily fit into the smaller pockets, and the bag is equipped with a nifty detachable key leash. But my favorite feature is the neoprene water-bottle holder, which keeps my 32-ounce Owala upright and helps wick away condensation.
Don’t just take my word for it: The Dagne Dover Signature Tote also “meets all the needs” of high-school assistant principal Jade Stenger, who appreciates that it has a range of compartments to keep all her items safe and organized. She even trusts it to hold her digital camera, work folders, school supplies, snacks for her little one, and her travel coffee tumbler.
Best backpack for work
Material: Neoprene and mesh | Price: $$
“I’ve never been a big backpack person, but that may be because I always had a plain, unfussy Jansport,” says Avila. “After testing out Dagne Dover’s Dakota backpack, I’m a backpack convert.” The backpack is made from a thick, durable neoprene material that, as well as being water resistant and easy to clean, looks far more luxurious to Avila than plain canvas. It also has plenty of slots for essentials. “My laptop, notebooks, pens, and other miscellaneous things stay organized with its laptop compartment, two exterior zipper pockets, interior zipper pockets, and more. And it’s incredibly comfortable to carry around with its padded straps.” When I spoke to cool women for another story, it was also brought up multiple times. One of its fans, personal stylist Cassandra Sethi, says that the neoprene and mesh material “molds to your body and breathes.” Sethi adds that while it can comfortably “hold everything you need” for the workday, it’s also great for travel. She says “it was the perfect backpack to bring along” on her four-country honeymoon trip.
Best (less expensive) backpack for work
Material: PU Fabric | Price: $
Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths lives in London, where the rain often drizzles for whole weeks at a time, so having a fully waterproof backpack to store her laptop in is essential. After spotting it on the tube more times than she could count, Griffiths was keen to try this Rains bag for herself — and when the brand sent her a sample, it quickly became her go-to work bag. According to Griffiths, Rains’ PU material has a nice, waxy feel to it that is super-satisfying to the touch. Inside the backpack, she can fit her laptop, plus a packed lunch, a change of clothes for the gym, and whatever notebooks and stationery she may need. Even when the bag is full, it doesn’t feel dorky, and thanks to the roll-top opening, Griffiths can squish it down to a size that doesn’t tower over her five-foot-five frame. There’s also a handy pocket for her ID or travel card on the front.
Best faux-leather backpack for work
Material: Faux-leather | Price: $$
For a “sleek, stylish, structured” backpack that’s just north of $100, style influencer Bethany Everett-Ratcliffe suggests this faux-leather option from Calpak. It has a separate, zippered back compartment to keep your laptop secure, a luggage sleeve, and several zippered pouches inside the main compartment that help keep the rest of your belongings organized. While the bag is available in classic colors like black and brown, it also comes in blush and mint if you prefer something a little less predictable.
Best luxury backpack for work
Material: Re-nylon | Price: $$$
As a co-founder of her PR agency Merritt Tate, Laura Merritt often finds herself having to run across London to meet with clients, head to shoots, and host events, so “having a bag that can run around London with me and not just take me to and from an office is essential,” she says. “I decided to be sensible and get a backpack, but as a fashion girl I couldn’t bring myself to get anything ugly — which a lot of backpacks are.” To satisfy both form and function, she invested in the Prada Nylon backpack. Merritt compares it to a Mary Poppins bag, as she can fit “laptop, chargers, packed lunch, notebook, headphones, and sometimes even an outfit change.”
Best work bag for travel
Material: Nylon | Price: $
Longchamp’s Le Pliage tote is a favorite among multiple Strategist staffers, including myself, for being so durable. New York Magazine deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff says hers has withstood nearly two decades of wear and tear, and former Strategist editor Maxine Builder says her 15-year-old Le Pliage tote is a “classic in our household” that her husband has “permanently borrowed.” I’ve owned mine for more than seven years, and it’s held up through commutes and multiple vacations. It’s so durable because it’s made of a waterproof nylon material. Seattle-based knitwear designer and blogger Elisa Yip says that it “repels water to protect all my important stuff,” including her iPad, phone, wallet, makeup bag, and eyeglasses. Yip adds that it’s a great bag for traveling, since it can fold up and fit into a carry-on, making it a good choice if you’re someone who takes a lot of business trips. My editor, Hilary Reid, seconds this: She bought her orange Le Pliage while on a trip to Venice (vacation, not business) and used it as an extra carry-on bag to bring home souvenirs.
Best work bag for gym goers
Material: Nylon | Price: $$$
While this bag may cost the same as two months of membership dues at a luxury gym, it’s a must if you love to work out after (or before) work. I’ve only been testing the Studio 2 for a few weeks, but it’s become my go-to for carrying all my items to early morning Pilates HIIT classes. It has two separate compartments: The main pocket opens wide for easy access to my headphones, makeup bag, and an extra change of clothes; there’s also a cushiony pouch for my 13-inch laptop and two adjustable water-bottle holders. A turn-lock on the zipper keeps the entire compartment more secure. The outer compartment is great for storing snacks or a pair of shoes, like my sneakers. Whether I’m heading to a workout or catching a flight, I love that the adjustable straps can convert the Studio 2 into a backpack or an over-the-shoulder weekender.
Another fan is Katheryn Thayer, vice-president of brand marketing at Primary Venture Partners, who says, “Caraa’s super-versatile ‘luxury sports bags’ are magical” and notes that the bag “has a million secret pockets.” Thayer adds that people stop her in the street to ask where she got it all the time. (If you’re just looking for a gym bag, we’ve got lots more options at various price points here.)
Our experts
• Karen Iorio Adelson, former Strategist senior writer
• Arielle Avila, Strategist writer
• Dianna Baros, author of The Budget Babe
• Anna Bond, Rifle Paper Co. co-founder
• Maxine Builder, former Strategist editor
• Liza Corsillo, Strategist senior writer
• Bethany Everett-Ratcliffe, content creator
• Anna Hart, travel columnist at Suitcase Magazine
• Rachael Griffiths, Strategist writer
• Tyler McGillivary, designer
• Mya Gelber, Strategist contributor and law student
• Laura Merritt, co-founder of PR agency Merritt Tate
• Dominique Pariso, Strategist writer
• Chelsea Peng, former Strategist senior editor
• Deb Perelman, author and Smitten Kitchen writer
• Lauren Ro, Strategist writer
• Annelise Sealy, founder of the Fall Bride
• Jade Stenger, high-school assistant principal
• Cassandra Sethi, personal stylist
• Alexis Swerdloff, New York Magazine deputy editor
• Elizabeth Tamkin, stylist and content director at KULE
• Katheryn Thayer, vice-president of brand marketing at Primary Venture Partners
• Elisa Yip, knitwear designer and blogger
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